a lover's complaint from off a hill whose concave womb reworded a plaintful story from a sistering vale, my spirits to attend this double voice accorded, and down i laid to list the sad-tuned tale; ere long espied a fickle maid full pale, tearing of papers, breaking rings a-twain, storming her world with sorrow's wind and rain. upon her head a platted hive of straw, which fortified her visage from the sun, whereon the thought might think sometime it saw the carcass of beauty spent and done: time had not scythed all that youth begun, nor youth all quit; but, spite of heaven's fell rage, some beauty peep'd through lattice of sear'd age. oft did she heave her napkin to her eyne, which on it had conceited characters, laundering the silken figures in the brine that season'd woe had pelleted in tears, and often reading what contents it bears; as often shrieking undistinguish'd woe, in clamours of all size, both high and low. sometimes her levell'd eyes their carriage ride, as they did battery to the spheres intend; sometime diverted their poor balls are tied to the orbed earth; sometimes they do extend their view right on; anon their gazes lend to every place at once, and, nowhere fix'd, the mind and sight distractedly commix'd. her hair, nor loose nor tied in formal plat, proclaim'd in her a careless hand of pride for some, untuck'd, descended her sheaved hat, hanging her pale and pined cheek beside; some in her threaden fillet still did bide, and true to bondage would not break from thence, though slackly braided in loose negligence. a thousand favours from a maund she drew of amber, crystal, and of beaded jet, which one by one she in a river threw, upon whose weeping margent she was set; like usury, applying wet to wet, or monarch's hands that let not bounty fall where want cries some, but where excess begs all. of folded schedules had she many a one, which she perused, sigh'd, tore, and gave the flood; crack'd many a ring of posied gold and bone bidding them find their sepulchres in mud; found yet moe letters sadly penn'd in blood, with sleided silk feat and affectedly enswathed, and seal'd to curious secrecy. these often bathed she in her fluxive eyes, and often kiss'd, and often 'gan to tear: cried 'o false blood, thou register of lies, what unapproved witness dost thou bear! ink would have seem'd more black and damned here!' this said, in top of rage the lines she rents, big discontent so breaking their contents. a reverend man that grazed his cattle nigh-sometime a blusterer, that the ruffle knew of court, of city, and had let go by the swiftest hours, observed as they flew-towards this afflicted fancy fastly drew, and, privileged by age, desires to know in brief the grounds and motives of her woe. so slides he down upon his grained bat, and comely-distant sits he by her side; when he again desires her, being sat, her grievance with his hearing to divide: if that from him there may be aught applied which may her suffering ecstasy assuage, 'tis promised in the charity of age. 'father,' she says, 'though in me you behold the injury of many a blasting hour, let it not tell your judgment i am old; not age, but sorrow, over me hath power: i might as yet have been a spreading flower, fresh to myself, if i had self-applied love to myself and to no love beside. 'but, woe is me! too early i attended a youthful suit--it was to gain my grace-of one by nature's outwards so commended, that maidens' eyes stuck over all his face: love lack'd a dwelling, and made him her place; and when in his fair parts she did abide, she was new lodged and newly deified. 'his browny locks did hang in crooked curls; and every light occasion of the wind upon his lips their silken parcels hurls. what's sweet to do, to do will aptly find: each eye that saw him did enchant the mind, for on his visage was in little drawn what largeness thinks in paradise was sawn. 'small show of man was yet upon his chin; his phoenix down began but to appear like unshorn velvet on that termless skin whose bare out-bragg'd the web it seem'd to wear: yet show'd his visage by that cost more dear; and nice affections wavering stood in doubt if best were as it was, or best without. 'his qualities were beauteous as his form, for maiden-tongued he was, and thereof free; yet, if men moved him, was he such a storm as oft 'twixt may and april is to see, when winds breathe sweet, untidy though they be. his rudeness so with his authorized youth did livery falseness in a pride of truth. 'well could he ride, and often men would say 'that horse his mettle from his rider takes: proud of subjection, noble by the sway, what rounds, what bounds, what course, what stop he makes!' and controversy hence a question takes, whether the horse by him became his deed, or he his manage by the well-doing steed. 'but quickly on this side the verdict went: his real habitude gave life and grace to appertainings and to ornament, accomplish'd in himself, not in his case: all aids, themselves made fairer by their place, came for additions; yet their purposed trim pieced not his grace, but were all graced by him. 'so on the tip of his subduing tongue all kinds of arguments and question deep, all replication prompt, and reason strong, for his advantage still did wake and sleep: to make the weeper laugh, the laugher weep, he had the dialect and different skill, catching all passions in his craft of will: 'that he did in the general bosom reign of young, of old; and sexes both enchanted, to dwell with him in thoughts, or to remain in personal duty, following where he haunted: consents bewitch'd, ere he desire, have granted; and dialogued for him what he would say, ask'd their own wills, and made their wills obey. 'many there were that did his picture get, to serve their eyes, and in it put their mind; like fools that in th' imagination set the goodly objects which abroad they find of lands and mansions, theirs in thought assign'd; and labouring in moe pleasures to bestow them than the true gouty landlord which doth owe them: 'so many have, that never touch'd his hand, sweetly supposed them mistress of his heart. my woeful self, that did in freedom stand, and was my own fee-simple, not in part, what with his art in youth, and youth in art, threw my affections in his charmed power, reserved the stalk and gave him all my flower. 'yet did i not, as some my equals did, demand of him, nor being desired yielded; finding myself in honour so forbid, with safest distance i mine honour shielded: experience for me many bulwarks builded of proofs new-bleeding, which remain'd the foil of this false jewel, and his amorous spoil. 'but, ah, who ever shunn'd by precedent the destined ill she must herself assay? or forced examples, 'gainst her own content, to put the by-past perils in her way? counsel may stop awhile what will not stay; for when we rage, advice is often seen by blunting us to make our wits more keen. 'nor gives it satisfaction to our blood, that we must curb it upon others' proof; to be forbod the sweets that seem so good, for fear of harms that preach in our behoof. o appetite, from judgment stand aloof! the one a palate hath that needs will taste, though reason weep, and cry, 'it is thy last.' 'for further i could say 'this man's untrue,' and knew the patterns of his foul beguiling; heard where his plants in others' orchards grew, saw how deceits were gilded in his smiling; knew vows were ever brokers to defiling; thought characters and words merely but art, and bastards of his foul adulterate heart. 'and long upon these terms i held my city, till thus he gan besiege me: 'gentle maid, have of my suffering youth some feeling pity, and be not of my holy vows afraid: that's to ye sworn to none was ever said; for feasts of love i have been call'd unto, till now did ne'er invite, nor never woo. ''all my offences that abroad you see are errors of the blood, none of the mind; love made them not: with acture they may be, where neither party is nor true nor kind: they sought their shame that so their shame did find; and so much less of shame in me remains, by how much of me their reproach contains. ''among the many that mine eyes have seen, not one whose flame my heart so much as warm'd, or my affection put to the smallest teen, or any of my leisures ever charm'd: harm have i done to them, but ne'er was harm'd; kept hearts in liveries, but mine own was free, and reign'd, commanding in his monarchy. ''look here, what tributes wounded fancies sent me, of paled pearls and rubies red as blood; figuring that they their passions likewise lent me of grief and blushes, aptly understood in bloodless white and the encrimson'd mood; effects of terror and dear modesty, encamp'd in hearts, but fighting outwardly. ''and, lo, behold these talents of their hair, with twisted metal amorously impleach'd, i have received from many a several fair, their kind acceptance weepingly beseech'd, with the annexions of fair gems enrich'd, and deep-brain'd sonnets that did amplify each stone's dear nature, worth, and quality. ''the diamond,--why, 'twas beautiful and hard, whereto his invised properties did tend; the deep-green emerald, in whose fresh regard weak sights their sickly radiance do amend; the heaven-hued sapphire and the opal blend with objects manifold: each several stone, with wit well blazon'd, smiled or made some moan. ''lo, all these trophies of affections hot, of pensived and subdued desires the tender, nature hath charged me that i hoard them not, but yield them up where i myself must render, that is, to you, my origin and ender; for these, of force, must your oblations be, since i their altar, you enpatron me. ''o, then, advance of yours that phraseless hand, whose white weighs down the airy scale of praise; take all these similes to your own command, hallow'd with sighs that burning lungs did raise; what me your minister, for you obeys, works under you; and to your audit comes their distract parcels in combined sums. ''lo, this device was sent me from a nun, or sister sanctified, of holiest note; which late her noble suit in court did shun, whose rarest havings made the blossoms dote; for she was sought by spirits of richest coat, but kept cold distance, and did thence remove, to spend her living in eternal love. ''but, o my sweet, what labour is't to leave the thing we have not, mastering what not strives, playing the place which did no form receive, playing patient sports in unconstrained gyves? she that her fame so to herself contrives, the scars of battle 'scapeth by the flight, and makes her absence valiant, not her might. ''o, pardon me, in that my boast is true: the accident which brought me to her eye upon the moment did her force subdue, and now she would the caged cloister fly: religious love put out religion's eye: not to be tempted, would she be immured, and now, to tempt, all liberty procured. ''how mighty then you are, o, hear me tell! the broken bosoms that to me belong have emptied all their fountains in my well, and mine i pour your ocean all among: i strong o'er them, and you o'er me being strong, must for your victory us all congest, as compound love to physic your cold breast. ''my parts had power to charm a sacred nun, who, disciplined, ay, dieted in grace, believed her eyes when they to assail begun, all vows and consecrations giving place: o most potential love! vow, bond, nor space, in thee hath neither sting, knot, nor confine, for thou art all, and all things else are thine. ''when thou impressest, what are precepts worth of stale example? when thou wilt inflame, how coldly those impediments stand forth of wealth, of filial fear, law, kindred, fame! love's arms are peace, 'gainst rule, 'gainst sense, 'gainst shame, and sweetens, in the suffering pangs it bears, the aloes of all forces, shocks, and fears. ''now all these hearts that do on mine depend, feeling it break, with bleeding groans they pine; and supplicant their sighs to you extend, to leave the battery that you make 'gainst mine, lending soft audience to my sweet design, and credent soul to that strong-bonded oath that shall prefer and undertake my troth.' 'this said, his watery eyes he did dismount, whose sights till then were levell'd on my face; each cheek a river running from a fount with brinish current downward flow'd apace: o, how the channel to the stream gave grace! who glazed with crystal gate the glowing roses that flame through water which their hue encloses. 'o father, what a hell of witchcraft lies in the small orb of one particular tear! but with the inundation of the eyes what rocky heart to water will not wear? what breast so cold that is not warmed here? o cleft effect! cold modesty, hot wrath, both fire from hence and chill extincture hath. 'for, lo, his passion, but an art of craft, even there resolved my reason into tears; there my white stole of chastity i daff'd, shook off my sober guards and civil fears; appear to him, as he to me appears, all melting; though our drops this difference bore, his poison'd me, and mine did him restore. 'in him a plenitude of subtle matter, applied to cautels, all strange forms receives, of burning blushes, or of weeping water, or swooning paleness; and he takes and leaves, in either's aptness, as it best deceives, to blush at speeches rank to weep at woes, or to turn white and swoon at tragic shows. 'that not a heart which in his level came could 'scape the hail of his all-hurting aim, showing fair nature is both kind and tame; and, veil'd in them, did win whom he would maim: against the thing he sought he would exclaim; when he most burn'd in heart-wish'd luxury, he preach'd pure maid, and praised cold chastity. 'thus merely with the garment of a grace the naked and concealed fiend he cover'd; that th' unexperient gave the tempter place, which like a cherubin above them hover'd. who, young and simple, would not be so lover'd? ay me! i fell; and yet do question make what i should do again for such a sake. 'o, that infected moisture of his eye, o, that false fire which in his cheek so glow'd, o, that forced thunder from his heart did fly, o, that sad breath his spongy lungs bestow'd, o, all that borrow'd motion seeming owed, would yet again betray the fore-betray'd, and new pervert a reconciled maid!' venus and adonis 'vilia miretur vulgus; mihi flavus apollo pocula castalia plena ministret aqua.' to the right honorable henry wriothesly, earl of southampton, and baron of tichfield. right honorable, i know not how i shall offend in dedicating my unpolished lines to your lordship, nor how the world will censure me for choosing so strong a prop to support so weak a burden only, if your honour seem but pleased, i account myself highly praised, and vow to take advantage of all idle hours, till i have honoured you with some graver labour. but if the first heir of my invention prove deformed, i shall be sorry it had so noble a god-father, and never after ear so barren a land, for fear it yield me still so bad a harvest. i leave it to your honourable survey, and your honour to your heart's content; which i wish may always answer your own wish and the world's hopeful expectation. your honour's in all duty, william shakespeare. even as the sun with purple-colour'd face had ta'en his last leave of the weeping morn, rose-cheek'd adonis hied him to the chase; hunting he loved, but love he laugh'd to scorn; sick-thoughted venus makes amain unto him, and like a bold-faced suitor 'gins to woo him. 'thrice-fairer than myself,' thus she began, 'the field's chief flower, sweet above compare, stain to all nymphs, more lovely than a man, more white and red than doves or roses are; nature that made thee, with herself at strife, saith that the world hath ending with thy life. 'vouchsafe, thou wonder, to alight thy steed, and rein his proud head to the saddle-bow; if thou wilt deign this favour, for thy meed a thousand honey secrets shalt thou know: here come and sit, where never serpent hisses, and being set, i'll smother thee with kisses; 'and yet not cloy thy lips with loathed satiety, but rather famish them amid their plenty, making them red and pale with fresh variety, ten kisses short as one, one long as twenty: a summer's day will seem an hour but short, being wasted in such time-beguiling sport.' with this she seizeth on his sweating palm, the precedent of pith and livelihood, and trembling in her passion, calls it balm, earth's sovereign salve to do a goddess good: being so enraged, desire doth lend her force courageously to pluck him from his horse. over one arm the lusty courser's rein, under her other was the tender boy, who blush'd and pouted in a dull disdain, with leaden appetite, unapt to toy; she red and hot as coals of glowing fire, he red for shame, but frosty in desire. the studded bridle on a ragged bough nimbly she fastens:--o, how quick is love!-the steed is stalled up, and even now to tie the rider she begins to prove: backward she push'd him, as she would be thrust, and govern'd him in strength, though not in lust. so soon was she along as he was down, each leaning on their elbows and their hips: now doth she stroke his cheek, now doth he frown, and 'gins to chide, but soon she stops his lips; and kissing speaks, with lustful language broken, 'if thou wilt chide, thy lips shall never open.' he burns with bashful shame: she with her tears doth quench the maiden burning of his cheeks; then with her windy sighs and golden hairs to fan and blow them dry again she seeks: he saith she is immodest, blames her 'miss; what follows more she murders with a kiss. even as an empty eagle, sharp by fast, tires with her beak on feathers, flesh and bone, shaking her wings, devouring all in haste, till either gorge be stuff'd or prey be gone; even so she kissed his brow, his cheek, his chin, and where she ends she doth anew begin. forced to content, but never to obey, panting he lies and breatheth in her face; she feedeth on the steam as on a prey, and calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace; wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers, so they were dew'd with such distilling showers. look, how a bird lies tangled in a net, so fasten'd in her arms adonis lies; pure shame and awed resistance made him fret, which bred more beauty in his angry eyes: rain added to a river that is rank perforce will force it overflow the bank. still she entreats, and prettily entreats, for to a pretty ear she tunes her tale; still is he sullen, still he lours and frets, 'twixt crimson shame and anger ashy-pale: being red, she loves him best; and being white, her best is better'd with a more delight. look how he can, she cannot choose but love; and by her fair immortal hand she swears, from his soft bosom never to remove, till he take truce with her contending tears, which long have rain'd, making her cheeks all wet; and one sweet kiss shall pay this countless debt. upon this promise did he raise his chin, like a dive-dapper peering through a wave, who, being look'd on, ducks as quickly in; so offers he to give what she did crave; but when her lips were ready for his pay, he winks, and turns his lips another way. never did passenger in summer's heat more thirst for drink than she for this good turn. her help she sees, but help she cannot get; she bathes in water, yet her fire must burn: 'o, pity,' 'gan she cry, 'flint-hearted boy! 'tis but a kiss i beg; why art thou coy? 'i have been woo'd, as i entreat thee now, even by the stern and direful god of war, whose sinewy neck in battle ne'er did bow, who conquers where he comes in every jar; yet hath he been my captive and my slave, and begg'd for that which thou unask'd shalt have. 'over my altars hath he hung his lance, his batter'd shield, his uncontrolled crest, and for my sake hath learn'd to sport and dance, to toy, to wanton, dally, smile and jest, scorning his churlish drum and ensign red, making my arms his field, his tent my bed. 'thus he that overruled i oversway'd, leading him prisoner in a red-rose chain: strong-tempered steel his stronger strength obey'd, yet was he servile to my coy disdain. o, be not proud, nor brag not of thy might, for mastering her that foil'd the god of fight! 'touch but my lips with those fair lips of thine,-though mine be not so fair, yet are they red-the kiss shall be thine own as well as mine. what seest thou in the ground? hold up thy head: look in mine eye-balls, there thy beauty lies; then why not lips on lips, since eyes in eyes? 'art thou ashamed to kiss? then wink again, and i will wink; so shall the day seem night; love keeps his revels where they are but twain; be bold to play, our sport is not in sight: these blue-vein'd violets whereon we lean never can blab, nor know not what we mean. 'the tender spring upon thy tempting lip shows thee unripe; yet mayst thou well be tasted: make use of time, let not advantage slip; beauty within itself should not be wasted: fair flowers that are not gather'd in their prime rot and consume themselves in little time. 'were i hard-favour'd, foul, or wrinkled-old, ill-nurtured, crooked, churlish, harsh in voice, o'erworn, despised, rheumatic and cold, thick-sighted, barren, lean and lacking juice, then mightst thou pause, for then i were not for thee but having no defects, why dost abhor me? 'thou canst not see one wrinkle in my brow; mine eyes are gray and bright and quick in turning: my beauty as the spring doth yearly grow, my flesh is soft and plump, my marrow burning; my smooth moist hand, were it with thy hand felt, would in thy palm dissolve, or seem to melt. 'bid me discourse, i will enchant thine ear, or, like a fairy, trip upon the green, or, like a nymph, with long dishevell'd hair, dance on the sands, and yet no footing seen: love is a spirit all compact of fire, not gross to sink, but light, and will aspire. 'witness this primrose bank whereon i lie; these forceless flowers like sturdy trees support me; two strengthless doves will draw me through the sky, from morn till night, even where i list to sport me: is love so light, sweet boy, and may it be that thou shouldst think it heavy unto thee? 'is thine own heart to thine own face affected? can thy right hand seize love upon thy left? then woo thyself, be of thyself rejected, steal thine own freedom and complain on theft. narcissus so himself himself forsook, and died to kiss his shadow in the brook. 'torches are made to light, jewels to wear, dainties to taste, fresh beauty for the use, herbs for their smell, and sappy plants to bear: things growing to themselves are growth's abuse: seeds spring from seeds and beauty breedeth beauty; thou wast begot; to get it is thy duty. 'upon the earth's increase why shouldst thou feed, unless the earth with thy increase be fed? by law of nature thou art bound to breed, that thine may live when thou thyself art dead; and so, in spite of death, thou dost survive, in that thy likeness still is left alive.' by this the love-sick queen began to sweat, for where they lay the shadow had forsook them, and titan, tired in the mid-day heat, with burning eye did hotly overlook them; wishing adonis had his team to guide, so he were like him and by venus' side. and now adonis, with a lazy spright, and with a heavy, dark, disliking eye, his louring brows o'erwhelming his fair sight, like misty vapours when they blot the sky, souring his cheeks cries 'fie, no more of love! the sun doth burn my face: i must remove.' 'ay me,' quoth venus, 'young, and so unkind? what bare excuses makest thou to be gone! i'll sigh celestial breath, whose gentle wind shall cool the heat of this descending sun: i'll make a shadow for thee of my hairs; if they burn too, i'll quench them with my tears. 'the sun that shines from heaven shines but warm, and, lo, i lie between that sun and thee: the heat i have from thence doth little harm, thine eye darts forth the fire that burneth me; and were i not immortal, life were done between this heavenly and earthly sun. 'art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth? art thou a woman's son, and canst not feel what 'tis to love? how want of love tormenteth? o, had thy mother borne so hard a mind, she had not brought forth thee, but died unkind. 'what am i, that thou shouldst contemn me this? or what great danger dwells upon my suit? what were thy lips the worse for one poor kiss? speak, fair; but speak fair words, or else be mute: give me one kiss, i'll give it thee again, and one for interest, if thou wilt have twain. 'fie, lifeless picture, cold and senseless stone, well-painted idol, image dun and dead, statue contenting but the eye alone, thing like a man, but of no woman bred! thou art no man, though of a man's complexion, for men will kiss even by their own direction.' this said, impatience chokes her pleading tongue, and swelling passion doth provoke a pause; red cheeks and fiery eyes blaze forth he wrong; being judge in love, she cannot right her cause: and now she weeps, and now she fain would speak, and now her sobs do her intendments break. sometimes she shakes her head and then his hand, now gazeth she on him, now on the ground; sometimes her arms infold him like a band: she would, he will not in her arms be bound; and when from thence he struggles to be gone, she locks her lily fingers one in one. 'fondling,' she saith, 'since i have hemm'd thee here within the circuit of this ivory pale, i'll be a park, and thou shalt be my deer; feed where thou wilt, on mountain or in dale: graze on my lips; and if those hills be dry, stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie. within this limit is relief enough, sweet bottom-grass and high delightful plain, round rising hillocks, brakes obscure and rough, to shelter thee from tempest and from rain then be my deer, since i am such a park; no dog shall rouse thee, though a thousand bark.' at this adonis smiles as in disdain, that in each cheek appears a pretty dimple: love made those hollows, if himself were slain, he might be buried in a tomb so simple; foreknowing well, if there he came to lie, why, there love lived and there he could not die. these lovely caves, these round enchanting pits, open'd their mouths to swallow venus' liking. being mad before, how doth she now for wits? struck dead at first, what needs a second striking? poor queen of love, in thine own law forlorn, to love a cheek that smiles at thee in scorn! now which way shall she turn? what shall she say? her words are done, her woes are more increasing; the time is spent, her object will away, and from her twining arms doth urge releasing. 'pity,' she cries, 'some favour, some remorse!' away he springs and hasteth to his horse. but, lo, from forth a copse that neighbors by, a breeding jennet, lusty, young and proud, adonis' trampling courser doth espy, and forth she rushes, snorts and neighs aloud: the strong-neck'd steed, being tied unto a tree, breaketh his rein, and to her straight goes he. imperiously he leaps, he neighs, he bounds, and now his woven girths he breaks asunder; the bearing earth with his hard hoof he wounds, whose hollow womb resounds like heaven's thunder; the iron bit he crusheth 'tween his teeth, controlling what he was controlled with. his ears up-prick'd; his braided hanging mane upon his compass'd crest now stand on end; his nostrils drink the air, and forth again, as from a furnace, vapours doth he send: his eye, which scornfully glisters like fire, shows his hot courage and his high desire. sometime he trots, as if he told the steps, with gentle majesty and modest pride; anon he rears upright, curvets and leaps, as who should say 'lo, thus my strength is tried, and this i do to captivate the eye of the fair breeder that is standing by.' what recketh he his rider's angry stir, his flattering 'holla,' or his 'stand, i say'? what cares he now for curb or pricking spur? for rich caparisons or trapping gay? he sees his love, and nothing else he sees, for nothing else with his proud sight agrees. look, when a painter would surpass the life, in limning out a well-proportion'd steed, his art with nature's workmanship at strife, as if the dead the living should exceed; so did this horse excel a common one in shape, in courage, colour, pace and bone. round-hoof'd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long, broad breast, full eye, small head and nostril wide, high crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong, thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide: look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud a back. sometime he scuds far off and there he stares; anon he starts at stirring of a feather; to bid the wind a base he now prepares, and whether he run or fly they know not whether; for through his mane and tail the high wind sings, fanning the hairs, who wave like feather'd wings. he looks upon his love and neighs unto her; she answers him as if she knew his mind: being proud, as females are, to see him woo her, she puts on outward strangeness, seems unkind, spurns at his love and scorns the heat he feels, beating his kind embracements with her heels. then, like a melancholy malcontent, he veils his tail that, like a falling plume, cool shadow to his melting buttock lent: he stamps and bites the poor flies in his fume. his love, perceiving how he is enraged, grew kinder, and his fury was assuaged. his testy master goeth about to take him; when, lo, the unback'd breeder, full of fear, jealous of catching, swiftly doth forsake him, with her the horse, and left adonis there: as they were mad, unto the wood they hie them, out-stripping crows that strive to over-fly them. all swoln with chafing, down adonis sits, banning his boisterous and unruly beast: and now the happy season once more fits, that love-sick love by pleading may be blest; for lovers say, the heart hath treble wrong when it is barr'd the aidance of the tongue. an oven that is stopp'd, or river stay'd, burneth more hotly, swelleth with more rage: so of concealed sorrow may be said; free vent of words love's fire doth assuage; but when the heart's attorney once is mute, the client breaks, as desperate in his suit. he sees her coming, and begins to glow, even as a dying coal revives with wind, and with his bonnet hides his angry brow; looks on the dull earth with disturbed mind, taking no notice that she is so nigh, for all askance he holds her in his eye. o, what a sight it was, wistly to view how she came stealing to the wayward boy! to note the fighting conflict of her hue, how white and red each other did destroy! but now her cheek was pale, and by and by it flash'd forth fire, as lightning from the sky. now was she just before him as he sat, and like a lowly lover down she kneels; with one fair hand she heaveth up his hat, her other tender hand his fair cheek feels: his tenderer cheek receives her soft hand's print, as apt as new-fall'n snow takes any dint. o, what a war of looks was then between them! her eyes petitioners to his eyes suing; his eyes saw her eyes as they had not seen them; her eyes woo'd still, his eyes disdain'd the wooing: and all this dumb play had his acts made plain with tears, which, chorus-like, her eyes did rain. full gently now she takes him by the hand, a lily prison'd in a gaol of snow, or ivory in an alabaster band; so white a friend engirts so white a foe: this beauteous combat, wilful and unwilling, show'd like two silver doves that sit a-billing. once more the engine of her thoughts began: 'o fairest mover on this mortal round, would thou wert as i am, and i a man, my heart all whole as thine, thy heart my wound; for one sweet look thy help i would assure thee, though nothing but my body's bane would cure thee! 'give me my hand,' saith he, 'why dost thou feel it?' 'give me my heart,' saith she, 'and thou shalt have it: o, give it me, lest thy hard heart do steel it, and being steel'd, soft sighs can never grave it: then love's deep groans i never shall regard, because adonis' heart hath made mine hard.' 'for shame,' he cries, 'let go, and let me go; my day's delight is past, my horse is gone, and 'tis your fault i am bereft him so: i pray you hence, and leave me here alone; for all my mind, my thought, my busy care, is how to get my palfrey from the mare.' thus she replies: 'thy palfrey, as he should, welcomes the warm approach of sweet desire: affection is a coal that must be cool'd; else, suffer'd, it will set the heart on fire: the sea hath bounds, but deep desire hath none; therefore no marvel though thy horse be gone. 'how like a jade he stood, tied to the tree, servilely master'd with a leathern rein! but when he saw his love, his youth's fair fee, he held such petty bondage in disdain; throwing the base thong from his bending crest, enfranchising his mouth, his back, his breast. 'who sees his true-love in her naked bed, teaching the sheets a whiter hue than white, but, when his glutton eye so full hath fed, his other agents aim at like delight? who is so faint, that dare not be so bold to touch the fire, the weather being cold? 'let me excuse thy courser, gentle boy; and learn of him, i heartily beseech thee, to take advantage on presented joy; though i were dumb, yet his proceedings teach thee; o, learn to love; the lesson is but plain, and once made perfect, never lost again.' i know not love,' quoth he, 'nor will not know it, unless it be a boar, and then i chase it; 'tis much to borrow, and i will not owe it; my love to love is love but to disgrace it; for i have heard it is a life in death, that laughs and weeps, and all but with a breath. 'who wears a garment shapeless and unfinish'd? who plucks the bud before one leaf put forth? if springing things be any jot diminish'd, they wither in their prime, prove nothing worth: the colt that's back'd and burden'd being young loseth his pride and never waxeth strong. 'you hurt my hand with wringing; let us part, and leave this idle theme, this bootless chat: remove your siege from my unyielding heart; to love's alarms it will not ope the gate: dismiss your vows, your feigned tears, your flattery; for where a heart is hard they make no battery.' 'what! canst thou talk?' quoth she, 'hast thou a tongue? o, would thou hadst not, or i had no hearing! thy mermaid's voice hath done me double wrong; i had my load before, now press'd with bearing: melodious discord, heavenly tune harshsounding, ear's deep-sweet music, and heart's deep-sore wounding. 'had i no eyes but ears, my ears would love that inward beauty and invisible; or were i deaf, thy outward parts would move each part in me that were but sensible: though neither eyes nor ears, to hear nor see, yet should i be in love by touching thee. 'say, that the sense of feeling were bereft me, and that i could not see, nor hear, nor touch, and nothing but the very smell were left me, yet would my love to thee be still as much; for from the stillitory of thy face excelling comes breath perfumed that breedeth love by smelling. 'but, o, what banquet wert thou to the taste, being nurse and feeder of the other four! would they not wish the feast might ever last, and bid suspicion double-lock the door, lest jealousy, that sour unwelcome guest, should, by his stealing in, disturb the feast?' once more the ruby-colour'd portal open'd, which to his speech did honey passage yield; like a red morn, that ever yet betoken'd wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field, sorrow to shepherds, woe unto the birds, gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds. this ill presage advisedly she marketh: even as the wind is hush'd before it raineth, or as the wolf doth grin before he barketh, or as the berry breaks before it staineth, or like the deadly bullet of a gun, his meaning struck her ere his words begun. and at his look she flatly falleth down, for looks kill love and love by looks reviveth; a smile recures the wounding of a frown; but blessed bankrupt, that by love so thriveth! the silly boy, believing she is dead, claps her pale cheek, till clapping makes it red; and all amazed brake off his late intent, for sharply he did think to reprehend her, which cunning love did wittily prevent: fair fall the wit that can so well defend her! for on the grass she lies as she were slain, till his breath breatheth life in her again. he wrings her nose, he strikes her on the cheeks, he bends her fingers, holds her pulses hard, he chafes her lips; a thousand ways he seeks to mend the hurt that his unkindness marr'd: he kisses her; and she, by her good will, will never rise, so he will kiss her still. the night of sorrow now is turn'd to day: her two blue windows faintly she up-heaveth, like the fair sun, when in his fresh array he cheers the morn and all the earth relieveth; and as the bright sun glorifies the sky, so is her face illumined with her eye; whose beams upon his hairless face are fix'd, as if from thence they borrow'd all their shine. were never four such lamps together mix'd, had not his clouded with his brow's repine; but hers, which through the crystal tears gave light, shone like the moon in water seen by night. 'o, where am i?' quoth she, 'in earth or heaven, or in the ocean drench'd, or in the fire? what hour is this? or morn or weary even? do i delight to die, or life desire? but now i lived, and life was death's annoy; but now i died, and death was lively joy. 'o, thou didst kill me: kill me once again: thy eyes' shrewd tutor, that hard heart of thine, hath taught them scornful tricks and such disdain that they have murder'd this poor heart of mine; and these mine eyes, true leaders to their queen, but for thy piteous lips no more had seen. 'long may they kiss each other, for this cure! o, never let their crimson liveries wear! and as they last, their verdure still endure, to drive infection from the dangerous year! that the star-gazers, having writ on death, may say, the plague is banish'd by thy breath. 'pure lips, sweet seals in my soft lips imprinted, what bargains may i make, still to be sealing? to sell myself i can be well contented, so thou wilt buy and pay and use good dealing; which purchase if thou make, for fear of slips set thy seal-manual on my wax-red lips. 'a thousand kisses buys my heart from me; and pay them at thy leisure, one by one. what is ten hundred touches unto thee? are they not quickly told and quickly gone? say, for non-payment that the debt should double, is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble? 'fair queen,' quoth he, 'if any love you owe me, measure my strangeness with my unripe years: before i know myself, seek not to know me; no fisher but the ungrown fry forbears: the mellow plum doth fall, the green sticks fast, or being early pluck'd is sour to taste. 'look, the world's comforter, with weary gait, his day's hot task hath ended in the west; the owl, night's herald, shrieks, ''tis very late;' the sheep are gone to fold, birds to their nest, and coal-black clouds that shadow heaven's light do summon us to part and bid good night. 'now let me say 'good night,' and so say you; if you will say so, you shall have a kiss.' 'good night,' quoth she, and, ere he says 'adieu,' the honey fee of parting tender'd is: her arms do lend his neck a sweet embrace; incorporate then they seem; face grows to face. till, breathless, he disjoin'd, and backward drew the heavenly moisture, that sweet coral mouth, whose precious taste her thirsty lips well knew, whereon they surfeit, yet complain on drouth: he with her plenty press'd, she faint with dearth their lips together glued, fall to the earth. now quick desire hath caught the yielding prey, and glutton-like she feeds, yet never filleth; her lips are conquerors, his lips obey, paying what ransom the insulter willeth; whose vulture thought doth pitch the price so high, that she will draw his lips' rich treasure dry: and having felt the sweetness of the spoil, with blindfold fury she begins to forage; her face doth reek and smoke, her blood doth boil, and careless lust stirs up a desperate courage, planting oblivion, beating reason back, forgetting shame's pure blush and honour's wrack. hot, faint, and weary, with her hard embracing, like a wild bird being tamed with too much handling, or as the fleet-foot roe that's tired with chasing, or like the froward infant still'd with dandling, he now obeys, and now no more resisteth, while she takes all she can, not all she listeth. what wax so frozen but dissolves with tempering, and yields at last to every light impression? things out of hope are compass'd oft with venturing, chiefly in love, whose leave exceeds commission: affection faints not like a pale-faced coward, but then woos best when most his choice is froward. when he did frown, o, had she then gave over, such nectar from his lips she had not suck'd. foul words and frowns must not repel a lover; what though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis pluck'd: were beauty under twenty locks kept fast, yet love breaks through and picks them all at last. for pity now she can no more detain him; the poor fool prays her that he may depart: she is resolved no longer to restrain him; bids him farewell, and look well to her heart, the which, by cupid's bow she doth protest, he carries thence incaged in his breast. 'sweet boy,' she says, 'this night i'll waste in sorrow, for my sick heart commands mine eyes to watch. tell me, love's master, shall we meet to-morrow? say, shall we? shall we? wilt thou make the match?' he tells her, no; to-morrow he intends to hunt the boar with certain of his friends. 'the boar!' quoth she; whereat a sudden pale, like lawn being spread upon the blushing rose, usurps her cheek; she trembles at his tale, and on his neck her yoking arms she throws: she sinketh down, still hanging by his neck, he on her belly falls, she on her back. now is she in the very lists of love, her champion mounted for the hot encounter: all is imaginary she doth prove, he will not manage her, although he mount her; that worse than tantalus' is her annoy, to clip elysium and to lack her joy. even as poor birds, deceived with painted grapes, do surfeit by the eye and pine the maw, even so she languisheth in her mishaps, as those poor birds that helpless berries saw. the warm effects which she in him finds missing she seeks to kindle with continual kissing. but all in vain; good queen, it will not be: she hath assay'd as much as may be proved; her pleading hath deserved a greater fee; she's love, she loves, and yet she is not loved. 'fie, fie,' he says, 'you crush me; let me go; you have no reason to withhold me so.' 'thou hadst been gone,' quoth she, 'sweet boy, ere this, but that thou told'st me thou wouldst hunt the boar. o, be advised! thou know'st not what it is with javelin's point a churlish swine to gore, whose tushes never sheathed he whetteth still, like to a mortal butcher bent to kill. 'on his bow-back he hath a battle set of bristly pikes, that ever threat his foes; his eyes, like glow-worms, shine when he doth fret; his snout digs sepulchres where'er he goes; being moved, he strikes whate'er is in his way, and whom he strikes his cruel tushes slay. 'his brawny sides, with hairy bristles arm'd, are better proof than thy spear's point can enter; his short thick neck cannot be easily harm'd; being ireful, on the lion he will venture: the thorny brambles and embracing bushes, as fearful of him, part, through whom he rushes. 'alas, he nought esteems that face of thine, to which love's eyes pay tributary gazes; nor thy soft hands, sweet lips and crystal eyne, whose full perfection all the world amazes; but having thee at vantage,--wondrous dread!-would root these beauties as he roots the mead. 'o, let him keep his loathsome cabin still; beauty hath nought to do with such foul fiends: come not within his danger by thy will; they that thrive well take counsel of their friends. when thou didst name the boar, not to dissemble, i fear'd thy fortune, and my joints did tremble. 'didst thou not mark my face? was it not white? saw'st thou not signs of fear lurk in mine eye? grew i not faint? and fell i not downright? within my bosom, whereon thou dost lie, my boding heart pants, beats, and takes no rest, but, like an earthquake, shakes thee on my breast. 'for where love reigns, disturbing jealousy doth call himself affection's sentinel; gives false alarms, suggesteth mutiny, and in a peaceful hour doth cry 'kill, kill!' distempering gentle love in his desire, as air and water do abate the fire. 'this sour informer, this bate-breeding spy, this canker that eats up love's tender spring, this carry-tale, dissentious jealousy, that sometime true news, sometime false doth bring, knocks at my heat and whispers in mine ear that if i love thee, i thy death should fear: 'and more than so, presenteth to mine eye the picture of an angry-chafing boar, under whose sharp fangs on his back doth lie an image like thyself, all stain'd with gore; whose blood upon the fresh flowers being shed doth make them droop with grief and hang the head. 'what should i do, seeing thee so indeed, that tremble at the imagination? the thought of it doth make my faint heart bleed, and fear doth teach it divination: i prophesy thy death, my living sorrow, if thou encounter with the boar to-morrow. 'but if thou needs wilt hunt, be ruled by me; uncouple at the timorous flying hare, or at the fox which lives by subtlety, or at the roe which no encounter dare: pursue these fearful creatures o'er the downs, and on thy well-breath'd horse keep with thy hounds. 'and when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles how he outruns the wind and with what care he cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: the many musets through the which he goes are like a labyrinth to amaze his foes. 'sometime he runs among a flock of sheep, to make the cunning hounds mistake their smell, and sometime where earth-delving conies keep, to stop the loud pursuers in their yell, and sometime sorteth with a herd of deer: danger deviseth shifts; wit waits on fear: 'for there his smell with others being mingled, the hot scent-snuffing hounds are driven to doubt, ceasing their clamorous cry till they have singled with much ado the cold fault cleanly out; then do they spend their mouths: echo replies, as if another chase were in the skies. 'by this, poor wat, far off upon a hill, stands on his hinder legs with listening ear, to harken if his foes pursue him still: anon their loud alarums he doth hear; and now his grief may be compared well to one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. 'then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch turn, and return, indenting with the way; each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch, each shadow makes him stop, each murmur stay: for misery is trodden on by many, and being low never relieved by any. 'lie quietly, and hear a little more; nay, do not struggle, for thou shalt not rise: to make thee hate the hunting of the boar, unlike myself thou hear'st me moralize, applying this to that, and so to so; for love can comment upon every woe. 'where did i leave?' 'no matter where,' quoth he, 'leave me, and then the story aptly ends: the night is spent.' 'why, what of that?' quoth she. 'i am,' quoth he, 'expected of my friends; and now 'tis dark, and going i shall fall.' 'in night,' quoth she, 'desire sees best of all 'but if thou fall, o, then imagine this, the earth, in love with thee, thy footing trips, and all is but to rob thee of a kiss. rich preys make true men thieves; so do thy lips make modest dian cloudy and forlorn, lest she should steal a kiss and die forsworn. 'now of this dark night i perceive the reason: cynthia for shame obscures her silver shine, till forging nature be condemn'd of treason, for stealing moulds from heaven that were divine; wherein she framed thee in high heaven's despite, to shame the sun by day and her by night. 'and therefore hath she bribed the destinies to cross the curious workmanship of nature, to mingle beauty with infirmities, and pure perfection with impure defeature, making it subject to the tyranny of mad mischances and much misery; 'as burning fevers, agues pale and faint, life-poisoning pestilence and frenzies wood, the marrow-eating sickness, whose attaint disorder breeds by heating of the blood: surfeits, imposthumes, grief, and damn'd despair, swear nature's death for framing thee so fair. 'and not the least of all these maladies but in one minute's fight brings beauty under: both favour, savour, hue and qualities, whereat the impartial gazer late did wonder, are on the sudden wasted, thaw'd and done, as mountain-snow melts with the midday sun. 'therefore, despite of fruitless chastity, love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, that on the earth would breed a scarcity and barren dearth of daughters and of sons, be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night dries up his oil to lend the world his light. 'what is thy body but a swallowing grave, seeming to bury that posterity which by the rights of time thou needs must have, if thou destroy them not in dark obscurity? if so, the world will hold thee in disdain, sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain. 'so in thyself thyself art made away; a mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, or butcher-sire that reaves his son of life. foul-cankering rust the hidden treasure frets, but gold that's put to use more gold begets.' 'nay, then,' quoth adon, 'you will fall again into your idle over-handled theme: the kiss i gave you is bestow'd in vain, and all in vain you strive against the stream; for, by this black-faced night, desire's foul nurse, your treatise makes me like you worse and worse. 'if love have lent you twenty thousand tongues, and every tongue more moving than your own, bewitching like the wanton mermaid's songs, yet from mine ear the tempting tune is blown for know, my heart stands armed in mine ear, and will not let a false sound enter there; 'lest the deceiving harmony should run into the quiet closure of my breast; and then my little heart were quite undone, in his bedchamber to be barr'd of rest. no, lady, no; my heart longs not to groan, but soundly sleeps, while now it sleeps alone. 'what have you urged that i cannot reprove? the path is smooth that leadeth on to danger: i hate not love, but your device in love, that lends embracements unto every stranger. you do it for increase: o strange excuse, when reason is the bawd to lust's abuse! 'call it not love, for love to heaven is fled, since sweating lust on earth usurp'd his name; under whose simple semblance he hath fed upon fresh beauty, blotting it with blame; which the hot tyrant stains and soon bereaves, as caterpillars do the tender leaves. 'love comforteth like sunshine after rain, but lust's effect is tempest after sun; love's gentle spring doth always fresh remain, lust's winter comes ere summer half be done; love surfeits not, lust like a glutton dies; love is all truth, lust full of forged lies. 'more i could tell, but more i dare not say; the text is old, the orator too green. therefore, in sadness, now i will away; my face is full of shame, my heart of teen: mine ears, that to your wanton talk attended, do burn themselves for having so offended.' with this, he breaketh from the sweet embrace, of those fair arms which bound him to her breast, and homeward through the dark laund runs apace; leaves love upon her back deeply distress'd. look, how a bright star shooteth from the sky, so glides he in the night from venus' eye. which after him she darts, as one on shore gazing upon a late-embarked friend, till the wild waves will have him seen no more, whose ridges with the meeting clouds contend: so did the merciless and pitchy night fold in the object that did feed her sight. whereat amazed, as one that unaware hath dropp'd a precious jewel in the flood, or stonish'd as night-wanderers often are, their light blown out in some mistrustful wood, even so confounded in the dark she lay, having lost the fair discovery of her way. and now she beats her heart, whereat it groans, that all the neighbour caves, as seeming troubled, make verbal repetition of her moans; passion on passion deeply is redoubled: 'ay me!' she cries, and twenty times 'woe, woe!' and twenty echoes twenty times cry so. she marking them begins a wailing note and sings extemporally a woeful ditty; how love makes young men thrall and old men dote; how love is wise in folly, foolish-witty: her heavy anthem still concludes in woe, and still the choir of echoes answer so. her song was tedious and outwore the night, for lovers' hours are long, though seeming short: if pleased themselves, others, they think, delight in such-like circumstance, with suchlike sport: their copious stories oftentimes begun end without audience and are never done. for who hath she to spend the night withal but idle sounds resembling parasites, like shrill-tongued tapsters answering every call, soothing the humour of fantastic wits? she says ''tis so:' they answer all ''tis so;' and would say after her, if she said 'no.' lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest, from his moist cabinet mounts up on high, and wakes the morning, from whose silver breast the sun ariseth in his majesty; who doth the world so gloriously behold that cedar-tops and hills seem burnish'd gold. venus salutes him with this fair good-morrow: 'o thou clear god, and patron of all light, from whom each lamp and shining star doth borrow the beauteous influence that makes him bright, there lives a son that suck'd an earthly mother, may lend thee light, as thou dost lend to other.' this said, she hasteth to a myrtle grove, musing the morning is so much o'erworn, and yet she hears no tidings of her love: she hearkens for his hounds and for his horn: anon she hears them chant it lustily, and all in haste she coasteth to the cry. and as she runs, the bushes in the way some catch her by the neck, some kiss her face, some twine about her thigh to make her stay: she wildly breaketh from their strict embrace, like a milch doe, whose swelling dugs do ache, hasting to feed her fawn hid in some brake. by this, she hears the hounds are at a bay; whereat she starts, like one that spies an adder wreathed up in fatal folds just in his way, the fear whereof doth make him shake and shudder; even so the timorous yelping of the hounds appals her senses and her spirit confounds. for now she knows it is no gentle chase, but the blunt boar, rough bear, or lion proud, because the cry remaineth in one place, where fearfully the dogs exclaim aloud: finding their enemy to be so curst, they all strain courtesy who shall cope him first. this dismal cry rings sadly in her ear, through which it enters to surprise her heart; who, overcome by doubt and bloodless fear, with cold-pale weakness numbs each feeling part: like soldiers, when their captain once doth yield, they basely fly and dare not stay the field. thus stands she in a trembling ecstasy; till, cheering up her senses all dismay'd, she tells them 'tis a causeless fantasy, and childish error, that they are afraid; bids them leave quaking, bids them fear no more:-and with that word she spied the hunted boar, whose frothy mouth, bepainted all with red, like milk and blood being mingled both together, a second fear through all her sinews spread, which madly hurries her she knows not whither: this way runs, and now she will no further, but back retires to rate the boar for murther. a thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways; she treads the path that she untreads again; her more than haste is mated with delays, like the proceedings of a drunken brain, full of respects, yet nought at all respecting; in hand with all things, nought at all effecting. here kennell'd in a brake she finds a hound, and asks the weary caitiff for his master, and there another licking of his wound, 'gainst venom'd sores the only sovereign plaster; and here she meets another sadly scowling, to whom she speaks, and he replies with howling. when he hath ceased his ill-resounding noise, another flap-mouth'd mourner, black and grim, against the welkin volleys out his voice; another and another answer him, clapping their proud tails to the ground below, shaking their scratch'd ears, bleeding as they go. look, how the world's poor people are amazed at apparitions, signs and prodigies, whereon with fearful eyes they long have gazed, infusing them with dreadful prophecies; so she at these sad signs draws up her breath and sighing it again, exclaims on death. 'hard-favour'd tyrant, ugly, meagre, lean, hateful divorce of love,'--thus chides she death,-'grim-grinning ghost, earth's worm, what dost thou mean to stifle beauty and to steal his breath, who when he lived, his breath and beauty set gloss on the rose, smell to the violet? 'if he be dead,--o no, it cannot be, seeing his beauty, thou shouldst strike at it:-o yes, it may; thou hast no eyes to see, but hatefully at random dost thou hit. thy mark is feeble age, but thy false dart mistakes that aim and cleaves an infant's heart. 'hadst thou but bid beware, then he had spoke, and, hearing him, thy power had lost his power. the destinies will curse thee for this stroke; they bid thee crop a weed, thou pluck'st a flower: love's golden arrow at him should have fled, and not death's ebon dart, to strike dead. 'dost thou drink tears, that thou provokest such weeping? what may a heavy groan advantage thee? why hast thou cast into eternal sleeping those eyes that taught all other eyes to see? now nature cares not for thy mortal vigour, since her best work is ruin'd with thy rigour.' here overcome, as one full of despair, she vail'd her eyelids, who, like sluices, stopt the crystal tide that from her two cheeks fair in the sweet channel of her bosom dropt; but through the flood-gates breaks the silver rain, and with his strong course opens them again. o, how her eyes and tears did lend and borrow! her eyes seen in the tears, tears in her eye; both crystals, where they view'd each other's sorrow, sorrow that friendly sighs sought still to dry; but like a stormy day, now wind, now rain, sighs dry her cheeks, tears make them wet again. variable passions throng her constant woe, as striving who should best become her grief; all entertain'd, each passion labours so, that every present sorrow seemeth chief, but none is best: then join they all together, like many clouds consulting for foul weather. by this, far off she hears some huntsman hollo; a nurse's song ne'er pleased her babe so well: the dire imagination she did follow this sound of hope doth labour to expel; for now reviving joy bids her rejoice, and flatters her it is adonis' voice. whereat her tears began to turn their tide, being prison'd in her eye like pearls in glass; yet sometimes falls an orient drop beside, which her cheek melts, as scorning it should pass, to wash the foul face of the sluttish ground, who is but drunken when she seemeth drown'd. o hard-believing love, how strange it seems not to believe, and yet too credulous! thy weal and woe are both of them extremes; despair and hope makes thee ridiculous: the one doth flatter thee in thoughts unlikely, in likely thoughts the other kills thee quickly. now she unweaves the web that she hath wrought; adonis lives, and death is not to blame; it was not she that call'd him, all-to naught: now she adds honours to his hateful name; she clepes him king of graves and grave for kings, imperious supreme of all mortal things. 'no, no,' quoth she, 'sweet death, i did but jest; yet pardon me i felt a kind of fear when as i met the boar, that bloody beast, which knows no pity, but is still severe; then, gentle shadow,--truth i must confess,-i rail'd on thee, fearing my love's decease. ''tis not my fault: the boar provoked my tongue; be wreak'd on him, invisible commander; 'tis he, foul creature, that hath done thee wrong; i did but act, he's author of thy slander: grief hath two tongues, and never woman yet could rule them both without ten women's wit.' thus hoping that adonis is alive, her rash suspect she doth extenuate; and that his beauty may the better thrive, with death she humbly doth insinuate; tells him of trophies, statues, tombs, and stories his victories, his triumphs and his glories. 'o jove,' quoth she, 'how much a fool was i to be of such a weak and silly mind to wail his death who lives and must not die till mutual overthrow of mortal kind! for he being dead, with him is beauty slain, and, beauty dead, black chaos comes again. 'fie, fie, fond love, thou art so full of fear as one with treasure laden, hemm'd thieves; trifles, unwitnessed with eye or ear, thy coward heart with false bethinking grieves.' even at this word she hears a merry horn, whereat she leaps that was but late forlorn. as falcon to the lure, away she flies; the grass stoops not, she treads on it so light; and in her haste unfortunately spies the foul boar's conquest on her fair delight; which seen, her eyes, as murder'd with the view, like stars ashamed of day, themselves withdrew; or, as the snail, whose tender horns being hit, shrinks backward in his shelly cave with pain, and there, all smother'd up, in shade doth sit, long after fearing to creep forth again; so, at his bloody view, her eyes are fled into the deep dark cabins of her head: where they resign their office and their light to the disposing of her troubled brain; who bids them still consort with ugly night, and never wound the heart with looks again; who like a king perplexed in his throne, by their suggestion gives a deadly groan, whereat each tributary subject quakes; as when the wind, imprison'd in the ground, struggling for passage, earth's foundation shakes, which with cold terror doth men's minds confound. this mutiny each part doth so surprise that from their dark beds once more leap her eyes; and, being open'd, threw unwilling light upon the wide wound that the boar had trench'd in his soft flank; whose wonted lily white with purple tears, that his wound wept, was drench'd: no flower was nigh, no grass, herb, leaf, or weed, but stole his blood and seem'd with him to bleed. this solemn sympathy poor venus noteth; over one shoulder doth she hang her head; dumbly she passions, franticly she doteth; she thinks he could not die, he is not dead: her voice is stopt, her joints forget to bow; her eyes are mad that they have wept til now. upon his hurt she looks so steadfastly, that her sight dazzling makes the wound seem three; and then she reprehends her mangling eye, that makes more gashes where no breach should be: his face seems twain, each several limb is doubled; for oft the eye mistakes, the brain being troubled. 'my tongue cannot express my grief for one, and yet,' quoth she, 'behold two adons dead! my sighs are blown away, my salt tears gone, mine eyes are turn'd to fire, my heart to lead: heavy heart's lead, melt at mine eyes' red fire! so shall i die by drops of hot desire. 'alas, poor world, what treasure hast thou lost! what face remains alive that's worth the viewing? whose tongue is music now? what canst thou boast of things long since, or any thing ensuing? the flowers are sweet, their colours fresh and trim; but true-sweet beauty lived and died with him. 'bonnet nor veil henceforth no creature wear! nor sun nor wind will ever strive to kiss you: having no fair to lose, you need not fear; the sun doth scorn you and the wind doth hiss you: but when adonis lived, sun and sharp air lurk'd like two thieves, to rob him of his fair: 'and therefore would he put his bonnet on, under whose brim the gaudy sun would peep; the wind would blow it off and, being gone, play with his locks: then would adonis weep; and straight, in pity of his tender years, they both would strive who first should dry his tears. 'to see his face the lion walk'd along behind some hedge, because he would not fear him; to recreate himself when he hath sung, the tiger would be tame and gently hear him; if he had spoke, the wolf would leave his prey and never fright the silly lamb that day. 'when he beheld his shadow in the brook, the fishes spread on it their golden gills; when he was by, the birds such pleasure took, that some would sing, some other in their bills would bring him mulberries and ripe-red cherries; he fed them with his sight, they him with berries. 'but this foul, grim, and urchin-snouted boar, whose downward eye still looketh for a grave, ne'er saw the beauteous livery that he wore; witness the entertainment that he gave: if he did see his face, why then i know he thought to kiss him, and hath kill'd him so. ''tis true, 'tis true; thus was adonis slain: he ran upon the boar with his sharp spear, who did not whet his teeth at him again, but by a kiss thought to persuade him there; and nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine sheathed unaware the tusk in his soft groin. 'had i been tooth'd like him, i must confess, with kissing him i should have kill'd him first; but he is dead, and never did he bless my youth with his; the more am i accurst.' with this, she falleth in the place she stood, and stains her face with his congealed blood. she looks upon his lips, and they are pale; she takes him by the hand, and that is cold; she whispers in his ears a heavy tale, as if they heard the woeful words she told; she lifts the coffer-lids that close his eyes, where, lo, two lamps, burnt out, in darkness lies; two glasses, where herself herself beheld a thousand times, and now no more reflect; their virtue lost, wherein they late excell'd, and every beauty robb'd of his effect: 'wonder of time,' quoth she, 'this is my spite, that, thou being dead, the day should yet be light. 'since thou art dead, lo, here i prophesy: sorrow on love hereafter shall attend: it shall be waited on with jealousy, find sweet beginning, but unsavoury end, ne'er settled equally, but high or low, that all love's pleasure shall not match his woe. 'it shall be fickle, false and full of fraud, bud and be blasted in a breathing-while; the bottom poison, and the top o'erstraw'd with sweets that shall the truest sight beguile: the strongest body shall it make most weak, strike the wise dumb and teach the fool to speak. 'it shall be sparing and too full of riot, teaching decrepit age to tread the measures; the staring ruffian shall it keep in quiet, pluck down the rich, enrich the poor with treasures; it shall be raging-mad and silly-mild, make the young old, the old become a child. 'it shall suspect where is no cause of fear; it shall not fear where it should most mistrust; it shall be merciful and too severe, and most deceiving when it seems most just; perverse it shall be where it shows most toward, put fear to valour, courage to the coward. 'it shall be cause of war and dire events, and set dissension 'twixt the son and sire; subject and servile to all discontents, as dry combustious matter is to fire: sith in his prime death doth my love destroy, they that love best their loves shall not enjoy.' by this, the boy that by her side lay kill'd was melted like a vapour from her sight, and in his blood that on the ground lay spill'd, a purple flower sprung up, chequer'd with white, resembling well his pale cheeks and the blood which in round drops upon their whiteness stood. she bows her head, the new-sprung flower to smell, comparing it to her adonis' breath, and says, within her bosom it shall dwell, since he himself is reft from her by death: she crops the stalk, and in the breach appears green dropping sap, which she compares to tears. 'poor flower,' quoth she, 'this was thy fathers guise-sweet issue of a more sweet-smelling sire-for every little grief to wet his eyes: to grow unto himself was his desire, and so 'tis thine; but know, it is as good to wither in my breast as in his blood. 'here was thy father's bed, here in my breast; thou art the next of blood, and 'tis thy right: lo, in this hollow cradle take thy rest, my throbbing heart shall rock thee day and night: there shall not be one minute in an hour wherein i will not kiss my sweet love's flower.' thus weary of the world, away she hies, and yokes her silver doves; by whose swift aid their mistress mounted through the empty skies in her light chariot quickly is convey'd; holding their course to paphos, where their queen means to immure herself and not be seen. the rape of lucrece to the right honorable henry wriothesly, earl of southampton, and baron of tichfield. the love i dedicate to your lordship is without end; whereof this pamphlet, without beginning, is but a superfluous moiety. the warrant i have of your honourable disposition, not the worth of my untutored lines, makes it assured of acceptance. what i have done is yours; what i have to do is yours; being part in all i have, devoted yours. were my worth greater, my duty would show greater; meantime, as it is, it is bound to your lordship, to whom i wish long life, still lengthened with all happiness. your lordship's in all duty, william shakespeare. the rape of lucrece the argument lucius tarquinius, for his excessive pride surnamed superbus, after he had caused his own father-in-law servius tullius to be cruelly murdered, and, contrary to the roman laws and customs, not requiring or staying for the people's suffrages, had possessed himself of the kingdom, went, accompanied with his sons and other noblemen of rome, to besiege ardea. during which siege the principal men of the army meeting one evening at the tent of sextus tarquinius, the king's son, in their discourses after supper every one commended the virtues of his own wife: among whom collatinus extolled the incomparable chastity of his wife lucretia. in that pleasant humour they posted to rome; and intending, by their secret and sudden arrival, to make trial of that which every one had before avouched, only collatinus finds his wife, though it were late in the night, spinning amongst her maids: the other ladies were all found dancing and revelling, or in several disports. whereupon the noblemen yielded collatinus the victory, and his wife the fame. at that time sextus tarquinius being inflamed with lucrece' beauty, yet smothering his passions for the present, departed with the rest back to the camp; from whence he shortly after privily withdrew himself, and was, according to his estate, royally entertained and lodged by lucrece at collatium. the same night he treacherously stealeth into her chamber, violently ravished her, and early in the morning speedeth away. lucrece, in this lamentable plight, hastily dispatcheth messengers, one to rome for her father, another to the camp for collatine. they came, the one accompanied with junius brutus, the other with publius valerius; and finding lucrece attired in mourning habit, demanded the cause of her sorrow. she, first taking an oath of them for her revenge, revealed the actor, and whole manner of his dealing, and withal suddenly stabbed herself. which done, with one consent they all vowed to root out the whole hated family of the tarquins; and bearing the dead body to rome, brutus acquainted the people with the doer and manner of the vile deed, with a bitter invective against the tyranny of the king: wherewith the people were so moved, that with one consent and a general acclamation the tarquins were all exiled, and the state government changed from kings to consuls. the rape of lucrece from the besieged ardea all in post, borne by the trustless wings of false desire, lust-breathed tarquin leaves the roman host, and to collatium bears the lightless fire which, in pale embers hid, lurks to aspire and girdle with embracing flames the waist of collatine's fair love, lucrece the chaste. haply that name of 'chaste' unhappily set this bateless edge on his keen appetite; when collatine unwisely did not let to praise the clear unmatched red and white which triumph'd in that sky of his delight, where mortal stars, as bright as heaven's beauties, with pure aspects did him peculiar duties. for he the night before, in tarquin's tent, unlock'd the treasure of his happy state; what priceless wealth the heavens had him lent in the possession of his beauteous mate; reckoning his fortune at such high-proud rate, that kings might be espoused to more fame, but king nor peer to such a peerless dame. o happiness enjoy'd but of a few! and, if possess'd, as soon decay'd and done as is the morning's silver-melting dew against the golden splendor of the sun! an expired date, cancell'd ere well begun: honour and beauty, in the owner's arms, are weakly fortress'd from a world of harms. beauty itself doth of itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator; what needeth then apologies be made, to set forth that which is so singular? or why is collatine the publisher of that rich jewel he should keep unknown from thievish ears, because it is his own? perchance his boast of lucrece' sovereignty suggested this proud issue of a king; for by our ears our hearts oft tainted be: perchance that envy of so rich a thing, braving compare, disdainfully did sting his high-pitch'd thoughts, that meaner men should vaunt that golden hap which their superiors want. but some untimely thought did instigate his all-too-timeless speed, if none of those: his honour, his affairs, his friends, his state, neglected all, with swift intent he goes to quench the coal which in his liver glows. o rash false heat, wrapp'd in repentant cold, thy hasty spring still blasts, and ne'er grows old! when at collatium this false lord arrived, well was he welcomed by the roman dame, within whose face beauty and virtue strived which of them both should underprop her fame: when virtue bragg'd, beauty would blush for shame; when beauty boasted blushes, in despite virtue would stain that o'er with silver white. but beauty, in that white intituled, from venus' doves doth challenge that fair field: then virtue claims from beauty beauty's red, which virtue gave the golden age to gild their silver cheeks, and call'd it then their shield; teaching them thus to use it in the fight, when shame assail'd, the red should fence the white. this heraldry in lucrece' face was seen, argued by beauty's red and virtue's white of either's colour was the other queen, proving from world's minority their right: yet their ambition makes them still to fight; the sovereignty of either being so great, that oft they interchange each other's seat. their silent war of lilies and of roses, which tarquin view'd in her fair face's field, in their pure ranks his traitor eye encloses; where, lest between them both it should be kill'd, the coward captive vanquished doth yield to those two armies that would let him go, rather than triumph in so false a foe. now thinks he that her husband's shallow tongue,-the niggard prodigal that praised her so,-in that high task hath done her beauty wrong, which far exceeds his barren skill to show: therefore that praise which collatine doth owe enchanted tarquin answers with surmise, in silent wonder of still-gazing eyes. this earthly saint, adored by this devil, little suspecteth the false worshipper; for unstain'd thoughts do seldom dream on evil; birds never limed no secret bushes fear: so guiltless she securely gives good cheer and reverend welcome to her princely guest, whose inward ill no outward harm express'd: for that he colour'd with his high estate, hiding base sin in plaits of majesty; that nothing in him seem'd inordinate, save something too much wonder of his eye, which, having all, all could not satisfy; but, poorly rich, so wanteth in his store, that, cloy'd with much, he pineth still for more. but she, that never coped with stranger eyes, could pick no meaning from their parling looks, nor read the subtle-shining secrecies writ in the glassy margents of such books: she touch'd no unknown baits, nor fear'd no hooks; nor could she moralize his wanton sight, more than his eyes were open'd to the light. he stories to her ears her husband's fame, won in the fields of fruitful italy; and decks with praises collatine's high name, made glorious by his manly chivalry with bruised arms and wreaths of victory: her joy with heaved-up hand she doth express, and, wordless, so greets heaven for his success. far from the purpose of his coming hither, he makes excuses for his being there: no cloudy show of stormy blustering weather doth yet in his fair welkin once appear; till sable night, mother of dread and fear, upon the world dim darkness doth display, and in her vaulty prison stows the day. for then is tarquin brought unto his bed, intending weariness with heavy spright; for, after supper, long he questioned with modest lucrece, and wore out the night: now leaden slumber with life's strength doth fight; and every one to rest themselves betake, save thieves, and cares, and troubled minds, that wake. as one of which doth tarquin lie revolving the sundry dangers of his will's obtaining; yet ever to obtain his will resolving, though weak-built hopes persuade him to abstaining: despair to gain doth traffic oft for gaining; and when great treasure is the meed proposed, though death be adjunct, there's no death supposed. those that much covet are with gain so fond, for what they have not, that which they possess they scatter and unloose it from their bond, and so, by hoping more, they have but less; or, gaining more, the profit of excess is but to surfeit, and such griefs sustain, that they prove bankrupt in this poor-rich gain. the aim of all is but to nurse the life with honour, wealth, and ease, in waning age; and in this aim there is such thwarting strife, that one for all, or all for one we gage; as life for honour in fell battle's rage; honour for wealth; and oft that wealth doth cost the death of all, and all together lost. so that in venturing ill we leave to be the things we are for that which we expect; and this ambitious foul infirmity, in having much, torments us with defect of that we have: so then we do neglect the thing we have; and, all for want of wit, make something nothing by augmenting it. such hazard now must doting tarquin make, pawning his honour to obtain his lust; and for himself himself be must forsake: then where is truth, if there be no self-trust? when shall he think to find a stranger just, when he himself himself confounds, betrays to slanderous tongues and wretched hateful days? now stole upon the time the dead of night, when heavy sleep had closed up mortal eyes: no comfortable star did lend his light, no noise but owls' and wolves' death-boding cries; now serves the season that they may surprise the silly lambs: pure thoughts are dead and still, while lust and murder wake to stain and kill. and now this lustful lord leap'd from his bed, throwing his mantle rudely o'er his arm; is madly toss'd between desire and dread; th' one sweetly flatters, th' other feareth harm; but honest fear, bewitch'd with lust's foul charm, doth too too oft betake him to retire, beaten away by brain-sick rude desire. his falchion on a flint he softly smiteth, that from the cold stone sparks of fire do fly; whereat a waxen torch forthwith he lighteth, which must be lode-star to his lustful eye; and to the flame thus speaks advisedly, 'as from this cold flint i enforced this fire, so lucrece must i force to my desire.' here pale with fear he doth premeditate the dangers of his loathsome enterprise, and in his inward mind he doth debate what following sorrow may on this arise: then looking scornfully, he doth despise his naked armour of still-slaughter'd lust, and justly thus controls his thoughts unjust: 'fair torch, burn out thy light, and lend it not to darken her whose light excelleth thine: and die, unhallow'd thoughts, before you blot with your uncleanness that which is divine; offer pure incense to so pure a shrine: let fair humanity abhor the deed that spots and stains love's modest snow-white weed. 'o shame to knighthood and to shining arms! o foul dishonour to my household's grave! o impious act, including all foul harms! a martial man to be soft fancy's slave! true valour still a true respect should have; then my digression is so vile, so base, that it will live engraven in my face. 'yea, though i die, the scandal will survive, and be an eye-sore in my golden coat; some loathsome dash the herald will contrive, to cipher me how fondly i did dote; that my posterity, shamed with the note shall curse my bones, and hold it for no sin to wish that i their father had not bin. 'what win i, if i gain the thing i seek? a dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week? or sells eternity to get a toy? for one sweet grape who will the vine destroy? or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown, would with the sceptre straight be strucken down? 'if collatinus dream of my intent, will he not wake, and in a desperate rage post hither, this vile purpose to prevent? this siege that hath engirt his marriage, this blur to youth, this sorrow to the sage, this dying virtue, this surviving shame, whose crime will bear an ever-during blame? 'o, what excuse can my invention make, when thou shalt charge me with so black a deed? will not my tongue be mute, my frail joints shake, mine eyes forego their light, my false heart bleed? the guilt being great, the fear doth still exceed; and extreme fear can neither fight nor fly, but coward-like with trembling terror die. 'had collatinus kill'd my son or sire, or lain in ambush to betray my life, or were he not my dear friend, this desire might have excuse to work upon his wife, as in revenge or quittal of such strife: but as he is my kinsman, my dear friend, the shame and fault finds no excuse nor end. 'shameful it is; ay, if the fact be known: hateful it is; there is no hate in loving: i'll beg her love; but she is own: the worst is but denial and reproving: my will is strong, past reason's weak removing. who fears a sentence or an old man's saw shall by a painted cloth be kept in awe.' thus, graceless, holds he disputation 'tween frozen conscience and hot-burning will, and with good thoughts make dispensation, urging the worser sense for vantage still; which in a moment doth confound and kill all pure effects, and doth so far proceed, that what is vile shows like a virtuous deed. quoth he, 'she took me kindly by the hand, and gazed for tidings in my eager eyes, fearing some hard news from the warlike band, where her beloved collatinus lies. o, how her fear did make her colour rise! first red as roses that on lawn we lay, then white as lawn, the roses took away. 'and how her hand, in my hand being lock'd forced it to tremble with her loyal fear! which struck her sad, and then it faster rock'd, until her husband's welfare she did hear; whereat she smiled with so sweet a cheer, that had narcissus seen her as she stood, self-love had never drown'd him in the flood. 'why hunt i then for colour or excuses? all orators are dumb when beauty pleadeth; poor wretches have remorse in poor abuses; love thrives not in the heart that shadows dreadeth: affection is my captain, and he leadeth; and when his gaudy banner is display'd, the coward fights and will not be dismay'd. 'then, childish fear, avaunt! debating, die! respect and reason, wait on wrinkled age! my heart shall never countermand mine eye: sad pause and deep regard beseem the sage; my part is youth, and beats these from the stage: desire my pilot is, beauty my prize; then who fears sinking where such treasure lies?' as corn o'ergrown by weeds, so heedful fear is almost choked by unresisted lust. away he steals with open listening ear, full of foul hope and full of fond mistrust; both which, as servitors to the unjust, so cross him with their opposite persuasion, that now he vows a league, and now invasion. within his thought her heavenly image sits, and in the self-same seat sits collatine: that eye which looks on her confounds his wits; that eye which him beholds, as more divine, unto a view so false will not incline; but with a pure appeal seeks to the heart, which once corrupted takes the worser part; and therein heartens up his servile powers, who, flatter'd by their leader's jocund show, stuff up his lust, as minutes fill up hours; and as their captain, so their pride doth grow, paying more slavish tribute than they owe. by reprobate desire thus madly led, the roman lord marcheth to lucrece' bed. the locks between her chamber and his will, each one by him enforced, retires his ward; but, as they open, they all rate his ill, which drives the creeping thief to some regard: the threshold grates the door to have him heard; night-wandering weasels shriek to see him there; they fright him, yet he still pursues his fear. as each unwilling portal yields him way, through little vents and crannies of the place the wind wars with his torch to make him stay, and blows the smoke of it into his face, extinguishing his conduct in this case; but his hot heart, which fond desire doth scorch, puffs forth another wind that fires the torch: and being lighted, by the light he spies lucretia's glove, wherein her needle sticks: he takes it from the rushes where it lies, and griping it, the needle his finger pricks; as who should say 'this glove to wanton tricks is not inured; return again in haste; thou see'st our mistress' ornaments are chaste.' but all these poor forbiddings could not stay him; he in the worst sense construes their denial: the doors, the wind, the glove, that did delay him, he takes for accidental things of trial; or as those bars which stop the hourly dial, who with a lingering slay his course doth let, till every minute pays the hour his debt. 'so, so,' quoth he, 'these lets attend the time, like little frosts that sometime threat the spring, to add a more rejoicing to the prime, and give the sneaped birds more cause to sing. pain pays the income of each precious thing; huge rocks, high winds, strong pirates, shelves and sands, the merchant fears, ere rich at home he lands.' now is he come unto the chamber-door, that shuts him from the heaven of his thought, which with a yielding latch, and with no more, hath barr'd him from the blessed thing be sought. so from himself impiety hath wrought, that for his prey to pray he doth begin, as if the heavens should countenance his sin. but in the midst of his unfruitful prayer, having solicited th' eternal power that his foul thoughts might compass his fair fair, and they would stand auspicious to the hour, even there he starts: quoth he, 'i must deflower: the powers to whom i pray abhor this fact, how can they then assist me in the act? 'then love and fortune be my gods, my guide! my will is back'd with resolution: thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried; the blackest sin is clear'd with absolution; against love's fire fear's frost hath dissolution. the eye of heaven is out, and misty night covers the shame that follows sweet delight.' this said, his guilty hand pluck'd up the latch, and with his knee the door he opens wide. the dove sleeps fast that this night-owl will catch: thus treason works ere traitors be espied. who sees the lurking serpent steps aside; but she, sound sleeping, fearing no such thing, lies at the mercy of his mortal sting. into the chamber wickedly he stalks, and gazeth on her yet unstained bed. the curtains being close, about he walks, rolling his greedy eyeballs in his head: by their high treason is his heart misled; which gives the watch-word to his hand full soon to draw the cloud that hides the silver moon. look, as the fair and fiery-pointed sun, rushing from forth a cloud, bereaves our sight; even so, the curtain drawn, his eyes begun to wink, being blinded with a greater light: whether it is that she reflects so bright, that dazzleth them, or else some shame supposed; but blind they are, and keep themselves enclosed. o, had they in that darksome prison died! then had they seen the period of their ill; then collatine again, by lucrece' side, in his clear bed might have reposed still: but they must ope, this blessed league to kill; and holy-thoughted lucrece to their sight must sell her joy, her life, her world's delight. her lily hand her rosy cheek lies under, cozening the pillow of a lawful kiss; who, therefore angry, seems to part in sunder, swelling on either side to want his bliss; between whose hills her head entombed is: where, like a virtuous monument, she lies, to be admired of lewd unhallow'd eyes. without the bed her other fair hand was, on the green coverlet; whose perfect white show'd like an april daisy on the grass, with pearly sweat, resembling dew of night. her eyes, like marigolds, had sheathed their light, and canopied in darkness sweetly lay, till they might open to adorn the day. her hair, like golden threads, play'd with her breath; o modest wantons! wanton modesty! showing life's triumph in the map of death, and death's dim look in life's mortality: each in her sleep themselves so beautify, as if between them twain there were no strife, but that life lived in death, and death in life. her breasts, like ivory globes circled with blue, a pair of maiden worlds unconquered, save of their lord no bearing yoke they knew, and him by oath they truly honoured. these worlds in tarquin new ambition bred; who, like a foul ursurper, went about from this fair throne to heave the owner out. what could he see but mightily he noted? what did he note but strongly he desired? what he beheld, on that he firmly doted, and in his will his wilful eye he tired. with more than admiration he admired her azure veins, her alabaster skin, her coral lips, her snow-white dimpled chin. as the grim lion fawneth o'er his prey, sharp hunger by the conquest satisfied, so o'er this sleeping soul doth tarquin stay, his rage of lust by gazing qualified; slack'd, not suppress'd; for standing by her side, his eye, which late this mutiny restrains, unto a greater uproar tempts his veins: and they, like straggling slaves for pillage fighting, obdurate vassals fell exploits effecting, in bloody death and ravishment delighting, nor children's tears nor mothers' groans respecting, swell in their pride, the onset still expecting: anon his beating heart, alarum striking, gives the hot charge and bids them do their liking. his drumming heart cheers up his burning eye, his eye commends the leading to his hand; his hand, as proud of such a dignity, smoking with pride, march'd on to make his stand on her bare breast, the heart of all her land; whose ranks of blue veins, as his hand did scale, left there round turrets destitute and pale. they, mustering to the quiet cabinet where their dear governess and lady lies, do tell her she is dreadfully beset, and fright her with confusion of their cries: she, much amazed, breaks ope her lock'd-up eyes, who, peeping forth this tumult to behold, are by his flaming torch dimm'd and controll'd. imagine her as one in dead of night from forth dull sleep by dreadful fancy waking, that thinks she hath beheld some ghastly sprite, whose grim aspect sets every joint a-shaking; what terror or 'tis! but she, in worser taking, from sleep disturbed, heedfully doth view the sight which makes supposed terror true. wrapp'd and confounded in a thousand fears, like to a new-kill'd bird she trembling lies; she dares not look; yet, winking, there appears quick-shifting antics, ugly in her eyes: such shadows are the weak brain's forgeries; who, angry that the eyes fly from their lights, in darkness daunts them with more dreadful sights. his hand, that yet remains upon her breast,-rude ram, to batter such an ivory wall!-may feel her heart-poor citizen!--distress'd, wounding itself to death, rise up and fall, beating her bulk, that his hand shakes withal. this moves in him more rage and lesser pity, to make the breach and enter this sweet city. first, like a trumpet, doth his tongue begin to sound a parley to his heartless foe; who o'er the white sheet peers her whiter chin, the reason of this rash alarm to know, which he by dumb demeanor seeks to show; but she with vehement prayers urgeth still under what colour he commits this ill. thus he replies: 'the colour in thy face, that even for anger makes the lily pale, and the red rose blush at her own disgrace, shall plead for me and tell my loving tale: under that colour am i come to scale thy never-conquer'd fort: the fault is thine, for those thine eyes betray thee unto mine. 'thus i forestall thee, if thou mean to chide: thy beauty hath ensnared thee to this night, where thou with patience must my will abide; my will that marks thee for my earth's delight, which i to conquer sought with all my might; but as reproof and reason beat it dead, by thy bright beauty was it newly bred. 'i see what crosses my attempt will bring; i know what thorns the growing rose defends; i think the honey guarded with a sting; all this beforehand counsel comprehends: but will is deaf and hears no heedful friends; only he hath an eye to gaze on beauty, and dotes on what he looks, 'gainst law or duty. 'i have debated, even in my soul, what wrong, what shame, what sorrow i shall breed; but nothing can affection's course control, or stop the headlong fury of his speed. i know repentant tears ensue the deed, reproach, disdain, and deadly enmity; yet strive i to embrace mine infamy.' this said, he shakes aloft his roman blade, which, like a falcon towering in the skies, coucheth the fowl below with his wings' shade, whose crooked beak threats if he mount he dies: so under his insulting falchion lies harmless lucretia, marking what he tells with trembling fear, as fowl hear falcon's bells. 'lucrece,' quoth he,'this night i must enjoy thee: if thou deny, then force must work my way, for in thy bed i purpose to destroy thee: that done, some worthless slave of thine i'll slay, to kill thine honour with thy life's decay; and in thy dead arms do i mean to place him, swearing i slew him, seeing thee embrace him. 'so thy surviving husband shall remain the scornful mark of every open eye; thy kinsmen hang their heads at this disdain, thy issue blurr'd with nameless bastardy: and thou, the author of their obloquy, shalt have thy trespass cited up in rhymes, and sung by children in succeeding times. 'but if thou yield, i rest thy secret friend: the fault unknown is as a thought unacted; a little harm done to a great good end for lawful policy remains enacted. the poisonous simple sometimes is compacted in a pure compound; being so applied, his venom in effect is purified. 'then, for thy husband and thy children's sake, tender my suit: bequeath not to their lot the shame that from them no device can take, the blemish that will never be forgot; worse than a slavish wipe or birth-hour's blot: for marks descried in men's nativity are nature's faults, not their own infamy.' here with a cockatrice' dead-killing eye he rouseth up himself and makes a pause; while she, the picture of pure piety, like a white hind under the gripe's sharp claws, pleads, in a wilderness where are no laws, to the rough beast that knows no gentle right, nor aught obeys but his foul appetite. but when a black-faced cloud the world doth threat, in his dim mist the aspiring mountains hiding, from earth's dark womb some gentle gust doth get, which blows these pitchy vapours from their bidding, hindering their present fall by this dividing; so his unhallow'd haste her words delays, and moody pluto winks while orpheus plays. yet, foul night-waking cat, he doth but dally, while in his hold-fast foot the weak mouse panteth: her sad behavior feeds his vulture folly, a swallowing gulf that even in plenty wanteth: his ear her prayers admits, but his heart granteth no penetrable entrance to her plaining: tears harden lust, though marble wear with raining. her pity-pleading eyes are sadly fix'd in the remorseless wrinkles of his face; her modest eloquence with sighs is mix'd, which to her oratory adds more grace. she puts the period often from his place; and midst the sentence so her accent breaks, that twice she doth begin ere once she speaks. she conjures him by high almighty jove, by knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath, by her untimely tears, her husband's love, by holy human law, and common troth, by heaven and earth, and all the power of both, that to his borrow'd bed he make retire, and stoop to honour, not to foul desire. quoth she, 'reward not hospitality with such black payment as thou hast pretended; mud not the fountain that gave drink to thee; mar not the thing that cannot be amended; end thy ill aim before thy shoot be ended; he is no woodman that doth bend his bow to strike a poor unseasonable doe. 