ACT I Sc. II MOTH [aside.] He speaks the mere contrary-crosses1 ARM. I have promis'd to study three years with the MOTH. You may do it in an hour, Sir. ARM. Impossible. MOTH. How many is one thrice told? ARM. I am ill at reckoning; it fitteth the spirit of a tapster. MOTH. You are a gentleman and a gamester, Sir. ARM. I confess both: they are both the varnish of a complete man. MOTH. Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to. ARM. It doth amount to one more than two. MOTH. Which the base vulgar do call three. 49 MOTH. Why, Sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here's three studied, ere ye'll thrice wink: and how easy it is to put years to the word three, and study three years in two words, the Dancing Horse will tell you. ARM. A most fine figure! MOTH [aside.] To prove you a cipher. ARM. I will hereupon confess I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so am I in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devis'd courtesy. I think scorn to sigh: methinks I should outswear Cupid. Comfort me, Boy: what great men have been in love? MOTH. Hercules, Master. ARM. Most sweet Hercules! More authority, dear Boy, name more; and, sweet my Child, let them be men of good repute and carriage. 69 MOTH. Samson, Master: he was a man of good carriage, great carriage; for he carried the town-gates on his back like a porter: and he was in love. 1 money. 2 i.e. Banks's: a famous equine artist of the time. 8 curtsy. ARM. O well-knit Samson! strong-jointed Samson! I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me in carrying gates. I am in love too. Who was Samson's love, my dear Moth? MOTH. A woman, Master. ARM. Of what complexion ?1 2 MOTн. Of all the four, or the three, or the two; or one of the four. ARM. Tell me precisely of what complexion. MOTH. Of the sea-water green, Sir. ARM. Is that one of the four complexions? 80 MOTH. As I have read, Sir; and the best of them too. ARM. Define, define, well-educated Infant. 91 MOTH. My father's wit and my mother's tongue assist me! ARM. Sweet Invocation of a Child; most pretty and pathetical! MOTH. If she be made of white and red, Her faults will ne'er be known; For blushing cheeks by faults are bred, And fears by pale-white shewn : Then if she fear, or be to blame, By this you shall not know; For still her cheeks possess the same, Which native she doth owe." A dangerous rhyme, Master, against the reason of ARM. Is there not a ballad, Boy, of the King and the MOTH. The World was very guilty of such a ballad some III ARM. I will have that subject newly writ o'er, that I may 1 temperament. 2 i.e. the sanguine, the phlegmatic, the choleric, and the ACT I Sc. II ACT I example my digression1 by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl that I took in the Park with the rational hind Costard; she deserves well. MOTH [aside.] To be whipp'd; and yet a better love than my master. ARM. Sing, Boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. MOTн. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench. ARM. I say, sing. MOTH. Forbear till this company be past. Enter DULL, COSTARD, and JAQUENETTA. DULL. Sir, the Duke's pleasure is, that you keep Costard ARM. [aside.] I do betray myself with blushing.-Maid! ARM. I will visit thee at the Lodge. JAQ. That's hereby.3 ARM. I know where it is situate. JAQ. Lord, how wise you are! ARM. I will tell thee wonders. JAQ. With that face? ARM. I love thee. JAQ. So I heard you say. ARM. And so, farewell. JAQ. Fair weather after you! DULL. Come, Jaquenetta, away! [Exeunt DULL and JAQUENETTA. ARM. Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardon'd. 141 COST. Well, Sir, I hope, when I do it, I shall do it on a full stomach. ARM. Thou shalt be heavily punish'd. COST. I am more bound to you than your followers, for they are but lightly rewarded. ARM. Take away this villain; shut him up. MOTH. Come, you transgressing slave; away! COST. Let me not be pent up, Sir: I will fast, being loose. MOTH. No, Sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt ACT I to prison. 151 Cost. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see MOTH. What shall some see? COST. Nay, nothing, Master Moth, but what they look Cupid's buttand therefore The first and too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. Sc. II ACT II SCENE I. The KING'S Park. Enter the PRINCESS OF FRANCE, ROSALINE, MARIA, KATHARINE, BOYET, Lords, and other Attendants. BOYET. Now, Madam, summon up your clearest spirits: Consider who the King your father sends; To whom he sends; and what his embassy: ACT II Sc. I Yourself, held precious in the World's esteem, Of all perfections that a man may owe, As Nature was in making graces dear, When she did starve the general World beside, PRIN. Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise : To know his pleasure; and in that behalf, ΤΟ 20 30 [Exit BOYET. Who are the votaries, my loving Lords, PRIN. Know you the man? 2 pedlars'. MAR. I know him, Madam: at a marriage-feast, 1 owner. 40 |