Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

In Love’s Labor’s Lost, the comedy centers on four young men who fall in love against their wills. The men, one of them the king of Navarre, pledge to study for three years, avoiding all contact with women. When the Princess of France arrives on a state visit, the king insists she and her ladies camp outside the court. Even so, each young man falls in love with one of the ladies.

Meanwhile, Don Armado, a Spanish soldier, falls for a servant girl, Jacquenetta. Costard, an illiterate local, mixes up two letters he is to deliver, one from Armado to Jacquenetta and the other from Berowne, one of the king’s companions, to Rosaline, one of the French ladies.

The men confess they are in love, and devise a pageant for the ladies, who set a trap for them by exchanging identifying markers. When word comes that the princess’s father is dead, the ladies reject the men’s proposals as rash and impose a year’s delay before any further wooing.

Characters in the Play
King of Navarre, also known as Ferdinand
Berowne
Longaville
Dumaine
lords attending the King
The Princess of France
Rosaline
Maria
Katherine
ladies attending the Princess
Boyet, a lord attending the Princess
Armado, the Braggart, also known as Don Adriano de Armado
Boy, Armado’s Page, also known as Mote
Jaquenetta, the Wench
Costard, the Clown or Swain
Dull, the Constable
Holofernes, the Pedant, or schoolmaster
Nathaniel, the Curate
Forester
Monsieur Marcade, a messenger from France
Lords, Blackamoors, Musicians

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Ferdinand, King of Navarre, Berowne,
Longaville, and Dumaine.
KING
FTLN 0001 Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives,
FTLN 0002 Live registered upon our brazen tombs,
FTLN 0003 And then grace us in the disgrace of death,
FTLN 0004 When, spite of cormorant devouring time,
FTLN 0005 5 Th’ endeavor of this present breath may buy
FTLN 0006 That honor which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge
FTLN 0007 And make us heirs of all eternity.
FTLN 0008 Therefore, brave conquerors, for so you are
FTLN 0009 That war against your own affections
FTLN 0010 10 And the huge army of the world’s desires,
FTLN 0011 Our late edict shall strongly stand in force.
FTLN 0012 Navarre shall be the wonder of the world;
FTLN 0013 Our court shall be a little academe,
FTLN 0014 Still and contemplative in living art.
FTLN 0015 15 You three, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville,
FTLN 0016 Have sworn for three years’ term to live with me,
FTLN 0017 My fellow scholars, and to keep those statutes
FTLN 0018 That are recorded in this schedule here.
He holds up a scroll.
FTLN 0019 Your oaths are passed, and now subscribe your
FTLN 0020 20 names,
FTLN 0021 That his own hand may strike his honor down
7

9
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0022 That violates the smallest branch herein.
FTLN 0023 If you are armed to do as sworn to do,
FTLN 0024 Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0025 25 I am resolved. ’Tis but a three years’ fast.
FTLN 0026 The mind shall banquet though the body pine.
FTLN 0027 Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits
FTLN 0028 Make rich the ribs but bankrout quite the wits.
He signs his name.
DUMAINE
FTLN 0029 My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified.
FTLN 0030 30 The grosser manner of these world’s delights
FTLN 0031 He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves.
FTLN 0032 To love, to wealth, to pomp I pine and die,
FTLN 0033 With all these living in philosophy.
He signs his name.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0034 I can but say their protestation over.
FTLN 0035 35 So much, dear liege, I have already sworn,
FTLN 0036 That is, to live and study here three years.
FTLN 0037 But there are other strict observances:
FTLN 0038 As not to see a woman in that term,
FTLN 0039 Which I hope well is not enrollèd there;
FTLN 0040 40 And one day in a week to touch no food,
FTLN 0041 And but one meal on every day besides,
FTLN 0042 The which I hope is not enrollèd there;
FTLN 0043 And then to sleep but three hours in the night,
FTLN 0044 And not be seen to wink of all the day—
FTLN 0045 45 When I was wont to think no harm all night,
FTLN 0046 And make a dark night too of half the day—
FTLN 0047 Which I hope well is not enrollèd there.
FTLN 0048 O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep,
FTLN 0049 Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.
KING
FTLN 0050 50 Your oath is passed to pass away from these.

11
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
BEROWNE
FTLN 0051 Let me say no, my liege, an if you please.
FTLN 0052 I only swore to study with your Grace
FTLN 0053 And stay here in your court for three years’ space.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0054 You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0055 55 By yea and nay, sir. Then I swore in jest.
FTLN 0056 What is the end of study, let me know?
KING
FTLN 0057 Why, that to know which else we should not know.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0058 Things hid and barred, you mean, from common
FTLN 0059 sense.
KING
FTLN 0060 60 Ay, that is study’s godlike recompense.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0061 Come on, then, I will swear to study so,
FTLN 0062 To know the thing I am forbid to know:
FTLN 0063 As thus—to study where I well may dine,
FTLN 0064 When I to feast expressly am forbid;
FTLN 0065 65 Or study where to meet some mistress fine
FTLN 0066 When mistresses from common sense are hid;
FTLN 0067 Or having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath,
FTLN 0068 Study to break it, and not break my troth.
FTLN 0069 If study’s gain be thus, and this be so,
FTLN 0070 70 Study knows that which yet it doth not know.
FTLN 0071 Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no.
KING
FTLN 0072 These be the stops that hinder study quite,
FTLN 0073 And train our intellects to vain delight.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0074 Why, all delights are vain, and that most vain
FTLN 0075 75 Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain:
FTLN 0076 As painfully to pore upon a book
FTLN 0077 To seek the light of truth, while truth the while

13
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0078 Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look.
FTLN 0079 Light seeking light doth light of light beguile.
FTLN 0080 80 So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
FTLN 0081 Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
FTLN 0082 Study me how to please the eye indeed
FTLN 0083 By fixing it upon a fairer eye,
FTLN 0084 Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed
FTLN 0085 85 And give him light that it was blinded by.
FTLN 0086 Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun,
FTLN 0087 That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks.
FTLN 0088 Small have continual plodders ever won,
FTLN 0089 Save base authority from others’ books.
FTLN 0090 90 These earthly godfathers of heaven’s lights,
FTLN 0091 That give a name to every fixèd star,
FTLN 0092 Have no more profit of their shining nights
FTLN 0093 Than those that walk and wot not what they are.
FTLN 0094 Too much to know is to know naught but fame,
FTLN 0095 95 And every godfather can give a name.
KING
FTLN 0096 How well he’s read to reason against reading.
DUMAINE
FTLN 0097 Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0098 He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0099 The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
DUMAINE
FTLN 0100 100 How follows that?
BEROWNE FTLN 0101 Fit in his place and time.
DUMAINE
FTLN 0102 In reason nothing.
BEROWNE FTLN 0103 Something then in rhyme.
KING
FTLN 0104 Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost
FTLN 0105 105 That bites the firstborn infants of the spring.

15
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
BEROWNE
FTLN 0106 Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast
FTLN 0107 Before the birds have any cause to sing?
FTLN 0108 Why should I joy in any abortive birth?
FTLN 0109 At Christmas I no more desire a rose
FTLN 0110 110 Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows,
FTLN 0111 But like of each thing that in season grows.
FTLN 0112 So you, to study now it is too late,
FTLN 0113 Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate.
KING
FTLN 0114 Well, sit you out. Go home, Berowne. Adieu.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0115 115 No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you.
FTLN 0116 And though I have for barbarism spoke more
FTLN 0117 Than for that angel knowledge you can say,
FTLN 0118 Yet, confident, I’ll keep what I have sworn
FTLN 0119 And bide the penance of each three years’ day.
FTLN 0120 120 Give me the paper. Let me read the same,
FTLN 0121 And to the strictest decrees I’ll write my name.
KING
FTLN 0122 How well this yielding rescues thee from shame.
BEROWNE reads FTLN 0123 Item, That no woman shall come within
FTLN 0124 a mile of my court. Hath this been proclaimed?
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0125 125 Four days ago.
BEROWNE FTLN 0126 Let’s see the penalty. Reads: On pain of
FTLN 0127 losing her tongue. Who devised this penalty?
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0128 Marry, that did I.
BEROWNE FTLN 0129 Sweet lord, and why?
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0130 130 To fright them hence with that dread penalty.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0131 A dangerous law against gentility.
Reads: FTLN 0132 Item, If any man be seen to talk with a
FTLN 0133 woman within the term of three years, he shall endure
FTLN 0134 such public shame as the rest of the court can possible
FTLN 0135 135 devise.

17
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0136 This article, my liege, yourself must break,
FTLN 0137 For well you know here comes in embassy
FTLN 0138 The French king’s daughter with yourself to speak—
FTLN 0139 A maid of grace and complete majesty—
FTLN 0140 140 About surrender up of Aquitaine
FTLN 0141 To her decrepit, sick, and bedrid father.
FTLN 0142 Therefore this article is made in vain,
FTLN 0143 Or vainly comes th’ admirèd princess hither.
KING
FTLN 0144 What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0145 145 So study evermore is overshot.
FTLN 0146 While it doth study to have what it would,
FTLN 0147 It doth forget to do the thing it should.
FTLN 0148 And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,
FTLN 0149 ’Tis won as towns with fire—so won, so lost.
KING
FTLN 0150 150 We must of force dispense with this decree.
FTLN 0151 She must lie here on mere necessity.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0152 Necessity will make us all forsworn
FTLN 0153 Three thousand times within this three years’
FTLN 0154 space;
FTLN 0155 155 For every man with his affects is born,
FTLN 0156 Not by might mastered, but by special grace.
FTLN 0157 If I break faith, this word shall speak for me:
FTLN 0158 I am forsworn on mere necessity.
FTLN 0159 So to the laws at large I write my name,
FTLN 0160 160 And he that breaks them in the least degree
FTLN 0161 Stands in attainder of eternal shame.
FTLN 0162 Suggestions are to other as to me,
FTLN 0163 But I believe, although I seem so loath,
FTLN 0164 I am the last that will last keep his oath.
He signs his name.
FTLN 0165 165 But is there no quick recreation granted?

19
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
KING
FTLN 0166 Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted
FTLN 0167 With a refinèd traveler of Spain,
FTLN 0168 A man in all the world’s new fashion planted,
FTLN 0169 That hath a mint of phrases in his brain;
FTLN 0170 170 One who the music of his own vain tongue
FTLN 0171 Doth ravish like enchanting harmony,
FTLN 0172 A man of compliments, whom right and wrong
FTLN 0173 Have chose as umpire of their mutiny.
FTLN 0174 This child of fancy, that Armado hight,
FTLN 0175 175 For interim to our studies shall relate
FTLN 0176 In high-born words the worth of many a knight
FTLN 0177 From tawny Spain lost in the world’s debate.
FTLN 0178 How you delight, my lords, I know not, I,
FTLN 0179 But I protest I love to hear him lie,
FTLN 0180 180 And I will use him for my minstrelsy.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0181 Armado is a most illustrious wight,
FTLN 0182 A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0183 Costard the swain and he shall be our sport,
FTLN 0184 And so to study three years is but short.
Enter Dull, a Constable, with a letter, and Costard.
DULL FTLN 0185 185 Which is the Duke’s own person?
BEROWNE FTLN 0186 This, fellow. What wouldst?
DULL FTLN 0187 I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his
FTLN 0188 Grace’s farborough. But I would see his own
FTLN 0189 person in flesh and blood.
BEROWNE FTLN 0190 190 This is he.
DULL , to King FTLN 0191 Signior Arm-, Arm-, commends you.
FTLN 0192 There’s villainy abroad. This letter will tell you
FTLN 0193 more. He gives the letter to the King.
COSTARD FTLN 0194 Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching
FTLN 0195 195 me.
KING FTLN 0196 A letter from the magnificent Armado.

21
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
BEROWNE FTLN 0197 How low soever the matter, I hope in God
FTLN 0198 for high words.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0199 A high hope for a low heaven. God grant
FTLN 0200 200 us patience!
BEROWNE FTLN 0201 To hear, or forbear hearing?
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0202 To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately,
FTLN 0203 or to forbear both.
BEROWNE FTLN 0204 Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause
FTLN 0205 205 to climb in the merriness.
COSTARD FTLN 0206 The matter is to me, sir, as concerning
FTLN 0207 Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with
FTLN 0208 the manner.
BEROWNE FTLN 0209 In what manner?
COSTARD FTLN 0210 210 In manner and form following, sir, all those
FTLN 0211 three. I was seen with her in the manor house,
FTLN 0212 sitting with her upon the form, and taken following
FTLN 0213 her into the park, which, put together, is “in manner
FTLN 0214 and form following.” Now, sir, for the manner.
FTLN 0215 215 It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman. For
FTLN 0216 the form—in some form.
BEROWNE FTLN 0217 For the “following,” sir?
COSTARD FTLN 0218 As it shall follow in my correction, and God
FTLN 0219 defend the right.
KING FTLN 0220 220 Will you hear this letter with attention?
BEROWNE FTLN 0221 As we would hear an oracle.
COSTARD FTLN 0222 Such is the sinplicity of man to hearken after
FTLN 0223 the flesh.
KING reads FTLN 0224 Great deputy, the welkin’s vicegerent and
FTLN 0225 225 sole dominator of Navarre, my soul’s earth’s god, and
FTLN 0226 body’s fost’ring patron—
COSTARD FTLN 0227 Not a word of Costard yet.
KING reads FTLN 0228 So it is—
COSTARD FTLN 0229 It may be so, but if he say it is so, he is, in
FTLN 0230 230 telling true, but so.
KING FTLN 0231 Peace.
COSTARD FTLN 0232 Be to me, and every man that dares not fight.

23
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
KING FTLN 0233 No words.
COSTARD FTLN 0234 Of other men’s secrets, I beseech you.
KING reads FTLN 0235 235 So it is, besieged with sable-colored melancholy,
FTLN 0236 I did commend the black oppressing humor
FTLN 0237 to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air;
FTLN 0238 and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The
FTLN 0239 time when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most
FTLN 0240 240 graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that
FTLN 0241 nourishment which is called supper. So much for the
FTLN 0242 time when. Now for the ground which—which, I
FTLN 0243 mean, I walked upon. It is yclept thy park. Then for the
FTLN 0244 place where—where, I mean, I did encounter that
FTLN 0245 245 obscene and most prepost’rous event that draweth
FTLN 0246 from my snow-white pen the ebon-colored ink, which
FTLN 0247 here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest. But to
FTLN 0248 the place where. It standeth north-north-east and by
FTLN 0249 east from the west corner of thy curious-knotted
FTLN 0250 250 garden. There did I see that low-spirited swain, that
FTLN 0251 base minnow of thy mirth,—
COSTARD FTLN 0252 Me?
KING reads FTLN 0253 that unlettered, small-knowing soul,—
COSTARD FTLN 0254 Me?
KING reads FTLN 0255 255 that shallow vassal,—
COSTARD FTLN 0256 Still me?
KING reads FTLN 0257 which, as I remember, hight Costard,—
COSTARD FTLN 0258 O, me!
KING reads FTLN 0259 sorted and consorted, contrary to thy
FTLN 0260 260 established proclaimed edict and continent canon,
FTLN 0261 which with—O with—but with this I passion to say
FTLN 0262 wherewith—
COSTARD FTLN 0263 With a wench.
KING reads FTLN 0264 with a child of our grandmother Eve, a
FTLN 0265 265 female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a
FTLN 0266 woman: him, I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks
FTLN 0267 me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of
FTLN 0268 punishment by thy sweet Grace’s officer, Anthony

25
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0269 Dull, a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and
FTLN 0270 270 estimation.
DULL FTLN 0271 Me, an ’t shall please you. I am Anthony Dull.
KING reads FTLN 0272 For Jaquenetta—so is the weaker vessel
FTLN 0273 called which I apprehended with the aforesaid
FTLN 0274 swain—I keep her as a vessel of thy law’s fury, and
FTLN 0275 275 shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial.
FTLN 0276 Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heartburning
FTLN 0277 heat of duty,
FTLN 0278 Don Adriano de Armado.
BEROWNE FTLN 0279 This is not so well as I looked for, but the
FTLN 0280 280 best that ever I heard.
KING FTLN 0281 Ay, the best, for the worst. To Costard. But,
FTLN 0282 sirrah, what say you to this?
COSTARD FTLN 0283 Sir, I confess the wench.
KING FTLN 0284 Did you hear the proclamation?
COSTARD FTLN 0285 285 I do confess much of the hearing it, but little
FTLN 0286 of the marking of it.
KING FTLN 0287 It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be
FTLN 0288 taken with a wench.
COSTARD FTLN 0289 I was taken with none, sir. I was taken with a
FTLN 0290 290 damsel.
KING FTLN 0291 Well, it was proclaimed “damsel.”
COSTARD FTLN 0292 This was no damsel neither, sir. She was a
FTLN 0293 virgin.
BEROWNE FTLN 0294 It is so varied too, for it was proclaimed
FTLN 0295 295 “virgin.”
COSTARD FTLN 0296 If it were, I deny her virginity. I was taken
FTLN 0297 with a maid.
KING FTLN 0298 This “maid” will not serve your turn, sir.
COSTARD FTLN 0299 This maid will serve my turn, sir.
KING FTLN 0300 300 Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall
FTLN 0301 fast a week with bran and water.
COSTARD FTLN 0302 I had rather pray a month with mutton and
FTLN 0303 porridge.

27
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
KING FTLN 0304 And Don Armado shall be your keeper.
FTLN 0305 305 My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er,
FTLN 0306 And go we, lords, to put in practice that
FTLN 0307 Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.
King, Longaville, and Dumaine exit.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0308 I’ll lay my head to any goodman’s hat,
FTLN 0309 These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.
FTLN 0310 310 Sirrah, come on.
COSTARD FTLN 0311 I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is I was
FTLN 0312 taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true
FTLN 0313 girl. And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity.
FTLN 0314 Affliction may one day smile again, and till
FTLN 0315 315 then, sit thee down, sorrow.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Armado and Mote, his page.
ARMADO FTLN 0316 Boy, what sign is it when a man of great spirit
FTLN 0317 grows melancholy?
BOY FTLN 0318 A great sign, sir, that he will look sad.
ARMADO FTLN 0319 Why, sadness is one and the selfsame thing,
FTLN 0320 5 dear imp.
BOY FTLN 0321 No, no. O Lord, sir, no!
ARMADO FTLN 0322 How canst thou part sadness and melancholy,
FTLN 0323 my tender juvenal?
BOY FTLN 0324 By a familiar demonstration of the working, my
FTLN 0325 10 tough signior.
ARMADO FTLN 0326 Why “tough signior”? Why “tough signior”?
BOY FTLN 0327 Why “tender juvenal”? Why “tender juvenal”?
ARMADO FTLN 0328 I spoke it “tender juvenal” as a congruent
FTLN 0329 epitheton appertaining to thy young days, which
FTLN 0330 15 we may nominate “tender.”

29
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
BOY FTLN 0331 And I “tough signior” as an appurtenant title to
FTLN 0332 your old time, which we may name “tough.”
ARMADO FTLN 0333 Pretty and apt.
BOY FTLN 0334 How mean you, sir? I pretty and my saying apt, or
FTLN 0335 20 I apt and my saying pretty?
ARMADO FTLN 0336 Thou pretty because little.
BOY FTLN 0337 Little pretty, because little. Wherefore apt?
ARMADO FTLN 0338 And therefore apt, because quick.
BOY FTLN 0339 Speak you this in my praise, master?
ARMADO FTLN 0340 25 In thy condign praise.
BOY FTLN 0341 I will praise an eel with the same praise.
ARMADO FTLN 0342 What, that an eel is ingenious?
BOY FTLN 0343 That an eel is quick.
ARMADO FTLN 0344 I do say thou art quick in answers. Thou
FTLN 0345 30 heat’st my blood.
BOY FTLN 0346 I am answered, sir.
ARMADO FTLN 0347 I love not to be crossed.
BOY , aside FTLN 0348 He speaks the mere contrary; crosses love
FTLN 0349 not him.
ARMADO FTLN 0350 35 I have promised to study three years with the
FTLN 0351 Duke.
BOY FTLN 0352 You may do it in an hour, sir.
ARMADO FTLN 0353 Impossible.
BOY FTLN 0354 How many is one thrice told?
ARMADO FTLN 0355 40 I am ill at reckoning. It fitteth the spirit of a
FTLN 0356 tapster.
BOY FTLN 0357 You are a gentleman and a gamester, sir.
ARMADO FTLN 0358 I confess both. They are both the varnish of a
FTLN 0359 complete man.
BOY FTLN 0360 45 Then I am sure you know how much the gross
FTLN 0361 sum of deuce-ace amounts to.
ARMADO FTLN 0362 It doth amount to one more than two.
BOY FTLN 0363 Which the base vulgar do call “three.”
ARMADO FTLN 0364 True.
BOY FTLN 0365 50 Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is
FTLN 0366 “three” studied ere you’ll thrice wink. And how

31
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0367 easy it is to put “years” to the word “three” and
FTLN 0368 study “three years” in two words, the dancing horse
FTLN 0369 will tell you.
ARMADO FTLN 0370 55 A most fine figure.
BOY , aside FTLN 0371 To prove you a cipher.
ARMADO FTLN 0372 I will hereupon confess I am in love; and as it
FTLN 0373 is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a
FTLN 0374 base wench. If drawing my sword against the
FTLN 0375 60 humor of affection would deliver me from the
FTLN 0376 reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner
FTLN 0377 and ransom him to any French courtier for a
FTLN 0378 new-devised curtsy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks
FTLN 0379 I should outswear Cupid. Comfort me, boy. What
FTLN 0380 65 great men have been in love?
BOY FTLN 0381 Hercules, master.
ARMADO FTLN 0382 Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear
FTLN 0383 boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be
FTLN 0384 men of good repute and carriage.
BOY FTLN 0385 70 Samson, master; he was a man of good carriage,
FTLN 0386 great carriage, for he carried the town gates on his
FTLN 0387 back like a porter, and he was in love.
ARMADO FTLN 0388 O, well-knit Samson, strong-jointed Samson;
FTLN 0389 I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst
FTLN 0390 75 me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was
FTLN 0391 Samson’s love, my dear Mote?
BOY FTLN 0392 A woman, master.
ARMADO FTLN 0393 Of what complexion?
BOY FTLN 0394 Of all the four, or the three, or the two, or one of
FTLN 0395 80 the four.
ARMADO FTLN 0396 Tell me precisely of what complexion.
BOY FTLN 0397 Of the sea-water green, sir.
ARMADO FTLN 0398 Is that one of the four complexions?
BOY FTLN 0399 As I have read, sir, and the best of them too.
ARMADO FTLN 0400 85 Green indeed is the color of lovers. But to
FTLN 0401 have a love of that color, methinks Samson had
FTLN 0402 small reason for it. He surely affected her for her
FTLN 0403 wit.