'my husband is thy friend; for his sake spare me: thyself art mighty; for thine own sake leave me: myself a weakling; do not then ensnare me: thou look'st not like deceit; do not deceive me. my sighs, like whirlwinds, labour hence to heave thee: if ever man were moved with woman moans, be moved with my tears, my sighs, my groans: 'all which together, like a troubled ocean, beat at thy rocky and wreck-threatening heart, to soften it with their continual motion; for stones dissolved to water do convert. o, if no harder than a stone thou art, melt at my tears, and be compassionate! soft pity enters at an iron gate. 'in tarquin's likeness i did entertain thee: hast thou put on his shape to do him shame? to all the host of heaven i complain me, thou wrong'st his honour, wound'st his princely name. thou art not what thou seem'st; and if the same, thou seem'st not what thou art, a god, a king; for kings like gods should govern everything. 'how will thy shame be seeded in thine age, when thus thy vices bud before thy spring! if in thy hope thou darest do such outrage, what darest thou not when once thou art a king? o, be remember'd, no outrageous thing from vassal actors can be wiped away; then kings' misdeeds cannot be hid in clay. 'this deed will make thee only loved for fear; but happy monarchs still are fear'd for love: with foul offenders thou perforce must bear, when they in thee the like offences prove: if but for fear of this, thy will remove; for princes are the glass, the school, the book, where subjects' eyes do learn, do read, do look. 'and wilt thou be the school where lust shall learn? must he in thee read lectures of such shame? wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discern authority for sin, warrant for blame, to privilege dishonour in thy name? thou black'st reproach against long-living laud, and makest fair reputation but a bawd. 'hast thou command? by him that gave it thee, from a pure heart command thy rebel will: draw not thy sword to guard iniquity, for it was lent thee all that brood to kill. thy princely office how canst thou fulfil, when, pattern'd by thy fault, foul sin may say, he learn'd to sin, and thou didst teach the way? 'think but how vile a spectacle it were, to view thy present trespass in another. men's faults do seldom to themselves appear; their own transgressions partially they smother: this guilt would seem death-worthy in thy brother. o, how are they wrapp'd in with infamies that from their own misdeeds askance their eyes! 'to thee, to thee, my heaved-up hands appeal, not to seducing lust, thy rash relier: i sue for exiled majesty's repeal; let him return, and flattering thoughts retire: his true respect will prison false desire, and wipe the dim mist from thy doting eyne, that thou shalt see thy state and pity mine.' 'have done,' quoth he: 'my uncontrolled tide turns not, but swells the higher by this let. small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide, and with the wind in greater fury fret: the petty streams that pay a daily debt to their salt sovereign, with their fresh falls' haste add to his flow, but alter not his taste.' 'thou art,' quoth she, 'a sea, a sovereign king; and, lo, there falls into thy boundless flood black lust, dishonour, shame, misgoverning, who seek to stain the ocean of thy blood. if all these pretty ills shall change thy good, thy sea within a puddle's womb is hearsed, and not the puddle in thy sea dispersed. 'so shall these slaves be king, and thou their slave; thou nobly base, they basely dignified; thou their fair life, and they thy fouler grave: thou loathed in their shame, they in thy pride: the lesser thing should not the greater hide; the cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot, but low shrubs wither at the cedar's root. 'so let thy thoughts, low vassals to thy state'-no more,' quoth he; 'by heaven, i will not hear thee: yield to my love; if not, enforced hate, instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee; that done, despitefully i mean to bear thee unto the base bed of some rascal groom, to be thy partner in this shameful doom.' this said, he sets his foot upon the light, for light and lust are deadly enemies: shame folded up in blind concealing night, when most unseen, then most doth tyrannize. the wolf hath seized his prey, the poor lamb cries; till with her own white fleece her voice controll'd entombs her outcry in her lips' sweet fold: for with the nightly linen that she wears he pens her piteous clamours in her head; cooling his hot face in the chastest tears that ever modest eyes with sorrow shed. o, that prone lust should stain so pure a bed! the spots whereof could weeping purify, her tears should drop on them perpetually. but she hath lost a dearer thing than life, and he hath won what he would lose again: this forced league doth force a further strife; this momentary joy breeds months of pain; this hot desire converts to cold disdain: pure chastity is rifled of her store, and lust, the thief, far poorer than before. look, as the full-fed hound or gorged hawk, unapt for tender smell or speedy flight, make slow pursuit, or altogether balk the prey wherein by nature they delight; so surfeit-taking tarquin fares this night: his taste delicious, in digestion souring, devours his will, that lived by foul devouring. o, deeper sin than bottomless conceit can comprehend in still imagination! drunken desire must vomit his receipt, ere he can see his own abomination. while lust is in his pride, no exclamation can curb his heat or rein his rash desire, till like a jade self-will himself doth tire. and then with lank and lean discolour'd cheek, with heavy eye, knit brow, and strengthless pace, feeble desire, all recreant, poor, and meek, like to a bankrupt beggar wails his case: the flesh being proud, desire doth fight with grace, for there it revels; and when that decays, the guilty rebel for remission prays. so fares it with this faultful lord of rome, who this accomplishment so hotly chased; for now against himself he sounds this doom, that through the length of times he stands disgraced: besides, his soul's fair temple is defaced; to whose weak ruins muster troops of cares, to ask the spotted princess how she fares. she says, her subjects with foul insurrection have batter'd down her consecrated wall, and by their mortal fault brought in subjection her immortality, and made her thrall to living death and pain perpetual: which in her prescience she controlled still, but her foresight could not forestall their will. even in this thought through the dark night he stealeth, a captive victor that hath lost in gain; bearing away the wound that nothing healeth, the scar that will, despite of cure, remain; leaving his spoil perplex'd in greater pain. she bears the load of lust he left behind, and he the burden of a guilty mind. he like a thievish dog creeps sadly thence; she like a wearied lamb lies panting there; he scowls and hates himself for his offence; she, desperate, with her nails her flesh doth tear; he faintly flies, sneaking with guilty fear; she stays, exclaiming on the direful night; he runs, and chides his vanish'd, loathed delight. he thence departs a heavy convertite; she there remains a hopeless castaway; he in his speed looks for the morning light; she prays she never may behold the day, 'for day,' quoth she, 'nights scapes doth open lay, and my true eyes have never practised how to cloak offences with a cunning brow. 'they think not but that every eye can see the same disgrace which they themselves behold; and therefore would they still in darkness be, to have their unseen sin remain untold; for they their guilt with weeping will unfold, and grave, like water that doth eat in steel, upon my cheeks what helpless shame i feel.' here she exclaims against repose and rest, and bids her eyes hereafter still be blind. she wakes her heart by beating on her breast, and bids it leap from thence, where it may find some purer chest to close so pure a mind. frantic with grief thus breathes she forth her spite against the unseen secrecy of night: 'o comfort-killing night, image of hell! dim register and notary of shame! black stage for tragedies and murders fell! vast sin-concealing chaos! nurse of blame! blind muffled bawd! dark harbour for defame! grim cave of death! whispering conspirator with close-tongued treason and the ravisher! 'o hateful, vaporous, and foggy night! since thou art guilty of my cureless crime, muster thy mists to meet the eastern light, make war against proportion'd course of time; or if thou wilt permit the sun to climb his wonted height, yet ere he go to bed, knit poisonous clouds about his golden head. 'with rotten damps ravish the morning air; let their exhaled unwholesome breaths make sick the life of purity, the supreme fair, ere he arrive his weary noon-tide prick; and let thy misty vapours march so thick, that in their smoky ranks his smother'd light may set at noon and make perpetual night. 'were tarquin night, as he is but night's child, the silver-shining queen he would distain; her twinkling handmaids too, by him defiled, through night's black bosom should not peep again: so should i have co-partners in my pain; and fellowship in woe doth woe assuage, as palmers' chat makes short their pilgrimage. 'where now i have no one to blush with me, to cross their arms and hang their heads with mine, to mask their brows and hide their infamy; but i alone alone must sit and pine, seasoning the earth with showers of silver brine, mingling my talk with tears, my grief with groans, poor wasting monuments of lasting moans. 'o night, thou furnace of foul-reeking smoke, let not the jealous day behold that face which underneath thy black all-hiding cloak immodestly lies martyr'd with disgrace! keep still possession of thy gloomy place, that all the faults which in thy reign are made may likewise be sepulchred in thy shade! 'make me not object to the tell-tale day! the light will show, character'd in my brow, the story of sweet chastity's decay, the impious breach of holy wedlock vow: yea the illiterate, that know not how to cipher what is writ in learned books, will quote my loathsome trespass in my looks. 'the nurse, to still her child, will tell my story, and fright her crying babe with tarquin's name; the orator, to deck his oratory, will couple my reproach to tarquin's shame; feast-finding minstrels, tuning my defame, will tie the hearers to attend each line, how tarquin wronged me, i collatine. 'let my good name, that senseless reputation, for collatine's dear love be kept unspotted: if that be made a theme for disputation, the branches of another root are rotted, and undeserved reproach to him allotted that is as clear from this attaint of mine as i, ere this, was pure to collatine. 'o unseen shame! invisible disgrace! o unfelt sore! crest-wounding, private scar! reproach is stamp'd in collatinus' face, and tarquin's eye may read the mot afar, how he in peace is wounded, not in war. alas, how many bear such shameful blows, which not themselves, but he that gives them knows! 'if, collatine, thine honour lay in me, from me by strong assault it is bereft. my honour lost, and i, a drone-like bee, have no perfection of my summer left, but robb'd and ransack'd by injurious theft: in thy weak hive a wandering wasp hath crept, and suck'd the honey which thy chaste bee kept. 'yet am i guilty of thy honour's wrack; yet for thy honour did i entertain him; coming from thee, i could not put him back, for it had been dishonour to disdain him: besides, of weariness he did complain him, and talk'd of virtue: o unlook'd-for evil, when virtue is profaned in such a devil! 'why should the worm intrude the maiden bud? or hateful cuckoos hatch in sparrows' nests? or toads infect fair founts with venom mud? or tyrant folly lurk in gentle breasts? or kings be breakers of their own behests? but no perfection is so absolute, that some impurity doth not pollute. 'the aged man that coffers-up his gold is plagued with cramps and gouts and painful fits; and scarce hath eyes his treasure to behold, but like still-pining tantalus he sits, and useless barns the harvest of his wits; having no other pleasure of his gain but torment that it cannot cure his pain. 'so then he hath it when he cannot use it, and leaves it to be master'd by his young; who in their pride do presently abuse it: their father was too weak, and they too strong, to hold their cursed-blessed fortune long. the sweets we wish for turn to loathed sours even in the moment that we call them ours. 'unruly blasts wait on the tender spring; unwholesome weeds take root with precious flowers; the adder hisses where the sweet birds sing; what virtue breeds iniquity devours: we have no good that we can say is ours, but ill-annexed opportunity or kills his life or else his quality. 'o opportunity, thy guilt is great! 'tis thou that executest the traitor's treason: thou set'st the wolf where he the lamb may get; whoever plots the sin, thou 'point'st the season; 'tis thou that spurn'st at right, at law, at reason; and in thy shady cell, where none may spy him, sits sin, to seize the souls that wander by him. 'thou makest the vestal violate her oath; thou blow'st the fire when temperance is thaw'd; thou smother'st honesty, thou murder'st troth; thou foul abettor! thou notorious bawd! thou plantest scandal and displacest laud: thou ravisher, thou traitor, thou false thief, thy honey turns to gall, thy joy to grief! 'thy secret pleasure turns to open shame, thy private feasting to a public fast, thy smoothing titles to a ragged name, thy sugar'd tongue to bitter wormwood taste: thy violent vanities can never last. how comes it then, vile opportunity, being so bad, such numbers seek for thee? 'when wilt thou be the humble suppliant's friend, and bring him where his suit may be obtain'd? when wilt thou sort an hour great strifes to end? or free that soul which wretchedness hath chain'd? give physic to the sick, ease to the pain'd? the poor, lame, blind, halt, creep, cry out for thee; but they ne'er meet with opportunity. 'the patient dies while the physician sleeps; the orphan pines while the oppressor feeds; justice is feasting while the widow weeps; advice is sporting while infection breeds: thou grant'st no time for charitable deeds: wrath, envy, treason, rape, and murder's rages, thy heinous hours wait on them as their pages. 'when truth and virtue have to do with thee, a thousand crosses keep them from thy aid: they buy thy help; but sin ne'er gives a fee, he gratis comes; and thou art well appaid as well to hear as grant what he hath said. my collatine would else have come to me when tarquin did, but he was stay'd by thee. guilty thou art of murder and of theft, guilty of perjury and subornation, guilty of treason, forgery, and shift, guilty of incest, that abomination; an accessary by thine inclination to all sins past, and all that are to come, from the creation to the general doom. 'mis-shapen time, copesmate of ugly night, swift subtle post, carrier of grisly care, eater of youth, false slave to false delight, base watch of woes, sin's pack-horse, virtue's snare; thou nursest all and murder'st all that are: o, hear me then, injurious, shifting time! be guilty of my death, since of my crime. 'why hath thy servant, opportunity, betray'd the hours thou gavest me to repose, cancell'd my fortunes, and enchained me to endless date of never-ending woes? time's office is to fine the hate of foes; to eat up errors by opinion bred, not spend the dowry of a lawful bed. 'time's glory is to calm contending kings, to unmask falsehood and bring truth to light, to stamp the seal of time in aged things, to wake the morn and sentinel the night, to wrong the wronger till he render right, to ruinate proud buildings with thy hours, and smear with dust their glittering golden towers; 'to fill with worm-holes stately monuments, to feed oblivion with decay of things, to blot old books and alter their contents, to pluck the quills from ancient ravens' wings, to dry the old oak's sap and cherish springs, to spoil antiquities of hammer'd steel, and turn the giddy round of fortune's wheel; 'to show the beldam daughters of her daughter, to make the child a man, the man a child, to slay the tiger that doth live by slaughter, to tame the unicorn and lion wild, to mock the subtle in themselves beguiled, to cheer the ploughman with increaseful crops, and waste huge stones with little water drops. 'why work'st thou mischief in thy pilgrimage, unless thou couldst return to make amends? one poor retiring minute in an age would purchase thee a thousand thousand friends, lending him wit that to bad debtors lends: o, this dread night, wouldst thou one hour come back, i could prevent this storm and shun thy wrack! 'thou ceaseless lackey to eternity, with some mischance cross tarquin in his flight: devise extremes beyond extremity, to make him curse this cursed crimeful night: let ghastly shadows his lewd eyes affright; and the dire thought of his committed evil shape every bush a hideous shapeless devil. 'disturb his hours of rest with restless trances, afflict him in his bed with bedrid groans; let there bechance him pitiful mischances, to make him moan; but pity not his moans: stone him with harden'd hearts harder than stones; and let mild women to him lose their mildness, wilder to him than tigers in their wildness. 'let him have time to tear his curled hair, let him have time against himself to rave, let him have time of time's help to despair, let him have time to live a loathed slave, let him have time a beggar's orts to crave, and time to see one that by alms doth live disdain to him disdained scraps to give. 'let him have time to see his friends his foes, and merry fools to mock at him resort; let him have time to mark how slow time goes in time of sorrow, and how swift and short his time of folly and his time of sport; and ever let his unrecalling crime have time to wail th' abusing of his time. 'o time, thou tutor both to good and bad, teach me to curse him that thou taught'st this ill! at his own shadow let the thief run mad, himself himself seek every hour to kill! such wretched hands such wretched blood should spill; for who so base would such an office have as slanderous death's-man to so base a slave? 'the baser is he, coming from a king, to shame his hope with deeds degenerate: the mightier man, the mightier is the thing that makes him honour'd, or begets him hate; for greatest scandal waits on greatest state. the moon being clouded presently is miss'd, but little stars may hide them when they list. 'the crow may bathe his coal-black wings in mire, and unperceived fly with the filth away; but if the like the snow-white swan desire, the stain upon his silver down will stay. poor grooms are sightless night, kings glorious day: gnats are unnoted wheresoe'er they fly, but eagles gazed upon with every eye. 'out, idle words, servants to shallow fools! unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators! busy yourselves in skill-contending schools; debate where leisure serves with dull debaters; to trembling clients be you mediators: for me, i force not argument a straw, since that my case is past the help of law. 'in vain i rail at opportunity, at time, at tarquin, and uncheerful night; in vain i cavil with mine infamy, in vain i spurn at my confirm'd despite: this helpless smoke of words doth me no right. the remedy indeed to do me good is to let forth my foul-defiled blood. 'poor hand, why quiver'st thou at this decree? honour thyself to rid me of this shame: for if i die, my honour lives in thee; but if i live, thou livest in my defame: since thou couldst not defend thy loyal dame, and wast afeard to scratch her wicked foe, kill both thyself and her for yielding so.' this said, from her be-tumbled couch she starteth, to find some desperate instrument of death: but this no slaughterhouse no tool imparteth to make more vent for passage of her breath; which, thronging through her lips, so vanisheth as smoke from aetna, that in air consumes, or that which from discharged cannon fumes. 'in vain,' quoth she, 'i live, and seek in vain some happy mean to end a hapless life. i fear'd by tarquin's falchion to be slain, yet for the self-same purpose seek a knife: but when i fear'd i was a loyal wife: so am i now: o no, that cannot be; of that true type hath tarquin rifled me. 'o, that is gone for which i sought to live, and therefore now i need not fear to die. to clear this spot by death, at least i give a badge of fame to slander's livery; a dying life to living infamy: poor helpless help, the treasure stol'n away, to burn the guiltless casket where it lay! 'well, well, dear collatine, thou shalt not know the stained taste of violated troth; i will not wrong thy true affection so, to flatter thee with an infringed oath; this bastard graff shall never come to growth: he shall not boast who did thy stock pollute that thou art doting father of his fruit. 'nor shall he smile at thee in secret thought, nor laugh with his companions at thy state: but thou shalt know thy interest was not bought basely with gold, but stol'n from forth thy gate. for me, i am the mistress of my fate, and with my trespass never will dispense, till life to death acquit my forced offence. 'i will not poison thee with my attaint, nor fold my fault in cleanly-coin'd excuses; my sable ground of sin i will not paint, to hide the truth of this false night's abuses: my tongue shall utter all; mine eyes, like sluices, as from a mountain-spring that feeds a dale, shall gush pure streams to purge my impure tale.' by this, lamenting philomel had ended the well-tuned warble of her nightly sorrow, and solemn night with slow sad gait descended to ugly hell; when, lo, the blushing morrow lends light to all fair eyes that light will borrow: but cloudy lucrece shames herself to see, and therefore still in night would cloister'd be. revealing day through every cranny spies, and seems to point her out where she sits weeping; to whom she sobbing speaks: 'o eye of eyes, why pry'st thou through my window? leave thy peeping: mock with thy tickling beams eyes that are sleeping: brand not my forehead with thy piercing light, for day hath nought to do what's done by night.' thus cavils she with every thing she sees: true grief is fond and testy as a child, who wayward once, his mood with nought agrees: old woes, not infant sorrows, bear them mild; continuance tames the one; the other wild, like an unpractised swimmer plunging still, with too much labour drowns for want of skill. so she, deep-drenched in a sea of care, holds disputation with each thing she views, and to herself all sorrow doth compare; no object but her passion's strength renews; and as one shifts, another straight ensues: sometime her grief is dumb and hath no words; sometime 'tis mad and too much talk affords. the little birds that tune their morning's joy make her moans mad with their sweet melody: for mirth doth search the bottom of annoy; sad souls are slain in merry company; grief best is pleased with grief's society: true sorrow then is feelingly sufficed when with like semblance it is sympathized. 'tis double death to drown in ken of shore; he ten times pines that pines beholding food; to see the salve doth make the wound ache more; great grief grieves most at that would do it good; deep woes roll forward like a gentle flood, who being stopp'd, the bounding banks o'erflows; grief dallied with nor law nor limit knows. 'you mocking-birds,' quoth she, 'your tunes entomb within your hollow-swelling feather'd breasts, and in my hearing be you mute and dumb: my restless discord loves no stops nor rests; a woeful hostess brooks not merry guests: relish your nimble notes to pleasing ears; distress likes dumps when time is kept with tears. 'come, philomel, that sing'st of ravishment, make thy sad grove in my dishevell'd hair: as the dank earth weeps at thy languishment, so i at each sad strain will strain a tear, and with deep groans the diapason bear; for burden-wise i'll hum on tarquin still, while thou on tereus descant'st better skill. 'and whiles against a thorn thou bear'st thy part, to keep thy sharp woes waking, wretched i, to imitate thee well, against my heart will fix a sharp knife to affright mine eye; who, if it wink, shall thereon fall and die. these means, as frets upon an instrument, shall tune our heart-strings to true languishment. 'and for, poor bird, thou sing'st not in the day, as shaming any eye should thee behold, some dark deep desert, seated from the way, that knows not parching heat nor freezing cold, will we find out; and there we will unfold to creatures stern sad tunes, to change their kinds: since men prove beasts, let beasts bear gentle minds.' as the poor frighted deer, that stands at gaze, wildly determining which way to fly, or one encompass'd with a winding maze, that cannot tread the way out readily; so with herself is she in mutiny, to live or die which of the twain were better, when life is shamed, and death reproach's debtor. 'to kill myself,' quoth she, 'alack, what were it, but with my body my poor soul's pollution? they that lose half with greater patience bear it than they whose whole is swallow'd in confusion. that mother tries a merciless conclusion who, having two sweet babes, when death takes one, will slay the other and be nurse to none. 'my body or my soul, which was the dearer, when the one pure, the other made divine? whose love of either to myself was nearer, when both were kept for heaven and collatine? ay me! the bark peel'd from the lofty pine, his leaves will wither and his sap decay; so must my soul, her bark being peel'd away. 'her house is sack'd, her quiet interrupted, her mansion batter'd by the enemy; her sacred temple spotted, spoil'd, corrupted, grossly engirt with daring infamy: then let it not be call'd impiety, if in this blemish'd fort i make some hole through which i may convey this troubled soul. 'yet die i will not till my collatine have heard the cause of my untimely death; that he may vow, in that sad hour of mine, revenge on him that made me stop my breath. my stained blood to tarquin i'll bequeath, which by him tainted shall for him be spent, and as his due writ in my testament. 'my honour i'll bequeath unto the knife that wounds my body so dishonoured. 'tis honour to deprive dishonour'd life; the one will live, the other being dead: so of shame's ashes shall my fame be bred; for in my death i murder shameful scorn: my shame so dead, mine honour is new-born. 'dear lord of that dear jewel i have lost, what legacy shall i bequeath to thee? my resolution, love, shall be thy boast, by whose example thou revenged mayest be. how tarquin must be used, read it in me: myself, thy friend, will kill myself, thy foe, and for my sake serve thou false tarquin so. 'this brief abridgement of my will i make: my soul and body to the skies and ground; my resolution, husband, do thou take; mine honour be the knife's that makes my wound; my shame be his that did my fame confound; and all my fame that lives disbursed be to those that live, and think no shame of me. 'thou, collatine, shalt oversee this will; how was i overseen that thou shalt see it! my blood shall wash the slander of mine ill; my life's foul deed, my life's fair end shall free it. faint not, faint heart, but stoutly say 'so be it:' yield to my hand; my hand shall conquer thee: thou dead, both die, and both shall victors be.' this plot of death when sadly she had laid, and wiped the brinish pearl from her bright eyes, with untuned tongue she hoarsely calls her maid, whose swift obedience to her mistress hies; for fleet-wing'd duty with thought's feathers flies. poor lucrece' cheeks unto her maid seem so as winter meads when sun doth melt their snow. her mistress she doth give demure good-morrow, with soft-slow tongue, true mark of modesty, and sorts a sad look to her lady's sorrow, for why her face wore sorrow's livery; but durst not ask of her audaciously why her two suns were cloud-eclipsed so, nor why her fair cheeks over-wash'd with woe. but as the earth doth weep, the sun being set, each flower moisten'd like a melting eye; even so the maid with swelling drops gan wet her circled eyne, enforced by sympathy of those fair suns set in her mistress' sky, who in a salt-waved ocean quench their light, which makes the maid weep like the dewy night. a pretty while these pretty creatures stand, like ivory conduits coral cisterns filling: one justly weeps; the other takes in hand no cause, but company, of her drops spilling: their gentle sex to weep are often willing; grieving themselves to guess at others' smarts, and then they drown their eyes or break their hearts. for men have marble, women waxen, minds, and therefore are they form'd as marble will; the weak oppress'd, the impression of strange kinds is form'd in them by force, by fraud, or skill: then call them not the authors of their ill, no more than wax shall be accounted evil wherein is stamp'd the semblance of a devil. their smoothness, like a goodly champaign plain, lays open all the little worms that creep; in men, as in a rough-grown grove, remain cave-keeping evils that obscurely sleep: through crystal walls each little mote will peep: though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks, poor women's faces are their own fault's books. no man inveigh against the wither'd flower, but chide rough winter that the flower hath kill'd: not that devour'd, but that which doth devour, is worthy blame. o, let it not be hild poor women's faults, that they are so fulfill'd with men's abuses: those proud lords, to blame, make weak-made women tenants to their shame. the precedent whereof in lucrece view, assail'd by night with circumstances strong of present death, and shame that might ensue by that her death, to do her husband wrong: such danger to resistance did belong, that dying fear through all her body spread; and who cannot abuse a body dead? by this, mild patience bid fair lucrece speak to the poor counterfeit of her complaining: 'my girl,' quoth she, 'on what occasion break those tears from thee, that down thy cheeks are raining? if thou dost weep for grief of my sustaining, know, gentle wench, it small avails my mood: if tears could help, mine own would do me good. 'but tell me, girl, when went'--and there she stay'd till after a deep groan--'tarquin from hence?' 'madam, ere i was up,' replied the maid, 'the more to blame my sluggard negligence: yet with the fault i thus far can dispense; myself was stirring ere the break of day, and, ere i rose, was tarquin gone away. 'but, lady, if your maid may be so bold, she would request to know your heaviness.' 'o, peace!' quoth lucrece: 'if it should be told, the repetition cannot make it less; for more it is than i can well express: and that deep torture may be call'd a hell when more is felt than one hath power to tell. 'go, get me hither paper, ink, and pen: yet save that labour, for i have them here. what should i say? one of my husband's men bid thou be ready, by and by, to bear a letter to my lord, my love, my dear; bid him with speed prepare to carry it; the cause craves haste, and it will soon be writ.' her maid is gone, and she prepares to write, first hovering o'er the paper with her quill: conceit and grief an eager combat fight; what wit sets down is blotted straight with will; this is too curious-good, this blunt and ill: much like a press of people at a door, throng her inventions, which shall go before. at last she thus begins: 'thou worthy lord of that unworthy wife that greeteth thee, health to thy person! next vouchsafe t' afford-if ever, love, thy lucrece thou wilt see-some present speed to come and visit me. so, i commend me from our house in grief: my woes are tedious, though my words are brief.' here folds she up the tenor of her woe, her certain sorrow writ uncertainly. by this short schedule collatine may know her grief, but not her grief's true quality: she dares not thereof make discovery, lest he should hold it her own gross abuse, ere she with blood had stain'd her stain'd excuse. besides, the life and feeling of her passion she hoards, to spend when he is by to hear her: when sighs and groans and tears may grace the fashion of her disgrace, the better so to clear her from that suspicion which the world might bear her. to shun this blot, she would not blot the letter with words, till action might become them better. to see sad sights moves more than hear them told; for then eye interprets to the ear the heavy motion that it doth behold, when every part a part of woe doth bear. 'tis but a part of sorrow that we hear: deep sounds make lesser noise than shallow fords, and sorrow ebbs, being blown with wind of words. her letter now is seal'd, and on it writ 'at ardea to my lord with more than haste.' the post attends, and she delivers it, charging the sour-faced groom to hie as fast as lagging fowls before the northern blast: speed more than speed but dull and slow she deems: extremity still urgeth such extremes. the homely villain court'sies to her low; and, blushing on her, with a steadfast eye receives the scroll without or yea or no, and forth with bashful innocence doth hie. but they whose guilt within their bosoms lie imagine every eye beholds their blame; for lucrece thought he blush'd to her see shame: when, silly groom! god wot, it was defect of spirit, life, and bold audacity. such harmless creatures have a true respect to talk in deeds, while others saucily promise more speed, but do it leisurely: even so this pattern of the worn-out age pawn'd honest looks, but laid no words to gage. his kindled duty kindled her mistrust, that two red fires in both their faces blazed; she thought he blush'd, as knowing tarquin's lust, and, blushing with him, wistly on him gazed; her earnest eye did make him more amazed: the more she saw the blood his cheeks replenish, the more she thought he spied in her some blemish. but long she thinks till he return again, and yet the duteous vassal scarce is gone. the weary time she cannot entertain, for now 'tis stale to sigh, to weep, and groan: so woe hath wearied woe, moan tired moan, that she her plaints a little while doth stay, pausing for means to mourn some newer way. at last she calls to mind where hangs a piece of skilful painting, made for priam's troy: before the which is drawn the power of greece. for helen's rape the city to destroy, threatening cloud-kissing ilion with annoy; which the conceited painter drew so proud, as heaven, it seem'd, to kiss the turrets bow'd. a thousand lamentable objects there, in scorn of nature, art gave lifeless life: many a dry drop seem'd a weeping tear, shed for the slaughter'd husband by the wife: the red blood reek'd, to show the painter's strife; and dying eyes gleam'd forth their ashy lights, like dying coals burnt out in tedious nights. there might you see the labouring pioner begrimed with sweat, and smeared all with dust; and from the towers of troy there would appear the very eyes of men through loop-holes thrust, gazing upon the greeks with little lust: such sweet observance in this work was had, that one might see those far-off eyes look sad. in great commanders grace and majesty you might behold, triumphing in their faces; in youth, quick bearing and dexterity; pale cowards, marching on with trembling paces; which heartless peasants did so well resemble, that one would swear he saw them quake and tremble. in ajax and ulysses, o, what art of physiognomy might one behold! the face of either cipher'd either's heart; their face their manners most expressly told: in ajax' eyes blunt rage and rigor roll'd; but the mild glance that sly ulysses lent show'd deep regard and smiling government. there pleading might you see grave nestor stand, as 'twere encouraging the greeks to fight; making such sober action with his hand, that it beguiled attention, charm'd the sight: in speech, it seem'd, his beard, all silver white, wagg'd up and down, and from his lips did fly thin winding breath, which purl'd up to the sky. about him were a press of gaping faces, which seem'd to swallow up his sound advice; all jointly listening, but with several graces, as if some mermaid did their ears entice, some high, some low, the painter was so nice; the scalps of many, almost hid behind, to jump up higher seem'd, to mock the mind. here one man's hand lean'd on another's head, his nose being shadow'd by his neighbour's ear; here one being throng'd bears back, all boll'n and red; another smother'd seems to pelt and swear; and in their rage such signs of rage they bear, as, but for loss of nestor's golden words, it seem'd they would debate with angry swords. for much imaginary work was there; conceit deceitful, so compact, so kind, that for achilles' image stood his spear, griped in an armed hand; himself, behind, was left unseen, save to the eye of mind: a hand, a foot, a face, a leg, a head, stood for the whole to be imagined. and from the walls of strong-besieged troy when their brave hope, bold hector, march'd to field, stood many trojan mothers, sharing joy to see their youthful sons bright weapons wield; and to their hope they such odd action yield, that through their light joy seemed to appear, like bright things stain'd, a kind of heavy fear. and from the strand of dardan, where they fought, to simois' reedy banks the red blood ran, whose waves to imitate the battle sought with swelling ridges; and their ranks began to break upon the galled shore, and than retire again, till, meeting greater ranks, they join and shoot their foam at simois' banks. to this well-painted piece is lucrece come, to find a face where all distress is stell'd. many she sees where cares have carved some, but none where all distress and dolour dwell'd, till she despairing hecuba beheld, staring on priam's wounds with her old eyes, which bleeding under pyrrhus' proud foot lies. in her the painter had anatomized time's ruin, beauty's wreck, and grim care's reign: her cheeks with chaps and wrinkles were disguised; of what she was no semblance did remain: her blue blood changed to black in every vein, wanting the spring that those shrunk pipes had fed, show'd life imprison'd in a body dead. on this sad shadow lucrece spends her eyes, and shapes her sorrow to the beldam's woes, who nothing wants to answer her but cries, and bitter words to ban her cruel foes: the painter was no god to lend her those; and therefore lucrece swears he did her wrong, to give her so much grief and not a tongue. 'poor instrument,' quoth she,'without a sound, i'll tune thy woes with my lamenting tongue; and drop sweet balm in priam's painted wound, and rail on pyrrhus that hath done him wrong; and with my tears quench troy that burns so long; and with my knife scratch out the angry eyes of all the greeks that are thine enemies. 'show me the strumpet that began this stir, that with my nails her beauty i may tear. thy heat of lust, fond paris, did incur this load of wrath that burning troy doth bear: thy eye kindled the fire that burneth here; and here in troy, for trespass of thine eye, the sire, the son, the dame, and daughter die. 'why should the private pleasure of some one become the public plague of many moe? let sin, alone committed, light alone upon his head that hath transgressed so; let guiltless souls be freed from guilty woe: for one's offence why should so many fall, to plague a private sin in general? 'lo, here weeps hecuba, here priam dies, here manly hector faints, here troilus swounds, here friend by friend in bloody channel lies, and friend to friend gives unadvised wounds, and one man's lust these many lives confounds: had doting priam cheque'd his son's desire, troy had been bright with fame and not with fire.' here feelingly she weeps troy's painted woes: for sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, once set on ringing, with his own weight goes; then little strength rings out the doleful knell: so lucrece, set a-work, sad tales doth tell to pencill'd pensiveness and colour'd sorrow; she lends them words, and she their looks doth borrow. she throws her eyes about the painting round, and whom she finds forlorn she doth lament. at last she sees a wretched image bound, that piteous looks to phrygian shepherds lent: his face, though full of cares, yet show'd content; onward to troy with the blunt swains he goes, so mild, that patience seem'd to scorn his woes. in him the painter labour'd with his skill to hide deceit, and give the harmless show an humble gait, calm looks, eyes wailing still, a brow unbent, that seem'd to welcome woe; cheeks neither red nor pale, but mingled so that blushing red no guilty instance gave, nor ashy pale the fear that false hearts have. but, like a constant and confirmed devil, he entertain'd a show so seeming just, and therein so ensconced his secret evil, that jealousy itself could not mistrust false-creeping craft and perjury should thrust into so bright a day such black-faced storms, or blot with hell-born sin such saint-like forms. the well-skill'd workman this mild image drew for perjured sinon, whose enchanting story the credulous old priam after slew; whose words like wildfire burnt the shining glory of rich-built ilion, that the skies were sorry, and little stars shot from their fixed places, when their glass fell wherein they view'd their faces. this picture she advisedly perused, and chid the painter for his wondrous skill, saying, some shape in sinon's was abused; so fair a form lodged not a mind so ill: and still on him she gazed; and gazing still, such signs of truth in his plain face she spied, that she concludes the picture was belied. 'it cannot be,' quoth she,'that so much guile'-she would have said 'can lurk in such a look;' but tarquin's shape came in her mind the while, and from her tongue 'can lurk' from 'cannot' took: 'it cannot be' she in that sense forsook, and turn'd it thus,' it cannot be, i find, but such a face should bear a wicked mind. 'for even as subtle sinon here is painted. so sober-sad, so weary, and so mild, as if with grief or travail he had fainted, to me came tarquin armed; so beguiled with outward honesty, but yet defiled with inward vice: as priam him did cherish, so did i tarquin; so my troy did perish. 'look, look, how listening priam wets his eyes, to see those borrow'd tears that sinon sheds! priam, why art thou old and yet not wise? for every tear he falls a trojan bleeds: his eye drops fire, no water thence proceeds; those round clear pearls of his, that move thy pity, are balls of quenchless fire to burn thy city. 'such devils steal effects from lightless hell; for sinon in his fire doth quake with cold, and in that cold hot-burning fire doth dwell; these contraries such unity do hold, only to flatter fools and make them bold: so priam's trust false sinon's tears doth flatter, that he finds means to burn his troy with water.' here, all enraged, such passion her assails, that patience is quite beaten from her breast. she tears the senseless sinon with her nails, comparing him to that unhappy guest whose deed hath made herself herself detest: at last she smilingly with this gives o'er; 'fool, fool!' quoth she, 'his wounds will not be sore.' thus ebbs and flows the current of her sorrow, and time doth weary time with her complaining. she looks for night, and then she longs for morrow, and both she thinks too long with her remaining: short time seems long in sorrow's sharp sustaining: though woe be heavy, yet it seldom sleeps, and they that watch see time how slow it creeps. which all this time hath overslipp'd her thought, that she with painted images hath spent; being from the feeling of her own grief brought by deep surmise of others' detriment; losing her woes in shows of discontent. it easeth some, though none it ever cured, to think their dolour others have endured. but now the mindful messenger, come back, brings home his lord and other company; who finds his lucrece clad in mourning black: and round about her tear-stained eye blue circles stream'd; like rainbows in the sky: these water-galls in her dim element foretell new storms to those already spent. which when her sad-beholding husband saw, amazedly in her sad face he stares: her eyes, though sod in tears, look'd red and raw, her lively colour kill'd with deadly cares. he hath no power to ask her how she fares: both stood, like old acquaintance in a trance, met far from home, wondering each other's chance. at last he takes her by the bloodless hand, and thus begins: 'what uncouth ill event hath thee befall'n, that thou dost trembling stand? sweet love, what spite hath thy fair colour spent? why art thou thus attired in discontent? unmask, dear dear, this moody heaviness, and tell thy grief, that we may give redress.' three times with sighs she gives her sorrow fire, ere once she can discharge one word of woe: at length address'd to answer his desire, she modestly prepares to let them know her honour is ta'en prisoner by the foe; while collatine and his consorted lords with sad attention long to hear her words. and now this pale swan in her watery nest begins the sad dirge of her certain ending; 'few words,' quoth she, 'shall fit the trespass best, where no excuse can give the fault amending: in me moe woes than words are now depending; and my laments would be drawn out too long, to tell them all with one poor tired tongue. 'then be this all the task it hath to say dear husband, in the interest of thy bed a stranger came, and on that pillow lay where thou was wont to rest thy weary head; and what wrong else may be imagined by foul enforcement might be done to me, from that, alas, thy lucrece is not free. 'for in the dreadful dead of dark midnight, with shining falchion in my chamber came a creeping creature, with a flaming light, and softly cried 'awake, thou roman dame, and entertain my love; else lasting shame on thee and thine this night i will inflict, if thou my love's desire do contradict. ' 'for some hard-favour'd groom of thine,' quoth he, 'unless thou yoke thy liking to my will, i'll murder straight, and then i'll slaughter thee and swear i found you where you did fulfil the loathsome act of lust, and so did kill the lechers in their deed: this act will be my fame and thy perpetual infamy.' 'with this, i did begin to start and cry; and then against my heart he sets his sword, swearing, unless i took all patiently, i should not live to speak another word; so should my shame still rest upon record, and never be forgot in mighty rome th' adulterate death of lucrece and her groom. 'mine enemy was strong, my poor self weak, and far the weaker with so strong a fear: my bloody judge forbade my tongue to speak; no rightful plea might plead for justice there: his scarlet lust came evidence to swear that my poor beauty had purloin'd his eyes; and when the judge is robb'd the prisoner dies. 'o, teach me how to make mine own excuse! or at the least this refuge let me find; though my gross blood be stain'd with this abuse, immaculate and spotless is my mind; that was not forced; that never was inclined to accessary yieldings, but still pure doth in her poison'd closet yet endure.' lo, here, the hopeless merchant of this loss, with head declined, and voice damm'd up with woe, with sad set eyes, and wretched arms across, from lips new-waxen pale begins to blow the grief away that stops his answer so: but, wretched as he is, he strives in vain; what he breathes out his breath drinks up again. as through an arch the violent roaring tide outruns the eye that doth behold his haste, yet in the eddy boundeth in his pride back to the strait that forced him on so fast; in rage sent out, recall'd in rage, being past: even so his sighs, his sorrows, make a saw, to push grief on, and back the same grief draw. which speechless woe of his poor she attendeth, and his untimely frenzy thus awaketh: 'dear lord, thy sorrow to my sorrow lendeth another power; no flood by raining slaketh. my woe too sensible thy passion maketh more feeling-painful: let it then suffice to drown one woe, one pair of weeping eyes. 'and for my sake, when i might charm thee so, for she that was thy lucrece, now attend me: be suddenly revenged on my foe, thine, mine, his own: suppose thou dost defend me from what is past: the help that thou shalt lend me comes all too late, yet let the traitor die; for sparing justice feeds iniquity. 'but ere i name him, you fair lords,' quoth she, speaking to those that came with collatine, 'shall plight your honourable faiths to me, with swift pursuit to venge this wrong of mine; for 'tis a meritorious fair design to chase injustice with revengeful arms: knights, by their oaths, should right poor ladies' harms.' at this request, with noble disposition each present lord began to promise aid, as bound in knighthood to her imposition, longing to hear the hateful foe bewray'd. but she, that yet her sad task hath not said, the protestation stops. 'o, speak, ' quoth she, 'how may this forced stain be wiped from me? 'what is the quality of mine offence, being constrain'd with dreadful circumstance? may my pure mind with the foul act dispense, my low-declined honour to advance? may any terms acquit me from this chance? the poison'd fountain clears itself again; and why not i from this compelled stain?' with this, they all at once began to say, her body's stain her mind untainted clears; while with a joyless smile she turns away the face, that map which deep impression bears of hard misfortune, carved in it with tears. 'no, no,' quoth she, 'no dame, hereafter living, by my excuse shall claim excuse's giving.' here with a sigh, as if her heart would break, she throws forth tarquin's name; 'he, he,' she says, but more than 'he' her poor tongue could not speak; till after many accents and delays, untimely breathings, sick and short assays, she utters this, 'he, he, fair lords, 'tis he, that guides this hand to give this wound to me.' even here she sheathed in her harmless breast a harmful knife, that thence her soul unsheathed: that blow did that it from the deep unrest of that polluted prison where it breathed: her contrite sighs unto the clouds bequeath'd her winged sprite, and through her wounds doth fly life's lasting date from cancell'd destiny. stone-still, astonish'd with this deadly deed, stood collatine and all his lordly crew; till lucrece' father, that beholds her bleed, himself on her self-slaughter'd body threw; and from the purple fountain brutus drew the murderous knife, and, as it left the place, her blood, in poor revenge, held it in chase; and bubbling from her breast, it doth divide in two slow rivers, that the crimson blood circles her body in on every side, who, like a late-sack'd island, vastly stood bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood. some of her blood still pure and red remain'd, and some look'd black, and that false tarquin stain'd. about the mourning and congealed face of that black blood a watery rigol goes, which seems to weep upon the tainted place: and ever since, as pitying lucrece' woes, corrupted blood some watery token shows; and blood untainted still doth red abide, blushing at that which is so putrified. 'daughter, dear daughter,' old lucretius cries, 'that life was mine which thou hast here deprived. if in the child the father's image lies, where shall i live now lucrece is unlived? thou wast not to this end from me derived. if children predecease progenitors, we are their offspring, and they none of ours. 'poor broken glass, i often did behold in thy sweet semblance my old age new born; but now that fresh fair mirror, dim and old, shows me a bare-boned death by time out-worn: o, from thy cheeks my image thou hast torn, and shivered all the beauty of my glass, that i no more can see what once i was! 'o time, cease thou thy course and last no longer, if they surcease to be that should survive. shall rotten death make conquest of the stronger and leave the faltering feeble souls alive? the old bees die, the young possess their hive: then live, sweet lucrece, live again and see thy father die, and not thy father thee! by this, starts collatine as from a dream, and bids lucretius give his sorrow place; and then in key-cold lucrece' bleeding stream he falls, and bathes the pale fear in his face, and counterfeits to die with her a space; till manly shame bids him possess his breath and live to be revenged on her death. the deep vexation of his inward soul hath served a dumb arrest upon his tongue; who, mad that sorrow should his use control, or keep him from heart-easing words so long, begins to talk; but through his lips do throng weak words, so thick come in his poor heart's aid, that no man could distinguish what he said. yet sometime 'tarquin' was pronounced plain, but through his teeth, as if the name he tore. this windy tempest, till it blow up rain, held back his sorrow's tide, to make it more; at last it rains, and busy winds give o'er: then son and father weep with equal strife who should weep most, for daughter or for wife. the one doth call her his, the other his, yet neither may possess the claim they lay. the father says 'she's mine.' 'o, mine she is,' replies her husband: 'do not take away my sorrow's interest; let no mourner say he weeps for her, for she was only mine, and only must be wail'd by collatine.' 'o,' quoth lucretius,' i did give that life which she too early and too late hath spill'd.' 'woe, woe,' quoth collatine, 'she was my wife, i owed her, and 'tis mine that she hath kill'd.' 'my daughter' and 'my wife' with clamours fill'd the dispersed air, who, holding lucrece' life, answer'd their cries, 'my daughter' and 'my wife.' brutus, who pluck'd the knife from lucrece' side, seeing such emulation in their woe, began to clothe his wit in state and pride, burying in lucrece' wound his folly's show. he with the romans was esteemed so as silly-jeering idiots are with kings, for sportive words and uttering foolish things: but now he throws that shallow habit by, wherein deep policy did him disguise; and arm'd his long-hid wits advisedly, to cheque the tears in collatinus' eyes. 'thou wronged lord of rome,' quoth be, 'arise: let my unsounded self, supposed a fool, now set thy long-experienced wit to school. 'why, collatine, is woe the cure for woe? do wounds help wounds, or grief help grievous deeds? is it revenge to give thyself a blow for his foul act by whom thy fair wife bleeds? such childish humour from weak minds proceeds: thy wretched wife mistook the matter so, to slay herself, that should have slain her foe. 'courageous roman, do not steep thy heart in such relenting dew of lamentations; but kneel with me and help to bear thy part, to rouse our roman gods with invocations, that they will suffer these abominations, since rome herself in them doth stand disgraced, by our strong arms from forth her fair streets chased. 'now, by the capitol that we adore, and by this chaste blood so unjustly stain'd, by heaven's fair sun that breeds the fat earth's store, by all our country rights in rome maintain'd, and by chaste lucrece' soul that late complain'd her wrongs to us, and by this bloody knife, we will revenge the death of this true wife.' this said, he struck his hand upon his breast, and kiss'd the fatal knife, to end his vow; and to his protestation urged the rest, who, wondering at him, did his words allow: then jointly to the ground their knees they bow; and that deep vow, which brutus made before, he doth again repeat, and that they swore. when they had sworn to this advised doom, they did conclude to bear dead lucrece thence; to show her bleeding body thorough rome, and so to publish tarquin's foul offence: which being done with speedy diligence, the romans plausibly did give consent to tarquin's everlasting banishment. the comedy of errors dramatis personae solinus duke of ephesus. (duke solinus:) aegeon a merchant of syracuse. antipholus | of ephesus | | twin brothers, and sons to aegeon and aemilia. antipholus | of syracuse | dromio of ephesus | | twin brothers, and attendants on the two antipholuses. dromio of syracuse | balthazar a merchant angelo a goldsmith. first merchant friend to antipholus of syracuse. second merchant to whom angelo is a debtor. pinch a schoolmaster. aemilia wife to aegeon, an abbess at ephesus. adriana wife to antipholus of ephesus. luciana her sister. luce servant to adriana. a courtezan. gaoler, officers, and other attendants (gaoler:) (officer:) (servant:) scene ephesus. the comedy of errors act i scene i a hall in duke solinus's palace. [enter duke solinus, aegeon, gaoler, officers, and other attendants] aegeon proceed, solinus, to procure my fall and by the doom of death end woes and all. duke solinus merchant of syracuse, plead no more; i am not partial to infringe our laws: the enmity and discord which of late sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke to merchants, our well-dealing countrymen, who wanting guilders to redeem their lives have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods, excludes all pity from our threatening looks. for, since the mortal and intestine jars 'twixt thy seditious countrymen and us, it hath in solemn synods been decreed both by the syracusians and ourselves, to admit no traffic to our adverse towns nay, more, if any born at ephesus be seen at any syracusian marts and fairs; again: if any syracusian born come to the bay of ephesus, he dies, his goods confiscate to the duke's dispose, unless a thousand marks be levied, to quit the penalty and to ransom him. thy substance, valued at the highest rate, cannot amount unto a hundred marks; therefore by law thou art condemned to die. aegeon yet this my comfort: when your words are done, my woes end likewise with the evening sun. duke solinus well, syracusian, say in brief the cause why thou departed'st from thy native home and for what cause thou camest to ephesus. aegeon a heavier task could not have been imposed than i to speak my griefs unspeakable: yet, that the world may witness that my end was wrought by nature, not by vile offence, i'll utter what my sorrows give me leave. in syracusa was i born, and wed unto a woman, happy but for me, and by me, had not our hap been bad. with her i lived in joy; our wealth increased by prosperous voyages i often made to epidamnum; till my factor's death and the great care of goods at random left drew me from kind embracements of my spouse: from whom my absence was not six months old before herself, almost at fainting under the pleasing punishment that women bear, had made provision for her following me and soon and safe arrived where i was. there had she not been long, but she became a joyful mother of two goodly sons; and, which was strange, the one so like the other, as could not be distinguish'd but by names. that very hour, and in the self-same inn, a meaner woman was delivered of such a burden, male twins, both alike: those,--for their parents were exceeding poor,- i bought and brought up to attend my sons. my wife, not meanly proud of two such boys, made daily motions for our home return: unwilling i agreed. alas! too soon, we came aboard. a league from epidamnum had we sail'd, before the always wind-obeying deep gave any tragic instance of our harm: but longer did we not retain much hope; for what obscured light the heavens did grant did but convey unto our fearful minds a doubtful warrant of immediate death; which though myself would gladly have embraced, yet the incessant weepings of my wife, weeping before for what she saw must come, and piteous plainings of the pretty babes, that mourn'd for fashion, ignorant what to fear, forced me to seek delays for them and me. and this it was, for other means was none: the sailors sought for safety by our boat, and left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us: my wife, more careful for the latter-born, had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast, such as seafaring men provide for storms; to him one of the other twins was bound, whilst i had been like heedful of the other: the children thus disposed, my wife and i, fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd, fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast; and floating straight, obedient to the stream, was carried towards corinth, as we thought. at length the sun, gazing upon the earth, dispersed those vapours that offended us; and by the benefit of his wished light, the seas wax'd calm, and we discovered two ships from far making amain to us, of corinth that, of epidaurus this: but ere they came,--o, let me say no more! gather the sequel by that went before. duke solinus nay, forward, old man; do not break off so; for we may pity, though not pardon thee. aegeon o, had the gods done so, i had not now worthily term'd them merciless to us! for, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, we were encounterd by a mighty rock; which being violently borne upon, our helpful ship was splitted in the midst; so that, in this unjust divorce of us, fortune had left to both of us alike what to delight in, what to sorrow for. her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened with lesser weight but not with lesser woe, was carried with more speed before the wind; and in our sight they three were taken up by fishermen of corinth, as we thought. at length, another ship had seized on us; and, knowing whom it was their hap to save, gave healthful welcome to their shipwreck'd guests; and would have reft the fishers of their prey, had not their bark been very slow of sail; and therefore homeward did they bend their course. thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss; that by misfortunes was my life prolong'd, to tell sad stories of my own mishaps. duke solinus and for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, do me the favour to dilate at full what hath befall'n of them and thee till now. aegeon my youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, at eighteen years became inquisitive after his brother: and importuned me that his attendant--so his case was like, reft of his brother, but retain'd his name- might bear him company in the quest of him: whom whilst i labour'd of a love to see, i hazarded the loss of whom i loved. five summers have i spent in furthest greece, roaming clean through the bounds of asia, and, coasting homeward, came to ephesus; hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought or that or any place that harbours men. but here must end the story of my life; and happy were i in my timely death, could all my travels warrant me they live. duke solinus hapless aegeon, whom the fates have mark'd to bear the extremity of dire mishap! now, trust me, were it not against our laws, against my crown, my oath, my dignity, which princes, would they, may not disannul, my soul would sue as advocate for thee. but, though thou art adjudged to the death and passed sentence may not be recall'd but to our honour's great disparagement, yet i will favour thee in what i can. therefore, merchant, i'll limit thee this day to seek thy life by beneficial help: try all the friends thou hast in ephesus; beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum, and live; if no, then thou art doom'd to die. gaoler, take him to thy custody. gaoler i will, my lord. aegeon hopeless and helpless doth aegeon wend, but to procrastinate his lifeless end. [exeunt] the comedy of errors act i scene ii the mart. [enter antipholus of syracuse, dromio of syracuse, and first merchant] first merchant therefore give out you are of epidamnum, lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. this very day a syracusian merchant is apprehended for arrival here; and not being able to buy out his life according to the statute of the town, dies ere the weary sun set in the west. there is your money that i had to keep. antipholus of syracuse go bear it to the centaur, where we host, and stay there, dromio, till i come to thee. within this hour it will be dinner-time: till that, i'll view the manners of the town, peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings, and then return and sleep within mine inn, for with long travel i am stiff and weary. get thee away. dromio of syracuse many a man would take you at your word, and go indeed, having so good a mean. [exit] antipholus of syracuse a trusty villain, sir, that very oft, when i am dull with care and melancholy, lightens my humour with his merry jests. what, will you walk with me about the town, and then go to my inn and dine with me? first merchant i am invited, sir, to certain merchants, of whom i hope to make much benefit; i crave your pardon. soon at five o'clock, please you, i'll meet with you upon the mart and afterward consort you till bed-time: my present business calls me from you now. antipholus of syracuse farewell till then: i will go lose myself and wander up and down to view the city. first merchant sir, i commend you to your own content. [exit] antipholus of syracuse he that commends me to mine own content commends me to the thing i cannot get. i to the world am like a drop of water that in the ocean seeks another drop, who, falling there to find his fellow forth, unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself: so i, to find a mother and a brother, in quest of them, unhappy, lose myself. [enter dromio of ephesus] here comes the almanac of my true date. what now? how chance thou art return'd so soon? dromio of ephesus return'd so soon! rather approach'd too late: the capon burns, the pig falls from the spit, the clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell; my mistress made it one upon my cheek: she is so hot because the meat is cold; the meat is cold because you come not home; you come not home because you have no stomach; you have no stomach having broke your fast; but we that know what 'tis to fast and pray are penitent for your default to-day. antipholus of syracuse stop in your wind, sir: tell me this, i pray: where have you left the money that i gave you? dromio of ephesus o,--sixpence, that i had o' wednesday last to pay the saddler for my mistress' crupper? the saddler had it, sir; i kept it not. antipholus of syracuse i am not in a sportive humour now: tell me, and dally not, where is the money? we being strangers here, how darest thou trust so great a charge from thine own custody? dromio of ephesus i pray you, air, as you sit at dinner: i from my mistress come to you in post; if i return, i shall be post indeed, for she will score your fault upon my pate. methinks your maw, like mine, should be your clock, and strike you home without a messenger. antipholus of syracuse come, dromio, come, these jests are out of season; reserve them till a merrier hour than this. where is the gold i gave in charge to thee? dromio of ephesus to me, sir? why, you gave no gold to me. antipholus of syracuse come on, sir knave, have done your foolishness, and tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge. dromio of ephesus my charge was but to fetch you from the mart home to your house, the phoenix, sir, to dinner: my mistress and her sister stays for you. antipholus of syracuse in what safe place you have bestow'd my money, or i shall break that merry sconce of yours that stands on tricks when i am undisposed: where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me? dromio of ephesus i have some marks of yours upon my pate, some of my mistress' marks upon my shoulders, but not a thousand marks between you both. if i should pay your worship those again, perchance you will not bear them patiently. antipholus of syracuse thy mistress' marks? what mistress, slave, hast thou? dromio of ephesus your worship's wife, my mistress at the phoenix; she that doth fast till you come home to dinner, and prays that you will hie you home to dinner. antipholus of syracuse what, wilt thou flout me thus unto my face, being forbid? there, take you that, sir knave. dromio of ephesus what mean you, sir? for god's sake, hold your hands! nay, and you will not, sir, i'll take my heels. [exit] antipholus of syracuse upon my life, by some device or other the villain is o'er-raught of all my money. they say this town is full of cozenage, as, nimble jugglers that deceive the eye, dark-working sorcerers that change the mind, soul-killing witches that deform the body, disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks, and many such-like liberties of sin: if it prove so, i will be gone the sooner. i'll to the centaur, to go seek this slave: i greatly fear my money is not safe. [exit] the comedy of errors act ii scene i the house of antipholus of ephesus. [enter adriana and luciana] adriana neither my husband nor the slave return'd, that in such haste i sent to seek his master! sure, luciana, it is two o'clock. luciana perhaps some merchant hath invited him, and from the mart he's somewhere gone to dinner. good sister, let us dine and never fret: a man is master of his liberty: time is their master, and, when they see time, they'll go or come: if so, be patient, sister. adriana why should their liberty than ours be more? luciana because their business still lies out o' door. adriana look, when i serve him so, he takes it ill. luciana o, know he is the bridle of your will. adriana there's none but asses will be bridled so. luciana why, headstrong liberty is lash'd with woe. there's nothing situate under heaven's eye but hath his bound, in earth, in sea, in sky: the beasts, the fishes, and the winged fowls, are their males' subjects and at their controls: men, more divine, the masters of all these, lords of the wide world and wild watery seas, indued with intellectual sense and souls, of more preeminence than fish and fowls, are masters to their females, and their lords: then let your will attend on their accords. adriana this servitude makes you to keep unwed. luciana not this, but troubles of the marriage-bed. adriana but, were you wedded, you would bear some sway. luciana ere i learn love, i'll practise to obey. adriana how if your husband start some other where? luciana till he come home again, i would forbear. adriana patience unmoved! no marvel though she pause; they can be meek that have no other cause. a wretched soul, bruised with adversity, we bid be quiet when we hear it cry; but were we burdened with like weight of pain, as much or more would we ourselves complain: so thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee, with urging helpless patience wouldst relieve me, but, if thou live to see like right bereft, this fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left. luciana well, i will marry one day, but to try. here comes your man; now is your husband nigh. [enter dromio of ephesus] adriana say, is your tardy master now at hand? dromio of ephesus nay, he's at two hands with me, and that my two ears can witness. adriana say, didst thou speak with him? know'st thou his mind? dromio of ephesus ay, ay, he told his mind upon mine ear: beshrew his hand, i scarce could understand it. luciana spake he so doubtfully, thou couldst not feel his meaning? dromio of ephesus nay, he struck so plainly, i could too well feel his blows; and withal so doubtfully that i could scarce understand them. adriana but say, i prithee, is he coming home? it seems he hath great care to please his wife. dromio of ephesus why, mistress, sure my master is horn-mad. adriana horn-mad, thou villain! dromio of ephesus i mean not cuckold-mad; but, sure, he is stark mad. when i desired him to come home to dinner, he ask'd me for a thousand marks in gold: ''tis dinner-time,' quoth i; 'my gold!' quoth he; 'your meat doth burn,' quoth i; 'my gold!' quoth he: 'will you come home?' quoth i; 'my gold!' quoth he. 'where is the thousand marks i gave thee, villain?' 'the pig,' quoth i, 'is burn'd;' 'my gold!' quoth he: 'my mistress, sir' quoth i; 'hang up thy mistress! i know not thy mistress; out on thy mistress!' luciana quoth who? dromio of ephesus quoth my master: 'i know,' quoth he, 'no house, no wife, no mistress.' so that my errand, due unto my tongue, i thank him, i bare home upon my shoulders; for, in conclusion, he did beat me there. adriana go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home. dromio of ephesus go back again, and be new beaten home? for god's sake, send some other messenger. adriana back, slave, or i will break thy pate across. dromio of ephesus and he will bless that cross with other beating: between you i shall have a holy head. adriana hence, prating peasant! fetch thy master home. dromio of ephesus am i so round with you as you with me, that like a football you do spurn me thus? you spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither: if i last in this service, you must case me in leather. [exit] luciana fie, how impatience loureth in your face! adriana his company must do his minions grace, whilst i at home starve for a merry look. hath homely age the alluring beauty took from my poor cheek? then he hath wasted it: are my discourses dull? barren my wit? if voluble and sharp discourse be marr'd, unkindness blunts it more than marble hard: do their gay vestments his affections bait? that's not my fault: he's master of my state: what ruins are in me that can be found, by him not ruin'd? then is he the ground of my defeatures. my decayed fair a sunny look of his would soon repair but, too unruly deer, he breaks the pale and feeds from home; poor i am but his stale. luciana self-harming jealousy! fie, beat it hence! adriana unfeeling fools can with such wrongs dispense. i know his eye doth homage otherwhere, or else what lets it but he would be here? sister, you know he promised me a chain; would that alone, alone he would detain, so he would keep fair quarter with his bed! i see the jewel best enamelled will lose his beauty; yet the gold bides still, that others touch, and often touching will wear gold: and no man that hath a name, by falsehood and corruption doth it shame. since that my beauty cannot please his eye, i'll weep what's left away, and weeping die. luciana how many fond fools serve mad jealousy! [exeunt] the comedy of errors act ii scene ii a public place. [enter antipholus of syracuse] antipholus of syracuse the gold i gave to dromio is laid up safe at the centaur; and the heedful slave is wander'd forth, in care to seek me out by computation and mine host's report. i could not speak with dromio since at first i sent him from the mart. see, here he comes. [enter dromio of syracuse] how now sir! is your merry humour alter'd? as you love strokes, so jest with me again. you know no centaur? you received no gold? your mistress sent to have me home to dinner? my house was at the phoenix? wast thou mad, that thus so madly thou didst answer me? dromio of syracuse what answer, sir? when spake i such a word? antipholus of syracuse even now, even here, not half an hour since. dromio of syracuse i did not see you since you sent me hence, home to the centaur, with the gold you gave me. antipholus of syracuse villain, thou didst deny the gold's receipt, and told'st me of a mistress and a dinner; for which, i hope, thou felt'st i was displeased. dromio of syracuse i am glad to see you in this merry vein: what means this jest? i pray you, master, tell me. antipholus of syracuse yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth? think'st thou i jest? hold, take thou that, and that. [beating him] dromio of syracuse hold, sir, for god's sake! now your jest is earnest: upon what bargain do you give it me? antipholus of syracuse because that i familiarly sometimes do use you for my fool and chat with you, your sauciness will jest upon my love and make a common of my serious hours. when the sun shines let foolish gnats make sport, but creep in crannies when he hides his beams. if you will jest with me, know my aspect, and fashion your demeanor to my looks, or i will beat this method in your sconce. dromio of syracuse sconce call you it? so you would leave battering, i had rather have it a head: an you use these blows long, i must get a sconce for my head and ensconce it too; or else i shall seek my wit in my shoulders. but, i pray, sir why am i beaten? antipholus of syracuse dost thou not know? dromio of syracuse nothing, sir, but that i am beaten. antipholus of syracuse shall i tell you why? dromio of syracuse ay, sir, and wherefore; for they say every why hath a wherefore. antipholus of syracuse why, first,--for flouting me; and then, wherefore- for urging it the second time to me. dromio of syracuse was there ever any man thus beaten out of season, when in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason? well, sir, i thank you. antipholus of syracuse thank me, sir, for what? dromio of syracuse marry, sir, for this something that you gave me for nothing. antipholus of syracuse i'll make you amends next, to give you nothing for something. but say, sir, is it dinner-time? dromio of syracuse no, sir; i think the meat wants that i have. antipholus of syracuse in good time, sir; what's that? dromio of syracuse basting. antipholus of syracuse well, sir, then 'twill be dry. dromio of syracuse if it be, sir, i pray you, eat none of it. antipholus of syracuse your reason? dromio of syracuse lest it make you choleric and purchase me another dry basting. antipholus of syracuse well, sir, learn to jest in good time: there's a time for all things. dromio of syracuse i durst have denied that, before you were so choleric. antipholus of syracuse by what rule, sir? dromio of syracuse marry, sir, by a rule as plain as the plain bald pate of father time himself. antipholus of syracuse let's hear it. dromio of syracuse there's no time for a man to recover his hair that grows bald by nature. antipholus of syracuse may he not do it by fine and recovery? dromio of syracuse yes, to pay a fine for a periwig and recover the lost hair of another man. antipholus of syracuse why is time such a niggard of hair, being, as it is, so plentiful an excrement? dromio of syracuse because it is a blessing that he bestows on beasts; and what he hath scanted men in hair he hath given them in wit. antipholus of syracuse why, but there's many a man hath more hair than wit. dromio of syracuse not a man of those but he hath the wit to lose his hair. antipholus of syracuse why, thou didst conclude hairy men plain dealers without wit. dromio of syracuse the plainer dealer, the sooner lost: yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity. antipholus of syracuse for what reason? dromio of syracuse for two; and sound ones too. antipholus of syracuse nay, not sound, i pray you. dromio of syracuse sure ones, then. antipholus of syracuse nay, not sure, in a thing falsing. dromio of syracuse certain ones then. antipholus of syracuse name them. dromio of syracuse the one, to save the money that he spends in trimming; the other, that at dinner they should not drop in his porridge. antipholus of syracuse you would all this time have proved there is no time for all things. dromio of syracuse marry, and did, sir; namely, no time to recover hair lost by nature. antipholus of syracuse but your reason was not substantial, why there is no time to recover. dromio of syracuse thus i mend it: time himself is bald and therefore to the world's end will have bald followers. antipholus of syracuse i knew 'twould be a bald conclusion: but, soft! who wafts us yonder? [enter adriana and luciana] adriana ay, ay, antipholus, look strange and frown: some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects; i am not adriana nor thy wife. the time was once when thou unurged wouldst vow that never words were music to thine ear, that never object pleasing in thine eye, that never touch well welcome to thy hand, that never meat sweet-savor'd in thy taste, unless i spake, or look'd, or touch'd, or carved to thee. how comes it now, my husband, o, how comes it, that thou art thus estranged from thyself? thyself i call it, being strange to me, that, undividable, incorporate, am better than thy dear self's better part. ah, do not tear away thyself from me! for know, my love, as easy mayest thou fall a drop of water in the breaking gulf, and take unmingled that same drop again, without addition or diminishing, as take from me thyself and not me too. how dearly would it touch me to the quick, shouldst thou but hear i were licentious and that this body, consecrate to thee, by ruffian lust should be contaminate! wouldst thou not spit at me and spurn at me and hurl the name of husband in my face and tear the stain'd skin off my harlot-brow and from my false hand cut the wedding-ring and break it with a deep-divorcing vow? i know thou canst; and therefore see thou do it. i am possess'd with an adulterate blot; my blood is mingled with the crime of lust: for if we too be one and thou play false, i do digest the poison of thy flesh, being strumpeted by thy contagion. keep then far league and truce with thy true bed; i live unstain'd, thou undishonoured. antipholus of syracuse plead you to me, fair dame? i know you not: in ephesus i am but two hours old, as strange unto your town as to your talk; who, every word by all my wit being scann'd, want wit in all one word to understand. luciana fie, brother! how the world is changed with you! when were you wont to use my sister thus? she sent for you by dromio home to dinner. antipholus of syracuse by dromio? dromio of syracuse by me? adriana by thee; and this thou didst return from him, that he did buffet thee, and, in his blows, denied my house for his, me for his wife. antipholus of syracuse did you converse, sir, with this gentlewoman? what is the course and drift of your compact? dromio of syracuse i, sir? i never saw her till this time. antipholus of syracuse villain, thou liest; for even her very words didst thou deliver to me on the mart. dromio of syracuse i never spake with her in all my life. antipholus of syracuse how can she thus then call us by our names, unless it be by inspiration. adriana how ill agrees it with your gravity to counterfeit thus grossly with your slave, abetting him to thwart me in my mood! be it my wrong you are from me exempt, but wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. come, i will fasten on this sleeve of thine: thou art an elm, my husband, i a vine, whose weakness, married to thy stronger state, makes me with thy strength to communicate: if aught possess thee from me, it is dross, usurping ivy, brier, or idle moss; who, all for want of pruning, with intrusion infect thy sap and live on thy confusion. antipholus of syracuse to me she speaks; she moves me for her theme: what, was i married to her in my dream? or sleep i now and think i hear all this? what error drives our eyes and ears amiss? until i know this sure uncertainty, i'll entertain the offer'd fallacy. luciana dromio, go bid the servants spread for dinner. dromio of syracuse o, for my beads! i cross me for a sinner. this is the fairy land: o spite of spites! we talk with goblins, owls and sprites: if we obey them not, this will ensue, they'll suck our breath, or pinch us black and blue. luciana why pratest thou to thyself and answer'st not? dromio, thou drone, thou snail, thou slug, thou sot! dromio of syracuse i am transformed, master, am i not? antipholus of syracuse i think thou art in mind, and so am i. dromio of syracuse nay, master, both in mind and in my shape. antipholus of syracuse thou hast thine own form. dromio of syracuse no, i am an ape. luciana if thou art changed to aught, 'tis to an ass. dromio of syracuse 'tis true; she rides me and i long for grass. 'tis so, i am an ass; else it could never be but i should know her as well as she knows me. adriana come, come, no longer will i be a fool, to put the finger in the eye and weep, whilst man and master laugh my woes to scorn. come, sir, to dinner. dromio, keep the gate. husband, i'll dine above with you to-day and shrive you of a thousand idle pranks. sirrah, if any ask you for your master, say he dines forth, and let no creature enter. come, sister. dromio, play the porter well. antipholus of syracuse am i in earth, in heaven, or in hell? sleeping or waking? mad or well-advised? known unto these, and to myself disguised! i'll say as they say and persever so, and in this mist at all adventures go. dromio of syracuse master, shall i be porter at the gate? adriana ay; and let none enter, lest i break your pate. luciana come, come, antipholus, we dine too late. [exeunt] the comedy of errors act iii scene i before the house of antipholus of ephesus. [enter antipholus of ephesus, dromio of ephesus, angelo, and balthazar] antipholus of ephesus good signior angelo, you must excuse us all; my wife is shrewish when i keep not hours: say that i linger'd with you at your shop to see the making of her carcanet, and that to-morrow you will bring it home. but here's a villain that would face me down he met me on the mart, and that i beat him, and charged him with a thousand marks in gold, and that i did deny my wife and house. thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this? dromio of ephesus say what you will, sir, but i know what i know; that you beat me at the mart, i have your hand to show: if the skin were parchment, and the blows you gave were ink, your own handwriting would tell you what i think. antipholus of ephesus i think thou art an ass. dromio of ephesus marry, so it doth appear by the wrongs i suffer and the blows i bear. i should kick, being kick'd; and, being at that pass, you would keep from my heels and beware of an ass. antipholus of ephesus you're sad, signior balthazar: pray god our cheer may answer my good will and your good welcome here. balthazar i hold your dainties cheap, sir, and your welcome dear. antipholus of ephesus o, signior balthazar, either at flesh or fish, a table full of welcome make scarce one dainty dish. balthazar good meat, sir, is common; that every churl affords. antipholus of ephesus and welcome more common; for that's nothing but words. balthazar small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast. antipholus of ephesus ay, to a niggardly host, and more sparing guest: but though my cates be mean, take them in good part; better cheer may you have, but not with better heart. but, soft! my door is lock'd. go bid them let us in. dromio of ephesus maud, bridget, marian, cicel, gillian, ginn! dromio of syracuse [within] mome, malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch! either get thee from the door, or sit down at the hatch. dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou call'st for such store, when one is one too many? go, get thee from the door. dromio of ephesus what patch is made our porter? my master stays in the street. dromio of syracuse [within] let him walk from whence he came, lest he catch cold on's feet. antipholus of ephesus who talks within there? ho, open the door! dromio of syracuse [within] right, sir; i'll tell you when, an you tell me wherefore. antipholus of ephesus wherefore? for my dinner: i have not dined to-day. dromio of syracuse [within] nor to-day here you must not; come again when you may. antipholus of ephesus what art thou that keepest me out from the house i owe? dromio of syracuse [within] the porter for this time, sir, and my name is dromio. dromio of ephesus o villain! thou hast stolen both mine office and my name. the one ne'er got me credit, the other mickle blame. if thou hadst been dromio to-day in my place, thou wouldst have changed thy face for a name or thy name for an ass. luce [within] what a coil is there, dromio? who are those at the gate? dromio of ephesus let my master in, luce. luce [within] faith, no; he comes too late; and so tell your master. dromio of ephesus o lord, i must laugh! have at you with a proverb--shall i set in my staff? luce [within] have at you with another; that's--when? can you tell? dromio of syracuse [within] if thy name be call'd luce--luce, thou hast answered him well. antipholus do you hear, you minion? you'll let us in, i hope? of ephesus luce [within] i thought to have asked you. dromio of syracuse [within] and you said no. dromio of ephesus so, come, help: well struck! there was blow for blow. antipholus of ephesus thou baggage, let me in. luce [within] can you tell for whose sake? dromio of ephesus master, knock the door hard. luce [within] let him knock till it ache. antipholus of ephesus you'll cry for this, minion, if i beat the door down. luce [within] what needs all that, and a pair of stocks in the town? adriana [within] who is that at the door that keeps all this noise? dromio of syracuse [within] by my troth, your town is troubled with unruly boys. antipholus of ephesus are you there, wife? you might have come before. adriana [within] your wife, sir knave! go get you from the door. dromio of ephesus if you went in pain, master, this 'knave' would go sore. angelo here is neither cheer, sir, nor welcome: we would fain have either. balthazar in debating which was best, we shall part with neither. dromio of ephesus they stand at the door, master; bid them welcome hither. antipholus of ephesus there is something in the wind, that we cannot get in. dromio of ephesus you would say so, master, if your garments were thin. your cake there is warm within; you stand here in the cold: it would make a man mad as a buck, to be so bought and sold. antipholus of ephesus go fetch me something: i'll break ope the gate. dromio of syracuse [within] break any breaking here, and i'll break your knave's pate. dromio of ephesus a man may break a word with you, sir, and words are but wind, ay, and break it in your face, so he break it not behind. dromio of syracuse [within] it seems thou want'st breaking: out upon thee, hind! dromio of ephesus here's too much 'out upon thee!' i pray thee, let me in. dromio of syracuse [within] ay, when fowls have no feathers and fish have no fin. antipholus of ephesus well, i'll break in: go borrow me a crow. dromio of ephesus a crow without feather? master, mean you so? for a fish without a fin, there's a fowl without a feather; if a crow help us in, sirrah, we'll pluck a crow together. antipholus of ephesus go get thee gone; fetch me an iron crow. balthazar have patience, sir; o, let it not be so! herein you war against your reputation and draw within the compass of suspect the unviolated honour of your wife. once this,--your long experience of her wisdom, her sober virtue, years and modesty, plead on her part some cause to you unknown: and doubt not, sir, but she will well excuse why at this time the doors are made against you. be ruled by me: depart in patience, and let us to the tiger all to dinner, and about evening come yourself alone to know the reason of this strange restraint. if by strong hand you offer to break in now in the stirring passage of the day, a vulgar comment will be made of it, and that supposed by the common rout against your yet ungalled estimation that may with foul intrusion enter in and dwell upon your grave when you are dead; for slander lives upon succession, for ever housed where it gets possession. antipholus of ephesus you have prevailed: i will depart in quiet, and, in despite of mirth, mean to be merry. i know a wench of excellent discourse, pretty and witty; wild, and yet, too, gentle: there will we dine. this woman that i mean, my wife--but, i protest, without desert- hath oftentimes upbraided me withal: to her will we to dinner. [to angelo] get you home and fetch the chain; by this i know 'tis made: bring it, i pray you, to the porpentine; for there's the house: that chain will i bestow- be it for nothing but to spite my wife- upon mine hostess there: good sir, make haste. since mine own doors refuse to entertain me, i'll knock elsewhere, to see if they'll disdain me. angelo i'll meet you at that place some hour hence. antipholus of ephesus do so. this jest shall cost me some expense. [exeunt] the comedy of errors act iii scene ii the same. [enter luciana and antipholus of syracuse] luciana and may it be that you have quite forgot a husband's office? shall, antipholus. even in the spring of love, thy love-springs rot? shall love, in building, grow so ruinous? if you did wed my sister for her wealth, then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness: or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth; muffle your false love with some show of blindness: let not my sister read it in your eye; be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator; look sweet, be fair, become disloyalty; apparel vice like virtue's harbinger; bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted; teach sin the carriage of a holy saint; be secret-false: what need she be acquainted? what simple thief brags of his own attaint? 'tis double wrong, to truant with your bed and let her read it in thy looks at board: shame hath a bastard fame, well managed; ill deeds are doubled with an evil word. alas, poor women! make us but believe, being compact of credit, that you love us; though others have the arm, show us the sleeve; we in your motion turn and you may move us. then, gentle brother, get you in again; comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife: 'tis holy sport to be a little vain, when the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife. antipholus of syracuse sweet mistress--what your name is else, i know not, nor by what wonder you do hit of mine,- less in your knowledge and your grace you show not than our earth's wonder, more than earth divine. teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak; lay open to my earthy-gross conceit, smother'd in errors, feeble, shallow, weak, the folded meaning of your words' deceit. against my soul's pure truth why labour you to make it wander in an unknown field? are you a god? would you create me new? transform me then, and to your power i'll yield. but if that i am i, then well i know your weeping sister is no wife of mine, nor to her bed no homage do i owe far more, far more to you do i decline. o, train me not, sweet mermaid, with thy note, to drown me in thy sister's flood of tears: sing, siren, for thyself and i will dote: spread o'er the silver waves thy golden hairs, and as a bed i'll take them and there lie, and in that glorious supposition think he gains by death that hath such means to die: let love, being light, be drowned if she sink! luciana what, are you mad, that you do reason so? antipholus of syracuse not mad, but mated; how, i do not know. luciana it is a fault that springeth from your eye. antipholus of syracuse for gazing on your beams, fair sun, being by. luciana gaze where you should, and that will clear your sight. antipholus of syracuse as good to wink, sweet love, as look on night. luciana why call you me love? call my sister so. antipholus of syracuse thy sister's sister. luciana that's my sister. antipholus of syracuse no; it is thyself, mine own self's better part, mine eye's clear eye, my dear heart's dearer heart, my food, my fortune and my sweet hope's aim, my sole earth's heaven and my heaven's claim. luciana all this my sister is, or else should be. antipholus of syracuse call thyself sister, sweet, for i am thee. thee will i love and with thee lead my life: thou hast no husband yet nor i no wife. give me thy hand. luciana o, soft, air! hold you still: i'll fetch my sister, to get her good will. [exit] [enter dromio of syracuse] antipholus of syracuse why, how now, dromio! where runn'st thou so fast? dromio of syracuse do you know me, sir? am i dromio? am i your man? am i myself? antipholus of syracuse thou art dromio, thou art my man, thou art thyself. dromio of syracuse i am an ass, i am a woman's man and besides myself. antipholus what woman's man? and how besides thyself? besides thyself? dromio of syracuse marry, sir, besides myself, i am due to a woman; one that claims me, one that haunts me, one that will have me. antipholus of syracuse what claim lays she to thee? dromio of syracuse marry sir, such claim as you would lay to your horse; and she would have me as a beast: not that, i being a beast, she would have me; but that she, being a very beastly creature, lays claim to me. antipholus of syracuse what is she? dromio of syracuse a very reverent body; ay, such a one as a man may not speak of without he say 'sir-reverence.' i have but lean luck in the match, and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage. antipholus of syracuse how dost thou mean a fat marriage? dromio of syracuse marry, sir, she's the kitchen wench and all grease; and i know not what use to put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from her by her own light. i warrant, her rags and the tallow in them will burn a poland winter: if she lives till doomsday, she'll burn a week longer than the whole world. antipholus of syracuse what complexion is she of? dromio of syracuse swart, like my shoe, but her face nothing half so clean kept: for why, she sweats; a man may go over shoes in the grime of it. antipholus of syracuse that's a fault that water will mend. dromio of syracuse no, sir, 'tis in grain; noah's flood could not do it. antipholus of syracuse what's her name? dromio of syracuse nell, sir; but her name and three quarters, that's an ell and three quarters, will not measure her from hip to hip. antipholus of syracuse then she bears some breadth? dromio of syracuse no longer from head to foot than from hip to hip: she is spherical, like a globe; i could find out countries in her. antipholus of syracuse in what part of her body stands ireland? dromio of syracuse marry, in her buttocks: i found it out by the bogs. antipholus of syracuse where scotland? dromio of syracuse i found it by the barrenness; hard in the palm of the hand. antipholus of syracuse where france? dromio of syracuse in her forehead; armed and reverted, making war against her heir. antipholus of syracuse where england? dromio of syracuse i looked for the chalky cliffs, but i could find no whiteness in them; but i guess it stood in her chin, by the salt rheum that ran between france and it. antipholus of syracuse where spain? dromio of syracuse faith, i saw it not; but i felt it hot in her breath. antipholus of syracuse where america, the indies? dromio of syracuse oh, sir, upon her nose all o'er embellished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires, declining their rich aspect to the hot breath of spain; who sent whole armadoes of caracks to be ballast at her nose. antipholus of syracuse where stood belgia, the netherlands? dromio of syracuse oh, sir, i did not look so low. to conclude, this drudge, or diviner, laid claim to me, call'd me dromio; swore i was assured to her; told me what privy marks i had about me, as, the mark of my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wart on my left arm, that i amazed ran from her as a witch: and, i think, if my breast had not been made of faith and my heart of steel, she had transform'd me to a curtal dog and made me turn i' the wheel. antipholus of syracuse go hie thee presently, post to the road: an if the wind blow any way from shore, i will not harbour in this town to-night: if any bark put forth, come to the mart, where i will walk till thou return to me. if every one knows us and we know none, 'tis time, i think, to trudge, pack and be gone. dromio of syracuse as from a bear a man would run for life, so fly i from her that would be my wife. [exit] antipholus of syracuse there's none but witches do inhabit here; and therefore 'tis high time that i were hence. she that doth call me husband, even my soul doth for a wife abhor. but her fair sister, possess'd with such a gentle sovereign grace, of such enchanting presence and discourse, hath almost made me traitor to myself: but, lest myself be guilty to self-wrong, i'll stop mine ears against the mermaid's song. [enter angelo with the chain] angelo master antipholus,- antipholus of syracuse ay, that's my name. angelo i know it well, sir, lo, here is the chain. i thought to have ta'en you at the porpentine: the chain unfinish'd made me stay thus long. antipholus of syracuse what is your will that i shall do with this? angelo what please yourself, sir: i have made it for you. antipholus of syracuse made it for me, sir! i bespoke it not. angelo not once, nor twice, but twenty times you have. go home with it and please your wife withal; and soon at supper-time i'll visit you and then receive my money for the chain. antipholus of syracuse i pray you, sir, receive the money now, for fear you ne'er see chain nor money more. angelo you are a merry man, sir: fare you well. [exit] antipholus of syracuse what i should think of this, i cannot tell: but this i think, there's no man is so vain that would refuse so fair an offer'd chain. i see a man here needs not live by shifts, when in the streets he meets such golden gifts. i'll to the mart, and there for dromio stay if any ship put out, then straight away. [exit] the comedy of errors act iv scene i a public place. [enter second merchant, angelo, and an officer] second merchant you know since pentecost the sum is due, and since i have not much importuned you; nor now i had not, but that i am bound to persia, and want guilders for my voyage: therefore make present satisfaction, or i'll attach you by this officer. angelo even just the sum that i do owe to you is growing to me by antipholus, and in the instant that i met with you he had of me a chain: at five o'clock i shall receive the money for the same. pleaseth you walk with me down to his house, i will discharge my bond and thank you too. [enter antipholus of ephesus and dromio of ephesus from the courtezan's] officer that labour may you save: see where he comes. antipholus of ephesus while i go to the goldsmith's house, go thou and buy a rope's end: that will i bestow among my wife and her confederates, for locking me out of my doors by day. but, soft! i see the goldsmith. get thee gone; buy thou a rope and bring it home to me. dromio of ephesus i buy a thousand pound a year: i buy a rope. [exit] antipholus of ephesus a man is well holp up that trusts to you: i promised your presence and the chain; but neither chain nor goldsmith came to me. belike you thought our love would last too long, if it were chain'd together, and therefore came not. angelo saving your merry humour, here's the note how much your chain weighs to the utmost carat, the fineness of the gold and chargeful fashion. which doth amount to three odd ducats more than i stand debted to this gentleman: i pray you, see him presently discharged, for he is bound to sea and stays but for it. antipholus of ephesus i am not furnish'd with the present money; besides, i have some business in the town. good signior, take the stranger to my house and with you take the chain and bid my wife disburse the sum on the receipt thereof: perchance i will be there as soon as you. angelo then you will bring the chain to her yourself? antipholus of ephesus no; bear it with you, lest i come not time enough. angelo well, sir, i will. have you the chain about you? antipholus of ephesus an if i have not, sir, i hope you have; or else you may return without your money. angelo nay, come, i pray you, sir, give me the chain: both wind and tide stays for this gentleman, and i, to blame, have held him here too long. antipholus of ephesus good lord! you use this dalliance to excuse your breach of promise to the porpentine. i should have chid you for not bringing it, but, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl. second merchant the hour steals on; i pray you, sir, dispatch. angelo you hear how he importunes me;--the chain! antipholus of ephesus why, give it to my wife and fetch your money. angelo come, come, you know i gave it you even now. either send the chain or send me by some token. antipholus of ephesus fie, now you run this humour out of breath, where's the chain? i pray you, let me see it. second merchant my business cannot brook this dalliance. good sir, say whether you'll answer me or no: if not, i'll leave him to the officer. antipholus of ephesus i answer you! what should i answer you? angelo the money that you owe me for the chain. antipholus of ephesus i owe you none till i receive the chain. angelo you know i gave it you half an hour since. antipholus of ephesus you gave me none: you wrong me much to say so. angelo you wrong me more, sir, in denying it: consider how it stands upon my credit. second merchant well, officer, arrest him at my suit. officer i do; and charge you in the duke's name to obey me. angelo this touches me in reputation. either consent to pay this sum for me or i attach you by this officer. antipholus of ephesus consent to pay thee that i never had! arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou darest. angelo here is thy fee; arrest him, officer, i would not spare my brother in this case, if he should scorn me so apparently. officer i do arrest you, sir: you hear the suit. antipholus of ephesus i do obey thee till i give thee bail. but, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear as all the metal in your shop will answer. angelo sir, sir, i will have law in ephesus, to your notorious shame; i doubt it not. [enter dromio of syracuse, from the bay] dromio of syracuse master, there is a bark of epidamnum that stays but till her owner comes aboard, and then, sir, she bears away. our fraughtage, sir, i have convey'd aboard; and i have bought the oil, the balsamum and aqua-vitae. the ship is in her trim; the merry wind blows fair from land: they stay for nought at all but for their owner, master, and yourself. antipholus of ephesus how now! a madman! why, thou peevish sheep, what ship of epidamnum stays for me? dromio of syracuse a ship you sent me to, to hire waftage. antipholus of ephesus thou drunken slave, i sent thee for a rope; and told thee to what purpose and what end. dromio of syracuse you sent me for a rope's end as soon: you sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark. antipholus of ephesus i will debate this matter at more leisure and teach your ears to list me with more heed. to adriana, villain, hie thee straight: give her this key, and tell her, in the desk that's cover'd o'er with turkish tapestry, there is a purse of ducats; let her send it: tell her i am arrested in the street and that shall bail me; hie thee, slave, be gone! on, officer, to prison till it come. [exeunt second merchant, angelo, officer, and antipholus of ephesus] dromio of syracuse to adriana! that is where we dined, where dowsabel did claim me for her husband: she is too big, i hope, for me to compass. thither i must, although against my will, for servants must their masters' minds fulfil. [exit] the comedy of errors act iv scene ii the house of antipholus of ephesus. [enter adriana and luciana] adriana ah, luciana, did he tempt thee so? mightst thou perceive austerely in his eye that he did plead in earnest? yea or no? look'd he or red or pale, or sad or merrily? what observation madest thou in this case of his heart's meteors tilting in his face? luciana first he denied you had in him no right. adriana he meant he did me none; the more my spite. luciana then swore he that he was a stranger here. adriana and true he swore, though yet forsworn he were. luciana then pleaded i for you. adriana and what said he? luciana that love i begg'd for you he begg'd of me. adriana with what persuasion did he tempt thy love? luciana with words that in an honest suit might move. first he did praise my beauty, then my speech. adriana didst speak him fair? luciana have patience, i beseech. adriana i cannot, nor i will not, hold me still; my tongue, though not my heart, shall have his will. he is deformed, crooked, old and sere, ill-faced, worse bodied, shapeless everywhere; vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind; stigmatical in making, worse in mind. luciana who would be jealous then of such a one? no evil lost is wail'd when it is gone. adriana ah, but i think him better than i say, and yet would herein others' eyes were worse. far from her nest the lapwing cries away: my heart prays for him, though my tongue do curse. [enter dromio of syracuse] dromio of syracuse here! go; the desk, the purse! sweet, now, make haste. luciana how hast thou lost thy breath? dromio of syracuse by running fast. adriana where is thy master, dromio? is he well? dromio of syracuse no, he's in tartar limbo, worse than hell. a devil in an everlasting garment hath him; one whose hard heart is button'd up with steel; a fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough; a wolf, nay, worse, a fellow all in buff; a back-friend, a shoulder-clapper, one that countermands the passages of alleys, creeks and narrow lands; a hound that runs counter and yet draws dryfoot well; one that before the judgement carries poor souls to hell. adriana why, man, what is the matter? dromio of syracuse i do not know the matter: he is 'rested on the case. adriana what, is he arrested? tell me at whose suit. dromio of syracuse i know not at whose suit he is arrested well; but he's in a suit of buff which 'rested him, that can i tell. will you send him, mistress, redemption, the money in his desk? adriana go fetch it, sister. [exit luciana] this i wonder at, that he, unknown to me, should be in debt. tell me, was he arrested on a band? dromio of syracuse not on a band, but on a stronger thing; a chain, a chain! do you not hear it ring? adriana what, the chain? dromio of syracuse no, no, the bell: 'tis time that i were gone: it was two ere i left him, and now the clock strikes one. adriana the hours come back! that did i never hear. dromio of syracuse o, yes; if any hour meet a sergeant, a' turns back for very fear. adriana as if time were in debt! how fondly dost thou reason! dromio of syracuse time is a very bankrupt, and owes more than he's worth, to season. nay, he's a thief too: have you not heard men say that time comes stealing on by night and day? if time be in debt and theft, and a sergeant in the way, hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day? [re-enter luciana with a purse] adriana go, dromio; there's the money, bear it straight; and bring thy master home immediately. come, sister: i am press'd down with conceit- conceit, my comfort and my injury. [exeunt] the comedy of errors act iv scene iii a public place. [enter antipholus of syracuse] antipholus of syracuse there's not a man i meet but doth salute me as if i were their well-acquainted friend; and every one doth call me by my name. some tender money to me; some invite me; some other give me thanks for kindnesses; some offer me commodities to buy: even now a tailor call'd me in his shop and show'd me silks that he had bought for me, and therewithal took measure of my body. sure, these are but imaginary wiles and lapland sorcerers inhabit here. [enter dromio of syracuse] dromio of syracuse master, here's the gold you sent me for. what, have you got the picture of old adam new-apparelled? antipholus of syracuse what gold is this? what adam dost thou mean? dromio of syracuse not that adam that kept the paradise but that adam that keeps the prison: he that goes in the calf's skin that was killed for the prodigal; he that came behind you, sir, like an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty. antipholus of syracuse i understand thee not. dromio of syracuse no? why, 'tis a plain case: he that went, like a bass-viol, in a case of leather; the man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives them a sob and 'rests them; he, sir, that takes pity on decayed men and gives them suits of durance; he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike. antipholus of syracuse what, thou meanest an officer? dromio of syracuse ay, sir, the sergeant of the band, he that brings any man to answer it that breaks his band; one that thinks a man always going to bed, and says, 'god give you good rest!' antipholus of syracuse well, sir, there rest in your foolery. is there any dromio of syracuse why, sir, i brought you word an hour since that the bark expedition put forth to-night; and then were you hindered by the sergeant, to tarry for the hoy delay. here are the angels that you sent for to deliver you. antipholus of syracuse the fellow is distract, and so am i; and here we wander in illusions: some blessed power deliver us from hence! [enter a courtezan] courtezan well met, well met, master antipholus. i see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now: is that the chain you promised me to-day? antipholus of syracuse satan, avoid! i charge thee, tempt me not. dromio of syracuse master, is this mistress satan? antipholus of syracuse it is the devil. dromio of syracuse nay, she is worse, she is the devil's dam; and here she comes in the habit of a light wench: and thereof comes that the wenches say 'god damn me;' that's as much to say 'god make me a light wench.' it is written, they appear to men like angels of light: light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn; ergo, light wenches will burn. come not near her. courtezan your man and you are marvellous merry, sir. will you go with me? we'll mend our dinner here? dromio of syracuse master, if you do, expect spoon-meat; or bespeak a long spoon. antipholus of syracuse why, dromio? dromio of syracuse marry, he must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil. antipholus of syracuse avoid then, fiend! what tell'st thou me of supping? thou art, as you are all, a sorceress: i conjure thee to leave me and be gone. courtezan give me the ring of mine you had at dinner, or, for my diamond, the chain you promised, and i'll be gone, sir, and not trouble you. dromio of syracuse some devils ask but the parings of one's nail, a rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, a nut, a cherry-stone; but she, more covetous, would have a chain. master, be wise: an if you give it her, the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it. courtezan i pray you, sir, my ring, or else the chain: i hope you do not mean to cheat me so. antipholus of syracuse avaunt, thou witch! come, dromio, let us go. dromio of syracuse 'fly pride,' says the peacock: mistress, that you know. [exeunt antipholus of syracuse and dromio of syracuse] courtezan now, out of doubt antipholus is mad, else would he never so demean himself. a ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats, and for the same he promised me a chain: both one and other he denies me now. the reason that i gather he is mad, besides this present instance of his rage, is a mad tale he told to-day at dinner, of his own doors being shut against his entrance. belike his wife, acquainted with his fits, on purpose shut the doors against his way. my way is now to hie home to his house, and tell his wife that, being lunatic, he rush'd into my house and took perforce my ring away. this course i fittest choose; for forty ducats is too much to lose. [exit] the comedy of errors act iv scene iv a street. [enter antipholus of ephesus and the officer] antipholus of ephesus fear me not, man; i will not break away: i'll give thee, ere i leave thee, so much money, to warrant thee, as i am 'rested for. my wife is in a wayward mood to-day, and will not lightly trust the messenger that i should be attach'd in ephesus, i tell you, 'twill sound harshly in her ears. [enter dromio of ephesus with a rope's-end] here comes my man; i think he brings the money. how now, sir! have you that i sent you for? dromio of ephesus here's that, i warrant you, will pay them all. antipholus of ephesus but where's the money? dromio of ephesus why, sir, i gave the money for the rope. antipholus of ephesus five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope? dromio of ephesus i'll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate. antipholus of ephesus to what end did i bid thee hie thee home? dromio of ephesus to a rope's-end, sir; and to that end am i returned. antipholus of ephesus and to that end, sir, i will welcome you. [beating him] officer good sir, be patient. dromio of ephesus nay, 'tis for me to be patient; i am in adversity. officer good, now, hold thy tongue. dromio of ephesus nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands. antipholus of ephesus thou whoreson, senseless villain! dromio of ephesus i would i were senseless, sir, that i might not feel your blows. antipholus thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass. dromio of ephesus i am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears. i have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. when i am cold, he heats me with beating; when i am warm, he cools me with beating; i am waked with it when i sleep; raised with it when i sit; driven out of doors with it when i go from home; welcomed home with it when i return; nay, i bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat; and, i think when he hath lamed me, i shall beg with it from door to door. antipholus of ephesus come, go along; my wife is coming yonder. [enter adriana, luciana, the courtezan, and pinch] dromio of ephesus mistress, 'respice finem,' respect your end; or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, 'beware the rope's-end.' antipholus of ephesus wilt thou still talk? [beating him] courtezan how say you now? is not your husband mad? adriana his incivility confirms no less. good doctor pinch, you are a conjurer; establish him in his true sense again, and i will please you what you will demand. luciana alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks! courtezan mark how he trembles in his ecstasy! pinch give me your hand and let me feel your pulse. antipholus of ephesus there is my hand, and let it feel your ear. [striking him] pinch i charge thee, satan, housed within this man, to yield possession to my holy prayers and to thy state of darkness hie thee straight: i conjure thee by all the saints in heaven! antipholus of ephesus peace, doting wizard, peace! i am not mad. adriana o, that thou wert not, poor distressed soul! antipholus of ephesus you minion, you, are these your customers? did this companion with the saffron face revel and feast it at my house to-day, whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut and i denied to enter in my house? adriana o husband, god doth know you dined at home; where would you had remain'd until this time, free from these slanders and this open shame! antipholus of ephesus dined at home! thou villain, what sayest thou? dromio of ephesus sir, sooth to say, you did not dine at home. antipholus of ephesus were not my doors lock'd up and i shut out? dromio of ephesus perdie, your doors were lock'd and you shut out. antipholus of ephesus and did not she herself revile me there? dromio of ephesus sans fable, she herself reviled you there. antipholus of ephesus did not her kitchen-maid rail, taunt, and scorn me? dromio of ephesus certes, she did; the kitchen-vestal scorn'd you. antipholus of ephesus and did not i in rage depart from thence? dromio of ephesus in verity you did; my bones bear witness, that since have felt the vigour of his rage. adriana is't good to soothe him in these contraries? pinch it is no shame: the fellow finds his vein, and yielding to him humours well his frenzy. antipholus of ephesus thou hast suborn'd the goldsmith to arrest me. adriana alas, i sent you money to redeem you, by dromio here, who came in haste for it. dromio of ephesus money by me! heart and goodwill you might; but surely master, not a rag of money. antipholus of ephesus went'st not thou to her for a purse of ducats? adriana he came to me and i deliver'd it. luciana and i am witness with her that she did. dromio of ephesus god and the rope-maker bear me witness that i was sent for nothing but a rope! pinch mistress, both man and master is possess'd; i know it by their pale and deadly looks: they must be bound and laid in some dark room. antipholus of ephesus say, wherefore didst thou lock me forth to-day? and why dost thou deny the bag of gold? adriana i did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth. dromio of ephesus and, gentle master, i received no gold; but i confess, sir, that we were lock'd out. adriana dissembling villain, thou speak'st false in both. antipholus of ephesus dissembling harlot, thou art false in all; and art confederate with a damned pack to make a loathsome abject scorn of me: but with these nails i'll pluck out these false eyes that would behold in me this shameful sport. [enter three or four, and offer to bind him. he strives] adriana o, bind him, bind him! let him not come near me. pinch more company! the fiend is strong within him. luciana ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks! antipholus of ephesus what, will you murder me? thou gaoler, thou, i am thy prisoner: wilt thou suffer them to make a rescue? officer masters, let him go he is my prisoner, and you shall not have him. pinch go bind this man, for he is frantic too. [they offer to bind dromio of ephesus] adriana what wilt thou do, thou peevish officer? hast thou delight to see a wretched man do outrage and displeasure to himself? officer he is my prisoner: if i let him go, the debt he owes will be required of me. adriana i will discharge thee ere i go from thee: bear me forthwith unto his creditor, and, knowing how the debt grows, i will pay it. good master doctor, see him safe convey'd home to my house. o most unhappy day! antipholus of ephesus o most unhappy strumpet! dromio of ephesus master, i am here entered in bond for you. antipholus of ephesus out on thee, villain! wherefore dost thou mad me? dromio of ephesus will you be bound for nothing? be mad, good master: cry 'the devil!' luciana god help, poor souls, how idly do they talk! adriana go bear him hence. sister, go you with me. [exeunt all but adriana, luciana, officer and courtezan] say now, whose suit is he arrested at? officer one angelo, a goldsmith: do you know him? adriana i know the man. what is the sum he owes? officer two hundred ducats. adriana say, how grows it due? officer due for a chain your husband had of him. adriana he did bespeak a chain for me, but had it not. courtezan when as your husband all in rage to-day came to my house and took away my ring- the ring i saw upon his finger now- straight after did i meet him with a chain. adriana it may be so, but i did never see it. come, gaoler, bring me where the goldsmith is: i long to know the truth hereof at large. [enter antipholus of syracuse with his rapier drawn, and dromio of syracuse] luciana god, for thy mercy! they are loose again. adriana and come with naked swords. let's call more help to have them bound again. officer away! they'll kill us. [exeunt all but antipholus of syracuse and dromio of syracuse] antipholus of syracuse i see these witches are afraid of swords. dromio of syracuse she that would be your wife now ran from you. antipholus of syracuse come to the centaur; fetch our stuff from thence: i long that we were safe and sound aboard. dromio of syracuse faith, stay here this night; they will surely do us no harm: you saw they speak us fair, give us gold: methinks they are such a gentle nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me, i could find in my heart to stay here still and turn witch. antipholus of syracuse i will not stay to-night for all the town; therefore away, to get our stuff aboard. [exeunt] the comedy of errors act v scene i a street before a priory. [enter second merchant and angelo] angelo i am sorry, sir, that i have hinder'd you; but, i protest, he had the chain of me, though most dishonestly he doth deny it. second merchant how is the man esteemed here in the city? angelo of very reverend reputation, sir, of credit infinite, highly beloved, second to none that lives here in the city: his word might bear my wealth at any time. second merchant speak softly; yonder, as i think, he walks. [enter antipholus of syracuse and dromio of syracuse] angelo 'tis so; and that self chain about his neck which he forswore most monstrously to have. good sir, draw near to me, i'll speak to him. signior antipholus, i wonder much that you would put me to this shame and trouble; and, not without some scandal to yourself, with circumstance and oaths so to deny this chain which now you wear so openly: beside the charge, the shame, imprisonment, you have done wrong to this my honest friend, who, but for staying on our controversy, had hoisted sail and put to sea to-day: this chain you had of me; can you deny it? antipholus of syracuse i think i had; i never did deny it. second merchant yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it too. antipholus of syracuse who heard me to deny it or forswear it? second merchant these ears of mine, thou know'st did hear thee. fie on thee, wretch! 'tis pity that thou livest to walk where any honest man resort. antipholus of syracuse thou art a villain to impeach me thus: i'll prove mine honour and mine honesty against thee presently, if thou darest stand. second merchant i dare, and do defy thee for a villain. [they draw] [enter adriana, luciana, the courtezan, and others] adriana hold, hurt him not, for god's sake! he is mad. some get within him, take his sword away: bind dromio too, and bear them to my house. dromio of syracuse run, master, run; for god's sake, take a house! this is some priory. in, or we are spoil'd! [exeunt antipholus of syracuse and dromio of syracuse to the priory] [enter the lady abbess, aemilia] aemelia be quiet, people. wherefore throng you hither? adriana to fetch my poor distracted husband hence. let us come in, that we may bind him fast and bear him home for his recovery. angelo i knew he was not in his perfect wits. second merchant i am sorry now that i did draw on him. aemelia how long hath this possession held the man? adriana this week he hath been heavy, sour, sad, and much different from the man he was; but till this afternoon his passion ne'er brake into extremity of rage. aemelia hath he not lost much wealth by wreck of sea? buried some dear friend? hath not else his eye stray'd his affection in unlawful love? a sin prevailing much in youthful men, who give their eyes the liberty of gazing. which of these sorrows is he subject to? adriana to none of these, except it be the last; namely, some love that drew him oft from home. aemelia you should for that have reprehended him. adriana why, so i did. aemelia ay, but not rough enough. adriana as roughly as my modesty would let me. aemelia haply, in private. adriana and in assemblies too. aemelia ay, but not enough. adriana it was the copy of our conference: in bed he slept not for my urging it; at board he fed not for my urging it; alone, it was the subject of my theme; in company i often glanced it; still did i tell him it was vile and bad. aemelia and thereof came it that the man was mad. the venom clamours of a jealous woman poisons more deadly than a mad dog's tooth. it seems his sleeps were hinder'd by thy railing, and therefore comes it that his head is light. thou say'st his meat was sauced with thy upbraidings: unquiet meals make ill digestions; thereof the raging fire of fever bred; and what's a fever but a fit of madness? thou say'st his sports were hinderd by thy brawls: sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue but moody and dull melancholy, kinsman to grim and comfortless despair, and at her heels a huge infectious troop of pale distemperatures and foes to life? in food, in sport and life-preserving rest to be disturb'd, would mad or man or beast: the consequence is then thy jealous fits have scared thy husband from the use of wits. luciana she never reprehended him but mildly, when he demean'd himself rough, rude and wildly. why bear you these rebukes and answer not? adriana she did betray me to my own reproof. good people enter and lay hold on him. aemelia no, not a creature enters in my house. adriana then let your servants bring my husband forth. aemelia neither: he took this place for sanctuary, and it shall privilege him from your hands till i have brought him to his wits again, or lose my labour in assaying it. adriana i will attend my husband, be his nurse, diet his sickness, for it is my office, and will have no attorney but myself; and therefore let me have him home with me. aemelia be patient; for i will not let him stir till i have used the approved means i have, with wholesome syrups, drugs and holy prayers, to make of him a formal man again: it is a branch and parcel of mine oath, a charitable duty of my order. therefore depart and leave him here with me. adriana i will not hence and leave my husband here: and ill it doth beseem your holiness to separate the husband and the wife. aemelia be quiet and depart: thou shalt not have him. [exit] luciana complain unto the duke of this indignity. adriana come, go: i will fall prostrate at his feet and never rise until my tears and prayers have won his grace to come in person hither and take perforce my husband from the abbess. second merchant by this, i think, the dial points at five: anon, i'm sure, the duke himself in person comes this way to the melancholy vale, the place of death and sorry execution, behind the ditches of the abbey here. angelo upon what cause? second merchant to see a reverend syracusian merchant, who put unluckily into this bay against the laws and statutes of this town, beheaded publicly for his offence. angelo see where they come: we will behold his death. luciana kneel to the duke before he pass the abbey. [enter duke solinus, attended; aegeon bareheaded; with the headsman and other officers] duke solinus yet once again proclaim it publicly, if any friend will pay the sum for him, he shall not die; so much we tender him. adriana justice, most sacred duke, against the abbess! duke solinus she is a virtuous and a reverend lady: it cannot be that she hath done thee wrong. adriana may it please your grace, antipholus, my husband, whom i made lord of me and all i had, at your important letters,--this ill day a most outrageous fit of madness took him; that desperately he hurried through the street, with him his bondman, all as mad as he- doing displeasure to the citizens by rushing in their houses, bearing thence rings, jewels, any thing his rage did like. once did i get him bound and sent him home, whilst to take order for the wrongs i went, that here and there his fury had committed. anon, i wot not by what strong escape, he broke from those that had the guard of him; and with his mad attendant and himself, each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords, met us again and madly bent on us, chased us away; till, raising of more aid, we came again to bind them. then they fled into this abbey, whither we pursued them: and here the abbess shuts the gates on us and will not suffer us to fetch him out, nor send him forth that we may bear him hence. therefore, most gracious duke, with thy command let him be brought forth and borne hence for help. duke solinus long since thy husband served me in my wars, and i to thee engaged a prince's word, when thou didst make him master of thy bed, to do him all the grace and good i could. go, some of you, knock at the abbey-gate and bid the lady abbess come to me. i will determine this before i stir. [enter a servant] servant o mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself! my master and his man are both broke loose, beaten the maids a-row and bound the doctor whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire; and ever, as it blazed, they threw on him great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair: my master preaches patience to him and the while his man with scissors nicks him like a fool, and sure, unless you send some present help, between them they will kill the conjurer. adriana peace, fool! thy master and his man are here, and that is false thou dost report to us. servant mistress, upon my life, i tell you true; i have not breathed almost since i did see it. he cries for you, and vows, if he can take you, to scorch your face and to disfigure you. [cry within] hark, hark! i hear him, mistress. fly, be gone! duke solinus come, stand by me; fear nothing. guard with halberds! adriana ay me, it is my husband! witness you, that he is borne about invisible: even now we housed him in the abbey here; and now he's there, past thought of human reason. [enter antipholus of ephesus and dromio of ephesus] antipholus of ephesus justice, most gracious duke, o, grant me justice! even for the service that long since i did thee, when i bestrid thee in the wars and took deep scars to save thy life; even for the blood that then i lost for thee, now grant me justice. aegeon unless the fear of death doth make me dote, i see my son antipholus and dromio. antipholus of ephesus justice, sweet prince, against that woman there! she whom thou gavest to me to be my wife, that hath abused and dishonour'd me even in the strength and height of injury! beyond imagination is the wrong that she this day hath shameless thrown on me. duke solinus discover how, and thou shalt find me just. antipholus of ephesus this day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me, while she with harlots feasted in my house. duke solinus a grievous fault! say, woman, didst thou so? adriana no, my good lord: myself, he and my sister to-day did dine together. so befall my soul as this is false he burdens me withal! luciana ne'er may i look on day, nor sleep on night, but she tells to your highness simple truth! angelo o perjured woman! they are both forsworn: in this the madman justly chargeth them. antipholus of ephesus my liege, i am advised what i say, neither disturbed with the effect of wine, nor heady-rash, provoked with raging ire, albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad. this woman lock'd me out this day from dinner: that goldsmith there, were he not pack'd with her, could witness it, for he was with me then; who parted with me to go fetch a chain, promising to bring it to the porpentine, where balthazar and i did dine together. our dinner done, and he not coming thither, i went to seek him: in the street i met him and in his company that gentleman. there did this perjured goldsmith swear me down that i this day of him received the chain, which, god he knows, i saw not: for the which he did arrest me with an officer. i did obey, and sent my peasant home for certain ducats: he with none return'd then fairly i bespoke the officer to go in person with me to my house. by the way we met my wife, her sister, and a rabble more of vile confederates. along with them they brought one pinch, a hungry lean-faced villain, a mere anatomy, a mountebank, a threadbare juggler and a fortune-teller, a needy, hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch, a dead-looking man: this pernicious slave, forsooth, took on him as a conjurer, and, gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse, and with no face, as 'twere, outfacing me, cries out, i was possess'd. then all together they fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence and in a dark and dankish vault at home there left me and my man, both bound together; till, gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder, i gain'd my freedom, and immediately ran hither to your grace; whom i beseech to give me ample satisfaction for these deep shames and great indignities. angelo my lord, in truth, thus far i witness with him, that he dined not at home, but was lock'd out. duke solinus but had he such a chain of thee or no? angelo he had, my lord: and when he ran in here, these people saw the chain about his neck. second merchant besides, i will be sworn these ears of mine heard you confess you had the chain of him after you first forswore it on the mart: and thereupon i drew my sword on you; and then you fled into this abbey here, from whence, i think, you are come by miracle. antipholus of ephesus i never came within these abbey-walls, nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me: i never saw the chain, so help me heaven! and this is false you burden me withal. duke solinus why, what an intricate impeach is this! i think you all have drunk of circe's cup. if here you housed him, here he would have been; if he were mad, he would not plead so coldly: you say he dined at home; the goldsmith here denies that saying. sirrah, what say you? dromio of ephesus sir, he dined with her there, at the porpentine. courtezan he did, and from my finger snatch'd that ring. antipholus of ephesus 'tis true, my liege; this ring i had of her. duke solinus saw'st thou him enter at the abbey here? courtezan as sure, my liege, as i do see your grace. duke solinus why, this is strange. go call the abbess hither. i think you are all mated or stark mad. [exit one to abbess] aegeon most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word: haply i see a friend will save my life and pay the sum that may deliver me. duke solinus speak freely, syracusian, what thou wilt. aegeon is not your name, sir, call'd antipholus? and is not that your bondman, dromio? dromio of ephesus within this hour i was his bondman sir, but he, i thank him, gnaw'd in two my cords: now am i dromio and his man unbound. aegeon i am sure you both of you remember me. dromio of ephesus ourselves we do remember, sir, by you; for lately we were bound, as you are now you are not pinch's patient, are you, sir? aegeon why look you strange on me? you know me well. antipholus i never saw you in my life till now. aegeon o, grief hath changed me since you saw me last, and careful hours with time's deformed hand have written strange defeatures in my face: but tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice? antipholus of ephesus neither. aegeon dromio, nor thou? dromio of ephesus no, trust me, sir, nor i. aegeon i am sure thou dost. dromio of ephesus ay, sir, but i am sure i do not; and whatsoever a man denies, you are now bound to believe him. aegeon not know my voice! o time's extremity, hast thou so crack'd and splitted my poor tongue in seven short years, that here my only son knows not my feeble key of untuned cares? though now this grained face of mine be hid in sap-consuming winter's drizzled snow, and all the conduits of my blood froze up, yet hath my night of life some memory, my wasting lamps some fading glimmer left, my dull deaf ears a little use to hear: all these old witnesses--i cannot err- tell me thou art my son antipholus. antipholus of ephesus i never saw my father in my life. aegeon but seven years since, in syracusa, boy, thou know'st we parted: but perhaps, my son, thou shamest to acknowledge me in misery. antipholus of ephesus the duke and all that know me in the city can witness with me that it is not so i ne'er saw syracusa in my life. duke solinus i tell thee, syracusian, twenty years have i been patron to antipholus, during which time he ne'er saw syracusa: i see thy age and dangers make thee dote. [re-enter aemilia, with antipholus of syracuse and dromio of syracuse] aemelia most mighty duke, behold a man much wrong'd. [all gather to see them] adriana i see two husbands, or mine eyes deceive me. duke solinus one of these men is genius to the other; and so of these. which is the natural man, and which the spirit? who deciphers them? dromio of syracuse i, sir, am dromio; command him away. dromio of ephesus i, sir, am dromio; pray, let me stay. antipholus of syracuse aegeon art thou not? or else his ghost? dromio of syracuse o, my old master! who hath bound him here? aemelia whoever bound him, i will loose his bonds and gain a husband by his liberty. speak, old aegeon, if thou be'st the man that hadst a wife once call'd aemilia that bore thee at a burden two fair sons: o, if thou be'st the same aegeon, speak, and speak unto the same aemilia! aegeon if i dream not, thou art aemilia: if thou art she, tell me where is that son that floated with thee on the fatal raft? aemelia by men of epidamnum he and i and the twin dromio all were taken up; but by and by rude fishermen of corinth by force took dromio and my son from them and me they left with those of epidamnum. what then became of them i cannot tell i to this fortune that you see me in. duke solinus why, here begins his morning story right; these two antipholuses, these two so like, and these two dromios, one in semblance,- besides her urging of her wreck at sea,- these are the parents to these children, which accidentally are met together. antipholus, thou camest from corinth first? antipholus of syracuse no, sir, not i; i came from syracuse. duke solinus stay, stand apart; i know not which is which. antipholus of ephesus i came from corinth, my most gracious lord,- dromio of ephesus and i with him. antipholus of ephesus brought to this town by that most famous warrior, duke menaphon, your most renowned uncle. adriana which of you two did dine with me to-day? antipholus of syracuse i, gentle mistress. adriana and are not you my husband? antipholus of ephesus no; i say nay to that. antipholus of syracuse and so do i; yet did she call me so: and this fair gentlewoman, her sister here, did call me brother. [to luciana] what i told you then, i hope i shall have leisure to make good; if this be not a dream i see and hear. angelo that is the chain, sir, which you had of me. antipholus of syracuse i think it be, sir; i deny it not. antipholus of ephesus and you, sir, for this chain arrested me. angelo i think i did, sir; i deny it not. adriana i sent you money, sir, to be your bail, by dromio; but i think he brought it not. dromio of ephesus no, none by me. antipholus of syracuse this purse of ducats i received from you, and dromio, my man, did bring them me. i see we still did meet each other's man, and i was ta'en for him, and he for me, and thereupon these errors are arose. antipholus of ephesus these ducats pawn i for my father here. duke solinus it shall not need; thy father hath his life. courtezan sir, i must have that diamond from you. antipholus of ephesus there, take it; and much thanks for my good cheer. aemelia renowned duke, vouchsafe to take the pains to go with us into the abbey here and hear at large discoursed all our fortunes: and all that are assembled in this place, that by this sympathized one day's error have suffer'd wrong, go keep us company, and we shall make full satisfaction. thirty-three years have i but gone in travail of you, my sons; and till this present hour my heavy burden ne'er delivered. the duke, my husband and my children both, and you the calendars of their nativity, go to a gossips' feast and go with me; after so long grief, such festivity! duke solinus with all my heart, i'll gossip at this feast. [exeunt all but antipholus of syracuse, antipholus of ephesus, dromio of syracuse and dromio of ephesus] dromio of syracuse master, shall i fetch your stuff from shipboard? antipholus of ephesus dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embark'd? dromio of syracuse your goods that lay at host, sir, in the centaur. antipholus of syracuse he speaks to me. i am your master, dromio: come, go with us; we'll look to that anon: embrace thy brother there; rejoice with him. [exeunt antipholus of syracuse and antipholus of ephesus] dromio of syracuse there is a fat friend at your master's house, that kitchen'd me for you to-day at dinner: she now shall be my sister, not my wife. dromio of ephesus methinks you are my glass, and not my brother: i see by you i am a sweet-faced youth. will you walk in to see their gossiping? dromio of syracuse not i, sir; you are my elder. dromio of ephesus that's a question: how shall we try it? dromio of syracuse we'll draw cuts for the senior: till then lead thou first. dromio of ephesus nay, then, thus: we came into the world like brother and brother; and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another. [exeunt] a midsummer night's dream dramatis personae theseus duke of athens. egeus father to hermia. lysander | | in love with hermia. demetrius | philostrate master of the revels to theseus. quince a carpenter. snug a joiner. bottom a weaver. flute a bellows-mender. snout a tinker. starveling a tailor. hippolyta queen of the amazons, betrothed to theseus. hermia daughter to egeus, in love with lysander. helena in love with demetrius. oberon king of the fairies. titania queen of the fairies. puck or robin goodfellow. peaseblossom | | cobweb | | fairies. moth | | mustardseed | other fairies attending their king and queen. attendants on theseus and hippolyta. scene athens, and a wood near it. a midsummer night's dream act i scene i athens. the palace of theseus. [enter theseus, hippolyta, philostrate, and attendants] theseus now, fair hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace; four happy days bring in another moon: but, o, methinks, how slow this old moon wanes! she lingers my desires, like to a step-dame or a dowager long withering out a young man revenue. hippolyta four days will quickly steep themselves in night; four nights will quickly dream away the time; and then the moon, like to a silver bow new-bent in heaven, shall behold the night of our solemnities. theseus go, philostrate, stir up the athenian youth to merriments; awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth; turn melancholy forth to funerals; the pale companion is not for our pomp. [exit philostrate] hippolyta, i woo'd thee with my sword, and won thy love, doing thee injuries; but i will wed thee in another key, with pomp, with triumph and with revelling. [enter egeus, hermia, lysander, and demetrius] egeus happy be theseus, our renowned duke! theseus thanks, good egeus: what's the news with thee? egeus full of vexation come i, with complaint against my child, my daughter hermia. stand forth, demetrius. my noble lord, this man hath my consent to marry her. stand forth, lysander: and my gracious duke, this man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child; thou, thou, lysander, thou hast given her rhymes, and interchanged love-tokens with my child: thou hast by moonlight at her window sung, with feigning voice verses of feigning love, and stolen the impression of her fantasy with bracelets of thy hair, rings, gawds, conceits, knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats, messengers of strong prevailment in unharden'd youth: with cunning hast thou filch'd my daughter's heart, turn'd her obedience, which is due to me, to stubborn harshness: and, my gracious duke, be it so she; will not here before your grace consent to marry with demetrius, i beg the ancient privilege of athens, as she is mine, i may dispose of her: which shall be either to this gentleman or to her death, according to our law immediately provided in that case. theseus what say you, hermia? be advised fair maid: to you your father should be as a god; one that composed your beauties, yea, and one to whom you are but as a form in wax by him imprinted and within his power to leave the figure or disfigure it. demetrius is a worthy gentleman. hermia so is lysander. theseus in himself he is; but in this kind, wanting your father's voice, the other must be held the worthier. hermia i would my father look'd but with my eyes. theseus rather your eyes must with his judgment look. hermia i do entreat your grace to pardon me. i know not by what power i am made bold, nor how it may concern my modesty, in such a presence here to plead my thoughts; but i beseech your grace that i may know the worst that may befall me in this case, if i refuse to wed demetrius. theseus either to die the death or to abjure for ever the society of men. therefore, fair hermia, question your desires; know of your youth, examine well your blood, whether, if you yield not to your father's choice, you can endure the livery of a nun, for aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, to live a barren sister all your life, chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. thrice-blessed they that master so their blood, to undergo such maiden pilgrimage; but earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, than that which withering on the virgin thorn grows, lives and dies in single blessedness. hermia so will i grow, so live, so die, my lord, ere i will my virgin patent up unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke my soul consents not to give sovereignty. theseus take time to pause; and, by the nest new moon- the sealing-day betwixt my love and me, for everlasting bond of fellowship- upon that day either prepare to die for disobedience to your father's will, or else to wed demetrius, as he would; or on diana's altar to protest for aye austerity and single life. demetrius relent, sweet hermia: and, lysander, yield thy crazed title to my certain right. lysander you have her father's love, demetrius; let me have hermia's: do you marry him. egeus scornful lysander! true, he hath my love, and what is mine my love shall render him. and she is mine, and all my right of her i do estate unto demetrius. lysander i am, my lord, as well derived as he, as well possess'd; my love is more than his; my fortunes every way as fairly rank'd, if not with vantage, as demetrius'; and, which is more than all these boasts can be, i am beloved of beauteous hermia: why should not i then prosecute my right? demetrius, i'll avouch it to his head, made love to nedar's daughter, helena, and won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes, devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry, upon this spotted and inconstant man. theseus i must confess that i have heard so much, and with demetrius thought to have spoke thereof; but, being over-full of self-affairs, my mind did lose it. but, demetrius, come; and come, egeus; you shall go with me, i have some private schooling for you both. for you, fair hermia, look you arm yourself to fit your fancies to your father's will; or else the law of athens yields you up- which by no means we may extenuate- to death, or to a vow of single life. come, my hippolyta: what cheer, my love? demetrius and egeus, go along: i must employ you in some business against our nuptial and confer with you of something nearly that concerns yourselves. egeus with duty and desire we follow you. [exeunt all but lysander and hermia] lysander how now, my love! why is your cheek so pale? how chance the roses there do fade so fast? hermia belike for want of rain, which i could well beteem them from the tempest of my eyes. lysander ay me! for aught that i could ever read, could ever hear by tale or history, the course of true love never did run smooth; but, either it was different in blood,- hermia o cross! too high to be enthrall'd to low. lysander or else misgraffed in respect of years,- hermia o spite! too old to be engaged to young. lysander or else it stood upon the choice of friends,- hermia o hell! to choose love by another's eyes. lysander or, if there were a sympathy in choice, war, death, or sickness did lay siege to it, making it momentany as a sound, swift as a shadow, short as any dream; brief as the lightning in the collied night, that, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth, and ere a man hath power to say 'behold!' the jaws of darkness do devour it up: so quick bright things come to confusion. hermia if then true lovers have been ever cross'd, it stands as an edict in destiny: then let us teach our trial patience, because it is a customary cross, as due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs, wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers. lysander a good persuasion: therefore, hear me, hermia. i have a widow aunt, a dowager of great revenue, and she hath no child: from athens is her house remote seven leagues; and she respects me as her only son. there, gentle hermia, may i marry thee; and to that place the sharp athenian law cannot pursue us. if thou lovest me then, steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night; and in the wood, a league without the town, where i did meet thee once with helena, to do observance to a morn of may, there will i stay for thee. hermia my good lysander! i swear to thee, by cupid's strongest bow, by his best arrow with the golden head, by the simplicity of venus' doves, by that which knitteth souls and prospers loves, and by that fire which burn'd the carthage queen, when the false troyan under sail was seen, by all the vows that ever men have broke, in number more than ever women spoke, in that same place thou hast appointed me, to-morrow truly will i meet with thee. lysander keep promise, love. look, here comes helena. [enter helena] hermia god speed fair helena! whither away? helena call you me fair? that fair again unsay. demetrius loves your fair: o happy fair! your eyes are lode-stars; and your tongue's sweet air more tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear, when wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear. sickness is catching: o, were favour so, yours would i catch, fair hermia, ere i go; my ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye, my tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody. were the world mine, demetrius being bated, the rest i'd give to be to you translated. o, teach me how you look, and with what art you sway the motion of demetrius' heart. hermia i frown upon him, yet he loves me still. helena o that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! hermia i give him curses, yet he gives me love. helena o that my prayers could such affection move! hermia the more i hate, the more he follows me. helena the more i love, the more he hateth me. hermia his folly, helena, is no fault of mine. helena none, but your beauty: would that fault were mine! hermia take comfort: he no more shall see my face; lysander and myself will fly this place. before the time i did lysander see, seem'd athens as a paradise to me: o, then, what graces in my love do dwell, that he hath turn'd a heaven unto a hell! lysander helen, to you our minds we will unfold: to-morrow night, when phoebe doth behold her silver visage in the watery glass, decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass, a time that lovers' flights doth still conceal, through athens' gates have we devised to steal. hermia and in the wood, where often you and i upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie, emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet, there my lysander and myself shall meet; and thence from athens turn away our eyes, to seek new friends and stranger companies. farewell, sweet playfellow: pray thou for us; and good luck grant thee thy demetrius! keep word, lysander: we must starve our sight from lovers' food till morrow deep midnight. lysander i will, my hermia. [exit hermia] helena, adieu: as you on him, demetrius dote on you! [exit] helena how happy some o'er other some can be! through athens i am thought as fair as she. but what of that? demetrius thinks not so; he will not know what all but he do know: and as he errs, doting on hermia's eyes, so i, admiring of his qualities: things base and vile, folding no quantity, love can transpose to form and dignity: love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is wing'd cupid painted blind: nor hath love's mind of any judgement taste; wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste: and therefore is love said to be a child, because in choice he is so oft beguiled. as waggish boys in game themselves forswear, so the boy love is perjured every where: for ere demetrius look'd on hermia's eyne, he hail'd down oaths that he was only mine; and when this hail some heat from hermia felt, so he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. i will go tell him of fair hermia's flight: then to the wood will he to-morrow night pursue her; and for this intelligence if i have thanks, it is a dear expense: but herein mean i to enrich my pain, to have his sight thither and back again. [exit] a midsummer night's dream act i scene ii athens. quince's house. [enter quince, snug, bottom, flute, snout, and starveling] quince is all our company here? bottom you were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip. quince here is the scroll of every man's name, which is thought fit, through all athens, to play in our interlude before the duke and the duchess, on his wedding-day at night. bottom first, good peter quince, say what the play treats on, then read the names of the actors, and so grow to a point. quince marry, our play is, the most lamentable comedy, and most cruel death of pyramus and thisby. bottom a very good piece of work, i assure you, and a merry. now, good peter quince, call forth your actors by the scroll. masters, spread yourselves. quince answer as i call you. nick bottom, the weaver. bottom ready. name what part i am for, and proceed. quince you, nick bottom, are set down for pyramus. bottom what is pyramus? a lover, or a tyrant? quince a lover, that kills himself most gallant for love. bottom that will ask some tears in the true performing of it: if i do it, let the audience look to their eyes; i will move storms, i will condole in some measure. to the rest: yet my chief humour is for a tyrant: i could play ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split. the raging rocks and shivering shocks shall break the locks of prison gates; and phibbus' car shall shine from far and make and mar the foolish fates. this was lofty! now name the rest of the players. this is ercles' vein, a tyrant's vein; a lover is more condoling. quince francis flute, the bellows-mender. flute here, peter quince. quince flute, you must take thisby on you. flute what is thisby? a wandering knight? quince it is the lady that pyramus must love. flute nay, faith, let me not play a woman; i have a beard coming. quince that's all one: you shall play it in a mask, and you may speak as small as you will. bottom an i may hide my face, let me play thisby too, i'll speak in a monstrous little voice. 'thisne, thisne;' 'ah, pyramus, lover dear! thy thisby dear, and lady dear!' quince no, no; you must play pyramus: and, flute, you thisby. bottom well, proceed. quince robin starveling, the tailor. starveling here, peter quince. quince robin starveling, you must play thisby's mother. tom snout, the tinker. snout here, peter quince. quince you, pyramus' father: myself, thisby's father: snug, the joiner; you, the lion's part: and, i hope, here is a play fitted. snug have you the lion's part written? pray you, if it be, give it me, for i am slow of study. quince you may do it extempore, for it is nothing but roaring. bottom let me play the lion too: i will roar, that i will do any man's heart good to hear me; i will roar, that i will make the duke say 'let him roar again, let him roar again.' quince an you should do it too terribly, you would fright the duchess and the ladies, that they would shriek; and that were enough to hang us all. all that would hang us, every mother's son. bottom i grant you, friends, if that you should fright the ladies out of their wits, they would have no more discretion but to hang us: but i will aggravate my voice so that i will roar you as gently as any sucking dove; i will roar you an 'twere any nightingale. quince you can play no part but pyramus; for pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man, as one shall see in a summer's day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play pyramus. bottom well, i will undertake it. what beard were i best to play it in? quince why, what you will. bottom i will discharge it in either your straw-colour beard, your orange-tawny beard, your purple-in-grain beard, or your french-crown-colour beard, your perfect yellow. quince some of your french crowns have no hair at all, and then you will play bare-faced. but, masters, here are your parts: and i am to entreat you, request you and desire you, to con them by to-morrow night; and meet me in the palace wood, a mile without the town, by moonlight; there will we rehearse, for if we meet in the city, we shall be dogged with company, and our devices known. in the meantime i will draw a bill of properties, such as our play wants. i pray you, fail me not. bottom we will meet; and there we may rehearse most obscenely and courageously. take pains; be perfect: adieu. quince at the duke's oak we meet. bottom enough; hold or cut bow-strings. [exeunt] a midsummer night's dream act ii scene i a wood near athens. [enter, from opposite sides, a fairy, and puck] puck how now, spirit! whither wander you? fairy over hill, over dale, thorough bush, thorough brier, over park, over pale, thorough flood, thorough fire, i do wander everywhere, swifter than the moon's sphere; and i serve the fairy queen, to dew her orbs upon the green. the cowslips tall her pensioners be: in their gold coats spots you see; those be rubies, fairy favours, in those freckles live their savours: i must go seek some dewdrops here and hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. farewell, thou lob of spirits; i'll be gone: our queen and all our elves come here anon. puck the king doth keep his revels here to-night: take heed the queen come not within his sight; for oberon is passing fell and wrath, because that she as her attendant hath a lovely boy, stolen from an indian king; she never had so sweet a changeling; and jealous oberon would have the child knight of his train, to trace the forests wild; but she perforce withholds the loved boy, crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy: and now they never meet in grove or green, by fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen, but, they do square, that all their elves for fear creep into acorn-cups and hide them there. fairy either i mistake your shape and making quite, or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite call'd robin goodfellow: are not you he that frights the maidens of the villagery; skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern and bootless make the breathless housewife churn; and sometime make the drink to bear no barm; mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm? those that hobgoblin call you and sweet puck, you do their work, and they shall have good luck: are not you he? puck thou speak'st aright; i am that merry wanderer of the night. i jest to oberon and make him smile when i a fat and bean-fed horse beguile, neighing in likeness of a filly foal: and sometime lurk i in a gossip's bowl, in very likeness of a roasted crab, and when she drinks, against her lips i bob and on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale. the wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale, sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me; then slip i from her bum, down topples she, and 'tailor' cries, and falls into a cough; and then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh, and waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear a merrier hour was never wasted there. but, room, fairy! here comes oberon. fairy and here my mistress. would that he were gone! [enter, from one side, oberon, with his train; from the other, titania, with hers] oberon ill met by moonlight, proud titania. titania what, jealous oberon! fairies, skip hence: i have forsworn his bed and company. oberon tarry, rash wanton: am not i thy lord? titania then i must be thy lady: but i know when thou hast stolen away from fairy land, and in the shape of corin sat all day, playing on pipes of corn and versing love to amorous phillida. why art thou here, come from the farthest steppe of india? but that, forsooth, the bouncing amazon, your buskin'd mistress and your warrior love, to theseus must be wedded, and you come to give their bed joy and prosperity. oberon how canst thou thus for shame, titania, glance at my credit with hippolyta, knowing i know thy love to theseus? didst thou not lead him through the glimmering night from perigenia, whom he ravished? and make him with fair aegle break his faith, with ariadne and antiopa? titania these are the forgeries of jealousy: and never, since the middle summer's spring, met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead, by paved fountain or by rushy brook, or in the beached margent of the sea, to dance our ringlets to the whistling wind, but with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport. therefore the winds, piping to us in vain, as in revenge, have suck'd up from the sea contagious fogs; which falling in the land have every pelting river made so proud that they have overborne their continents: the ox hath therefore stretch'd his yoke in vain, the ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn hath rotted ere his youth attain'd a beard; the fold stands empty in the drowned field, and crows are fatted with the murrion flock; the nine men's morris is fill'd up with mud, and the quaint mazes in the wanton green for lack of tread are undistinguishable: the human mortals want their winter here; no night is now with hymn or carol blest: therefore the moon, the governess of floods, pale in her anger, washes all the air, that rheumatic diseases do abound: and thorough this distemperature we see the seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts far in the fresh lap of the crimson rose, and on old hiems' thin and icy crown an odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds is, as in mockery, set: the spring, the summer, the childing autumn, angry winter, change their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, by their increase, now knows not which is which: and this same progeny of evils comes from our debate, from our dissension; we are their parents and original. oberon do you amend it then; it lies in you: why should titania cross her oberon? i do but beg a little changeling boy, to be my henchman. titania set your heart at rest: the fairy land buys not the child of me. his mother was a votaress of my order: and, in the spiced indian air, by night, full often hath she gossip'd by my side, and sat with me on neptune's yellow sands, marking the embarked traders on the flood, when we have laugh'd to see the sails conceive and grow big-bellied with the wanton wind; which she, with pretty and with swimming gait following,--her womb then rich with my young squire,- would imitate, and sail upon the land, to fetch me trifles, and return again, as from a voyage, rich with merchandise. but she, being mortal, of that boy did die; and for her sake do i rear up her boy, and for her sake i will not part with him. oberon how long within this wood intend you stay? titania perchance till after theseus' wedding-day. if you will patiently dance in our round and see our moonlight revels, go with us; if not, shun me, and i will spare your haunts. oberon give me that boy, and i will go with thee. titania not for thy fairy kingdom. fairies, away! we shall chide downright, if i longer stay. [exit titania with her train] oberon well, go thy way: thou shalt not from this grove till i torment thee for this injury. my gentle puck, come hither. thou rememberest since once i sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid on a dolphin's back uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath that the rude sea grew civil at her song and certain stars shot madly from their spheres, to hear the sea-maid's music. puck i remember. oberon that very time i saw, but thou couldst not, flying between the cold moon and the earth, cupid all arm'd: a certain aim he took at a fair vestal throned by the west, and loosed his love-shaft smartly from his bow, as it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts; but i might see young cupid's fiery shaft quench'd in the chaste beams of the watery moon, and the imperial votaress passed on, in maiden meditation, fancy-free. yet mark'd i where the bolt of cupid fell: it fell upon a little western flower, before milk-white, now purple with love's wound, and maidens call it love-in-idleness. fetch me that flower; the herb i shew'd thee once: the juice of it on sleeping eye-lids laid will make or man or woman madly dote upon the next live creature that it sees. fetch me this herb; and be thou here again ere the leviathan can swim a league. puck i'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes. [exit] oberon having once this juice, i'll watch titania when she is asleep, and drop the liquor of it in her eyes. the next thing then she waking looks upon, be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull, on meddling monkey, or on busy ape, she shall pursue it with the soul of love: and ere i take this charm from off her sight, as i can take it with another herb, i'll make her render up her page to me. but who comes here? i am invisible; and i will overhear their conference. [enter demetrius, helena, following him] demetrius i love thee not, therefore pursue me not. where is lysander and fair hermia? the one i'll slay, the other slayeth me. thou told'st me they were stolen unto this wood; and here am i, and wode within this wood, because i cannot meet my hermia. hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more. helena you draw me, you hard-hearted adamant; but yet you draw not iron, for my heart is true as steel: leave you your power to draw, and i shall have no power to follow you. demetrius do i entice you? do i speak you fair? or, rather, do i not in plainest truth tell you, i do not, nor i cannot love you? helena and even for that do i love you the more. i am your spaniel; and, demetrius, the more you beat me, i will fawn on you: use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me, neglect me, lose me; only give me leave, unworthy as i am, to follow you. what worser place can i beg in your love,- and yet a place of high respect with me,- than to be used as you use your dog? demetrius tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit; for i am sick when i do look on thee. helena and i am sick when i look not on you. demetrius you do impeach your modesty too much, to leave the city and commit yourself into the hands of one that loves you not; to trust the opportunity of night and the ill counsel of a desert place with the rich worth of your virginity. helena your virtue is my privilege: for that it is not night when i do see your face, therefore i think i am not in the night; nor doth this wood lack worlds of company, for you in my respect are all the world: then how can it be said i am alone, when all the world is here to look on me? demetrius i'll run from thee and hide me in the brakes, and leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts. helena the wildest hath not such a heart as you. run when you will, the story shall be changed: apollo flies, and daphne holds the chase; the dove pursues the griffin; the mild hind makes speed to catch the tiger; bootless speed, when cowardice pursues and valour flies. demetrius i will not stay thy questions; let me go: or, if thou follow me, do not believe but i shall do thee mischief in the wood. helena ay, in the temple, in the town, the field, you do me mischief. fie, demetrius! your wrongs do set a scandal on my sex: we cannot fight for love, as men may do; we should be wood and were not made to woo. [exit demetrius] i'll follow thee and make a heaven of hell, to die upon the hand i love so well. [exit] oberon fare thee well, nymph: ere he do leave this grove, thou shalt fly him and he shall seek thy love. [re-enter puck] hast thou the flower there? welcome, wanderer. puck ay, there it is. oberon i pray thee, give it me. i know a bank where the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, with sweet musk-roses and with eglantine: there sleeps titania sometime of the night, lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight; and there the snake throws her enamell'd skin, weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in: and with the juice of this i'll streak her eyes, and make her full of hateful fantasies. take thou some of it, and seek through this grove: a sweet athenian lady is in love with a disdainful youth: anoint his eyes; but do it when the next thing he espies may be the lady: thou shalt know the man by the athenian garments he hath on. effect it with some care, that he may prove more fond on her than she upon her love: and look thou meet me ere the first cock crow. puck fear not, my lord, your servant shall do so. [exeunt] a midsummer night's dream act ii scene ii another part of the wood. [enter titania, with her train] titania come, now a roundel and a fairy song; then, for the third part of a minute, hence; some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds, some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings, to make my small elves coats, and some keep back the clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders at our quaint spirits. sing me now asleep; then to your offices and let me rest. [the fairies sing] you spotted snakes with double tongue, thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; newts and blind-worms, do no wrong, come not near our fairy queen. philomel, with melody sing in our sweet lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby: never harm, nor spell nor charm, come our lovely lady nigh; so, good night, with lullaby. weaving spiders, come not here; hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence! beetles black, approach not near; worm nor snail, do no offence. philomel, with melody, &c. fairy hence, away! now all is well: one aloof stand sentinel. [exeunt fairies. titania sleeps] [enter oberon and squeezes the flower on titania's eyelids] oberon what thou seest when thou dost wake, do it for thy true-love take, love and languish for his sake: be it ounce, or cat, or bear, pard, or boar with bristled hair, in thy eye that shall appear when thou wakest, it is thy dear: wake when some vile thing is near. [exit] [enter lysander and hermia] lysander fair love, you faint with wandering in the wood; and to speak troth, i have forgot our way: we'll rest us, hermia, if you think it good, and tarry for the comfort of the day. hermia be it so, lysander: find you out a bed; for i upon this bank will rest my head. lysander one turf shall serve as pillow for us both; one heart, one bed, two bosoms and one troth. hermia nay, good lysander; for my sake, my dear, lie further off yet, do not lie so near. lysander o, take the sense, sweet, of my innocence! love takes the meaning in love's conference. i mean, that my heart unto yours is knit so that but one heart we can make of it; two bosoms interchained with an oath; so then two bosoms and a single troth. then by your side no bed-room me deny; for lying so, hermia, i do not lie. hermia lysander riddles very prettily: now much beshrew my manners and my pride, if hermia meant to say lysander lied. but, gentle friend, for love and courtesy lie further off; in human modesty, such separation as may well be said becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid, so far be distant; and, good night, sweet friend: thy love ne'er alter till thy sweet life end! lysander amen, amen, to that fair prayer, say i; and then end life when i end loyalty! here is my bed: sleep give thee all his rest! hermia with half that wish the wisher's eyes be press'd! [they sleep] [enter puck] puck through the forest have i gone. but athenian found i none, on whose eyes i might approve this flower's force in stirring love. night and silence.--who is here? weeds of athens he doth wear: this is he, my master said, despised the athenian maid; and here the maiden, sleeping sound, on the dank and dirty ground. pretty soul! she durst not lie near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy. churl, upon thy eyes i throw all the power this charm doth owe. when thou wakest, let love forbid sleep his seat on thy eyelid: so awake when i am gone; for i must now to oberon. [exit] [enter demetrius and helena, running] helena stay, though thou kill me, sweet demetrius. demetrius i charge thee, hence, and do not haunt me thus. helena o, wilt thou darkling leave me? do not so. demetrius stay, on thy peril: i alone will go. [exit] helena o, i am out of breath in this fond chase! the more my prayer, the lesser is my grace. happy is hermia, wheresoe'er she lies; for she hath blessed and attractive eyes. how came her eyes so bright? not with salt tears: if so, my eyes are oftener wash'd than hers. no, no, i am as ugly as a bear; for beasts that meet me run away for fear: therefore no marvel though demetrius do, as a monster fly my presence thus. what wicked and dissembling glass of mine made me compare with hermia's sphery eyne? but who is here? lysander! on the ground! dead? or asleep? i see no blood, no wound. lysander if you live, good sir, awake. lysander [awaking] and run through fire i will for thy sweet sake. transparent helena! nature shows art, that through thy bosom makes me see thy heart. where is demetrius? o, how fit a word is that vile name to perish on my sword! helena do not say so, lysander; say not so what though he love your hermia? lord, what though? yet hermia still loves you: then be content. lysander content with hermia! no; i do repent the tedious minutes i with her have spent. not hermia but helena i love: who will not change a raven for a dove? the will of man is by his reason sway'd; and reason says you are the worthier maid. things growing are not ripe until their season so i, being young, till now ripe not to reason; and touching now the point of human skill, reason becomes the marshal to my will and leads me to your eyes, where i o'erlook love's stories written in love's richest book. helena wherefore was i to this keen mockery born? when at your hands did i deserve this scorn? is't not enough, is't not enough, young man, that i did never, no, nor never can, deserve a sweet look from demetrius' eye, but you must flout my insufficiency? good troth, you do me wrong, good sooth, you do, in such disdainful manner me to woo. but fare you well: perforce i must confess i thought you lord of more true gentleness. o, that a lady, of one man refused. should of another therefore be abused! [exit] lysander she sees not hermia. hermia, sleep thou there: and never mayst thou come lysander near! for as a surfeit of the sweetest things the deepest loathing to the stomach brings, or as tie heresies that men do leave are hated most of those they did deceive, so thou, my surfeit and my heresy, of all be hated, but the most of me! and, all my powers, address your love and might to honour helen and to be her knight! [exit] hermia [awaking] help me, lysander, help me! do thy best to pluck this crawling serpent from my breast! ay me, for pity! what a dream was here! lysander, look how i do quake with fear: methought a serpent eat my heart away, and you sat smiling at his cruel pray. lysander! what, removed? lysander! lord! what, out of hearing? gone? no sound, no word? alack, where are you speak, an if you hear; speak, of all loves! i swoon almost with fear. no? then i well perceive you all not nigh either death or you i'll find immediately. [exit] a midsummer night's dream act iii scene i the wood. titania lying asleep. [enter quince, snug, bottom, flute, snout, and starveling] bottom are we all met? quince pat, pat; and here's a marvellous convenient place for our rehearsal. this green plot shall be our stage, this hawthorn-brake our tiring-house; and we will do it in action as we will do it before the duke. bottom peter quince,- quince what sayest thou, bully bottom? bottom there are things in this comedy of pyramus and thisby that will never please. first, pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself; which the ladies cannot abide. how answer you that? snout by'r lakin, a parlous fear. starveling i believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done. bottom not a whit: i have a device to make all well. write me a prologue; and let the prologue seem to say, we will do no harm with our swords, and that pyramus is not killed indeed; and, for the more better assurance, tell them that i, pyramus, am not pyramus, but bottom the weaver: this will put them out of fear. quince well, we will have such a prologue; and it shall be written in eight and six. bottom no, make it two more; let it be written in eight and eight. snout will not the ladies be afeard of the lion? starveling i fear it, i promise you. bottom masters, you ought to consider with yourselves: to bring in--god shield us!