33
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
BOY FTLN 0404 It was so, sir, for she had a green wit.
ARMADO FTLN 0405 90 My love is most immaculate white and red.
BOY FTLN 0406 Most maculate thoughts, master, are masked
FTLN 0407 under such colors.
ARMADO FTLN 0408 Define, define, well-educated infant.
BOY FTLN 0409 My father’s wit and my mother’s tongue, assist
FTLN 0410 95 me.
ARMADO FTLN 0411 Sweet invocation of a child, most pretty and
FTLN 0412 pathetical.
BOY
FTLN 0413 If she be made of white and red,
FTLN 0414 Her faults will ne’er be known,
FTLN 0415 100 For blushing cheeks by faults are bred,
FTLN 0416 And fears by pale white shown.
FTLN 0417 Then if she fear, or be to blame,
FTLN 0418 By this you shall not know,
FTLN 0419 For still her cheeks possess the same
FTLN 0420 105 Which native she doth owe.
FTLN 0421 A dangerous rhyme, master, against the reason of
FTLN 0422 white and red.
ARMADO FTLN 0423 Is there not a ballad, boy, of “The King and
FTLN 0424 the Beggar”?
BOY FTLN 0425 110 The world was very guilty of such a ballad some
FTLN 0426 three ages since, but I think now ’tis not to be found;
FTLN 0427 or if it were, it would neither serve for the writing
FTLN 0428 nor the tune.
ARMADO FTLN 0429 I will have that subject newly writ o’er, that I
FTLN 0430 115 may example my digression by some mighty precedent.
FTLN 0431 Boy, I do love that country girl that I took in
FTLN 0432 the park with the rational hind Costard. She deserves
FTLN 0433 well.
BOY , aside FTLN 0434 To be whipped—and yet a better love than
FTLN 0435 120 my master.
ARMADO FTLN 0436 Sing, boy. My spirit grows heavy in love.
BOY , aside FTLN 0437 And that’s great marvel, loving a light
FTLN 0438 wench.

35
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
ARMADO FTLN 0439 I say sing.
BOY FTLN 0440 125 Forbear till this company be past.
Enter Clown (Costard,) Constable (Dull,) and Wench
(Jaquenetta.)
DULL , to Armado FTLN 0441 Sir, the Duke’s pleasure is that you
FTLN 0442 keep Costard safe, and you must suffer him to take
FTLN 0443 no delight, nor no penance, but he must fast three
FTLN 0444 days a week. For this damsel, I must keep her at the
FTLN 0445 130 park. She is allowed for the dey-woman. Fare you
FTLN 0446 well.
ARMADO , aside FTLN 0447 I do betray myself with blushing.—
FTLN 0448 Maid.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0449 Man.
ARMADO FTLN 0450 135 I will visit thee at the lodge.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0451 That’s hereby.
ARMADO FTLN 0452 I know where it is situate.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0453 Lord, how wise you are.
ARMADO FTLN 0454 I will tell thee wonders.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0455 140 With that face?
ARMADO FTLN 0456 I love thee.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0457 So I heard you say.
ARMADO FTLN 0458 And so, farewell.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 0459 Fair weather after you.
DULL FTLN 0460 145 Come, Jaquenetta, away.
Dull and Jaquenetta exit.
ARMADO , to Costard FTLN 0461 Villain, thou shalt fast for thy
FTLN 0462 offenses ere thou be pardoned.
COSTARD FTLN 0463 Well, sir, I hope when I do it I shall do it on
FTLN 0464 a full stomach.
ARMADO FTLN 0465 150 Thou shalt be heavily punished.
COSTARD FTLN 0466 I am more bound to you than your fellows,
FTLN 0467 for they are but lightly rewarded.
ARMADO , to Boy FTLN 0468 Take away this villain. Shut him up.
BOY FTLN 0469 Come, you transgressing slave, away.

37
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 1. SC. 2
COSTARD , to Armado FTLN 0470 155 Let me not be pent up, sir. I will
FTLN 0471 fast being loose.
BOY FTLN 0472 No, sir, that were fast and loose. Thou shalt to
FTLN 0473 prison.
COSTARD FTLN 0474 Well, if ever I do see the merry days of
FTLN 0475 160 desolation that I have seen, some shall see.
BOY FTLN 0476 What shall some see?
COSTARD FTLN 0477 Nay, nothing, Master Mote, but what they
FTLN 0478 look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in
FTLN 0479 their words, and therefore I will say nothing. I thank
FTLN 0480 165 God I have as little patience as another man, and
FTLN 0481 therefore I can be quiet.
Costard and Boy exit.
ARMADO FTLN 0482 I do affect the very ground (which is base)
FTLN 0483 where her shoe (which is baser) guided by her foot
FTLN 0484 (which is basest) doth tread. I shall be forsworn
FTLN 0485 170 (which is a great argument of falsehood) if I love.
FTLN 0486 And how can that be true love which is falsely
FTLN 0487 attempted? Love is a familiar; love is a devil. There is
FTLN 0488 no evil angel but love, yet was Samson so tempted,
FTLN 0489 and he had an excellent strength; yet was Solomon
FTLN 0490 175 so seduced, and he had a very good wit. Cupid’s
FTLN 0491 butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules’ club, and therefore
FTLN 0492 too much odds for a Spaniard’s rapier. The first
FTLN 0493 and second cause will not serve my turn; the
FTLN 0494 passado he respects not, the duello he regards not.
FTLN 0495 180 His disgrace is to be called “boy,” but his glory is to
FTLN 0496 subdue men. Adieu, valor; rust, rapier; be still,
FTLN 0497 drum, for your manager is in love. Yea, he loveth.
FTLN 0498 Assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme, for I am
FTLN 0499 sure I shall turn sonnet. Devise wit, write pen, for I
FTLN 0500 185 am for whole volumes in folio.
He exits.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter the Princess of France, with three attending
Ladies (Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine), Boyet
and other Lords.
BOYET
FTLN 0501 Now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits.
FTLN 0502 Consider who the King your father sends,
FTLN 0503 To whom he sends, and what’s his embassy.
FTLN 0504 Yourself, held precious in the world’s esteem,
FTLN 0505 5 To parley with the sole inheritor
FTLN 0506 Of all perfections that a man may owe,
FTLN 0507 Matchless Navarre; the plea of no less weight
FTLN 0508 Than Aquitaine, a dowry for a queen.
FTLN 0509 Be now as prodigal of all dear grace
FTLN 0510 10 As nature was in making graces dear
FTLN 0511 When she did starve the general world besides
FTLN 0512 And prodigally gave them all to you.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0513 Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean,
FTLN 0514 Needs not the painted flourish of your praise.
FTLN 0515 15 Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye,
FTLN 0516 Not uttered by base sale of chapmen’s tongues.
FTLN 0517 I am less proud to hear you tell my worth
FTLN 0518 Than you much willing to be counted wise
FTLN 0519 In spending your wit in the praise of mine.
FTLN 0520 20 But now to task the tasker: good Boyet,
41

43
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0521 You are not ignorant all-telling fame
FTLN 0522 Doth noise abroad Navarre hath made a vow,
FTLN 0523 Till painful study shall outwear three years,
FTLN 0524 No woman may approach his silent court.
FTLN 0525 25 Therefore to ’s seemeth it a needful course,
FTLN 0526 Before we enter his forbidden gates,
FTLN 0527 To know his pleasure, and in that behalf,
FTLN 0528 Bold of your worthiness, we single you
FTLN 0529 As our best-moving fair solicitor.
FTLN 0530 30 Tell him the daughter of the King of France
FTLN 0531 On serious business craving quick dispatch,
FTLN 0532 Importunes personal conference with his Grace.
FTLN 0533 Haste, signify so much, while we attend,
FTLN 0534 Like humble-visaged suitors, his high will.
BOYET
FTLN 0535 35 Proud of employment, willingly I go.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0536 All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.
Boyet exits.
FTLN 0537 Who are the votaries, my loving lords,
FTLN 0538 That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke?
A LORD
FTLN 0539 Lord Longaville is one.
PRINCESS FTLN 0540 40 Know you the man?
MARIA
FTLN 0541 I know him, madam. At a marriage feast
FTLN 0542 Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir
FTLN 0543 Of Jaques Falconbridge, solemnizèd
FTLN 0544 In Normandy, saw I this Longaville.
FTLN 0545 45 A man of sovereign parts he is esteemed,
FTLN 0546 Well fitted in arts, glorious in arms.
FTLN 0547 Nothing becomes him ill that he would well.
FTLN 0548 The only soil of his fair virtue’s gloss,
FTLN 0549 If virtue’s gloss will stain with any soil,
FTLN 0550 50 Is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will,
FTLN 0551 Whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills
FTLN 0552 It should none spare that come within his power.

45
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
PRINCESS
FTLN 0553 Some merry mocking lord, belike. Is ’t so?
MARIA
FTLN 0554 They say so most that most his humors know.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0555 55 Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow.
FTLN 0556 Who are the rest?
KATHERINE
FTLN 0557 The young Dumaine, a well-accomplished youth,
FTLN 0558 Of all that virtue love for virtue loved.
FTLN 0559 Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill;
FTLN 0560 60 For he hath wit to make an ill shape good,
FTLN 0561 And shape to win grace though he had no wit.
FTLN 0562 I saw him at the Duke Alanson’s once,
FTLN 0563 And much too little of that good I saw
FTLN 0564 Is my report to his great worthiness.
ROSALINE
FTLN 0565 65 Another of these students at that time
FTLN 0566 Was there with him, if I have heard a truth.
FTLN 0567 Berowne they call him, but a merrier man,
FTLN 0568 Within the limit of becoming mirth,
FTLN 0569 I never spent an hour’s talk withal.
FTLN 0570 70 His eye begets occasion for his wit,
FTLN 0571 For every object that the one doth catch
FTLN 0572 The other turns to a mirth-moving jest,
FTLN 0573 Which his fair tongue, conceit’s expositor,
FTLN 0574 Delivers in such apt and gracious words
FTLN 0575 75 That agèd ears play truant at his tales,
FTLN 0576 And younger hearings are quite ravishèd,
FTLN 0577 So sweet and voluble is his discourse.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0578 God bless my ladies, are they all in love,
FTLN 0579 That every one her own hath garnishèd
FTLN 0580 80 With such bedecking ornaments of praise?
A LORD
FTLN 0581 Here comes Boyet.

47
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
Enter Boyet.
PRINCESS FTLN 0582 Now, what admittance, lord?
BOYET
FTLN 0583 Navarre had notice of your fair approach,
FTLN 0584 And he and his competitors in oath
FTLN 0585 85 Were all addressed to meet you, gentle lady,
FTLN 0586 Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learned:
FTLN 0587 He rather means to lodge you in the field,
FTLN 0588 Like one that comes here to besiege his court,
FTLN 0589 Than seek a dispensation for his oath
FTLN 0590 90 To let you enter his unpeopled house.
Enter King of Navarre, Longaville, Dumaine, and
Berowne.
FTLN 0591 Here comes Navarre.
KING FTLN 0592 Fair Princess, welcome to the court of Navarre.
PRINCESS FTLN 0593“Fair” I give you back again, and “welcome”
FTLN 0594 I have not yet. The roof of this court is too
FTLN 0595 95 high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too
FTLN 0596 base to be mine.
KING
FTLN 0597 You shall be welcome, madam, to my court.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0598 I will be welcome, then. Conduct me thither.
KING
FTLN 0599 Hear me, dear lady. I have sworn an oath.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0600 100 Our Lady help my lord! He’ll be forsworn.
KING
FTLN 0601 Not for the world, fair madam, by my will.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0602 Why, will shall break it, will and nothing else.
KING
FTLN 0603 Your Ladyship is ignorant what it is.

49
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
PRINCESS
FTLN 0604 Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise,
FTLN 0605 105 Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance.
FTLN 0606 I hear your Grace hath sworn out housekeeping.
FTLN 0607 ’Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord,
FTLN 0608 And sin to break it.
FTLN 0609 But pardon me, I am too sudden bold.
FTLN 0610 110 To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me.
FTLN 0611 Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming,
FTLN 0612 And suddenly resolve me in my suit.
She gives him a paper.
KING
FTLN 0613 Madam, I will, if suddenly I may.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0614 You will the sooner that I were away,
FTLN 0615 115 For you’ll prove perjured if you make me stay.
They walk aside while the King reads the paper.
BEROWNE , to Rosaline
FTLN 0616 Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
ROSALINE
FTLN 0617 Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
BEROWNE
FTLN 0618 I know you did.
ROSALINE FTLN 0619 How needless was it then
FTLN 0620 120 To ask the question.
BEROWNE FTLN 0621 You must not be so quick.
ROSALINE
FTLN 0622 ’Tis long of you that spur me with such questions.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0623 Your wit’s too hot, it speeds too fast; ’twill tire.
ROSALINE
FTLN 0624 Not till it leave the rider in the mire.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0625 125 What time o’ day?
ROSALINE FTLN 0626 The hour that fools should ask.
BEROWNE FTLN 0627 Now fair befall your mask.

51
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
ROSALINE FTLN 0628 Fair fall the face it covers.
BEROWNE FTLN 0629 And send you many lovers.
ROSALINE FTLN 0630 130 Amen, so you be none.
BEROWNE FTLN 0631 Nay, then, will I be gone.
KING , coming forward with the Princess
FTLN 0632 Madam, your father here doth intimate
FTLN 0633 The payment of a hundred thousand crowns,
FTLN 0634 Being but the one half of an entire sum
FTLN 0635 135 Disbursèd by my father in his wars.
FTLN 0636 But say that he or we, as neither have,
FTLN 0637 Received that sum, yet there remains unpaid
FTLN 0638 A hundred thousand more, in surety of the which
FTLN 0639 One part of Aquitaine is bound to us,
FTLN 0640 140 Although not valued to the money’s worth.
FTLN 0641 If then the King your father will restore
FTLN 0642 But that one half which is unsatisfied,
FTLN 0643 We will give up our right in Aquitaine,
FTLN 0644 And hold fair friendship with his Majesty.
FTLN 0645 145 But that, it seems, he little purposeth;
FTLN 0646 For here he doth demand to have repaid
FTLN 0647 A hundred thousand crowns, and not demands,
FTLN 0648 On payment of a hundred thousand crowns,
FTLN 0649 To have his title live in Aquitaine—
FTLN 0650 150 Which we much rather had depart withal,
FTLN 0651 And have the money by our father lent,
FTLN 0652 Than Aquitaine, so gelded as it is.
FTLN 0653 Dear Princess, were not his requests so far
FTLN 0654 From reason’s yielding, your fair self should make
FTLN 0655 155 A yielding ’gainst some reason in my breast,
FTLN 0656 And go well satisfied to France again.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0657 You do the King my father too much wrong,
FTLN 0658 And wrong the reputation of your name,
FTLN 0659 In so unseeming to confess receipt
FTLN 0660 160 Of that which hath so faithfully been paid.

53
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
KING
FTLN 0661 I do protest I never heard of it;
FTLN 0662 And if you prove it, I’ll repay it back
FTLN 0663 Or yield up Aquitaine.
PRINCESS FTLN 0664 We arrest your word.—
FTLN 0665 165 Boyet, you can produce acquittances
FTLN 0666 For such a sum from special officers
FTLN 0667 Of Charles his father.
KING FTLN 0668 Satisfy me so.
BOYET
FTLN 0669 So please your Grace, the packet is not come
FTLN 0670 170 Where that and other specialties are bound.
FTLN 0671 Tomorrow you shall have a sight of them.
KING
FTLN 0672 It shall suffice me; at which interview
FTLN 0673 All liberal reason I will yield unto.
FTLN 0674 Meantime receive such welcome at my hand
FTLN 0675 175 As honor (without breach of honor) may
FTLN 0676 Make tender of to thy true worthiness.
FTLN 0677 You may not come, fair princess, within my gates,
FTLN 0678 But here without you shall be so received
FTLN 0679 As you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart,
FTLN 0680 180 Though so denied fair harbor in my house.
FTLN 0681 Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell.
FTLN 0682 Tomorrow shall we visit you again.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0683 Sweet health and fair desires consort your Grace.
KING
FTLN 0684 Thy own wish wish I thee in every place.
He exits with Dumaine,
Longaville, and Attendants.
BEROWNE , to Rosaline FTLN 0685 185 Lady, I will commend you to
FTLN 0686 my own heart.
ROSALINE FTLN 0687 Pray you, do my commendations. I would
FTLN 0688 be glad to see it.
BEROWNE FTLN 0689 I would you heard it groan.

55
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
ROSALINE FTLN 0690 190 Is the fool sick?
BEROWNE FTLN 0691 Sick at the heart.
ROSALINE FTLN 0692 Alack, let it blood.
BEROWNE FTLN 0693 Would that do it good?
ROSALINE FTLN 0694 My physic says “ay.”
BEROWNE FTLN 0695 195 Will you prick ’t with your eye?
ROSALINE FTLN 0696 No point, with my knife.
BEROWNE FTLN 0697 Now God save thy life.
ROSALINE FTLN 0698 And yours from long living.
BEROWNE FTLN 0699 I cannot stay thanksgiving. He exits.
Enter Dumaine.
DUMAINE , to Boyet
FTLN 0700 200 Sir, I pray you, a word. What lady is that same?
BOYET
FTLN 0701 The heir of Alanson, Katherine her name.
DUMAINE
FTLN 0702 A gallant lady, monsieur. Fare you well. He exits.
Enter Longaville.
LONGAVILLE , to Boyet
FTLN 0703 I beseech you, a word. What is she in the white?
BOYET
FTLN 0704 A woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 0705 205 Perchance light in the light. I desire her name.
BOYET
FTLN 0706 She hath but one for herself; to desire that were a
FTLN 0707 shame.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0708 Pray you, sir, whose daughter?
BOYET FTLN 0709 Her mother’s, I have heard.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0710 210 God’s blessing on your beard!
BOYET FTLN 0711 Good sir, be not offended. She is an heir of
FTLN 0712 Falconbridge.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 0713 Nay, my choler is ended. She is a most
FTLN 0714 sweet lady.

57
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
BOYET FTLN 0715 215 Not unlike, sir, that may be.
Longaville exits.
Enter Berowne.
BEROWNE , to Boyet FTLN 0716 What’s her name in the cap?
BOYET FTLN 0717 Rosaline, by good hap.
BEROWNE FTLN 0718 Is she wedded or no?
BOYET FTLN 0719 To her will, sir, or so.
BEROWNE FTLN 0720 220 You are welcome, sir. Adieu.
BOYET FTLN 0721 Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you.
Berowne exits.
MARIA
FTLN 0722 That last is Berowne, the merry madcap lord.
FTLN 0723 Not a word with him but a jest.
BOYET FTLN 0724 And every jest but
FTLN 0725 225 a word.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0726 It was well done of you to take him at his word.
BOYET
FTLN 0727 I was as willing to grapple as he was to board.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0728 Two hot sheeps, marry.
BOYET FTLN 0729 And wherefore not ships?
FTLN 0730 230 No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips.
KATHERINE
FTLN 0731 You sheep and I pasture. Shall that finish the jest?
BOYET
FTLN 0732 So you grant pasture for me. He tries to kiss her.
KATHERINE FTLN 0733 Not so, gentle beast,
FTLN 0734 My lips are no common, though several they be.
BOYET
FTLN 0735 235 Belonging to whom?
KATHERINE FTLN 0736 To my fortunes and me.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0737 Good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree,
FTLN 0738 This civil war of wits were much better used
FTLN 0739 On Navarre and his bookmen, for here ’tis abused.