--a lion among ladies, is a most dreadful thing; for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living; and we ought to look to 't. snout therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion. bottom nay, you must name his name, and half his face must be seen through the lion's neck: and he himself must speak through, saying thus, or to the same defect,--'ladies,'--or 'fair-ladies--i would wish you,'--or 'i would request you,'--or 'i would entreat you,--not to fear, not to tremble: my life for yours. if you think i come hither as a lion, it were pity of my life: no i am no such thing; i am a man as other men are;' and there indeed let him name his name, and tell them plainly he is snug the joiner. quince well it shall be so. but there is two hard things; that is, to bring the moonlight into a chamber; for, you know, pyramus and thisby meet by moonlight. snout doth the moon shine that night we play our play? bottom a calendar, a calendar! look in the almanac; find out moonshine, find out moonshine. quince yes, it doth shine that night. bottom why, then may you leave a casement of the great chamber window, where we play, open, and the moon may shine in at the casement. quince ay; or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lanthorn, and say he comes to disfigure, or to present, the person of moonshine. then, there is another thing: we must have a wall in the great chamber; for pyramus and thisby says the story, did talk through the chink of a wall. snout you can never bring in a wall. what say you, bottom? bottom some man or other must present wall: and let him have some plaster, or some loam, or some rough-cast about him, to signify wall; and let him hold his fingers thus, and through that cranny shall pyramus and thisby whisper. quince if that may be, then all is well. come, sit down, every mother's son, and rehearse your parts. pyramus, you begin: when you have spoken your speech, enter into that brake: and so every one according to his cue. [enter puck behind] puck what hempen home-spuns have we swaggering here, so near the cradle of the fairy queen? what, a play toward! i'll be an auditor; an actor too, perhaps, if i see cause. quince speak, pyramus. thisby, stand forth. bottom thisby, the flowers of odious savours sweet,- quince odours, odours. bottom --odours savours sweet: so hath thy breath, my dearest thisby dear. but hark, a voice! stay thou but here awhile, and by and by i will to thee appear. [exit] puck a stranger pyramus than e'er played here. [exit] flute must i speak now? quince ay, marry, must you; for you must understand he goes but to see a noise that he heard, and is to come again. flute most radiant pyramus, most lily-white of hue, of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier, most brisky juvenal and eke most lovely jew, as true as truest horse that yet would never tire, i'll meet thee, pyramus, at ninny's tomb. quince 'ninus' tomb,' man: why, you must not speak that yet; that you answer to pyramus: you speak all your part at once, cues and all pyramus enter: your cue is past; it is, 'never tire.' flute o,--as true as truest horse, that yet would never tire. [re-enter puck, and bottom with an ass's head] bottom if i were fair, thisby, i were only thine. quince o monstrous! o strange! we are haunted. pray, masters! fly, masters! help! [exeunt quince, snug, flute, snout, and starveling] puck i'll follow you, i'll lead you about a round, through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier: sometime a horse i'll be, sometime a hound, a hog, a headless bear, sometime a fire; and neigh, and bark, and grunt, and roar, and burn, like horse, hound, hog, bear, fire, at every turn. [exit] bottom why do they run away? this is a knavery of them to make me afeard. [re-enter snout] snout o bottom, thou art changed! what do i see on thee? bottom what do you see? you see an asshead of your own, do you? [exit snout] [re-enter quince] quince bless thee, bottom! bless thee! thou art translated. [exit] bottom i see their knavery: this is to make an ass of me; to fright me, if they could. but i will not stir from this place, do what they can: i will walk up and down here, and i will sing, that they shall hear i am not afraid. [sings] the ousel cock so black of hue, with orange-tawny bill, the throstle with his note so true, the wren with little quill,- titania [awaking] what angel wakes me from my flowery bed? bottom [sings] the finch, the sparrow and the lark, the plain-song cuckoo gray, whose note full many a man doth mark, and dares not answer nay;- for, indeed, who would set his wit to so foolish a bird? who would give a bird the lie, though he cry 'cuckoo' never so? titania i pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again: mine ear is much enamour'd of thy note; so is mine eye enthralled to thy shape; and thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me on the first view to say, to swear, i love thee. bottom methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that: and yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together now-a-days; the more the pity that some honest neighbours will not make them friends. nay, i can gleek upon occasion. titania thou art as wise as thou art beautiful. bottom not so, neither: but if i had wit enough to get out of this wood, i have enough to serve mine own turn. titania out of this wood do not desire to go: thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no. i am a spirit of no common rate; the summer still doth tend upon my state; and i do love thee: therefore, go with me; i'll give thee fairies to attend on thee, and they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, and sing while thou on pressed flowers dost sleep; and i will purge thy mortal grossness so that thou shalt like an airy spirit go. peaseblossom! cobweb! moth! and mustardseed! [enter peaseblossom, cobweb, moth, and mustardseed] peaseblossom ready. cobweb and i. moth and i. mustardseed and i. all where shall we go? titania be kind and courteous to this gentleman; hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes; feed him with apricocks and dewberries, with purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries; the honey-bags steal from the humble-bees, and for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs and light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes, to have my love to bed and to arise; and pluck the wings from painted butterflies to fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes: nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies. peaseblossom hail, mortal! cobweb hail! moth hail! mustardseed hail! bottom i cry your worship's mercy, heartily: i beseech your worship's name. cobweb cobweb. bottom i shall desire you of more acquaintance, good master cobweb: if i cut my finger, i shall make bold with you. your name, honest gentleman? peaseblossom peaseblossom. bottom i pray you, commend me to mistress squash, your mother, and to master peascod, your father. good master peaseblossom, i shall desire you of more acquaintance too. your name, i beseech you, sir? mustardseed mustardseed. bottom good master mustardseed, i know your patience well: that same cowardly, giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house: i promise you your kindred had made my eyes water ere now. i desire your more acquaintance, good master mustardseed. titania come, wait upon him; lead him to my bower. the moon methinks looks with a watery eye; and when she weeps, weeps every little flower, lamenting some enforced chastity. tie up my love's tongue bring him silently. [exeunt] a midsummer night's dream act iii scene ii another part of the wood. [enter oberon] oberon i wonder if titania be awaked; then, what it was that next came in her eye, which she must dote on in extremity. [enter puck] here comes my messenger. how now, mad spirit! what night-rule now about this haunted grove? puck my mistress with a monster is in love. near to her close and consecrated bower, while she was in her dull and sleeping hour, a crew of patches, rude mechanicals, that work for bread upon athenian stalls, were met together to rehearse a play intended for great theseus' nuptial-day. the shallowest thick-skin of that barren sort, who pyramus presented, in their sport forsook his scene and enter'd in a brake when i did him at this advantage take, an ass's nole i fixed on his head: anon his thisbe must be answered, and forth my mimic comes. when they him spy, as wild geese that the creeping fowler eye, or russet-pated choughs, many in sort, rising and cawing at the gun's report, sever themselves and madly sweep the sky, so, at his sight, away his fellows fly; and, at our stamp, here o'er and o'er one falls; he murder cries and help from athens calls. their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong, made senseless things begin to do them wrong; for briers and thorns at their apparel snatch; some sleeves, some hats, from yielders all things catch. i led them on in this distracted fear, and left sweet pyramus translated there: when in that moment, so it came to pass, titania waked and straightway loved an ass. oberon this falls out better than i could devise. but hast thou yet latch'd the athenian's eyes with the love-juice, as i did bid thee do? puck i took him sleeping,--that is finish'd too,- and the athenian woman by his side: that, when he waked, of force she must be eyed. [enter hermia and demetrius] oberon stand close: this is the same athenian. puck this is the woman, but not this the man. demetrius o, why rebuke you him that loves you so? lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe. hermia now i but chide; but i should use thee worse, for thou, i fear, hast given me cause to curse, if thou hast slain lysander in his sleep, being o'er shoes in blood, plunge in the deep, and kill me too. the sun was not so true unto the day as he to me: would he have stolen away from sleeping hermia? i'll believe as soon this whole earth may be bored and that the moon may through the centre creep and so displease her brother's noontide with antipodes. it cannot be but thou hast murder'd him; so should a murderer look, so dead, so grim. demetrius so should the murder'd look, and so should i, pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty: yet you, the murderer, look as bright, as clear, as yonder venus in her glimmering sphere. hermia what's this to my lysander? where is he? ah, good demetrius, wilt thou give him me? demetrius i had rather give his carcass to my hounds. hermia out, dog! out, cur! thou drivest me past the bounds of maiden's patience. hast thou slain him, then? henceforth be never number'd among men! o, once tell true, tell true, even for my sake! durst thou have look'd upon him being awake, and hast thou kill'd him sleeping? o brave touch! could not a worm, an adder, do so much? an adder did it; for with doubler tongue than thine, thou serpent, never adder stung. demetrius you spend your passion on a misprised mood: i am not guilty of lysander's blood; nor is he dead, for aught that i can tell. hermia i pray thee, tell me then that he is well. demetrius an if i could, what should i get therefore? hermia a privilege never to see me more. and from thy hated presence part i so: see me no more, whether he be dead or no. [exit] demetrius there is no following her in this fierce vein: here therefore for a while i will remain. so sorrow's heaviness doth heavier grow for debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe: which now in some slight measure it will pay, if for his tender here i make some stay. [lies down and sleeps] oberon what hast thou done? thou hast mistaken quite and laid the love-juice on some true-love's sight: of thy misprision must perforce ensue some true love turn'd and not a false turn'd true. puck then fate o'er-rules, that, one man holding troth, a million fail, confounding oath on oath. oberon about the wood go swifter than the wind, and helena of athens look thou find: all fancy-sick she is and pale of cheer, with sighs of love, that costs the fresh blood dear: by some illusion see thou bring her here: i'll charm his eyes against she do appear. puck i go, i go; look how i go, swifter than arrow from the tartar's bow. [exit] oberon flower of this purple dye, hit with cupid's archery, sink in apple of his eye. when his love he doth espy, let her shine as gloriously as the venus of the sky. when thou wakest, if she be by, beg of her for remedy. [re-enter puck] puck captain of our fairy band, helena is here at hand; and the youth, mistook by me, pleading for a lover's fee. shall we their fond pageant see? lord, what fools these mortals be! oberon stand aside: the noise they make will cause demetrius to awake. puck then will two at once woo one; that must needs be sport alone; and those things do best please me that befal preposterously. [enter lysander and helena] lysander why should you think that i should woo in scorn? scorn and derision never come in tears: look, when i vow, i weep; and vows so born, in their nativity all truth appears. how can these things in me seem scorn to you, bearing the badge of faith, to prove them true? helena you do advance your cunning more and more. when truth kills truth, o devilish-holy fray! these vows are hermia's: will you give her o'er? weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh: your vows to her and me, put in two scales, will even weigh, and both as light as tales. lysander i had no judgment when to her i swore. helena nor none, in my mind, now you give her o'er. lysander demetrius loves her, and he loves not you. demetrius [awaking] o helena, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! to what, my love, shall i compare thine eyne? crystal is muddy. o, how ripe in show thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! that pure congealed white, high taurus snow, fann'd with the eastern wind, turns to a crow when thou hold'st up thy hand: o, let me kiss this princess of pure white, this seal of bliss! helena o spite! o hell! i see you all are bent to set against me for your merriment: if you we re civil and knew courtesy, you would not do me thus much injury. can you not hate me, as i know you do, but you must join in souls to mock me too? if you were men, as men you are in show, you would not use a gentle lady so; to vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, when i am sure you hate me with your hearts. you both are rivals, and love hermia; and now both rivals, to mock helena: a trim exploit, a manly enterprise, to conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes with your derision! none of noble sort would so offend a virgin, and extort a poor soul's patience, all to make you sport. lysander you are unkind, demetrius; be not so; for you love hermia; this you know i know: and here, with all good will, with all my heart, in hermia's love i yield you up my part; and yours of helena to me bequeath, whom i do love and will do till my death. helena never did mockers waste more idle breath. demetrius lysander, keep thy hermia; i will none: if e'er i loved her, all that love is gone. my heart to her but as guest-wise sojourn'd, and now to helen is it home return'd, there to remain. lysander helen, it is not so. demetrius disparage not the faith thou dost not know, lest, to thy peril, thou aby it dear. look, where thy love comes; yonder is thy dear. [re-enter hermia] hermia dark night, that from the eye his function takes, the ear more quick of apprehension makes; wherein it doth impair the seeing sense, it pays the hearing double recompense. thou art not by mine eye, lysander, found; mine ear, i thank it, brought me to thy sound but why unkindly didst thou leave me so? lysander why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? hermia what love could press lysander from my side? lysander lysander's love, that would not let him bide, fair helena, who more engilds the night than all you fiery oes and eyes of light. why seek'st thou me? could not this make thee know, the hate i bear thee made me leave thee so? hermia you speak not as you think: it cannot be. helena lo, she is one of this confederacy! now i perceive they have conjoin'd all three to fashion this false sport, in spite of me. injurious hermia! most ungrateful maid! have you conspired, have you with these contrived to bait me with this foul derision? is all the counsel that we two have shared, the sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent, when we have chid the hasty-footed time for parting us,--o, is it all forgot? all school-days' friendship, childhood innocence? we, hermia, like two artificial gods, have with our needles created both one flower, both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion, both warbling of one song, both in one key, as if our hands, our sides, voices and minds, had been incorporate. so we grow together, like to a double cherry, seeming parted, but yet an union in partition; two lovely berries moulded on one stem; so, with two seeming bodies, but one heart; two of the first, like coats in heraldry, due but to one and crowned with one crest. and will you rent our ancient love asunder, to join with men in scorning your poor friend? it is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly: our sex, as well as i, may chide you for it, though i alone do feel the injury. hermia i am amazed at your passionate words. i scorn you not: it seems that you scorn me. helena have you not set lysander, as in scorn, to follow me and praise my eyes and face? and made your other love, demetrius, who even but now did spurn me with his foot, to call me goddess, nymph, divine and rare, precious, celestial? wherefore speaks he this to her he hates? and wherefore doth lysander deny your love, so rich within his soul, and tender me, forsooth, affection, but by your setting on, by your consent? what thought i be not so in grace as you, so hung upon with love, so fortunate, but miserable most, to love unloved? this you should pity rather than despise. hernia i understand not what you mean by this. helena ay, do, persever, counterfeit sad looks, make mouths upon me when i turn my back; wink each at other; hold the sweet jest up: this sport, well carried, shall be chronicled. if you have any pity, grace, or manners, you would not make me such an argument. but fare ye well: 'tis partly my own fault; which death or absence soon shall remedy. lysander stay, gentle helena; hear my excuse: my love, my life my soul, fair helena! helena o excellent! hermia sweet, do not scorn her so. demetrius if she cannot entreat, i can compel. lysander thou canst compel no more than she entreat: thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers. helen, i love thee; by my life, i do: i swear by that which i will lose for thee, to prove him false that says i love thee not. demetrius i say i love thee more than he can do. lysander if thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too. demetrius quick, come! hermia lysander, whereto tends all this? lysander away, you ethiope! demetrius no, no; he'll [ ] seem to break loose; take on as you would follow, but yet come not: you are a tame man, go! lysander hang off, thou cat, thou burr! vile thing, let loose, or i will shake thee from me like a serpent! hermia why are you grown so rude? what change is this? sweet love,- lysander thy love! out, tawny tartar, out! out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence! hermia do you not jest? helena yes, sooth; and so do you. lysander demetrius, i will keep my word with thee. demetrius i would i had your bond, for i perceive a weak bond holds you: i'll not trust your word. lysander what, should i hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? although i hate her, i'll not harm her so. hermia what, can you do me greater harm than hate? hate me! wherefore? o me! what news, my love! am not i hermia? are not you lysander? i am as fair now as i was erewhile. since night you loved me; yet since night you left me: why, then you left me--o, the gods forbid!- in earnest, shall i say? lysander ay, by my life; and never did desire to see thee more. therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt; be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest that i do hate thee and love helena. hermia o me! you juggler! you canker-blossom! you thief of love! what, have you come by night and stolen my love's heart from him? helena fine, i'faith! have you no modesty, no maiden shame, no touch of bashfulness? what, will you tear impatient answers from my gentle tongue? fie, fie! you counterfeit, you puppet, you! hermia puppet? why so? ay, that way goes the game. now i perceive that she hath made compare between our statures; she hath urged her height; and with her personage, her tall personage, her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him. and are you grown so high in his esteem; because i am so dwarfish and so low? how low am i, thou painted maypole? speak; how low am i? i am not yet so low but that my nails can reach unto thine eyes. helena i pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, let her not hurt me: i was never curst; i have no gift at all in shrewishness; i am a right maid for my cowardice: let her not strike me. you perhaps may think, because she is something lower than myself, that i can match her. hermia lower! hark, again. helena good hermia, do not be so bitter with me. i evermore did love you, hermia, did ever keep your counsels, never wrong'd you; save that, in love unto demetrius, i told him of your stealth unto this wood. he follow'd you; for love i follow'd him; but he hath chid me hence and threaten'd me to strike me, spurn me, nay, to kill me too: and now, so you will let me quiet go, to athens will i bear my folly back and follow you no further: let me go: you see how simple and how fond i am. hermia why, get you gone: who is't that hinders you? helena a foolish heart, that i leave here behind. hermia what, with lysander? helena with demetrius. lysander be not afraid; she shall not harm thee, helena. demetrius no, sir, she shall not, though you take her part. helena o, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd! she was a vixen when she went to school; and though she be but little, she is fierce. hermia 'little' again! nothing but 'low' and 'little'! why will you suffer her to flout me thus? let me come to her. lysander get you gone, you dwarf; you minimus, of hindering knot-grass made; you bead, you acorn. demetrius you are too officious in her behalf that scorns your services. let her alone: speak not of helena; take not her part; for, if thou dost intend never so little show of love to her, thou shalt aby it. lysander now she holds me not; now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right, of thine or mine, is most in helena. demetrius follow! nay, i'll go with thee, cheek by jole. [exeunt lysander and demetrius] hermia you, mistress, all this coil is 'long of you: nay, go not back. helena i will not trust you, i, nor longer stay in your curst company. your hands than mine are quicker for a fray, my legs are longer though, to run away. [exit] hermia i am amazed, and know not what to say. [exit] oberon this is thy negligence: still thou mistakest, or else committ'st thy knaveries wilfully. puck believe me, king of shadows, i mistook. did not you tell me i should know the man by the athenian garment be had on? and so far blameless proves my enterprise, that i have 'nointed an athenian's eyes; and so far am i glad it so did sort as this their jangling i esteem a sport. oberon thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight: hie therefore, robin, overcast the night; the starry welkin cover thou anon with drooping fog as black as acheron, and lead these testy rivals so astray as one come not within another's way. like to lysander sometime frame thy tongue, then stir demetrius up with bitter wrong; and sometime rail thou like demetrius; and from each other look thou lead them thus, till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep with leaden legs and batty wings doth creep: then crush this herb into lysander's eye; whose liquor hath this virtuous property, to take from thence all error with his might, and make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight. when they next wake, all this derision shall seem a dream and fruitless vision, and back to athens shall the lovers wend, with league whose date till death shall never end. whiles i in this affair do thee employ, i'll to my queen and beg her indian boy; and then i will her charmed eye release from monster's view, and all things shall be peace. puck my fairy lord, this must be done with haste, for night's swift dragons cut the clouds full fast, and yonder shines aurora's harbinger; at whose approach, ghosts, wandering here and there, troop home to churchyards: damned spirits all, that in crossways and floods have burial, already to their wormy beds are gone; for fear lest day should look their shames upon, they willfully themselves exile from light and must for aye consort with black-brow'd night. oberon but we are spirits of another sort: i with the morning's love have oft made sport, and, like a forester, the groves may tread, even till the eastern gate, all fiery-red, opening on neptune with fair blessed beams, turns into yellow gold his salt green streams. but, notwithstanding, haste; make no delay: we may effect this business yet ere day. [exit] puck up and down, up and down, i will lead them up and down: i am fear'd in field and town: goblin, lead them up and down. here comes one. [re-enter lysander] lysander where art thou, proud demetrius? speak thou now. puck here, villain; drawn and ready. where art thou? lysander i will be with thee straight. puck follow me, then, to plainer ground. [exit lysander, as following the voice] [re-enter demetrius] demetrius lysander! speak again: thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled? speak! in some bush? where dost thou hide thy head? puck thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars, telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars, and wilt not come? come, recreant; come, thou child; i'll whip thee with a rod: he is defiled that draws a sword on thee. demetrius yea, art thou there? puck follow my voice: we'll try no manhood here. [exeunt] [re-enter lysander] lysander he goes before me and still dares me on: when i come where he calls, then he is gone. the villain is much lighter-heel'd than i: i follow'd fast, but faster he did fly; that fallen am i in dark uneven way, and here will rest me. [lies down] come, thou gentle day! for if but once thou show me thy grey light, i'll find demetrius and revenge this spite. [sleeps] [re-enter puck and demetrius] puck ho, ho, ho! coward, why comest thou not? demetrius abide me, if thou darest; for well i wot thou runn'st before me, shifting every place, and darest not stand, nor look me in the face. where art thou now? puck come hither: i am here. demetrius nay, then, thou mock'st me. thou shalt buy this dear, if ever i thy face by daylight see: now, go thy way. faintness constraineth me to measure out my length on this cold bed. by day's approach look to be visited. [lies down and sleeps] [re-enter helena] helena o weary night, o long and tedious night, abate thy hour! shine comforts from the east, that i may back to athens by daylight, from these that my poor company detest: and sleep, that sometimes shuts up sorrow's eye, steal me awhile from mine own company. [lies down and sleeps] puck yet but three? come one more; two of both kinds make up four. here she comes, curst and sad: cupid is a knavish lad, thus to make poor females mad. [re-enter hermia] hermia never so weary, never so in woe, bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers, i can no further crawl, no further go; my legs can keep no pace with my desires. here will i rest me till the break of day. heavens shield lysander, if they mean a fray! [lies down and sleeps] puck on the ground sleep sound: i'll apply to your eye, gentle lover, remedy. [squeezing the juice on lysander's eyes] when thou wakest, thou takest true delight in the sight of thy former lady's eye: and the country proverb known, that every man should take his own, in your waking shall be shown: jack shall have jill; nought shall go ill; the man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well. [exit] a midsummer night's dream act iv scene i the same. lysander, demetrius, helena, and hermia lying asleep. [enter titania and bottom; peaseblossom, cobweb, moth, mustardseed, and other fairies attending; oberon behind unseen] titania come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed, while i thy amiable cheeks do coy, and stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head, and kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy. bottom where's peaseblossom? peaseblossom ready. bottom scratch my head peaseblossom. where's mounsieur cobweb? cobweb ready. bottom mounsieur cobweb, good mounsieur, get you your weapons in your hand, and kill me a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a thistle; and, good mounsieur, bring me the honey-bag. do not fret yourself too much in the action, mounsieur; and, good mounsieur, have a care the honey-bag break not; i would be loath to have you overflown with a honey-bag, signior. where's mounsieur mustardseed? mustardseed ready. bottom give me your neaf, mounsieur mustardseed. pray you, leave your courtesy, good mounsieur. mustardseed what's your will? bottom nothing, good mounsieur, but to help cavalery cobweb to scratch. i must to the barber's, monsieur; for methinks i am marvellous hairy about the face; and i am such a tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me, i must scratch. titania what, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet love? bottom i have a reasonable good ear in music. let's have the tongs and the bones. titania or say, sweet love, what thou desirest to eat. bottom truly, a peck of provender: i could munch your good dry oats. methinks i have a great desire to a bottle of hay: good hay, sweet hay, hath no fellow. titania i have a venturous fairy that shall seek the squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee new nuts. bottom i had rather have a handful or two of dried peas. but, i pray you, let none of your people stir me: i have an exposition of sleep come upon me. titania sleep thou, and i will wind thee in my arms. fairies, begone, and be all ways away. [exeunt fairies] so doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle gently entwist; the female ivy so enrings the barky fingers of the elm. o, how i love thee! how i dote on thee! [they sleep] [enter puck] oberon [advancing] welcome, good robin. see'st thou this sweet sight? her dotage now i do begin to pity: for, meeting her of late behind the wood, seeking sweet favours from this hateful fool, i did upbraid her and fall out with her; for she his hairy temples then had rounded with a coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers; and that same dew, which sometime on the buds was wont to swell like round and orient pearls, stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes like tears that did their own disgrace bewail. when i had at my pleasure taunted her and she in mild terms begg'd my patience, i then did ask of her her changeling child; which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent to bear him to my bower in fairy land. and now i have the boy, i will undo this hateful imperfection of her eyes: and, gentle puck, take this transformed scalp from off the head of this athenian swain; that, he awaking when the other do, may all to athens back again repair and think no more of this night's accidents but as the fierce vexation of a dream. but first i will release the fairy queen. be as thou wast wont to be; see as thou wast wont to see: dian's bud o'er cupid's flower hath such force and blessed power. now, my titania; wake you, my sweet queen. titania my oberon! what visions have i seen! methought i was enamour'd of an ass. oberon there lies your love. titania how came these things to pass? o, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now! oberon silence awhile. robin, take off this head. titania, music call; and strike more dead than common sleep of all these five the sense. titania music, ho! music, such as charmeth sleep! [music, still] puck now, when thou wakest, with thine own fool's eyes peep. oberon sound, music! come, my queen, take hands with me, and rock the ground whereon these sleepers be. now thou and i are new in amity, and will to-morrow midnight solemnly dance in duke theseus' house triumphantly, and bless it to all fair prosperity: there shall the pairs of faithful lovers be wedded, with theseus, all in jollity. puck fairy king, attend, and mark: i do hear the morning lark. oberon then, my queen, in silence sad, trip we after the night's shade: we the globe can compass soon, swifter than the wandering moon. titania come, my lord, and in our flight tell me how it came this night that i sleeping here was found with these mortals on the ground. [exeunt] [horns winded within] [enter theseus, hippolyta, egeus, and train] theseus go, one of you, find out the forester; for now our observation is perform'd; and since we have the vaward of the day, my love shall hear the music of my hounds. uncouple in the western valley; let them go: dispatch, i say, and find the forester. [exit an attendant] we will, fair queen, up to the mountain's top, and mark the musical confusion of hounds and echo in conjunction. hippolyta i was with hercules and cadmus once, when in a wood of crete they bay'd the bear with hounds of sparta: never did i hear such gallant chiding: for, besides the groves, the skies, the fountains, every region near seem'd all one mutual cry: i never heard so musical a discord, such sweet thunder. theseus my hounds are bred out of the spartan kind, so flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung with ears that sweep away the morning dew; crook-knee'd, and dew-lapp'd like thessalian bulls; slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bells, each under each. a cry more tuneable was never holla'd to, nor cheer'd with horn, in crete, in sparta, nor in thessaly: judge when you hear. but, soft! what nymphs are these? egeus my lord, this is my daughter here asleep; and this, lysander; this demetrius is; this helena, old nedar's helena: i wonder of their being here together. theseus no doubt they rose up early to observe the rite of may, and hearing our intent, came here in grace our solemnity. but speak, egeus; is not this the day that hermia should give answer of her choice? egeus it is, my lord. theseus go, bid the huntsmen wake them with their horns. [horns and shout within. lysander, demetrius, helena, and hermia wake and start up] good morrow, friends. saint valentine is past: begin these wood-birds but to couple now? lysander pardon, my lord. theseus i pray you all, stand up. i know you two are rival enemies: how comes this gentle concord in the world, that hatred is so far from jealousy, to sleep by hate, and fear no enmity? lysander my lord, i shall reply amazedly, half sleep, half waking: but as yet, i swear, i cannot truly say how i came here; but, as i think,--for truly would i speak, and now do i bethink me, so it is,- i came with hermia hither: our intent was to be gone from athens, where we might, without the peril of the athenian law. egeus enough, enough, my lord; you have enough: i beg the law, the law, upon his head. they would have stolen away; they would, demetrius, thereby to have defeated you and me, you of your wife and me of my consent, of my consent that she should be your wife. demetrius my lord, fair helen told me of their stealth, of this their purpose hither to this wood; and i in fury hither follow'd them, fair helena in fancy following me. but, my good lord, i wot not by what power,- but by some power it is,--my love to hermia, melted as the snow, seems to me now as the remembrance of an idle gaud which in my childhood i did dote upon; and all the faith, the virtue of my heart, the object and the pleasure of mine eye, is only helena. to her, my lord, was i betroth'd ere i saw hermia: but, like in sickness, did i loathe this food; but, as in health, come to my natural taste, now i do wish it, love it, long for it, and will for evermore be true to it. theseus fair lovers, you are fortunately met: of this discourse we more will hear anon. egeus, i will overbear your will; for in the temple by and by with us these couples shall eternally be knit: and, for the morning now is something worn, our purposed hunting shall be set aside. away with us to athens; three and three, we'll hold a feast in great solemnity. come, hippolyta. [exeunt theseus, hippolyta, egeus, and train] demetrius these things seem small and undistinguishable, hermia methinks i see these things with parted eye, when every thing seems double. helena so methinks: and i have found demetrius like a jewel, mine own, and not mine own. demetrius are you sure that we are awake? it seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream. do not you think the duke was here, and bid us follow him? hermia yea; and my father. helena and hippolyta. lysander and he did bid us follow to the temple. demetrius why, then, we are awake: let's follow him and by the way let us recount our dreams. [exeunt] bottom [awaking] when my cue comes, call me, and i will answer: my next is, 'most fair pyramus.' heigh-ho! peter quince! flute, the bellows-mender! snout, the tinker! starveling! god's my life, stolen hence, and left me asleep! i have had a most rare vision. i have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was: man is but an ass, if he go about to expound this dream. methought i was--there is no man can tell what. methought i was,--and methought i had,--but man is but a patched fool, if he will offer to say what methought i had. the eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man's hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report, what my dream was. i will get peter quince to write a ballad of this dream: it shall be called bottom's dream, because it hath no bottom; and i will sing it in the latter end of a play, before the duke: peradventure, to make it the more gracious, i shall sing it at her death. [exit] a midsummer night's dream act iv scene ii athens. quince's house. [enter quince, flute, snout, and starveling] quince have you sent to bottom's house? is he come home yet? starveling he cannot be heard of. out of doubt he is transported. flute if he come not, then the play is marred: it goes not forward, doth it? quince it is not possible: you have not a man in all athens able to discharge pyramus but he. flute no, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in athens. quince yea and the best person too; and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice. flute you must say 'paragon:' a paramour is, god bless us, a thing of naught. [enter snug] snug masters, the duke is coming from the temple, and there is two or three lords and ladies more married: if our sport had gone forward, we had all been made men. flute o sweet bully bottom! thus hath he lost sixpence a day during his life; he could not have 'scaped sixpence a day: an the duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing pyramus, i'll be hanged; he would have deserved it: sixpence a day in pyramus, or nothing. [enter bottom] bottom where are these lads? where are these hearts? quince bottom! o most courageous day! o most happy hour! bottom masters, i am to discourse wonders: but ask me not what; for if i tell you, i am no true athenian. i will tell you every thing, right as it fell out. quince let us hear, sweet bottom. bottom not a word of me. all that i will tell you is, that the duke hath dined. get your apparel together, good strings to your beards, new ribbons to your pumps; meet presently at the palace; every man look o'er his part; for the short and the long is, our play is preferred. in any case, let thisby have clean linen; and let not him that plays the lion pair his nails, for they shall hang out for the lion's claws. and, most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath; and i do not doubt but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy. no more words: away! go, away! [exeunt] a midsummer night's dream act v scene i athens. the palace of theseus. [enter theseus, hippolyta, philostrate, lords and attendants] hippolyta 'tis strange my theseus, that these lovers speak of. theseus more strange than true: i never may believe these antique fables, nor these fairy toys. lovers and madmen have such seething brains, such shaping fantasies, that apprehend more than cool reason ever comprehends. the lunatic, the lover and the poet are of imagination all compact: one sees more devils than vast hell can hold, that is, the madman: the lover, all as frantic, sees helen's beauty in a brow of egypt: the poet's eye, in fine frenzy rolling, doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; and as imagination bodies forth the forms of things unknown, the poet's pen turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing a local habitation and a name. such tricks hath strong imagination, that if it would but apprehend some joy, it comprehends some bringer of that joy; or in the night, imagining some fear, how easy is a bush supposed a bear! hippolyta but all the story of the night told over, and all their minds transfigured so together, more witnesseth than fancy's images and grows to something of great constancy; but, howsoever, strange and admirable. theseus here come the lovers, full of joy and mirth. [enter lysander, demetrius, hermia, and helena] joy, gentle friends! joy and fresh days of love accompany your hearts! lysander more than to us wait in your royal walks, your board, your bed! theseus come now; what masques, what dances shall we have, to wear away this long age of three hours between our after-supper and bed-time? where is our usual manager of mirth? what revels are in hand? is there no play, to ease the anguish of a torturing hour? call philostrate. philostrate here, mighty theseus. theseus say, what abridgement have you for this evening? what masque? what music? how shall we beguile the lazy time, if not with some delight? philostrate there is a brief how many sports are ripe: make choice of which your highness will see first. [giving a paper] theseus [reads] 'the battle with the centaurs, to be sung by an athenian eunuch to the harp.' we'll none of that: that have i told my love, in glory of my kinsman hercules. [reads] 'the riot of the tipsy bacchanals, tearing the thracian singer in their rage.' that is an old device; and it was play'd when i from thebes came last a conqueror. [reads] 'the thrice three muses mourning for the death of learning, late deceased in beggary.' that is some satire, keen and critical, not sorting with a nuptial ceremony. [reads] 'a tedious brief scene of young pyramus and his love thisbe; very tragical mirth.' merry and tragical! tedious and brief! that is, hot ice and wondrous strange snow. how shall we find the concord of this discord? philostrate a play there is, my lord, some ten words long, which is as brief as i have known a play; but by ten words, my lord, it is too long, which makes it tedious; for in all the play there is not one word apt, one player fitted: and tragical, my noble lord, it is; for pyramus therein doth kill himself. which, when i saw rehearsed, i must confess, made mine eyes water; but more merry tears the passion of loud laughter never shed. theseus what are they that do play it? philostrate hard-handed men that work in athens here, which never labour'd in their minds till now, and now have toil'd their unbreathed memories with this same play, against your nuptial. theseus and we will hear it. philostrate no, my noble lord; it is not for you: i have heard it over, and it is nothing, nothing in the world; unless you can find sport in their intents, extremely stretch'd and conn'd with cruel pain, to do you service. theseus i will hear that play; for never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it. go, bring them in: and take your places, ladies. [exit philostrate] hippolyta i love not to see wretchedness o'er charged and duty in his service perishing. theseus why, gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing. hippolyta he says they can do nothing in this kind. theseus the kinder we, to give them thanks for nothing. our sport shall be to take what they mistake: and what poor duty cannot do, noble respect takes it in might, not merit. where i have come, great clerks have purposed to greet me with premeditated welcomes; where i have seen them shiver and look pale, make periods in the midst of sentences, throttle their practised accent in their fears and in conclusion dumbly have broke off, not paying me a welcome. trust me, sweet, out of this silence yet i pick'd a welcome; and in the modesty of fearful duty i read as much as from the rattling tongue of saucy and audacious eloquence. love, therefore, and tongue-tied simplicity in least speak most, to my capacity. [re-enter philostrate] philostrate so please your grace, the prologue is address'd. theseus let him approach. [flourish of trumpets] [enter quince for the prologue] prologue if we offend, it is with our good will. that you should think, we come not to offend, but with good will. to show our simple skill, that is the true beginning of our end. consider then we come but in despite. we do not come as minding to contest you, our true intent is. all for your delight we are not here. that you should here repent you, the actors are at hand and by their show you shall know all that you are like to know. theseus this fellow doth not stand upon points. lysander he hath rid his prologue like a rough colt; he knows not the stop. a good moral, my lord: it is not enough to speak, but to speak true. hippolyta indeed he hath played on his prologue like a child on a recorder; a sound, but not in government. theseus his speech, was like a tangled chain; nothing impaired, but all disordered. who is next? [enter pyramus and thisbe, wall, moonshine, and lion] prologue gentles, perchance you wonder at this show; but wonder on, till truth make all things plain. this man is pyramus, if you would know; this beauteous lady thisby is certain. this man, with lime and rough-cast, doth present wall, that vile wall which did these lovers sunder; and through wall's chink, poor souls, they are content to whisper. at the which let no man wonder. this man, with lanthorn, dog, and bush of thorn, presenteth moonshine; for, if you will know, by moonshine did these lovers think no scorn to meet at ninus' tomb, there, there to woo. this grisly beast, which lion hight by name, the trusty thisby, coming first by night, did scare away, or rather did affright; and, as she fled, her mantle she did fall, which lion vile with bloody mouth did stain. anon comes pyramus, sweet youth and tall, and finds his trusty thisby's mantle slain: whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade, he bravely broach'd is boiling bloody breast; and thisby, tarrying in mulberry shade, his dagger drew, and died. for all the rest, let lion, moonshine, wall, and lovers twain at large discourse, while here they do remain. [exeunt prologue, thisbe, lion, and moonshine] theseus i wonder if the lion be to speak. demetrius no wonder, my lord: one lion may, when many asses do. wall in this same interlude it doth befall that i, one snout by name, present a wall; and such a wall, as i would have you think, that had in it a crannied hole or chink, through which the lovers, pyramus and thisby, did whisper often very secretly. this loam, this rough-cast and this stone doth show that i am that same wall; the truth is so: and this the cranny is, right and sinister, through which the fearful lovers are to whisper. theseus would you desire lime and hair to speak better? demetrius it is the wittiest partition that ever i heard discourse, my lord. [enter pyramus] theseus pyramus draws near the wall: silence! pyramus o grim-look'd night! o night with hue so black! o night, which ever art when day is not! o night, o night! alack, alack, alack, i fear my thisby's promise is forgot! and thou, o wall, o sweet, o lovely wall, that stand'st between her father's ground and mine! thou wall, o wall, o sweet and lovely wall, show me thy chink, to blink through with mine eyne! [wall holds up his fingers] thanks, courteous wall: jove shield thee well for this! but what see i? no thisby do i see. o wicked wall, through whom i see no bliss! cursed be thy stones for thus deceiving me! theseus the wall, methinks, being sensible, should curse again. pyramus no, in truth, sir, he should not. 'deceiving me' is thisby's cue: she is to enter now, and i am to spy her through the wall. you shall see, it will fall pat as i told you. yonder she comes. [enter thisbe] thisbe o wall, full often hast thou heard my moans, for parting my fair pyramus and me! my cherry lips have often kiss'd thy stones, thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee. pyramus i see a voice: now will i to the chink, to spy an i can hear my thisby's face. thisby! thisbe my love thou art, my love i think. pyramus think what thou wilt, i am thy lover's grace; and, like limander, am i trusty still. thisbe and i like helen, till the fates me kill. pyramus not shafalus to procrus was so true. thisbe as shafalus to procrus, i to you. pyramus o kiss me through the hole of this vile wall! thisbe i kiss the wall's hole, not your lips at all. pyramus wilt thou at ninny's tomb meet me straightway? thisbe 'tide life, 'tide death, i come without delay. [exeunt pyramus and thisbe] wall thus have i, wall, my part discharged so; and, being done, thus wall away doth go. [exit] theseus now is the mural down between the two neighbours. demetrius no remedy, my lord, when walls are so wilful to hear without warning. hippolyta this is the silliest stuff that ever i heard. theseus the best in this kind are but shadows; and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them. hippolyta it must be your imagination then, and not theirs. theseus if we imagine no worse of them than they of themselves, they may pass for excellent men. here come two noble beasts in, a man and a lion. [enter lion and moonshine] lion you, ladies, you, whose gentle hearts do fear the smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor, may now perchance both quake and tremble here, when lion rough in wildest rage doth roar. then know that i, one snug the joiner, am a lion-fell, nor else no lion's dam; for, if i should as lion come in strife into this place, 'twere pity on my life. theseus a very gentle beast, of a good conscience. demetrius the very best at a beast, my lord, that e'er i saw. lysander this lion is a very fox for his valour. theseus true; and a goose for his discretion. demetrius not so, my lord; for his valour cannot carry his discretion; and the fox carries the goose. theseus his discretion, i am sure, cannot carry his valour; for the goose carries not the fox. it is well: leave it to his discretion, and let us listen to the moon. moonshine this lanthorn doth the horned moon present;- demetrius he should have worn the horns on his head. theseus he is no crescent, and his horns are invisible within the circumference. moonshine this lanthorn doth the horned moon present; myself the man i' the moon do seem to be. theseus this is the greatest error of all the rest: the man should be put into the lanthorn. how is it else the man i' the moon? demetrius he dares not come there for the candle; for, you see, it is already in snuff. hippolyta i am aweary of this moon: would he would change! theseus it appears, by his small light of discretion, that he is in the wane; but yet, in courtesy, in all reason, we must stay the time. lysander proceed, moon. moonshine all that i have to say, is, to tell you that the lanthorn is the moon; i, the man in the moon; this thorn-bush, my thorn-bush; and this dog, my dog. demetrius why, all these should be in the lanthorn; for all these are in the moon. but, silence! here comes thisbe. [enter thisbe] thisbe this is old ninny's tomb. where is my love? lion [roaring] oh- [thisbe runs off] demetrius well roared, lion. theseus well run, thisbe. hippolyta well shone, moon. truly, the moon shines with a good grace. [the lion shakes thisbe's mantle, and exit] theseus well moused, lion. lysander and so the lion vanished. demetrius and then came pyramus. [enter pyramus] pyramus sweet moon, i thank thee for thy sunny beams; i thank thee, moon, for shining now so bright; for, by thy gracious, golden, glittering gleams, i trust to take of truest thisby sight. but stay, o spite! but mark, poor knight, what dreadful dole is here! eyes, do you see? how can it be? o dainty duck! o dear! thy mantle good, what, stain'd with blood! approach, ye furies fell! o fates, come, come, cut thread and thrum; quail, crush, conclude, and quell! theseus this passion, and the death of a dear friend, would go near to make a man look sad. hippolyta beshrew my heart, but i pity the man. pyramus o wherefore, nature, didst thou lions frame? since lion vile hath here deflower'd my dear: which is--no, no--which was the fairest dame that lived, that loved, that liked, that look'd with cheer. come, tears, confound; out, sword, and wound the pap of pyramus; ay, that left pap, where heart doth hop: [stabs himself] thus die i, thus, thus, thus. now am i dead, now am i fled; my soul is in the sky: tongue, lose thy light; moon take thy flight: [exit moonshine] now die, die, die, die, die. [dies] demetrius no die, but an ace, for him; for he is but one. lysander less than an ace, man; for he is dead; he is nothing. theseus with the help of a surgeon he might yet recover, and prove an ass. hippolyta how chance moonshine is gone before thisbe comes back and finds her lover? theseus she will find him by starlight. here she comes; and her passion ends the play. [re-enter thisbe] hippolyta methinks she should not use a long one for such a pyramus: i hope she will be brief. demetrius a mote will turn the balance, which pyramus, which thisbe, is the better; he for a man, god warrant us; she for a woman, god bless us. lysander she hath spied him already with those sweet eyes. demetrius and thus she means, videlicet:- thisbe asleep, my love? what, dead, my dove? o pyramus, arise! speak, speak. quite dumb? dead, dead? a tomb must cover thy sweet eyes. these my lips, this cherry nose, these yellow cowslip cheeks, are gone, are gone: lovers, make moan: his eyes were green as leeks. o sisters three, come, come to me, with hands as pale as milk; lay them in gore, since you have shore with shears his thread of silk. tongue, not a word: come, trusty sword; come, blade, my breast imbrue: [stabs herself] and, farewell, friends; thus thisby ends: adieu, adieu, adieu. [dies] theseus moonshine and lion are left to bury the dead. demetrius ay, and wall too. bottom [starting up] no assure you; the wall is down that parted their fathers. will it please you to see the epilogue, or to hear a bergomask dance between two of our company? theseus no epilogue, i pray you; for your play needs no excuse. never excuse; for when the players are all dead, there needs none to be blamed. marry, if he that writ it had played pyramus and hanged himself in thisbe's garter, it would have been a fine tragedy: and so it is, truly; and very notably discharged. but come, your bergomask: let your epilogue alone. [a dance] the iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve: lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time. i fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn as much as we this night have overwatch'd. this palpable-gross play hath well beguiled the heavy gait of night. sweet friends, to bed. a fortnight hold we this solemnity, in nightly revels and new jollity. [exeunt] [enter puck] puck now the hungry lion roars, and the wolf behowls the moon; whilst the heavy ploughman snores, all with weary task fordone. now the wasted brands do glow, whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, puts the wretch that lies in woe in remembrance of a shroud. now it is the time of night that the graves all gaping wide, every one lets forth his sprite, in the church-way paths to glide: and we fairies, that do run by the triple hecate's team, from the presence of the sun, following darkness like a dream, now are frolic: not a mouse shall disturb this hallow'd house: i am sent with broom before, to sweep the dust behind the door. [enter oberon and titania with their train] oberon through the house give gathering light, by the dead and drowsy fire: every elf and fairy sprite hop as light as bird from brier; and this ditty, after me, sing, and dance it trippingly. titania first, rehearse your song by rote to each word a warbling note: hand in hand, with fairy grace, will we sing, and bless this place. [song and dance] oberon now, until the break of day, through this house each fairy stray. to the best bride-bed will we, which by us shall blessed be; and the issue there create ever shall be fortunate. so shall all the couples three ever true in loving be; and the blots of nature's hand shall not in their issue stand; never mole, hare lip, nor scar, nor mark prodigious, such as are despised in nativity, shall upon their children be. with this field-dew consecrate, every fairy take his gait; and each several chamber bless, through this palace, with sweet peace; and the owner of it blest ever shall in safety rest. trip away; make no stay; meet me all by break of day. [exeunt oberon, titania, and train] puck if we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended, that you have but slumber'd here while these visions did appear. and this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream, gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: and, as i am an honest puck, if we have unearned luck now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, we will make amends ere long; else the puck a liar call; so, good night unto you all. give me your hands, if we be friends, and robin shall restore amends. the two gentlemen of verona dramatis personae duke of milan father to silvia. (duke:) valentine | | the two gentlemen. proteus | antonio father to proteus. thurio a foolish rival to valentine. eglamour agent for silvia in her escape. host where julia lodges. (host:) outlaws with valentine. (first outlaw:) (second outlaw:) (third outlaw:) speed a clownish servant to valentine. launce the like to proteus. panthino servant to antonio. julia beloved of proteus. silvia beloved of valentine. lucetta waiting-woman to julia. servants, musicians. scene verona; milan; the frontiers of mantua. the two gentlemen of verona act i scene i verona. an open place. [enter valentine and proteus] valentine cease to persuade, my loving proteus: home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. were't not affection chains thy tender days to the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, i rather would entreat thy company to see the wonders of the world abroad, than, living dully sluggardized at home, wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. but since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein, even as i would when i to love begin. proteus wilt thou be gone? sweet valentine, adieu! think on thy proteus, when thou haply seest some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: wish me partaker in thy happiness when thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger, if ever danger do environ thee, commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, for i will be thy beadsman, valentine. valentine and on a love-book pray for my success? proteus upon some book i love i'll pray for thee. valentine that's on some shallow story of deep love: how young leander cross'd the hellespont. proteus that's a deep story of a deeper love: for he was more than over shoes in love. valentine 'tis true; for you are over boots in love, and yet you never swum the hellespont. proteus over the boots? nay, give me not the boots. valentine no, i will not, for it boots thee not. proteus what? valentine to be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth with twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: if haply won, perhaps a hapless gain; if lost, why then a grievous labour won; however, but a folly bought with wit, or else a wit by folly vanquished. proteus so, by your circumstance, you call me fool. valentine so, by your circumstance, i fear you'll prove. proteus 'tis love you cavil at: i am not love. valentine love is your master, for he masters you: and he that is so yoked by a fool, methinks, should not be chronicled for wise. proteus yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud the eating canker dwells, so eating love inhabits in the finest wits of all. valentine and writers say, as the most forward bud is eaten by the canker ere it blow, even so by love the young and tender wit is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud, losing his verdure even in the prime and all the fair effects of future hopes. but wherefore waste i time to counsel thee, that art a votary to fond desire? once more adieu! my father at the road expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd. proteus and thither will i bring thee, valentine. valentine sweet proteus, no; now let us take our leave. to milan let me hear from thee by letters of thy success in love, and what news else betideth here in absence of thy friend; and likewise will visit thee with mine. proteus all happiness bechance to thee in milan! valentine as much to you at home! and so, farewell. [exit] proteus he after honour hunts, i after love: he leaves his friends to dignify them more, i leave myself, my friends and all, for love. thou, julia, thou hast metamorphosed me, made me neglect my studies, lose my time, war with good counsel, set the world at nought; made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. [enter speed] speed sir proteus, save you! saw you my master? proteus but now he parted hence, to embark for milan. speed twenty to one then he is shipp'd already, and i have play'd the sheep in losing him. proteus indeed, a sheep doth very often stray, an if the shepherd be a while away. speed you conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, and i a sheep? proteus i do. speed why then, my horns are his horns, whether i wake or sleep. proteus a silly answer and fitting well a sheep. speed this proves me still a sheep. proteus true; and thy master a shepherd. speed nay, that i can deny by a circumstance. proteus it shall go hard but i'll prove it by another. speed the shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but i seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore i am no sheep. proteus the sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages followest thy master; thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. speed such another proof will make me cry 'baa.' proteus but, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to julia? speed ay sir: i, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. proteus here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons. speed if the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. proteus nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you. speed nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. proteus you mistake; i mean the pound,--a pinfold. speed from a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. proteus but what said she? speed [first nodding] ay. proteus nod--ay--why, that's noddy. speed you mistook, sir; i say, she did nod: and you ask me if she did nod; and i say, 'ay.' proteus and that set together is noddy. speed now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. proteus no, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter. speed well, i perceive i must be fain to bear with you. proteus why sir, how do you bear with me? speed marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains. proteus beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. speed and yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. proteus come come, open the matter in brief: what said she? speed open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. proteus well, sir, here is for your pains. what said she? speed truly, sir, i think you'll hardly win her. proteus why, couldst thou perceive so much from her? speed sir, i could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, i fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. proteus what said she? nothing? speed no, not so much as 'take this for thy pains.' to testify your bounty, i thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, i'll commend you to my master. proteus go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck, which cannot perish having thee aboard, being destined to a drier death on shore. [exit speed] i must go send some better messenger: i fear my julia would not deign my lines, receiving them from such a worthless post. [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act i scene ii the same. garden of julia's house. [enter julla and lucetta] julia but say, lucetta, now we are alone, wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love? lucetta ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully. julia of all the fair resort of gentlemen that every day with parle encounter me, in thy opinion which is worthiest love? lucetta please you repeat their names, i'll show my mind according to my shallow simple skill. julia what think'st thou of the fair sir eglamour? lucetta as of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; but, were i you, he never should be mine. julia what think'st thou of the rich mercatio? lucetta well of his wealth; but of himself, so so. julia what think'st thou of the gentle proteus? lucetta lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! julia how now! what means this passion at his name? lucetta pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame that i, unworthy body as i am, should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. julia why not on proteus, as of all the rest? lucetta then thus: of many good i think him best. julia your reason? lucetta i have no other, but a woman's reason; i think him so because i think him so. julia and wouldst thou have me cast my love on him? lucetta ay, if you thought your love not cast away. julia why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me. lucetta yet he, of all the rest, i think, best loves ye. julia his little speaking shows his love but small. lucetta fire that's closest kept burns most of all. julia they do not love that do not show their love. lucetta o, they love least that let men know their love. julia i would i knew his mind. lucetta peruse this paper, madam. julia 'to julia.' say, from whom? lucetta that the contents will show. julia say, say, who gave it thee? lucetta valentine's page; and sent, i think, from proteus. he would have given it you; but i, being in the way, did in your name receive it: pardon the fault i pray. julia now, by my modesty, a goodly broker! dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? to whisper and conspire against my youth? now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth and you an officer fit for the place. or else return no more into my sight. lucetta to plead for love deserves more fee than hate. julia will ye be gone? lucetta that you may ruminate. [exit] julia and yet i would i had o'erlooked the letter: it were a shame to call her back again and pray her to a fault for which i chid her. what a fool is she, that knows i am a maid, and would not force the letter to my view! since maids, in modesty, say 'no' to that which they would have the profferer construe 'ay.' fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love that, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse and presently all humbled kiss the rod! how churlishly i chid lucetta hence, when willingly i would have had her here! how angerly i taught my brow to frown, when inward joy enforced my heart to smile! my penance is to call lucetta back and ask remission for my folly past. what ho! lucetta! [re-enter lucetta] lucetta what would your ladyship? julia is't near dinner-time? lucetta i would it were, that you might kill your stomach on your meat and not upon your maid. julia what is't that you took up so gingerly? lucetta nothing. julia why didst thou stoop, then? lucetta to take a paper up that i let fall. julia and is that paper nothing? lucetta nothing concerning me. julia then let it lie for those that it concerns. lucetta madam, it will not lie where it concerns unless it have a false interpeter. julia some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. lucetta that i might sing it, madam, to a tune. give me a note: your ladyship can set. julia as little by such toys as may be possible. best sing it to the tune of 'light o' love.' lucetta it is too heavy for so light a tune. julia heavy! belike it hath some burden then? lucetta ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it. julia and why not you? lucetta i cannot reach so high. julia let's see your song. how now, minion! lucetta keep tune there still, so you will sing it out: and yet methinks i do not like this tune. julia you do not? lucetta no, madam; it is too sharp. julia you, minion, are too saucy. lucetta nay, now you are too flat and mar the concord with too harsh a descant: there wanteth but a mean to fill your song. julia the mean is drown'd with your unruly bass. lucetta indeed, i bid the base for proteus. julia this babble shall not henceforth trouble me. here is a coil with protestation! [tears the letter] go get you gone, and let the papers lie: you would be fingering them, to anger me. lucetta she makes it strange; but she would be best pleased to be so anger'd with another letter. [exit] julia nay, would i were so anger'd with the same! o hateful hands, to tear such loving words! injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey and kill the bees that yield it with your stings! i'll kiss each several paper for amends. look, here is writ 'kind julia.' unkind julia! as in revenge of thy ingratitude, i throw thy name against the bruising stones, trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. and here is writ 'love-wounded proteus.' poor wounded name! my bosom as a bed shall lodge thee till thy wound be thoroughly heal'd; and thus i search it with a sovereign kiss. but twice or thrice was 'proteus' written down. be calm, good wind, blow not a word away till i have found each letter in the letter, except mine own name: that some whirlwind bear unto a ragged fearful-hanging rock and throw it thence into the raging sea! lo, here in one line is his name twice writ, 'poor forlorn proteus, passionate proteus, to the sweet julia:' that i'll tear away. and yet i will not, sith so prettily he couples it to his complaining names. thus will i fold them one on another: now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will. [re-enter lucetta] lucetta madam, dinner is ready, and your father stays. julia well, let us go. lucetta what, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here? julia if you respect them, best to take them up. lucetta nay, i was taken up for laying them down: yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. julia i see you have a month's mind to them. lucetta ay, madam, you may say what sights you see; i see things too, although you judge i wink. julia come, come; will't please you go? [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act i scene iii the same. antonio's house. [enter antonio and panthino] antonio tell me, panthino, what sad talk was that wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? panthino 'twas of his nephew proteus, your son. antonio why, what of him? panthino he wonder'd that your lordship would suffer him to spend his youth at home, while other men, of slender reputation, put forth their sons to seek preferment out: some to the wars, to try their fortune there; some to discover islands far away; some to the studious universities. for any or for all these exercises, he said that proteus your son was meet, and did request me to importune you to let him spend his time no more at home, which would be great impeachment to his age, in having known no travel in his youth. antonio nor need'st thou much importune me to that whereon this month i have been hammering. i have consider'd well his loss of time and how he cannot be a perfect man, not being tried and tutor'd in the world: experience is by industry achieved and perfected by the swift course of time. then tell me, whither were i best to send him? panthino i think your lordship is not ignorant how his companion, youthful valentine, attends the emperor in his royal court. antonio i know it well. panthino 'twere good, i think, your lordship sent him thither: there shall he practise tilts and tournaments, hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen. and be in eye of every exercise worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. antonio i like thy counsel; well hast thou advised: and that thou mayst perceive how well i like it, the execution of it shall make known. even with the speediest expedition i will dispatch him to the emperor's court. panthino to-morrow, may it please you, don alphonso, with other gentlemen of good esteem, are journeying to salute the emperor and to commend their service to his will. antonio good company; with them shall proteus go: and, in good time! now will we break with him. [enter proteus] proteus sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! here is her hand, the agent of her heart; here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn. o, that our fathers would applaud our loves, to seal our happiness with their consents! o heavenly julia! antonio how now! what letter are you reading there? proteus may't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two of commendations sent from valentine, deliver'd by a friend that came from him. antonio lend me the letter; let me see what news. proteus there is no news, my lord, but that he writes how happily he lives, how well beloved and daily graced by the emperor; wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. antonio and how stand you affected to his wish? proteus as one relying on your lordship's will and not depending on his friendly wish. antonio my will is something sorted with his wish. muse not that i thus suddenly proceed; for what i will, i will, and there an end. i am resolved that thou shalt spend some time with valentinus in the emperor's court: what maintenance he from his friends receives, like exhibition thou shalt have from me. to-morrow be in readiness to go: excuse it not, for i am peremptory. proteus my lord, i cannot be so soon provided: please you, deliberate a day or two. antonio look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee: no more of stay! to-morrow thou must go. come on, panthino: you shall be employ'd to hasten on his expedition. [exeunt antonio and panthino] proteus thus have i shunn'd the fire for fear of burning, and drench'd me in the sea, where i am drown'd. i fear'd to show my father julia's letter, lest he should take exceptions to my love; and with the vantage of mine own excuse hath he excepted most against my love. o, how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an april day, which now shows all the beauty of the sun, and by and by a cloud takes all away! [re-enter panthino] panthino sir proteus, your father calls for you: he is in haste; therefore, i pray you to go. proteus why, this it is: my heart accords thereto, and yet a thousand times it answers 'no.' [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene i milan. the duke's palace. [enter valentine and speed] speed sir, your glove. valentine not mine; my gloves are on. speed why, then, this may be yours, for this is but one. valentine ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine: sweet ornament that decks a thing divine! ah, silvia, silvia! speed madam silvia! madam silvia! valentine how now, sirrah? speed she is not within hearing, sir. valentine why, sir, who bade you call her? speed your worship, sir; or else i mistook. valentine well, you'll still be too forward. speed and yet i was last chidden for being too slow. valentine go to, sir: tell me, do you know madam silvia? speed she that your worship loves? valentine why, how know you that i am in love? speed marry, by these special marks: first, you have learned, like sir proteus, to wreathe your arms, like a malecontent; to relish a love-song, like a robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his a b c; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at hallowmas. you were wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when i look on you, i can hardly think you my master. valentine are all these things perceived in me? speed they are all perceived without ye. valentine without me? they cannot. speed without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you and shine through you like the water in an urinal, that not an eye that sees you but is a physician to comment on your malady. valentine but tell me, dost thou know my lady silvia? speed she that you gaze on so as she sits at supper? valentine hast thou observed that? even she, i mean. speed why, sir, i know her not. valentine dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet knowest her not? speed is she not hard-favoured, sir? valentine not so fair, boy, as well-favoured. speed sir, i know that well enough. valentine what dost thou know? speed that she is not so fair as, of you, well-favoured. valentine i mean that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite. speed that's because the one is painted and the other out of all count. valentine how painted? and how out of count? speed marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty. valentine how esteemest thou me? i account of her beauty. speed you never saw her since she was deformed. valentine how long hath she been deformed? speed ever since you loved her. valentine i have loved her ever since i saw her; and still i see her beautiful. speed if you love her, you cannot see her. valentine why? speed because love is blind. o, that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at sir proteus for going ungartered! valentine what should i see then? speed your own present folly and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose, and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose. valentine belike, boy, then, you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. speed true, sir; i was in love with my bed: i thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. valentine in conclusion, i stand affected to her. speed i would you were set, so your affection would cease. valentine last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. speed and have you? valentine i have. speed are they not lamely writ? valentine no, boy, but as well as i can do them. peace! here she comes. speed [aside] o excellent motion! o exceeding puppet! now will he interpret to her. [enter silvia] valentine madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows. speed [aside] o, give ye good even! here's a million of manners. silvia sir valentine and servant, to you two thousand. speed [aside] he should give her interest and she gives it him. valentine as you enjoin'd me, i have writ your letter unto the secret nameless friend of yours; which i was much unwilling to proceed in but for my duty to your ladyship. silvia i thank you gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done. valentine now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; for being ignorant to whom it goes i writ at random, very doubtfully. silvia perchance you think too much of so much pains? valentine no, madam; so it stead you, i will write please you command, a thousand times as much; and yet- silvia a pretty period! well, i guess the sequel; and yet i will not name it; and yet i care not; and yet take this again; and yet i thank you, meaning henceforth to trouble you no more. speed [aside] and yet you will; and yet another 'yet.' valentine what means your ladyship? do you not like it? silvia yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ; but since unwillingly, take them again. nay, take them. valentine madam, they are for you. silvia ay, ay: you writ them, sir, at my request; but i will none of them; they are for you; i would have had them writ more movingly. valentine please you, i'll write your ladyship another. silvia and when it's writ, for my sake read it over, and if it please you, so; if not, why, so. valentine if it please me, madam, what then? silvia why, if it please you, take it for your labour: and so, good morrow, servant. [exit] speed o jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible, as a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple! my master sues to her, and she hath taught her suitor, he being her pupil, to become her tutor. o excellent device! was there ever heard a better, that my master, being scribe, to himself should write the letter? valentine how now, sir? what are you reasoning with yourself? speed nay, i was rhyming: 'tis you that have the reason. valentine to do what? speed to be a spokesman for madam silvia. valentine to whom? speed to yourself: why, she wooes you by a figure. valentine what figure? speed by a letter, i should say. valentine why, she hath not writ to me? speed what need she, when she hath made you write to yourself? why, do you not perceive the jest? valentine no, believe me. speed no believing you, indeed, sir. but did you perceive her earnest? valentine she gave me none, except an angry word. speed why, she hath given you a letter. valentine that's the letter i writ to her friend. speed and that letter hath she delivered, and there an end. valentine i would it were no worse. speed i'll warrant you, 'tis as well: for often have you writ to her, and she, in modesty, or else for want of idle time, could not again reply; or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover, herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover. all this i speak in print, for in print i found it. why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. valentine i have dined. speed ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon love can feed on the air, i am one that am nourished by my victuals, and would fain have meat. o, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene ii verona. julia's house. [enter proteus and julia] proteus have patience, gentle julia. julia i must, where is no remedy. proteus when possibly i can, i will return. julia if you turn not, you will return the sooner. keep this remembrance for thy julia's sake. [giving a ring] proteus why then, we'll make exchange; here, take you this. julia and seal the bargain with a holy kiss. proteus here is my hand for my true constancy; and when that hour o'erslips me in the day wherein i sigh not, julia, for thy sake, the next ensuing hour some foul mischance torment me for my love's forgetfulness! my father stays my coming; answer not; the tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears; that tide will stay me longer than i should. julia, farewell! [exit julia] what, gone without a word? ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak; for truth hath better deeds than words to grace it. [enter panthino] panthino sir proteus, you are stay'd for. proteus go; i come, i come. alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene iii the same. a street. [enter launce, leading a dog] launce nay, 'twill be this hour ere i have done weeping; all the kind of the launces have this very fault. i have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with sir proteus to the imperial's court. i think crab, my dog, be the sourest-natured dog that lives: my mother weeping, my father wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and all our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam, having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. nay, i'll show you the manner of it. this shoe is my father: no, this left shoe is my father: no, no, this left shoe is my mother: nay, that cannot be so neither: yes, it is so, it is so, it hath the worser sole. this shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother, and this my father; a vengeance on't! there 'tis: now, sit, this staff is my sister, for, look you, she is as white as a lily and as small as a wand: this hat is nan, our maid: i am the dog: no, the dog is himself, and i am the dog--oh! the dog is me, and i am myself; ay, so, so. now come i to my father; father, your blessing: now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping: now should i kiss my father; well, he weeps on. now come i to my mother: o, that she could speak now like a wood woman! well, i kiss her; why, there 'tis; here's my mother's breath up and down. now come i to my sister; mark the moan she makes. now the dog all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a word; but see how i lay the dust with my tears. [enter panthino] panthino launce, away, away, aboard! thy master is shipped and thou art to post after with oars. what's the matter? why weepest thou, man? away, ass! you'll lose the tide, if you tarry any longer. launce it is no matter if the tied were lost; for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied. panthino what's the unkindest tide? launce why, he that's tied here, crab, my dog. panthino tut, man, i mean thou'lt lose the flood, and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage, and, in losing thy voyage, lose thy master, and, in losing thy master, lose thy service, and, in losing thy service,--why dost thou stop my mouth? launce for fear thou shouldst lose thy tongue. panthino where should i lose my tongue? launce in thy tale. panthino in thy tail! launce lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service, and the tied! why, man, if the river were dry, i am able to fill it with my tears; if the wind were down, i could drive the boat with my sighs. panthino come, come away, man; i was sent to call thee. launce sir, call me what thou darest. panthino wilt thou go? launce well, i will go. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene iv milan. the duke's palace. [enter silvia, valentine, thurio, and speed] silvia servant! valentine mistress? speed master, sir thurio frowns on you. valentine ay, boy, it's for love. speed not of you. valentine of my mistress, then. speed 'twere good you knocked him. [exit] silvia servant, you are sad. valentine indeed, madam, i seem so. thurio seem you that you are not? valentine haply i do. thurio so do counterfeits. valentine so do you. thurio what seem i that i am not? valentine wise. thurio what instance of the contrary? valentine your folly. thurio and how quote you my folly? valentine i quote it in your jerkin. thurio my jerkin is a doublet. valentine well, then, i'll double your folly. thurio how? silvia what, angry, sir thurio! do you change colour? valentine give him leave, madam; he is a kind of chameleon. thurio that hath more mind to feed on your blood than live in your air. valentine you have said, sir. thurio ay, sir, and done too, for this time. valentine i know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin. silvia a fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off. valentine 'tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver. silvia who is that, servant? valentine yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire. sir thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks, and spends what he borrows kindly in your company. thurio sir, if you spend word for word with me, i shall make your wit bankrupt. valentine i know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words, and, i think, no other treasure to give your followers, for it appears by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. silvia no more, gentlemen, no more:--here comes my father. [enter duke] duke now, daughter silvia, you are hard beset. sir valentine, your father's in good health: what say you to a letter from your friends of much good news? valentine my lord, i will be thankful. to any happy messenger from thence. duke know ye don antonio, your countryman? valentine ay, my good lord, i know the gentleman to be of worth and worthy estimation and not without desert so well reputed. duke hath he not a son? valentine ay, my good lord; a son that well deserves the honour and regard of such a father. duke you know him well? valentine i know him as myself; for from our infancy we have conversed and spent our hours together: and though myself have been an idle truant, omitting the sweet benefit of time to clothe mine age with angel-like perfection, yet hath sir proteus, for that's his name, made use and fair advantage of his days; his years but young, but his experience old; his head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe; and, in a word, for far behind his worth comes all the praises that i now bestow, he is complete in feature and in mind with all good grace to grace a gentleman. duke beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good, he is as worthy for an empress' love as meet to be an emperor's counsellor. well, sir, this gentleman is come to me, with commendation from great potentates; and here he means to spend his time awhile: i think 'tis no unwelcome news to you. valentine should i have wish'd a thing, it had been he. duke welcome him then according to his worth. silvia, i speak to you, and you, sir thurio; for valentine, i need not cite him to it: i will send him hither to you presently. [exit] valentine this is the gentleman i told your ladyship had come along with me, but that his mistress did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks. silvia belike that now she hath enfranchised them upon some other pawn for fealty. valentine nay, sure, i think she holds them prisoners still. silvia nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind how could he see his way to seek out you? valentine why, lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes. thurio they say that love hath not an eye at all. valentine to see such lovers, thurio, as yourself: upon a homely object love can wink. silvia have done, have done; here comes the gentleman. [exit thurio] [enter proteus] valentine welcome, dear proteus! mistress, i beseech you, confirm his welcome with some special favour. silvia his worth is warrant for his welcome hither, if this be he you oft have wish'd to hear from. valentine mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him to be my fellow-servant to your ladyship. silvia too low a mistress for so high a servant. proteus not so, sweet lady: but too mean a servant to have a look of such a worthy mistress. valentine leave off discourse of disability: sweet lady, entertain him for your servant. proteus my duty will i boast of; nothing else. silvia and duty never yet did want his meed: servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress. proteus i'll die on him that says so but yourself. silvia that you are welcome? proteus that you are worthless. [re-enter thurio] thurio madam, my lord your father would speak with you. silvia i wait upon his pleasure. come, sir thurio, go with me. once more, new servant, welcome: i'll leave you to confer of home affairs; when you have done, we look to hear from you. proteus we'll both attend upon your ladyship. [exeunt silvia and thurio] valentine now, tell me, how do all from whence you came? proteus your friends are well and have them much commended. valentine and how do yours? proteus i left them all in health. valentine how does your lady? and how thrives your love? proteus my tales of love were wont to weary you; i know you joy not in a love discourse. valentine ay, proteus, but that life is alter'd now: i have done penance for contemning love, whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me with bitter fasts, with penitential groans, with nightly tears and daily heart-sore sighs; for in revenge of my contempt of love, love hath chased sleep from my enthralled eyes and made them watchers of mine own heart's sorrow. o gentle proteus, love's a mighty lord, and hath so humbled me, as, i confess, there is no woe to his correction, nor to his service no such joy on earth. now no discourse, except it be of love; now can i break my fast, dine, sup and sleep, upon the very naked name of love. proteus enough; i read your fortune in your eye. was this the idol that you worship so? valentine even she; and is she not a heavenly saint? proteus no; but she is an earthly paragon. valentine call her divine. proteus i will not flatter her. valentine o, flatter me; for love delights in praises. proteus when i was sick, you gave me bitter pills, and i must minister the like to you. valentine then speak the truth by her; if not divine, yet let her be a principality, sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. proteus except my mistress. valentine sweet, except not any; except thou wilt except against my love. proteus have i not reason to prefer mine own? valentine and i will help thee to prefer her too: she shall be dignified with this high honour- to bear my lady's train, lest the base earth should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss and, of so great a favour growing proud, disdain to root the summer-swelling flower and make rough winter everlastingly. proteus why, valentine, what braggardism is this? valentine pardon me, proteus: all i can is nothing to her whose worth makes other worthies nothing; she is alone. proteus then let her alone. valentine not for the world: why, man, she is mine own, and i as rich in having such a jewel as twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl, the water nectar and the rocks pure gold. forgive me that i do not dream on thee, because thou see'st me dote upon my love. my foolish rival, that her father likes only for his possessions are so huge, is gone with her along, and i must after, for love, thou know'st, is full of jealousy. proteus but she loves you? valentine ay, and we are betroth'd: nay, more, our, marriage-hour, with all the cunning manner of our flight, determined of; how i must climb her window, the ladder made of cords, and all the means plotted and 'greed on for my happiness. good proteus, go with me to my chamber, in these affairs to aid me with thy counsel. proteus go on before; i shall inquire you forth: i must unto the road, to disembark some necessaries that i needs must use, and then i'll presently attend you. valentine will you make haste? proteus i will. [exit valentine] even as one heat another heat expels, or as one nail by strength drives out another, so the remembrance of my former love is by a newer object quite forgotten. is it mine, or valentine's praise, her true perfection, or my false transgression, that makes me reasonless to reason thus? she is fair; and so is julia that i love- that i did love, for now my love is thaw'd; which, like a waxen image, 'gainst a fire, bears no impression of the thing it was. methinks my zeal to valentine is cold, and that i love him not as i was wont. o, but i love his lady too too much, and that's the reason i love him so little. how shall i dote on her with more advice, that thus without advice begin to love her! 'tis but her picture i have yet beheld, and that hath dazzled my reason's light; but when i look on her perfections, there is no reason but i shall be blind. if i can cheque my erring love, i will; if not, to compass her i'll use my skill. [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene v the same. a street. [enter speed and launce severally] speed launce! by mine honesty, welcome to milan! launce forswear not thyself, sweet youth, for i am not welcome. i reckon this always, that a man is never undone till he be hanged, nor never welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say 'welcome!' speed come on, you madcap, i'll to the alehouse with you presently; where, for one shot of five pence, thou shalt have five thousand welcomes. but, sirrah, how did thy master part with madam julia? launce marry, after they closed in earnest, they parted very fairly in jest. speed but shall she marry him? launce no. speed how then? shall he marry her? launce no, neither. speed what, are they broken? launce no, they are both as whole as a fish. speed why, then, how stands the matter with them? launce marry, thus: when it stands well with him, it stands well with her. speed what an ass art thou! i understand thee not. launce what a block art thou, that thou canst not! my staff understands me. speed what thou sayest? launce ay, and what i do too: look thee, i'll but lean, and my staff understands me. speed it stands under thee, indeed. launce why, stand-under and under-stand is all one. speed but tell me true, will't be a match? launce ask my dog: if he say ay, it will! if he say no, it will; if he shake his tail and say nothing, it will. speed the conclusion is then that it will. launce thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable. speed 'tis well that i get it so. but, launce, how sayest thou, that my master is become a notable lover? launce i never knew him otherwise. speed than how? launce a notable lubber, as thou reportest him to be. speed why, thou whoreson ass, thou mistakest me. launce why, fool, i meant not thee; i meant thy master. speed i tell thee, my master is become a hot lover. launce why, i tell thee, i care not though he burn himself in love. if thou wilt, go with me to the alehouse; if not, thou art an hebrew, a jew, and not worth the name of a christian. speed why? launce because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to go to the ale with a christian. wilt thou go? speed at thy service. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene vi the same. the duke's palace. [enter proteus] proteus to leave my julia, shall i be forsworn; to love fair silvia, shall i be forsworn; to wrong my friend, i shall be much forsworn; and even that power which gave me first my oath provokes me to this threefold perjury; love bade me swear and love bids me forswear. o sweet-suggesting love, if thou hast sinned, teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it! at first i did adore a twinkling star, but now i worship a celestial sun. unheedful vows may heedfully be broken, and he wants wit that wants resolved will to learn his wit to exchange the bad for better. fie, fie, unreverend tongue! to call her bad, whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferr'd with twenty thousand soul-confirming oaths. i cannot leave to love, and yet i do; but there i leave to love where i should love. julia i lose and valentine i lose: if i keep them, i needs must lose myself; if i lose them, thus find i by their loss for valentine myself, for julia silvia. i to myself am dearer than a friend, for love is still most precious in itself; and silvia--witness heaven, that made her fair!- shows julia but a swarthy ethiope. i will forget that julia is alive, remembering that my love to her is dead; and valentine i'll hold an enemy, aiming at silvia as a sweeter friend. i cannot now prove constant to myself, without some treachery used to valentine. this night he meaneth with a corded ladder to climb celestial silvia's chamber-window, myself in counsel, his competitor. now presently i'll give her father notice of their disguising and pretended flight; who, all enraged, will banish valentine; for thurio, he intends, shall wed his daughter; but, valentine being gone, i'll quickly cross by some sly trick blunt thurio's dull proceeding. love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift, as thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift! [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act ii scene vii verona. julia's house. [enter julia and lucetta] julia counsel, lucetta; gentle girl, assist me; and even in kind love i do conjure thee, who art the table wherein all my thoughts are visibly character'd and engraved, to lesson me and tell me some good mean how, with my honour, i may undertake a journey to my loving proteus. lucetta alas, the way is wearisome and long! julia a true-devoted pilgrim is not weary to measure kingdoms with his feeble steps; much less shall she that hath love's wings to fly, and when the flight is made to one so dear, of such divine perfection, as sir proteus. lucetta better forbear till proteus make return. julia o, know'st thou not his looks are my soul's food? pity the dearth that i have pined in, by longing for that food so long a time. didst thou but know the inly touch of love, thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow as seek to quench the fire of love with words. lucetta i do not seek to quench your love's hot fire, but qualify the fire's extreme rage, lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. julia the more thou damm'st it up, the more it burns. the current that with gentle murmur glides, thou know'st, being stopp'd, impatiently doth rage; but when his fair course is not hindered, he makes sweet music with the enamell'ed stones, giving a gentle kiss to every sedge he overtaketh in his pilgrimage, and so by many winding nooks he strays with willing sport to the wild ocean. then let me go and hinder not my course i'll be as patient as a gentle stream and make a pastime of each weary step, till the last step have brought me to my love; and there i'll rest, as after much turmoil a blessed soul doth in elysium. lucetta but in what habit will you go along? julia not like a woman; for i would prevent the loose encounters of lascivious men: gentle lucetta, fit me with such weeds as may beseem some well-reputed page. lucetta why, then, your ladyship must cut your hair. julia no, girl, i'll knit it up in silken strings with twenty odd-conceited true-love knots. to be fantastic may become a youth of greater time than i shall show to be. lucetta what fashion, madam shall i make your breeches? julia that fits as well as 'tell me, good my lord, what compass will you wear your farthingale?' why even what fashion thou best likest, lucetta. lucetta you must needs have them with a codpiece, madam. julia out, out, lucetta! that would be ill-favour'd. lucetta a round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin, unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on. julia lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have what thou thinkest meet and is most mannerly. but tell me, wench, how will the world repute me for undertaking so unstaid a journey? i fear me, it will make me scandalized. lucetta if you think so, then stay at home and go not. julia nay, that i will not. lucetta then never dream on infamy, but go. if proteus like your journey when you come, no matter who's displeased when you are gone: i fear me, he will scarce be pleased withal. julia that is the least, lucetta, of my fear: a thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears and instances of infinite of love warrant me welcome to my proteus. lucetta all these are servants to deceitful men. julia base men, that use them to so base effect! but truer stars did govern proteus' birth his words are bonds, his oaths are oracles, his love sincere, his thoughts immaculate, his tears pure messengers sent from his heart, his heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth. lucetta pray heaven he prove so, when you come to him! julia now, as thou lovest me, do him not that wrong to bear a hard opinion of his truth: only deserve my love by loving him; and presently go with me to my chamber, to take a note of what i stand in need of, to furnish me upon my longing journey. all that is mine i leave at thy dispose, my goods, my lands, my reputation; only, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence. come, answer not, but to it presently! i am impatient of my tarriance. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act iii scene i milan. the duke's palace. [enter duke, thurio, and proteus] duke sir thurio, give us leave, i pray, awhile; we have some secrets to confer about. [exit thurio] now, tell me, proteus, what's your will with me? proteus my gracious lord, that which i would discover the law of friendship bids me to conceal; but when i call to mind your gracious favours done to me, undeserving as i am, my duty pricks me on to utter that which else no worldly good should draw from me. know, worthy prince, sir valentine, my friend, this night intends to steal away your daughter: myself am one made privy to the plot. i know you have determined to bestow her on thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates; and should she thus be stol'n away from you, it would be much vexation to your age. thus, for my duty's sake, i rather chose to cross my friend in his intended drift than, by concealing it, heap on your head a pack of sorrows which would press you down, being unprevented, to your timeless grave. duke proteus, i thank thee for thine honest care; which to requite, command me while i live. this love of theirs myself have often seen, haply when they have judged me fast asleep, and oftentimes have purposed to forbid sir valentine her company and my court: but fearing lest my jealous aim might err and so unworthily disgrace the man, a rashness that i ever yet have shunn'd, i gave him gentle looks, thereby to find that which thyself hast now disclosed to me. and, that thou mayst perceive my fear of this, knowing that tender youth is soon suggested, i nightly lodge her in an upper tower, the key whereof myself have ever kept; and thence she cannot be convey'd away. proteus know, noble lord, they have devised a mean how he her chamber-window will ascend and with a corded ladder fetch her down; for which the youthful lover now is gone and this way comes he with it presently; where, if it please you, you may intercept him. but, good my lord, do it so cunningly that my discovery be not aimed at; for love of you, not hate unto my friend, hath made me publisher of this pretence. duke upon mine honour, he shall never know that i had any light from thee of this. proteus adieu, my lord; sir valentine is coming. [exit] [enter valentine] duke sir valentine, whither away so fast? valentine please it your grace, there is a messenger that stays to bear my letters to my friends, and i am going to deliver them. duke be they of much import? valentine the tenor of them doth but signify my health and happy being at your court. duke nay then, no matter; stay with me awhile; i am to break with thee of some affairs that touch me near, wherein thou must be secret. 'tis not unknown to thee that i have sought to match my friend sir thurio to my daughter. valentine i know it well, my lord; and, sure, the match were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman is full of virtue, bounty, worth and qualities beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: cannot your grace win her to fancy him? duke no, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward, proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty, neither regarding that she is my child nor fearing me as if i were her father; and, may i say to thee, this pride of hers, upon advice, hath drawn my love from her; and, where i thought the remnant of mine age should have been cherish'd by her child-like duty, i now am full resolved to take a wife and turn her out to who will take her in: then let her beauty be her wedding-dower; for me and my possessions she esteems not. valentine what would your grace have me to do in this? duke there is a lady in verona here whom i affect; but she is nice and coy and nought esteems my aged eloquence: now therefore would i have thee to my tutor- for long agone i have forgot to court; besides, the fashion of the time is changed- how and which way i may bestow myself to be regarded in her sun-bright eye. valentine win her with gifts, if she respect not words: dumb jewels often in their silent kind more than quick words do move a woman's mind. duke but she did scorn a present that i sent her. valentine a woman sometimes scorns what best contents her. send her another; never give her o'er; for scorn at first makes after-love the more. if she do frown, 'tis not in hate of you, but rather to beget more love in you: if she do chide, 'tis not to have you gone; for why, the fools are mad, if left alone. take no repulse, whatever she doth say; for 'get you gone,' she doth not mean 'away!' flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces; though ne'er so black, say they have angels' faces. that man that hath a tongue, i say, is no man, if with his tongue he cannot win a woman. duke but she i mean is promised by her friends unto a youthful gentleman of worth, and kept severely from resort of men, that no man hath access by day to her. valentine why, then, i would resort to her by night. duke ay, but the doors be lock'd and keys kept safe, that no man hath recourse to her by night. valentine what lets but one may enter at her window? duke her chamber is aloft, far from the ground, and built so shelving that one cannot climb it without apparent hazard of his life. valentine why then, a ladder quaintly made of cords, to cast up, with a pair of anchoring hooks, would serve to scale another hero's tower, so bold leander would adventure it. duke now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, advise me where i may have such a ladder. valentine when would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that. duke this very night; for love is like a child, that longs for every thing that he can come by. valentine by seven o'clock i'll get you such a ladder. duke but, hark thee; i will go to her alone: how shall i best convey the ladder thither? valentine it will be light, my lord, that you may bear it under a cloak that is of any length. duke a cloak as long as thine will serve the turn? valentine ay, my good lord. duke then let me see thy cloak: i'll get me one of such another length. valentine why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord. duke how shall i fashion me to wear a cloak? i pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me. what letter is this same? what's here? 'to silvia'! and here an engine fit for my proceeding. i'll be so bold to break the seal for once. [reads] 'my thoughts do harbour with my silvia nightly, and slaves they are to me that send them flying: o, could their master come and go as lightly, himself would lodge where senseless they are lying! my herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them: while i, their king, that hither them importune, do curse the grace that with such grace hath bless'd them, because myself do want my servants' fortune: i curse myself, for they are sent by me, that they should harbour where their lord would be.' what's here? 'silvia, this night i will enfranchise thee.' 'tis so; and here's the ladder for the purpose. why, phaeton,--for thou art merops' son,- wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car and with thy daring folly burn the world? wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee? go, base intruder! overweening slave! bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates, and think my patience, more than thy desert, is privilege for thy departure hence: thank me for this more than for all the favours which all too much i have bestow'd on thee. but if thou linger in my territories longer than swiftest expedition will give thee time to leave our royal court, by heaven! my wrath shall far exceed the love i ever bore my daughter or thyself. be gone! i will not hear thy vain excuse; but, as thou lovest thy life, make speed from hence. [exit] valentine and why not death rather than living torment? to die is to be banish'd from myself; and silvia is myself: banish'd from her is self from self: a deadly banishment! what light is light, if silvia be not seen? what joy is joy, if silvia be not by? unless it be to think that she is by and feed upon the shadow of perfection except i be by silvia in the night, there is no music in the nightingale; unless i look on silvia in the day, there is no day for me to look upon; she is my essence, and i leave to be, if i be not by her fair influence foster'd, illumined, cherish'd, kept alive. i fly not death, to fly his deadly doom: tarry i here, i but attend on death: but, fly i hence, i fly away from life. [enter proteus and launce] proteus run, boy, run, run, and seek him out. launce soho, soho! proteus what seest thou? launce him we go to find: there's not a hair on's head but 'tis a valentine. proteus valentine? valentine no. proteus who then? his spirit? valentine neither. proteus what then? valentine nothing. launce can nothing speak? master, shall i strike? proteus who wouldst thou strike? launce nothing. proteus villain, forbear. launce why, sir, i'll strike nothing: i pray you,- proteus sirrah, i say, forbear. friend valentine, a word. valentine my ears are stopt and cannot hear good news, so much of bad already hath possess'd them. proteus then in dumb silence will i bury mine, for they are harsh, untuneable and bad. valentine is silvia dead? proteus no, valentine. valentine no valentine, indeed, for sacred silvia. hath she forsworn me? proteus no, valentine. valentine no valentine, if silvia have forsworn me. what is your news? launce sir, there is a proclamation that you are vanished. proteus that thou art banished--o, that's the news!- from hence, from silvia and from me thy friend. valentine o, i have fed upon this woe already, and now excess of it will make me surfeit. doth silvia know that i am banished? proteus ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom- which, unreversed, stands in effectual force- a sea of melting pearl, which some call tears: those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd; with them, upon her knees, her humble self; wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them as if but now they waxed pale for woe: but neither bended knees, pure hands held up, sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears, could penetrate her uncompassionate sire; but valentine, if he be ta'en, must die. besides, her intercession chafed him so, when she for thy repeal was suppliant, that to close prison he commanded her, with many bitter threats of biding there. valentine no more; unless the next word that thou speak'st have some malignant power upon my life: if so, i pray thee, breathe it in mine ear, as ending anthem of my endless dolour. proteus cease to lament for that thou canst not help, and study help for that which thou lament'st. time is the nurse and breeder of all good. here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love; besides, thy staying will abridge thy life. hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that and manage it against despairing thoughts. thy letters may be here, though thou art hence; which, being writ to me, shall be deliver'd even in the milk-white bosom of thy love. the time now serves not to expostulate: come, i'll convey thee through the city-gate; and, ere i part with thee, confer at large of all that may concern thy love-affairs. as thou lovest silvia, though not for thyself, regard thy danger, and along with me! valentine i pray thee, launce, an if thou seest my boy, bid him make haste and meet me at the north-gate. proteus go, sirrah, find him out. come, valentine. valentine o my dear silvia! hapless valentine! [exeunt valentine and proteus] launce i am but a fool, look you; and yet i have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave: but that's all one, if he be but one knave. he lives not now that knows me to be in love; yet i am in love; but a team of horse shall not pluck that from me; nor who 'tis i love; and yet 'tis a woman; but what woman, i will not tell myself; and yet 'tis a milkmaid; yet 'tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips; yet 'tis a maid, for she is her master's maid, and serves for wages. she hath more qualities than a water-spaniel; which is much in a bare christian. [pulling out a paper] here is the cate-log of her condition. 'imprimis: she can fetch and carry.' why, a horse can do no more: nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry; therefore is she better than a jade. 'item: she can milk;' look you, a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands. [enter speed] speed how now, signior launce! what news with your mastership? launce with my master's ship? why, it is at sea. speed well, your old vice still; mistake the word. what news, then, in your paper? launce the blackest news that ever thou heardest. speed why, man, how black? launce why, as black as ink. speed let me read them. launce fie on thee, jolt-head! thou canst not read. speed thou liest; i can. launce i will try thee. tell me this: who begot thee? speed marry, the son of my grandfather. launce o illiterate loiterer! it was the son of thy grandmother: this proves that thou canst not read. speed come, fool, come; try me in thy paper. launce there; and st. nicholas be thy speed! speed [reads] 'imprimis: she can milk.' launce ay, that she can. speed 'item: she brews good ale.' launce and thereof comes the proverb: 'blessing of your heart, you brew good ale.' speed 'item: she can sew.' launce that's as much as to say, can she so? speed 'item: she can knit.' launce what need a man care for a stock with a wench, when she can knit him a stock? speed 'item: she can wash and scour.' launce a special virtue: for then she need not be washed and scoured. speed 'item: she can spin.' launce then may i set the world on wheels, when she can spin for her living. speed 'item: she hath many nameless virtues.' launce that's as much as to say, bastard virtues; that, indeed, know not their fathers and therefore have no names. speed 'here follow her vices.' launce close at the heels of her virtues. speed 'item: she is not to be kissed fasting in respect of her breath.' launce well, that fault may be mended with a breakfast. read on. speed 'item: she hath a sweet mouth.' launce that makes amends for her sour breath. speed 'item: she doth talk in her sleep.' launce it's no matter for that, so she sleep not in her talk. speed 'item: she is slow in words.' launce o villain, that set this down among her vices! to be slow in words is a woman's only virtue: i pray thee, out with't, and place it for her chief virtue. speed 'item: she is proud.' launce out with that too; it was eve's legacy, and cannot be ta'en from her. speed 'item: she hath no teeth.' launce i care not for that neither, because i love crusts. speed 'item: she is curst.' launce well, the best is, she hath no teeth to bite. speed 'item: she will often praise her liquor.' launce if her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not, i will; for good things should be praised. speed 'item: she is too liberal.' launce of her tongue she cannot, for that's writ down she is slow of; of her purse she shall not, for that i'll keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and that cannot i help. well, proceed. speed 'item: she hath more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults.' launce stop there; i'll have her: she was mine, and not mine, twice or thrice in that last article. rehearse that once more. speed 'item: she hath more hair than wit,'- launce more hair than wit? it may be; i'll prove it. the cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit is more than the wit, for the greater hides the less. what's next? speed 'and more faults than hairs,'- launce that's monstrous: o, that that were out! speed 'and more wealth than faults.' launce why, that word makes the faults gracious. well, i'll have her; and if it be a match, as nothing is impossible,- speed what then? launce why, then will i tell thee--that thy master stays for thee at the north-gate. speed for me? launce for thee! ay, who art thou? he hath stayed for a better man than thee. speed and must i go to him? launce thou must run to him, for thou hast stayed so long that going will scarce serve the turn. speed why didst not tell me sooner? pox of your love letters! [exit] launce now will he be swinged for reading my letter; an unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into secrets! i'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction. [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act iii scene ii the same. the duke's palace. [enter duke and thurio] duke sir thurio, fear not but that she will love you, now valentine is banish'd from her sight. thurio since his exile she hath despised me most, forsworn my company and rail'd at me, that i am desperate of obtaining her. duke this weak impress of love is as a figure trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat dissolves to water and doth lose his form. a little time will melt her frozen thoughts and worthless valentine shall be forgot. [enter proteus] how now, sir proteus! is your countryman according to our proclamation gone? proteus gone, my good lord. duke my daughter takes his going grievously. proteus a little time, my lord, will kill that grief. duke so i believe; but thurio thinks not so. proteus, the good conceit i hold of thee- for thou hast shown some sign of good desert- makes me the better to confer with thee. proteus longer than i prove loyal to your grace let me not live to look upon your grace. duke thou know'st how willingly i would effect the match between sir thurio and my daughter. proteus i do, my lord. duke and also, i think, thou art not ignorant how she opposes her against my will proteus she did, my lord, when valentine was here. duke ay, and perversely she persevers so. what might we do to make the girl forget the love of valentine and love sir thurio? proteus the best way is to slander valentine with falsehood, cowardice and poor descent, three things that women highly hold in hate. duke ay, but she'll think that it is spoke in hate. proteus ay, if his enemy deliver it: therefore it must with circumstance be spoken by one whom she esteemeth as his friend. duke then you must undertake to slander him. proteus and that, my lord, i shall be loath to do: 'tis an ill office for a gentleman, especially against his very friend. duke where your good word cannot advantage him, your slander never can endamage him; therefore the office is indifferent, being entreated to it by your friend. proteus you have prevail'd, my lord; if i can do it by ought that i can speak in his dispraise, she shall not long continue love to him. but say this weed her love from valentine, it follows not that she will love sir thurio. thurio therefore, as you unwind her love from him, lest it should ravel and be good to none, you must provide to bottom it on me; which must be done by praising me as much as you in worth dispraise sir valentine. duke and, proteus, we dare trust you in this kind, because we know, on valentine's report, you are already love's firm votary and cannot soon revolt and change your mind. upon this warrant shall you have access where you with silvia may confer at large; for she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy, and, for your friend's sake, will be glad of you; where you may temper her by your persuasion to hate young valentine and love my friend. proteus as much as i can do, i will effect: but you, sir thurio, are not sharp enough; you must lay lime to tangle her desires by wailful sonnets, whose composed rhymes should be full-fraught with serviceable vows. duke ay, much is the force of heaven-bred poesy. proteus say that upon the altar of her beauty you sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart: write till your ink be dry, and with your tears moist it again, and frame some feeling line that may discover such integrity: for orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews, whose golden touch could soften steel and stones, make tigers tame and huge leviathans forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands. after your dire-lamenting elegies, visit by night your lady's chamber-window with some sweet concert; to their instruments tune a deploring dump: the night's dead silence will well become such sweet-complaining grievance. this, or else nothing, will inherit her. duke this discipline shows thou hast been in love. thurio and thy advice this night i'll put in practise. therefore, sweet proteus, my direction-giver, let us into the city presently to sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music. i have a sonnet that will serve the turn to give the onset to thy good advice. duke about it, gentlemen! proteus we'll wait upon your grace till after supper, and afterward determine our proceedings. duke even now about it! i will pardon you. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act iv scene i the frontiers of mantua. a forest. [enter certain outlaws] first outlaw fellows, stand fast; i see a passenger. second outlaw if there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em. [enter valentine and speed] third outlaw stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye: if not: we'll make you sit and rifle you. speed sir, we are undone; these are the villains that all the travellers do fear so much. valentine my friends,- first outlaw that's not so, sir: we are your enemies. second outlaw peace! we'll hear him. third outlaw ay, by my beard, will we, for he's a proper man. valentine then know that i have little wealth to lose: a man i am cross'd with adversity; my riches are these poor habiliments, of which if you should here disfurnish me, you take the sum and substance that i have. second outlaw whither travel you? valentine to verona. first outlaw whence came you? valentine from milan. third outlaw have you long sojourned there? valentine some sixteen months, and longer might have stay'd, if crooked fortune had not thwarted me. first outlaw what, were you banish'd thence? valentine i was. second outlaw for what offence? valentine for that which now torments me to rehearse: i kill'd a man, whose death i much repent; but yet i slew him manfully in fight, without false vantage or base treachery. first outlaw why, ne'er repent it, if it were done so. but were you banish'd for so small a fault? valentine i was, and held me glad of such a doom. second outlaw have you the tongues? valentine my youthful travel therein made me happy, or else i often had been miserable. third outlaw by the bare scalp of robin hood's fat friar, this fellow were a king for our wild faction! first outlaw we'll have him. sirs, a word. speed master, be one of them; it's an honourable kind of thievery. valentine peace, villain! second outlaw tell us this: have you any thing to take to? valentine nothing but my fortune. third outlaw know, then, that some of us are gentlemen, such as the fury of ungovern'd youth thrust from the company of awful men: myself was from verona banished for practising to steal away a lady, an heir, and near allied unto the duke. second outlaw and i from mantua, for a gentleman, who, in my mood, i stabb'd unto the heart. first outlaw and i for such like petty crimes as these, but to the purpose--for we cite our faults, that they may hold excus'd our lawless lives; and partly, seeing you are beautified with goodly shape and by your own report a linguist and a man of such perfection as we do in our quality much want- second outlaw indeed, because you are a banish'd man, therefore, above the rest, we parley to you: are you content to be our general? to make a virtue of necessity and live, as we do, in this wilderness? third outlaw what say'st thou? wilt thou be of our consort? say ay, and be the captain of us all: we'll do thee homage and be ruled by thee, love thee as our commander and our king. first outlaw but if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest. second outlaw thou shalt not live to brag what we have offer'd. valentine i take your offer and will live with you, provided that you do no outrages on silly women or poor passengers. third outlaw no, we detest such vile base practises. come, go with us, we'll bring thee to our crews, and show thee all the treasure we have got, which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act iv scene ii milan. outside the duke's palace, under silvia's chamber. [enter proteus] proteus already have i been false to valentine and now i must be as unjust to thurio. under the colour of commending him, i have access my own love to prefer: but silvia is too fair, too true, too holy, to be corrupted with my worthless gifts. when i protest true loyalty to her, she twits me with my falsehood to my friend; when to her beauty i commend my vows, she bids me think how i have been forsworn in breaking faith with julia whom i loved: and notwithstanding all her sudden quips, the least whereof would quell a lover's hope, yet, spaniel-like, the more she spurns my love, the more it grows and fawneth on her still. but here comes thurio: now must we to her window, and give some evening music to her ear. [enter thurio and musicians] thurio how now, sir proteus, are you crept before us? proteus ay, gentle thurio: for you know that love will creep in service where it cannot go. thurio ay, but i hope, sir, that you love not here. proteus sir, but i do; or else i would be hence. thurio who? silvia? proteus ay, silvia; for your sake. thurio i thank you for your own. now, gentlemen, let's tune, and to it lustily awhile. [enter, at a distance, host, and julia in boy's clothes] host now, my young guest, methinks you're allycholly: i pray you, why is it? julia marry, mine host, because i cannot be merry. host come, we'll have you merry: i'll bring you where you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for. julia but shall i hear him speak? host ay, that you shall. julia that will be music. [music plays] host hark, hark! julia is he among these? host ay: but, peace! let's hear 'em. song. who is silvia? what is she, that all our swains commend her? holy, fair and wise is she; the heaven such grace did lend her, that she might admired be. is she kind as she is fair? for beauty lives with kindness. love doth to her eyes repair, to help him of his blindness, and, being help'd, inhabits there. then to silvia let us sing, that silvia is excelling; she excels each mortal thing upon the dull earth dwelling: to her let us garlands bring. host how now! are you sadder than you were before? how do you, man? the music likes you not. julia you mistake; the musician likes me not. host why, my pretty youth? julia he plays false, father. host how? out of tune on the strings? julia not so; but yet so false that he grieves my very heart-strings. host you have a quick ear. julia ay, i would i were deaf; it makes me have a slow heart. host i perceive you delight not in music. julia not a whit, when it jars so. host hark, what fine change is in the music! julia ay, that change is the spite. host you would have them always play but one thing? julia i would always have one play but one thing. but, host, doth this sir proteus that we talk on often resort unto this gentlewoman? host i tell you what launce, his man, told me: he loved her out of all nick. julia where is launce? host gone to seek his dog; which tomorrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady. julia peace! stand aside: the company parts. proteus sir thurio, fear not you: i will so plead that you shall say my cunning drift excels. thurio where meet we? proteus at saint gregory's well. thurio farewell. [exeunt thurio and musicians] [enter silvia above] proteus madam, good even to your ladyship. silvia i thank you for your music, gentlemen. who is that that spake? proteus one, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth, you would quickly learn to know him by his voice. silvia sir proteus, as i take it. proteus sir proteus, gentle lady, and your servant. silvia what's your will? proteus that i may compass yours. silvia you have your wish; my will is even this: that presently you hie you home to bed. thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man! think'st thou i am so shallow, so conceitless, to be seduced by thy flattery, that hast deceived so many with thy vows? return, return, and make thy love amends. for me, by this pale queen of night i swear, i am so far from granting thy request that i despise thee for thy wrongful suit, and by and by intend to chide myself even for this time i spend in talking to thee. proteus i grant, sweet love, that i did love a lady; but she is dead. julia [aside] 'twere false, if i should speak it; for i am sure she is not buried. silvia say that she be; yet valentine thy friend survives; to whom, thyself art witness, i am betroth'd: and art thou not ashamed to wrong him with thy importunacy? proteus i likewise hear that valentine is dead. silvia and so suppose am i; for in his grave assure thyself my love is buried. proteus sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. silvia go to thy lady's grave and call hers thence, or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine. julia [aside] he heard not that. proteus madam, if your heart be so obdurate, vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love, the picture that is hanging in your chamber; to that i'll speak, to that i'll sigh and weep: for since the substance of your perfect self is else devoted, i am but a shadow; and to your shadow will i make true love. julia [aside] if 'twere a substance, you would, sure, deceive it, and make it but a shadow, as i am. silvia i am very loath to be your idol, sir; but since your falsehood shall become you well to worship shadows and adore false shapes, send to me in the morning and i'll send it: and so, good rest. proteus as wretches have o'ernight that wait for execution in the morn. [exeunt proteus and silvia severally] julia host, will you go? host by my halidom, i was fast asleep. julia pray you, where lies sir proteus? host marry, at my house. trust me, i think 'tis almost day. julia not so; but it hath been the longest night that e'er i watch'd and the most heaviest. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act iv scene iii the same. [enter eglamour] eglamour this is the hour that madam silvia entreated me to call and know her mind: there's some great matter she'ld employ me in. madam, madam! [enter silvia above] silvia who calls? eglamour your servant and your friend; one that attends your ladyship's command. silvia sir eglamour, a thousand times good morrow. eglamour as many, worthy lady, to yourself: according to your ladyship's impose, i am thus early come to know what service it is your pleasure to command me in. silvia o eglamour, thou art a gentleman- think not i flatter, for i swear i do not- valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish'd: thou art not ignorant what dear good will i bear unto the banish'd valentine, nor how my father would enforce me marry vain thurio, whom my very soul abhors. thyself hast loved; and i have heard thee say no grief did ever come so near thy heart as when thy lady and thy true love died, upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity. sir eglamour, i would to valentine, to mantua, where i hear he makes abode; and, for the ways are dangerous to pass, i do desire thy worthy company, upon whose faith and honour i repose. urge not my father's anger, eglamour, but think upon my grief, a lady's grief, and on the justice of my flying hence, to keep me from a most unholy match, which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues. i do desire thee, even from a heart as full of sorrows as the sea of sands, to bear me company and go with me: if not, to hide what i have said to thee, that i may venture to depart alone. eglamour madam, i pity much your grievances; which since i know they virtuously are placed, i give consent to go along with you, recking as little what betideth me as much i wish all good befortune you. when will you go? silvia this evening coming. eglamour where shall i meet you? silvia at friar patrick's cell, where i intend holy confession. eglamour i will not fail your ladyship. good morrow, gentle lady. silvia good morrow, kind sir eglamour. [exeunt severally] the two gentlemen of verona act iv scene iv the same. [enter launce, with his his dog] launce when a man's servant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard: one that i brought up of a puppy; one that i saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it. i have taught him, even as one would say precisely, 'thus i would teach a dog.' i was sent to deliver him as a present to mistress silvia from my master; and i came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he steps me to her trencher and steals her capon's leg: o, 'tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies! i would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as it were, a dog at all things. if i had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, i think verily he had been hanged for't; sure as i live, he had suffered for't; you shall judge. he thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemanlike dogs under the duke's table: he had not been there--bless the mark!--a pissing while, but all the chamber smelt him. 'out with the dog!' says one: 'what cur is that?' says another: 'whip him out' says the third: 'hang him up' says the duke. i, having been acquainted with the smell before, knew it was crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: 'friend,' quoth i, 'you mean to whip the dog?' 'ay, marry, do i,' quoth he. 'you do him the more wrong,' quoth i; ''twas i did the thing you wot of.' he makes me no more ado, but whips me out of the chamber. how many masters would do this for his servant? nay, i'll be sworn, i have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had been executed; i have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't. thou thinkest not of this now. nay, i remember the trick you served me when i took my leave of madam silvia: did not i bid thee still mark me and do as i do? when didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a trick? [enter proteus and julia] proteus sebastian is thy name? i like thee well and will employ thee in some service presently. julia in what you please: i'll do what i can. proteus i hope thou wilt. [to launce] how now, you whoreson peasant! where have you been these two days loitering? launce marry, sir, i carried mistress silvia the dog you bade me. proteus and what says she to my little jewel? launce marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you currish thanks is good enough for such a present. proteus but she received my dog? launce no, indeed, did she not: here have i brought him back again. proteus what, didst thou offer her this from me? launce ay, sir: the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman boys in the market-place: and then i offered her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift the greater. proteus go get thee hence, and find my dog again, or ne'er return again into my sight. away, i say! stay'st thou to vex me here? [exit launce] a slave, that still an end turns me to shame! sebastian, i have entertained thee, partly that i have need of such a youth that can with some discretion do my business, for 'tis no trusting to yond foolish lout, but chiefly for thy face and thy behavior, which, if my augury deceive me not, witness good bringing up, fortune and truth: therefore know thou, for this i entertain thee. go presently and take this ring with thee, deliver it to madam silvia: she loved me well deliver'd it to me. julia it seems you loved not her, to leave her token. she is dead, belike? proteus not so; i think she lives. julia alas! proteus why dost thou cry 'alas'? julia i cannot choose but pity her. proteus wherefore shouldst thou pity her? julia because methinks that she loved you as well as you do love your lady silvia: she dreams of him that has forgot her love; you dote on her that cares not for your love. 'tis pity love should be so contrary; and thinking of it makes me cry 'alas!' proteus well, give her that ring and therewithal this letter. that's her chamber. tell my lady i claim the promise for her heavenly picture. your message done, hie home unto my chamber, where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. [exit] julia how many women would do such a message? alas, poor proteus! thou hast entertain'd a fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs. alas, poor fool! why do i pity him that with his very heart despiseth me? because he loves her, he despiseth me; because i love him i must pity him. this ring i gave him when he parted from me, to bind him to remember my good will; and now am i, unhappy messenger, to plead for that which i would not obtain, to carry that which i would have refused, to praise his faith which i would have dispraised. i am my master's true-confirmed love; but cannot be true servant to my master, unless i prove false traitor to myself. yet will i woo for him, but yet so coldly as, heaven it knows, i would not have him speed. [enter silvia, attended] gentlewoman, good day! i pray you, be my mean to bring me where to speak with madam silvia. silvia what would you with her, if that i be she? julia if you be she, i do entreat your patience to hear me speak the message i am sent on. silvia from whom? julia from my master, sir proteus, madam. silvia o, he sends you for a picture. julia ay, madam. silvia ursula, bring my picture here. go give your master this: tell him from me, one julia, that his changing thoughts forget, would better fit his chamber than this shadow. julia madam, please you peruse this letter.- pardon me, madam; i have unadvised deliver'd you a paper that i should not: this is the letter to your ladyship. silvia i pray thee, let me look on that again. julia it may not be; good madam, pardon me. silvia there, hold! i will not look upon your master's lines: i know they are stuff'd with protestations and full of new-found oaths; which he will break as easily as i do tear his paper. julia madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. silvia the more shame for him that he sends it me; for i have heard him say a thousand times his julia gave it him at his departure. though his false finger have profaned the ring, mine shall not do his julia so much wrong. julia she thanks you. silvia what say'st thou? julia i thank you, madam, that you tender her. poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much. silvia dost thou know her? julia almost as well as i do know myself: to think upon her woes i do protest that i have wept a hundred several times. silvia belike she thinks that proteus hath forsook her. julia i think she doth; and that's her cause of sorrow. silvia is she not passing fair? julia she hath been fairer, madam, than she is: when she did think my master loved her well, she, in my judgment, was as fair as you: but since she did neglect her looking-glass and threw her sun-expelling mask away, the air hath starved the roses in her cheeks and pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face, that now she is become as black as i. silvia how tall was she? julia about my stature; for at pentecost, when all our pageants of delight were play'd, our youth got me to play the woman's part, and i was trimm'd in madam julia's gown, which served me as fit, by all men's judgments, as if the garment had been made for me: therefore i know she is about my height. and at that time i made her weep agood, for i did play a lamentable part: madam, 'twas ariadne passioning for theseus' perjury and unjust flight; which i so lively acted with my tears that my poor mistress, moved therewithal, wept bitterly; and would i might be dead if i in thought felt not her very sorrow! silvia she is beholding to thee, gentle youth. alas, poor lady, desolate and left! i weep myself to think upon thy words. here, youth, there is my purse; i give thee this for thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lovest her. farewell. [exit silvia, with attendants] julia and she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her. a virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful i hope my master's suit will be but cold, since she respects my mistress' love so much. alas, how love can trifle with itself! here is her picture: let me see; i think, if i had such a tire, this face of mine were full as lovely as is this of hers: and yet the painter flatter'd her a little, unless i flatter with myself too much. her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow: if that be all the difference in his love, i'll get me such a colour'd periwig. her eyes are grey as glass, and so are mine: ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high. what should it be that he respects in her but i can make respective in myself, if this fond love were not a blinded god? come, shadow, come and take this shadow up, for 'tis thy rival. o thou senseless form, thou shalt be worshipp'd, kiss'd, loved and adored! and, were there sense in his idolatry, my substance should be statue in thy stead. i'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake, that used me so; or else, by jove i vow, i should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes to make my master out of love with thee! [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act v scene i milan. an abbey. [enter eglamour] eglamour the sun begins to gild the western sky; and now it is about the very hour that silvia, at friar patrick's cell, should meet me. she will not fail, for lovers break not hours, unless it be to come before their time; so much they spur their expedition. see where she comes. [enter silvia] lady, a happy evening! silvia amen, amen! go on, good eglamour, out at the postern by the abbey-wall: i fear i am attended by some spies. eglamour fear not: the forest is not three leagues off; if we recover that, we are sure enough. [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act v scene ii the same. the duke's palace. [enter thurio, proteus, and julia] thurio sir proteus, what says silvia to my suit? proteus o, sir, i find her milder than she was; and yet she takes exceptions at your person. thurio what, that my leg is too long? proteus no; that it is too little. thurio i'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder. julia [aside] but love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes. thurio what says she to my face? proteus she says it is a fair one. thurio nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black. proteus but pearls are fair; and the old saying is, black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes. julia [aside] 'tis true; such pearls as put out ladies' eyes; for i had rather wink than look on them. thurio how likes she my discourse? proteus ill, when you talk of war. thurio but well, when i discourse of love and peace? julia [aside] but better, indeed, when you hold your peace. thurio what says she to my valour? proteus o, sir, she makes no doubt of that. julia [aside] she needs not, when she knows it cowardice. thurio what says she to my birth? proteus that you are well derived. julia [aside] true; from a gentleman to a fool. thurio considers she my possessions? proteus o, ay; and pities them. thurio wherefore? julia [aside] that such an ass should owe them. proteus that they are out by lease. julia here comes the duke. [enter duke] duke how now, sir proteus! how now, thurio! which of you saw sir eglamour of late? thurio not i. proteus nor i. duke saw you my daughter? proteus neither. duke why then, she's fled unto that peasant valentine; and eglamour is in her company. 'tis true; for friar laurence met them both, as he in penance wander'd through the forest; him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she, but, being mask'd, he was not sure of it; besides, she did intend confession at patrick's cell this even; and there she was not; these likelihoods confirm her flight from hence. therefore, i pray you, stand not to discourse, but mount you presently and meet with me upon the rising of the mountain-foot that leads towards mantua, whither they are fled: dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me. [exit] thurio why, this it is to be a peevish girl, that flies her fortune when it follows her. i'll after, more to be revenged on eglamour than for the love of reckless silvia. [exit] proteus and i will follow, more for silvia's love than hate of eglamour that goes with her. [exit] julia and i will follow, more to cross that love than hate for silvia that is gone for love. [exit] the two gentlemen of verona act v scene iii the frontiers of mantua. the forest. [enter outlaws with silvia] first outlaw come, come, be patient; we must bring you to our captain. silvia a thousand more mischances than this one have learn'd me how to brook this patiently. second outlaw come, bring her away. first outlaw where is the gentleman that was with her? third outlaw being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us, but moyses and valerius follow him. go thou with her to the west end of the wood; there is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled; the thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape. first outlaw come, i must bring you to our captain's cave: fear not; he bears an honourable mind, and will not use a woman lawlessly. silvia o valentine, this i endure for thee! [exeunt] the two gentlemen of verona act v scene iv another part of the forest. [enter valentine] valentine how use doth breed a habit in a man! this shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, i better brook than flourishing peopled towns: here can i sit alone, unseen of any, and to the nightingale's complaining notes tune my distresses and record my woes. o thou that dost inhabit in my breast, leave not the mansion so long tenantless, lest, growing ruinous, the building fall and leave no memory of what it was! repair me with thy presence, silvia; thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain! what halloing and what stir is this to-day? these are my mates, that make their wills their law, have some unhappy passenger in chase. they love me well; yet i have much to do to keep them from uncivil outrages. withdraw thee, valentine: who's this comes here? [enter proteus, silvia, and julia] proteus madam, this service i have done for you, though you respect not aught your servant doth, to hazard life and rescue you from him that would have forced your honour and your love; vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look; a smaller boon than this i cannot beg and less than this, i am sure, you cannot give. valentine [aside] how like a dream is this i see and hear! love, lend me patience to forbear awhile. silvia o miserable, unhappy that i am! proteus unhappy were you, madam, ere i came; but by my coming i have made you happy. silvia by thy approach thou makest me most unhappy. julia [aside] and me, when he approacheth to your presence. silvia had i been seized by a hungry lion, i would have been a breakfast to the beast, rather than have false proteus rescue me. o, heaven be judge how i love valentine, whose life's as tender to me as my soul! and full as much, for more there cannot be, i do detest false perjured proteus. therefore be gone; solicit me no more. proteus what dangerous action, stood it next to death, would i not undergo for one calm look! o, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved, when women cannot love where they're beloved! silvia when proteus cannot love where he's beloved. read over julia's heart, thy first best love, for whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths descended into perjury, to love me. thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two; and that's far worse than none; better have none than plural faith which is too much by one: thou counterfeit to thy true friend! proteus in love who respects friend? silvia all men but proteus. proteus nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words can no way change you to a milder form, i'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end, and love you 'gainst the nature of love,--force ye. silvia o heaven! proteus i'll force thee yield to my desire. valentine ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch, thou friend of an ill fashion! proteus valentine! valentine thou common friend, that's without faith or love, for such is a friend now; treacherous man! thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye could have persuaded me: now i dare not say i have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me. who should be trusted, when one's own right hand is perjured to the bosom? proteus, i am sorry i must never trust thee more, but count the world a stranger for thy sake. the private wound is deepest: o time most accurst, 'mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst! proteus my shame and guilt confounds me. forgive me, valentine: if hearty sorrow be a sufficient ransom for offence, i tender 't here; i do as truly suffer as e'er i did commit. valentine then i am paid; and once again i do receive thee honest. who by repentance is not satisfied is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased. by penitence the eternal's wrath's appeased: and, that my love may appear plain and free, all that was mine in silvia i give thee. julia o me unhappy! [swoons] proteus look to the boy. valentine why, boy! why, wag! how now! what's the matter? look up; speak. julia o good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring to madam silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done. proteus where is that ring, boy? julia here 'tis; this is it. proteus how! let me see: why, this is the ring i gave to julia. julia o, cry you mercy, sir, i have mistook: this is the ring you sent to silvia. proteus but how camest thou by this ring? at my depart i gave this unto julia. julia and julia herself did give it me; and julia herself hath brought it hither. proteus how! julia! julia behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths, and entertain'd 'em deeply in her heart. how oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root! o proteus, let this habit make thee blush! be thou ashamed that i have took upon me such an immodest raiment, if shame live in a disguise of love: it is the lesser blot, modesty finds, women to change their shapes than men their minds. proteus than men their minds! 'tis true. o heaven! were man but constant, he were perfect. that one error fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins: inconstancy falls off ere it begins. what is in silvia's face, but i may spy more fresh in julia's with a constant eye? valentine come, come, a hand from either: let me be blest to make this happy close; 'twere pity two such friends should be long foes. proteus bear witness, heaven, i have my wish for ever. julia and i mine. [enter outlaws, with duke and thurio] outlaws a prize, a prize, a prize! valentine forbear, forbear, i say! it is my lord the duke. your grace is welcome to a man disgraced, banished valentine. duke sir valentine! thurio yonder is silvia; and silvia's mine. valentine thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death; come not within the measure of my wrath; do not name silvia thine; if once again, verona shall not hold thee. here she stands; take but possession of her with a touch: i dare thee but to breathe upon my love. thurio sir valentine, i care not for her, i; i hold him but a fool that will endanger his body for a girl that loves him not: i claim her not, and therefore she is thine. duke the more degenerate and base art thou, to make such means for her as thou hast done and leave her on such slight conditions. now, by the honour of my ancestry, i do applaud thy spirit, valentine, and think thee worthy of an empress' love: know then, i here forget all former griefs, cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again, plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit, to which i thus subscribe: sir valentine, thou art a gentleman and well derived; take thou thy silvia, for thou hast deserved her. valentine i thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy. i now beseech you, for your daughter's sake, to grant one boom that i shall ask of you. duke i grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be. valentine these banish'd men that i have kept withal are men endued with worthy qualities: forgive them what they have committed here and let them be recall'd from their exile: they are reformed, civil, full of good and fit for great employment, worthy lord. duke thou hast prevail'd; i pardon them and thee: dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts. come, let us go: we will include all jars with triumphs, mirth and rare solemnity. valentine and, as we walk along, i dare be bold with our discourse to make your grace to smile. what think you of this page, my lord? duke i think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes. valentine i warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy. duke what mean you by that saying? valentine please you, i'll tell you as we pass along, that you will wonder what hath fortuned. come, proteus; 'tis your penance but to hear the story of your loves discovered: that done, our day of marriage shall be yours; one feast, one house, one mutual happiness. [exeunt] the tempest dramatis personae alonso king of naples. sebastian his brother. prospero the right duke of milan. antonio his brother, the usurping duke of milan. ferdinand son to the king of naples. gonzalo an honest old counsellor. adrian | | lords. francisco | caliban a savage and deformed slave. trinculo a jester. stephano a drunken butler. master of a ship. (master:) boatswain. (boatswain:) mariners. (mariners:) miranda daughter to prospero. ariel an airy spirit. iris | | ceres | | juno | presented by spirits. | nymphs | | reapers | other spirits attending on prospero. scene a ship at sea: an island. the tempest act i scene i on a ship at sea: a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard. [enter a master and a boatswain] master boatswain! boatswain here, master: what cheer? master good, speak to the mariners: fall to't, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir. [exit] [enter mariners] boatswain heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! yare, yare! take in the topsail. tend to the master's whistle. blow, till thou burst thy wind, if room enough! [enter alonso, sebastian, antonio, ferdinand, gonzalo, and others] alonso good boatswain, have care. where's the master? play the men. boatswain i pray now, keep below. antonio where is the master, boatswain? boatswain do you not hear him? you mar our labour: keep your cabins: you do assist the storm. gonzalo nay, good, be patient. boatswain when the sea is. hence! what cares these roarers for the name of king? to cabin: silence! trouble us not. gonzalo good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard. boatswain none that i more love than myself. you are a counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap. cheerly, good hearts! out of our way, i say. [exit] gonzalo i have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. stand fast, good fate, to his hanging: make the rope of his destiny our cable, for our own doth little advantage. if he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable. [exeunt] [re-enter boatswain] boatswain down with the topmast! yare! lower, lower! bring her to try with main-course. [a cry within] a plague upon this howling! they are louder than the weather or our office. [re-enter sebastian, antonio, and gonzalo] yet again! what do you here? shall we give o'er and drown? have you a mind to sink? sebastian a pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog! boatswain work you then. antonio hang, cur! hang, you whoreson, insolent noisemaker! we are less afraid to be drowned than thou art. gonzalo i'll warrant him for drowning; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an unstanched wench. boatswain lay her a-hold, a-hold! set her two courses off to sea again; lay her off. [enter mariners wet] mariners all lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost! boatswain what, must our mouths be cold? gonzalo the king and prince at prayers! let's assist them, for our case is as theirs. sebastian i'm out of patience. antonio we are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards: this wide-chapp'd rascal--would thou mightst lie drowning the washing of ten tides! gonzalo he'll be hang'd yet, though every drop of water swear against it and gape at widest to glut him. [a confused noise within: 'mercy on us!'- 'we split, we split!'--'farewell, my wife and children!'- 'farewell, brother!'--'we split, we split, we split!'] antonio let's all sink with the king. sebastian let's take leave of him. [exeunt antonio and sebastian] gonzalo now would i give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground, long heath, brown furze, any thing. the wills above be done! but i would fain die a dry death. [exeunt] the tempest act i scene ii the island. before prospero's cell. [enter prospero and miranda] miranda if by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. the sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, but that the sea, mounting to the welkin's cheek, dashes the fire out. o, i have suffered with those that i saw suffer: a brave vessel, who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, dash'd all to pieces. o, the cry did knock against my very heart. poor souls, they perish'd. had i been any god of power, i would have sunk the sea within the earth or ere it should the good ship so have swallow'd and the fraughting souls within her. prospero be collected: no more amazement: tell your piteous heart there's no harm done. miranda o, woe the day! prospero no harm. i have done nothing but in care of thee, of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing of whence i am, nor that i am more better than prospero, master of a full poor cell, and thy no greater father. miranda more to know did never meddle with my thoughts. prospero 'tis time i should inform thee farther. lend thy hand, and pluck my magic garment from me. so: [lays down his mantle] lie there, my art. wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort. the direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd the very virtue of compassion in thee, i have with such provision in mine art so safely ordered that there is no soul- no, not so much perdition as an hair betid to any creature in the vessel which thou heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink. sit down; for thou must now know farther. miranda you have often begun to tell me what i am, but stopp'd and left me to a bootless inquisition, concluding 'stay: not yet.' prospero the hour's now come; the very minute bids thee ope thine ear; obey and be attentive. canst thou remember a time before we came unto this cell? i do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not out three years old. miranda certainly, sir, i can. prospero by what? by any other house or person? of any thing the image tell me that hath kept with thy remembrance. miranda 'tis far off and rather like a dream than an assurance that my remembrance warrants. had i not four or five women once that tended me? prospero thou hadst, and more, miranda. but how is it that this lives in thy mind? what seest thou else in the dark backward and abysm of time? if thou remember'st aught ere thou camest here, how thou camest here thou mayst. miranda but that i do not. prospero twelve year since, miranda, twelve year since, thy father was the duke of milan and a prince of power. miranda sir, are not you my father? prospero thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast my daughter; and thy father was duke of milan; and thou his only heir and princess no worse issued. miranda o the heavens! what foul play had we, that we came from thence? or blessed was't we did? prospero both, both, my girl: by foul play, as thou say'st, were we heaved thence, but blessedly holp hither. miranda o, my heart bleeds to think o' the teen that i have turn'd you to, which is from my remembrance! please you, farther. prospero my brother and thy uncle, call'd antonio- i pray thee, mark me--that a brother should be so perfidious!--he whom next thyself of all the world i loved and to him put the manage of my state; as at that time through all the signories it was the first and prospero the prime duke, being so reputed in dignity, and for the liberal arts without a parallel; those being all my study, the government i cast upon my brother and to my state grew stranger, being transported and rapt in secret studies. thy false uncle- dost thou attend me? miranda sir, most heedfully. prospero being once perfected how to grant suits, how to deny them, who to advance and who to trash for over-topping, new created the creatures that were mine, i say, or changed 'em, or else new form'd 'em; having both the key of officer and office, set all hearts i' the state to what tune pleased his ear; that now he was the ivy which had hid my princely trunk, and suck'd my verdure out on't. thou attend'st not. miranda o, good sir, i do. prospero i pray thee, mark me. i, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated to closeness and the bettering of my mind with that which, but by being so retired, o'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother awaked an evil nature; and my trust, like a good parent, did beget of him a falsehood in its contrary as great as my trust was; which had indeed no limit, a confidence sans bound. he being thus lorded, not only with what my revenue yielded, but what my power might else exact, like one who having into truth, by telling of it, made such a sinner of his memory, to credit his own lie, he did believe he was indeed the duke; out o' the substitution and executing the outward face of royalty, with all prerogative: hence his ambition growing- dost thou hear? miranda your tale, sir, would cure deafness. prospero to have no screen between this part he play'd and him he play'd it for, he needs will be absolute milan. me, poor man, my library was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties he thinks me now incapable; confederates- so dry he was for sway--wi' the king of naples to give him annual tribute, do him homage, subject his coronet to his crown and bend the dukedom yet unbow'd--alas, poor milan!- to most ignoble stooping. miranda o the heavens! prospero mark his condition and the event; then tell me if this might be a brother. miranda i should sin to think but nobly of my grandmother: good wombs have borne bad sons. prospero now the condition. the king of naples, being an enemy to me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; which was, that he, in lieu o' the premises of homage and i know not how much tribute, should presently extirpate me and mine out of the dukedom and confer fair milan with all the honours on my brother: whereon, a treacherous army levied, one midnight fated to the purpose did antonio open the gates of milan, and, i' the dead of darkness, the ministers for the purpose hurried thence me and thy crying self. miranda alack, for pity! i, not remembering how i cried out then, will cry it o'er again: it is a hint that wrings mine eyes to't. prospero hear a little further and then i'll bring thee to the present business which now's upon's; without the which this story were most impertinent. miranda wherefore did they not that hour destroy us? prospero well demanded, wench: my tale provokes that question. dear, they durst not, so dear the love my people bore me, nor set a mark so bloody on the business, but with colours fairer painted their foul ends. in few, they hurried us aboard a bark, bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared a rotten carcass of a boat, not rigg'd, nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us, to cry to the sea that roar'd to us, to sigh to the winds whose pity, sighing back again, did us but loving wrong. miranda alack, what trouble was i then to you! prospero o, a cherubim thou wast that did preserve me. thou didst smile. infused with a fortitude from heaven, when i have deck'd the sea with drops full salt, under my burthen groan'd; which raised in me an undergoing stomach, to bear up against what should ensue. miranda how came we ashore? prospero by providence divine. some food we had and some fresh water that a noble neapolitan, gonzalo, out of his charity, being then appointed master of this design, did give us, with rich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries, which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, knowing i loved my books, he furnish'd me from mine own library with volumes that i prize above my dukedom. miranda would i might but ever see that man! prospero now i arise: [resumes his mantle] sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. here in this island we arrived; and here have i, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit than other princesses can that have more time for vainer hours and tutors not so careful. miranda heavens thank you for't! and now, i pray you, sir, for still 'tis beating in my mind, your reason for raising this sea-storm? prospero know thus far forth. by accident most strange, bountiful fortune, now my dear lady, hath mine enemies brought to this shore; and by my prescience i find my zenith doth depend upon a most auspicious star, whose influence if now i court not but omit, my fortunes will ever after droop. here cease more questions: thou art inclined to sleep; 'tis a good dulness, and give it way: i know thou canst not choose. [miranda sleeps] come away, servant, come. i am ready now. approach, my ariel, come. [enter ariel] ariel all hail, great master! grave sir, hail! i come to answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire, to ride on the curl'd clouds, to thy strong bidding task ariel and all his quality. prospero hast thou, spirit, perform'd to point the tempest that i bade thee? ariel to every article. i boarded the king's ship; now on the beak, now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, i flamed amazement: sometime i'ld divide, and burn in many places; on the topmast, the yards and bowsprit, would i flame distinctly, then meet and join. jove's lightnings, the precursors o' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary and sight-outrunning were not; the fire and cracks of sulphurous roaring the most mighty neptune seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble, yea, his dread trident shake. prospero my brave spirit! who was so firm, so constant, that this coil would not infect his reason? ariel not a soul but felt a fever of the mad and play'd some tricks of desperation. all but mariners plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel, then all afire with me: the king's son, ferdinand, with hair up-staring,--then like reeds, not hair,- was the first man that leap'd; cried, 'hell is empty and all the devils are here.' prospero why that's my spirit! but was not this nigh shore? ariel close by, my master. prospero but are they, ariel, safe? ariel not a hair perish'd; on their sustaining garments not a blemish, but fresher than before: and, as thou badest me, in troops i have dispersed them 'bout the isle. the king's son have i landed by himself; whom i left cooling of the air with sighs in an odd angle of the isle and sitting, his arms in this sad knot. prospero of the king's ship the mariners say how thou hast disposed and all the rest o' the fleet. ariel safely in harbour is the king's ship; in the deep nook, where once thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew from the still-vex'd bermoothes, there she's hid: the mariners all under hatches stow'd; who, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour, i have left asleep; and for the rest o' the fleet which i dispersed, they all have met again and are upon the mediterranean flote, bound sadly home for naples, supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd and his great person perish. prospero ariel, thy charge exactly is perform'd: but there's more work. what is the time o' the day? ariel past the mid season. prospero at least two glasses. the time 'twixt six and now must by us both be spent most preciously. ariel is there more toil? since thou dost give me pains, let me remember thee what thou hast promised, which is not yet perform'd me. prospero how now? moody? what is't thou canst demand? ariel my liberty. prospero before the time be out? no more! ariel i prithee, remember i have done thee worthy service; told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served without or grudge or grumblings: thou didst promise to bate me a full year. prospero dost thou forget from what a torment i did free thee? ariel no. prospero thou dost, and think'st it much to tread the ooze of the salt deep, to run upon the sharp wind of the north, to do me business in the veins o' the earth when it is baked with frost. ariel i do not, sir. prospero thou liest, malignant thing! hast thou forgot the foul witch sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop? hast thou forgot her? ariel no, sir. prospero thou hast. where was she born? speak; tell me. ariel sir, in argier. prospero o, was she so? i must once in a month recount what thou hast been, which thou forget'st. this damn'd witch sycorax, for mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible to enter human hearing, from argier, thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing she did they would not take her life. is not this true? ariel ay, sir. prospero this blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child and here was left by the sailors. thou, my slave, as thou report'st thyself, wast then her servant; and, for thou wast a spirit too delicate to act her earthy and abhorr'd commands, refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee, by help of her more potent ministers and in her most unmitigable rage, into a cloven pine; within which rift imprison'd thou didst painfully remain a dozen years; within which space she died and left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groans as fast as mill-wheels strike. then was this island- save for the son that she did litter here, a freckled whelp hag-born--not honour'd with a human shape. ariel yes, caliban her son. prospero dull thing, i say so; he, that caliban whom now i keep in service. thou best know'st what torment i did find thee in; thy groans did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts of ever angry bears: it was a torment to lay upon the damn'd, which sycorax could not again undo: it was mine art, when i arrived and heard thee, that made gape the pine and let thee out. ariel i thank thee, master. prospero if thou more murmur'st, i will rend an oak and peg thee in his knotty entrails till thou hast howl'd away twelve winters. ariel pardon, master; i will be correspondent to command and do my spiriting gently. prospero do so, and after two days i will discharge thee. ariel that's my noble master! what shall i do? say what; what shall i do? prospero go make thyself like a nymph o' the sea: be subject to no sight but thine and mine, invisible to every eyeball else. go take this shape and hither come in't: go, hence with diligence! [exit ariel] awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well; awake! miranda the strangeness of your story put heaviness in me. prospero shake it off. come on; we'll visit caliban my slave, who never yields us kind answer. miranda 'tis a villain, sir, i do not love to look on. prospero but, as 'tis, we cannot miss him: he does make our fire, fetch in our wood and serves in offices that profit us. what, ho! slave! caliban! thou earth, thou! speak. caliban [within] there's wood enough within. prospero come forth, i say! there's other business for thee: come, thou tortoise! when? [re-enter ariel like a water-nymph] fine apparition! my quaint ariel, hark in thine ear. ariel my lord it shall be done. [exit] prospero thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself upon thy wicked dam, come forth! [enter caliban] caliban as wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd with raven's feather from unwholesome fen drop on you both! a south-west blow on ye and blister you all o'er! prospero for this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps, side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins shall, for that vast of night that they may work, all exercise on thee; thou shalt be pinch'd as thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging than bees that made 'em. caliban i must eat my dinner. this island's mine, by sycorax my mother, which thou takest from me. when thou camest first, thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me water with berries in't, and teach me how to name the bigger light, and how the less, that burn by day and night: and then i loved thee and show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle, the fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile: cursed be i that did so! all the charms of sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! for i am all the subjects that you have, which first was mine own king: and here you sty me in this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me the rest o' the island. prospero thou most lying slave, whom stripes may move, not kindness! i have used thee, filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee in mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate the honour of my child. caliban o ho, o ho! would't had been done! thou didst prevent me; i had peopled else this isle with calibans. prospero abhorred slave, which any print of goodness wilt not take, being capable of all ill! i pitied thee, took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour one thing or other: when thou didst not, savage, know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like a thing most brutish, i endow'd thy purposes with words that made them known. but thy vile race, though thou didst learn, had that in't which good natures could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou deservedly confined into this rock, who hadst deserved more than a prison. caliban you taught me language; and my profit on't is, i know how to curse. the red plague rid you for learning me your language! prospero hag-seed, hence! fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou'rt best, to answer other business. shrug'st thou, malice? if thou neglect'st or dost unwillingly what i command, i'll rack thee with old cramps, fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar that beasts shall tremble at thy din. caliban no, pray thee. [aside] i must obey: his art is of such power, it would control my dam's god, setebos, and make a vassal of him. prospero so, slave; hence! [exit caliban] [re-enter ariel, invisible, playing and singing; ferdinand following] ariel's song. come unto these yellow sands, and then take hands: courtsied when you have and kiss'd the wild waves whist, foot it featly here and there; and, sweet sprites, the burthen bear. hark, hark! [burthen [dispersedly, within] bow-wow] the watch-dogs bark! [burthen bow-wow] hark, hark! i hear the strain of strutting chanticleer cry, cock-a-diddle-dow. ferdinand where should this music be? i' the air or the earth? it sounds no more: and sure, it waits upon some god o' the island. sitting on a bank, weeping again the king my father's wreck, this music crept by me upon the waters, allaying both their fury and my passion with its sweet air: thence i have follow'd it, or it hath drawn me rather. but 'tis gone. no, it begins again. [ariel sings] full fathom five thy father lies; of his bones are coral made; those are pearls that were his eyes: nothing of him that doth fade but doth suffer a sea-change into something rich and strange. sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell [burthen ding-dong] hark! now i hear them,--ding-dong, bell. ferdinand the ditty does remember my drown'd father. this is no mortal business, nor no sound that the earth owes. i hear it now above me. prospero the fringed curtains of thine eye advance and say what thou seest yond. miranda what is't? a spirit? lord, how it looks about! believe me, sir, it carries a brave form. but 'tis a spirit. prospero no, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses as we have, such. this gallant which thou seest was in the wreck; and, but he's something stain'd with grief that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him a goodly person: he hath lost his fellows and strays about to find 'em. miranda i might call him a thing divine, for nothing natural i ever saw so noble. prospero [aside] it goes on, i see, as my soul prompts it. spirit, fine spirit! i'll free thee within two days for this. ferdinand most sure, the goddess on whom these airs attend! vouchsafe my prayer may know if you remain upon this island; and that you will some good instruction give how i may bear me here: my prime request, which i do last pronounce, is, o you wonder! if you be maid or no? miranda no wonder, sir; but certainly a maid. ferdinand my language! heavens! i am the best of them that speak this speech, were i but where 'tis spoken. prospero how? the best? what wert thou, if the king of naples heard thee? ferdinand a single thing, as i am now, that wonders to hear thee speak of naples. he does hear me; and that he does i weep: myself am naples, who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld the king my father wreck'd. miranda alack, for mercy! ferdinand yes, faith, and all his lords; the duke of milan and his brave son being twain. prospero [aside] the duke of milan and his more braver daughter could control thee, if now 'twere fit to do't. at the first sight they have changed eyes. delicate ariel, i'll set thee free for this. [to ferdinand] a word, good sir; i fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word. miranda why speaks my father so ungently? this is the third man that e'er i saw, the first that e'er i sigh'd for: pity move my father to be inclined my way! ferdinand o, if a virgin, and your affection not gone forth, i'll make you the queen of naples. prospero soft, sir! one word more. [aside] they are both in either's powers; but this swift business i must uneasy make, lest too light winning make the prize light. [to ferdinand] one word more; i charge thee that thou attend me: thou dost here usurp the name thou owest not; and hast put thyself upon this island as a spy, to win it from me, the lord on't. ferdinand no, as i am a man. miranda there's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple: if the ill spirit have so fair a house, good things will strive to dwell with't. prospero follow me. speak not you for him; he's a traitor. come; i'll manacle thy neck and feet together: sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be the fresh-brook muscles, wither'd roots and husks wherein the acorn cradled. follow. ferdinand no; i will resist such entertainment till mine enemy has more power. [draws, and is charmed from moving] miranda o dear father, make not too rash a trial of him, for he's gentle and not fearful. prospero what? i say, my foot my tutor? put thy sword up, traitor; who makest a show but darest not strike, thy conscience is so possess'd with guilt: come from thy ward, for i can here disarm thee with this stick and make thy weapon drop. miranda beseech you, father. prospero hence! hang not on my garments. miranda sir, have pity; i'll be his surety. prospero silence! one word more shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. what! an advocate for an imposter! hush! thou think'st there is no more such shapes as he, having seen but him and caliban: foolish wench! to the most of men this is a caliban and they to him are angels. miranda my affections are then most humble; i have no ambition to see a goodlier man. prospero come on; obey: thy nerves are in their infancy again and have no vigour in them. ferdinand so they are; my spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. my father's loss, the weakness which i feel, the wreck of all my friends, nor this man's threats, to whom i am subdued, are but light to me, might i but through my prison once a day behold this maid: all corners else o' the earth let liberty make use of; space enough have i in such a prison. prospero [aside] it works. [to ferdinand] come on. thou hast done well, fine ariel! [to ferdinand] follow me. [to ariel] hark what thou else shalt do me. miranda be of comfort; my father's of a better nature, sir, than he appears by speech: this is unwonted which now came from him. prospero thou shalt be free as mountain winds: but then exactly do all points of my command. ariel to the syllable. prospero come, follow. speak not for him. [exeunt] the tempest act ii scene i another part of the island. [enter alonso, sebastian, antonio, gonzalo, adrian, francisco, and others] gonzalo beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause, so have we all, of joy; for our escape is much beyond our loss. our hint of woe is common; every day some sailor's wife, the masters of some merchant and the merchant have just our theme of woe; but for the miracle, i mean our preservation, few in millions can speak like us: then wisely, good sir, weigh our sorrow with our comfort. alonso prithee, peace. sebastian he receives comfort like cold porridge. antonio the visitor will not give him o'er so. sebastian look he's winding up the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike. gonzalo sir,- sebastian one: tell. gonzalo when every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd, comes to the entertainer- sebastian a dollar. gonzalo dolour comes to him, indeed: you have spoken truer than you purposed. sebastian you have taken it wiselier than i meant you should. gonzalo therefore, my lord,- antonio fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue! alonso i prithee, spare. gonzalo well, i have done: but yet,- sebastian he will be talking. antonio which, of he or adrian, for a good wager, first begins to crow? sebastian the old cock. antonio the cockerel. sebastian done. the wager? antonio a laughter. sebastian a match! adrian though this island seem to be desert,- sebastian ha, ha, ha! so, you're paid. adrian uninhabitable and almost inaccessible,- sebastian yet,- adrian yet,- antonio he could not miss't. adrian it must needs be of subtle, tender and delicate temperance. antonio temperance was a delicate wench. sebastian ay, and a subtle; as he most learnedly delivered. adrian the air breathes upon us here most sweetly. sebastian as if it had lungs and rotten ones. antonio or as 'twere perfumed by a fen. gonzalo here is everything advantageous to life. antonio true; save means to live. sebastian of that there's none, or little. gonzalo how lush and lusty the grass looks! how green! antonio the ground indeed is tawny. sebastian with an eye of green in't. antonio he misses not much. sebastian no; he doth but mistake the truth totally. gonzalo but the rarity of it is,--which is indeed almost beyond credit,- sebastian as many vouched rarities are. gonzalo that our garments, being, as they were, drenched in the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness and glosses, being rather new-dyed than stained with salt water. antonio if but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say he lies? sebastian ay, or very falsely pocket up his report gonzalo methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in afric, at the marriage of the king's fair daughter claribel to the king of tunis. sebastian 'twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return. adrian tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen. gonzalo not since widow dido's time. antonio widow! a pox o' that! how came that widow in? widow dido! sebastian what if he had said 'widower aeneas' too? good lord, how you take it! adrian 'widow dido' said you? you make me study of that: she was of carthage, not of tunis. gonzalo this tunis, sir, was carthage. adrian carthage? gonzalo i assure you, carthage. sebastian his word is more than the miraculous harp; he hath raised the wall and houses too. antonio what impossible matter will he make easy next? sebastian i think he will carry this island home in his pocket and give it his son for an apple. antonio and, sowing the kernels of it in the sea, bring forth more islands. gonzalo ay. antonio why, in good time. gonzalo sir, we were talking that our garments seem now as fresh as when we were at tunis at the marriage of your daughter, who is now queen. antonio and the rarest that e'er came there. sebastian bate, i beseech you, widow dido. antonio o, widow dido! ay, widow dido. gonzalo is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first day i wore it? i mean, in a sort. antonio that sort was well fished for. gonzalo when i wore it at your daughter's marriage? alonso you cram these words into mine ears against the stomach of my sense. would i had never married my daughter there! for, coming thence, my son is lost and, in my rate, she too, who is so far from italy removed i ne'er again shall see her. o thou mine heir of naples and of milan, what strange fish hath made his meal on thee? francisco sir, he may live: i saw him beat the surges under him, and ride upon their backs; he trod the water, whose enmity he flung aside, and breasted the surge most swoln that met him; his bold head 'bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd himself with his good arms in lusty stroke to the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd, as stooping to relieve him: i not doubt he came alive to land. alonso no, no, he's gone. sebastian sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss, that would not bless our europe with your daughter, but rather lose her to an african; where she at least is banish'd from your eye, who hath cause to wet the grief on't. alonso prithee, peace. sebastian you were kneel'd to and importuned otherwise by all of us, and the fair soul herself weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at which end o' the beam should bow. we have lost your son, i fear, for ever: milan and naples have more widows in them of this business' making than we bring men to comfort them: the fault's your own. alonso so is the dear'st o' the loss. gonzalo my lord sebastian, the truth you speak doth lack some gentleness and time to speak it in: you rub the sore, when you should bring the plaster. sebastian very well. antonio and most chirurgeonly. gonzalo it is foul weather in us all, good sir, when you are cloudy. sebastian foul weather? antonio very foul. gonzalo had i plantation of this isle, my lord,- antonio he'ld sow't with nettle-seed. sebastian or docks, or mallows. gonzalo and were the king on't, what would i do? sebastian 'scape being drunk for want of wine. gonzalo i' the commonwealth i would by contraries execute all things; for no kind of traffic would i admit; no name of magistrate; letters should not be known; riches, poverty, and use of service, none; contract, succession, bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none; no use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil; no occupation; all men idle, all; and women too, but innocent and pure; no sovereignty;- sebastian yet he would be king on't. antonio the latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning. gonzalo all things in common nature should produce without sweat or endeavour: treason, felony, sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine, would i not have; but nature should bring forth, of its own kind, all foison, all abundance, to feed my innocent people. sebastian no marrying 'mong his subjects? antonio none, man; all idle: whores and knaves. gonzalo i would with such perfection govern, sir, to excel the golden age. sebastian god save his majesty! antonio long live gonzalo! gonzalo and,--do you mark me, sir? alonso prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me. gonzalo i do well believe your highness; and did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen, who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that they always use to laugh at nothing. antonio 'twas you we laughed at. gonzalo who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you: so you may continue and laugh at nothing still. antonio what a blow was there given! sebastian an it had not fallen flat-long. gonzalo you are gentlemen of brave metal; you would lift the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing. [enter ariel, invisible, playing solemn music] sebastian we would so, and then go a bat-fowling. antonio nay, good my lord, be not angry. gonzalo no, i warrant you; i will not adventure my discretion so weakly. will you laugh me asleep, for i am very heavy? antonio go sleep, and hear us. [all sleep except alonso, sebastian, and antonio] alonso what, all so soon asleep! i wish mine eyes would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: i find they are inclined to do so. sebastian please you, sir, do not omit the heavy offer of it: it seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, it is a comforter. antonio we two, my lord, will guard your person while you take your rest, and watch your safety. alonso thank you. wondrous heavy. [alonso sleeps. exit ariel] sebastian what a strange drowsiness possesses them! antonio it is the quality o' the climate. sebastian why doth it not then our eyelids sink? i find not myself disposed to sleep. antonio nor i; my spirits are nimble. they fell together all, as by consent; they dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. what might, worthy sebastian? o, what might?--no more:- and yet me thinks i see it in thy face, what thou shouldst be: the occasion speaks thee, and my strong imagination sees a crown dropping upon thy head. sebastian what, art thou waking? antonio do you not hear me speak? sebastian i do; and surely it is a sleepy language and thou speak'st out of thy sleep. what is it thou didst say? this is a strange repose, to be asleep with eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, and yet so fast asleep. antonio noble sebastian, thou let'st thy fortune sleep--die, rather; wink'st whiles thou art waking. sebastian thou dost snore distinctly; there's meaning in thy snores. antonio i am more serious than my custom: you must be so too, if heed me; which to do trebles thee o'er. sebastian well, i am standing water. antonio i'll teach you how to flow. sebastian do so: to ebb hereditary sloth instructs me. antonio o, if you but knew how you the purpose cherish whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, you more invest it! ebbing men, indeed, most often do so near the bottom run by their own fear or sloth. sebastian prithee, say on: the setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim a matter from thee, and a birth indeed which throes thee much to yield. antonio thus, sir: although this lord of weak remembrance, this, who shall be of as little memory when he is earth'd, hath here almost persuade,- for he's a spirit of persuasion, only professes to persuade,--the king his son's alive, 'tis as impossible that he's undrown'd and he that sleeps here swims. sebastian i have no hope that he's undrown'd. antonio o, out of that 'no hope' what great hope have you! no hope that way is another way so high a hope that even ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, but doubt discovery there. will you grant with me that ferdinand is drown'd? sebastian he's gone. antonio then, tell me, who's the next heir of naples? sebastian claribel. antonio she that is queen of tunis; she that dwells ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from naples can have no note, unless the sun were post- the man i' the moon's too slow--till new-born chins be rough and razorable; she that--from whom? we all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again, and by that destiny to perform an act whereof what's past is prologue, what to come in yours and my discharge. sebastian what stuff is this! how say you? 'tis true, my brother's daughter's queen of tunis; so is she heir of naples; 'twixt which regions there is some space. antonio a space whose every cubit seems to cry out, 'how shall that claribel measure us back to naples? keep in tunis, and let sebastian wake.' say, this were death that now hath seized them; why, they were no worse than now they are. there be that can rule naples as well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate as amply and unnecessarily as this gonzalo; i myself could make a chough of as deep chat. o, that you bore the mind that i do! what a sleep were this for your advancement! do you understand me? sebastian methinks i do. antonio and how does your content tender your own good fortune? sebastian i remember you did supplant your brother prospero. antonio true: and look how well my garments sit upon me; much feater than before: my brother's servants were then my fellows; now they are my men. sebastian but, for your conscience? antonio ay, sir; where lies that? if 'twere a kibe, 'twould put me to my slipper: but i feel not this deity in my bosom: twenty consciences, that stand 'twixt me and milan, candied be they and melt ere they molest! here lies your brother, no better than the earth he lies upon, if he were that which now he's like, that's dead; whom i, with this obedient steel, three inches of it, can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus, to the perpetual wink for aye might put this ancient morsel, this sir prudence, who should not upbraid our course. for all the rest, they'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk; they'll tell the clock to any business that we say befits the hour. sebastian thy case, dear friend, shall be my precedent; as thou got'st milan, i'll come by naples. draw thy sword: one stroke shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest; and i the king shall love thee. antonio draw together; and when i rear my hand, do you the like, to fall it on gonzalo. sebastian o, but one word. [they talk apart] [re-enter ariel, invisible] ariel my master through his art foresees the danger that you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth- for else his project dies--to keep them living. [sings in gonzalo's ear] while you here do snoring lie, open-eyed conspiracy his time doth take. if of life you keep a care, shake off slumber, and beware: awake, awake! antonio then let us both be sudden. gonzalo now, good angels preserve the king. [they wake] alonso why, how now? ho, awake! why are you drawn? wherefore this ghastly looking? gonzalo what's the matter? sebastian whiles we stood here securing your repose, even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing like bulls, or rather lions: did't not wake you? it struck mine ear most terribly. alonso i heard nothing. antonio o, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, to make an earthquake! sure, it was the roar of a whole herd of lions. alonso heard you this, gonzalo? gonzalo upon mine honour, sir, i heard a humming, and that a strange one too, which did awake me: i shaked you, sir, and cried: as mine eyes open'd, i saw their weapons drawn: there was a noise, that's verily. 