59
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
BOYET
FTLN 0740 240 If my observation, which very seldom lies,
FTLN 0741 By the heart’s still rhetoric, disclosèd wi’ th’ eyes,
FTLN 0742 Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected.
PRINCESS FTLN 0743 With what?
BOYET
FTLN 0744 With that which we lovers entitle “affected.”
PRINCESS FTLN 0745 245 Your reason?
BOYET
FTLN 0746 Why, all his behaviors did make their retire
FTLN 0747 To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire.
FTLN 0748 His heart like an agate with your print impressed,
FTLN 0749 Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed.
FTLN 0750 250 His tongue, all impatient to speak and not see,
FTLN 0751 Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be;
FTLN 0752 All senses to that sense did make their repair,
FTLN 0753 To feel only looking on fairest of fair.
FTLN 0754 Methought all his senses were locked in his eye,
FTLN 0755 255 As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy,
FTLN 0756 Who, tend’ring their own worth from where they
FTLN 0757 were glassed,
FTLN 0758 Did point you to buy them along as you passed.
FTLN 0759 His face’s own margent did quote such amazes
FTLN 0760 260 That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes.
FTLN 0761 I’ll give you Aquitaine, and all that is his,
FTLN 0762 An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.
PRINCESS , to her Ladies
FTLN 0763 Come, to our pavilion. Boyet is disposed.
BOYET
FTLN 0764 But to speak that in words which his eye hath
FTLN 0765 265 disclosed.
FTLN 0766 I only have made a mouth of his eye
FTLN 0767 By adding a tongue which I know will not lie.
MARIA
FTLN 0768 Thou art an old lovemonger and speakest skillfully.

61
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 2. SC. 1
KATHERINE
FTLN 0769 He is Cupid’s grandfather, and learns news of him.
ROSALINE
FTLN 0770 270 Then was Venus like her mother, for her father is
FTLN 0771 but grim.
BOYET
FTLN 0772 Do you hear, my mad wenches?
MARIA FTLN 0773 No.
BOYET FTLN 0774 What then, do
FTLN 0775 275 you see?
MARIA
FTLN 0776 Ay, our way to be gone.
BOYET FTLN 0777 You are too hard for me.
They all exit.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Braggart Armado and his Boy.
ARMADO FTLN 0778 Warble, child, make passionate my sense of
FTLN 0779 hearing.
BOY sings FTLN 0780 Concolinel.
ARMADO FTLN 0781 Sweet air. Go, tenderness of years. He hands
over a key. FTLN 0782 5 Take this key, give enlargement to the
FTLN 0783 swain, bring him festinately hither. I must employ
FTLN 0784 him in a letter to my love.
BOY FTLN 0785 Master, will you win your love with a French
FTLN 0786 brawl?
ARMADO FTLN 0787 10 How meanest thou? Brawling in French?
BOY FTLN 0788 No, my complete master, but to jig off a tune at the
FTLN 0789 tongue’s end, canary to it with your feet, humor it
FTLN 0790 with turning up your eyelids, sigh a note and sing a
FTLN 0791 note, sometimes through the throat as if you
FTLN 0792 15 swallowed love with singing love, sometimes
FTLN 0793 through the nose as if you snuffed up love by
FTLN 0794 smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like o’er the
FTLN 0795 shop of your eyes, with your arms crossed on your
FTLN 0796 thin-belly doublet like a rabbit on a spit; or your
FTLN 0797 20 hands in your pocket like a man after the old
FTLN 0798 painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a
FTLN 0799 snip and away. These are compliments, these are
FTLN 0800 humors; these betray nice wenches that would be
FTLN 0801 betrayed without these, and make them men of
65

67
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0802 25 note—do you note me?—that most are affected
FTLN 0803 to these.
ARMADO FTLN 0804 How hast thou purchased this experience?
BOY FTLN 0805 By my penny of observation.
ARMADO FTLN 0806 But O— but O—.
BOY FTLN 0807 30“The hobby-horse is forgot.”
ARMADO FTLN 0808 Call’st thou my love “hobby-horse”?
BOY FTLN 0809 No, master. The hobby-horse is but a colt, aside
FTLN 0810 and your love perhaps a hackney.—But have you
FTLN 0811 forgot your love?
ARMADO FTLN 0812 35 Almost I had.
BOY FTLN 0813 Negligent student, learn her by heart.
ARMADO FTLN 0814 By heart and in heart, boy.
BOY FTLN 0815 And out of heart, master. All those three I will
FTLN 0816 prove.
ARMADO FTLN 0817 40 What wilt thou prove?
BOY FTLN 0818 A man, if I live; and this “by, in, and without,”
FTLN 0819 upon the instant: “by” heart you love her, because
FTLN 0820 your heart cannot come by her; “in” heart you love
FTLN 0821 her, because your heart is in love with her; and
FTLN 0822 45 “out” of heart you love her, being out of heart that
FTLN 0823 you cannot enjoy her.
ARMADO FTLN 0824 I am all these three.
BOY FTLN 0825 And three times as much more, aside and yet
FTLN 0826 nothing at all.
ARMADO FTLN 0827 50 Fetch hither the swain. He must carry me a
FTLN 0828 letter.
BOY FTLN 0829 A message well sympathized—a horse to be ambassador
FTLN 0830 for an ass.
ARMADO FTLN 0831 Ha? Ha? What sayest thou?
BOY FTLN 0832 55 Marry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse,
FTLN 0833 for he is very slow-gaited. But I go.
ARMADO FTLN 0834 The way is but short. Away!
BOY FTLN 0835 As swift as lead, sir.
ARMADO FTLN 0836 Thy meaning, pretty ingenious?
FTLN 0837 60 Is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow?

69
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 3. SC. 1
BOY
FTLN 0838 Minime, honest master, or rather, master, no.
ARMADO
FTLN 0839 I say lead is slow.
BOY FTLN 0840 You are too swift, sir, to say so.
FTLN 0841 Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun?
ARMADO FTLN 0842 65 Sweet smoke of rhetoric!
FTLN 0843 He reputes me a cannon, and the bullet, that’s
FTLN 0844 he.—
FTLN 0845 I shoot thee at the swain.
BOY FTLN 0846 Thump, then, and I flee.
He exits.
ARMADO
FTLN 0847 70 A most acute juvenal, voluble and free of grace.
FTLN 0848 By thy favor, sweet welkin, I must sigh in thy face.
FTLN 0849 Most rude melancholy, valor gives thee place.
FTLN 0850 My herald is returned.
Enter Boy and Clown Costard.
BOY FTLN 0851 A wonder, master!
FTLN 0852 75 Here’s a costard broken in a shin.
ARMADO
FTLN 0853 Some enigma, some riddle. Come, thy l’envoi begin.
COSTARD FTLN 0854 No egma, no riddle, no l’envoi, no salve in
FTLN 0855 the mail, sir. O, sir, plantain, a plain plantain! No
FTLN 0856 l’envoi, no l’envoi, no salve, sir, but a plantain.
ARMADO FTLN 0857 80 By virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly
FTLN 0858 thought, my spleen. The heaving of my lungs
FTLN 0859 provokes me to ridiculous smiling. O pardon me,
FTLN 0860 my stars! Doth the inconsiderate take salve for
FTLN 0861 l’envoi, and the word l’envoi for a salve?
BOY
FTLN 0862 85 Do the wise think them other? Is not l’envoi a salve?
ARMADO
FTLN 0863 No, page, it is an epilogue or discourse to make plain

71
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0864 Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain.
FTLN 0865 I will example it:
FTLN 0866 The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee
FTLN 0867 90 Were still at odds, being but three.
FTLN 0868 There’s the moral. Now the l’envoi.
BOY FTLN 0869 I will add the l’envoi. Say the moral again.
ARMADO
FTLN 0870 The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee
FTLN 0871 Were still at odds, being but three.
BOY
FTLN 0872 95 Until the goose came out of door
FTLN 0873 And stayed the odds by adding four.
FTLN 0874 Now will I begin your moral, and do you follow with
FTLN 0875 my l’envoi.
FTLN 0876 The fox, the ape, and the humble-bee
FTLN 0877 100 Were still at odds, being but three.
ARMADO
FTLN 0878 Until the goose came out of door,
FTLN 0879 Staying the odds by adding four.
BOY FTLN 0880 A good l’envoi, ending in the goose. Would you
FTLN 0881 desire more?
COSTARD
FTLN 0882 105 The boy hath sold him a bargain—a goose, that’s
FTLN 0883 flat.—
FTLN 0884 Sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be fat.
FTLN 0885 To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and
FTLN 0886 loose.
FTLN 0887 110 Let me see: a fat l’envoi—ay, that’s a fat goose.
ARMADO
FTLN 0888 Come hither, come hither. How did this argument
FTLN 0889 begin?
BOY
FTLN 0890 By saying that a costard was broken in a shin.
FTLN 0891 Then called you for the l’envoi.

73
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ACT 3. SC. 1
COSTARD FTLN 0892 115 True, and I for a plantain. Thus came your
FTLN 0893 argument in. Then the boy’s fat l’envoi, the goose
FTLN 0894 that you bought; and he ended the market.
ARMADO FTLN 0895 But tell me, how was there a costard broken
FTLN 0896 in a shin?
BOY FTLN 0897 120 I will tell you sensibly.
COSTARD FTLN 0898 Thou hast no feeling of it, Mote. I will speak
FTLN 0899 that l’envoi.
FTLN 0900 I, Costard, running out, that was safely within,
FTLN 0901 Fell over the threshold and broke my shin.
ARMADO FTLN 0902 125 We will talk no more of this matter.
COSTARD FTLN 0903 Till there be more matter in the shin.
ARMADO FTLN 0904 Sirrah Costard, I will enfranchise thee.
COSTARD FTLN 0905 O, marry me to one Frances! I smell some
FTLN 0906 l’envoi, some goose, in this.
ARMADO FTLN 0907 130 By my sweet soul, I mean, setting thee at
FTLN 0908 liberty, enfreedoming thy person. Thou wert immured,
FTLN 0909 restrained, captivated, bound.
COSTARD FTLN 0910 True, true; and now you will be my purgation,
FTLN 0911 and let me loose.
ARMADO FTLN 0912 135 I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance,
FTLN 0913 and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but
FTLN 0914 this: bear this significant to the country maid
FTLN 0915 Jaquenetta. (He gives him a paper.) There is remuneration
FTLN 0916 (giving him a coin,) for the best ward of
FTLN 0917 140 mine honor is rewarding my dependents.—Mote,
FTLN 0918 follow. He exits.
BOY FTLN 0919 Like the sequel, I. Signior Costard, adieu.
He exits.
COSTARD
FTLN 0920 My sweet ounce of man’s flesh, my incony Jew!
FTLN 0921 Now will I look to his remuneration. He looks at the
coin. FTLN 0922 145“Remuneration”! O, that’s the Latin word for
FTLN 0923 three farthings. Three farthings—remuneration.

75
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0924 “What’s the price of this inkle?” “One penny.” “No,
FTLN 0925 I’ll give you a remuneration.” Why, it carries it!
FTLN 0926 Remuneration. Why, it is a fairer name than “French
FTLN 0927 150 crown.” I will never buy and sell out of this word.
Enter Berowne.
BEROWNE FTLN 0928 My good knave Costard, exceedingly well
FTLN 0929 met.
COSTARD FTLN 0930 Pray you, sir, how much carnation ribbon
FTLN 0931 may a man buy for a remuneration?
BEROWNE FTLN 0932 155 What is a remuneration?
COSTARD FTLN 0933 Marry, sir, halfpenny farthing.
BEROWNE FTLN 0934 Why then, three farthing worth of silk.
COSTARD FTLN 0935 I thank your Worship. God be wi’ you.
He begins to exit.
BEROWNE FTLN 0936 Stay, slave, I must employ thee.
FTLN 0937 160 As thou wilt win my favor, good my knave,
FTLN 0938 Do one thing for me that I shall entreat.
COSTARD FTLN 0939 When would you have it done, sir?
BEROWNE FTLN 0940 This afternoon.
COSTARD FTLN 0941 Well, I will do it, sir. Fare you well.
BEROWNE FTLN 0942 165 Thou knowest not what it is.
COSTARD FTLN 0943 I shall know, sir, when I have done it.
BEROWNE FTLN 0944 Why, villain, thou must know first.
COSTARD FTLN 0945 I will come to your Worship tomorrow
FTLN 0946 morning.
BEROWNE FTLN 0947 170 It must be done this afternoon. Hark, slave,
FTLN 0948 it is but this:
FTLN 0949 The Princess comes to hunt here in the park,
FTLN 0950 And in her train there is a gentle lady.
FTLN 0951 When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her
FTLN 0952 175 name,
FTLN 0953 And Rosaline they call her. Ask for her,
FTLN 0954 And to her white hand see thou do commend

77
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0955 This sealed-up counsel. There’s thy guerdon. He
gives him money. FTLN 0956 Go.
COSTARD FTLN 0957 180 Gardon. He looks at the money. O sweet
FTLN 0958 gardon! Better than remuneration, a ’levenpence
FTLN 0959 farthing better! Most sweet gardon. I will do it, sir,
FTLN 0960 in print. Gardon! Remuneration! He exits.
BEROWNE
FTLN 0961 And I forsooth in love! I that have been love’s whip,
FTLN 0962 185 A very beadle to a humorous sigh,
FTLN 0963 A critic, nay, a nightwatch constable,
FTLN 0964 A domineering pedant o’er the boy,
FTLN 0965 Than whom no mortal so magnificent.
FTLN 0966 This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy,
FTLN 0967 190 This Signior Junior, giant dwarf, Dan Cupid,
FTLN 0968 Regent of love rhymes, lord of folded arms,
FTLN 0969 Th’ anointed sovereign of sighs and groans,
FTLN 0970 Liege of all loiterers and malcontents,
FTLN 0971 Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces,
FTLN 0972 195 Sole imperator and great general
FTLN 0973 Of trotting paritors—O my little heart!
FTLN 0974 And I to be a corporal of his field
FTLN 0975 And wear his colors like a tumbler’s hoop!
FTLN 0976 What? I love, I sue, I seek a wife?
FTLN 0977 200 A woman, that is like a German clock,
FTLN 0978 Still a-repairing, ever out of frame,
FTLN 0979 And never going aright, being a watch,
FTLN 0980 But being watched that it may still go right.
FTLN 0981 Nay, to be perjured, which is worst of all.
FTLN 0982 205 And, among three, to love the worst of all,
FTLN 0983 A whitely wanton with a velvet brow,
FTLN 0984 With two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes.
FTLN 0985 Ay, and by heaven, one that will do the deed
FTLN 0986 Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard.
FTLN 0987 210 And I to sigh for her, to watch for her,
FTLN 0988 To pray for her! Go to. It is a plague

79
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ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0989 That Cupid will impose for my neglect
FTLN 0990 Of his almighty dreadful little might.
FTLN 0991 Well, I will love, write, sigh, pray, sue, groan.
FTLN 0992 215 Some men must love my lady, and some Joan.
He exits.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter the Princess, a Forester, her Ladies, Boyet and
her other Lords.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0993 Was that the King that spurred his horse so hard
FTLN 0994 Against the steep uprising of the hill?
FORESTER
FTLN 0995 I know not, but I think it was not he.
PRINCESS
FTLN 0996 Whoe’er he was, he showed a mounting mind.—
FTLN 0997 5 Well, lords, today we shall have our dispatch.
FTLN 0998 Or Saturday we will return to France.—
FTLN 0999 Then, forester, my friend, where is the bush
FTLN 1000 That we must stand and play the murderer in?
FORESTER
FTLN 1001 Hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice,
FTLN 1002 10 A stand where you may make the fairest shoot.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1003 I thank my beauty, I am fair that shoot,
FTLN 1004 And thereupon thou speakst “the fairest shoot.”
FORESTER
FTLN 1005 Pardon me, madam, for I meant not so.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1006 What, what? First praise me, and again say no?
FTLN 1007 15 O short-lived pride. Not fair? Alack, for woe!
83

85
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 1
FORESTER
FTLN 1008 Yes, madam, fair.
PRINCESS FTLN 1009 Nay, never paint me now.
FTLN 1010 Where fair is not, praise cannot mend the brow.
FTLN 1011 Here, good my glass, take this for telling true.
She gives him money.
FTLN 1012 20 Fair payment for foul words is more than due.
FORESTER
FTLN 1013 Nothing but fair is that which you inherit.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1014 See, see, my beauty will be saved by merit.
FTLN 1015 O heresy in fair, fit for these days!
FTLN 1016 A giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise.
FTLN 1017 25 But come, the bow. He hands her a bow. Now
FTLN 1018 mercy goes to kill,
FTLN 1019 And shooting well is then accounted ill.
FTLN 1020 Thus will I save my credit in the shoot:
FTLN 1021 Not wounding, pity would not let me do ’t;
FTLN 1022 30 If wounding, then it was to show my skill,
FTLN 1023 That more for praise than purpose meant to kill.
FTLN 1024 And out of question so it is sometimes:
FTLN 1025 Glory grows guilty of detested crimes,
FTLN 1026 When for fame’s sake, for praise, an outward part,
FTLN 1027 35 We bend to that the working of the heart;
FTLN 1028 As I for praise alone now seek to spill
FTLN 1029 The poor deer’s blood, that my heart means no ill.
BOYET
FTLN 1030 Do not curst wives hold that self sovereignty
FTLN 1031 Only for praise’ sake when they strive to be
FTLN 1032 40 Lords o’er their lords?
PRINCESS
FTLN 1033 Only for praise; and praise we may afford
FTLN 1034 To any lady that subdues a lord.
Enter Clown Costard.

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ACT 4. SC. 1
BOYET
FTLN 1035 Here comes a member of the commonwealth.
COSTARD FTLN 1036 God dig-you-den all! Pray you, which is the
FTLN 1037 45 head lady?
PRINCESS FTLN 1038 Thou shalt know her, fellow, by the rest that
FTLN 1039 have no heads.
COSTARD FTLN 1040 Which is the greatest lady, the highest?
PRINCESS FTLN 1041 The thickest and the tallest.
COSTARD
FTLN 1042 50 The thickest and the tallest: it is so, truth is
FTLN 1043 truth.
FTLN 1044 An your waist, mistress, were as slender as my wit,
FTLN 1045 One o’ these maids’ girdles for your waist should be
FTLN 1046 fit.
FTLN 1047 55 Are not you the chief woman? You are the thickest
FTLN 1048 here.
PRINCESS FTLN 1049 What’s your will, sir? What’s your will?
COSTARD FTLN 1050 I have a letter from Monsieur Berowne to
FTLN 1051 one Lady Rosaline.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1052 60 O, thy letter, thy letter! He’s a good friend of mine.
FTLN 1053 Stand aside, good bearer.—Boyet, you can carve.
FTLN 1054 Break up this capon.
BOYET , taking the letter FTLN 1055 I am bound to serve.
FTLN 1056 This letter is mistook; it importeth none here.
FTLN 1057 65 It is writ to Jaquenetta.
PRINCESS FTLN 1058 We will read it, I swear.
FTLN 1059 Break the neck of the wax, and everyone give ear.
BOYET reads. FTLN 1060 By heaven, that thou art fair is most
FTLN 1061 infallible, true that thou art beauteous, truth itself
FTLN 1062 70 that thou art lovely. More fairer than fair, beautiful
FTLN 1063 than beauteous, truer than truth itself, have commiseration
FTLN 1064 on thy heroical vassal. The magnanimous and
FTLN 1065 most illustrate King Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious
FTLN 1066 and indubitate beggar Zenelophon; and he it
FTLN 1067 75 was that might rightly say “Veni, vidi, vici,” which to

89
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1068 annothanize in the vulgar (O base and obscure vulgar!)
FTLN 1069 videlicet, “He came, see, and overcame”: He
FTLN 1070 came, one; see, two; overcame, three. Who came? The
FTLN 1071 King. Why did he come? To see. Why did he see? To
FTLN 1072 80 overcome. To whom came he? To the beggar. What
FTLN 1073 saw he? The beggar. Who overcame he? The beggar.
FTLN 1074 The conclusion is victory. On whose side? The
FTLN 1075 King’s. The captive is enriched. On whose side? The
FTLN 1076 beggar’s. The catastrophe is a nuptial. On whose side?
FTLN 1077 85 The King’s—no, on both in one, or one in both. I am
FTLN 1078 the King, for so stands the comparison; thou the
FTLN 1079 beggar, for so witnesseth thy lowliness. Shall I command
FTLN 1080 thy love? I may. Shall I enforce thy love? I could.
FTLN 1081 Shall I entreat thy love? I will. What shalt thou
FTLN 1082 90 exchange for rags? Robes. For tittles? Titles. For thyself?
FTLN 1083 Me. Thus expecting thy reply, I profane my lips on thy
FTLN 1084 foot, my eyes on thy picture, and my heart on thy every
FTLN 1085 part.
FTLN 1086 Thine, in the dearest design of industry,
FTLN 1087 95 Don Adriano de Armado.
FTLN 1088 Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar
FTLN 1089 ’Gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey.
FTLN 1090 Submissive fall his princely feet before,
FTLN 1091 And he from forage will incline to play.
FTLN 1092 100 But if thou strive, poor soul, what art thou then?
FTLN 1093 Food for his rage, repasture for his den.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1094 What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter?
FTLN 1095 What vane? What weathercock? Did you ever hear
FTLN 1096 better?
BOYET
FTLN 1097 105 I am much deceived but I remember the style.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1098 Else your memory is bad, going o’er it erewhile.
BOYET
FTLN 1099 This Armado is a Spaniard that keeps here in court,

91
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ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1100 A phantasime, a Monarcho, and one that makes
FTLN 1101 sport
FTLN 1102 110 To the Prince and his bookmates.
PRINCESS , to Costard FTLN 1103 Thou, fellow, a word.
FTLN 1104 Who gave thee this letter?
COSTARD FTLN 1105 I told you: my lord.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1106 To whom shouldst thou give it?
COSTARD FTLN 1107 115 From my lord to my
FTLN 1108 lady.
PRINCESS FTLN 1109 From which lord to which lady?
COSTARD
FTLN 1110 From my Lord Berowne, a good master of mine,
FTLN 1111 To a lady of France that he called Rosaline.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1112 120 Thou hast mistaken his letter. Come, lords, away.
FTLN 1113 To Rosaline. Here, sweet, put up this; ’twill be
FTLN 1114 thine another day.
The Princess, Katherine, Lords, and
Forester exit. Boyet, Rosaline, Maria,
and Costard remain.
BOYET
FTLN 1115 Who is the shooter? Who is the shooter?
ROSALINE FTLN 1116 Shall I
FTLN 1117 125 teach you to know?
BOYET
FTLN 1118 Ay, my continent of beauty.
ROSALINE FTLN 1119 Why, she that bears the bow.
FTLN 1120 Finely put off.
BOYET
FTLN 1121 My lady goes to kill horns, but if thou marry,
FTLN 1122 130 Hang me by the neck if horns that year miscarry.
FTLN 1123 Finely put on.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1124 Well, then, I am the shooter.
BOYET FTLN 1125 And who is your deer?