'tis best we stand upon our guard, or that we quit this place; let's draw our weapons. alonso lead off this ground; and let's make further search for my poor son. gonzalo heavens keep him from these beasts! for he is, sure, i' the island. alonso lead away. ariel prospero my lord shall know what i have done: so, king, go safely on to seek thy son. [exeunt] the tempest act ii scene ii another part of the island. [enter caliban with a burden of wood. a noise of thunder heard] caliban all the infections that the sun sucks up from bogs, fens, flats, on prosper fall and make him by inch-meal a disease! his spirits hear me and yet i needs must curse. but they'll nor pinch, fright me with urchin--shows, pitch me i' the mire, nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark out of my way, unless he bid 'em; but for every trifle are they set upon me; sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me and after bite me, then like hedgehogs which lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount their pricks at my footfall; sometime am i all wound with adders who with cloven tongues do hiss me into madness. [enter trinculo] lo, now, lo! here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me for bringing wood in slowly. i'll fall flat; perchance he will not mind me. trinculo here's neither bush nor shrub, to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing; i hear it sing i' the wind: yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor. if it should thunder as it did before, i know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. what have we here? a man or a fish? dead or alive? a fish: he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish like smell; a kind of not of the newest poor john. a strange fish! were i in england now, as once i was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver: there would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man: when they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lazy out ten to see a dead indian. legged like a man and his fins like arms! warm o' my troth! i do now let loose my opinion; hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander, that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt. [thunder] alas, the storm is come again! my best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter hereabouts: misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows. i will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past. [enter stephano, singing: a bottle in his hand] stephano i shall no more to sea, to sea, here shall i die ashore- this is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man's funeral: well, here's my comfort. [drinks] [sings] the master, the swabber, the boatswain and i, the gunner and his mate loved mall, meg and marian and margery, but none of us cared for kate; for she had a tongue with a tang, would cry to a sailor, go hang! she loved not the savour of tar nor of pitch, yet a tailor might scratch her where'er she did itch: then to sea, boys, and let her go hang! this is a scurvy tune too: but here's my comfort. [drinks] caliban do not torment me: oh! stephano what's the matter? have we devils here? do you put tricks upon's with savages and men of ind, ha? i have not scaped drowning to be afeard now of your four legs; for it hath been said, as proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground; and it shall be said so again while stephano breathes at's nostrils. caliban the spirit torments me; oh! stephano this is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as i take it, an ague. where the devil should he learn our language? i will give him some relief, if it be but for that. if i can recover him and keep him tame and get to naples with him, he's a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat's leather. caliban do not torment me, prithee; i'll bring my wood home faster. stephano he's in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest. he shall taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore will go near to remove his fit. if i can recover him and keep him tame, i will not take too much for him; he shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly. caliban thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon, i know it by thy trembling: now prosper works upon thee. stephano come on your ways; open your mouth; here is that which will give language to you, cat: open your mouth; this will shake your shaking, i can tell you, and that soundly: you cannot tell who's your friend: open your chaps again. trinculo i should know that voice: it should be--but he is drowned; and these are devils: o defend me! stephano four legs and two voices: a most delicate monster! his forward voice now is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract. if all the wine in my bottle will recover him, i will help his ague. come. amen! i will pour some in thy other mouth. trinculo stephano! stephano doth thy other mouth call me? mercy, mercy! this is a devil, and no monster: i will leave him; i have no long spoon. trinculo stephano! if thou beest stephano, touch me and speak to me: for i am trinculo--be not afeard--thy good friend trinculo. stephano if thou beest trinculo, come forth: i'll pull thee by the lesser legs: if any be trinculo's legs, these are they. thou art very trinculo indeed! how camest thou to be the siege of this moon-calf? can he vent trinculos? trinculo i took him to be killed with a thunder-stroke. but art thou not drowned, stephano? i hope now thou art not drowned. is the storm overblown? i hid me under the dead moon-calf's gaberdine for fear of the storm. and art thou living, stephano? o stephano, two neapolitans 'scaped! stephano prithee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not constant. caliban [aside] these be fine things, an if they be not sprites. that's a brave god and bears celestial liquor. i will kneel to him. stephano how didst thou 'scape? how camest thou hither? swear by this bottle how thou camest hither. i escaped upon a butt of sack which the sailors heaved o'erboard, by this bottle; which i made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands since i was cast ashore. caliban i'll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject; for the liquor is not earthly. stephano here; swear then how thou escapedst. trinculo swum ashore. man, like a duck: i can swim like a duck, i'll be sworn. stephano here, kiss the book. though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made like a goose. trinculo o stephano. hast any more of this? stephano the whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by the sea-side where my wine is hid. how now, moon-calf! how does thine ague? caliban hast thou not dropp'd from heaven? stephano out o' the moon, i do assure thee: i was the man i' the moon when time was. caliban i have seen thee in her and i do adore thee: my mistress show'd me thee and thy dog and thy bush. stephano come, swear to that; kiss the book: i will furnish it anon with new contents swear. trinculo by this good light, this is a very shallow monster! i afeard of him! a very weak monster! the man i' the moon! a most poor credulous monster! well drawn, monster, in good sooth! caliban i'll show thee every fertile inch o' th' island; and i will kiss thy foot: i prithee, be my god. trinculo by this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster! when 's god's asleep, he'll rob his bottle. caliban i'll kiss thy foot; i'll swear myself thy subject. stephano come on then; down, and swear. trinculo i shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. a most scurvy monster! i could find in my heart to beat him,- stephano come, kiss. trinculo but that the poor monster's in drink: an abominable monster! caliban i'll show thee the best springs; i'll pluck thee berries; i'll fish for thee and get thee wood enough. a plague upon the tyrant that i serve! i'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee, thou wondrous man. trinculo a most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a poor drunkard! caliban i prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow; and i with my long nails will dig thee pignuts; show thee a jay's nest and instruct thee how to snare the nimble marmoset; i'll bring thee to clustering filberts and sometimes i'll get thee young scamels from the rock. wilt thou go with me? stephano i prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. trinculo, the king and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here: here; bear my bottle: fellow trinculo, we'll fill him by and by again. caliban [sings drunkenly] farewell master; farewell, farewell! trinculo a howling monster: a drunken monster! caliban no more dams i'll make for fish nor fetch in firing at requiring; nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish 'ban, 'ban, cacaliban has a new master: get a new man. freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! freedom, hey-day, freedom! stephano o brave monster! lead the way. [exeunt] the tempest act iii scene i before prospero's cell. [enter ferdinand, bearing a log] ferdinand there be some sports are painful, and their labour delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness are nobly undergone and most poor matters point to rich ends. this my mean task would be as heavy to me as odious, but the mistress which i serve quickens what's dead and makes my labours pleasures: o, she is ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed, and he's composed of harshness. i must remove some thousands of these logs and pile them up, upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistress weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness had never like executor. i forget: but these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, most busy lest, when i do it. [enter miranda; and prospero at a distance, unseen] miranda alas, now, pray you, work not so hard: i would the lightning had burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile! pray, set it down and rest you: when this burns, 'twill weep for having wearied you. my father is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself; he's safe for these three hours. ferdinand o most dear mistress, the sun will set before i shall discharge what i must strive to do. miranda if you'll sit down, i'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that; i'll carry it to the pile. ferdinand no, precious creature; i had rather crack my sinews, break my back, than you should such dishonour undergo, while i sit lazy by. miranda it would become me as well as it does you: and i should do it with much more ease; for my good will is to it, and yours it is against. prospero poor worm, thou art infected! this visitation shows it. miranda you look wearily. ferdinand no, noble mistress;'tis fresh morning with me when you are by at night. i do beseech you- chiefly that i might set it in my prayers- what is your name? miranda miranda.--o my father, i have broke your hest to say so! ferdinand admired miranda! indeed the top of admiration! worth what's dearest to the world! full many a lady i have eyed with best regard and many a time the harmony of their tongues hath into bondage brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues have i liked several women; never any with so fun soul, but some defect in her did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed and put it to the foil: but you, o you, so perfect and so peerless, are created of every creature's best! miranda i do not know one of my sex; no woman's face remember, save, from my glass, mine own; nor have i seen more that i may call men than you, good friend, and my dear father: how features are abroad, i am skilless of; but, by my modesty, the jewel in my dower, i would not wish any companion in the world but you, nor can imagination form a shape, besides yourself, to like of. but i prattle something too wildly and my father's precepts i therein do forget. ferdinand i am in my condition a prince, miranda; i do think, a king; i would, not so!--and would no more endure this wooden slavery than to suffer the flesh-fly blow my mouth. hear my soul speak: the very instant that i saw you, did my heart fly to your service; there resides, to make me slave to it; and for your sake am i this patient log--man. miranda do you love me? ferdinand o heaven, o earth, bear witness to this sound and crown what i profess with kind event if i speak true! if hollowly, invert what best is boded me to mischief! i beyond all limit of what else i' the world do love, prize, honour you. miranda i am a fool to weep at what i am glad of. prospero fair encounter of two most rare affections! heavens rain grace on that which breeds between 'em! ferdinand wherefore weep you? miranda at mine unworthiness that dare not offer what i desire to give, and much less take what i shall die to want. but this is trifling; and all the more it seeks to hide itself, the bigger bulk it shows. hence, bashful cunning! and prompt me, plain and holy innocence! i am your wife, it you will marry me; if not, i'll die your maid: to be your fellow you may deny me; but i'll be your servant, whether you will or no. ferdinand my mistress, dearest; and i thus humble ever. miranda my husband, then? ferdinand ay, with a heart as willing as bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand. miranda and mine, with my heart in't; and now farewell till half an hour hence. ferdinand a thousand thousand! [exeunt ferdinand and miranda severally] prospero so glad of this as they i cannot be, who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing at nothing can be more. i'll to my book, for yet ere supper-time must i perform much business appertaining. [exit] the tempest act iii scene ii another part of the island. [enter caliban, stephano, and trinculo] stephano tell not me; when the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before: therefore bear up, and board 'em. servant-monster, drink to me. trinculo servant-monster! the folly of this island! they say there's but five upon this isle: we are three of them; if th' other two be brained like us, the state totters. stephano drink, servant-monster, when i bid thee: thy eyes are almost set in thy head. trinculo where should they be set else? he were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail. stephano my man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me; i swam, ere i could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues off and on. by this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my standard. trinculo your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard. stephano we'll not run, monsieur monster. trinculo nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs and yet say nothing neither. stephano moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf. caliban how does thy honour? let me lick thy shoe. i'll not serve him; he's not valiant. trinculo thou liest, most ignorant monster: i am in case to justle a constable. why, thou deboshed fish thou, was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack as i to-day? wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish and half a monster? caliban lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord? trinculo 'lord' quoth he! that a monster should be such a natural! caliban lo, lo, again! bite him to death, i prithee. stephano trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you prove a mutineer,--the next tree! the poor monster's my subject and he shall not suffer indignity. caliban i thank my noble lord. wilt thou be pleased to hearken once again to the suit i made to thee? stephano marry, will i kneel and repeat it; i will stand, and so shall trinculo. [enter ariel, invisible] caliban as i told thee before, i am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island. ariel thou liest. caliban thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou: i would my valiant master would destroy thee! i do not lie. stephano trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, by this hand, i will supplant some of your teeth. trinculo why, i said nothing. stephano mum, then, and no more. proceed. caliban i say, by sorcery he got this isle; from me he got it. if thy greatness will revenge it on him,--for i know thou darest, but this thing dare not,- stephano that's most certain. caliban thou shalt be lord of it and i'll serve thee. stephano how now shall this be compassed? canst thou bring me to the party? caliban yea, yea, my lord: i'll yield him thee asleep, where thou mayst knock a nail into his bead. ariel thou liest; thou canst not. caliban what a pied ninny's this! thou scurvy patch! i do beseech thy greatness, give him blows and take his bottle from him: when that's gone he shall drink nought but brine; for i'll not show him where the quick freshes are. stephano trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, i'll turn my mercy out o' doors and make a stock-fish of thee. trinculo why, what did i? i did nothing. i'll go farther off. stephano didst thou not say he lied? ariel thou liest. stephano do i so? take thou that. [beats trinculo] as you like this, give me the lie another time. trinculo i did not give the lie. out o' your wits and bearing too? a pox o' your bottle! this can sack and drinking do. a murrain on your monster, and the devil take your fingers! caliban ha, ha, ha! stephano now, forward with your tale. prithee, stand farther off. caliban beat him enough: after a little time i'll beat him too. stephano stand farther. come, proceed. caliban why, as i told thee, 'tis a custom with him, i' th' afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him, having first seized his books, or with a log batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, or cut his wezand with thy knife. remember first to possess his books; for without them he's but a sot, as i am, nor hath not one spirit to command: they all do hate him as rootedly as i. burn but his books. he has brave utensils,--for so he calls them- which when he has a house, he'll deck withal and that most deeply to consider is the beauty of his daughter; he himself calls her a nonpareil: i never saw a woman, but only sycorax my dam and she; but she as far surpasseth sycorax as great'st does least. stephano is it so brave a lass? caliban ay, lord; she will become thy bed, i warrant. and bring thee forth brave brood. stephano monster, i will kill this man: his daughter and i will be king and queen--save our graces!--and trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. dost thou like the plot, trinculo? trinculo excellent. stephano give me thy hand: i am sorry i beat thee; but, while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head. caliban within this half hour will he be asleep: wilt thou destroy him then? stephano ay, on mine honour. ariel this will i tell my master. caliban thou makest me merry; i am full of pleasure: let us be jocund: will you troll the catch you taught me but while-ere? stephano at thy request, monster, i will do reason, any reason. come on, trinculo, let us sing. [sings] flout 'em and scout 'em and scout 'em and flout 'em thought is free. caliban that's not the tune. [ariel plays the tune on a tabour and pipe] stephano what is this same? trinculo this is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of nobody. stephano if thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take't as thou list. trinculo o, forgive me my sins! stephano he that dies pays all debts: i defy thee. mercy upon us! caliban art thou afeard? stephano no, monster, not i. caliban be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices that, if i then had waked after long sleep, will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, the clouds methought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me that, when i waked, i cried to dream again. stephano this will prove a brave kingdom to me, where i shall have my music for nothing. caliban when prospero is destroyed. stephano that shall be by and by: i remember the story. trinculo the sound is going away; let's follow it, and after do our work. stephano lead, monster; we'll follow. i would i could see this tabourer; he lays it on. trinculo wilt come? i'll follow, stephano. [exeunt] the tempest act iii scene iii another part of the island. [enter alonso, sebastian, antonio, gonzalo, adrian, francisco, and others] gonzalo by'r lakin, i can go no further, sir; my old bones ache: here's a maze trod indeed through forth-rights and meanders! by your patience, i needs must rest me. alonso old lord, i cannot blame thee, who am myself attach'd with weariness, to the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest. even here i will put off my hope and keep it no longer for my flatterer: he is drown'd whom thus we stray to find, and the sea mocks our frustrate search on land. well, let him go. antonio [aside to sebastian] i am right glad that he's so out of hope. do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose that you resolved to effect. sebastian [aside to antonio] the next advantage will we take throughly. antonio [aside to sebastian] let it be to-night; for, now they are oppress'd with travel, they will not, nor cannot, use such vigilance as when they are fresh. sebastian [aside to antonio] i say, to-night: no more. [solemn and strange music] alonso what harmony is this? my good friends, hark! gonzalo marvellous sweet music! [enter prospero above, invisible. enter several strange shapes, bringing in a banquet; they dance about it with gentle actions of salutation; and, inviting the king, &c. to eat, they depart] alonso give us kind keepers, heavens! what were these? sebastian a living drollery. now i will believe that there are unicorns, that in arabia there is one tree, the phoenix' throne, one phoenix at this hour reigning there. antonio i'll believe both; and what does else want credit, come to me, and i'll be sworn 'tis true: travellers ne'er did lie, though fools at home condemn 'em. gonzalo if in naples i should report this now, would they believe me? if i should say, i saw such islanders- for, certes, these are people of the island- who, though they are of monstrous shape, yet, note, their manners are more gentle-kind than of our human generation you shall find many, nay, almost any. prospero [aside] honest lord, thou hast said well; for some of you there present are worse than devils. alonso i cannot too much muse such shapes, such gesture and such sound, expressing, although they want the use of tongue, a kind of excellent dumb discourse. prospero [aside] praise in departing. francisco they vanish'd strangely. sebastian no matter, since they have left their viands behind; for we have stomachs. will't please you taste of what is here? alonso not i. gonzalo faith, sir, you need not fear. when we were boys, who would believe that there were mountaineers dew-lapp'd like bulls, whose throats had hanging at 'em wallets of flesh? or that there were such men whose heads stood in their breasts? which now we find each putter-out of five for one will bring us good warrant of. alonso i will stand to and feed, although my last: no matter, since i feel the best is past. brother, my lord the duke, stand to and do as we. [thunder and lightning. enter ariel, like a harpy; claps his wings upon the table; and, with a quaint device, the banquet vanishes] ariel you are three men of sin, whom destiny, that hath to instrument this lower world and what is in't, the never-surfeited sea hath caused to belch up you; and on this island where man doth not inhabit; you 'mongst men being most unfit to live. i have made you mad; and even with such-like valour men hang and drown their proper selves. [alonso, sebastian &c. draw their swords] you fools! i and my fellows are ministers of fate: the elements, of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well wound the loud winds, or with bemock'd-at stabs kill the still-closing waters, as diminish one dowle that's in my plume: my fellow-ministers are like invulnerable. if you could hurt, your swords are now too massy for your strengths and will not be uplifted. but remember- for that's my business to you--that you three from milan did supplant good prospero; exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it, him and his innocent child: for which foul deed the powers, delaying, not forgetting, have incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures, against your peace. thee of thy son, alonso, they have bereft; and do pronounce by me: lingering perdition, worse than any death can be at once, shall step by step attend you and your ways; whose wraths to guard you from- which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls upon your heads--is nothing but heart-sorrow and a clear life ensuing. [he vanishes in thunder; then, to soft music enter the shapes again, and dance, with mocks and mows, and carrying out the table] prospero bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou perform'd, my ariel; a grace it had, devouring: of my instruction hast thou nothing bated in what thou hadst to say: so, with good life and observation strange, my meaner ministers their several kinds have done. my high charms work and these mine enemies are all knit up in their distractions; they now are in my power; and in these fits i leave them, while i visit young ferdinand, whom they suppose is drown'd, and his and mine loved darling. [exit above] gonzalo i' the name of something holy, sir, why stand you in this strange stare? alonso o, it is monstrous, monstrous: methought the billows spoke and told me of it; the winds did sing it to me, and the thunder, that deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounced the name of prosper: it did bass my trespass. therefore my son i' the ooze is bedded, and i'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded and with him there lie mudded. [exit] sebastian but one fiend at a time, i'll fight their legions o'er. antonio i'll be thy second. [exeunt sebastian, and antonio] gonzalo all three of them are desperate: their great guilt, like poison given to work a great time after, now 'gins to bite the spirits. i do beseech you that are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly and hinder them from what this ecstasy may now provoke them to. adrian follow, i pray you. [exeunt] the tempest act iv scene i before prospero's cell. [enter prospero, ferdinand, and miranda] prospero if i have too austerely punish'd you, your compensation makes amends, for i have given you here a third of mine own life, or that for which i live; who once again i tender to thy hand: all thy vexations were but my trials of thy love and thou hast strangely stood the test here, afore heaven, i ratify this my rich gift. o ferdinand, do not smile at me that i boast her off, for thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise and make it halt behind her. ferdinand i do believe it against an oracle. prospero then, as my gift and thine own acquisition worthily purchased take my daughter: but if thou dost break her virgin-knot before all sanctimonious ceremonies may with full and holy rite be minister'd, no sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall to make this contract grow: but barren hate, sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrew the union of your bed with weeds so loathly that you shall hate it both: therefore take heed, as hymen's lamps shall light you. ferdinand as i hope for quiet days, fair issue and long life, with such love as 'tis now, the murkiest den, the most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion. our worser genius can, shall never melt mine honour into lust, to take away the edge of that day's celebration when i shall think: or phoebus' steeds are founder'd, or night kept chain'd below. prospero fairly spoke. sit then and talk with her; she is thine own. what, ariel! my industrious servant, ariel! [enter ariel] ariel what would my potent master? here i am. prospero thou and thy meaner fellows your last service did worthily perform; and i must use you in such another trick. go bring the rabble, o'er whom i give thee power, here to this place: incite them to quick motion; for i must bestow upon the eyes of this young couple some vanity of mine art: it is my promise, and they expect it from me. ariel presently? prospero ay, with a twink. ariel before you can say 'come' and 'go,' and breathe twice and cry 'so, so,' each one, tripping on his toe, will be here with mop and mow. do you love me, master? no? prospero dearly my delicate ariel. do not approach till thou dost hear me call. ariel well, i conceive. [exit] prospero look thou be true; do not give dalliance too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw to the fire i' the blood: be more abstemious, or else, good night your vow! ferdinand i warrant you sir; the white cold virgin snow upon my heart abates the ardour of my liver. prospero well. now come, my ariel! bring a corollary, rather than want a spirit: appear and pertly! no tongue! all eyes! be silent. [soft music] [enter iris] iris ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and pease; thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, and flat meads thatch'd with stover, them to keep; thy banks with pioned and twilled brims, which spongy april at thy hest betrims, to make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom -groves, whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, being lass-lorn: thy pole-clipt vineyard; and thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard, where thou thyself dost air;--the queen o' the sky, whose watery arch and messenger am i, bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace, here on this grass-plot, in this very place, to come and sport: her peacocks fly amain: approach, rich ceres, her to entertain. [enter ceres] ceres hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er dost disobey the wife of jupiter; who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers, and with each end of thy blue bow dost crown my bosky acres and my unshrubb'd down, rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queen summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green? iris a contract of true love to celebrate; and some donation freely to estate on the blest lovers. ceres tell me, heavenly bow, if venus or her son, as thou dost know, do now attend the queen? since they did plot the means that dusky dis my daughter got, her and her blind boy's scandal'd company i have forsworn. iris of her society be not afraid: i met her deity cutting the clouds towards paphos and her son dove-drawn with her. here thought they to have done some wanton charm upon this man and maid, whose vows are, that no bed-right shall be paid till hymen's torch be lighted: but vain; mars's hot minion is returned again; her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, swears he will shoot no more but play with sparrows and be a boy right out. ceres high'st queen of state, great juno, comes; i know her by her gait. [enter juno] juno how does my bounteous sister? go with me to bless this twain, that they may prosperous be and honour'd in their issue. [they sing:] juno honour, riches, marriage-blessing, long continuance, and increasing, hourly joys be still upon you! juno sings her blessings upon you. ceres earth's increase, foison plenty, barns and garners never empty, vines and clustering bunches growing, plants with goodly burthen bowing; spring come to you at the farthest in the very end of harvest! scarcity and want shall shun you; ceres' blessing so is on you. ferdinand this is a most majestic vision, and harmoniously charmingly. may i be bold to think these spirits? prospero spirits, which by mine art i have from their confines call'd to enact my present fancies. ferdinand let me live here ever; so rare a wonder'd father and a wife makes this place paradise. [juno and ceres whisper, and send iris on employment] prospero sweet, now, silence! juno and ceres whisper seriously; there's something else to do: hush, and be mute, or else our spell is marr'd. iris you nymphs, call'd naiads, of the windring brooks, with your sedged crowns and ever-harmless looks, leave your crisp channels and on this green land answer your summons; juno does command: come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate a contract of true love; be not too late. [enter certain nymphs] you sunburnt sicklemen, of august weary, come hither from the furrow and be merry: make holiday; your rye-straw hats put on and these fresh nymphs encounter every one in country footing. [enter certain reapers, properly habited: they join with the nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof prospero starts suddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish] prospero [aside] i had forgot that foul conspiracy of the beast caliban and his confederates against my life: the minute of their plot is almost come. [to the spirits] well done! avoid; no more! ferdinand this is strange: your father's in some passion that works him strongly. miranda never till this day saw i him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. prospero you do look, my son, in a moved sort, as if you were dismay'd: be cheerful, sir. our revels now are ended. these our actors, as i foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air: and, like the baseless fabric of this vision, the cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve and, like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. we are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep. sir, i am vex'd; bear with my weakness; my, brain is troubled: be not disturb'd with my infirmity: if you be pleased, retire into my cell and there repose: a turn or two i'll walk, to still my beating mind. ferdinand | | we wish your peace. miranda | [exeunt] prospero come with a thought i thank thee, ariel: come. [enter ariel] ariel thy thoughts i cleave to. what's thy pleasure? prospero spirit, we must prepare to meet with caliban. ariel ay, my commander: when i presented ceres, i thought to have told thee of it, but i fear'd lest i might anger thee. prospero say again, where didst thou leave these varlets? ariel i told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; so fun of valour that they smote the air for breathing in their faces; beat the ground for kissing of their feet; yet always bending towards their project. then i beat my tabour; at which, like unback'd colts, they prick'd their ears, advanced their eyelids, lifted up their noses as they smelt music: so i charm'd their ears that calf-like they my lowing follow'd through tooth'd briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss and thorns, which entered their frail shins: at last i left them i' the filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell, there dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake o'erstunk their feet. prospero this was well done, my bird. thy shape invisible retain thou still: the trumpery in my house, go bring it hither, for stale to catch these thieves. ariel i go, i go. [exit] prospero a devil, a born devil, on whose nature nurture can never stick; on whom my pains, humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost; and as with age his body uglier grows, so his mind cankers. i will plague them all, even to roaring. [re-enter ariel, loaden with glistering apparel, &c] come, hang them on this line. [prospero and ariel remain invisible. enter caliban, stephano, and trinculo, all wet] caliban pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell. stephano monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the jack with us. trinculo monster, i do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation. stephano so is mine. do you hear, monster? if i should take a displeasure against you, look you,- trinculo thou wert but a lost monster. caliban good my lord, give me thy favour still. be patient, for the prize i'll bring thee to shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly. all's hush'd as midnight yet. trinculo ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,- stephano there is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss. trinculo that's more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster. stephano i will fetch off my bottle, though i be o'er ears for my labour. caliban prithee, my king, be quiet. seest thou here, this is the mouth o' the cell: no noise, and enter. do that good mischief which may make this island thine own for ever, and i, thy caliban, for aye thy foot-licker. stephano give me thy hand. i do begin to have bloody thoughts. trinculo o king stephano! o peer! o worthy stephano! look what a wardrobe here is for thee! caliban let it alone, thou fool; it is but trash. trinculo o, ho, monster! we know what belongs to a frippery. o king stephano! stephano put off that gown, trinculo; by this hand, i'll have that gown. trinculo thy grace shall have it. caliban the dropsy drown this fool i what do you mean to dote thus on such luggage? let's alone and do the murder first: if he awake, from toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches, make us strange stuff. stephano be you quiet, monster. mistress line, is not this my jerkin? now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair and prove a bald jerkin. trinculo do, do: we steal by line and level, an't like your grace. stephano i thank thee for that jest; here's a garment for't: wit shall not go unrewarded while i am king of this country. 'steal by line and level' is an excellent pass of pate; there's another garment for't. trinculo monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest. caliban i will have none on't: we shall lose our time, and all be turn'd to barnacles, or to apes with foreheads villanous low. stephano monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is, or i'll turn you out of my kingdom: go to, carry this. trinculo and this. stephano ay, and this. [a noise of hunters heard. enter divers spirits, in shape of dogs and hounds, and hunt them about, prospero and ariel setting them on] prospero hey, mountain, hey! ariel silver i there it goes, silver! prospero fury, fury! there, tyrant, there! hark! hark! [caliban, stephano, and trinculo, are driven out] go charge my goblins that they grind their joints with dry convulsions, shorten up their sinews with aged cramps, and more pinch-spotted make them than pard or cat o' mountain. ariel hark, they roar! prospero let them be hunted soundly. at this hour lie at my mercy all mine enemies: shortly shall all my labours end, and thou shalt have the air at freedom: for a little follow, and do me service. [exeunt] the tempest act v scene i before prospero's cell. [enter prospero in his magic robes, and ariel] prospero now does my project gather to a head: my charms crack not; my spirits obey; and time goes upright with his carriage. how's the day? ariel on the sixth hour; at which time, my lord, you said our work should cease. prospero i did say so, when first i raised the tempest. say, my spirit, how fares the king and's followers? ariel confined together in the same fashion as you gave in charge, just as you left them; all prisoners, sir, in the line-grove which weather-fends your cell; they cannot budge till your release. the king, his brother and yours, abide all three distracted and the remainder mourning over them, brimful of sorrow and dismay; but chiefly him that you term'd, sir, 'the good old lord gonzalo;' his tears run down his beard, like winter's drops from eaves of reeds. your charm so strongly works 'em that if you now beheld them, your affections would become tender. prospero dost thou think so, spirit? ariel mine would, sir, were i human. prospero and mine shall. hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling of their afflictions, and shall not myself, one of their kind, that relish all as sharply, passion as they, be kindlier moved than thou art? though with their high wrongs i am struck to the quick, yet with my nobler reason 'gaitist my fury do i take part: the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent, the sole drift of my purpose doth extend not a frown further. go release them, ariel: my charms i'll break, their senses i'll restore, and they shall be themselves. ariel i'll fetch them, sir. [exit] prospero ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes and groves, and ye that on the sands with printless foot do chase the ebbing neptune and do fly him when he comes back; you demi-puppets that by moonshine do the green sour ringlets make, whereof the ewe not bites, and you whose pastime is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice to hear the solemn curfew; by whose aid, weak masters though ye be, i have bedimm'd the noontide sun, call'd forth the mutinous winds, and 'twixt the green sea and the azured vault set roaring war: to the dread rattling thunder have i given fire and rifted jove's stout oak with his own bolt; the strong-based promontory have i made shake and by the spurs pluck'd up the pine and cedar: graves at my command have waked their sleepers, oped, and let 'em forth by my so potent art. but this rough magic i here abjure, and, when i have required some heavenly music, which even now i do, to work mine end upon their senses that this airy charm is for, i'll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth, and deeper than did ever plummet sound i'll drown my book. [solemn music] [re-enter ariel before: then alonso, with a frantic gesture, attended by gonzalo; sebastian and antonio in like manner, attended by adrian and francisco they all enter the circle which prospero had made, and there stand charmed; which prospero observing, speaks:] a solemn air and the best comforter to an unsettled fancy cure thy brains, now useless, boil'd within thy skull! there stand, for you are spell-stopp'd. holy gonzalo, honourable man, mine eyes, even sociable to the show of thine, fall fellowly drops. the charm dissolves apace, and as the morning steals upon the night, melting the darkness, so their rising senses begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle their clearer reason. o good gonzalo, my true preserver, and a loyal sir to him you follow'st! i will pay thy graces home both in word and deed. most cruelly didst thou, alonso, use me and my daughter: thy brother was a furtherer in the act. thou art pinch'd fort now, sebastian. flesh and blood, you, brother mine, that entertain'd ambition, expell'd remorse and nature; who, with sebastian, whose inward pinches therefore are most strong, would here have kill'd your king; i do forgive thee, unnatural though thou art. their understanding begins to swell, and the approaching tide will shortly fill the reasonable shore that now lies foul and muddy. not one of them that yet looks on me, or would know me ariel, fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell: i will discase me, and myself present as i was sometime milan: quickly, spirit; thou shalt ere long be free. [ariel sings and helps to attire him] where the bee sucks. there suck i: in a cowslip's bell i lie; there i couch when owls do cry. on the bat's back i do fly after summer merrily. merrily, merrily shall i live now under the blossom that hangs on the bough. prospero why, that's my dainty ariel! i shall miss thee: but yet thou shalt have freedom: so, so, so. to the king's ship, invisible as thou art: there shalt thou find the mariners asleep under the hatches; the master and the boatswain being awake, enforce them to this place, and presently, i prithee. ariel i drink the air before me, and return or ere your pulse twice beat. [exit] gonzalo all torment, trouble, wonder and amazement inhabits here: some heavenly power guide us out of this fearful country! prospero behold, sir king, the wronged duke of milan, prospero: for more assurance that a living prince does now speak to thee, i embrace thy body; and to thee and thy company i bid a hearty welcome. alonso whether thou best he or no, or some enchanted trifle to abuse me, as late i have been, i not know: thy pulse beats as of flesh and blood; and, since i saw thee, the affliction of my mind amends, with which, i fear, a madness held me: this must crave, an if this be at all, a most strange story. thy dukedom i resign and do entreat thou pardon me my wrongs. but how should prospero be living and be here? prospero first, noble friend, let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot be measured or confined. gonzalo whether this be or be not, i'll not swear. prospero you do yet taste some subtilties o' the isle, that will not let you believe things certain. welcome, my friends all! [aside to sebastian and antonio] but you, my brace of lords, were i so minded, i here could pluck his highness' frown upon you and justify you traitors: at this time i will tell no tales. sebastian [aside] the devil speaks in him. prospero no. for you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother would even infect my mouth, i do forgive thy rankest fault; all of them; and require my dukedom of thee, which perforce, i know, thou must restore. alonso if thou be'st prospero, give us particulars of thy preservation; how thou hast met us here, who three hours since were wreck'd upon this shore; where i have lost- how sharp the point of this remembrance is!- my dear son ferdinand. prospero i am woe for't, sir. alonso irreparable is the loss, and patience says it is past her cure. prospero i rather think you have not sought her help, of whose soft grace for the like loss i have her sovereign aid and rest myself content. alonso you the like loss! prospero as great to me as late; and, supportable to make the dear loss, have i means much weaker than you may call to comfort you, for i have lost my daughter. alonso a daughter? o heavens, that they were living both in naples, the king and queen there! that they were, i wish myself were mudded in that oozy bed where my son lies. when did you lose your daughter? prospero in this last tempest. i perceive these lords at this encounter do so much admire that they devour their reason and scarce think their eyes do offices of truth, their words are natural breath: but, howsoe'er you have been justled from your senses, know for certain that i am prospero and that very duke which was thrust forth of milan, who most strangely upon this shore, where you were wreck'd, was landed, to be the lord on't. no more yet of this; for 'tis a chronicle of day by day, not a relation for a breakfast nor befitting this first meeting. welcome, sir; this cell's my court: here have i few attendants and subjects none abroad: pray you, look in. my dukedom since you have given me again, i will requite you with as good a thing; at least bring forth a wonder, to content ye as much as me my dukedom. [here prospero discovers ferdinand and miranda playing at chess] miranda sweet lord, you play me false. ferdinand no, my dear'st love, i would not for the world. miranda yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle, and i would call it, fair play. alonso if this prove a vision of the island, one dear son shall i twice lose. sebastian a most high miracle! ferdinand though the seas threaten, they are merciful; i have cursed them without cause. [kneels] alonso now all the blessings of a glad father compass thee about! arise, and say how thou camest here. miranda o, wonder! how many goodly creatures are there here! how beauteous mankind is! o brave new world, that has such people in't! prospero 'tis new to thee. alonso what is this maid with whom thou wast at play? your eld'st acquaintance cannot be three hours: is she the goddess that hath sever'd us, and brought us thus together? ferdinand sir, she is mortal; but by immortal providence she's mine: i chose her when i could not ask my father for his advice, nor thought i had one. she is daughter to this famous duke of milan, of whom so often i have heard renown, but never saw before; of whom i have received a second life; and second father this lady makes him to me. alonso i am hers: but, o, how oddly will it sound that i must ask my child forgiveness! prospero there, sir, stop: let us not burthen our remembrance with a heaviness that's gone. gonzalo i have inly wept, or should have spoke ere this. look down, you god, and on this couple drop a blessed crown! for it is you that have chalk'd forth the way which brought us hither. alonso i say, amen, gonzalo! gonzalo was milan thrust from milan, that his issue should become kings of naples? o, rejoice beyond a common joy, and set it down with gold on lasting pillars: in one voyage did claribel her husband find at tunis, and ferdinand, her brother, found a wife where he himself was lost, prospero his dukedom in a poor isle and all of us ourselves when no man was his own. alonso [to ferdinand and miranda] give me your hands: let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart that doth not wish you joy! gonzalo be it so! amen! [re-enter ariel, with the master and boatswain amazedly following] o, look, sir, look, sir! here is more of us: i prophesied, if a gallows were on land, this fellow could not drown. now, blasphemy, that swear'st grace o'erboard, not an oath on shore? hast thou no mouth by land? what is the news? boatswain the best news is, that we have safely found our king and company; the next, our ship- which, but three glasses since, we gave out split- is tight and yare and bravely rigg'd as when we first put out to sea. ariel [aside to prospero] sir, all this service have i done since i went. prospero [aside to ariel] my tricksy spirit! alonso these are not natural events; they strengthen from strange to stranger. say, how came you hither? boatswain if i did think, sir, i were well awake, i'ld strive to tell you. we were dead of sleep, and--how we know not--all clapp'd under hatches; where but even now with strange and several noises of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains, and more diversity of sounds, all horrible, we were awaked; straightway, at liberty; where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld our royal, good and gallant ship, our master capering to eye her: on a trice, so please you, even in a dream, were we divided from them and were brought moping hither. ariel [aside to prospero] was't well done? prospero [aside to ariel] bravely, my diligence. thou shalt be free. alonso this is as strange a maze as e'er men trod and there is in this business more than nature was ever conduct of: some oracle must rectify our knowledge. prospero sir, my liege, do not infest your mind with beating on the strangeness of this business; at pick'd leisure which shall be shortly, single i'll resolve you, which to you shall seem probable, of every these happen'd accidents; till when, be cheerful and think of each thing well. [aside to ariel] come hither, spirit: set caliban and his companions free; untie the spell. [exit ariel] how fares my gracious sir? there are yet missing of your company some few odd lads that you remember not. [re-enter ariel, driving in caliban, stephano and trinculo, in their stolen apparel] stephano every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; for all is but fortune. coragio, bully-monster, coragio! trinculo if these be true spies which i wear in my head, here's a goodly sight. caliban o setebos, these be brave spirits indeed! how fine my master is! i am afraid he will chastise me. sebastian ha, ha! what things are these, my lord antonio? will money buy 'em? antonio very like; one of them is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. prospero mark but the badges of these men, my lords, then say if they be true. this mis-shapen knave, his mother was a witch, and one so strong that could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, and deal in her command without her power. these three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil- for he's a bastard one--had plotted with them to take my life. two of these fellows you must know and own; this thing of darkness! acknowledge mine. caliban i shall be pinch'd to death. alonso is not this stephano, my drunken butler? sebastian he is drunk now: where had he wine? alonso and trinculo is reeling ripe: where should they find this grand liquor that hath gilded 'em? how camest thou in this pickle? trinculo i have been in such a pickle since i saw you last that, i fear me, will never out of my bones: i shall not fear fly-blowing. sebastian why, how now, stephano! stephano o, touch me not; i am not stephano, but a cramp. prospero you'ld be king o' the isle, sirrah? stephano i should have been a sore one then. alonso this is a strange thing as e'er i look'd on. [pointing to caliban] prospero he is as disproportion'd in his manners as in his shape. go, sirrah, to my cell; take with you your companions; as you look to have my pardon, trim it handsomely. caliban ay, that i will; and i'll be wise hereafter and seek for grace. what a thrice-double ass was i, to take this drunkard for a god and worship this dull fool! prospero go to; away! alonso hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. sebastian or stole it, rather. [exeunt caliban, stephano, and trinculo] prospero sir, i invite your highness and your train to my poor cell, where you shall take your rest for this one night; which, part of it, i'll waste with such discourse as, i not doubt, shall make it go quick away; the story of my life and the particular accidents gone by since i came to this isle: and in the morn i'll bring you to your ship and so to naples, where i have hope to see the nuptial of these our dear-beloved solemnized; and thence retire me to my milan, where every third thought shall be my grave. alonso i long to hear the story of your life, which must take the ear strangely. prospero i'll deliver all; and promise you calm seas, auspicious gales and sail so expeditious that shall catch your royal fleet far off. [aside to ariel] my ariel, chick, that is thy charge: then to the elements be free, and fare thou well! please you, draw near. [exeunt] the tempest epilogue spoken by prospero now my charms are all o'erthrown, and what strength i have's mine own, which is most faint: now, 'tis true, i must be here confined by you, or sent to naples. let me not, since i have my dukedom got and pardon'd the deceiver, dwell in this bare island by your spell; but release me from my bands with the help of your good hands: gentle breath of yours my sails must fill, or else my project fails, which was to please. now i want spirits to enforce, art to enchant, and my ending is despair, unless i be relieved by prayer, which pierces so that it assaults mercy itself and frees all faults. as you from crimes would pardon'd be, let your indulgence set me free. macbeth dramatis personae duncan king of scotland. malcolm | | his sons. donalbain | macbeth | | generals of the king's army. banquo | macduff | | lennox | | ross | | noblemen of scotland. menteith | | angus | | caithness | fleance son to banquo. siward earl of northumberland, general of the english forces. young siward his son. seyton an officer attending on macbeth. boy, son to macduff. (son:) an english doctor. (doctor:) a scotch doctor. (doctor:) a soldier. a porter. an old man lady macbeth: lady macduff: gentlewoman attending on lady macbeth. (gentlewoman:) hecate: three witches. (first witch:) (second witch:) (third witch:) apparitions. (first apparition:) (second apparition:) (third apparition:) lords, gentlemen, officers, soldiers, murderers, attendants, and messengers. (lord:) (sergeant:) (servant:) (first murderer:) (second murderer:) (third murderer:) (messenger:) scene scotland: england. macbeth act i scene i a desert place. [thunder and lightning. enter three witches] first witch when shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain? second witch when the hurlyburly's done, when the battle's lost and won. third witch that will be ere the set of sun. first witch where the place? second witch upon the heath. third witch there to meet with macbeth. first witch i come, graymalkin! second witch paddock calls. third witch anon. all fair is foul, and foul is fair: hover through the fog and filthy air. [exeunt] macbeth act i scene ii a camp near forres. [alarum within. enter duncan, malcolm, donalbain, lennox, with attendants, meeting a bleeding sergeant] duncan what bloody man is that? he can report, as seemeth by his plight, of the revolt the newest state. malcolm this is the sergeant who like a good and hardy soldier fought 'gainst my captivity. hail, brave friend! say to the king the knowledge of the broil as thou didst leave it. sergeant doubtful it stood; as two spent swimmers, that do cling together and choke their art. the merciless macdonwald- worthy to be a rebel, for to that the multiplying villanies of nature do swarm upon him--from the western isles of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; and fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak: for brave macbeth--well he deserves that name- disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valour's minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave; which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, and fix'd his head upon our battlements. duncan o valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! sergeant as whence the sun 'gins his reflection shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break, so from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come discomfort swells. mark, king of scotland, mark: no sooner justice had with valour arm'd compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels, but the norweyan lord surveying vantage, with furbish'd arms and new supplies of men began a fresh assault. duncan dismay'd not this our captains, macbeth and banquo? sergeant yes; as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. if i say sooth, i must report they were as cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe: except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorise another golgotha, i cannot tell. but i am faint, my gashes cry for help. duncan so well thy words become thee as thy wounds; they smack of honour both. go get him surgeons. [exit sergeant, attended] who comes here? [enter ross] malcolm the worthy thane of ross. lennox what a haste looks through his eyes! so should he look that seems to speak things strange. ross god save the king! duncan whence camest thou, worthy thane? ross from fife, great king; where the norweyan banners flout the sky and fan our people cold. norway himself, with terrible numbers, assisted by that most disloyal traitor the thane of cawdor, began a dismal conflict; till that bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof, confronted him with self-comparisons, point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm. curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude, the victory fell on us. duncan great happiness! ross that now sweno, the norways' king, craves composition: nor would we deign him burial of his men till he disbursed at saint colme's inch ten thousand dollars to our general use. duncan no more that thane of cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet macbeth. ross i'll see it done. duncan what he hath lost noble macbeth hath won. [exeunt] macbeth act i scene iii a heath near forres. [thunder. enter the three witches] first witch where hast thou been, sister? second witch killing swine. third witch sister, where thou? first witch a sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, and munch'd, and munch'd, and munch'd:- 'give me,' quoth i: 'aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries. her husband's to aleppo gone, master o' the tiger: but in a sieve i'll thither sail, and, like a rat without a tail, i'll do, i'll do, and i'll do. second witch i'll give thee a wind. first witch thou'rt kind. third witch and i another. first witch i myself have all the other, and the very ports they blow, all the quarters that they know i' the shipman's card. i will drain him dry as hay: sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his pent-house lid; he shall live a man forbid: weary se'nnights nine times nine shall he dwindle, peak and pine: though his bark cannot be lost, yet it shall be tempest-tost. look what i have. second witch show me, show me. first witch here i have a pilot's thumb, wreck'd as homeward he did come. [drum within] third witch a drum, a drum! macbeth doth come. all the weird sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land, thus do go about, about: thrice to thine and thrice to mine and thrice again, to make up nine. peace! the charm's wound up. [enter macbeth and banquo] macbeth so foul and fair a day i have not seen. banquo how far is't call'd to forres? what are these so wither'd and so wild in their attire, that look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, and yet are on't? live you? or are you aught that man may question? you seem to understand me, by each at once her chappy finger laying upon her skinny lips: you should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so. macbeth speak, if you can: what are you? first witch all hail, macbeth! hail to thee, thane of glamis! second witch all hail, macbeth, hail to thee, thane of cawdor! third witch all hail, macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! banquo good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear things that do sound so fair? i' the name of truth, are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show? my noble partner you greet with present grace and great prediction of noble having and of royal hope, that he seems rapt withal: to me you speak not. if you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate. first witch hail! second witch hail! third witch hail! first witch lesser than macbeth, and greater. second witch not so happy, yet much happier. third witch thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: so all hail, macbeth and banquo! first witch banquo and macbeth, all hail! macbeth stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: by sinel's death i know i am thane of glamis; but how of cawdor? the thane of cawdor lives, a prosperous gentleman; and to be king stands not within the prospect of belief, no more than to be cawdor. say from whence you owe this strange intelligence? or why upon this blasted heath you stop our way with such prophetic greeting? speak, i charge you. [witches vanish] banquo the earth hath bubbles, as the water has, and these are of them. whither are they vanish'd? macbeth into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted as breath into the wind. would they had stay'd! banquo were such things here as we do speak about? or have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner? macbeth your children shall be kings. banquo you shall be king. macbeth and thane of cawdor too: went it not so? banquo to the selfsame tune and words. who's here? [enter ross and angus] ross the king hath happily received, macbeth, the news of thy success; and when he reads thy personal venture in the rebels' fight, his wonders and his praises do contend which should be thine or his: silenced with that, in viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day, he finds thee in the stout norweyan ranks, nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, strange images of death. as thick as hail came post with post; and every one did bear thy praises in his kingdom's great defence, and pour'd them down before him. angus we are sent to give thee from our royal master thanks; only to herald thee into his sight, not pay thee. ross and, for an earnest of a greater honour, he bade me, from him, call thee thane of cawdor: in which addition, hail, most worthy thane! for it is thine. banquo what, can the devil speak true? macbeth the thane of cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrow'd robes? angus who was the thane lives yet; but under heavy judgment bears that life which he deserves to lose. whether he was combined with those of norway, or did line the rebel with hidden help and vantage, or that with both he labour'd in his country's wreck, i know not; but treasons capital, confess'd and proved, have overthrown him. macbeth [aside] glamis, and thane of cawdor! the greatest is behind. [to ross and angus] thanks for your pains. [to banquo] do you not hope your children shall be kings, when those that gave the thane of cawdor to me promised no less to them? banquo that trusted home might yet enkindle you unto the crown, besides the thane of cawdor. but 'tis strange: and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence. cousins, a word, i pray you. macbeth [aside] two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme.--i thank you, gentlemen. [aside] this supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth? i am thane of cawdor: if good, why do i yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature? present fears are less than horrible imaginings: my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man that function is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is but what is not. banquo look, how our partner's rapt. macbeth [aside] if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir. banquo new horrors come upon him, like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould but with the aid of use. macbeth [aside] come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day. banquo worthy macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. macbeth give me your favour: my dull brain was wrought with things forgotten. kind gentlemen, your pains are register'd where every day i turn the leaf to read them. let us toward the king. think upon what hath chanced, and, at more time, the interim having weigh'd it, let us speak our free hearts each to other. banquo very gladly. macbeth till then, enough. come, friends. [exeunt] macbeth act i scene iv forres. the palace. [flourish. enter duncan, malcolm, donalbain, lennox, and attendants] duncan is execution done on cawdor? are not those in commission yet return'd? malcolm my liege, they are not yet come back. but i have spoke with one that saw him die: who did report that very frankly he confess'd his treasons, implored your highness' pardon and set forth a deep repentance: nothing in his life became him like the leaving it; he died as one that had been studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed, as 'twere a careless trifle. duncan there's no art to find the mind's construction in the face: he was a gentleman on whom i built an absolute trust. [enter macbeth, banquo, ross, and angus] o worthiest cousin! the sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me: thou art so far before that swiftest wing of recompense is slow to overtake thee. would thou hadst less deserved, that the proportion both of thanks and payment might have been mine! only i have left to say, more is thy due than more than all can pay. macbeth the service and the loyalty i owe, in doing it, pays itself. your highness' part is to receive our duties; and our duties are to your throne and state children and servants, which do but what they should, by doing every thing safe toward your love and honour. duncan welcome hither: i have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing. noble banquo, that hast no less deserved, nor must be known no less to have done so, let me enfold thee and hold thee to my heart. banquo there if i grow, the harvest is your own. duncan my plenteous joys, wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves in drops of sorrow. sons, kinsmen, thanes, and you whose places are the nearest, know we will establish our estate upon our eldest, malcolm, whom we name hereafter the prince of cumberland; which honour must not unaccompanied invest him only, but signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine on all deservers. from hence to inverness, and bind us further to you. macbeth the rest is labour, which is not used for you: i'll be myself the harbinger and make joyful the hearing of my wife with your approach; so humbly take my leave. duncan my worthy cawdor! macbeth [aside] the prince of cumberland! that is a step on which i must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires: the eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [exit] duncan true, worthy banquo; he is full so valiant, and in his commendations i am fed; it is a banquet to me. let's after him, whose care is gone before to bid us welcome: it is a peerless kinsman. [flourish. exeunt] macbeth act i scene v inverness. macbeth's castle. [enter lady macbeth, reading a letter] lady macbeth 'they met me in the day of success: and i have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. when i burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. whiles i stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'thane of cawdor;' by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'hail, king that shalt be!' this have i thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. lay it to thy heart, and farewell.' glamis thou art, and cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised: yet do i fear thy nature; it is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great glamis, that which cries 'thus thou must do, if thou have it; and that which rather thou dost fear to do than wishest should be undone.' hie thee hither, that i may pour my spirits in thine ear; and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round, which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd withal. [enter a messenger] what is your tidings? messenger the king comes here to-night. lady macbeth thou'rt mad to say it: is not thy master with him? who, were't so, would have inform'd for preparation. messenger so please you, it is true: our thane is coming: one of my fellows had the speed of him, who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more than would make up his message. lady macbeth give him tending; he brings great news. [exit messenger] the raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of duncan under my battlements. come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; stop up the access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between the effect and it! come to my woman's breasts, and take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, wherever in your sightless substances you wait on nature's mischief! come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry 'hold, hold!' [enter macbeth] great glamis! worthy cawdor! greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! thy letters have transported me beyond this ignorant present, and i feel now the future in the instant. macbeth my dearest love, duncan comes here to-night. lady macbeth and when goes hence? macbeth to-morrow, as he purposes. lady macbeth o, never shall sun that morrow see! your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters. to beguile the time, look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't. he that's coming must be provided for: and you shall put this night's great business into my dispatch; which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. macbeth we will speak further. lady macbeth only look up clear; to alter favour ever is to fear: leave all the rest to me. [exeunt] macbeth act i scene vi before macbeth's castle. [hautboys and torches. enter duncan, malcolm, donalbain, banquo, lennox, macduff, ross, angus, and attendants] duncan this castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses. banquo this guest of summer, the temple-haunting martlet, does approve, by his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze, buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle: where they most breed and haunt, i have observed, the air is delicate. [enter lady macbeth] duncan see, see, our honour'd hostess! the love that follows us sometime is our trouble, which still we thank as love. herein i teach you how you shall bid god 'ild us for your pains, and thank us for your trouble. lady macbeth all our service in every point twice done and then done double were poor and single business to contend against those honours deep and broad wherewith your majesty loads our house: for those of old, and the late dignities heap'd up to them, we rest your hermits. duncan where's the thane of cawdor? we coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose to be his purveyor: but he rides well; and his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him to his home before us. fair and noble hostess, we are your guest to-night. lady macbeth your servants ever have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in compt, to make their audit at your highness' pleasure, still to return your own. duncan give me your hand; conduct me to mine host: we love him highly, and shall continue our graces towards him. by your leave, hostess. [exeunt] macbeth act i scene vii macbeth's castle. [hautboys and torches. enter a sewer, and divers servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. then enter macbeth] macbeth if it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly: if the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch with his surcease success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we'ld jump the life to come. but in these cases we still have judgment here; that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor: this even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice to our own lips. he's here in double trust; first, as i am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. besides, this duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off; and pity, like a naked new-born babe, striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind. i have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other. [enter lady macbeth] how now! what news? lady macbeth he has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber? macbeth hath he ask'd for me? lady macbeth know you not he has? macbeth we will proceed no further in this business: he hath honour'd me of late; and i have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people, which would be worn now in their newest gloss, not cast aside so soon. lady macbeth was the hope drunk wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since? and wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? from this time such i account thy love. art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire? wouldst thou have that which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting 'i dare not' wait upon 'i would,' like the poor cat i' the adage? macbeth prithee, peace: i dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none. lady macbeth what beast was't, then, that made you break this enterprise to me? when you durst do it, then you were a man; and, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man. nor time nor place did then adhere, and yet you would make both: they have made themselves, and that their fitness now does unmake you. i have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: i would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out, had i so sworn as you have done to this. macbeth if we should fail? lady macbeth we fail! but screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we'll not fail. when duncan is asleep- whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey soundly invite him--his two chamberlains will i with wine and wassail so convince that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason a limbeck only: when in swinish sleep their drenched natures lie as in a death, what cannot you and i perform upon the unguarded duncan? what not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell? macbeth bring forth men-children only; for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males. will it not be received, when we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two of his own chamber and used their very daggers, that they have done't? lady macbeth who dares receive it other, as we shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death? macbeth i am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat. away, and mock the time with fairest show: false face must hide what the false heart doth know. [exeunt] macbeth act ii scene i court of macbeth's castle. [enter banquo, and fleance bearing a torch before him] banquo how goes the night, boy? fleance the moon is down; i have not heard the clock. banquo and she goes down at twelve. fleance i take't, 'tis later, sir. banquo hold, take my sword. there's husbandry in heaven; their candles are all out. take thee that too. a heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet i would not sleep: merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose! [enter macbeth, and a servant with a torch] give me my sword. who's there? macbeth a friend. banquo what, sir, not yet at rest? the king's a-bed: he hath been in unusual pleasure, and sent forth great largess to your offices. this diamond he greets your wife withal, by the name of most kind hostess; and shut up in measureless content. macbeth being unprepared, our will became the servant to defect; which else should free have wrought. banquo all's well. i dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: to you they have show'd some truth. macbeth i think not of them: yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business, if you would grant the time. banquo at your kind'st leisure. macbeth if you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, it shall make honour for you. banquo so i lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear, i shall be counsell'd. macbeth good repose the while! banquo thanks, sir: the like to you! [exeunt banquo and fleance] macbeth go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, she strike upon the bell. get thee to bed. [exit servant] is this a dagger which i see before me, the handle toward my hand? come, let me clutch thee. i have thee not, and yet i see thee still. art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight? or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? i see thee yet, in form as palpable as this which now i draw. thou marshall'st me the way that i was going; and such an instrument i was to use. mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, or else worth all the rest; i see thee still, and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so before. there's no such thing: it is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes. now o'er the one halfworld nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates pale hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder, alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf, whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace. with tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design moves like a ghost. thou sure and firm-set earth, hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear thy very stones prate of my whereabout, and take the present horror from the time, which now suits with it. whiles i threat, he lives: words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [a bell rings] i go, and it is done; the bell invites me. hear it not, duncan; for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell. [exit] macbeth act ii scene ii the same. [enter lady macbeth] lady macbeth that which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; what hath quench'd them hath given me fire. hark! peace! it was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman, which gives the stern'st good-night. he is about it: the doors are open; and the surfeited grooms do mock their charge with snores: i have drugg'd their possets, that death and nature do contend about them, whether they live or die. macbeth [within] who's there? what, ho! lady macbeth alack, i am afraid they have awaked, and 'tis not done. the attempt and not the deed confounds us. hark! i laid their daggers ready; he could not miss 'em. had he not resembled my father as he slept, i had done't. [enter macbeth] my husband! macbeth i have done the deed. didst thou not hear a noise? lady macbeth i heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. did not you speak? macbeth when? lady macbeth now. macbeth as i descended? lady macbeth ay. macbeth hark! who lies i' the second chamber? lady macbeth donalbain. macbeth this is a sorry sight. [looking on his hands] lady macbeth a foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. macbeth there's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried 'murder!' that they did wake each other: i stood and heard them: but they did say their prayers, and address'd them again to sleep. lady macbeth there are two lodged together. macbeth one cried 'god bless us!' and 'amen' the other; as they had seen me with these hangman's hands. listening their fear, i could not say 'amen,' when they did say 'god bless us!' lady macbeth consider it not so deeply. macbeth but wherefore could not i pronounce 'amen'? i had most need of blessing, and 'amen' stuck in my throat. lady macbeth these deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad. macbeth methought i heard a voice cry 'sleep no more! macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep, sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care, the death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, chief nourisher in life's feast,- lady macbeth what do you mean? macbeth still it cried 'sleep no more!' to all the house: 'glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore cawdor shall sleep no more; macbeth shall sleep no more.' lady macbeth who was it that thus cried? why, worthy thane, you do unbend your noble strength, to think so brainsickly of things. go get some water, and wash this filthy witness from your hand. why did you bring these daggers from the place? they must lie there: go carry them; and smear the sleepy grooms with blood. macbeth i'll go no more: i am afraid to think what i have done; look on't again i dare not. lady macbeth infirm of purpose! give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. if he do bleed, i'll gild the faces of the grooms withal; for it must seem their guilt. [exit. knocking within] macbeth whence is that knocking? how is't with me, when every noise appals me? what hands are here? ha! they pluck out mine eyes. will all great neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? no, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas in incarnadine, making the green one red. [re-enter lady macbeth] lady macbeth my hands are of your colour; but i shame to wear a heart so white. [knocking within] i hear a knocking at the south entry: retire we to our chamber; a little water clears us of this deed: how easy is it, then! your constancy hath left you unattended. [knocking within] hark! more knocking. get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us, and show us to be watchers. be not lost so poorly in your thoughts. macbeth to know my deed, 'twere best not know myself. [knocking within] wake duncan with thy knocking! i would thou couldst! [exeunt] macbeth act ii scene iii the same. [knocking within. enter a porter] porter here's a knocking indeed! if a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key. [knocking within] knock, knock, knock! who's there, i' the name of beelzebub? here's a farmer, that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty: come in time; have napkins enow about you; here you'll sweat for't. [knocking within] knock, knock! who's there, in the other devil's name? faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for god's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: o, come in, equivocator. [knocking within] knock, knock, knock! who's there? faith, here's an english tailor come hither, for stealing out of a french hose: come in, tailor; here you may roast your goose. [knocking within] knock, knock; never at quiet! what are you? but this place is too cold for hell. i'll devil-porter it no further: i had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. [knocking within] anon, anon! i pray you, remember the porter. [opens the gate] [enter macduff and lennox] macduff was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, that you do lie so late? porter 'faith sir, we were carousing till the second cock: and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. macduff what three things does drink especially provoke? porter marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him. macduff i believe drink gave thee the lie last night. porter that it did, sir, i' the very throat on me: but i requited him for his lie; and, i think, being too strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet i made a shift to cast him. macduff is thy master stirring? [enter macbeth] our knocking has awaked him; here he comes. lennox good morrow, noble sir. macbeth good morrow, both. macduff is the king stirring, worthy thane? macbeth not yet. macduff he did command me to call timely on him: i have almost slipp'd the hour. macbeth i'll bring you to him. macduff i know this is a joyful trouble to you; but yet 'tis one. macbeth the labour we delight in physics pain. this is the door. macduff i'll make so bold to call, for 'tis my limited service. [exit] lennox goes the king hence to-day? macbeth he does: he did appoint so. lennox the night has been unruly: where we lay, our chimneys were blown down; and, as they say, lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death, and prophesying with accents terrible of dire combustion and confused events new hatch'd to the woeful time: the obscure bird clamour'd the livelong night: some say, the earth was feverous and did shake. macbeth 'twas a rough night. lennox my young remembrance cannot parallel a fellow to it. [re-enter macduff] macduff o horror, horror, horror! tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee! macbeth | | what's the matter. lennox | macduff confusion now hath made his masterpiece! most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the lord's anointed temple, and stole thence the life o' the building! macbeth what is 't you say? the life? lennox mean you his majesty? macduff approach the chamber, and destroy your sight with a new gorgon: do not bid me speak; see, and then speak yourselves. [exeunt macbeth and lennox] awake, awake! ring the alarum-bell. murder and treason! banquo and donalbain! malcolm! awake! shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit, and look on death itself! up, up, and see the great doom's image! malcolm! banquo! as from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, to countenance this horror! ring the bell. [bell rings] [enter lady macbeth] lady macbeth what's the business, that such a hideous trumpet calls to parley the sleepers of the house? speak, speak! macduff o gentle lady, 'tis not for you to hear what i can speak: the repetition, in a woman's ear, would murder as it fell. [enter banquo] o banquo, banquo, our royal master 's murder'd! lady macbeth woe, alas! what, in our house? banquo too cruel any where. dear duff, i prithee, contradict thyself, and say it is not so. [re-enter macbeth and lennox, with ross] macbeth had i but died an hour before this chance, i had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant, there 's nothing serious in mortality: all is but toys: renown and grace is dead; the wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees is left this vault to brag of. [enter malcolm and donalbain] donalbain what is amiss? macbeth you are, and do not know't: the spring, the head, the fountain of your blood is stopp'd; the very source of it is stopp'd. macduff your royal father 's murder'd. malcolm o, by whom? lennox those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't: their hands and faces were an badged with blood; so were their daggers, which unwiped we found upon their pillows: they stared, and were distracted; no man's life was to be trusted with them. macbeth o, yet i do repent me of my fury, that i did kill them. macduff wherefore did you so? macbeth who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral, in a moment? no man: the expedition my violent love outrun the pauser, reason. here lay duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood; and his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature for ruin's wasteful entrance: there, the murderers, steep'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers unmannerly breech'd with gore: who could refrain, that had a heart to love, and in that heart courage to make 's love known? lady macbeth help me hence, ho! macduff look to the lady. malcolm [aside to donalbain] why do we hold our tongues, that most may claim this argument for ours? donalbain [aside to malcolm] what should be spoken here, where our fate, hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us? let 's away; our tears are not yet brew'd. malcolm [aside to donalbain] nor our strong sorrow upon the foot of motion. banquo look to the lady: [lady macbeth is carried out] and when we have our naked frailties hid, that suffer in exposure, let us meet, and question this most bloody piece of work, to know it further. fears and scruples shake us: in the great hand of god i stand; and thence against the undivulged pretence i fight of treasonous malice. macduff and so do i. all so all. macbeth let's briefly put on manly readiness, and meet i' the hall together. all well contented. [exeunt all but malcolm and donalbain. malcolm what will you do? let's not consort with them: to show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false man does easy. i'll to england. donalbain to ireland, i; our separated fortune shall keep us both the safer: where we are, there's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood, the nearer bloody. malcolm this murderous shaft that's shot hath not yet lighted, and our safest way is to avoid the aim. therefore, to horse; and let us not be dainty of leave-taking, but shift away: there's warrant in that theft which steals itself, when there's no mercy left. [exeunt] macbeth act ii scene iv outside macbeth's castle. [enter ross and an old man] old man threescore and ten i can remember well: within the volume of which time i have seen hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night hath trifled former knowings. ross ah, good father, thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act, threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day, and yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp: is't night's predominance, or the day's shame, that darkness does the face of earth entomb, when living light should kiss it? old man 'tis unnatural, even like the deed that's done. on tuesday last, a falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. ross and duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain- beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind. old man 'tis said they eat each other. ross they did so, to the amazement of mine eyes that look'd upon't. here comes the good macduff. [enter macduff] how goes the world, sir, now? macduff why, see you not? ross is't known who did this more than bloody deed? macduff those that macbeth hath slain. ross alas, the day! what good could they pretend? macduff they were suborn'd: malcolm and donalbain, the king's two sons, are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them suspicion of the deed. ross 'gainst nature still! thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up thine own life's means! then 'tis most like the sovereignty will fall upon macbeth. macduff he is already named, and gone to scone to be invested. ross where is duncan's body? macduff carried to colmekill, the sacred storehouse of his predecessors, and guardian of their bones. ross will you to scone? macduff no, cousin, i'll to fife. ross well, i will thither. macduff well, may you see things well done there: adieu! lest our old robes sit easier than our new! ross farewell, father. old man god's benison go with you; and with those that would make good of bad, and friends of foes! [exeunt] macbeth act iii scene i forres. the palace. [enter banquo] banquo thou hast it now: king, cawdor, glamis, all, as the weird women promised, and, i fear, thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said it should not stand in thy posterity, but that myself should be the root and father of many kings. if there come truth from them- as upon thee, macbeth, their speeches shine- why, by the verities on thee made good, may they not be my oracles as well, and set me up in hope? but hush! no more. [sennet sounded. enter macbeth, as king, lady macbeth, as queen, lennox, ross, lords, ladies, and attendants] macbeth here's our chief guest. lady macbeth if he had been forgotten, it had been as a gap in our great feast, and all-thing unbecoming. macbeth to-night we hold a solemn supper sir, and i'll request your presence. banquo let your highness command upon me; to the which my duties are with a most indissoluble tie for ever knit. macbeth ride you this afternoon? banquo ay, my good lord. macbeth we should have else desired your good advice, which still hath been both grave and prosperous, in this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. is't far you ride? banquo as far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, i must become a borrower of the night for a dark hour or twain. macbeth fail not our feast. banquo my lord, i will not. macbeth we hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd in england and in ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide, filling their hearers with strange invention: but of that to-morrow, when therewithal we shall have cause of state craving us jointly. hie you to horse: adieu, till you return at night. goes fleance with you? banquo ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's. macbeth i wish your horses swift and sure of foot; and so i do commend you to their backs. farewell. [exit banquo] let every man be master of his time till seven at night: to make society the sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself till supper-time alone: while then, god be with you! [exeunt all but macbeth, and an attendant] sirrah, a word with you: attend those men our pleasure? attendant they are, my lord, without the palace gate. macbeth bring them before us. [exit attendant] to be thus is nothing; but to be safely thus.