93
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 1
ROSALINE
FTLN 1126 If we choose by the horns, yourself come not near.
FTLN 1127 135 Finely put on, indeed.
MARIA
FTLN 1128 You still wrangle with her, Boyet, and she strikes at
FTLN 1129 the brow.
BOYET
FTLN 1130 But she herself is hit lower. Have I hit her now?
ROSALINE FTLN 1131 Shall I come upon thee with an old saying,
FTLN 1132 140 that was a man when King Pippen of France was a
FTLN 1133 little boy, as touching the hit it?
BOYET FTLN 1134 So I may answer thee with one as old, that was a
FTLN 1135 woman when Queen Guinover of Britain was a little
FTLN 1136 wench, as touching the hit it.
ROSALINE sings
FTLN 1137 145 Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it,
FTLN 1138 Thou canst not hit it, my good man.
BOYET sings
FTLN 1139 An I cannot, cannot, cannot,
FTLN 1140 An I cannot, another can.
Rosaline exits.
COSTARD
FTLN 1141 By my troth, most pleasant. How both did fit it!
MARIA
FTLN 1142 150 A mark marvelous well shot, for they both did hit
FTLN 1143 it.
BOYET
FTLN 1144 A mark! O, mark but that mark. “A mark,” says my
FTLN 1145 lady.
FTLN 1146 Let the mark have a prick in ’t to mete at, if it may
FTLN 1147 155 be.
MARIA
FTLN 1148 Wide o’ the bow hand! I’ faith, your hand is out.
COSTARD
FTLN 1149 Indeed, he must shoot nearer, or he’ll ne’er hit the
FTLN 1150 clout.

95
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 2
BOYET , to Maria
FTLN 1151 An if my hand be out, then belike your hand is in.
COSTARD
FTLN 1152 160 Then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin.
MARIA
FTLN 1153 Come, come, you talk greasily. Your lips grow foul.
COSTARD , to Boyet
FTLN 1154 She’s too hard for you at pricks, sir. Challenge her
FTLN 1155 to bowl.
BOYET
FTLN 1156 I fear too much rubbing. Good night, my good owl.
Boyet and Maria exit.
COSTARD
FTLN 1157 165 By my soul, a swain, a most simple clown.
FTLN 1158 Lord, Lord, how the ladies and I have put him
FTLN 1159 down.
FTLN 1160 O’ my troth, most sweet jests, most incony vulgar
FTLN 1161 wit,
FTLN 1162 170 When it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely, as it
FTLN 1163 were, so fit.
FTLN 1164 Armado o’ th’ one side, O, a most dainty man!
FTLN 1165 To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan.
FTLN 1166 To see him kiss his hand, and how most sweetly he
FTLN 1167 175 will swear.
FTLN 1168 And his page o’ t’ other side, that handful of wit!
FTLN 1169 Ah heavens, it is a most pathetical nit.
Shout within.
FTLN 1170 Sola, sola!
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Dull the Constable, Holofernes the Pedant, and
Nathaniel the Curate.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1171 Very reverend sport, truly, and done in the
FTLN 1172 testimony of a good conscience.

97
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 2
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1173 The deer was, as you know, sanguis, in
FTLN 1174 blood, ripe as the pomewater, who now hangeth
FTLN 1175 5 like a jewel in the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin,
FTLN 1176 the heaven, and anon falleth like a crab on the face
FTLN 1177 of terra, the soil, the land, the earth.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1178 Truly, Master Holofernes, the epithets are
FTLN 1179 sweetly varied, like a scholar at the least. But, sir, I
FTLN 1180 10 assure you, it was a buck of the first head.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1181 Sir Nathaniel, haud credo.
DULL FTLN 1182’Twas not a haud credo, ’twas a pricket.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1183 Most barbarous intimation! Yet a kind of
FTLN 1184 insinuation, as it were, in via, in way, of explication;
FTLN 1185 15 facere, as it were, replication, or rather, ostentare, to
FTLN 1186 show, as it were, his inclination, after his undressed,
FTLN 1187 unpolished, uneducated, unpruned, untrained, or
FTLN 1188 rather unlettered, or ratherest, unconfirmed fashion,
FTLN 1189 to insert again my haud credo for a deer.
DULL FTLN 1190 20 I said the deer was not a haud credo, ’twas a
FTLN 1191 pricket.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1192 Twice-sod simplicity, bis coctus!
FTLN 1193 O thou monster ignorance, how deformed dost thou
FTLN 1194 look!
NATHANIEL
FTLN 1195 25 Sir, he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred
FTLN 1196 in a book.
FTLN 1197 He hath not eat paper, as it were; he hath not drunk
FTLN 1198 ink. His intellect is not replenished. He is only an
FTLN 1199 animal, only sensible in the duller parts.
FTLN 1200 30 And such barren plants are set before us that we
FTLN 1201 thankful should be—
FTLN 1202 Which we of taste and feeling are—for those parts
FTLN 1203 that do fructify in us more than he.
FTLN 1204 For as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet,
FTLN 1205 35 or a fool,
FTLN 1206 So were there a patch set on learning, to see him in
FTLN 1207 a school.

99
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 1208 But omne bene, say I, being of an old father’s mind:
FTLN 1209 Many can brook the weather that love not the wind.
DULL
FTLN 1210 40 You two are bookmen. Can you tell me by your wit
FTLN 1211 What was a month old at Cain’s birth that’s not
FTLN 1212 five weeks old as yet?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1213 Dictynna, goodman Dull, Dictynna,
FTLN 1214 goodman Dull.
DULL FTLN 1215 45 What is “dictima”?
NATHANIEL
FTLN 1216 A title to Phoebe, to Luna, to the moon.
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 1217 The moon was a month old when Adam was no
FTLN 1218 more.
FTLN 1219 And raught not to five weeks when he came to
FTLN 1220 50 fivescore.
FTLN 1221 Th’ allusion holds in the exchange.
DULL FTLN 1222’Tis true indeed. The collusion holds in the
FTLN 1223 exchange.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1224 God comfort thy capacity! I say, th’ allusion
FTLN 1225 55 holds in the exchange.
DULL FTLN 1226 And I say the pollution holds in the exchange, for
FTLN 1227 the moon is never but a month old. And I say besides
FTLN 1228 that, ’twas a pricket that the Princess killed.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1229 Sir Nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal
FTLN 1230 60 epitaph on the death of the deer? And, to humor
FTLN 1231 the ignorant, call I the deer the Princess killed a
FTLN 1232 pricket.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1233 Perge, good Master Holofernes, perge, so it
FTLN 1234 shall please you to abrogate scurrility.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1235 65 I will something affect the letter, for it
FTLN 1236 argues facility.
FTLN 1237 The preyful princess pierced and pricked
FTLN 1238 a pretty pleasing pricket,
FTLN 1239 Some say a sore, but not a sore till now made
FTLN 1240 70 sore with shooting.

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FTLN 1241 The dogs did yell. Put “l” to “sore,” then sorel
FTLN 1242 jumps from thicket,
FTLN 1243 Or pricket sore, or else sorel. The people fall
FTLN 1244 a-hooting.
FTLN 1245 75 If sore be sore, then “L” to “sore” makes fifty
FTLN 1246 sores o’ sorel.
FTLN 1247 Of one sore I an hundred make by adding but one
FTLN 1248 more “L.”
NATHANIEL FTLN 1249 A rare talent.
DULL , aside FTLN 1250 80 If a talent be a claw, look how he claws
FTLN 1251 him with a talent.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1252 This is a gift that I have, simple, simple—
FTLN 1253 a foolish extravagant spirit, full of forms,
FTLN 1254 figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions,
FTLN 1255 85 revolutions. These are begot in the ventricle
FTLN 1256 of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater,
FTLN 1257 and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion. But
FTLN 1258 the gift is good in those in whom it is acute, and I
FTLN 1259 am thankful for it.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1260 90 Sir, I praise the Lord for you, and so may
FTLN 1261 my parishioners, for their sons are well tutored by
FTLN 1262 you, and their daughters profit very greatly under
FTLN 1263 you. You are a good member of the
FTLN 1264 commonwealth.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1265 95 Mehercle, if their sons be ingenious,
FTLN 1266 they shall want no instruction; if their daughters be
FTLN 1267 capable, I will put it to them. But Vir sapis qui pauca
FTLN 1268 loquitur. A soul feminine saluteth us.
Enter Jaquenetta and the Clown Costard.
JAQUENETTA , to Nathaniel FTLN 1269 God give you good morrow,
FTLN 1270 100 Master Person.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1271 Master Person, quasi pierce one. And
FTLN 1272 if one should be pierced, which is the one?
COSTARD FTLN 1273 Marry, Master Schoolmaster, he that is likeliest
FTLN 1274 to a hogshead.

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HOLOFERNES FTLN 1275 105 Of piercing a hogshead! A good luster
FTLN 1276 of conceit in a turf of earth; fire enough for a flint,
FTLN 1277 pearl enough for a swine. ’Tis pretty, it is well.
JAQUENETTA , to Nathaniel FTLN 1278 Good Master Parson, be so
FTLN 1279 good as read me this letter. It was given me by
FTLN 1280 110 Costard, and sent me from Don Armado. I beseech
FTLN 1281 you, read it.
She hands Nathaniel a paper, which he looks at.
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 1282 Facile precor gelida quando peccas omnia sub umbra.
FTLN 1283 Ruminat—
FTLN 1284 and so forth. Ah, good old Mantuan! I may speak of
FTLN 1285 115 thee as the traveler doth of Venice:
FTLN 1286 Venetia, Venetia,
FTLN 1287 Chi non ti vede, non ti pretia.
FTLN 1288 Old Mantuan, old Mantuan! Who understandeth
FTLN 1289 thee not, loves thee not. (He sings.) Ut, re, sol, la,
FTLN 1290 120 mi, fa. (To Nathaniel.) Under pardon, sir, what are
FTLN 1291 the contents? Or rather, as Horace says in his—
FTLN 1292 (Looking at the letter.) What, my soul, verses?
NATHANIEL FTLN 1293 Ay, sir, and very learned.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1294 Let me hear a staff, a stanza, a verse,
FTLN 1295 125 Lege, domine.
NATHANIEL , reads
FTLN 1296 If love make me forsworn, how shall I swear to love?
FTLN 1297 Ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vowed!
FTLN 1298 Though to myself forsworn, to thee I’ll faithful prove.
FTLN 1299 Those thoughts to me were oaks, to thee like osiers
FTLN 1300 130 bowed.
FTLN 1301 Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes,
FTLN 1302 Where all those pleasures live that art would
FTLN 1303 comprehend.
FTLN 1304 If knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice.
FTLN 1305 135 Well-learnèd is that tongue that well can thee
FTLN 1306 commend.

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FTLN 1307 All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder;
FTLN 1308 Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire.
FTLN 1309 Thy eye Jove’s lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful
FTLN 1310 140 thunder,
FTLN 1311 Which, not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire.
FTLN 1312 Celestial as thou art, O, pardon love this wrong,
FTLN 1313 That sings heaven’s praise with such an earthly tongue.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1314 You find not the apostrophus, and so
FTLN 1315 145 miss the accent. Let me supervise the canzonet.
FTLN 1316 He takes the paper. Here are only numbers ratified,
FTLN 1317 but, for the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of
FTLN 1318 poesy—caret. Ovidius Naso was the man. And why
FTLN 1319 indeed “Naso,” but for smelling out the odoriferous
FTLN 1320 150 flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention? Imitari is
FTLN 1321 nothing: so doth the hound his master, the ape his
FTLN 1322 keeper, the tired horse his rider.—But damosella
FTLN 1323 virgin, was this directed to you?
JAQUENETTA FTLN 1324 Ay, sir, from one Monsieur Berowne, one
FTLN 1325 155 of the strange queen’s lords.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1326 I will overglance the superscript: “To
FTLN 1327 the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady
FTLN 1328 Rosaline.” I will look again on the intellect of the
FTLN 1329 letter for the nomination of the party writing to
FTLN 1330 160 the person written unto: “Your Ladyship’s in all
FTLN 1331 desired employment, Berowne.” Sir Nathaniel, this
FTLN 1332 Berowne is one of the votaries with the King, and
FTLN 1333 here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the
FTLN 1334 stranger queen’s: which accidentally, or by the way
FTLN 1335 165 of progression, hath miscarried. To Jaquenetta.
FTLN 1336 Trip and go, my sweet. Deliver this paper into the
FTLN 1337 royal hand of the King. It may concern much. Stay
FTLN 1338 not thy compliment. I forgive thy duty. Adieu.
JAQUENETTA FTLN 1339 Good Costard, go with me.—Sir, God
FTLN 1340 170 save your life.
COSTARD FTLN 1341 Have with thee, my girl.
Costard and Jaquenetta exit.

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NATHANIEL FTLN 1342 Sir, you have done this in the fear of God
FTLN 1343 very religiously; and, as a certain Father saith—
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1344 Sir, tell not me of the Father. I do fear
FTLN 1345 175 colorable colors. But to return to the verses: did
FTLN 1346 they please you, Sir Nathaniel?
NATHANIEL FTLN 1347 Marvelous well for the pen.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1348 I do dine today at the father’s of a certain
FTLN 1349 pupil of mine, where if, before repast, it shall
FTLN 1350 180 please you to gratify the table with a grace, I will,
FTLN 1351 on my privilege I have with the parents of the
FTLN 1352 foresaid child or pupil, undertake your ben venuto;
FTLN 1353 where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned,
FTLN 1354 neither savoring of poetry, wit, nor invention.
FTLN 1355 185 I beseech your society.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1356 And thank you too; for society, saith the
FTLN 1357 text, is the happiness of life.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1358 And certes the text most infallibly concludes
FTLN 1359 it. To Dull. Sir, I do invite you too. You shall
FTLN 1360 190 not say me nay. Pauca verba. Away! The gentles are
FTLN 1361 at their game, and we will to our recreation.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Berowne with a paper in his hand, alone.
BEROWNE FTLN 1362 The King, he is hunting the deer; I am
FTLN 1363 coursing myself. They have pitched a toil; I am
FTLN 1364 toiling in a pitch—pitch that defiles. Defile! A foul
FTLN 1365 word. Well, “set thee down, sorrow”; for so they
FTLN 1366 5 say the fool said, and so say I, and I the fool. Well
FTLN 1367 proved, wit. By the Lord, this love is as mad as Ajax.
FTLN 1368 It kills sheep, it kills me, I a sheep. Well proved
FTLN 1369 again, o’ my side. I will not love. If I do, hang me. I’
FTLN 1370 faith, I will not. O, but her eye! By this light, but for
FTLN 1371 10 her eye I would not love her; yes, for her two eyes.

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FTLN 1372 Well, I do nothing in the world but lie, and lie in my
FTLN 1373 throat. By heaven, I do love, and it hath taught me to
FTLN 1374 rhyme, and to be melancholy. And here is part of my
FTLN 1375 rhyme, and here my melancholy. Well, she hath one
FTLN 1376 15 o’ my sonnets already. The clown bore it, the fool
FTLN 1377 sent it, and the lady hath it. Sweet clown, sweeter
FTLN 1378 fool, sweetest lady. By the world, I would not care a
FTLN 1379 pin, if the other three were in. Here comes one with
FTLN 1380 a paper. God give him grace to groan.
He stands aside.
The King entereth with a paper.
KING FTLN 1381 20 Ay me!
BEROWNE , aside FTLN 1382 Shot, by heaven! Proceed, sweet
FTLN 1383 Cupid. Thou hast thumped him with thy birdbolt
FTLN 1384 under the left pap. In faith, secrets!
KING reads
FTLN 1385 So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not
FTLN 1386 25 To those fresh morning drops upon the rose
FTLN 1387 As thy eyebeams, when their fresh rays have smote
FTLN 1388 The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows.
FTLN 1389 Nor shines the silver moon one-half so bright
FTLN 1390 Through the transparent bosom of the deep
FTLN 1391 30 As doth thy face, through tears of mine, give light.
FTLN 1392 Thou shin’st in every tear that I do weep.
FTLN 1393 No drop but as a coach doth carry thee;
FTLN 1394 So ridest thou triumphing in my woe.
FTLN 1395 Do but behold the tears that swell in me,
FTLN 1396 35 And they thy glory through my grief will show.
FTLN 1397 But do not love thyself; then thou wilt keep
FTLN 1398 My tears for glasses, and still make me weep.
FTLN 1399 O queen of queens, how far dost thou excel
FTLN 1400 No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell.
FTLN 1401 40 How shall she know my griefs? I’ll drop the paper.
FTLN 1402 Sweet leaves, shade folly. Who is he comes here?

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Enter Longaville, with papers. The King steps aside.
FTLN 1403 What, Longaville, and reading! Listen, ear.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1404 Now, in thy likeness, one more fool appear!
LONGAVILLE FTLN 1405 Ay me! I am forsworn.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1406 45 Why, he comes in like a perjure, wearing papers!
KING , aside
FTLN 1407 In love, I hope! Sweet fellowship in shame.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1408 One drunkard loves another of the name.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1409 Am I the first that have been perjured so?
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1410 I could put thee in comfort: not by two that I know.
FTLN 1411 50 Thou makest the triumviry, the corner-cap of
FTLN 1412 society,
FTLN 1413 The shape of love’s Tyburn, that hangs up simplicity.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1414 I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move.
FTLN 1415 Reads. O sweet Maria, empress of my love—
FTLN 1416 55 These numbers will I tear and write in prose.
He tears the paper.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1417 O, rhymes are guards on wanton Cupid’s hose.
FTLN 1418 Disfigure not his shop!
LONGAVILLE , taking another paper FTLN 1419 This same shall go.
(He reads the sonnet.)
FTLN 1420 Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye,
FTLN 1421 60 ’Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument,
FTLN 1422 Persuade my heart to this false perjury?
FTLN 1423 Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment.
FTLN 1424 A woman I forswore, but I will prove,
FTLN 1425 Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee.
FTLN 1426 65 My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love.

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ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 1427 Thy grace being gained cures all disgrace in me.
FTLN 1428 Vows are but breath, and breath a vapor is.
FTLN 1429 Then thou, fair sun, which on my Earth dost
FTLN 1430 shine,
FTLN 1431 70 Exhal’st this vapor-vow; in thee it is.
FTLN 1432 If broken, then, it is no fault of mine.
FTLN 1433 If by me broke, what fool is not so wise
FTLN 1434 To lose an oath to win a paradise?
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1435 This is the liver vein, which makes flesh a deity,
FTLN 1436 75 A green goose a goddess. Pure, pure idolatry.
FTLN 1437 God amend us, God amend. We are much out o’ th’
FTLN 1438 way.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1439 By whom shall I send this?—Company? Stay.
He steps aside.
Enter Dumaine, with a paper.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1440 All hid, all hid—an old infant play.
FTLN 1441 80 Like a demigod here sit I in the sky,
FTLN 1442 And wretched fools’ secrets heedfully o’ereye.
FTLN 1443 More sacks to the mill. O heavens, I have my wish.
FTLN 1444 Dumaine transformed! Four woodcocks in a dish.
DUMAINE FTLN 1445 O most divine Kate!
BEROWNE , aside FTLN 1446 85 O most profane coxcomb!
DUMAINE
FTLN 1447 By heaven, the wonder in a mortal eye!
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1448 By Earth, she is not, corporal. There you lie.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1449 Her amber hairs for foul hath amber quoted.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1450 An amber-colored raven was well noted.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1451 90 As upright as the cedar.

115
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ACT 4. SC. 3
BEROWNE , aside FTLN 1452 Stoop, I say.
FTLN 1453 Her shoulder is with child.
DUMAINE FTLN 1454 As fair as day.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1455 Ay, as some days, but then no sun must shine.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1456 95 O, that I had my wish!
LONGAVILLE , aside FTLN 1457 And I had mine!
KING , aside FTLN 1458 And mine too, good Lord!
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1459 Amen, so I had mine. Is not that a good word?
DUMAINE
FTLN 1460 I would forget her, but a fever she
FTLN 1461 100 Reigns in my blood, and will remembered be.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1462 A fever in your blood? Why, then incision
FTLN 1463 Would let her out in saucers! Sweet misprision.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1464 Once more I’ll read the ode that I have writ.
BEROWNE , aside
FTLN 1465 Once more I’ll mark how love can vary wit.
DUMAINE reads his sonnet.
FTLN 1466 105 On a day—alack the day!—
FTLN 1467 Love, whose month is ever May,
FTLN 1468 Spied a blossom passing fair,
FTLN 1469 Playing in the wanton air.
FTLN 1470 Through the velvet leaves the wind,
FTLN 1471 110 All unseen, can passage find;
FTLN 1472 That the lover, sick to death,
FTLN 1473 Wished himself the heaven’s breath.
FTLN 1474 “Air,” quoth he, “thy cheeks may blow.
FTLN 1475 Air, would I might triumph so!”
FTLN 1476 115 But, alack, my hand is sworn
FTLN 1477 Ne’er to pluck thee from thy thorn.

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ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 1478 Vow, alack, for youth unmeet,
FTLN 1479 Youth so apt to pluck a sweet.
FTLN 1480 Do not call it sin in me
FTLN 1481 120 That I am forsworn for thee—
FTLN 1482 Thou for whom Jove would swear
FTLN 1483 Juno but an Ethiope were,
FTLN 1484 And deny himself for Jove,
FTLN 1485 Turning mortal for thy love.
FTLN 1486 125 This will I send, and something else more plain
FTLN 1487 That shall express my true love’s fasting pain.
FTLN 1488 O, would the King, Berowne, and Longaville
FTLN 1489 Were lovers too! Ill to example ill
FTLN 1490 Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note,
FTLN 1491 130 For none offend where all alike do dote.
LONGAVILLE , coming forward
FTLN 1492 Dumaine, thy love is far from charity,
FTLN 1493 That in love’s grief desir’st society.
FTLN 1494 You may look pale, but I should blush, I know,
FTLN 1495 To be o’er-heard and taken napping so.
KING , coming forward
FTLN 1496 135 To Longaville. Come, sir, you blush! As his, your
FTLN 1497 case is such.
FTLN 1498 You chide at him, offending twice as much.
FTLN 1499 You do not love Maria? Longaville
FTLN 1500 Did never sonnet for her sake compile,
FTLN 1501 140 Nor never lay his wreathèd arms athwart
FTLN 1502 His loving bosom to keep down his heart?
FTLN 1503 I have been closely shrouded in this bush
FTLN 1504 And marked you both, and for you both did blush.
FTLN 1505 I heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion,
FTLN 1506 145 Saw sighs reek from you, noted well your passion.
FTLN 1507 “Ay, me!” says one. “O Jove!” the other cries.
FTLN 1508 One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other’s eyes.
FTLN 1509 To Longaville. You would for paradise break faith
FTLN 1510 and troth,

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FTLN 1511 150 To Dumaine. And Jove, for your love, would
FTLN 1512 infringe an oath.
FTLN 1513 What will Berowne say when that he shall hear
FTLN 1514 Faith infringed, which such zeal did swear?
FTLN 1515 How will he scorn, how will he spend his wit!
FTLN 1516 155 How will he triumph, leap, and laugh at it!
FTLN 1517 For all the wealth that ever I did see,
FTLN 1518 I would not have him know so much by me.
BEROWNE , coming forward
FTLN 1519 Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy.
FTLN 1520 Ah, good my liege, I pray thee pardon me.
FTLN 1521 160 Good heart, what grace hast thou thus to reprove
FTLN 1522 These worms for loving, that art most in love?
FTLN 1523 Your eyes do make no coaches; in your tears
FTLN 1524 There is no certain princess that appears.
FTLN 1525 You’ll not be perjured, ’tis a hateful thing!
FTLN 1526 165 Tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting!
FTLN 1527 But are you not ashamed? Nay, are you not,
FTLN 1528 All three of you, to be thus much o’ershot?
FTLN 1529 To Longaville. You found his mote, the King your
FTLN 1530 mote did see,
FTLN 1531 170 But I a beam do find in each of three.
FTLN 1532 O, what a scene of fool’ry have I seen,
FTLN 1533 Of sighs, of groans, of sorrow, and of teen!
FTLN 1534 O me, with what strict patience have I sat,
FTLN 1535 To see a king transformèd to a gnat!
FTLN 1536 175 To see great Hercules whipping a gig,
FTLN 1537 And profound Solomon to tune a jig,
FTLN 1538 And Nestor play at pushpin with the boys,
FTLN 1539 And critic Timon laugh at idle toys.
FTLN 1540 Where lies thy grief, O tell me, good Dumaine?
FTLN 1541 180 And gentle Longaville, where lies thy pain?
FTLN 1542 And where my liege’s? All about the breast!
FTLN 1543 A caudle, ho!
KING FTLN 1544 Too bitter is thy jest.
FTLN 1545 Are we betrayed thus to thy overview?

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BEROWNE
FTLN 1546 185 Not you to me, but I betrayed by you.
FTLN 1547 I, that am honest, I, that hold it sin
FTLN 1548 To break the vow I am engagèd in.
FTLN 1549 I am betrayed by keeping company
FTLN 1550 With men like you, men of inconstancy.
FTLN 1551 190 When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme?
FTLN 1552 Or groan for Joan? or spend a minute’s time
FTLN 1553 In pruning me? When shall you hear that I
FTLN 1554 Will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye,
FTLN 1555 A gait, a state, a brow, a breast, a waist,
FTLN 1556 195 A leg, a limb—
Enter Jaquenetta, with a paper, and Clown Costard.
Berowne begins to exit.
KING FTLN 1557 Soft, whither away so fast?
FTLN 1558 A true man, or a thief, that gallops so?
BEROWNE
FTLN 1559 I post from love. Good lover, let me go.
JAQUENETTA
FTLN 1560 God bless the King.
KING FTLN 1561 200 What present hast thou there?
COSTARD
FTLN 1562 Some certain treason.
KING FTLN 1563 What makes treason here?
COSTARD
FTLN 1564 Nay, it makes nothing, sir.
KING FTLN 1565 If it mar nothing neither,
FTLN 1566 205 The treason and you go in peace away together.
JAQUENETTA
FTLN 1567 I beseech your Grace, let this letter be read.
FTLN 1568 Our person misdoubts it. ’Twas treason, he said.
KING
FTLN 1569 Berowne, read it over.
Berowne reads the letter.
To Jaquenetta. FTLN 1570 Where hadst thou it?

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JAQUENETTA FTLN 1571 210 Of Costard.
KING , to Costard FTLN 1572 Where hadst thou it?
COSTARD FTLN 1573 Of Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio.
Berowne tears the paper.
KING , to Berowne
FTLN 1574 How now, what is in you? Why dost thou tear it?
BEROWNE
FTLN 1575 A toy, my liege, a toy. Your Grace needs not fear it.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1576 215 It did move him to passion, and therefore let’s hear
FTLN 1577 it.
DUMAINE , picking up the papers
FTLN 1578 It is Berowne’s writing, and here is his name.
BEROWNE , to Costard
FTLN 1579 Ah, you whoreson loggerhead, you were born to do
FTLN 1580 me shame.—
FTLN 1581 220 Guilty, my lord, guilty. I confess, I confess.
KING FTLN 1582 What?
BEROWNE
FTLN 1583 That you three fools lacked me fool to make up
FTLN 1584 the mess.
FTLN 1585 He, he, and you—and you, my liege—and I
FTLN 1586 225 Are pickpurses in love, and we deserve to die.
FTLN 1587 O, dismiss this audience, and I shall tell you more.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1588 Now the number is even.
BEROWNE FTLN 1589 True, true, we are four.
FTLN 1590 Pointing to Jaquenetta and Costard. Will these
FTLN 1591 230 turtles be gone?
KING FTLN 1592 Hence, sirs. Away.
COSTARD
FTLN 1593 Walk aside the true folk, and let the traitors stay.
Jaquenetta and Costard exit.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1594 Sweet lords, sweet lovers, O, let us embrace.
FTLN 1595 As true we are as flesh and blood can be.

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FTLN 1596 235 The sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face;
FTLN 1597 Young blood doth not obey an old decree.
FTLN 1598 We cannot cross the cause why we were born;
FTLN 1599 Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn.
KING
FTLN 1600 What, did these rent lines show some love of thine?
BEROWNE
FTLN 1601 240 Did they, quoth you? Who sees the heavenly
FTLN 1602 Rosaline
FTLN 1603 That, like a rude and savage man of Ind
FTLN 1604 At the first op’ning of the gorgeous East,
FTLN 1605 Bows not his vassal head and, strucken blind,
FTLN 1606 245 Kisses the base ground with obedient breast?
FTLN 1607 What peremptory eagle-sighted eye
FTLN 1608 Dares look upon the heaven of her brow
FTLN 1609 That is not blinded by her majesty?
KING
FTLN 1610 What zeal, what fury, hath inspired thee now?
FTLN 1611 250 My love, her mistress, is a gracious moon,
FTLN 1612 She an attending star scarce seen a light.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1613 My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Berowne.
FTLN 1614 O, but for my love, day would turn to night!
FTLN 1615 Of all complexions the culled sovereignty
FTLN 1616 255 Do meet as at a fair in her fair cheek.
FTLN 1617 Where several worthies make one dignity,
FTLN 1618 Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek.
FTLN 1619 Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues—
FTLN 1620 Fie, painted rhetoric! O, she needs it not!
FTLN 1621 260 To things of sale a seller’s praise belongs.
FTLN 1622 She passes praise. Then praise too short doth blot.
FTLN 1623 A withered hermit, fivescore winters worn,
FTLN 1624 Might shake off fifty, looking in her eye.
FTLN 1625 Beauty doth varnish age, as if newborn,

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FTLN 1626 265 And gives the crutch the cradle’s infancy.
FTLN 1627 O, ’tis the sun that maketh all things shine!
KING
FTLN 1628 By heaven, thy love is black as ebony.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1629 Is ebony like her? O word divine!
FTLN 1630 A wife of such wood were felicity.
FTLN 1631 270 O, who can give an oath? Where is a book,
FTLN 1632 That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack
FTLN 1633 If that she learn not of her eye to look?
FTLN 1634 No face is fair that is not full so black.
KING
FTLN 1635 O, paradox! Black is the badge of hell,
FTLN 1636 275 The hue of dungeons and the school of night,
FTLN 1637 And beauty’s crest becomes the heavens well.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1638 Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light.
FTLN 1639 O, if in black my lady’s brows be decked,
FTLN 1640 It mourns that painting and usurping hair
FTLN 1641 280 Should ravish doters with a false aspect:
FTLN 1642 And therefore is she born to make black fair.
FTLN 1643 Her favor turns the fashion of the days,
FTLN 1644 For native blood is counted painting now.
FTLN 1645 And therefore red, that would avoid dispraise,
FTLN 1646 285 Paints itself black to imitate her brow.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1647 To look like her are chimney-sweepers black.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1648 And since her time are colliers counted bright.
KING
FTLN 1649 And Ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1650 Dark needs no candles now, for dark is light.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1651 290 Your mistresses dare never come in rain,
FTLN 1652 For fear their colors should be washed away.

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KING
FTLN 1653 ’Twere good yours did, for, sir, to tell you plain,
FTLN 1654 I’ll find a fairer face not washed today.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1655 I’ll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here.
KING
FTLN 1656 295 No devil will fright thee then so much as she.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1657 I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear.
LONGAVILLE , showing his shoe
FTLN 1658 Look, here’s thy love; my foot and her face see.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1659 O, if the streets were pavèd with thine eyes.
FTLN 1660 Her feet were much too dainty for such tread.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1661 300 O vile! Then as she goes, what upward lies
FTLN 1662 The street should see as she walked overhead.
KING
FTLN 1663 But what of this? Are we not all in love?
BEROWNE
FTLN 1664 Nothing so sure, and thereby all forsworn.
KING
FTLN 1665 Then leave this chat, and, good Berowne, now prove
FTLN 1666 305 Our loving lawful, and our faith not torn.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1667 Ay, marry, there, some flattery for this evil.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1668 O, some authority how to proceed,
FTLN 1669 Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil.
DUMAINE
FTLN 1670 Some salve for perjury.
BEROWNE FTLN 1671 310 O, ’tis more than need.
FTLN 1672 Have at you, then, affection’s men-at-arms!
FTLN 1673 O, we have made a vow to study, lords,
FTLN 1674 And in that vow we have forsworn our books.

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FTLN 1675 For when would you, my liege, or you, or you,
FTLN 1676 315 In leaden contemplation have found out
FTLN 1677 Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes
FTLN 1678 Of beauty’s tutors have enriched you with?
FTLN 1679 Other slow arts entirely keep the brain
FTLN 1680 And therefore, finding barren practicers,
FTLN 1681 320 Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil.
FTLN 1682 But love, first learnèd in a lady’s eyes,
FTLN 1683 Lives not alone immurèd in the brain,
FTLN 1684 But with the motion of all elements
FTLN 1685 Courses as swift as thought in every power,
FTLN 1686 325 And gives to every power a double power,
FTLN 1687 Above their functions and their offices.
FTLN 1688 It adds a precious seeing to the eye.
FTLN 1689 A lover’s eyes will gaze an eagle blind.
FTLN 1690 A lover’s ear will hear the lowest sound,
FTLN 1691 330 When the suspicious head of theft is stopped.
FTLN 1692 Love’s feeling is more soft and sensible
FTLN 1693 Than are the tender horns of cockled snails.
FTLN 1694 Love’s tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste.
FTLN 1695 For valor, is not love a Hercules,
FTLN 1696 335 Still climbing trees in the Hesperides?
FTLN 1697 Subtle as Sphinx, as sweet and musical
FTLN 1698 As bright Apollo’s lute strung with his hair.
FTLN 1699 And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods
FTLN 1700 Make heaven drowsy with the harmony.
FTLN 1701 340 Never durst poet touch a pen to write
FTLN 1702 Until his ink were tempered with love’s sighs.
FTLN 1703 O, then his lines would ravish savage ears
FTLN 1704 And plant in tyrants mild humility.
FTLN 1705 From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive.
FTLN 1706 345 They sparkle still the right Promethean fire.
FTLN 1707 They are the books, the arts, the academes
FTLN 1708 That show, contain, and nourish all the world.
FTLN 1709 Else none at all in ought proves excellent.

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FTLN 1710 Then fools you were these women to forswear,
FTLN 1711 350 Or, keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools.
FTLN 1712 For wisdom’s sake, a word that all men love,
FTLN 1713 Or for love’s sake, a word that loves all men,
FTLN 1714 Or for men’s sake, the authors of these women,
FTLN 1715 Or women’s sake, by whom we men are men,
FTLN 1716 355 Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves,
FTLN 1717 Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.
FTLN 1718 It is religion to be thus forsworn,
FTLN 1719 For charity itself fulfills the law,
FTLN 1720 And who can sever love from charity?
KING
FTLN 1721 360 Saint Cupid, then, and, soldiers, to the field!
BEROWNE
FTLN 1722 Advance your standards, and upon them, lords.
FTLN 1723 Pell-mell, down with them. But be first advised
FTLN 1724 In conflict that you get the sun of them.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 1725 Now to plain dealing. Lay these glozes by.
FTLN 1726 365 Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France?
KING
FTLN 1727 And win them, too. Therefore let us devise
FTLN 1728 Some entertainment for them in their tents.
BEROWNE
FTLN 1729 First, from the park let us conduct them thither.
FTLN 1730 Then homeward every man attach the hand
FTLN 1731 370 Of his fair mistress. In the afternoon
FTLN 1732 We will with some strange pastime solace them,
FTLN 1733 Such as the shortness of the time can shape;
FTLN 1734 For revels, dances, masques, and merry hours
FTLN 1735 Forerun fair love, strewing her way with flowers.
KING
FTLN 1736 375 Away, away! No time shall be omitted
FTLN 1737 That will betime and may by us be fitted.

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BEROWNE
FTLN 1738 Allons! Allons! Sowed cockle reaped no corn,
FTLN 1739 And justice always whirls in equal measure.
FTLN 1740 Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn;
FTLN 1741 380 If so, our copper buys no better treasure.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Holofernes the Pedant, Nathaniel the Curate,
and Dull the Constable.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1742 Satis quid sufficit.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1743 I praise God for you, sir. Your reasons at
FTLN 1744 dinner have been sharp and sententious, pleasant
FTLN 1745 without scurrility, witty without affection, audacious
FTLN 1746 5 without impudency, learned without opinion,
FTLN 1747 and strange without heresy. I did converse this
FTLN 1748 quondam day with a companion of the King’s, who
FTLN 1749 is intituled, nominated, or called Don Adriano de
FTLN 1750 Armado.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1751 10 Novi hominem tanquam te. His humor
FTLN 1752 is lofty, his discourse peremptory, his tongue filed,
FTLN 1753 his eye ambitious, his gait majestical, and his general
FTLN 1754 behavior vain, ridiculous, and thrasonical. He is
FTLN 1755 too picked, too spruce, too affected, too odd, as it
FTLN 1756 15 were, too peregrinate, as I may call it.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1757 A most singular and choice epithet.
Draw out his table book.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1758 He draweth out the thread of his verbosity
FTLN 1759 finer than the staple of his argument. I abhor
FTLN 1760 such fanatical phantasimes, such insociable and
FTLN 1761 20 point-devise companions, such rackers of orthography,
FTLN 1762 as to speak “dout,” fine, when he should
FTLN 1763 say “doubt”; “det” when he should pronounce
139

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ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 1764 “debt”—d, e, b, t, not d, e, t. He clepeth a calf
FTLN 1765 “cauf,” half “hauf,” neighbor vocatur “nebor”;
FTLN 1766 25 neigh abbreviated ne. This is abhominable—which
FTLN 1767 he would call “abominable.” It insinuateth me of
FTLN 1768 insanie. Ne intelligis, domine? To make frantic,
FTLN 1769 lunatic.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1770 Laus Deo, bone intelligo.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1771 30 Bone? Bone for bene? Priscian a little
FTLN 1772 scratched; ’twill serve.
Enter Armado the Braggart, Boy, and Costard.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1773 Videsne quis venit?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1774 Video, et gaudeo.
ARMADO FTLN 1775 Chirrah.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1776 35 Quare “chirrah,” not “sirrah”?
ARMADO FTLN 1777 Men of peace, well encountered.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1778 Most military sir, salutation.
BOY , aside to Costard FTLN 1779 They have been at a great feast
FTLN 1780 of languages and stolen the scraps.
COSTARD , aside to Boy FTLN 1781 40 O, they have lived long on the
FTLN 1782 almsbasket of words. I marvel thy master hath not
FTLN 1783 eaten thee for a word, for thou art not so long by the
FTLN 1784 head as honorificabilitudinitatibus. Thou art easier
FTLN 1785 swallowed than a flapdragon.
BOY , aside to Costard FTLN 1786 45 Peace, the peal begins.
ARMADO , to Holofernes FTLN 1787 Monsieur, are you not
FTLN 1788 lettered?
BOY FTLN 1789 Yes, yes, he teaches boys the hornbook.—What is
FTLN 1790 a, b spelled backward, with the horn on his head?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1791 50 Ba, pueritia, with a horn added.
BOY FTLN 1792 Ba, most silly sheep, with a horn.—You hear his
FTLN 1793 learning.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1794 Quis, quis, thou consonant?
BOY FTLN 1795 The last of the five vowels, if you repeat them; or
FTLN 1796 55 the fifth, if I.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1797 I will repeat them: a, e, i—

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ACT 5. SC. 1
BOY FTLN 1798 The sheep. The other two concludes it: o, u.
ARMADO FTLN 1799 Now by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum,
FTLN 1800 a sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! Snip, snap,
FTLN 1801 60 quick and home. It rejoiceth my intellect. True
FTLN 1802 wit.
BOY FTLN 1803 Offered by a child to an old man—which is
FTLN 1804 wit-old.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1805 What is the figure? What is the figure?
BOY FTLN 1806 65 Horns.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1807 Thou disputes like an infant. Go whip thy
FTLN 1808 gig.
BOY FTLN 1809 Lend me your horn to make one, and I will whip
FTLN 1810 about your infamy—unum cita—a gig of a cuckold’s
FTLN 1811 70 horn.
COSTARD FTLN 1812 An I had but one penny in the world, thou
FTLN 1813 shouldst have it to buy gingerbread! Hold, there is
FTLN 1814 the very remuneration I had of thy master, thou
FTLN 1815 halfpenny purse of wit, thou pigeon egg of discretion.
FTLN 1816 75 He gives him money. O, an the heavens were
FTLN 1817 so pleased that thou wert but my bastard, what a
FTLN 1818 joyful father wouldest thou make me! Go to, thou
FTLN 1819 hast it ad dunghill, at the fingers’ ends, as they say.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1820 Oh, I smell false Latin! Dunghill for
FTLN 1821 80 unguem.
ARMADO FTLN 1822 Arts-man, preambulate. We will be singuled
FTLN 1823 from the barbarous. Do you not educate youth at
FTLN 1824 the charge-house on the top of the mountain?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1825 Or mons, the hill.
ARMADO FTLN 1826 85 At your sweet pleasure, for the mountain.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1827 I do, sans question.
ARMADO FTLN 1828 Sir, it is the King’s most sweet pleasure and
FTLN 1829 affection to congratulate the Princess at her pavilion
FTLN 1830 in the posteriors of this day, which the rude
FTLN 1831 90 multitude call the afternoon.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1832“The posterior of the day,” most generous
FTLN 1833 sir, is liable, congruent, and measurable for