--our fears in banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; and, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. there is none but he whose being i do fear: and, under him, my genius is rebuked; as, it is said, mark antony's was by caesar. he chid the sisters when first they put the name of king upon me, and bade them speak to him: then prophet-like they hail'd him father to a line of kings: upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, and put a barren sceptre in my gripe, thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding. if 't be so, for banquo's issue have i filed my mind; for them the gracious duncan have i murder'd; put rancours in the vessel of my peace only for them; and mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of banquo kings! rather than so, come fate into the list. and champion me to the utterance! who's there! [re-enter attendant, with two murderers] now go to the door, and stay there till we call. [exit attendant] was it not yesterday we spoke together? first murderer it was, so please your highness. macbeth well then, now have you consider'd of my speeches? know that it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this i made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might to half a soul and to a notion crazed say 'thus did banquo.' first murderer you made it known to us. macbeth i did so, and went further, which is now our point of second meeting. do you find your patience so predominant in your nature that you can let this go? are you so gospell'd to pray for this good man and for his issue, whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave and beggar'd yours for ever? first murderer we are men, my liege. macbeth ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; as hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept all by the name of dogs: the valued file distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, the housekeeper, the hunter, every one according to the gift which bounteous nature hath in him closed; whereby he does receive particular addition. from the bill that writes them all alike: and so of men. now, if you have a station in the file, not i' the worst rank of manhood, say 't; and i will put that business in your bosoms, whose execution takes your enemy off, grapples you to the heart and love of us, who wear our health but sickly in his life, which in his death were perfect. second murderer i am one, my liege, whom the vile blows and buffets of the world have so incensed that i am reckless what i do to spite the world. first murderer and i another so weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, that i would set my lie on any chance, to mend it, or be rid on't. macbeth both of you know banquo was your enemy. both murderers true, my lord. macbeth so is he mine; and in such bloody distance, that every minute of his being thrusts against my near'st of life: and though i could with barefaced power sweep him from my sight and bid my will avouch it, yet i must not, for certain friends that are both his and mine, whose loves i may not drop, but wail his fall who i myself struck down; and thence it is, that i to your assistance do make love, masking the business from the common eye for sundry weighty reasons. second murderer we shall, my lord, perform what you command us. first murderer though our lives- macbeth your spirits shine through you. within this hour at most i will advise you where to plant yourselves; acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, the moment on't; for't must be done to-night, and something from the palace; always thought that i require a clearness: and with him- to leave no rubs nor botches in the work- fleance his son, that keeps him company, whose absence is no less material to me than is his father's, must embrace the fate of that dark hour. resolve yourselves apart: i'll come to you anon. both murderers we are resolved, my lord. macbeth i'll call upon you straight: abide within. [exeunt murderers] it is concluded. banquo, thy soul's flight, if it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [exit] macbeth act iii scene ii the palace. [enter lady macbeth and a servant] lady macbeth is banquo gone from court? servant ay, madam, but returns again to-night. lady macbeth say to the king, i would attend his leisure for a few words. servant madam, i will. [exit] lady macbeth nought's had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content: 'tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. [enter macbeth] how now, my lord! why do you keep alone, of sorriest fancies your companions making, using those thoughts which should indeed have died with them they think on? things without all remedy should be without regard: what's done is done. macbeth we have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it: she'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice remains in danger of her former tooth. but let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly: better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy. duncan is in his grave; after life's fitful fever he sleeps well; treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, can touch him further. lady macbeth come on; gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial among your guests to-night. macbeth so shall i, love; and so, i pray, be you: let your remembrance apply to banquo; present him eminence, both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while, that we must lave our honours in these flattering streams, and make our faces vizards to our hearts, disguising what they are. lady macbeth you must leave this. macbeth o, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! thou know'st that banquo, and his fleance, lives. lady macbeth but in them nature's copy's not eterne. macbeth there's comfort yet; they are assailable; then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown his cloister'd flight, ere to black hecate's summons the shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done a deed of dreadful note. lady macbeth what's to be done? macbeth be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed. come, seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day; and with thy bloody and invisible hand cancel and tear to pieces that great bond which keeps me pale! light thickens; and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood: good things of day begin to droop and drowse; while night's black agents to their preys do rouse. thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still; things bad begun make strong themselves by ill. so, prithee, go with me. [exeunt] macbeth act iii scene iii a park near the palace. [enter three murderers] first murderer but who did bid thee join with us? third murderer macbeth. second murderer he needs not our mistrust, since he delivers our offices and what we have to do to the direction just. first murderer then stand with us. the west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: now spurs the lated traveller apace to gain the timely inn; and near approaches the subject of our watch. third murderer hark! i hear horses. banquo [within] give us a light there, ho! second murderer then 'tis he: the rest that are within the note of expectation already are i' the court. first murderer his horses go about. third murderer almost a mile: but he does usually, so all men do, from hence to the palace gate make it their walk. second murderer a light, a light! [enter banquo, and fleance with a torch] third murderer 'tis he. first murderer stand to't. banquo it will be rain to-night. first murderer let it come down. [they set upon banquo] banquo o, treachery! fly, good fleance, fly, fly, fly! thou mayst revenge. o slave! [dies. fleance escapes] third murderer who did strike out the light? first murderer wast not the way? third murderer there's but one down; the son is fled. second murderer we have lost best half of our affair. first murderer well, let's away, and say how much is done. [exeunt] macbeth act iii scene iv the same. hall in the palace. [a banquet prepared. enter macbeth, lady macbeth, ross, lennox, lords, and attendants] macbeth you know your own degrees; sit down: at first and last the hearty welcome. lords thanks to your majesty. macbeth ourself will mingle with society, and play the humble host. our hostess keeps her state, but in best time we will require her welcome. lady macbeth pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; for my heart speaks they are welcome. [first murderer appears at the door] macbeth see, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. both sides are even: here i'll sit i' the midst: be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure the table round. [approaching the door] there's blood on thy face. first murderer 'tis banquo's then. macbeth 'tis better thee without than he within. is he dispatch'd? first murderer my lord, his throat is cut; that i did for him. macbeth thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good that did the like for fleance: if thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil. first murderer most royal sir, fleance is 'scaped. macbeth then comes my fit again: i had else been perfect, whole as the marble, founded as the rock, as broad and general as the casing air: but now i am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears. but banquo's safe? first murderer ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides, with twenty trenched gashes on his head; the least a death to nature. macbeth thanks for that: there the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for the present. get thee gone: to-morrow we'll hear, ourselves, again. [exit murderer] lady macbeth my royal lord, you do not give the cheer: the feast is sold that is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, 'tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home; from thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; meeting were bare without it. macbeth sweet remembrancer! now, good digestion wait on appetite, and health on both! lennox may't please your highness sit. [the ghost of banquo enters, and sits in macbeth's place] macbeth here had we now our country's honour roof'd, were the graced person of our banquo present; who may i rather challenge for unkindness than pity for mischance! ross his absence, sir, lays blame upon his promise. please't your highness to grace us with your royal company. macbeth the table's full. lennox here is a place reserved, sir. macbeth where? lennox here, my good lord. what is't that moves your highness? macbeth which of you have done this? lords what, my good lord? macbeth thou canst not say i did it: never shake thy gory locks at me. ross gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well. lady macbeth sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; the fit is momentary; upon a thought he will again be well: if much you note him, you shall offend him and extend his passion: feed, and regard him not. are you a man? macbeth ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that which might appal the devil. lady macbeth o proper stuff! this is the very painting of your fear: this is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, led you to duncan. o, these flaws and starts, impostors to true fear, would well become a woman's story at a winter's fire, authorized by her grandam. shame itself! why do you make such faces? when all's done, you look but on a stool. macbeth prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you? why, what care i? if thou canst nod, speak too. if charnel-houses and our graves must send those that we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites. [ghost of banquo vanishes] lady macbeth what, quite unmann'd in folly? macbeth if i stand here, i saw him. lady macbeth fie, for shame! macbeth blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, ere human statute purged the gentle weal; ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd too terrible for the ear: the times have been, that, when the brains were out, the man would die, and there an end; but now they rise again, with twenty mortal murders on their crowns, and push us from our stools: this is more strange than such a murder is. lady macbeth my worthy lord, your noble friends do lack you. macbeth i do forget. do not muse at me, my most worthy friends, i have a strange infirmity, which is nothing to those that know me. come, love and health to all; then i'll sit down. give me some wine; fill full. i drink to the general joy o' the whole table, and to our dear friend banquo, whom we miss; would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst, and all to all. lords our duties, and the pledge. [re-enter ghost of banquo] macbeth avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee! thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; thou hast no speculation in those eyes which thou dost glare with! lady macbeth think of this, good peers, but as a thing of custom: 'tis no other; only it spoils the pleasure of the time. macbeth what man dare, i dare: approach thou like the rugged russian bear, the arm'd rhinoceros, or the hyrcan tiger; take any shape but that, and my firm nerves shall never tremble: or be alive again, and dare me to the desert with thy sword; if trembling i inhabit then, protest me the baby of a girl. hence, horrible shadow! unreal mockery, hence! [ghost of banquo vanishes] why, so: being gone, i am a man again. pray you, sit still. lady macbeth you have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, with most admired disorder. macbeth can such things be, and overcome us like a summer's cloud, without our special wonder? you make me strange even to the disposition that i owe, when now i think you can behold such sights, and keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, when mine is blanched with fear. ross what sights, my lord? lady macbeth i pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; question enrages him. at once, good night: stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once. lennox good night; and better health attend his majesty! lady macbeth a kind good night to all! [exeunt all but macbeth and lady macbeth] macbeth it will have blood; they say, blood will have blood: stones have been known to move and trees to speak; augurs and understood relations have by magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth the secret'st man of blood. what is the night? lady macbeth almost at odds with morning, which is which. macbeth how say'st thou, that macduff denies his person at our great bidding? lady macbeth did you send to him, sir? macbeth i hear it by the way; but i will send: there's not a one of them but in his house i keep a servant fee'd. i will to-morrow, and betimes i will, to the weird sisters: more shall they speak; for now i am bent to know, by the worst means, the worst. for mine own good, all causes shall give way: i am in blood stepp'd in so far that, should i wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er: strange things i have in head, that will to hand; which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. lady macbeth you lack the season of all natures, sleep. macbeth come, we'll to sleep. my strange and self-abuse is the initiate fear that wants hard use: we are yet but young in deed. [exeunt] macbeth act iii scene v a heath. [thunder. enter the three witches meeting hecate] first witch why, how now, hecate! you look angerly. hecate have i not reason, beldams as you are, saucy and overbold? how did you dare to trade and traffic with macbeth in riddles and affairs of death; and i, the mistress of your charms, the close contriver of all harms, was never call'd to bear my part, or show the glory of our art? and, which is worse, all you have done hath been but for a wayward son, spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, loves for his own ends, not for you. but make amends now: get you gone, and at the pit of acheron meet me i' the morning: thither he will come to know his destiny: your vessels and your spells provide, your charms and every thing beside. i am for the air; this night i'll spend unto a dismal and a fatal end: great business must be wrought ere noon: upon the corner of the moon there hangs a vaporous drop profound; i'll catch it ere it come to ground: and that distill'd by magic sleights shall raise such artificial sprites as by the strength of their illusion shall draw him on to his confusion: he shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear he hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear: and you all know, security is mortals' chiefest enemy. [music and a song within: 'come away, come away,' &c] hark! i am call'd; my little spirit, see, sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [exit] first witch come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again. [exeunt] macbeth act iii scene vi forres. the palace. [enter lennox and another lord] lennox my former speeches have but hit your thoughts, which can interpret further: only, i say, things have been strangely borne. the gracious duncan was pitied of macbeth: marry, he was dead: and the right-valiant banquo walk'd too late; whom, you may say, if't please you, fleance kill'd, for fleance fled: men must not walk too late. who cannot want the thought how monstrous it was for malcolm and for donalbain to kill their gracious father? damned fact! how it did grieve macbeth! did he not straight in pious rage the two delinquents tear, that were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? was not that nobly done? ay, and wisely too; for 'twould have anger'd any heart alive to hear the men deny't. so that, i say, he has borne all things well: and i do think that had he duncan's sons under his key- as, an't please heaven, he shall not--they should find what 'twere to kill a father; so should fleance. but, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd his presence at the tyrant's feast, i hear macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell where he bestows himself? lord the son of duncan, from whom this tyrant holds the due of birth lives in the english court, and is received of the most pious edward with such grace that the malevolence of fortune nothing takes from his high respect: thither macduff is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid to wake northumberland and warlike siward: that, by the help of these--with him above to ratify the work--we may again give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, do faithful homage and receive free honours: all which we pine for now: and this report hath so exasperate the king that he prepares for some attempt of war. lennox sent he to macduff? lord he did: and with an absolute 'sir, not i,' the cloudy messenger turns me his back, and hums, as who should say 'you'll rue the time that clogs me with this answer.' lennox and that well might advise him to a caution, to hold what distance his wisdom can provide. some holy angel fly to the court of england and unfold his message ere he come, that a swift blessing may soon return to this our suffering country under a hand accursed! lord i'll send my prayers with him. [exeunt] macbeth act iv scene i a cavern. in the middle, a boiling cauldron. [thunder. enter the three witches] first witch thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd. second witch thrice and once the hedge-pig whined. third witch harpier cries 'tis time, 'tis time. first witch round about the cauldron go; in the poison'd entrails throw. toad, that under cold stone days and nights has thirty-one swelter'd venom sleeping got, boil thou first i' the charmed pot. all double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble. second witch fillet of a fenny snake, in the cauldron boil and bake; eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog, adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, lizard's leg and owlet's wing, for a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble. all double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. third witch scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, witches' mummy, maw and gulf of the ravin'd salt-sea shark, root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark, liver of blaspheming jew, gall of goat, and slips of yew silver'd in the moon's eclipse, nose of turk and tartar's lips, finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-deliver'd by a drab, make the gruel thick and slab: add thereto a tiger's chaudron, for the ingredients of our cauldron. all double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. second witch cool it with a baboon's blood, then the charm is firm and good. [enter hecate to the other three witches] hecate o well done! i commend your pains; and every one shall share i' the gains; and now about the cauldron sing, live elves and fairies in a ring, enchanting all that you put in. [music and a song: 'black spirits,' &c] [hecate retires] second witch by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. open, locks, whoever knocks! [enter macbeth] macbeth how now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! what is't you do? all a deed without a name. macbeth i conjure you, by that which you profess, howe'er you come to know it, answer me: though you untie the winds and let them fight against the churches; though the yesty waves confound and swallow navigation up; though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down; though castles topple on their warders' heads; though palaces and pyramids do slope their heads to their foundations; though the treasure of nature's germens tumble all together, even till destruction sicken; answer me to what i ask you. first witch speak. second witch demand. third witch we'll answer. first witch say, if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths, or from our masters? macbeth call 'em; let me see 'em. first witch pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten her nine farrow; grease that's sweaten from the murderer's gibbet throw into the flame. all come, high or low; thyself and office deftly show! [thunder. first apparition: an armed head] macbeth tell me, thou unknown power,- first witch he knows thy thought: hear his speech, but say thou nought. first apparition macbeth! macbeth! macbeth! beware macduff; beware the thane of fife. dismiss me. enough. [descends] macbeth whate'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks; thou hast harp'd my fear aright: but one word more,- first witch he will not be commanded: here's another, more potent than the first. [thunder. second apparition: a bloody child] second apparition macbeth! macbeth! macbeth! macbeth had i three ears, i'ld hear thee. second apparition be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm macbeth. [descends] macbeth then live, macduff: what need i fear of thee? but yet i'll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; that i may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder. [thunder. third apparition: a child crowned, with a tree in his hand] what is this that rises like the issue of a king, and wears upon his baby-brow the round and top of sovereignty? all listen, but speak not to't. third apparition be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until great birnam wood to high dunsinane hill shall come against him. [descends] macbeth that will never be who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earth-bound root? sweet bodements! good! rebellion's head, rise never till the wood of birnam rise, and our high-placed macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom. yet my heart throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art can tell so much: shall banquo's issue ever reign in this kingdom? all seek to know no more. macbeth i will be satisfied: deny me this, and an eternal curse fall on you! let me know. why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this? [hautboys] first witch show! second witch show! third witch show! all show his eyes, and grieve his heart; come like shadows, so depart! [a show of eight kings, the last with a glass in his hand; ghost of banquo following] macbeth thou art too like the spirit of banquo: down! thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. and thy hair, thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. a third is like the former. filthy hags! why do you show me this? a fourth! start, eyes! what, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom? another yet! a seventh! i'll see no more: and yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass which shows me many more; and some i see that two-fold balls and treble scepters carry: horrible sight! now, i see, 'tis true; for the blood-bolter'd banquo smiles upon me, and points at them for his. [apparitions vanish] what, is this so? first witch ay, sir, all this is so: but why stands macbeth thus amazedly? come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, and show the best of our delights: i'll charm the air to give a sound, while you perform your antic round: that this great king may kindly say, our duties did his welcome pay. [music. the witches dance and then vanish, with hecate] macbeth where are they? gone? let this pernicious hour stand aye accursed in the calendar! come in, without there! [enter lennox] lennox what's your grace's will? macbeth saw you the weird sisters? lennox no, my lord. macbeth came they not by you? lennox no, indeed, my lord. macbeth infected be the air whereon they ride; and damn'd all those that trust them! i did hear the galloping of horse: who was't came by? lennox 'tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word macduff is fled to england. macbeth fled to england! lennox ay, my good lord. macbeth time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits: the flighty purpose never is o'ertook unless the deed go with it; from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand. and even now, to crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: the castle of macduff i will surprise; seize upon fife; give to the edge o' the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. no boasting like a fool; this deed i'll do before this purpose cool. but no more sights!--where are these gentlemen? come, bring me where they are. [exeunt] macbeth act iv scene ii fife. macduff's castle. [enter lady macduff, her son, and ross] lady macduff what had he done, to make him fly the land? ross you must have patience, madam. lady macduff he had none: his flight was madness: when our actions do not, our fears do make us traitors. ross you know not whether it was his wisdom or his fear. lady macduff wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes, his mansion and his titles in a place from whence himself does fly? he loves us not; he wants the natural touch: for the poor wren, the most diminutive of birds, will fight, her young ones in her nest, against the owl. all is the fear and nothing is the love; as little is the wisdom, where the flight so runs against all reason. ross my dearest coz, i pray you, school yourself: but for your husband, he is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows the fits o' the season. i dare not speak much further; but cruel are the times, when we are traitors and do not know ourselves, when we hold rumour from what we fear, yet know not what we fear, but float upon a wild and violent sea each way and move. i take my leave of you: shall not be long but i'll be here again: things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward to what they were before. my pretty cousin, blessing upon you! lady macduff father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless. ross i am so much a fool, should i stay longer, it would be my disgrace and your discomfort: i take my leave at once. [exit] lady macduff sirrah, your father's dead; and what will you do now? how will you live? son as birds do, mother. lady macduff what, with worms and flies? son with what i get, i mean; and so do they. lady macduff poor bird! thou'ldst never fear the net nor lime, the pitfall nor the gin. son why should i, mother? poor birds they are not set for. my father is not dead, for all your saying. lady macduff yes, he is dead; how wilt thou do for a father? son nay, how will you do for a husband? lady macduff why, i can buy me twenty at any market. son then you'll buy 'em to sell again. lady macduff thou speak'st with all thy wit: and yet, i' faith, with wit enough for thee. son was my father a traitor, mother? lady macduff ay, that he was. son what is a traitor? lady macduff why, one that swears and lies. son and be all traitors that do so? lady macduff every one that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged. son and must they all be hanged that swear and lie? lady macduff every one. son who must hang them? lady macduff why, the honest men. son then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang up them. lady macduff now, god help thee, poor monkey! but how wilt thou do for a father? son if he were dead, you'ld weep for him: if you would not, it were a good sign that i should quickly have a new father. lady macduff poor prattler, how thou talk'st! [enter a messenger] messenger bless you, fair dame! i am not to you known, though in your state of honour i am perfect. i doubt some danger does approach you nearly: if you will take a homely man's advice, be not found here; hence, with your little ones. to fright you thus, methinks, i am too savage; to do worse to you were fell cruelty, which is too nigh your person. heaven preserve you! i dare abide no longer. [exit] lady macduff whither should i fly? i have done no harm. but i remember now i am in this earthly world; where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas, do i put up that womanly defence, to say i have done no harm? [enter murderers] what are these faces? first murderer where is your husband? lady macduff i hope, in no place so unsanctified where such as thou mayst find him. first murderer he's a traitor. son thou liest, thou shag-hair'd villain! first murderer what, you egg! [stabbing him] young fry of treachery! son he has kill'd me, mother: run away, i pray you! [dies] [exit lady macduff, crying 'murder!' exeunt murderers, following her] macbeth act iv scene iii england. before the king's palace. [enter malcolm and macduff] malcolm let us seek out some desolate shade, and there weep our sad bosoms empty. macduff let us rather hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men bestride our down-fall'n birthdom: each new morn new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face, that it resounds as if it felt with scotland and yell'd out like syllable of dolour. malcolm what i believe i'll wail, what know believe, and what i can redress, as i shall find the time to friend, i will. what you have spoke, it may be so perchance. this tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest: you have loved him well. he hath not touch'd you yet. i am young; but something you may deserve of him through me, and wisdom to offer up a weak poor innocent lamb to appease an angry god. macduff i am not treacherous. malcolm but macbeth is. a good and virtuous nature may recoil in an imperial charge. but i shall crave your pardon; that which you are my thoughts cannot transpose: angels are bright still, though the brightest fell; though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, yet grace must still look so. macduff i have lost my hopes. malcolm perchance even there where i did find my doubts. why in that rawness left you wife and child, those precious motives, those strong knots of love, without leave-taking? i pray you, let not my jealousies be your dishonours, but mine own safeties. you may be rightly just, whatever i shall think. macduff bleed, bleed, poor country! great tyranny! lay thou thy basis sure, for goodness dare not cheque thee: wear thou thy wrongs; the title is affeer'd! fare thee well, lord: i would not be the villain that thou think'st for the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp, and the rich east to boot. malcolm be not offended: i speak not as in absolute fear of you. i think our country sinks beneath the yoke; it weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash is added to her wounds: i think withal there would be hands uplifted in my right; and here from gracious england have i offer of goodly thousands: but, for all this, when i shall tread upon the tyrant's head, or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country shall have more vices than it had before, more suffer and more sundry ways than ever, by him that shall succeed. macduff what should he be? malcolm it is myself i mean: in whom i know all the particulars of vice so grafted that, when they shall be open'd, black macbeth will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms. macduff not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd in evils to top macbeth. malcolm i grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name: but there's no bottom, none, in my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters, your matrons and your maids, could not fill up the cistern of my lust, and my desire all continent impediments would o'erbear that did oppose my will: better macbeth than such an one to reign. macduff boundless intemperance in nature is a tyranny; it hath been the untimely emptying of the happy throne and fall of many kings. but fear not yet to take upon you what is yours: you may convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty, and yet seem cold, the time you may so hoodwink. we have willing dames enough: there cannot be that vulture in you, to devour so many as will to greatness dedicate themselves, finding it so inclined. malcolm with this there grows in my most ill-composed affection such a stanchless avarice that, were i king, i should cut off the nobles for their lands, desire his jewels and this other's house: and my more-having would be as a sauce to make me hunger more; that i should forge quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, destroying them for wealth. macduff this avarice sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been the sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear; scotland hath foisons to fill up your will. of your mere own: all these are portable, with other graces weigh'd. malcolm but i have none: the king-becoming graces, as justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, i have no relish of them, but abound in the division of each several crime, acting it many ways. nay, had i power, i should pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on earth. macduff o scotland, scotland! malcolm if such a one be fit to govern, speak: i am as i have spoken. macduff fit to govern! no, not to live. o nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter'd, when shalt thou see thy wholesome days again, since that the truest issue of thy throne by his own interdiction stands accursed, and does blaspheme his breed? thy royal father was a most sainted king: the queen that bore thee, oftener upon her knees than on her feet, died every day she lived. fare thee well! these evils thou repeat'st upon thyself have banish'd me from scotland. o my breast, thy hope ends here! malcolm macduff, this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from my soul wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts to thy good truth and honour. devilish macbeth by many of these trains hath sought to win me into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me from over-credulous haste: but god above deal between thee and me! for even now i put myself to thy direction, and unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure the taints and blames i laid upon myself, for strangers to my nature. i am yet unknown to woman, never was forsworn, scarcely have coveted what was mine own, at no time broke my faith, would not betray the devil to his fellow and delight no less in truth than life: my first false speaking was this upon myself: what i am truly, is thine and my poor country's to command: whither indeed, before thy here-approach, old siward, with ten thousand warlike men, already at a point, was setting forth. now we'll together; and the chance of goodness be like our warranted quarrel! why are you silent? macduff such welcome and unwelcome things at once 'tis hard to reconcile. [enter a doctor] malcolm well; more anon.--comes the king forth, i pray you? doctor ay, sir; there are a crew of wretched souls that stay his cure: their malady convinces the great assay of art; but at his touch- such sanctity hath heaven given his hand- they presently amend. malcolm i thank you, doctor. [exit doctor] macduff what's the disease he means? malcolm 'tis call'd the evil: a most miraculous work in this good king; which often, since my here-remain in england, i have seen him do. how he solicits heaven, himself best knows: but strangely-visited people, all swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, the mere despair of surgery, he cures, hanging a golden stamp about their necks, put on with holy prayers: and 'tis spoken, to the succeeding royalty he leaves the healing benediction. with this strange virtue, he hath a heavenly gift of prophecy, and sundry blessings hang about his throne, that speak him full of grace. [enter ross] macduff see, who comes here? malcolm my countryman; but yet i know him not. macduff my ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither. malcolm i know him now. good god, betimes remove the means that makes us strangers! ross sir, amen. macduff stands scotland where it did? ross alas, poor country! almost afraid to know itself. it cannot be call'd our mother, but our grave; where nothing, but who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the air are made, not mark'd; where violent sorrow seems a modern ecstasy; the dead man's knell is there scarce ask'd for who; and good men's lives expire before the flowers in their caps, dying or ere they sicken. macduff o, relation too nice, and yet too true! malcolm what's the newest grief? ross that of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker: each minute teems a new one. macduff how does my wife? ross why, well. macduff and all my children? ross well too. macduff the tyrant has not batter'd at their peace? ross no; they were well at peace when i did leave 'em. macduff but not a niggard of your speech: how goes't? ross when i came hither to transport the tidings, which i have heavily borne, there ran a rumour of many worthy fellows that were out; which was to my belief witness'd the rather, for that i saw the tyrant's power a-foot: now is the time of help; your eye in scotland would create soldiers, make our women fight, to doff their dire distresses. malcolm be't their comfort we are coming thither: gracious england hath lent us good siward and ten thousand men; an older and a better soldier none that christendom gives out. ross would i could answer this comfort with the like! but i have words that would be howl'd out in the desert air, where hearing should not latch them. macduff what concern they? the general cause? or is it a fee-grief due to some single breast? ross no mind that's honest but in it shares some woe; though the main part pertains to you alone. macduff if it be mine, keep it not from me, quickly let me have it. ross let not your ears despise my tongue for ever, which shall possess them with the heaviest sound that ever yet they heard. macduff hum! i guess at it. ross your castle is surprised; your wife and babes savagely slaughter'd: to relate the manner, were, on the quarry of these murder'd deer, to add the death of you. malcolm merciful heaven! what, man! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows; give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break. macduff my children too? ross wife, children, servants, all that could be found. macduff and i must be from thence! my wife kill'd too? ross i have said. malcolm be comforted: let's make us medicines of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief. macduff he has no children. all my pretty ones? did you say all? o hell-kite! all? what, all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop? malcolm dispute it like a man. macduff i shall do so; but i must also feel it as a man: i cannot but remember such things were, that were most precious to me. did heaven look on, and would not take their part? sinful macduff, they were all struck for thee! naught that i am, not for their own demerits, but for mine, fell slaughter on their souls. heaven rest them now! malcolm be this the whetstone of your sword: let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it. macduff o, i could play the woman with mine eyes and braggart with my tongue! but, gentle heavens, cut short all intermission; front to front bring thou this fiend of scotland and myself; within my sword's length set him; if he 'scape, heaven forgive him too! malcolm this tune goes manly. come, go we to the king; our power is ready; our lack is nothing but our leave; macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments. receive what cheer you may: the night is long that never finds the day. [exeunt] macbeth act v scene i dunsinane. ante-room in the castle. [enter a doctor of physic and a waiting-gentlewoman] doctor i have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. when was it she last walked? gentlewoman since his majesty went into the field, i have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. doctor a great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching! in this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say? gentlewoman that, sir, which i will not report after her. doctor you may to me: and 'tis most meet you should. gentlewoman neither to you nor any one; having no witness to confirm my speech. [enter lady macbeth, with a taper] lo you, here she comes! this is her very guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. observe her; stand close. doctor how came she by that light? gentlewoman why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; 'tis her command. doctor you see, her eyes are open. gentlewoman ay, but their sense is shut. doctor what is it she does now? look, how she rubs her hands. gentlewoman it is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands: i have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour. lady macbeth yet here's a spot. doctor hark! she speaks: i will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly. lady macbeth out, damned spot! out, i say!--one: two: why, then, 'tis time to do't.--hell is murky!--fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? what need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?--yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him. doctor do you mark that? lady macbeth the thane of fife had a wife: where is she now?- what, will these hands ne'er be clean?--no more o' that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with this starting. doctor go to, go to; you have known what you should not. gentlewoman she has spoke what she should not, i am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known. lady macbeth here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of arabia will not sweeten this little hand. oh, oh, oh! doctor what a sigh is there! the heart is sorely charged. gentlewoman i would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body. doctor well, well, well,- gentlewoman pray god it be, sir. doctor this disease is beyond my practise: yet i have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds. lady macbeth wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale.--i tell you yet again, banquo's buried; he cannot come out on's grave. doctor even so? lady macbeth to bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate: come, come, come, come, give me your hand. what's done cannot be undone.--to bed, to bed, to bed! [exit] doctor will she go now to bed? gentlewoman directly. doctor foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets: more needs she the divine than the physician. god, god forgive us all! look after her; remove from her the means of all annoyance, and still keep eyes upon her. so, good night: my mind she has mated, and amazed my sight. i think, but dare not speak. gentlewoman good night, good doctor. [exeunt] macbeth act v scene ii the country near dunsinane. [drum and colours. enter menteith, caithness, angus, lennox, and soldiers] menteith the english power is near, led on by malcolm, his uncle siward and the good macduff: revenges burn in them; for their dear causes would to the bleeding and the grim alarm excite the mortified man. angus near birnam wood shall we well meet them; that way are they coming. caithness who knows if donalbain be with his brother? lennox for certain, sir, he is not: i have a file of all the gentry: there is siward's son, and many unrough youths that even now protest their first of manhood. menteith what does the tyrant? caithness great dunsinane he strongly fortifies: some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him do call it valiant fury: but, for certain, he cannot buckle his distemper'd cause within the belt of rule. angus now does he feel his secret murders sticking on his hands; now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach; those he commands move only in command, nothing in love: now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief. menteith who then shall blame his pester'd senses to recoil and start, when all that is within him does condemn itself for being there? caithness well, march we on, to give obedience where 'tis truly owed: meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, and with him pour we in our country's purge each drop of us. lennox or so much as it needs, to dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds. make we our march towards birnam. [exeunt, marching] macbeth act v scene iii dunsinane. a room in the castle. [enter macbeth, doctor, and attendants] macbeth bring me no more reports; let them fly all: till birnam wood remove to dunsinane, i cannot taint with fear. what's the boy malcolm? was he not born of woman? the spirits that know all mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: 'fear not, macbeth; no man that's born of woman shall e'er have power upon thee.' then fly, false thanes, and mingle with the english epicures: the mind i sway by and the heart i bear shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear. [enter a servant] the devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! where got'st thou that goose look? servant there is ten thousand- macbeth geese, villain! servant soldiers, sir. macbeth go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, thou lily-liver'd boy. what soldiers, patch? death of thy soul! those linen cheeks of thine are counsellors to fear. what soldiers, whey-face? servant the english force, so please you. macbeth take thy face hence. [exit servant] seyton!--i am sick at heart, when i behold--seyton, i say!--this push will cheer me ever, or disseat me now. i have lived long enough: my way of life is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf; and that which should accompany old age, as honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, i must not look to have; but, in their stead, curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. seyton! [enter seyton] seyton what is your gracious pleasure? macbeth what news more? seyton all is confirm'd, my lord, which was reported. macbeth i'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd. give me my armour. seyton 'tis not needed yet. macbeth i'll put it on. send out more horses; skirr the country round; hang those that talk of fear. give me mine armour. how does your patient, doctor? doctor not so sick, my lord, as she is troubled with thick coming fancies, that keep her from her rest. macbeth cure her of that. canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heart? doctor therein the patient must minister to himself. macbeth throw physic to the dogs; i'll none of it. come, put mine armour on; give me my staff. seyton, send out. doctor, the thanes fly from me. come, sir, dispatch. if thou couldst, doctor, cast the water of my land, find her disease, and purge it to a sound and pristine health, i would applaud thee to the very echo, that should applaud again.--pull't off, i say.- what rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug, would scour these english hence? hear'st thou of them? doctor ay, my good lord; your royal preparation makes us hear something. macbeth bring it after me. i will not be afraid of death and bane, till birnam forest come to dunsinane. doctor [aside] were i from dunsinane away and clear, profit again should hardly draw me here. [exeunt] macbeth act v scene iv country near birnam wood. [drum and colours. enter malcolm, siward and young siward, macduff, menteith, caithness, angus, lennox, ross, and soldiers, marching] malcolm cousins, i hope the days are near at hand that chambers will be safe. menteith we doubt it nothing. siward what wood is this before us? menteith the wood of birnam. malcolm let every soldier hew him down a bough and bear't before him: thereby shall we shadow the numbers of our host and make discovery err in report of us. soldiers it shall be done. siward we learn no other but the confident tyrant keeps still in dunsinane, and will endure our setting down before 't. malcolm 'tis his main hope: for where there is advantage to be given, both more and less have given him the revolt, and none serve with him but constrained things whose hearts are absent too. macduff let our just censures attend the true event, and put we on industrious soldiership. siward the time approaches that will with due decision make us know what we shall say we have and what we owe. thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, but certain issue strokes must arbitrate: towards which advance the war. [exeunt, marching] macbeth act v scene v dunsinane. within the castle. [enter macbeth, seyton, and soldiers, with drum and colours] macbeth hang out our banners on the outward walls; the cry is still 'they come:' our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn: here let them lie till famine and the ague eat them up: were they not forced with those that should be ours, we might have met them dareful, beard to beard, and beat them backward home. [a cry of women within] what is that noise? seyton it is the cry of women, my good lord. [exit] macbeth i have almost forgot the taste of fears; the time has been, my senses would have cool'd to hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir as life were in't: i have supp'd full with horrors; direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts cannot once start me. [re-enter seyton] wherefore was that cry? seyton the queen, my lord, is dead. macbeth she should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word. to-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time, and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. out, out, brief candle! life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. [enter a messenger] thou comest to use thy tongue; thy story quickly. messenger gracious my lord, i should report that which i say i saw, but know not how to do it. macbeth well, say, sir. messenger as i did stand my watch upon the hill, i look'd toward birnam, and anon, methought, the wood began to move. macbeth liar and slave! messenger let me endure your wrath, if't be not so: within this three mile may you see it coming; i say, a moving grove. macbeth if thou speak'st false, upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, till famine cling thee: if thy speech be sooth, i care not if thou dost for me as much. i pull in resolution, and begin to doubt the equivocation of the fiend that lies like truth: 'fear not, till birnam wood do come to dunsinane:' and now a wood comes toward dunsinane. arm, arm, and out! if this which he avouches does appear, there is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. i gin to be aweary of the sun, and wish the estate o' the world were now undone. ring the alarum-bell! blow, wind! come, wrack! at least we'll die with harness on our back. [exeunt] macbeth act v scene vi dunsinane. before the castle. [drum and colours. enter malcolm, siward, macduff, and their army, with boughs] malcolm now near enough: your leafy screens throw down. and show like those you are. you, worthy uncle, shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son, lead our first battle: worthy macduff and we shall take upon 's what else remains to do, according to our order. siward fare you well. do we but find the tyrant's power to-night, let us be beaten, if we cannot fight. macduff make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath, those clamorous harbingers of blood and death. [exeunt] macbeth act v scene vii another part of the field. [alarums. enter macbeth] macbeth they have tied me to a stake; i cannot fly, but, bear-like, i must fight the course. what's he that was not born of woman? such a one am i to fear, or none. [enter young siward] young siward what is thy name? macbeth thou'lt be afraid to hear it. young siward no; though thou call'st thyself a hotter name than any is in hell. macbeth my name's macbeth. young siward the devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear. macbeth no, nor more fearful. young siward thou liest, abhorred tyrant; with my sword i'll prove the lie thou speak'st. [they fight and young siward is slain] macbeth thou wast born of woman but swords i smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, brandish'd by man that's of a woman born. [exit] [alarums. enter macduff] macduff that way the noise is. tyrant, show thy face! if thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine, my wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still. i cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms are hired to bear their staves: either thou, macbeth, or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge i sheathe again undeeded. there thou shouldst be; by this great clatter, one of greatest note seems bruited. let me find him, fortune! and more i beg not. [exit. alarums] [enter malcolm and siward] siward this way, my lord; the castle's gently render'd: the tyrant's people on both sides do fight; the noble thanes do bravely in the war; the day almost itself professes yours, and little is to do. malcolm we have met with foes that strike beside us. siward enter, sir, the castle. [exeunt. alarums] macbeth act v scene viii another part of the field. [enter macbeth] macbeth why should i play the roman fool, and die on mine own sword? whiles i see lives, the gashes do better upon them. [enter macduff] macduff turn, hell-hound, turn! macbeth of all men else i have avoided thee: but get thee back; my soul is too much charged with blood of thine already. macduff i have no words: my voice is in my sword: thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out! [they fight] macbeth thou losest labour: as easy mayst thou the intrenchant air with thy keen sword impress as make me bleed: let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; i bear a charmed life, which must not yield, to one of woman born. macduff despair thy charm; and let the angel whom thou still hast served tell thee, macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd. macbeth accursed be that tongue that tells me so, for it hath cow'd my better part of man! and be these juggling fiends no more believed, that palter with us in a double sense; that keep the word of promise to our ear, and break it to our hope. i'll not fight with thee. macduff then yield thee, coward, and live to be the show and gaze o' the time: we'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are, painted on a pole, and underwrit, 'here may you see the tyrant.' macbeth i will not yield, to kiss the ground before young malcolm's feet, and to be baited with the rabble's curse. though birnam wood be come to dunsinane, and thou opposed, being of no woman born, yet i will try the last. before my body i throw my warlike shield. lay on, macduff, and damn'd be him that first cries, 'hold, enough!' [exeunt, fighting. alarums] [retreat. flourish. enter, with drum and colours, malcolm, siward, ross, the other thanes, and soldiers] malcolm i would the friends we miss were safe arrived. siward some must go off: and yet, by these i see, so great a day as this is cheaply bought. malcolm macduff is missing, and your noble son. ross your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt: he only lived but till he was a man; the which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd in the unshrinking station where he fought, but like a man he died. siward then he is dead? ross ay, and brought off the field: your cause of sorrow must not be measured by his worth, for then it hath no end. siward had he his hurts before? ross ay, on the front. siward why then, god's soldier be he! had i as many sons as i have hairs, i would not wish them to a fairer death: and so, his knell is knoll'd. malcolm he's worth more sorrow, and that i'll spend for him. siward he's worth no more they say he parted well, and paid his score: and so, god be with him! here comes newer comfort. [re-enter macduff, with macbeth's head] macduff hail, king! for so thou art: behold, where stands the usurper's cursed head: the time is free: i see thee compass'd with thy kingdom's pearl, that speak my salutation in their minds; whose voices i desire aloud with mine: hail, king of scotland! all hail, king of scotland! [flourish] malcolm we shall not spend a large expense of time before we reckon with your several loves, and make us even with you. my thanes and kinsmen, henceforth be earls, the first that ever scotland in such an honour named. what's more to do, which would be planted newly with the time, as calling home our exiled friends abroad that fled the snares of watchful tyranny; producing forth the cruel ministers of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen, who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands took off her life; this, and what needful else that calls upon us, by the grace of grace, we will perform in measure, time and place: so, thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crown'd at scone. [flourish. exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre dramatis personae antiochus king of antioch. pericles prince of tyre. helicanus | | two lords of tyre. escanes | simonides king of pentapolis. cleon governor of tarsus. lysimachus governor of mytilene. cerimon a lord of ephesus. thaliard a lord of antioch. philemon servant to cerimon. leonine servant to dionyza. marshal. (marshal:) a pandar. (pandar:) boult his servant. the daughter of antiochus. (daughter:) dionyza wife to cleon. thaisa daughter to simonides. marina daughter to pericles and thaisa. lychorida nurse to marina. a bawd. (bawd:) lords, knights, gentlemen, sailors, pirates, fishermen, and messengers. (lord:) (first lord:) (second lord:) (third lord:) (first knight:) (second knight:) (third knight:) (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) (first sailor:) (second sailor:) (first pirate:) (second pirate:) (third pirate:) (first fisherman:) (second fisherman:) (third fisherman:) (messenger:) diana: gower as chorus. scene dispersedly in various countries. pericles, prince of tyre act i [enter gower] [before the palace of antioch] to sing a song that old was sung, from ashes ancient gower is come; assuming man's infirmities, to glad your ear, and please your eyes. it hath been sung at festivals, on ember-eves and holy-ales; and lords and ladies in their lives have read it for restoratives: the purchase is to make men glorious; et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius. if you, born in these latter times, when wit's more ripe, accept my rhymes. and that to hear an old man sing may to your wishes pleasure bring i life would wish, and that i might waste it for you, like taper-light. this antioch, then, antiochus the great built up, this city, for his chiefest seat: the fairest in all syria, i tell you what mine authors say: this king unto him took a fere, who died and left a female heir, so buxom, blithe, and full of face, as heaven had lent her all his grace; with whom the father liking took, and her to incest did provoke: bad child; worse father! to entice his own to evil should be done by none: but custom what they did begin was with long use account no sin. the beauty of this sinful dame made many princes thither frame, to seek her as a bed-fellow, in marriage-pleasures play-fellow: which to prevent he made a law, to keep her still, and men in awe, that whoso ask'd her for his wife, his riddle told not, lost his life: so for her many a wight did die, as yon grim looks do testify. what now ensues, to the judgment of your eye i give, my cause who best can justify. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act i scene i antioch. a room in the palace. [enter antiochus, prince pericles, and followers] antiochus young prince of tyre, you have at large received the danger of the task you undertake. pericles i have, antiochus, and, with a soul embolden'd with the glory of her praise, think death no hazard in this enterprise. antiochus bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, for the embracements even of jove himself; at whose conception, till lucina reign'd, nature this dowry gave, to glad her presence, the senate-house of planets all did sit, to knit in her their best perfections. [music. enter the daughter of antiochus] pericles see where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king of every virtue gives renown to men! her face the book of praises, where is read nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence sorrow were ever razed and testy wrath could never be her mild companion. you gods that made me man, and sway in love, that have inflamed desire in my breast to taste the fruit of yon celestial tree, or die in the adventure, be my helps, as i am son and servant to your will, to compass such a boundless happiness! antiochus prince pericles,- pericles that would be son to great antiochus. antiochus before thee stands this fair hesperides, with golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; for death-like dragons here affright thee hard: her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view her countless glory, which desert must gain; and which, without desert, because thine eye presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself, drawn by report, adventurous by desire, tell thee, with speechless tongues and semblance pale, that without covering, save yon field of stars, here they stand martyrs, slain in cupid's wars; and with dead cheeks advise thee to desist for going on death's net, whom none resist. pericles antiochus, i thank thee, who hath taught my frail mortality to know itself, and by those fearful objects to prepare this body, like to them, to what i must; for death remember'd should be like a mirror, who tells us life's but breath, to trust it error. i'll make my will then, and, as sick men do who know the world, see heaven, but, feeling woe, gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did; so i bequeath a happy peace to you and all good men, as every prince should do; my riches to the earth from whence they came; but my unspotted fire of love to you. [to the daughter of antiochus] thus ready for the way of life or death, i wait the sharpest blow, antiochus. antiochus scorning advice, read the conclusion then: which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, as these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed. daughter of all say'd yet, mayst thou prove prosperous! of all say'd yet, i wish thee happiness! pericles like a bold champion, i assume the lists, nor ask advice of any other thought but faithfulness and courage. [he reads the riddle] i am no viper, yet i feed on mother's flesh which did me breed. i sought a husband, in which labour i found that kindness in a father: he's father, son, and husband mild; i mother, wife, and yet his child. how they may be, and yet in two, as you will live, resolve it you. sharp physic is the last: but, o you powers that give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, why cloud they not their sights perpetually, if this be true, which makes me pale to read it? fair glass of light, i loved you, and could still, [takes hold of the hand of the daughter of antiochus] were not this glorious casket stored with ill: but i must tell you, now my thoughts revolt for he's no man on whom perfections wait that, knowing sin within, will touch the gate. you are a fair viol, and your sense the strings; who, finger'd to make man his lawful music, would draw heaven down, and all the gods, to hearken: but being play'd upon before your time, hell only danceth at so harsh a chime. good sooth, i care not for you. antiochus prince pericles, touch not, upon thy life. for that's an article within our law, as dangerous as the rest. your time's expired: either expound now, or receive your sentence. pericles great king, few love to hear the sins they love to act; 'twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it. who has a book of all that monarchs do, he's more secure to keep it shut than shown: for vice repeated is like the wandering wind. blows dust in other's eyes, to spread itself; and yet the end of all is bought thus dear, the breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear: to stop the air would hurt them. the blind mole casts copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is throng'd by man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. kings are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will; and if jove stray, who dares say jove doth ill? it is enough you know; and it is fit, what being more known grows worse, to smother it. all love the womb that their first being bred, then give my tongue like leave to love my head. antiochus [aside] heaven, that i had thy head! he has found the meaning: but i will gloze with him.--young prince of tyre, though by the tenor of our strict edict, your exposition misinterpreting, we might proceed to cancel of your days; yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree as your fair self, doth tune us otherwise: forty days longer we do respite you; if by which time our secret be undone, this mercy shows we'll joy in such a son: and until then your entertain shall be as doth befit our honour and your worth. [exeunt all but pericles] pericles how courtesy would seem to cover sin, when what is done is like an hypocrite, the which is good in nothing but in sight! if it be true that i interpret false, then were it certain you were not so bad as with foul incest to abuse your soul; where now you're both a father and a son, by your untimely claspings with your child, which pleasure fits an husband, not a father; and she an eater of her mother's flesh, by the defiling of her parent's bed; and both like serpents are, who though they feed on sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed. antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men blush not in actions blacker than the night, will shun no course to keep them from the light. one sin, i know, another doth provoke; murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke: poison and treason are the hands of sin, ay, and the targets, to put off the shame: then, lest my lie be cropp'd to keep you clear, by flight i'll shun the danger which i fear. [exit] [re-enter antiochus] antiochus he hath found the meaning, for which we mean to have his head. he must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, nor tell the world antiochus doth sin in such a loathed manner; and therefore instantly this prince must die: for by his fall my honour must keep high. who attends us there? [enter thaliard] thaliard doth your highness call? antiochus thaliard, you are of our chamber, and our mind partakes her private actions to your secrecy; and for your faithfulness we will advance you. thaliard, behold, here's poison, and here's gold; we hate the prince of tyre, and thou must kill him: it fits thee not to ask the reason why, because we bid it. say, is it done? thaliard my lord, 'tis done. antiochus enough. [enter a messenger] let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. messenger my lord, prince pericles is fled. [exit] antiochus as thou wilt live, fly after: and like an arrow shot from a well-experienced archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou ne'er return unless thou say 'prince pericles is dead.' thaliard my lord, if i can get him within my pistol's length, i'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness. antiochus thaliard, adieu! [exit thaliard] till pericles be dead, my heart can lend no succor to my head. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act i scene ii tyre. a room in the palace. [enter pericles] pericles [to lords without] let none disturb us.--why should this change of thoughts, the sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy, be my so used a guest as not an hour, in the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, the tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet? here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, and danger, which i fear'd, is at antioch, whose aim seems far too short to hit me here: yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, nor yet the other's distance comfort me. then it is thus: the passions of the mind, that have their first conception by mis-dread, have after-nourishment and life by care; and what was first but fear what might be done, grows elder now and cares it be not done. and so with me: the great antiochus, 'gainst whom i am too little to contend, since he's so great can make his will his act, will think me speaking, though i swear to silence; nor boots it me to say i honour him. if he suspect i may dishonour him: and what may make him blush in being known, he'll stop the course by which it might be known; with hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land, and with the ostent of war will look so huge, amazement shall drive courage from the state; our men be vanquish'd ere they do resist, and subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence: which care of them, not pity of myself, who am no more but as the tops of trees, which fence the roots they grow by and defend them, makes both my body pine and soul to languish, and punish that before that he would punish. [enter helicanus, with other lords] first lord joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! second lord and keep your mind, till you return to us, peaceful and comfortable! helicanus peace, peace, and give experience tongue. they do abuse the king that flatter him: for flattery is the bellows blows up sin; the thing which is flatter'd, but a spark, to which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing; whereas reproof, obedient and in order, fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. when signior sooth here does proclaim a peace, he flatters you, makes war upon your life. prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please; i cannot be much lower than my knees. pericles all leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook what shipping and what lading's in our haven, and then return to us. [exeunt lords] helicanus, thou hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks? helicanus an angry brow, dread lord. pericles if there be such a dart in princes' frowns, how durst thy tongue move anger to our face? helicanus how dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence they have their nourishment? pericles thou know'st i have power to take thy life from thee. helicanus [kneeling] i have ground the axe myself; do you but strike the blow. pericles rise, prithee, rise. sit down: thou art no flatterer: i thank thee for it; and heaven forbid that kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! fit counsellor and servant for a prince, who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant, what wouldst thou have me do? helicanus to bear with patience such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself. pericles thou speak'st like a physician, helicanus, that minister'st a potion unto me that thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. attend me, then: i went to antioch, where as thou know'st, against the face of death, i sought the purchase of a glorious beauty. from whence an issue i might propagate, are arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects. her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; the rest--hark in thine ear--as black as incest: which by my knowledge found, the sinful father seem'd not to strike, but smooth: but thou know'st this, 'tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. such fear so grew in me, i hither fled, under the covering of a careful night, who seem'd my good protector; and, being here, bethought me what was past, what might succeed. i knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears decrease not, but grow faster than the years: and should he doubt it, as no doubt he doth, that i should open to the listening air how many worthy princes' bloods were shed, to keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope, to lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms, and make pretence of wrong that i have done him: when all, for mine, if i may call offence, must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: which love to all, of which thyself art one, who now reprovest me for it,- helicanus alas, sir! pericles drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, musings into my mind, with thousand doubts how i might stop this tempest ere it came; and finding little comfort to relieve them, i thought it princely charity to grieve them. helicanus well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak. freely will i speak. antiochus you fear, and justly too, i think, you fear the tyrant, who either by public war or private treason will take away your life. therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, till that his rage and anger be forgot, or till the destinies do cut his thread of life. your rule direct to any; if to me. day serves not light more faithful than i'll be. pericles i do not doubt thy faith; but should he wrong my liberties in my absence? helicanus we'll mingle our bloods together in the earth, from whence we had our being and our birth. pericles tyre, i now look from thee then, and to tarsus intend my travel, where i'll hear from thee; and by whose letters i'll dispose myself. the care i had and have of subjects' good on thee i lay whose wisdom's strength can bear it. i'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath: who shuns not to break one will sure crack both: but in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, that time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, thou show'dst a subject's shine, i a true prince. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act i scene iii tyre. an ante-chamber in the palace. [enter thaliard] thaliard so, this is tyre, and this the court. here must i kill king pericles; and if i do it not, i am sure to be hanged at home: 'tis dangerous. well, i perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that, being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets: now do i see he had some reason for't; for if a king bid a man be a villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to be one! hush! here come the lords of tyre. [enter helicanus and escanes, with other lords of tyre] helicanus you shall not need, my fellow peers of tyre, further to question me of your king's departure: his seal'd commission, left in trust with me, doth speak sufficiently he's gone to travel. thaliard [aside] how! the king gone! helicanus if further yet you will be satisfied, why, as it were unlicensed of your loves, he would depart, i'll give some light unto you. being at antioch- thaliard [aside] what from antioch? helicanus royal antiochus--on what cause i know not- took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so: and doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, to show his sorrow, he'ld correct himself; so puts himself unto the shipman's toil, with whom each minute threatens life or death. thaliard [aside] well, i perceive i shall not be hang'd now, although i would; but since he's gone, the king's seas must please: he 'scaped the land, to perish at the sea. i'll present myself. peace to the lords of tyre! helicanus lord thaliard from antiochus is welcome. thaliard from him i come with message unto princely pericles; but since my landing i have understood your lord has betook himself to unknown travels, my message must return from whence it came. helicanus we have no reason to desire it, commended to our master, not to us: yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire, as friends to antioch, we may feast in tyre. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act i scene iv tarsus. a room in the governor's house. [enter cleon, the governor of tarsus, with dionyza, and others] cleon my dionyza, shall we rest us here, and by relating tales of others' griefs, see if 'twill teach us to forget our own? dionyza that were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; for who digs hills because they do aspire throws down one mountain to cast up a higher. o my distressed lord, even such our griefs are; here they're but felt, and seen with mischief's eyes, but like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise. cleon o dionyza, who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, or can conceal his hunger till he famish? our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes into the air; our eyes do weep, till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; that, if heaven slumber while their creatures want, they may awake their helps to comfort them. i'll then discourse our woes, felt several years, and wanting breath to speak help me with tears. dionyza i'll do my best, sir. cleon this tarsus, o'er which i have the government, a city on whom plenty held full hand, for riches strew'd herself even in the streets; whose towers bore heads so high they kiss'd the clouds, and strangers ne'er beheld but wondered at; whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd, like one another's glass to trim them by: their tables were stored full, to glad the sight, and not so much to feed on as delight; all poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, the name of help grew odious to repeat. dionyza o, 'tis too true. cleon but see what heaven can do! by this our change, these mouths, who but of late, earth, sea, and air, were all too little to content and please, although they gave their creatures in abundance, as houses are defiled for want of use, they are now starved for want of exercise: those palates who, not yet two summers younger, must have inventions to delight the taste, would now be glad of bread, and beg for it: those mothers who, to nousle up their babes, thought nought too curious, are ready now to eat those little darlings whom they loved. so sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life: here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; here many sink, yet those which see them fall have scarce strength left to give them burial. is not this true? dionyza our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. cleon o, let those cities that of plenty's cup and her prosperities so largely taste, with their superfluous riots, hear these tears! the misery of tarsus may be theirs. [enter a lord] lord where's the lord governor? cleon here. speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste, for comfort is too far for us to expect. lord we have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, a portly sail of ships make hitherward. cleon i thought as much. one sorrow never comes but brings an heir, that may succeed as his inheritor; and so in ours: some neighbouring nation, taking advantage of our misery, hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, to beat us down, the which are down already; and make a conquest of unhappy me, whereas no glory's got to overcome. lord that's the least fear; for, by the semblance of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, and come to us as favourers, not as foes. cleon thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat: who makes the fairest show means most deceit. but bring they what they will and what they can, what need we fear? the ground's the lowest, and we are half way there. go tell their general we attend him here, to know for what he comes, and whence he comes, and what he craves. lord i go, my lord. [exit] cleon welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; if wars, we are unable to resist. [enter pericles with attendants] pericles lord governor, for so we hear you are, let not our ships and number of our men be like a beacon fired to amaze your eyes. we have heard your miseries as far as tyre, and seen the desolation of your streets: nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, but to relieve them of their heavy load; and these our ships, you happily may think are like the trojan horse was stuff'd within with bloody veins, expecting overthrow, are stored with corn to make your needy bread, and give them life whom hunger starved half dead. all the gods of greece protect you! and we'll pray for you. pericles arise, i pray you, rise: we do not look for reverence, but to love, and harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men. cleon the which when any shall not gratify, or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, the curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! till when,--the which i hope shall ne'er be seen,- your grace is welcome to our town and us. pericles which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile, until our stars that frown lend us a smile. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act ii [enter gower] gower here have you seen a mighty king his child, i wis, to incest bring; a better prince and benign lord, that will prove awful both in deed and word. be quiet then as men should be, till he hath pass'd necessity. i'll show you those in troubles reign, losing a mite, a mountain gain. the good in conversation, to whom i give my benison, is still at tarsus, where each man thinks all is writ he speken can; and, to remember what he does, build his statue to make him glorious: but tidings to the contrary are brought your eyes; what need speak i? dumb show. [enter at one door pericles talking with cleon; all the train with them. enter at another door a gentleman, with a letter to pericles; pericles shows the letter to cleon; gives the messenger a reward, and knights him. exit pericles at one door, and cleon at another] good helicane, that stay'd at home, not to eat honey like a drone from others' labours; for though he strive to killen bad, keep good alive; and to fulfil his prince' desire, sends word of all that haps in tyre: how thaliard came full bent with sin and had intent to murder him; and that in tarsus was not best longer for him to make his rest. he, doing so, put forth to seas, where when men been, there's seldom ease; for now the wind begins to blow; thunder above and deeps below make such unquiet, that the ship should house him safe is wreck'd and split; and he, good prince, having all lost, by waves from coast to coast is tost: all perishen of man, of pelf, ne aught escapen but himself; till fortune, tired with doing bad, threw him ashore, to give him glad: and here he comes. what shall be next, pardon old gower,--this longs the text. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act ii scene i pentapolis. an open place by the sea-side. [enter pericles, wet] pericles yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven! wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man is but a substance that must yield to you; and i, as fits my nature, do obey you: alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath nothing to think on but ensuing death: let it suffice the greatness of your powers to have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; and having thrown him from your watery grave, here to have death in peace is all he'll crave. [enter three fishermen] first fisherman what, ho, pilch! second fisherman ha, come and bring away the nets! first fisherman what, patch-breech, i say! third fisherman what say you, master? first fisherman look how thou stirrest now! come away, or i'll fetch thee with a wanion. third fisherman faith, master, i am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us even now. first fisherman alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves. third fisherman nay, master, said not i as much when i saw the porpus how he bounced and tumbled? they say they're half fish, half flesh: a plague on them, they ne'er come but i look to be washed. master, i marvel how the fishes live in the sea. first fisherman why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: i can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful: such whales have i heard on o' the land, who never leave gaping till they've swallowed the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. pericles [aside] a pretty moral. third fisherman but, master, if i had been the sexton, i would have been that day in the belfry. second fisherman why, man? third fisherman because he should have swallowed me too: and when i had been in his belly, i would have kept such a jangling of the bells, that he should never have left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and parish up again. but if the good king simonides were of my mind,- pericles [aside] simonides! third fisherman we would purge the land of these drones, that rob the bee of her honey. pericles [aside] how from the finny subject of the sea these fishers tell the infirmities of men; and from their watery empire recollect all that may men approve or men detect! peace be at your labour, honest fishermen. second fisherman honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, search out of the calendar, and nobody look after it. pericles may see the sea hath cast upon your coast. second fisherman what a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way! pericles a man whom both the waters and the wind, in that vast tennis-court, have made the ball for them to play upon, entreats you pity him: he asks of you, that never used to beg. first fisherman no, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country greece gets more with begging than we can do with working. second fisherman canst thou catch any fishes, then? pericles i never practised it. second fisherman nay, then thou wilt starve, sure; for here's nothing to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for't. pericles what i have been i have forgot to know; but what i am, want teaches me to think on: a man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill, and have no more of life than may suffice to give my tongue that heat to ask your help; which if you shall refuse, when i am dead, for that i am a man, pray see me buried. first fisherman die quoth-a? now gods forbid! i have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. now, afore me, a handsome fellow! come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome. pericles i thank you, sir. second fisherman hark you, my friend; you said you could not beg. pericles i did but crave. second fisherman but crave! then i'll turn craver too, and so i shall 'scape whipping. pericles why, are all your beggars whipped, then? second fisherman o, not all, my friend, not all; for if all your beggars were whipped, i would wish no better office than to be beadle. but, master, i'll go draw up the net. [exit with third fisherman] pericles [aside] how well this honest mirth becomes their labour! first fisherman hark you, sir, do you know where ye are? pericles not well. first fisherman why, i'll tell you: this is called pentapolis, and our king the good simonides. pericles the good king simonides, do you call him. first fisherman ay, sir; and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign and good government. pericles he is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects the name of good by his government. how far is his court distant from this shore? first fisherman marry, sir, half a day's journey: and i'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to just and tourney for her love. pericles were my fortunes equal to my desires, i could wish to make one there. first fisherman o, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for--his wife's soul. [re-enter second and third fishermen, drawing up a net] second fisherman help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turned to a rusty armour. pericles an armour, friends! i pray you, let me see it. thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses, thou givest me somewhat to repair myself; and though it was mine own, part of my heritage, which my dead father did bequeath to me. with this strict charge, even as he left his life, 'keep it, my pericles; it hath been a shield twixt me and death;'--and pointed to this brace;- 'for that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity- the which the gods protect thee from!--may defend thee.' it kept where i kept, i so dearly loved it; till the rough seas, that spare not any man, took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again: i thank thee for't: my shipwreck now's no ill, since i have here my father's gift in's will. first fisherman what mean you, sir? pericles to beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, for it was sometime target to a king; i know it by this mark. he loved me dearly, and for his sake i wish the having of it; and that you'ld guide me to your sovereign's court, where with it i may appear a gentleman; and if that ever my low fortune's better, i'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor. first fisherman why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? pericles i'll show the virtue i have borne in arms. first fisherman why, do 'e take it, and the gods give thee good on't! second fisherman ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. i hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. pericles believe 't, i will. by your furtherance i am clothed in steel; and, spite of all the rapture of the sea, this jewel holds his building on my arm: unto thy value i will mount myself upon a courser, whose delightful steps shall make the gazer joy to see him tread. only, my friend, i yet am unprovided of a pair of bases. second fisherman we'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and i'll bring thee to the court myself. pericles then honour be but a goal to my will, this day i'll rise, or else add ill to ill. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act ii scene ii the same. a public way or platform leading to the lists. a pavilion by the side of it for the reception of king, princess, lords, &c. [enter simonides, thaisa, lords, and attendants] simonides are the knights ready to begin the triumph? first lord they are, my liege; and stay your coming to present themselves. simonides return them, we are ready; and our daughter, in honour of whose birth these triumphs are, sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat for men to see, and seeing wonder at. [exit a lord] thaisa it pleaseth you, my royal father, to express my commendations great, whose merit's less. simonides it's fit it should be so; for princes are a model which heaven makes like to itself: as jewels lose their glory if neglected, so princes their renowns if not respected. 