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FTLN 1834 “the afternoon”; the word is well culled, chose,
FTLN 1835 sweet, and apt, I do assure you, sir, I do assure.
ARMADO FTLN 1836 95 Sir, the King is a noble gentleman, and my
FTLN 1837 familiar, I do assure you, very good friend. For
FTLN 1838 what is inward between us, let it pass. I do beseech
FTLN 1839 thee, remember thy courtesy; I beseech thee apparel
FTLN 1840 thy head. And among other important and most
FTLN 1841 100 serious designs, and of great import indeed, too—
FTLN 1842 but let that pass; for I must tell thee, it will please his
FTLN 1843 Grace, by the world, sometimes to lean upon my
FTLN 1844 poor shoulder and with his royal finger thus dally
FTLN 1845 with my excrement, with my mustachio—but,
FTLN 1846 105 sweetheart, let that pass. By the world, I recount no
FTLN 1847 fable! Some certain special honors it pleaseth his
FTLN 1848 Greatness to impart to Armado, a soldier, a man of
FTLN 1849 travel, that hath seen the world—but let that pass.
FTLN 1850 The very all of all is—but sweetheart, I do implore
FTLN 1851 110 secrecy—that the King would have me present the
FTLN 1852 Princess, sweet chuck, with some delightful ostentation,
FTLN 1853 or show, or pageant, or antic, or firework.
FTLN 1854 Now, understanding that the curate and your sweet
FTLN 1855 self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking
FTLN 1856 115 out of mirth, as it were, I have acquainted you
FTLN 1857 withal to the end to crave your assistance.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1858 Sir, you shall present before her the Nine
FTLN 1859 Worthies.—Sir Nathaniel, as concerning some
FTLN 1860 entertainment of time, some show in the posterior
FTLN 1861 120 of this day, to be rendered by our assistance, the
FTLN 1862 King’s command, and this most gallant, illustrate,
FTLN 1863 and learned gentleman, before the Princess—I say,
FTLN 1864 none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies.
NATHANIEL FTLN 1865 Where will you find men worthy enough to
FTLN 1866 125 present them?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1867 Joshua, yourself; myself; and this gallant
FTLN 1868 gentleman, Judas Maccabaeus. This swain, because
FTLN 1869 of his great limb or joint, shall pass Pompey
FTLN 1870 the Great; the page, Hercules—

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ACT 5. SC. 2
ARMADO FTLN 1871 130 Pardon, sir—error. He is not quantity
FTLN 1872 enough for that Worthy’s thumb; he is not so big as
FTLN 1873 the end of his club!
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1874 Shall I have audience? He shall present
FTLN 1875 Hercules in minority. His enter and exit shall be
FTLN 1876 135 strangling a snake; and I will have an apology for
FTLN 1877 that purpose.
BOY FTLN 1878 An excellent device. So, if any of the audience
FTLN 1879 hiss, you may cry “Well done, Hercules, now thou
FTLN 1880 crushest the snake.” That is the way to make an
FTLN 1881 140 offense gracious, though few have the grace to do it.
ARMADO FTLN 1882 For the rest of the Worthies?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1883 I will play three myself.
BOY FTLN 1884 Thrice-worthy gentleman!
ARMADO , to Holofernes FTLN 1885 Shall I tell you a thing?
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1886 145 We attend.
ARMADO FTLN 1887 We will have, if this fadge not, an antic. I
FTLN 1888 beseech you, follow.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1889 Via, goodman Dull. Thou hast spoken no
FTLN 1890 word all this while.
DULL FTLN 1891 150 Nor understood none neither, sir.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1892 Allons! We will employ thee.
DULL FTLN 1893 I’ll make one in a dance, or so; or I will play on
FTLN 1894 the tabor to the Worthies and let them dance the
FTLN 1895 hay.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 1896 155 Most dull, honest Dull. To our sport!
FTLN 1897 Away.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the Ladies (the Princess, Rosaline,
Katherine, and Maria.)
PRINCESS
FTLN 1898 Sweethearts, we shall be rich ere we depart,
FTLN 1899 If fairings come thus plentifully in.

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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 1900 A lady walled about with diamonds!
FTLN 1901 Look you what I have from the loving king.
She shows a jewel.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1902 5 Madam, came nothing else along with that?
PRINCESS
FTLN 1903 Nothing but this? Yes, as much love in rhyme
FTLN 1904 As would be crammed up in a sheet of paper
FTLN 1905 Writ o’ both sides the leaf, margent and all,
FTLN 1906 That he was fain to seal on Cupid’s name.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1907 10 That was the way to make his godhead wax,
FTLN 1908 For he hath been five thousand year a boy.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1909 Ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows, too.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1910 You’ll ne’er be friends with him. He killed your
FTLN 1911 sister.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1912 15 He made her melancholy, sad, and heavy,
FTLN 1913 And so she died. Had she been light like you,
FTLN 1914 Of such a merry, nimble, stirring spirit,
FTLN 1915 She might ha’ been a grandam ere she died.
FTLN 1916 And so may you, for a light heart lives long.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1917 20 What’s your dark meaning, mouse, of this light
FTLN 1918 word?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1919 A light condition in a beauty dark.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1920 We need more light to find your meaning out.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1921 You’ll mar the light by taking it in snuff;
FTLN 1922 25 Therefore I’ll darkly end the argument.

151
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ACT 5. SC. 2
ROSALINE
FTLN 1923 Look what you do, you do it still i’ th’ dark.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1924 So do not you, for you are a light wench.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1925 Indeed, I weigh not you, and therefore light.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1926 You weigh me not? O, that’s you care not for me.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1927 30 Great reason: for past care is still past cure.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1928 Well bandied both; a set of wit well played.
FTLN 1929 But, Rosaline, you have a favor too.
FTLN 1930 Who sent it? And what is it?
ROSALINE FTLN 1931 I would you knew.
FTLN 1932 35 An if my face were but as fair as yours,
FTLN 1933 My favor were as great. Be witness this.
She shows a gift.
FTLN 1934 Nay, I have verses too, I thank Berowne;
FTLN 1935 The numbers true; and were the numb’ring too,
FTLN 1936 I were the fairest goddess on the ground.
FTLN 1937 40 I am compared to twenty thousand fairs.
FTLN 1938 O, he hath drawn my picture in his letter.
PRINCESS FTLN 1939 Anything like?
ROSALINE
FTLN 1940 Much in the letters, nothing in the praise.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1941 Beauteous as ink: a good conclusion.
KATHERINE
FTLN 1942 45 Fair as a text B in a copybook.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1943 Ware pencils, ho! Let me not die your debtor,
FTLN 1944 My red dominical, my golden letter.
FTLN 1945 O, that your face were not so full of O’s!
PRINCESS
FTLN 1946 A pox of that jest! And I beshrew all shrows.

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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 1947 50 But, Katherine, what was sent to you
FTLN 1948 From fair Dumaine?
KATHERINE
FTLN 1949 Madam, this glove. She shows the glove.
PRINCESS FTLN 1950 Did he not send you twain?
KATHERINE FTLN 1951 Yes, madam, and moreover,
FTLN 1952 55 Some thousand verses of a faithful lover,
FTLN 1953 A huge translation of hypocrisy,
FTLN 1954 Vilely compiled, profound simplicity.
MARIA
FTLN 1955 This, and these pearls, to me sent Longaville.
She shows a paper and pearls.
FTLN 1956 The letter is too long by half a mile.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1957 60 I think no less. Dost thou not wish in heart
FTLN 1958 The chain were longer and the letter short?
MARIA
FTLN 1959 Ay, or I would these hands might never part.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1960 We are wise girls to mock our lovers so.
ROSALINE
FTLN 1961 They are worse fools to purchase mocking so.
FTLN 1962 65 That same Berowne I’ll torture ere I go.
FTLN 1963 O, that I knew he were but in by th’ week,
FTLN 1964 How I would make him fawn, and beg, and seek,
FTLN 1965 And wait the season, and observe the times,
FTLN 1966 And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes,
FTLN 1967 70 And shape his service wholly to my hests,
FTLN 1968 And make him proud to make me proud that jests!
FTLN 1969 So pair-taunt-like would I o’ersway his state,
FTLN 1970 That he should be my fool, and I his fate.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1971 None are so surely caught, when they are catched,
FTLN 1972 75 As wit turned fool. Folly in wisdom hatched
FTLN 1973 Hath wisdom’s warrant and the help of school,
FTLN 1974 And wit’s own grace to grace a learnèd fool.

155
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ACT 5. SC. 2
ROSALINE
FTLN 1975 The blood of youth burns not with such excess
FTLN 1976 As gravity’s revolt to wantonness.
MARIA
FTLN 1977 80 Folly in fools bears not so strong a note
FTLN 1978 As fool’ry in the wise, when wit doth dote,
FTLN 1979 Since all the power thereof it doth apply
FTLN 1980 To prove, by wit, worth in simplicity.
Enter Boyet.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1981 Here comes Boyet, and mirth is in his face.
BOYET
FTLN 1982 85 O, I am stabbed with laughter. Where’s her Grace?
PRINCESS
FTLN 1983 Thy news, Boyet?
BOYET FTLN 1984 Prepare, madam, prepare.
FTLN 1985 Arm, wenches, arm. Encounters mounted are
FTLN 1986 Against your peace. Love doth approach, disguised,
FTLN 1987 90 Armèd in arguments. You’ll be surprised.
FTLN 1988 Muster your wits, stand in your own defense,
FTLN 1989 Or hide your heads like cowards, and fly hence.
PRINCESS
FTLN 1990 Saint Denis to Saint Cupid! What are they
FTLN 1991 That charge their breath against us? Say, scout, say.
BOYET
FTLN 1992 95 Under the cool shade of a sycamore,
FTLN 1993 I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour.
FTLN 1994 When, lo, to interrupt my purposed rest,
FTLN 1995 Toward that shade I might behold addressed
FTLN 1996 The King and his companions. Warily
FTLN 1997 100 I stole into a neighbor thicket by,
FTLN 1998 And overheard what you shall overhear:
FTLN 1999 That, by and by, disguised, they will be here.
FTLN 2000 Their herald is a pretty knavish page
FTLN 2001 That well by heart hath conned his embassage.

157
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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2002 105 Action and accent did they teach him there:
FTLN 2003 “Thus must thou speak,” and “thus thy body bear.”
FTLN 2004 And ever and anon they made a doubt
FTLN 2005 Presence majestical would put him out;
FTLN 2006 “For,” quoth the King, “an angel shalt thou see;
FTLN 2007 110 Yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.”
FTLN 2008 The boy replied “An angel is not evil.
FTLN 2009 I should have feared her had she been a devil.”
FTLN 2010 With that, all laughed and clapped him on the
FTLN 2011 shoulder,
FTLN 2012 115 Making the bold wag by their praises bolder.
FTLN 2013 One rubbed his elbow thus, and fleered, and swore
FTLN 2014 A better speech was never spoke before.
FTLN 2015 Another with his finger and his thumb,
FTLN 2016 Cried “Via! We will do ’t, come what will come.”
FTLN 2017 120 The third he capered and cried “All goes well!”
FTLN 2018 The fourth turned on the toe, and down he fell.
FTLN 2019 With that, they all did tumble on the ground
FTLN 2020 With such a zealous laughter so profound
FTLN 2021 That in this spleen ridiculous appears,
FTLN 2022 125 To check their folly, passion’s solemn tears.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2023 But what, but what? Come they to visit us?
BOYET
FTLN 2024 They do, they do; and are appareled thus,
FTLN 2025 Like Muscovites, or Russians, as I guess.
FTLN 2026 Their purpose is to parley, to court, and dance,
FTLN 2027 130 And every one his love-feat will advance
FTLN 2028 Unto his several mistress—which they’ll know
FTLN 2029 By favors several which they did bestow.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2030 And will they so? The gallants shall be tasked,
FTLN 2031 For, ladies, we will every one be masked,
FTLN 2032 135 And not a man of them shall have the grace,
FTLN 2033 Despite of suit, to see a lady’s face.
FTLN 2034 Hold, Rosaline, this favor thou shalt wear,

159
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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2035 And then the King will court thee for his dear.
FTLN 2036 Hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine.
FTLN 2037 140 So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline.
Princess and Rosaline exchange favors.
FTLN 2038 And change you favors too. So shall your loves
FTLN 2039 Woo contrary, deceived by these removes.
Katherine and Maria exchange favors.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2040 Come on, then, wear the favors most in sight.
KATHERINE , to Princess
FTLN 2041 But in this changing, what is your intent?
PRINCESS
FTLN 2042 145 The effect of my intent is to cross theirs.
FTLN 2043 They do it but in mockery merriment,
FTLN 2044 And mock for mock is only my intent.
FTLN 2045 Their several counsels they unbosom shall
FTLN 2046 To loves mistook, and so be mocked withal
FTLN 2047 150 Upon the next occasion that we meet,
FTLN 2048 With visages displayed, to talk and greet.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2049 But shall we dance, if they desire us to ’t?
PRINCESS
FTLN 2050 No, to the death we will not move a foot,
FTLN 2051 Nor to their penned speech render we no grace,
FTLN 2052 155 But while ’tis spoke each turn away her face.
BOYET
FTLN 2053 Why, that contempt will kill the speaker’s heart,
FTLN 2054 And quite divorce his memory from his part.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2055 Therefore I do it, and I make no doubt
FTLN 2056 The rest will ne’er come in if he be out.
FTLN 2057 160 There’s no such sport as sport by sport o’erthrown,
FTLN 2058 To make theirs ours and ours none but our own.
FTLN 2059 So shall we stay, mocking intended game,
FTLN 2060 And they, well mocked, depart away with shame.
Sound trumpet, within.

161
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
BOYET
FTLN 2061 The trumpet sounds. Be masked; the maskers come.
The Ladies mask.
Enter Blackamoors with music, the Boy with a speech,
the King, Berowne, and the rest of the Lords disguised.
BOY
FTLN 2062 165 All hail, the richest beauties on the Earth!
BOYET
FTLN 2063 Beauties no richer than rich taffeta.
BOY
FTLN 2064 A holy parcel of the fairest dames
(The Ladies turn their backs to him.)
FTLN 2065 That ever turned their—backs—to mortal views.
BEROWNE FTLN 2066 Their eyes, villain, their eyes!
BOY
FTLN 2067 170 That ever turned their eyes to mortal views.
FTLN 2068 Out—
BOYET FTLN 2069 True; out indeed.
BOY
FTLN 2070 Out of your favors, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe
FTLN 2071 Not to behold—
BEROWNE FTLN 2072 175 Once to behold, rogue!
BOY
FTLN 2073 Once to behold with your sun-beamèd eyes—
FTLN 2074 With your sun-beamèd eyes—
BOYET
FTLN 2075 They will not answer to that epithet.
FTLN 2076 You were best call it “daughter-beamèd eyes.”
BOY
FTLN 2077 180 They do not mark me, and that brings me out.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2078 Is this your perfectness? Begone, you rogue!
Boy exits.
ROSALINE , speaking as the Princess
FTLN 2079 What would these strangers? Know their minds,
FTLN 2080 Boyet.

163
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2081 If they do speak our language, ’tis our will
FTLN 2082 185 That some plain man recount their purposes.
FTLN 2083 Know what they would.
BOYET FTLN 2084 What would you with the
FTLN 2085 Princess?
BEROWNE
FTLN 2086 Nothing but peace and gentle visitation.
ROSALINE FTLN 2087 190 What would they, say they?
BOYET
FTLN 2088 Nothing but peace and gentle visitation.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2089 Why, that they have, and bid them so be gone.
BOYET
FTLN 2090 She says you have it, and you may be gone.
KING
FTLN 2091 Say to her we have measured many miles
FTLN 2092 195 To tread a measure with her on this grass.
BOYET
FTLN 2093 They say that they have measured many a mile
FTLN 2094 To tread a measure with you on this grass.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2095 It is not so. Ask them how many inches
FTLN 2096 Is in one mile. If they have measured many,
FTLN 2097 200 The measure then of one is eas’ly told.
BOYET
FTLN 2098 If to come hither you have measured miles,
FTLN 2099 And many miles, the Princess bids you tell
FTLN 2100 How many inches doth fill up one mile.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2101 Tell her we measure them by weary steps.
BOYET
FTLN 2102 205 She hears herself.
ROSALINE FTLN 2103 How many weary steps
FTLN 2104 Of many weary miles you have o’ergone
FTLN 2105 Are numbered in the travel of one mile?

165
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
BEROWNE
FTLN 2106 We number nothing that we spend for you.
FTLN 2107 210 Our duty is so rich, so infinite,
FTLN 2108 That we may do it still without account.
FTLN 2109 Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face
FTLN 2110 That we, like savages, may worship it.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2111 My face is but a moon, and clouded too.
KING
FTLN 2112 215 Blessèd are clouds, to do as such clouds do!
FTLN 2113 Vouchsafe, bright moon, and these thy stars, to
FTLN 2114 shine,
FTLN 2115 Those clouds removed, upon our watery eyne.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2116 O vain petitioner, beg a greater matter!
FTLN 2117 220 Thou now requests but moonshine in the water.
KING
FTLN 2118 Then in our measure do but vouchsafe one change.
FTLN 2119 Thou bidd’st me beg; this begging is not strange.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2120 Play music, then. Nay, you must do it soon.
Music begins.
FTLN 2121 Not yet? No dance! Thus change I like the moon.
KING
FTLN 2122 225 Will you not dance? How come you thus estranged?
ROSALINE
FTLN 2123 You took the moon at full, but now she’s changed.
KING
FTLN 2124 Yet still she is the moon, and I the man.
FTLN 2125 The music plays. Vouchsafe some motion to it.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2126 Our ears vouchsafe it.
KING FTLN 2127 230 But your legs should do it.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2128 Since you are strangers and come here by chance,
FTLN 2129 We’ll not be nice. Take hands. We will not dance.
She offers her hand.

167
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
KING
FTLN 2130 Why take we hands then?
ROSALINE FTLN 2131 Only to part friends.—
FTLN 2132 235 Curtsy, sweethearts—and so the measure ends.
KING
FTLN 2133 More measure of this measure! Be not nice.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2134 We can afford no more at such a price.
KING
FTLN 2135 Prize you yourselves. What buys your company?
ROSALINE
FTLN 2136 Your absence only.
KING FTLN 2137 240 That can never be.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2138 Then cannot we be bought. And so adieu—
FTLN 2139 Twice to your visor, and half once to you.
KING
FTLN 2140 If you deny to dance, let’s hold more chat.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2141 In private, then.
KING FTLN 2142 245 I am best pleased with that.
They move aside.
BEROWNE , to the Princess
FTLN 2143 White-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee.
PRINCESS , speaking as Rosaline
FTLN 2144 Honey, and milk, and sugar—there is three.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2145 Nay then, two treys, an if you grow so nice,
FTLN 2146 Metheglin, wort, and malmsey. Well run, dice!
FTLN 2147 250 There’s half a dozen sweets.
PRINCESS FTLN 2148 Seventh sweet, adieu.
FTLN 2149 Since you can cog, I’ll play no more with you.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2150 One word in secret.
PRINCESS FTLN 2151 Let it not be sweet.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2152 255 Thou grievest my gall.

169
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
PRINCESS FTLN 2153 Gall! Bitter.
BEROWNE FTLN 2154 Therefore meet.
They move aside.
DUMAINE , to Maria
FTLN 2155 Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word?
MARIA , speaking as Katherine
FTLN 2156 Name it.
DUMAINE FTLN 2157 260 Fair lady—
MARIA FTLN 2158 Say you so? Fair lord!
FTLN 2159 Take that for your “fair lady.”
DUMAINE FTLN 2160 Please it you
FTLN 2161 As much in private, and I’ll bid adieu.
They move aside.
KATHERINE , speaking as Maria
FTLN 2162 265 What, was your vizard made without a tongue?
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2163 I know the reason, lady, why you ask.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2164 O, for your reason! Quickly, sir, I long.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2165 You have a double tongue within your mask,
FTLN 2166 And would afford my speechless vizard half.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2167 270 Veal, quoth the Dutchman. Is not veal a calf?
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2168 A calf, fair lady?
KATHERINE FTLN 2169 No, a fair Lord Calf.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2170 Let’s part the word.
KATHERINE FTLN 2171 No, I’ll not be your half.
FTLN 2172 275 Take all and wean it. It may prove an ox.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2173 Look how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks.
FTLN 2174 Will you give horns, chaste lady? Do not so.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2175 Then die a calf before your horns do grow.

171
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2176 One word in private with you ere I die.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2177 280 Bleat softly, then. The butcher hears you cry.
They move aside.
BOYET
FTLN 2178 The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen
FTLN 2179 As is the razor’s edge invisible,
FTLN 2180 Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen;
FTLN 2181 Above the sense of sense, so sensible
FTLN 2182 285 Seemeth their conference. Their conceits have
FTLN 2183 wings
FTLN 2184 Fleeter than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter
FTLN 2185 things.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2186 Not one word more, my maids. Break off, break off!
The Ladies move away from the Lords.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2187 290 By heaven, all dry-beaten with pure scoff!
KING
FTLN 2188 Farewell, mad wenches. You have simple wits.
King, Lords, and Blackamoors exit.
The Ladies unmask.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2189 Twenty adieus, my frozen Muskovits.—
FTLN 2190 Are these the breed of wits so wondered at?
BOYET
FTLN 2191 Tapers they are, with your sweet breaths puffed
FTLN 2192 295 out.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2193 Well-liking wits they have; gross, gross; fat, fat.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2194 O poverty in wit, kingly-poor flout!
FTLN 2195 Will they not, think you, hang themselves tonight?
FTLN 2196 Or ever but in vizards show their faces?
FTLN 2197 300 This pert Berowne was out of count’nance quite.

173
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
ROSALINE
FTLN 2198 They were all in lamentable cases.
FTLN 2199 The King was weeping ripe for a good word.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2200 Berowne did swear himself out of all suit.
MARIA
FTLN 2201 Dumaine was at my service, and his sword.
FTLN 2202 305 “No point,” quoth I. My servant straight was
FTLN 2203 mute.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2204 Lord Longaville said I came o’er his heart.
FTLN 2205 And trow you what he called me?
PRINCESS FTLN 2206 Qualm, perhaps.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2207 310 Yes, in good faith.
PRINCESS FTLN 2208 Go, sickness as thou art!
ROSALINE
FTLN 2209 Well, better wits have worn plain statute-caps.
FTLN 2210 But will you hear? The King is my love sworn.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2211 And quick Berowne hath plighted faith to me.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2212 315 And Longaville was for my service born.
MARIA
FTLN 2213 Dumaine is mine as sure as bark on tree.
BOYET
FTLN 2214 Madam, and pretty mistresses, give ear.
FTLN 2215 Immediately they will again be here
FTLN 2216 In their own shapes, for it can never be
FTLN 2217 320 They will digest this harsh indignity.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2218 Will they return?
BOYET FTLN 2219 They will, they will, God knows,
FTLN 2220 And leap for joy, though they are lame with blows.
FTLN 2221 Therefore change favors, and when they repair,
FTLN 2222 325 Blow like sweet roses in this summer air.

175
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
PRINCESS
FTLN 2223 How “blow”? How “blow”? Speak to be understood.
BOYET
FTLN 2224 Fair ladies masked are roses in their bud.
FTLN 2225 Dismasked, their damask sweet commixture shown,
FTLN 2226 Are angels vailing clouds, or roses blown.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2227 330 Avaunt, perplexity!—What shall we do
FTLN 2228 If they return in their own shapes to woo?
ROSALINE
FTLN 2229 Good madam, if by me you’ll be advised,
FTLN 2230 Let’s mock them still, as well known as disguised.
FTLN 2231 Let us complain to them what fools were here,
FTLN 2232 335 Disguised like Muscovites in shapeless gear,
FTLN 2233 And wonder what they were, and to what end
FTLN 2234 Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penned,
FTLN 2235 And their rough carriage so ridiculous,
FTLN 2236 Should be presented at our tent to us.
BOYET
FTLN 2237 340 Ladies, withdraw. The gallants are at hand.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2238 Whip to our tents, as roes runs o’er land.
The Princess and the Ladies exit.
Enter the King and the rest, as themselves.
KING , to Boyet
FTLN 2239 Fair sir, God save you. Where’s the Princess?
BOYET
FTLN 2240 Gone to her tent. Please it your Majesty
FTLN 2241 Command me any service to her thither?
KING
FTLN 2242 345 That she vouchsafe me audience for one word.
BOYET
FTLN 2243 I will, and so will she, I know, my lord. He exits.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2244 This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas,

177
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2245 And utters it again when God doth please.
FTLN 2246 He is wit’s peddler, and retails his wares
FTLN 2247 350 At wakes and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs.
FTLN 2248 And we that sell by gross, the Lord doth know,
FTLN 2249 Have not the grace to grace it with such show.
FTLN 2250 This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve.
FTLN 2251 Had he been Adam, he had tempted Eve.
FTLN 2252 355 He can carve too, and lisp. Why, this is he
FTLN 2253 That kissed his hand away in courtesy.
FTLN 2254 This is the ape of form, Monsieur the Nice,
FTLN 2255 That, when he plays at tables, chides the dice
FTLN 2256 In honorable terms. Nay, he can sing
FTLN 2257 360 A mean most meanly; and in ushering
FTLN 2258 Mend him who can. The ladies call him sweet.
FTLN 2259 The stairs, as he treads on them, kiss his feet.
FTLN 2260 This is the flower that smiles on everyone
FTLN 2261 To show his teeth as white as whale’s bone;
FTLN 2262 365 And consciences that will not die in debt
FTLN 2263 Pay him the due of “honey-tongued Boyet.”
KING
FTLN 2264 A blister on his sweet tongue, with my heart,
FTLN 2265 That put Armado’s page out of his part!
Enter the Ladies, with Boyet.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2266 See where it comes! Behavior, what wert thou
FTLN 2267 370 Till this madman showed thee? And what art thou
FTLN 2268 now?
KING , to Princess
FTLN 2269 All hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2270 “Fair” in “all hail” is foul, as I conceive.
KING
FTLN 2271 Construe my speeches better, if you may.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2272 375 Then wish me better. I will give you leave.

179
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
KING
FTLN 2273 We came to visit you, and purpose now
FTLN 2274 To lead you to our court. Vouchsafe it, then.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2275 This field shall hold me, and so hold your vow.
FTLN 2276 Nor God nor I delights in perjured men.
KING
FTLN 2277 380 Rebuke me not for that which you provoke.
FTLN 2278 The virtue of your eye must break my oath.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2279 You nickname virtue; “vice” you should have spoke,
FTLN 2280 For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth.
FTLN 2281 Now by my maiden honor, yet as pure
FTLN 2282 385 As the unsullied lily, I protest,
FTLN 2283 A world of torments though I should endure,
FTLN 2284 I would not yield to be your house’s guest,
FTLN 2285 So much I hate a breaking cause to be
FTLN 2286 Of heavenly oaths vowed with integrity.
KING
FTLN 2287 390 O, you have lived in desolation here,
FTLN 2288 Unseen, unvisited, much to our shame.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2289 Not so, my lord. It is not so, I swear.
FTLN 2290 We have had pastimes here and pleasant game.
FTLN 2291 A mess of Russians left us but of late.
KING
FTLN 2292 395 How, madam? Russians?
PRINCESS FTLN 2293 Ay, in truth, my lord.
FTLN 2294 Trim gallants, full of courtship and of state.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2295 Madam, speak true.—It is not so, my lord.
FTLN 2296 My lady, to the manner of the days,
FTLN 2297 400 In courtesy gives undeserving praise.
FTLN 2298 We four indeed confronted were with four
FTLN 2299 In Russian habit. Here they stayed an hour
FTLN 2300 And talked apace; and in that hour, my lord,

181
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2301 They did not bless us with one happy word.
FTLN 2302 405 I dare not call them fools; but this I think:
FTLN 2303 When they are thirsty, fools would fain have drink.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2304 This jest is dry to me. Gentle sweet,
FTLN 2305 Your wits makes wise things foolish. When we greet,
FTLN 2306 With eyes’ best seeing, heaven’s fiery eye,
FTLN 2307 410 By light we lose light. Your capacity
FTLN 2308 Is of that nature that to your huge store
FTLN 2309 Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2310 This proves you wise and rich, for in my eye—
BEROWNE
FTLN 2311 I am a fool, and full of poverty.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2312 415 But that you take what doth to you belong,
FTLN 2313 It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2314 O, I am yours, and all that I possess!
ROSALINE
FTLN 2315 All the fool mine?
BEROWNE FTLN 2316 I cannot give you less.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2317 420 Which of the vizards was it that you wore?
BEROWNE
FTLN 2318 Where? When? What vizard? Why demand you this?
ROSALINE
FTLN 2319 There; then; that vizard; that superfluous case
FTLN 2320 That hid the worse and showed the better face.
KING , aside to Dumaine
FTLN 2321 We were descried. They’ll mock us now downright.
DUMAINE , aside to King
FTLN 2322 425 Let us confess and turn it to a jest.
PRINCESS , to King
FTLN 2323 Amazed, my lord? Why looks your Highness sad?

183
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
ROSALINE
FTLN 2324 Help, hold his brows! He’ll swoon!—Why look you
FTLN 2325 pale?
FTLN 2326 Seasick, I think, coming from Muscovy.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2327 430 Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury.
FTLN 2328 Can any face of brass hold longer out?
FTLN 2329 Here stand I, lady. Dart thy skill at me.
FTLN 2330 Bruise me with scorn, confound me with a flout.
FTLN 2331 Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance.
FTLN 2332 435 Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit,
FTLN 2333 And I will wish thee nevermore to dance,
FTLN 2334 Nor nevermore in Russian habit wait.
FTLN 2335 O, never will I trust to speeches penned,
FTLN 2336 Nor to the motion of a schoolboy’s tongue,
FTLN 2337 440 Nor never come in vizard to my friend,
FTLN 2338 Nor woo in rhyme like a blind harper’s song.
FTLN 2339 Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise,
FTLN 2340 Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation,
FTLN 2341 Figures pedantical—these summer flies
FTLN 2342 445 Have blown me full of maggot ostentation.
FTLN 2343 I do forswear them, and I here protest
FTLN 2344 By this white glove—how white the hand, God
FTLN 2345 knows!—
FTLN 2346 Henceforth my wooing mind shall be expressed
FTLN 2347 450 In russet yeas and honest kersey noes.
FTLN 2348 And to begin: Wench, so God help me, law,
FTLN 2349 My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2350 Sans “sans,” I pray you.
BEROWNE FTLN 2351 Yet I have a trick
FTLN 2352 455 Of the old rage. Bear with me, I am sick;
FTLN 2353 I’ll leave it by degrees. Soft, let us see:
FTLN 2354 Write “Lord have mercy on us” on those three.
FTLN 2355 They are infected; in their hearts it lies.
FTLN 2356 They have the plague, and caught it of your eyes.

185
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2357 460 These lords are visited. You are not free,
FTLN 2358 For the Lord’s tokens on you do I see.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2359 No, they are free that gave these tokens to us.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2360 Our states are forfeit. Seek not to undo us.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2361 It is not so, for how can this be true,
FTLN 2362 465 That you stand forfeit, being those that sue?
BEROWNE
FTLN 2363 Peace, for I will not have to do with you.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2364 Nor shall not, if I do as I intend.
BEROWNE , to King, Longaville, and Dumaine
FTLN 2365 Speak for yourselves. My wit is at an end.
KING , to Princess
FTLN 2366 Teach us, sweet madam, for our rude transgression
FTLN 2367 470 Some fair excuse.
PRINCESS FTLN 2368 The fairest is confession.
FTLN 2369 Were not you here but even now, disguised?
KING
FTLN 2370 Madam, I was.
PRINCESS FTLN 2371 And were you well advised?
KING
FTLN 2372 475 I was, fair madam.
PRINCESS FTLN 2373 When you then were here,
FTLN 2374 What did you whisper in your lady’s ear?
KING
FTLN 2375 That more than all the world I did respect her.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2376 When she shall challenge this, you will reject her.
KING
FTLN 2377 480 Upon mine honor, no.
PRINCESS FTLN 2378 Peace, peace, forbear!
FTLN 2379 Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear.
KING
FTLN 2380 Despise me when I break this oath of mine.

187
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
PRINCESS
FTLN 2381 I will, and therefore keep it.—Rosaline,
FTLN 2382 485 What did the Russian whisper in your ear?
ROSALINE
FTLN 2383 Madam, he swore that he did hold me dear
FTLN 2384 As precious eyesight, and did value me
FTLN 2385 Above this world, adding thereto moreover
FTLN 2386 That he would wed me or else die my lover.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2387 490 God give thee joy of him! The noble lord
FTLN 2388 Most honorably doth uphold his word.
KING
FTLN 2389 What mean you, madam? By my life, my troth,
FTLN 2390 I never swore this lady such an oath.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2391 By heaven, you did! And to confirm it plain,
FTLN 2392 495 You gave me this. She shows a token. But take it,
FTLN 2393 sir, again.
KING
FTLN 2394 My faith and this the Princess I did give.
FTLN 2395 I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2396 Pardon me, sir. This jewel did she wear.
She points to Rosaline.
FTLN 2397 500 And Lord Berowne, I thank him, is my dear.
FTLN 2398 To Berowne. What, will you have me, or your pearl
FTLN 2399 again? She shows the token.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2400 Neither of either. I remit both twain.
FTLN 2401 I see the trick on ’t. Here was a consent,
FTLN 2402 505 Knowing aforehand of our merriment,
FTLN 2403 To dash it like a Christmas comedy.
FTLN 2404 Some carry-tale, some please-man, some slight
FTLN 2405 zany,
FTLN 2406 Some mumble-news, some trencher-knight, some
FTLN 2407 510 Dick,

189
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2408 That smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick
FTLN 2409 To make my lady laugh when she’s disposed,
FTLN 2410 Told our intents before; which once disclosed,
FTLN 2411 The ladies did change favors; and then we,
FTLN 2412 515 Following the signs, wooed but the sign of she.
FTLN 2413 Now, to our perjury to add more terror,
FTLN 2414 We are again forsworn in will and error.
FTLN 2415 Much upon this ’tis. To Boyet. And might not you
FTLN 2416 Forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue?
FTLN 2417 520 Do not you know my lady’s foot by th’ squier?
FTLN 2418 And laugh upon the apple of her eye?
FTLN 2419 And stand between her back, sir, and the fire,
FTLN 2420 Holding a trencher, jesting merrily?
FTLN 2421 You put our page out. Go, you are allowed.
FTLN 2422 525 Die when you will, a smock shall be your shroud.
FTLN 2423 You leer upon me, do you? There’s an eye
FTLN 2424 Wounds like a leaden sword.
BOYET FTLN 2425 Full merrily
FTLN 2426 Hath this brave manage, this career been run.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2427 530 Lo, he is tilting straight! Peace, I have done.
Enter Clown Costard.
FTLN 2428 Welcome, pure wit. Thou part’st a fair fray.
COSTARD FTLN 2429 O Lord, sir, they would know
FTLN 2430 Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2431 What, are there but three?
COSTARD FTLN 2432 535 No, sir; but it is vara fine,
FTLN 2433 For every one pursents three.
BEROWNE FTLN 2434 And three times thrice
FTLN 2435 is nine.
COSTARD
FTLN 2436 Not so, sir, under correction, sir, I hope it is not so.

191
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2437 540 You cannot beg us, sir, I can assure you, sir; we
FTLN 2438 know what we know.
FTLN 2439 I hope, sir, three times thrice, sir—
BEROWNE FTLN 2440 Is not nine?
COSTARD FTLN 2441 Under correction, sir, we know whereuntil it
FTLN 2442 545 doth amount.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2443 By Jove, I always took three threes for nine.
COSTARD FTLN 2444 O Lord, sir, it were pity you should get your
FTLN 2445 living by reckoning, sir.
BEROWNE FTLN 2446 How much is it?
COSTARD FTLN 2447 550 O Lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors,
FTLN 2448 sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount. For
FTLN 2449 mine own part, I am, as they say, but to parfect one
FTLN 2450 man in one poor man—Pompion the Great, sir.
BEROWNE FTLN 2451 Art thou one of the Worthies?
COSTARD FTLN 2452 555 It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompey
FTLN 2453 the Great. For mine own part, I know not the
FTLN 2454 degree of the Worthy, but I am to stand for him.
BEROWNE FTLN 2455 Go bid them prepare.
COSTARD
FTLN 2456 We will turn it finely off, sir. We will take some
FTLN 2457 560 care. He exits.
KING
FTLN 2458 Berowne, they will shame us. Let them not
FTLN 2459 approach.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2460 We are shame-proof, my lord; and ’tis some policy
FTLN 2461 To have one show worse than the King’s and his
FTLN 2462 565 company.
KING FTLN 2463 I say they shall not come.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2464 Nay, my good lord, let me o’errule you now.
FTLN 2465 That sport best pleases that doth least know how,

193
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2466 Where zeal strives to content, and the contents
FTLN 2467 570 Dies in the zeal of that which it presents.
FTLN 2468 Their form confounded makes most form in mirth,
FTLN 2469 When great things laboring perish in their birth.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2470 A right description of our sport, my lord.
Enter Braggart Armado.
ARMADO , to King FTLN 2471 Anointed, I implore so much expense
FTLN 2472 575 of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace
FTLN 2473 of words. Armado and King step aside, and
Armado gives King a paper.
PRINCESS FTLN 2474 Doth this man serve God?
BEROWNE FTLN 2475 Why ask you?
PRINCESS
FTLN 2476 He speaks not like a man of God his making.
ARMADO , to King FTLN 2477 580 That is all one, my fair sweet honey
FTLN 2478 monarch, for, I protest, the schoolmaster is exceeding
FTLN 2479 fantastical, too, too vain, too, too vain. But
FTLN 2480 we will put it, as they say, to fortuna de la guerra.—I
FTLN 2481 wish you the peace of mind, most royal
FTLN 2482 585 couplement! He exits.
KING , reading the paper FTLN 2483 Here is like to be a good
FTLN 2484 presence of Worthies. He presents Hector of Troy,
FTLN 2485 the swain Pompey the Great, the parish curate
FTLN 2486 Alexander, Armado’s page Hercules, the pedant
FTLN 2487 590 Judas Maccabaeus.
FTLN 2488 And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive,
FTLN 2489 These four will change habits and present the other
FTLN 2490 five.
BEROWNE FTLN 2491 There is five in the first show.
KING FTLN 2492 595 You are deceived. ’Tis not so.
BEROWNE FTLN 2493 The pedant, the braggart, the hedge
FTLN 2494 priest, the fool, and the boy.
FTLN 2495 Abate throw at novum, and the whole world again
FTLN 2496 Cannot pick out five such, take each one in his vein.

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KING
FTLN 2497 600 The ship is under sail, and here she comes amain.
Enter Costard as Pompey.
COSTARD
FTLN 2498 I Pompey am—
BEROWNE FTLN 2499 You lie; you are not he.
COSTARD
FTLN 2500 I Pompey am—
BOYET FTLN 2501 With leopard’s head on knee.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2502 605 Well said, old mocker. I must needs be friends with
FTLN 2503 thee.
COSTARD
FTLN 2504 I Pompey am, Pompey, surnamed the Big—
DUMAINE FTLN 2505“The Great.”
COSTARD
FTLN 2506 It is “Great,” sir.—Pompey, surnamed the
FTLN 2507 610 Great,
FTLN 2508 That oft in field, with targe and shield, did make my
FTLN 2509 foe to sweat.
FTLN 2510 And traveling along this coast, I here am come by
FTLN 2511 chance,
FTLN 2512 615 And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of
FTLN 2513 France.
(He places his weapons at the feet of the Princess.)
FTLN 2514 If your Ladyship would say “Thanks, Pompey,” I
FTLN 2515 had done.
PRINCESS FTLN 2516 Great thanks, great Pompey.
COSTARD FTLN 2517 620’Tis not so much worth, but I hope I was
FTLN 2518 perfect. I made a little fault in “Great.”
BEROWNE FTLN 2519 My hat to a halfpenny, Pompey proves the
FTLN 2520 best Worthy. Costard stands aside.
Enter Curate Nathaniel for Alexander.
NATHANIEL
FTLN 2521 When in the world I lived, I was the world’s
FTLN 2522 625 commander.

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FTLN 2523 By east, west, north, and south, I spread my
FTLN 2524 conquering might.
FTLN 2525 My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander—
BOYET
FTLN 2526 Your nose says no, you are not, for it stands too
FTLN 2527 630 right.
BEROWNE , to Boyet
FTLN 2528 Your nose smells “no” in this, most tender-smelling
FTLN 2529 knight.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2530 The conqueror is dismayed.—Proceed, good
FTLN 2531 Alexander.
NATHANIEL
FTLN 2532 635 When in the world I lived, I was the world’s
FTLN 2533 commander—
BOYET
FTLN 2534 Most true; ’tis right. You were so, Alisander.
BEROWNE , to Costard FTLN 2535 Pompey the Great—
COSTARD FTLN 2536 Your servant, and Costard.
BEROWNE FTLN 2537 640 Take away the conqueror. Take away
FTLN 2538 Alisander.
COSTARD , to Nathaniel FTLN 2539 O sir, you have overthrown
FTLN 2540 Alisander the Conqueror. You will be scraped out of
FTLN 2541 the painted cloth for this. Your lion, that holds his
FTLN 2542 645 polax sitting on a close-stool, will be given to Ajax.
FTLN 2543 He will be the ninth Worthy. A conqueror, and
FTLN 2544 afeard to speak? Run away for shame, Alisander.
Nathaniel exits.
FTLN 2545 There, an ’t shall please you, a foolish mild man, an
FTLN 2546 honest man, look you, and soon dashed. He is a
FTLN 2547 650 marvelous good neighbor, faith, and a very good
FTLN 2548 bowler. But, for Alisander—alas, you see how ’tis—
FTLN 2549 a little o’erparted. But there are Worthies a-coming
FTLN 2550 will speak their mind in some other sort.
Enter Pedant Holofernes for Judas, and the Boy
for Hercules.

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ACT 5. SC. 2
PRINCESS , to Costard FTLN 2551 Stand aside, good Pompey.
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 2552 655 Great Hercules is presented by this imp,
FTLN 2553 Whose club killed Cerberus, that three-headed canus,
FTLN 2554 And when he was a babe, a child, a shrimp,
FTLN 2555 Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus.
FTLN 2556 Quoniam he seemeth in minority,
FTLN 2557 660 Ergo I come with this apology.
FTLN 2558 To Boy. Keep some state in thy exit, and vanish.
Boy steps aside.
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 2559 Judas I am—
DUMAINE FTLN 2560 A Judas!
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2561 Not Iscariot, sir.
FTLN 2562 665 Judas I am, yclept Maccabaeus.
DUMAINE FTLN 2563 Judas Maccabaeus clipped is plain Judas.
BEROWNE FTLN 2564 A kissing traitor.—How art thou proved
FTLN 2565 Judas?
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 2566 Judas I am—
DUMAINE FTLN 2567 670 The more shame for you, Judas.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2568 What mean you, sir?
BOYET FTLN 2569 To make Judas hang himself.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2570 Begin, sir, you are my elder.
BEROWNE FTLN 2571 Well followed. Judas was hanged on an
FTLN 2572 675 elder.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2573 I will not be put out of countenance.
BEROWNE FTLN 2574 Because thou hast no face.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2575 What is this? He points to his own face.
BOYET FTLN 2576 A cittern-head.
DUMAINE FTLN 2577 680 The head of a bodkin.
BEROWNE FTLN 2578 A death’s face in a ring.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 2579 The face of an old Roman coin, scarce
FTLN 2580 seen.
BOYET FTLN 2581 The pommel of Caesar’s falchion.

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DUMAINE FTLN 2582 685 The carved-bone face on a flask.
BEROWNE FTLN 2583 Saint George’s half-cheek in a brooch.
DUMAINE FTLN 2584 Ay, and in a brooch of lead.
BEROWNE FTLN 2585 Ay, and worn in the cap of a tooth-drawer.
FTLN 2586 And now forward, for we have put thee in
FTLN 2587 690 countenance.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2588 You have put me out of countenance.
BEROWNE FTLN 2589 False. We have given thee faces.
HOLOFERNES FTLN 2590 But you have outfaced them all.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2591 An thou wert a lion, we would do so.
BOYET
FTLN 2592 695 Therefore, as he is an ass, let him go.—
FTLN 2593 And so adieu, sweet Jude. Nay, why dost thou stay?
DUMAINE FTLN 2594 For the latter end of his name.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2595 For the “ass” to the “Jude”? Give it him.—Jud-as,
FTLN 2596 away!
HOLOFERNES
FTLN 2597 700 This is not generous, not gentle, not humble.
BOYET
FTLN 2598 A light for Monsieur Judas! It grows dark; he may
FTLN 2599 stumble. Holofernes exits.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2600 Alas, poor Maccabaeus, how hath he been baited!
Enter Braggart Armado as Hector.
BEROWNE FTLN 2601 Hide thy head, Achilles. Here comes Hector
FTLN 2602 705 in arms.
DUMAINE FTLN 2603 Though my mocks come home by me, I will
FTLN 2604 now be merry.
KING FTLN 2605 Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this.
BOYET FTLN 2606 But is this Hector?
KING FTLN 2607 710 I think Hector was not so clean-timbered.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 2608 His leg is too big for Hector’s.
DUMAINE FTLN 2609 More calf, certain.

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BOYET FTLN 2610 No, he is best endued in the small.
BEROWNE FTLN 2611 This cannot be Hector.
DUMAINE FTLN 2612 715 He’s a god or a painter, for he makes faces.
ARMADO
FTLN 2613 The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty,
FTLN 2614 Gave Hector a gift—
DUMAINE FTLN 2615 A gilt nutmeg.
BEROWNE FTLN 2616 A lemon.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 2617 720 Stuck with cloves.
DUMAINE FTLN 2618 No, cloven.
ARMADO FTLN 2619 Peace!
FTLN 2620 The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty,
FTLN 2621 Gave Hector a gift, the heir of Ilion,
FTLN 2622 725 A man so breathed, that certain he would fight, yea,
FTLN 2623 From morn till night, out of his pavilion.
FTLN 2624 I am that flower—
DUMAINE FTLN 2625 That mint.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 2626 That columbine.
ARMADO FTLN 2627 730 Sweet Lord Longaville, rein thy tongue.
LONGAVILLE FTLN 2628 I must rather give it the rein, for it runs
FTLN 2629 against Hector.
DUMAINE FTLN 2630 Ay, and Hector’s a greyhound.
ARMADO FTLN 2631 The sweet warman is dead and rotten. Sweet
FTLN 2632 735 chucks, beat not the bones of the buried. When he
FTLN 2633 breathed, he was a man. But I will forward with my
FTLN 2634 device. To Princess. Sweet royalty, bestow on me
FTLN 2635 the sense of hearing.
Berowne steps forth.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2636 Speak, brave Hector. We are much delighted.
ARMADO FTLN 2637 740 I do adore thy sweet Grace’s slipper.
BOYET FTLN 2638 Loves her by the foot.
DUMAINE FTLN 2639 He may not by the yard.
ARMADO
FTLN 2640 This Hector far surmounted Hannibal.
FTLN 2641 The party is gone—

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ACT 5. SC. 2
COSTARD FTLN 2642 745 Fellow Hector, she is gone; she is two
FTLN 2643 months on her way.
ARMADO FTLN 2644 What meanest thou?
COSTARD FTLN 2645 Faith, unless you play the honest Troyan, the
FTLN 2646 poor wench is cast away. She’s quick; the child
FTLN 2647 750 brags in her belly already. ’Tis yours.
ARMADO FTLN 2648 Dost thou infamonize me among potentates?
FTLN 2649 Thou shalt die!
COSTARD FTLN 2650 Then shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta,
FTLN 2651 that is quick by him, and hanged for Pompey,
FTLN 2652 755 that is dead by him.
DUMAINE FTLN 2653 Most rare Pompey!
BOYET FTLN 2654 Renowned Pompey!
BEROWNE FTLN 2655 Greater than “Great”! Great, great, great
FTLN 2656 Pompey. Pompey the Huge!
DUMAINE FTLN 2657 760 Hector trembles.
BEROWNE FTLN 2658 Pompey is moved. More Ates, more Ates!
FTLN 2659 Stir them on, stir them on.
DUMAINE FTLN 2660 Hector will challenge him.
BEROWNE FTLN 2661 Ay, if he have no more man’s blood in his
FTLN 2662 765 belly than will sup a flea.
ARMADO , to Costard FTLN 2663 By the North Pole, I do challenge
FTLN 2664 thee!
COSTARD FTLN 2665 I will not fight with a pole like a northern
FTLN 2666 man! I’ll slash. I’ll do it by the sword.—I bepray
FTLN 2667 770 you, let me borrow my arms again.
DUMAINE FTLN 2668 Room for the incensed Worthies!
COSTARD FTLN 2669 I’ll do it in my shirt. He removes his doublet.
DUMAINE FTLN 2670 Most resolute Pompey!
BOY , to Armado FTLN 2671 Master, let me take you a buttonhole
FTLN 2672 775 lower. Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the
FTLN 2673 combat? What mean you? You will lose your
FTLN 2674 reputation.
ARMADO FTLN 2675 Gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me. I will
FTLN 2676 not combat in my shirt.

207
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ACT 5. SC. 2
DUMAINE FTLN 2677 780 You may not deny it. Pompey hath made the
FTLN 2678 challenge.
ARMADO FTLN 2679 Sweet bloods, I both may and will.
BEROWNE FTLN 2680 What reason have you for ’t?
ARMADO FTLN 2681 The naked truth of it is, I have no shirt. I go
FTLN 2682 785 woolward for penance.
BOYET FTLN 2683 True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want
FTLN 2684 of linen; since when, I’ll be sworn, he wore none
FTLN 2685 but a dishclout of Jaquenetta’s, and that he wears
FTLN 2686 next his heart for a favor.
Enter a Messenger, Monsieur Marcade.
MARCADE , to Princess FTLN 2687 790 God save you, madam.
PRINCESS FTLN 2688 Welcome, Marcade,
FTLN 2689 But that thou interruptest our merriment.
MARCADE
FTLN 2690 I am sorry, madam, for the news I bring
FTLN 2691 Is heavy in my tongue. The King your father—
PRINCESS
FTLN 2692 795 Dead, for my life.
MARCADE FTLN 2693 Even so. My tale is told.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2694 Worthies, away! The scene begins to cloud.
ARMADO FTLN 2695 For mine own part, I breathe free breath. I
FTLN 2696 have seen the day of wrong through the little hole
FTLN 2697 800 of discretion, and I will right myself like a soldier.
Worthies exit.
KING , to Princess FTLN 2698 How fares your Majesty?
PRINCESS
FTLN 2699 Boyet, prepare. I will away tonight.
KING
FTLN 2700 Madam, not so. I do beseech you stay.
PRINCESS , to Boyet
FTLN 2701 Prepare, I say.—I thank you, gracious lords,
FTLN 2702 805 For all your fair endeavors, and entreat,
FTLN 2703 Out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe

209
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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2704 In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide
FTLN 2705 The liberal opposition of our spirits,
FTLN 2706 If overboldly we have borne ourselves
FTLN 2707 810 In the converse of breath; your gentleness
FTLN 2708 Was guilty of it. Farewell, worthy lord.
FTLN 2709 A heavy heart bears not a humble tongue.
FTLN 2710 Excuse me so, coming too short of thanks
FTLN 2711 For my great suit so easily obtained.
KING
FTLN 2712 815 The extreme parts of time extremely forms
FTLN 2713 All causes to the purpose of his speed,
FTLN 2714 And often at his very loose decides
FTLN 2715 That which long process could not arbitrate.
FTLN 2716 And though the mourning brow of progeny
FTLN 2717 820 Forbid the smiling courtesy of love
FTLN 2718 The holy suit which fain it would convince,
FTLN 2719 Yet since love’s argument was first on foot,
FTLN 2720 Let not the cloud of sorrow jostle it
FTLN 2721 From what it purposed, since to wail friends lost
FTLN 2722 825 Is not by much so wholesome-profitable
FTLN 2723 As to rejoice at friends but newly found.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2724 I understand you not. My griefs are double.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2725 Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief,
FTLN 2726 And by these badges understand the King:
FTLN 2727 830 For your fair sakes have we neglected time,
FTLN 2728 Played foul play with our oaths. Your beauty, ladies,
FTLN 2729 Hath much deformed us, fashioning our humors
FTLN 2730 Even to the opposèd end of our intents.
FTLN 2731 And what in us hath seemed ridiculous—
FTLN 2732 835 As love is full of unbefitting strains,
FTLN 2733 All wanton as a child, skipping and vain,
FTLN 2734 Formed by the eye and therefore, like the eye,
FTLN 2735 Full of strange shapes, of habits, and of forms,
FTLN 2736 Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll

211
Love’s Labor’s Lost
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2737 840 To every varied object in his glance;
FTLN 2738 Which parti-coated presence of loose love
FTLN 2739 Put on by us, if, in your heavenly eyes,
FTLN 2740 Have misbecomed our oaths and gravities,
FTLN 2741 Those heavenly eyes, that look into these faults,
FTLN 2742 845 Suggested us to make. Therefore, ladies,
FTLN 2743 Our love being yours, the error that love makes
FTLN 2744 Is likewise yours. We to ourselves prove false
FTLN 2745 By being once false forever to be true
FTLN 2746 To those that make us both—fair ladies, you.
FTLN 2747 850 And even that falsehood, in itself a sin,
FTLN 2748 Thus purifies itself and turns to grace.
PRINCESS
FTLN 2749 We have received your letters full of love;
FTLN 2750 Your favors, the ambassadors of love;
FTLN 2751 And in our maiden council rated them
FTLN 2752 855 At courtship, pleasant jest, and courtesy,
FTLN 2753 As bombast and as lining to the time.
FTLN 2754 But more devout than this in our respects
FTLN 2755 Have we not been, and therefore met your loves
FTLN 2756 In their own fashion, like a merriment.
DUMAINE
FTLN 2757 860 Our letters, madam, showed much more than jest.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2758 So did our looks.
ROSALINE FTLN 2759 We did not quote them so.
KING
FTLN 2760 Now, at the latest minute of the hour,
FTLN 2761 Grant us your loves.
PRINCESS FTLN 2762 865 A time, methinks, too short
FTLN 2763 To make a world-without-end bargain in.
FTLN 2764 No, no, my lord, your Grace is perjured much,
FTLN 2765 Full of dear guiltiness, and therefore this:
FTLN 2766 If for my love—as there is no such cause—
FTLN 2767 870 You will do aught, this shall you do for me:
FTLN 2768 Your oath I will not trust, but go with speed

213
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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2769 To some forlorn and naked hermitage,
FTLN 2770 Remote from all the pleasures of the world.
FTLN 2771 There stay until the twelve celestial signs
FTLN 2772 875 Have brought about the annual reckoning.
FTLN 2773 If this austere insociable life
FTLN 2774 Change not your offer made in heat of blood;
FTLN 2775 If frosts and fasts, hard lodging, and thin weeds
FTLN 2776 Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love,
FTLN 2777 880 But that it bear this trial, and last love;
FTLN 2778 Then, at the expiration of the year,
FTLN 2779 Come challenge me, challenge me by these deserts,
She takes his hand.
FTLN 2780 And by this virgin palm now kissing thine,
FTLN 2781 I will be thine. And till that instant shut
FTLN 2782 885 My woeful self up in a mourning house,
FTLN 2783 Raining the tears of lamentation
FTLN 2784 For the remembrance of my father’s death.
FTLN 2785 If this thou do deny, let our hands part,
FTLN 2786 Neither entitled in the other’s heart.
KING
FTLN 2787 890 If this, or more than this, I would deny,
FTLN 2788 To flatter up these powers of mine with rest,
FTLN 2789 The sudden hand of death close up mine eye!
FTLN 2790 Hence hermit, then. My heart is in thy breast.
They step aside.
DUMAINE , to Katherine
FTLN 2791 But what to me, my love? But what to me?
FTLN 2792 895 A wife?
KATHERINE FTLN 2793 A beard, fair health, and honesty.
FTLN 2794 With threefold love I wish you all these three.
DUMAINE
FTLN 2795 O, shall I say “I thank you, gentle wife”?
KATHERINE
FTLN 2796 Not so, my lord. A twelvemonth and a day
FTLN 2797 900 I’ll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say.

215
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ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2798 Come when the King doth to my lady come;
FTLN 2799 Then, if I have much love, I’ll give you some.
DUMAINE
FTLN 2800 I’ll serve thee true and faithfully till then.
KATHERINE
FTLN 2801 Yet swear not, lest you be forsworn again.
They step aside.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2802 905 What says Maria?
MARIA FTLN 2803 At the twelvemonth’s end
FTLN 2804 I’ll change my black gown for a faithful friend.
LONGAVILLE
FTLN 2805 I’ll stay with patience, but the time is long.
MARIA
FTLN 2806 The liker you; few taller are so young.
They step aside.
BEROWNE , to Rosaline
FTLN 2807 910 Studies my lady? Mistress, look on me.
FTLN 2808 Behold the window of my heart, mine eye,
FTLN 2809 What humble suit attends thy answer there.
FTLN 2810 Impose some service on me for thy love.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2811 Oft have I heard of you, my Lord Berowne,
FTLN 2812 915 Before I saw you; and the world’s large tongue
FTLN 2813 Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks,
FTLN 2814 Full of comparisons and wounding flouts,
FTLN 2815 Which you on all estates will execute
FTLN 2816 That lie within the mercy of your wit.
FTLN 2817 920 To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain,
FTLN 2818 And therewithal to win me, if you please,
FTLN 2819 Without the which I am not to be won,
FTLN 2820 You shall this twelvemonth term from day to day
FTLN 2821 Visit the speechless sick, and still converse
FTLN 2822 925 With groaning wretches; and your task shall be,
FTLN 2823 With all the fierce endeavor of your wit,
FTLN 2824 To enforce the painèd impotent to smile.

217
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BEROWNE
FTLN 2825 To move wild laughter in the throat of death?
FTLN 2826 It cannot be, it is impossible.
FTLN 2827 930 Mirth cannot move a soul in agony.
ROSALINE
FTLN 2828 Why, that’s the way to choke a gibing spirit,
FTLN 2829 Whose influence is begot of that loose grace
FTLN 2830 Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools.
FTLN 2831 A jest’s prosperity lies in the ear
FTLN 2832 935 Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
FTLN 2833 Of him that makes it. Then if sickly ears,
FTLN 2834 Deafed with the clamors of their own dear groans
FTLN 2835 Will hear your idle scorns, continue then,
FTLN 2836 And I will have you and that fault withal.
FTLN 2837 940 But if they will not, throw away that spirit,
FTLN 2838 And I shall find you empty of that fault,
FTLN 2839 Right joyful of your reformation.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2840 A twelvemonth? Well, befall what will befall,
FTLN 2841 I’ll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital.
PRINCESS , to King
FTLN 2842 945 Ay, sweet my lord, and so I take my leave.
KING
FTLN 2843 No, madam, we will bring you on your way.
BEROWNE
FTLN 2844 Our wooing doth not end like an old play.
FTLN 2845 Jack hath not Jill. These ladies’ courtesy
FTLN 2846 Might well have made our sport a comedy.
KING
FTLN 2847 950 Come, sir, it wants a twelvemonth and a day,
FTLN 2848 And then ’twill end.
BEROWNE FTLN 2849 That’s too long for a play.
Enter Braggart Armado.
ARMADO FTLN 2850 Sweet Majesty, vouchsafe me—

219
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PRINCESS
FTLN 2851 Was not that Hector?
DUMAINE FTLN 2852 955 The worthy knight of Troy.
ARMADO FTLN 2853 I will kiss thy royal finger, and take leave. I
FTLN 2854 am a votary; I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the
FTLN 2855 plow for her sweet love three year. But, most
FTLN 2856 esteemed Greatness, will you hear the dialogue that
FTLN 2857 960 the two learned men have compiled in praise of the
FTLN 2858 owl and the cuckoo? It should have followed in the
FTLN 2859 end of our show.
KING FTLN 2860 Call them forth quickly. We will do so.
ARMADO FTLN 2861 Holla! Approach.
Enter all.
FTLN 2862 965 This side is Hiems, Winter; this Ver, the Spring; the
FTLN 2863 one maintained by the owl, th’ other by the cuckoo.
FTLN 2864 Ver, begin.
The Song.
SPRING
FTLN 2865 When daisies pied and violets blue,
FTLN 2866 And lady-smocks all silver-white,
FTLN 2867 970 And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue
FTLN 2868 Do paint the meadows with delight,
FTLN 2869 The cuckoo then on every tree
FTLN 2870 Mocks married men; for thus sings he:
FTLN 2871 “Cuckoo!
FTLN 2872 975 Cuckoo, cuckoo!” O word of fear,
FTLN 2873 Unpleasing to a married ear.
FTLN 2874 When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
FTLN 2875 And merry larks are plowmen’s clocks;
FTLN 2876 When turtles tread, and rooks and daws,
FTLN 2877 980 And maidens bleach their summer smocks;
FTLN 2878 The cuckoo then on every tree
FTLN 2879 Mocks married men, for thus sings he:
FTLN 2880 “Cuckoo!

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Love’s Labor’s Lost
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FTLN 2881 Cuckoo, cuckoo!” O word of fear,
FTLN 2882 985 Unpleasing to a married ear.
WINTER
FTLN 2883 When icicles hang by the wall,
FTLN 2884 And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
FTLN 2885 And Tom bears logs into the hall,
FTLN 2886 And milk comes frozen home in pail;
FTLN 2887 990 When blood is nipped, and ways be foul,
FTLN 2888 Then nightly sings the staring owl
FTLN 2889 “Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note,
FTLN 2890 While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
FTLN 2891 When all aloud the wind doth blow,
FTLN 2892 995 And coughing drowns the parson’s saw,
FTLN 2893 And birds sit brooding in the snow,
FTLN 2894 And Marian’s nose looks red and raw;
FTLN 2895 When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,
FTLN 2896 Then nightly sings the staring owl
FTLN 2897 1000 “Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note,
FTLN 2898 While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
ARMADO FTLN 2899 The words of Mercury are harsh after the
FTLN 2900 songs of Apollo. You that way; we this way.
They all exit.