'tis now your honour, daughter, to explain the labour of each knight in his device. thaisa which, to preserve mine honour, i'll perform. [enter a knight; he passes over, and his squire presents his shield to the princess] simonides who is the first that doth prefer himself? thaisa a knight of sparta, my renowned father; and the device he bears upon his shield is a black ethiope reaching at the sun the word, 'lux tua vita mihi.' simonides he loves you well that holds his life of you. [the second knight passes over] who is the second that presents himself? thaisa a prince of macedon, my royal father; and the device he bears upon his shield is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady; the motto thus, in spanish, 'piu por dulzura que por fuerza.' [the third knight passes over] simonides and what's the third? thaisa the third of antioch; and his device, a wreath of chivalry; the word, 'me pompae provexit apex.' [the fourth knight passes over] simonides what is the fourth? thaisa a burning torch that's turned upside down; the word, 'quod me alit, me extinguit.' simonides which shows that beauty hath his power and will, which can as well inflame as it can kill. [the fifth knight passes over] thaisa the fifth, an hand environed with clouds, holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried; the motto thus, 'sic spectanda fides.' [the sixth knight, pericles, passes over] simonides and what's the sixth and last, the which the knight himself with such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? thaisa he seems to be a stranger; but his present is a wither'd branch, that's only green at top; the motto, 'in hac spe vivo.' simonides a pretty moral; from the dejected state wherein he is, he hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. first lord he had need mean better than his outward show can any way speak in his just commend; for by his rusty outside he appears to have practised more the whipstock than the lance. second lord he well may be a stranger, for he comes to an honour'd triumph strangely furnished. third lord and on set purpose let his armour rust until this day, to scour it in the dust. simonides opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan the outward habit by the inward man. but stay, the knights are coming: we will withdraw into the gallery. [exeunt] [great shouts within and all cry 'the mean knight!'] pericles, prince of tyre act ii scene iii the same. a hall of state: a banquet prepared. [enter simonides, thaisa, lords, attendants, and knights, from tilting] simonides knights, to say you're welcome were superfluous. to place upon the volume of your deeds, as in a title-page, your worth in arms, were more than you expect, or more than's fit, since every worth in show commends itself. prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast: you are princes and my guests. thaisa but you, my knight and guest; to whom this wreath of victory i give, and crown you king of this day's happiness. pericles 'tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit. simonides call it by what you will, the day is yours; and here, i hope, is none that envies it. in framing an artist, art hath thus decreed, to make some good, but others to exceed; and you are her labour'd scholar. come, queen o' the feast,- for, daughter, so you are,--here take your place: marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. knights we are honour'd much by good simonides. simonides your presence glads our days: honour we love; for who hates honour hates the gods above. marshal sir, yonder is your place. pericles some other is more fit. first knight contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen that neither in our hearts nor outward eyes envy the great nor do the low despise. pericles you are right courteous knights. simonides sit, sir, sit. pericles by jove, i wonder, that is king of thoughts, these cates resist me, she but thought upon. thaisa by juno, that is queen of marriage, all viands that i eat do seem unsavoury. wishing him my meat. sure, he's a gallant gentleman. simonides he's but a country gentleman; has done no more than other knights have done; has broken a staff or so; so let it pass. thaisa to me he seems like diamond to glass. pericles yon king's to me like to my father's picture, which tells me in that glory once he was; had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, and he the sun, for them to reverence; none that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, did vail their crowns to his supremacy: where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night, the which hath fire in darkness, none in light: whereby i see that time's the king of men, he's both their parent, and he is their grave, and gives them what he will, not what they crave. simonides what, are you merry, knights? knights who can be other in this royal presence? simonides here, with a cup that's stored unto the brim,- as you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,- we drink this health to you. knights we thank your grace. simonides yet pause awhile: yon knight doth sit too melancholy, as if the entertainment in our court had not a show might countervail his worth. note it not you, thaisa? thaisa what is it to me, my father? simonides o, attend, my daughter: princes in this should live like gods above, who freely give to every one that comes to honour them: and princes not doing so are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd are wonder'd at. therefore to make his entrance more sweet, here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him. thaisa alas, my father, it befits not me unto a stranger knight to be so bold: he may my proffer take for an offence, since men take women's gifts for impudence. simonides how! do as i bid you, or you'll move me else. thaisa [aside] now, by the gods, he could not please me better. simonides and furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him, of whence he is, his name and parentage. thaisa the king my father, sir, has drunk to you. pericles i thank him. thaisa wishing it so much blood unto your life. pericles i thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. thaisa and further he desires to know of you, of whence you are, your name and parentage. pericles a gentleman of tyre; my name, pericles; my education been in arts and arms; who, looking for adventures in the world, was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, and after shipwreck driven upon this shore. thaisa he thanks your grace; names himself pericles, a gentleman of tyre, who only by misfortune of the seas bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore. simonides now, by the gods, i pity his misfortune, and will awake him from his melancholy. come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles, and waste the time, which looks for other revels. even in your armours, as you are address'd, will very well become a soldier's dance. i will not have excuse, with saying this loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads, since they love men in arms as well as beds. [the knights dance] so, this was well ask'd,'twas so well perform'd. come, sir; here is a lady that wants breathing too: and i have heard, you knights of tyre are excellent in making ladies trip; and that their measures are as excellent. pericles in those that practise them they are, my lord. simonides o, that's as much as you would be denied of your fair courtesy. [the knights and ladies dance] unclasp, unclasp: thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well. [to pericles] but you the best. pages and lights, to conduct these knights unto their several lodgings! [to pericles] yours, sir, we have given order to be next our own. pericles i am at your grace's pleasure. simonides princes, it is too late to talk of love; and that's the mark i know you level at: therefore each one betake him to his rest; to-morrow all for speeding do their best. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act ii scene iv tyre. a room in the governor's house. [enter helicanus and escanes] helicanus no, escanes, know this of me, antiochus from incest lived not free: for which, the most high gods not minding longer to withhold the vengeance that they had in store, due to this heinous capital offence, even in the height and pride of all his glory, when he was seated in a chariot of an inestimable value, and his daughter with him, a fire from heaven came and shrivell'd up their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, that all those eyes adored them ere their fall scorn now their hand should give them burial. escanes 'twas very strange. helicanus and yet but justice; for though this king were great, his greatness was no guard to bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. escanes 'tis very true. [enter two or three lords] first lord see, not a man in private conference or council has respect with him but he. second lord it shall no longer grieve without reproof. third lord and cursed be he that will not second it. first lord follow me, then. lord helicane, a word. helicanus with me? and welcome: happy day, my lords. first lord know that our griefs are risen to the top, and now at length they overflow their banks. helicanus your griefs! for what? wrong not your prince you love. first lord wrong not yourself, then, noble helicane; but if the prince do live, let us salute him, or know what ground's made happy by his breath. if in the world he live, we'll seek him out; if in his grave he rest, we'll find him there; and be resolved he lives to govern us, or dead, give's cause to mourn his funeral, and leave us to our free election. second lord whose death indeed's the strongest in our censure: and knowing this kingdom is without a head,- like goodly buildings left without a roof soon fall to ruin,--your noble self, that best know how to rule and how to reign, we thus submit unto,--our sovereign. all live, noble helicane! helicanus for honour's cause, forbear your suffrages: if that you love prince pericles, forbear. take i your wish, i leap into the seas, where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease. a twelvemonth longer, let me entreat you to forbear the absence of your king: if in which time expired, he not return, i shall with aged patience bear your yoke. but if i cannot win you to this love, go search like nobles, like noble subjects, and in your search spend your adventurous worth; whom if you find, and win unto return, you shall like diamonds sit about his crown. first lord to wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; and since lord helicane enjoineth us, we with our travels will endeavour us. helicanus then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands: when peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act ii scene v pentapolis. a room in the palace. [enter simonides, reading a letter, at one door: the knights meet him] first knight good morrow to the good simonides. simonides knights, from my daughter this i let you know, that for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake a married life. her reason to herself is only known, which yet from her by no means can i get. second knight may we not get access to her, my lord? simonides 'faith, by no means; she has so strictly tied her to her chamber, that 'tis impossible. one twelve moons more she'll wear diana's livery; this by the eye of cynthia hath she vow'd and on her virgin honour will not break it. third knight loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [exeunt knights] simonides so, they are well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: she tells me here, she'd wed the stranger knight, or never more to view nor day nor light. 'tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine; i like that well: nay, how absolute she's in't, not minding whether i dislike or no! well, i do commend her choice; and will no longer have it be delay'd. soft! here he comes: i must dissemble it. [enter pericles] pericles all fortune to the good simonides! simonides to you as much, sir! i am beholding to you for your sweet music this last night: i do protest my ears were never better fed with such delightful pleasing harmony. pericles it is your grace's pleasure to commend; not my desert. simonides sir, you are music's master. pericles the worst of all her scholars, my good lord. simonides let me ask you one thing: what do you think of my daughter, sir? pericles a most virtuous princess. simonides and she is fair too, is she not? pericles as a fair day in summer, wondrous fair. simonides sir, my daughter thinks very well of you; ay, so well, that you must be her master, and she will be your scholar: therefore look to it. pericles i am unworthy for her schoolmaster. simonides she thinks not so; peruse this writing else. pericles [aside] what's here? a letter, that she loves the knight of tyre! 'tis the king's subtlety to have my life. o, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, a stranger and distressed gentleman, that never aim'd so high to love your daughter, but bent all offices to honour her. simonides thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art a villain. pericles by the gods, i have not: never did thought of mine levy offence; nor never did my actions yet commence a deed might gain her love or your displeasure. simonides traitor, thou liest. pericles traitor! simonides ay, traitor. pericles even in his throat--unless it be the king- that calls me traitor, i return the lie. simonides [aside] now, by the gods, i do applaud his courage. pericles my actions are as noble as my thoughts, that never relish'd of a base descent. i came unto your court for honour's cause, and not to be a rebel to her state; and he that otherwise accounts of me, this sword shall prove he's honour's enemy. simonides no? here comes my daughter, she can witness it. [enter thaisa] pericles then, as you are as virtuous as fair, resolve your angry father, if my tongue did ere solicit, or my hand subscribe to any syllable that made love to you. thaisa why, sir, say if you had, who takes offence at that would make me glad? simonides yea, mistress, are you so peremptory? [aside] i am glad on't with all my heart.- i'll tame you; i'll bring you in subjection. will you, not having my consent, bestow your love and your affections upon a stranger? [aside] who, for aught i know, may be, nor can i think the contrary, as great in blood as i myself.- therefore hear you, mistress; either frame your will to mine,--and you, sir, hear you, either be ruled by me, or i will make you- man and wife: nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too: and being join'd, i'll thus your hopes destroy; and for a further grief,--god give you joy!- what, are you both pleased? thaisa yes, if you love me, sir. pericles even as my life, or blood that fosters it. simonides what, are you both agreed? both yes, if it please your majesty. simonides it pleaseth me so well, that i will see you wed; and then with what haste you can get you to bed. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iii [enter gower] gower now sleep y-slaked hath the rout; no din but snores the house about, made louder by the o'er-fed breast of this most pompous marriage-feast. the cat, with eyne of burning coal, now crouches fore the mouse's hole; and crickets sing at the oven's mouth, e'er the blither for their drouth. hymen hath brought the bride to bed. where, by the loss of maidenhead, a babe is moulded. be attent, and time that is so briefly spent with your fine fancies quaintly eche: what's dumb in show i'll plain with speech. dumb show. [enter, pericles and simonides at one door, with attendants; a messenger meets them, kneels, and gives pericles a letter: pericles shows it simonides; the lords kneel to him. then enter thaisa with child, with lychorida a nurse. the king shows her the letter; she rejoices: she and pericles takes leave of her father, and depart with lychorida and their attendants. then exeunt simonides and the rest] by many a dern and painful perch of pericles the careful search, by the four opposing coigns which the world together joins, is made with all due diligence that horse and sail and high expense can stead the quest. at last from tyre, fame answering the most strange inquire, to the court of king simonides are letters brought, the tenor these: antiochus and his daughter dead; the men of tyrus on the head of helicanus would set on the crown of tyre, but he will none: the mutiny he there hastes t' oppress; says to 'em, if king pericles come not home in twice six moons, he, obedient to their dooms, will take the crown. the sum of this, brought hither to pentapolis, y-ravished the regions round, and every one with claps can sound, 'our heir-apparent is a king! who dream'd, who thought of such a thing?' brief, he must hence depart to tyre: his queen with child makes her desire- which who shall cross?--along to go: omit we all their dole and woe: lychorida, her nurse, she takes, and so to sea. their vessel shakes on neptune's billow; half the flood hath their keel cut: but fortune's mood varies again; the grisly north disgorges such a tempest forth, that, as a duck for life that dives, so up and down the poor ship drives: the lady shrieks, and well-a-near does fall in travail with her fear: and what ensues in this fell storm shall for itself itself perform. i nill relate, action may conveniently the rest convey; which might not what by me is told. in your imagination hold this stage the ship, upon whose deck the sea-tost pericles appears to speak. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act iii scene i: [enter pericles, on shipboard] pericles thou god of this great vast, rebuke these surges, which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that hast upon the winds command, bind them in brass, having call'd them from the deep! o, still thy deafening, dreadful thunders; gently quench thy nimble, sulphurous flashes! o, how, lychorida, how does my queen? thou stormest venomously; wilt thou spit all thyself? the seaman's whistle is as a whisper in the ears of death, unheard. lychorida!--lucina, o divinest patroness, and midwife gentle to those that cry by night, convey thy deity aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs of my queen's travails! [enter lychorida, with an infant] now, lychorida! lychorida here is a thing too young for such a place, who, if it had conceit, would die, as i am like to do: take in your arms this piece of your dead queen. pericles how, how, lychorida! lychorida patience, good sir; do not assist the storm. here's all that is left living of your queen, a little daughter: for the sake of it, be manly, and take comfort. pericles o you gods! why do you make us love your goodly gifts, and snatch them straight away? we here below recall not what we give, and therein may use honour with you. lychorida patience, good sir, even for this charge. pericles now, mild may be thy life! for a more blustrous birth had never babe: quiet and gentle thy conditions! for thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world that ever was prince's child. happy what follows! thou hast as chiding a nativity as fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, to herald thee from the womb: even at the first thy loss is more than can thy portage quit, with all thou canst find here. now, the good gods throw their best eyes upon't! [enter two sailors] first sailor what courage, sir? god save you! pericles courage enough: i do not fear the flaw; it hath done to me the worst. yet, for the love of this poor infant, this fresh-new sea-farer, i would it would be quiet. first sailor slack the bolins there! thou wilt not, wilt thou? blow, and split thyself. second sailor but sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, i care not. first sailor sir, your queen must overboard: the sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead. pericles that's your superstition. first sailor pardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been still observed: and we are strong in custom. therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight. pericles as you think meet. most wretched queen! lychorida here she lies, sir. pericles a terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear; no light, no fire: the unfriendly elements forgot thee utterly: nor have i time to give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze; where, for a monument upon thy bones, and e'er-remaining lamps, the belching whale and humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse, lying with simple shells. o lychorida, bid nestor bring me spices, ink and paper, my casket and my jewels; and bid nicander bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe upon the pillow: hie thee, whiles i say a priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman. [exit lychorida] second sailor sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulked and bitumed ready. pericles i thank thee. mariner, say what coast is this? second sailor we are near tarsus. pericles thither, gentle mariner. alter thy course for tyre. when canst thou reach it? second sailor by break of day, if the wind cease. pericles o, make for tarsus! there will i visit cleon, for the babe cannot hold out to tyrus: there i'll leave it at careful nursing. go thy ways, good mariner: i'll bring the body presently. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iii scene ii ephesus. a room in cerimon's house. [enter cerimon, with a servant, and some persons who have been shipwrecked] cerimon philemon, ho! [enter philemon] philemon doth my lord call? cerimon get fire and meat for these poor men: 't has been a turbulent and stormy night. servant i have been in many; but such a night as this, till now, i ne'er endured. cerimon your master will be dead ere you return; there's nothing can be minister'd to nature that can recover him. [to philemon] give this to the 'pothecary, and tell me how it works. [exeunt all but cerimon] [enter two gentlemen] first gentleman good morrow. second gentleman good morrow to your lordship. cerimon gentlemen, why do you stir so early? first gentleman sir, our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, shook as the earth did quake; the very principals did seem to rend, and all-to topple: pure surprise and fear made me to quit the house. second gentleman that is the cause we trouble you so early; 'tis not our husbandry. cerimon o, you say well. first gentleman but i much marvel that your lordship, having rich tire about you, should at these early hours shake off the golden slumber of repose. 'tis most strange, nature should be so conversant with pain, being thereto not compell'd. cerimon i hold it ever, virtue and cunning were endowments greater than nobleness and riches: careless heirs may the two latter darken and expend; but immortality attends the former. making a man a god. 'tis known, i ever have studied physic, through which secret art, by turning o'er authorities, i have, together with my practise, made familiar to me and to my aid the blest infusions that dwell in vegetives, in metals, stones; and i can speak of the disturbances that nature works, and of her cures; which doth give me a more content in course of true delight than to be thirsty after tottering honour, or tie my treasure up in silken bags, to please the fool and death. second gentleman your honour has through ephesus pour'd forth your charity, and hundreds call themselves your creatures, who by you have been restored: and not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even your purse, still open, hath built lord cerimon such strong renown as time shall ne'er decay. [enter two or three servants with a chest] first servant so; lift there. cerimon what is that? first servant sir, even now did the sea toss upon our shore this chest: 'tis of some wreck. cerimon set 't down, let's look upon't. second gentleman 'tis like a coffin, sir. cerimon whate'er it be, 'tis wondrous heavy. wrench it open straight: if the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold, 'tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us. second gentleman 'tis so, my lord. cerimon how close 'tis caulk'd and bitumed! did the sea cast it up? first servant i never saw so huge a billow, sir, as toss'd it upon shore. cerimon wrench it open; soft! it smells most sweetly in my sense. second gentleman a delicate odour. cerimon as ever hit my nostril. so, up with it. o you most potent gods! what's here? a corse! first gentleman most strange! cerimon shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasured with full bags of spices! a passport too! apollo, perfect me in the characters! [reads from a scroll] 'here i give to understand, if e'er this coffin drive a-land, i, king pericles, have lost this queen, worth all our mundane cost. who finds her, give her burying; she was the daughter of a king: besides this treasure for a fee, the gods requite his charity!' if thou livest, pericles, thou hast a heart that even cracks for woe! this chanced tonight. second gentleman most likely, sir. cerimon nay, certainly to-night; for look how fresh she looks! they were too rough that threw her in the sea. make a fire within: fetch hither all my boxes in my closet. [exit a servant] death may usurp on nature many hours, and yet the fire of life kindle again the o'erpress'd spirits. i heard of an egyptian that had nine hours lien dead, who was by good appliance recovered. [re-enter a servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire] well said, well said; the fire and cloths. the rough and woeful music that we have, cause it to sound, beseech you. the viol once more: how thou stirr'st, thou block! the music there!--i pray you, give her air. gentlemen. this queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth breathes out of her: she hath not been entranced above five hours: see how she gins to blow into life's flower again! first gentleman the heavens, through you, increase our wonder and set up your fame forever. cerimon she is alive; behold, her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels which pericles hath lost, begin to part their fringes of bright gold; the diamonds of a most praised water do appear, to make the world twice rich. live, and make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature, rare as you seem to be. [she moves] thaisa o dear diana, where am i? where's my lord? what world is this? second gentleman is not this strange? first gentleman most rare. cerimon hush, my gentle neighbours! lend me your hands; to the next chamber bear her. get linen: now this matter must be look'd to, for her relapse is mortal. come, come; and aesculapius guide us! [exeunt, carrying her away] pericles, prince of tyre act iii scene iii tarsus. a room in cleon's house. [enter pericles, cleon, dionyza, and lychorida with marina in her arms] pericles most honour'd cleon, i must needs be gone; my twelve months are expired, and tyrus stands in a litigious peace. you, and your lady, take from my heart all thankfulness! the gods make up the rest upon you! cleon your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally, yet glance full wanderingly on us. dionyza o your sweet queen! that the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither, to have bless'd mine eyes with her! pericles we cannot but obey the powers above us. could i rage and roar as doth the sea she lies in, yet the end must be as 'tis. my gentle babe marina, whom, for she was born at sea, i have named so, here i charge your charity withal, leaving her the infant of your care; beseeching you to give her princely training, that she may be manner'd as she is born. cleon fear not, my lord, but think your grace, that fed my country with your corn, for which the people's prayers still fall upon you, must in your child be thought on. if neglection should therein make me vile, the common body, by you relieved, would force me to my duty: but if to that my nature need a spur, the gods revenge it upon me and mine, to the end of generation! pericles i believe you; your honour and your goodness teach me to't, without your vows. till she be married, madam, by bright diana, whom we honour, all unscissor'd shall this hair of mine remain, though i show ill in't. so i take my leave. good madam, make me blessed in your care in bringing up my child. dionyza i have one myself, who shall not be more dear to my respect than yours, my lord. pericles madam, my thanks and prayers. cleon we'll bring your grace e'en to the edge o' the shore, then give you up to the mask'd neptune and the gentlest winds of heaven. pericles i will embrace your offer. come, dearest madam. o, no tears, lychorida, no tears: look to your little mistress, on whose grace you may depend hereafter. come, my lord. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iii scene iv ephesus. a room in cerimon's house. [enter cerimon and thaisa] cerimon madam, this letter, and some certain jewels, lay with you in your coffer: which are now at your command. know you the character? thaisa it is my lord's. that i was shipp'd at sea, i well remember, even on my eaning time; but whether there deliver'd, by the holy gods, i cannot rightly say. but since king pericles, my wedded lord, i ne'er shall see again, a vestal livery will i take me to, and never more have joy. cerimon madam, if this you purpose as ye speak, diana's temple is not distant far, where you may abide till your date expire. moreover, if you please, a niece of mine shall there attend you. thaisa my recompense is thanks, that's all; yet my good will is great, though the gift small. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iv [enter gower] gower imagine pericles arrived at tyre, welcomed and settled to his own desire. his woeful queen we leave at ephesus, unto diana there a votaress. now to marina bend your mind, whom our fast-growing scene must find at tarsus, and by cleon train'd in music, letters; who hath gain'd of education all the grace, which makes her both the heart and place of general wonder. but, alack, that monster envy, oft the wrack of earned praise, marina's life seeks to take off by treason's knife. and in this kind hath our cleon one daughter, and a wench full grown, even ripe for marriage-rite; this maid hight philoten: and it is said for certain in our story, she would ever with marina be: be't when she weaved the sleided silk with fingers long, small, white as milk; or when she would with sharp needle wound the cambric, which she made more sound by hurting it; or when to the lute she sung, and made the night-bird mute, that still records with moan; or when she would with rich and constant pen vail to her mistress dian; still this philoten contends in skill with absolute marina: so with the dove of paphos might the crow vie feathers white. marina gets all praises, which are paid as debts, and not as given. this so darks in philoten all graceful marks, that cleon's wife, with envy rare, a present murderer does prepare for good marina, that her daughter might stand peerless by this slaughter. the sooner her vile thoughts to stead, lychorida, our nurse, is dead: and cursed dionyza hath the pregnant instrument of wrath prest for this blow. the unborn event i do commend to your content: only i carry winged time post on the lame feet of my rhyme; which never could i so convey, unless your thoughts went on my way. dionyza does appear, with leonine, a murderer. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene i tarsus. an open place near the sea-shore. [enter dionyza and leonine] dionyza thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do't: 'tis but a blow, which never shall be known. thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon, to yield thee so much profit. let not conscience, which is but cold, inflaming love i' thy bosom, inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which even women have cast off, melt thee, but be a soldier to thy purpose. leonine i will do't; but yet she is a goodly creature. dionyza the fitter, then, the gods should have her. here she comes weeping for her only mistress' death. thou art resolved? leonine i am resolved. [enter marina, with a basket of flowers] marina no, i will rob tellus of her weed, to strew thy green with flowers: the yellows, blues, the purple violets, and marigolds, shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave, while summer-days do last. ay me! poor maid, born in a tempest, when my mother died, this world to me is like a lasting storm, whirring me from my friends. dionyza how now, marina! why do you keep alone? how chance my daughter is not with you? do not consume your blood with sorrowing: you have a nurse of me. lord, how your favour's changed with this unprofitable woe! come, give me your flowers, ere the sea mar it. walk with leonine; the air is quick there, and it pierces and sharpens the stomach. come, leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her. marina no, i pray you; i'll not bereave you of your servant. dionyza come, come; i love the king your father, and yourself, with more than foreign heart. we every day expect him here: when he shall come and find our paragon to all reports thus blasted, he will repent the breadth of his great voyage; blame both my lord and me, that we have taken no care to your best courses. go, i pray you, walk, and be cheerful once again; reserve that excellent complexion, which did steal the eyes of young and old. care not for me i can go home alone. marina well, i will go; but yet i have no desire to it. dionyza come, come, i know 'tis good for you. walk half an hour, leonine, at the least: remember what i have said. leonine i warrant you, madam. dionyza i'll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while: pray, walk softly, do not heat your blood: what! i must have a care of you. marina my thanks, sweet madam. [exit dionyza] is this wind westerly that blows? leonine south-west. marina when i was born, the wind was north. leonine was't so? marina my father, as nurse said, did never fear, but cried 'good seaman!' to the sailors, galling his kingly hands, haling ropes; and, clasping to the mast, endured a sea that almost burst the deck. leonine when was this? marina when i was born: never was waves nor wind more violent; and from the ladder-tackle washes off a canvas-climber. 'ha!' says one, 'wilt out?' and with a dropping industry they skip from stem to stern: the boatswain whistles, and the master calls, and trebles their confusion. leonine come, say your prayers. marina what mean you? leonine if you require a little space for prayer, i grant it: pray; but be not tedious, for the gods are quick of ear, and i am sworn to do my work with haste. marina why will you kill me? leonine to satisfy my lady. marina why would she have me kill'd? now, as i can remember, by my troth, i never did her hurt in all my life: i never spake bad word, nor did ill turn to any living creature: believe me, la, i never kill'd a mouse, nor hurt a fly: i trod upon a worm against my will, but i wept for it. how have i offended, wherein my death might yield her any profit, or my life imply her any danger? leonine my commission is not to reason of the deed, but do it. marina you will not do't for all the world, i hope. you are well favour'd, and your looks foreshow you have a gentle heart. i saw you lately, when you caught hurt in parting two that fought: good sooth, it show'd well in you: do so now: your lady seeks my life; come you between, and save poor me, the weaker. leonine i am sworn, and will dispatch. [he seizes her] [enter pirates] first pirate hold, villain! [leonine runs away] second pirate a prize! a prize! third pirate half-part, mates, half-part. come, let's have her aboard suddenly. [exeunt pirates with marina] [re-enter leonine] leonine these roguing thieves serve the great pirate valdes; and they have seized marina. let her go: there's no hope she will return. i'll swear she's dead, and thrown into the sea. but i'll see further: perhaps they will but please themselves upon her, not carry her aboard. if she remain, whom they have ravish'd must by me be slain. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene ii mytilene. a room in a brothel. [enter pandar, bawd, and boult] pandar boult! boult sir? pandar search the market narrowly; mytilene is full of gallants. we lost too much money this mart by being too wenchless. bawd we were never so much out of creatures. we have but poor three, and they can do no more than they can do; and they with continual action are even as good as rotten. pandar therefore let's have fresh ones, whate'er we pay for them. if there be not a conscience to be used in every trade, we shall never prosper. bawd thou sayest true: 'tis not our bringing up of poor bastards,--as, i think, i have brought up some eleven- boult ay, to eleven; and brought them down again. but shall i search the market? bawd what else, man? the stuff we have, a strong wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully sodden. pandar thou sayest true; they're too unwholesome, o' conscience. the poor transylvanian is dead, that lay with the little baggage. boult ay, she quickly pooped him; she made him roast-meat for worms. but i'll go search the market. [exit] pandar three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give over. bawd why to give over, i pray you? is it a shame to get when we are old? pandar o, our credit comes not in like the commodity, nor the commodity wages not with the danger: therefore, if in our youths we could pick up some pretty estate, 'twere not amiss to keep our door hatched. besides, the sore terms we stand upon with the gods will be strong with us for giving over. bawd come, other sorts offend as well as we. pandar as well as we! ay, and better too; we offend worse. neither is our profession any trade; it's no calling. but here comes boult. [re-enter boult, with the pirates and marina] boult [to marina] come your ways. my masters, you say she's a virgin? first pirate o, sir, we doubt it not. boult master, i have gone through for this piece, you see: if you like her, so; if not, i have lost my earnest. bawd boult, has she any qualities? boult she has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent good clothes: there's no further necessity of qualities can make her be refused. bawd what's her price, boult? boult i cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces. pandar well, follow me, my masters, you shall have your money presently. wife, take her in; instruct her what she has to do, that she may not be raw in her entertainment. [exeunt pandar and pirates] bawd boult, take you the marks of her, the colour of her hair, complexion, height, age, with warrant of her virginity; and cry 'he that will give most shall have her first.' such a maidenhead were no cheap thing, if men were as they have been. get this done as i command you. boult performance shall follow. [exit] marina alack that leonine was so slack, so slow! he should have struck, not spoke; or that these pirates, not enough barbarous, had not o'erboard thrown me for to seek my mother! bawd why lament you, pretty one? marina that i am pretty. bawd come, the gods have done their part in you. marina i accuse them not. bawd you are light into my hands, where you are like to live. marina the more my fault to scape his hands where i was like to die. bawd ay, and you shall live in pleasure. marina no. bawd yes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all fashions: you shall fare well; you shall have the difference of all complexions. what! do you stop your ears? marina are you a woman? bawd what would you have me be, an i be not a woman? marina an honest woman, or not a woman. bawd marry, whip thee, gosling: i think i shall have something to do with you. come, you're a young foolish sapling, and must be bowed as i would have you. marina the gods defend me! bawd if it please the gods to defend you by men, then men must comfort you, men must feed you, men must stir you up. boult's returned. [re-enter boult] now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market? boult i have cried her almost to the number of her hairs; i have drawn her picture with my voice. bawd and i prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination of the people, especially of the younger sort? boult 'faith, they listened to me as they would have hearkened to their father's testament. there was a spaniard's mouth so watered, that he went to bed to her very description. bawd we shall have him here to-morrow with his best ruff on. boult to-night, to-night. but, mistress, do you know the french knight that cowers i' the hams? bawd who, monsieur veroles? boult ay, he: he offered to cut a caper at the proclamation; but he made a groan at it, and swore he would see her to-morrow. bawd well, well; as for him, he brought his disease hither: here he does but repair it. i know he will come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns in the sun. boult well, if we had of every nation a traveller, we should lodge them with this sign. bawd [to marina] pray you, come hither awhile. you have fortunes coming upon you. mark me: you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit willingly, despise profit where you have most gain. to weep that you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers: seldom but that pity begets you a good opinion, and that opinion a mere profit. marina i understand you not. boult o, take her home, mistress, take her home: these blushes of hers must be quenched with some present practise. bawd thou sayest true, i' faith, so they must; for your bride goes to that with shame which is her way to go with warrant. boult 'faith, some do, and some do not. but, mistress, if i have bargained for the joint,- bawd thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit. boult i may so. bawd who should deny it? come, young one, i like the manner of your garments well. boult ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet. bawd boult, spend thou that in the town: report what a sojourner we have; you'll lose nothing by custom. when nature flamed this piece, she meant thee a good turn; therefore say what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report. boult i warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined. i'll bring home some to-night. bawd come your ways; follow me. marina if fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep, untied i still my virgin knot will keep. diana, aid my purpose! bawd what have we to do with diana? pray you, will you go with us? [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene iii tarsus. a room in cleon's house. [enter cleon and dionyza] dionyza why, are you foolish? can it be undone? cleon o dionyza, such a piece of slaughter the sun and moon ne'er look'd upon! dionyza i think you'll turn a child again. cleon were i chief lord of all this spacious world, i'ld give it to undo the deed. o lady, much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess to equal any single crown o' the earth i' the justice of compare! o villain leonine! whom thou hast poison'd too: if thou hadst drunk to him, 't had been a kindness becoming well thy fact: what canst thou say when noble pericles shall demand his child? dionyza that she is dead. nurses are not the fates, to foster it, nor ever to preserve. she died at night; i'll say so. who can cross it? unless you play the pious innocent, and for an honest attribute cry out 'she died by foul play.' cleon o, go to. well, well, of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods do like this worst. dionyza be one of those that think the petty wrens of tarsus will fly hence, and open this to pericles. i do shame to think of what a noble strain you are, and of how coward a spirit. cleon to such proceeding who ever but his approbation added, though not his prime consent, he did not flow from honourable sources. dionyza be it so, then: yet none does know, but you, how she came dead, nor none can know, leonine being gone. she did disdain my child, and stood between her and her fortunes: none would look on her, but cast their gazes on marina's face; whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin not worth the time of day. it pierced me through; and though you call my course unnatural, you not your child well loving, yet i find it greets me as an enterprise of kindness perform'd to your sole daughter. cleon heavens forgive it! dionyza and as for pericles, what should he say? we wept after her hearse, and yet we mourn: her monument is almost finish'd, and her epitaphs in glittering golden characters express a general praise to her, and care in us at whose expense 'tis done. cleon thou art like the harpy, which, to betray, dost, with thine angel's face, seize with thine eagle's talons. dionyza you are like one that superstitiously doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies: but yet i know you'll do as i advise. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene iv: [enter gower, before the monument of marina at tarsus] gower thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short; sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for't; making, to take your imagination, from bourn to bourn, region to region. by you being pardon'd, we commit no crime to use one language in each several clime where our scenes seem to live. i do beseech you to learn of me, who stand i' the gaps to teach you, the stages of our story. pericles is now again thwarting the wayward seas, attended on by many a lord and knight. to see his daughter, all his life's delight. old escanes, whom helicanus late advanced in time to great and high estate, is left to govern. bear you it in mind, old helicanus goes along behind. well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought this king to tarsus,--think his pilot thought; so with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on,- to fetch his daughter home, who first is gone. like motes and shadows see them move awhile; your ears unto your eyes i'll reconcile. dumb show. [enter pericles, at one door, with all his train; cleon and dionyza, at the other. cleon shows pericles the tomb; whereat pericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a mighty passion departs. then exeunt cleon and dionyza] see how belief may suffer by foul show! this borrow'd passion stands for true old woe; and pericles, in sorrow all devour'd, with sighs shot through, and biggest tears o'ershower'd, leaves tarsus and again embarks. he swears never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs: he puts on sackcloth, and to sea. he bears a tempest, which his mortal vessel tears, and yet he rides it out. now please you wit. the epitaph is for marina writ by wicked dionyza. [reads the inscription on marina's monument] 'the fairest, sweet'st, and best lies here, who wither'd in her spring of year. she was of tyrus the king's daughter, on whom foul death hath made this slaughter; marina was she call'd; and at her birth, thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the earth: therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd, hath thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd: wherefore she does, and swears she'll never stint, make raging battery upon shores of flint.' no visor does become black villany so well as soft and tender flattery. let pericles believe his daughter's dead, and bear his courses to be ordered by lady fortune; while our scene must play his daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day in her unholy service. patience, then, and think you now are all in mytilene. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene v mytilene. a street before the brothel. [enter, from the brothel, two gentlemen] first gentleman did you ever hear the like? second gentleman no, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once gone. first gentleman but to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a thing? second gentleman no, no. come, i am for no more bawdy-houses: shall's go hear the vestals sing? first gentleman i'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but i am out of the road of rutting for ever. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act iv scene vi the same. a room in the brothel. [enter pandar, bawd, and boult] pandar well, i had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come here. bawd fie, fie upon her! she's able to freeze the god priapus, and undo a whole generation. we must either get her ravished, or be rid of her. when she should do for clients her fitment, and do me the kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her knees; that she would make a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her. boult 'faith, i must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us of all our cavaliers, and make our swearers priests. pandar now, the pox upon her green-sickness for me! bawd 'faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the way to the pox. here comes the lord lysimachus disguised. boult we should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers. [enter lysimachus] lysimachus how now! how a dozen of virginities? bawd now, the gods to-bless your honour! boult i am glad to see your honour in good health. lysimachus you may so; 'tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs. how now! wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal withal, and defy the surgeon? bawd we have here one, sir, if she would--but there never came her like in mytilene. lysimachus if she'ld do the deed of darkness, thou wouldst say. bawd your honour knows what 'tis to say well enough. lysimachus well, call forth, call forth. boult for flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had but- lysimachus what, prithee? boult o, sir, i can be modest. lysimachus that dignifies the renown of a bawd, no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste. [exit boult] bawd here comes that which grows to the stalk; never plucked yet, i can assure you. [re-enter boult with marina] is she not a fair creature? lysimachus 'faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. well, there's for you: leave us. bawd i beseech your honour, give me leave: a word, and i'll have done presently. lysimachus i beseech you, do. bawd [to marina] first, i would have you note, this is an honourable man. marina i desire to find him so, that i may worthily note him. bawd next, he's the governor of this country, and a man whom i am bound to. marina if he govern the country, you are bound to him indeed; but how honourable he is in that, i know not. bawd pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will you use him kindly? he will line your apron with gold. marina what he will do graciously, i will thankfully receive. lysimachus ha' you done? bawd my lord, she's not paced yet: you must take some pains to work her to your manage. come, we will leave his honour and her together. go thy ways. [exeunt bawd, pandar, and boult] lysimachus now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade? marina what trade, sir? lysimachus why, i cannot name't but i shall offend. marina i cannot be offended with my trade. please you to name it. lysimachus how long have you been of this profession? marina e'er since i can remember. lysimachus did you go to 't so young? were you a gamester at five or at seven? marina earlier too, sir, if now i be one. lysimachus why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale. marina do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into 't? i hear say you are of honourable parts, and are the governor of this place. lysimachus why, hath your principal made known unto you who i am? marina who is my principal? lysimachus why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. o, you have heard something of my power, and so stand aloof for more serious wooing. but i protest to thee, pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee. come, bring me to some private place: come, come. marina if you were born to honour, show it now; if put upon you, make the judgment good that thought you worthy of it. lysimachus how's this? how's this? some more; be sage. marina for me, that am a maid, though most ungentle fortune have placed me in this sty, where, since i came, diseases have been sold dearer than physic, o, that the gods would set me free from this unhallow'd place, though they did change me to the meanest bird that flies i' the purer air! lysimachus i did not think thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst. had i brought hither a corrupted mind, thy speech had alter'd it. hold, here's gold for thee: persever in that clear way thou goest, and the gods strengthen thee! marina the good gods preserve you! lysimachus for me, be you thoughten that i came with no ill intent; for to me the very doors and windows savour vilely. fare thee well. thou art a piece of virtue, and i doubt not but thy training hath been noble. hold, here's more gold for thee. a curse upon him, die he like a thief, that robs thee of thy goodness! if thou dost hear from me, it shall be for thy good. [re-enter boult] boult i beseech your honour, one piece for me. lysimachus avaunt, thou damned door-keeper! your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it, would sink and overwhelm you. away! [exit] boult how's this? we must take another course with you. if your peevish chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel. come your ways. marina whither would you have me? boult i must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman shall execute it. come your ways. we'll have no more gentlemen driven away. come your ways, i say. [re-enter bawd] bawd how now! what's the matter? boult worse and worse, mistress; she has here spoken holy words to the lord lysimachus. bawd o abominable! boult she makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods. bawd marry, hang her up for ever! boult the nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snowball; saying his prayers too. bawd boult, take her away; use her at thy pleasure: crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable. boult an if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be ploughed. marina hark, hark, you gods! bawd she conjures: away with her! would she had never come within my doors! marry, hang you! she's born to undo us. will you not go the way of women-kind? marry, come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays! [exit] boult come, mistress; come your ways with me. marina whither wilt thou have me? boult to take from you the jewel you hold so dear. marina prithee, tell me one thing first. boult come now, your one thing. marina what canst thou wish thine enemy to be? boult why, i could wish him to be my master, or rather, my mistress. marina neither of these are so bad as thou art, since they do better thee in their command. thou hold'st a place, for which the pained'st fiend of hell would not in reputation change: thou art the damned doorkeeper to every coistrel that comes inquiring for his tib; to the choleric fisting of every rogue thy ear is liable; thy food is such as hath been belch'd on by infected lungs. boult what would you have me do? go to the wars, would you? where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one? marina do any thing but this thou doest. empty old receptacles, or common shores, of filth; serve by indenture to the common hangman: any of these ways are yet better than this; for what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak, would own a name too dear. o, that the gods would safely deliver me from this place! here, here's gold for thee. if that thy master would gain by thee, proclaim that i can sing, weave, sew, and dance, with other virtues, which i'll keep from boast: and i will undertake all these to teach. i doubt not but this populous city will yield many scholars. boult but can you teach all this you speak of? marina prove that i cannot, take me home again, and prostitute me to the basest groom that doth frequent your house. boult well, i will see what i can do for thee: if i can place thee, i will. marina but amongst honest women. boult 'faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. but since my master and mistress have bought you, there's no going but by their consent: therefore i will make them acquainted with your purpose, and i doubt not but i shall find them tractable enough. come, i'll do for thee what i can; come your ways. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act v [enter gower] gower marina thus the brothel 'scapes, and chances into an honest house, our story says. she sings like one immortal, and she dances as goddess-like to her admired lays; deep clerks she dumbs; and with her needle composes nature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, that even her art sisters the natural roses; her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: that pupils lacks she none of noble race, who pour their bounty on her; and her gain she gives the cursed bawd. here we her place; and to her father turn our thoughts again, where we left him, on the sea. we there him lost; whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast suppose him now at anchor. the city strived god neptune's annual feast to keep: from whence lysimachus our tyrian ship espies, his banners sable, trimm'd with rich expense; and to him in his barge with fervor hies. in your supposing once more put your sight of heavy pericles; think this his bark: where what is done in action, more, if might, shall be discover'd; please you, sit and hark. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act v scene i on board pericles' ship, off mytilene. a close pavilion on deck, with a curtain before it; pericles within it, reclined on a couch. a barge lying beside the tyrian vessel. [enter two sailors, one belonging to the tyrian vessel, the other to the barge; to them helicanus] tyrian sailor [to the sailor of mytilene] where is lord helicanus? he can resolve you. o, here he is. sir, there's a barge put off from mytilene, and in it is lysimachus the governor, who craves to come aboard. what is your will? helicanus that he have his. call up some gentlemen. tyrian sailor ho, gentlemen! my lord calls. [enter two or three gentlemen] first gentleman doth your lordship call? helicanus gentlemen, there's some of worth would come aboard; i pray ye, greet them fairly. [the gentlemen and the two sailors descend, and go on board the barge] [enter, from thence, lysimachus and lords; with the gentlemen and the two sailors] tyrian sailor sir, this is the man that can, in aught you would, resolve you. lysimachus hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you! helicanus and you, sir, to outlive the age i am, and die as i would do. lysimachus you wish me well. being on shore, honouring of neptune's triumphs, seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, i made to it, to know of whence you are. helicanus first, what is your place? lysimachus i am the governor of this place you lie before. helicanus sir, our vessel is of tyre, in it the king; a man who for this three months hath not spoken to any one, nor taken sustenance but to prorogue his grief. lysimachus upon what ground is his distemperature? helicanus 'twould be too tedious to repeat; but the main grief springs from the loss of a beloved daughter and a wife. lysimachus may we not see him? helicanus you may; but bootless is your sight: he will not speak to any. lysimachus yet let me obtain my wish. helicanus behold him. [pericles discovered] this was a goodly person, till the disaster that, one mortal night, drove him to this. lysimachus sir king, all hail! the gods preserve you! hail, royal sir! helicanus it is in vain; he will not speak to you. first lord sir, we have a maid in mytilene, i durst wager, would win some words of him. lysimachus 'tis well bethought. she questionless with her sweet harmony and other chosen attractions, would allure, and make a battery through his deafen'd parts, which now are midway stopp'd: she is all happy as the fairest of all, and, with her fellow maids is now upon the leafy shelter that abuts against the island's side. [whispers a lord, who goes off in the barge of lysimachus] helicanus sure, all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit that bears recovery's name. but, since your kindness we have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech you that for our gold we may provision have, wherein we are not destitute for want, but weary for the staleness. lysimachus o, sir, a courtesy which if we should deny, the most just gods for every graff would send a caterpillar, and so afflict our province. yet once more let me entreat to know at large the cause of your king's sorrow. helicanus sit, sir, i will recount it to you: but, see, i am prevented. [re-enter, from the barge, lord, with marina, and a young lady] lysimachus o, here is the lady that i sent for. welcome, fair one! is't not a goodly presence? helicanus she's a gallant lady. lysimachus she's such a one, that, were i well assured came of a gentle kind and noble stock, i'ld wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty expect even here, where is a kingly patient: if that thy prosperous and artificial feat can draw him but to answer thee in aught, thy sacred physic shall receive such pay as thy desires can wish. marina sir, i will use my utmost skill in his recovery, provided that none but i and my companion maid be suffer'd to come near him. lysimachus come, let us leave her; and the gods make her prosperous! [marina sings] lysimachus mark'd he your music? marina no, nor look'd on us. lysimachus see, she will speak to him. marina hail, sir! my lord, lend ear. pericles hum, ha! marina i am a maid, my lord, that ne'er before invited eyes, but have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks, my lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief might equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd. though wayward fortune did malign my state, my derivation was from ancestors who stood equivalent with mighty kings: but time hath rooted out my parentage, and to the world and awkward casualties bound me in servitude. [aside] i will desist; but there is something glows upon my cheek, and whispers in mine ear, 'go not till he speak.' pericles my fortunes--parentage--good parentage- to equal mine!--was it not thus? what say you? marina i said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, you would not do me violence. pericles i do think so. pray you, turn your eyes upon me. you are like something that--what country-woman? here of these shores? marina no, nor of any shores: yet i was mortally brought forth, and am no other than i appear. pericles i am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. my dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one my daughter might have been: my queen's square brows; her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; as silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like and cased as richly; in pace another juno; who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, the more she gives them speech. where do you live? marina where i am but a stranger: from the deck you may discern the place. pericles where were you bred? and how achieved you these endowments, which you make more rich to owe? marina if i should tell my history, it would seem like lies disdain'd in the reporting. pericles prithee, speak: falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look'st modest as justice, and thou seem'st a palace for the crown'd truth to dwell in: i will believe thee, and make my senses credit thy relation to points that seem impossible; for thou look'st like one i loved indeed. what were thy friends? didst thou not say, when i did push thee back- which was when i perceived thee--that thou camest from good descending? marina so indeed i did. pericles report thy parentage. i think thou said'st thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury, and that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine, if both were open'd. marina some such thing i said, and said no more but what my thoughts did warrant me was likely. pericles tell thy story; if thine consider'd prove the thousandth part of my endurance, thou art a man, and i have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look like patience gazing on kings' graves, and smiling extremity out of act. what were thy friends? how lost thou them? thy name, my most kind virgin? recount, i do beseech thee: come, sit by me. marina my name is marina. pericles o, i am mock'd, and thou by some incensed god sent hither to make the world to laugh at me. marina patience, good sir, or here i'll cease. pericles nay, i'll be patient. thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, to call thyself marina. marina the name was given me by one that had some power, my father, and a king. pericles how! a king's daughter? and call'd marina? marina you said you would believe me; but, not to be a troubler of your peace, i will end here. pericles but are you flesh and blood? have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? motion! well; speak on. where were you born? and wherefore call'd marina? marina call'd marina for i was born at sea. pericles at sea! what mother? marina my mother was the daughter of a king; who died the minute i was born, as my good nurse lychorida hath oft deliver'd weeping. pericles o, stop there a little! [aside] this is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be: my daughter's buried. well: where were you bred? i'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, and never interrupt you. marina you scorn: believe me, 'twere best i did give o'er. pericles i will believe you by the syllable of what you shall deliver. yet, give me leave: how came you in these parts? where were you bred? marina the king my father did in tarsus leave me; till cruel cleon, with his wicked wife, did seek to murder me: and having woo'd a villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do't, a crew of pirates came and rescued me; brought me to mytilene. but, good sir, whither will you have me? why do you weep? it may be, you think me an impostor: no, good faith; i am the daughter to king pericles, if good king pericles be. pericles ho, helicanus! helicanus calls my lord? pericles thou art a grave and noble counsellor, most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, what this maid is, or what is like to be, that thus hath made me weep? helicanus i know not; but here is the regent, sir, of mytilene speaks nobly of her. lysimachus she would never tell her parentage; being demanded that, she would sit still and weep. pericles o helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir; give me a gash, put me to present pain; lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me o'erbear the shores of my mortality, and drown me with their sweetness. o, come hither, thou that beget'st him that did thee beget; thou that wast born at sea, buried at tarsus, and found at sea again! o helicanus, down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as loud as thunder threatens us: this is marina. what was thy mother's name? tell me but that, for truth can never be confirm'd enough, though doubts did ever sleep. marina first, sir, i pray, what is your title? pericles i am pericles of tyre: but tell me now my drown'd queen's name, as in the rest you said thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms and another like to pericles thy father. marina is it no more to be your daughter than to say my mother's name was thaisa? thaisa was my mother, who did end the minute i began. pericles now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. give me fresh garments. mine own, helicanus; she is not dead at tarsus, as she should have been, by savage cleon: she shall tell thee all; when thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge she is thy very princess. who is this? helicanus sir, 'tis the governor of mytilene, who, hearing of your melancholy state, did come to see you. pericles i embrace you. give me my robes. i am wild in my beholding. o heavens bless my girl! but, hark, what music? tell helicanus, my marina, tell him o'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, how sure you are my daughter. but, what music? helicanus my lord, i hear none. pericles none! the music of the spheres! list, my marina. lysimachus it is not good to cross him; give him way. pericles rarest sounds! do ye not hear? lysimachus my lord, i hear. [music] pericles most heavenly music! it nips me unto listening, and thick slumber hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest. [sleeps] lysimachus a pillow for his head: so, leave him all. well, my companion friends, if this but answer to my just belief, i'll well remember you. [exeunt all but pericles] [diana appears to pericles as in a vision] diana my temple stands in ephesus: hie thee thither, and do upon mine altar sacrifice. there, when my maiden priests are met together, before the people all, reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: to mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call and give them repetition to the life. or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe; do it, and happy; by my silver bow! awake, and tell thy dream. [disappears] pericles celestial dian, goddess argentine, i will obey thee. helicanus! [re-enter helicanus, lysimachus, and marina] helicanus sir? pericles my purpose was for tarsus, there to strike the inhospitable cleon; but i am for other service first: toward ephesus turn our blown sails; eftsoons i'll tell thee why. [to lysimachus] shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore, and give you gold for such provision as our intents will need? lysimachus sir, with all my heart; and, when you come ashore, i have another suit. pericles you shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter; for it seems you have been noble towards her. lysimachus sir, lend me your arm. pericles come, my marina. [exeunt] pericles, prince of tyre act v scene ii: [enter gower, before the temple of diana at ephesus] gower now our sands are almost run; more a little, and then dumb. this, my last boon, give me, for such kindness must relieve me, that you aptly will suppose what pageantry, what feats, what shows, what minstrelsy, and pretty din, the regent made in mytilene to greet the king. so he thrived, that he is promised to be wived to fair marina; but in no wise till he had done his sacrifice, as dian bade: whereto being bound, the interim, pray you, all confound. in feather'd briefness sails are fill'd, and wishes fall out as they're will'd. at ephesus, the temple see, our king and all his company. that he can hither come so soon, is by your fancy's thankful doom. [exit] pericles, prince of tyre act v scene iii the temple of diana at ephesus; thaisa standing near the altar, as high priestess; a number of virgins on each side; cerimon and other inhabitants of ephesus attending. [enter pericles, with his train; lysimachus, helicanus, marina, and a lady] pericles hail, dian! to perform thy just command, i here confess myself the king of tyre; who, frighted from my country, did wed at pentapolis the fair thaisa. at sea in childbed died she, but brought forth a maid-child call'd marina; who, o goddess, wears yet thy silver livery. she at tarsus was nursed with cleon; who at fourteen years he sought to murder: but her better stars brought her to mytilene; 'gainst whose shore riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, where, by her own most clear remembrance, she made known herself my daughter. thaisa voice and favour! you are, you are--o royal pericles! [faints] pericles what means the nun? she dies! help, gentlemen! cerimon noble sir, if you have told diana's altar true, this is your wife. pericles reverend appearer, no; i threw her overboard with these very arms. cerimon upon this coast, i warrant you. pericles 'tis most certain. cerimon look to the lady; o, she's but o'erjoy'd. early in blustering morn this lady was thrown upon this shore. i oped the coffin, found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and placed her here in diana's temple. pericles may we see them? cerimon great sir, they shall be brought you to my house, whither i invite you. look, thaisa is recovered. thaisa o, let me look! if he be none of mine, my sanctity will to my sense bend no licentious ear, but curb it, spite of seeing. o, my lord, are you not pericles? like him you spake, like him you are: did you not name a tempest, a birth, and death? pericles the voice of dead thaisa! thaisa that thaisa am i, supposed dead and drown'd. pericles immortal dian! thaisa now i know you better. when we with tears parted pentapolis, the king my father gave you such a ring. [shows a ring] pericles this, this: no more, you gods! your present kindness makes my past miseries sports: you shall do well, that on the touching of her lips i may melt and no more be seen. o, come, be buried a second time within these arms. marina my heart leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom. [kneels to thaisa] pericles look, who kneels here! flesh of thy flesh, thaisa; thy burden at the sea, and call'd marina for she was yielded there. thaisa blest, and mine own! helicanus hail, madam, and my queen! thaisa i know you not. pericles you have heard me say, when i did fly from tyre, i left behind an ancient substitute: can you remember what i call'd the man? i have named him oft. thaisa 'twas helicanus then. pericles still confirmation: embrace him, dear thaisa; this is he. now do i long to hear how you were found; how possibly preserved; and who to thank, besides the gods, for this great miracle. thaisa lord cerimon, my lord; this man, through whom the gods have shown their power; that can from first to last resolve you. pericles reverend sir, the gods can have no mortal officer more like a god than you. will you deliver how this dead queen re-lives? cerimon i will, my lord. beseech you, first go with me to my house, where shall be shown you all was found with her; how she came placed here in the temple; no needful thing omitted. pericles pure dian, bless thee for thy vision! i will offer night-oblations to thee. thaisa, this prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter, shall marry her at pentapolis. and now, this ornament makes me look dismal will i clip to form; and what this fourteen years no razor touch'd, to grace thy marriage-day, i'll beautify. thaisa lord cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir, my father's dead. pericles heavens make a star of him! yet there, my queen, we'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves will in that kingdom spend our following days: our son and daughter shall in tyrus reign. lord cerimon, we do our longing stay to hear the rest untold: sir, lead's the way. [exeunt] [enter gower] gower in antiochus and his daughter you have heard of monstrous lust the due and just reward: in pericles, his queen and daughter, seen, although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen, virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last: in helicanus may you well descry a figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty: in reverend cerimon there well appears the worth that learned charity aye wears: for wicked cleon and his wife, when fame had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd name of pericles, to rage the city turn, that him and his they in his palace burn; the gods for murder seemed so content to punish them; although not done, but meant. so, on your patience evermore attending, new joy wait on you! here our play has ending. [exit] timon of athens dramatis personae timon of athens. lucius | | lucullus | flattering lords. | sempronius | ventidius one of timon's false friends. alcibiades an athenian captain. apemantus a churlish philosopher. flavius steward to timon. poet, painter, jeweller, and merchant. (poet:) (painter:) (jeweller:) (merchant:) an old athenian. (old athenian:) flaminius | | lucilius | servants to timon. | servilius | caphis | | philotus | | titus | | servants to timon's creditors. lucius | | hortensius | | and others | a page. (page:) a fool. (fool:) three strangers. (first stranger:) (second stranger:) (third stranger:) phrynia | | mistresses to alcibiades. timandra | cupid and amazons in the mask. (cupid:) other lords, senators, officers, soldiers, banditti, and attendants. (first lord:) (second lord:) (third lord:) (fourth lord:) (senator:) (first senator:) (second senator:) (third senator:) (soldier:) (first bandit:) (second bandit:) (third bandit:) (messenger:) (servant:) (first servant:) (second servant:) (third servant:) (varro's first servant:) (varro's second servant:) (lucilius' servant:) scene athens, and the neighbouring woods. timon of athens act i scene i athens. a hall in timon's house. [enter poet, painter, jeweller, merchant, and others, at several doors] poet good day, sir. painter i am glad you're well. poet i have not seen you long: how goes the world? painter it wears, sir, as it grows. poet ay, that's well known: but what particular rarity? what strange, which manifold record not matches? see, magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power hath conjured to attend. i know the merchant. painter i know them both; th' other's a jeweller. merchant o, 'tis a worthy lord. jeweller nay, that's most fix'd. merchant a most incomparable man, breathed, as it were, to an untirable and continuate goodness: he passes. jeweller: i have a jewel here- merchant o, pray, let's see't: for the lord timon, sir? jeweller: if he will touch the estimate: but, for that- poet [reciting to himself] 'when we for recompense have praised the vile, it stains the glory in that happy verse which aptly sings the good.' merchant 'tis a good form. [looking at the jewel] jeweller and rich: here is a water, look ye. painter you are rapt, sir, in some work, some dedication to the great lord. poet a thing slipp'd idly from me. our poesy is as a gum, which oozes from whence 'tis nourish'd: the fire i' the flint shows not till it be struck; our gentle flame provokes itself and like the current flies each bound it chafes. what have you there? painter a picture, sir. when comes your book forth? poet upon the heels of my presentment, sir. let's see your piece. painter 'tis a good piece. poet so 'tis: this comes off well and excellent. painter indifferent. poet admirable: how this grace speaks his own standing! what a mental power this eye shoots forth! how big imagination moves in this lip! to the dumbness of the gesture one might interpret. painter it is a pretty mocking of the life. here is a touch; is't good? poet i will say of it, it tutors nature: artificial strife lives in these touches, livelier than life. [enter certain senators, and pass over] painter how this lord is follow'd! poet the senators of athens: happy man! painter look, more! poet you see this confluence, this great flood of visitors. i have, in this rough work, shaped out a man, whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug with amplest entertainment: my free drift halts not particularly, but moves itself in a wide sea of wax: no levell'd malice infects one comma in the course i hold; but flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on, leaving no tract behind. painter how shall i understand you? poet i will unbolt to you. you see how all conditions, how all minds, as well of glib and slippery creatures as of grave and austere quality, tender down their services to lord timon: his large fortune upon his good and gracious nature hanging subdues and properties to his love and tendance all sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faced flatterer to apemantus, that few things loves better than to abhor himself: even he drops down the knee before him, and returns in peace most rich in timon's nod. painter i saw them speak together. poet sir, i have upon a high and pleasant hill feign'd fortune to be throned: the base o' the mount is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures, that labour on the bosom of this sphere to propagate their states: amongst them all, whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd, one do i personate of lord timon's frame, whom fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her; whose present grace to present slaves and servants translates his rivals. painter 'tis conceived to scope. this throne, this fortune, and this hill, methinks, with one man beckon'd from the rest below, bowing his head against the sleepy mount to climb his happiness, would be well express'd in our condition. poet nay, sir, but hear me on. all those which were his fellows but of late, some better than his value, on the moment follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tendance, rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear, make sacred even his stirrup, and through him drink the free air. painter ay, marry, what of these? poet when fortune in her shift and change of mood spurns down her late beloved, all his dependants which labour'd after him to the mountain's top even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, not one accompanying his declining foot. painter 'tis common: a thousand moral paintings i can show that shall demonstrate these quick blows of fortune's more pregnantly than words. yet you do well to show lord timon that mean eyes have seen the foot above the head. [trumpets sound. enter timon, addressing himself courteously to every suitor; a messenger from ventidius talking with him; lucilius and other servants following] timon imprison'd is he, say you? messenger ay, my good lord: five talents is his debt, his means most short, his creditors most strait: your honourable letter he desires to those have shut him up; which failing, periods his comfort. timon noble ventidius! well; i am not of that feather to shake off my friend when he must need me. i do know him a gentleman that well deserves a help: which he shall have: i'll pay the debt, and free him. messenger your lordship ever binds him. timon commend me to him: i will send his ransom; and being enfranchised, bid him come to me. 'tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support him after. fare you well. messenger all happiness to your honour! [exit] [enter an old athenian] old athenian lord timon, hear me speak. timon freely, good father. old athenian thou hast a servant named lucilius. timon i have so: what of him? old athenian most noble timon, call the man before thee. timon attends he here, or no? lucilius! lucilius here, at your lordship's service. old athenian this fellow here, lord timon, this thy creature, by night frequents my house. i am a man that from my first have been inclined to thrift; and my estate deserves an heir more raised than one which holds a trencher. timon well; what further? old athenian one only daughter have i, no kin else, on whom i may confer what i have got: the maid is fair, o' the youngest for a bride, and i have bred her at my dearest cost in qualities of the best. this man of thine attempts her love: i prithee, noble lord, join with me to forbid him her resort; myself have spoke in vain. timon the man is honest. old athenian therefore he will be, timon: his honesty rewards him in itself; it must not bear my daughter. timon does she love him? old athenian she is young and apt: our own precedent passions do instruct us what levity's in youth. timon [to lucilius] love you the maid? lucilius ay, my good lord, and she accepts of it. old athenian if in her marriage my consent be missing, i call the gods to witness, i will choose mine heir from forth the beggars of the world, and dispossess her all. timon how shall she be endow'd, if she be mated with an equal husband? old athenian three talents on the present; in future, all. timon this gentleman of mine hath served me long: to build his fortune i will strain a little, for 'tis a bond in men. give him thy daughter: what you bestow, in him i'll counterpoise, and make him weigh with her. old athenian most noble lord, pawn me to this your honour, she is his. timon my hand to thee; mine honour on my promise. lucilius humbly i thank your lordship: never may the state or fortune fall into my keeping, which is not owed to you! [exeunt lucilius and old athenian] poet vouchsafe my labour, and long live your lordship! timon i thank you; you shall hear from me anon: go not away. what have you there, my friend? painter a piece of painting, which i do beseech your lordship to accept. timon painting is welcome. the painting is almost the natural man; or since dishonour traffics with man's nature, he is but outside: these pencill'd figures are even such as they give out. i like your work; and you shall find i like it: wait attendance till you hear further from me. painter the gods preserve ye! timon well fare you, gentleman: give me your hand; we must needs dine together. sir, your jewel hath suffer'd under praise. jeweller what, my lord! dispraise? timon a more satiety of commendations. if i should pay you for't as 'tis extoll'd, it would unclew me quite. jeweller my lord, 'tis rated as those which sell would give: but you well know, things of like value differing in the owners are prized by their masters: believe't, dear lord, you mend the jewel by the wearing it. timon well mock'd. merchant no, my good lord; he speaks the common tongue, which all men speak with him. timon look, who comes here: will you be chid? [enter apemantus] jeweller: we'll bear, with your lordship. merchant he'll spare none. timon good morrow to thee, gentle apemantus! apemantus till i be gentle, stay thou for thy good morrow; when thou art timon's dog, and these knaves honest. timon why dost thou call them knaves? thou know'st them not. apemantus are they not athenians? timon yes. apemantus then i repent not. jeweller: you know me, apemantus? apemantus thou know'st i do: i call'd thee by thy name. timon thou art proud, apemantus. apemantus of nothing so much as that i am not like timon. timon whither art going? apemantus to knock out an honest athenian's brains. timon that's a deed thou'lt die for. apemantus right, if doing nothing be death by the law. timon how likest thou this picture, apemantus? apemantus the best, for the innocence. timon wrought he not well that painted it? apemantus he wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work. painter you're a dog. apemantus thy mother's of my generation: what's she, if i be a dog? timon wilt dine with me, apemantus? apemantus no; i eat not lords. timon an thou shouldst, thou 'ldst anger ladies. apemantus o, they eat lords; so they come by great bellies. timon that's a lascivious apprehension. apemantus so thou apprehendest it: take it for thy labour. timon how dost thou like this jewel, apemantus? apemantus not so well as plain-dealing, which will not cost a man a doit. timon what dost thou think 'tis worth? apemantus not worth my thinking. how now, poet! poet how now, philosopher! apemantus thou liest. poet art not one? apemantus yes. poet then i lie not. apemantus art not a poet? poet yes. apemantus then thou liest: look in thy last work, where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow. poet that's not feigned; he is so. apemantus yes, he is worthy of thee, and to pay thee for thy labour: he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer. heavens, that i were a lord! timon what wouldst do then, apemantus? apemantus e'en as apemantus does now; hate a lord with my heart. timon what, thyself? apemantus ay. timon wherefore? apemantus that i had no angry wit to be a lord. art not thou a merchant? merchant ay, apemantus. apemantus traffic confound thee, if the gods will not! merchant if traffic do it, the gods do it. apemantus traffic's thy god; and thy god confound thee! [trumpet sounds. enter a messenger] timon what trumpet's that? messenger 'tis alcibiades, and some twenty horse, all of companionship. timon pray, entertain them; give them guide to us. [exeunt some attendants] you must needs dine with me: go not you hence till i have thank'd you: when dinner's done, show me this piece. i am joyful of your sights. [enter alcibiades, with the rest] most welcome, sir! apemantus so, so, there! aches contract and starve your supple joints! that there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves, and all this courtesy! the strain of man's bred out into baboon and monkey. alcibiades sir, you have saved my longing, and i feed most hungerly on your sight. timon right welcome, sir! ere we depart, we'll share a bounteous time in different pleasures. pray you, let us in. [exeunt all except apemantus] [enter two lords] first lord what time o' day is't, apemantus? apemantus time to be honest. first lord that time serves still. apemantus the more accursed thou, that still omitt'st it. second lord thou art going to lord timon's feast? apemantus ay, to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools. second lord fare thee well, fare thee well. apemantus thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice. second lord why, apemantus? apemantus shouldst have kept one to thyself, for i mean to give thee none. first lord hang thyself! apemantus no, i will do nothing at thy bidding: make thy requests to thy friend. second lord away, unpeaceable dog, or i'll spurn thee hence! apemantus i will fly, like a dog, the heels o' the ass. [exit] first lord he's opposite to humanity. come, shall we in, and taste lord timon's bounty? he outgoes the very heart of kindness. second lord he pours it out; plutus, the god of gold, is but his steward: no meed, but he repays sevenfold above itself; no gift to him, but breeds the giver a return exceeding all use of quittance. first lord the noblest mind he carries that ever govern'd man. second lord long may he live in fortunes! shall we in? first lord i'll keep you company. [exeunt] timon of athens act i scene ii a banqueting-room in timon's house. [hautboys playing loud music. a great banquet served in; flavius and others attending; then enter timon, alcibiades, lords, senators, and ventidius. then comes, dropping, after all, apemantus, discontentedly, like himself] ventidius most honour'd timon, it hath pleased the gods to remember my father's age, and call him to long peace. he is gone happy, and has left me rich: then, as in grateful virtue i am bound to your free heart, i do return those talents, doubled with thanks and service, from whose help i derived liberty. timon o, by no means, honest ventidius; you mistake my love: i gave it freely ever; and there's none can truly say he gives, if he receives: if our betters play at that game, we must not dare to imitate them; faults that are rich are fair. ventidius a noble spirit! timon nay, my lords, [they all stand ceremoniously looking on timon] ceremony was but devised at first to set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes, recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown; but where there is true friendship, there needs none. pray, sit; more welcome are ye to my fortunes than my fortunes to me. [they sit] first lord my lord, we always have confess'd it. apemantus ho, ho, confess'd it! hang'd it, have you not? timon o, apemantus, you are welcome. apemantus no; you shall not make me welcome: i come to have thee thrust me out of doors. timon fie, thou'rt a churl; ye've got a humour there does not become a man: 'tis much to blame. they say, my lords, 'ira furor brevis est;' but yond man is ever angry. go, let him have a table by himself, for he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for't, indeed. apemantus let me stay at thine apperil, timon: i come to observe; i give thee warning on't. timon i take no heed of thee; thou'rt an athenian, therefore welcome: i myself would have no power; prithee, let my meat make thee silent. apemantus i scorn thy meat; 'twould choke me, for i should ne'er flatter thee. o you gods, what a number of men eat timon, and he sees 'em not! it grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man's blood; and all the madness is, he cheers them up too. i wonder men dare trust themselves with men: methinks they should invite them without knives; good for their meat, and safer for their lives. there's much example for't; the fellow that sits next him now, parts bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him: 't has been proved. if i were a huge man, i should fear to drink at meals; lest they should spy my windpipe's dangerous notes: great men should drink with harness on their throats. timon my lord, in heart; and let the health go round. second lord let it flow this way, my good lord. apemantus flow this way! a brave fellow! he keeps his tides well. those healths will make thee and thy state look ill, timon. here's that which is too weak to be a sinner, honest water, which ne'er left man i' the mire: this and my food are equals; there's no odds: feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. apemantus' grace. immortal gods, i crave no pelf; i pray for no man but myself: grant i may never prove so fond, to trust man on his oath or bond; or a harlot, for her weeping; or a dog, that seems a-sleeping: or a keeper with my freedom; or my friends, if i should need 'em. amen. so fall to't: rich men sin, and i eat root. [eats and drinks] much good dich thy good heart, apemantus! timon captain alcibiades, your heart's in the field now. alcibiades my heart is ever at your service, my lord. timon you had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends. alcibiades so the were bleeding-new, my lord, there's no meat like 'em: i could wish my best friend at such a feast. apemantus would all those fatterers were thine enemies then, that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em! first lord might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should think ourselves for ever perfect. timon o, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided that i shall have much help from you: how had you been my friends else? why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly belong to my heart? i have told more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf; and thus far i confirm you. o you gods, think i, what need we have any friends, if we should ne'er have need of 'em? they were the most needless creatures living, should we ne'er have use for 'em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases that keep their sounds to themselves. why, i have often wished myself poorer, that i might come nearer to you. we are born to do benefits: and what better or properer can we can our own than the riches of our friends? o, what a precious comfort 'tis, to have so many, like brothers, commanding one another's fortunes! o joy, e'en made away ere 't can be born! mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks: to forget their faults, i drink to you. apemantus thou weepest to make them drink, timon. second lord joy had the like conception in our eyes and at that instant like a babe sprung up. apemantus ho, ho! i laugh to think that babe a bastard. third lord i promise you, my lord, you moved me much. apemantus much! [tucket, within] timon what means that trump? [enter a servant] how now? servant please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance. timon ladies! what are their wills? servant there comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office, to signify their pleasures. timon i pray, let them be admitted. [enter cupid] cupid hail to thee, worthy timon, and to all that of his bounties taste! the five best senses acknowledge thee their patron; and come freely to gratulate thy plenteous bosom: th' ear, taste, touch and smell, pleased from thy tale rise; they only now come but to feast thine eyes. timon they're welcome all; let 'em have kind admittance: music, make their welcome! [exit cupid] first lord you see, my lord, how ample you're beloved. [music. re-enter cupid with a mask of ladies as amazons, with lutes in their hands, dancing and playing] apemantus hoy-day, what a sweep of vanity comes this way! they dance! they are mad women. like madness is the glory of this life. as this pomp shows to a little oil and root. we make ourselves fools, to disport ourselves; and spend our flatteries, to drink those men upon whose age we void it up again, with poisonous spite and envy. who lives that's not depraved or depraves? who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves of their friends' gift? i should fear those that dance before me now would one day stamp upon me: 't has been done; men shut their doors against a setting sun. [the lords rise from table, with much adoring of timon; and to show their loves, each singles out an amazon, and all dance, men with women, a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease] timon you have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies, set a fair fashion on our entertainment, which was not half so beautiful and kind; you have added worth unto 't and lustre, and entertain'd me with mine own device; i am to thank you for 't. first lady my lord, you take us even at the best. apemantus 'faith, for the worst is filthy; and would not hold taking, i doubt me. timon ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you: please you to dispose yourselves. all ladies most thankfully, my lord. [exeunt cupid and ladies] timon flavius. flavius my lord? timon the little casket bring me hither. flavius yes, my lord. more jewels yet! there is no crossing him in 's humour; [aside] else i should tell him,--well, i' faith i should, when all's spent, he 'ld be cross'd then, an he could. 'tis pity bounty had not eyes behind, that man might ne'er be wretched for his mind. [exit] first lord where be our men? servant here, my lord, in readiness. second lord our horses! [re-enter flavius, with the casket] timon o my friends, i have one word to say to you: look you, my good lord, i must entreat you, honour me so much as to advance this jewel; accept it and wear it, kind my lord. first lord i am so far already in your gifts,- all so are we all. [enter a servant] servant my lord, there are certain nobles of the senate newly alighted, and come to visit you. timon they are fairly welcome. flavius i beseech your honour, vouchsafe me a word; it does concern you near. timon near! why then, another time i'll hear thee: i prithee, let's be provided to show them entertainment. flavius [aside] i scarce know how. [enter a second servant] second servant may it please your honour, lord lucius, out of his free love, hath presented to you four milk-white horses, trapp'd in silver. timon i shall accept them fairly; let the presents be worthily entertain'd. [enter a third servant] how now! what news? third servant please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, lord lucullus, entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him, and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds. timon i'll hunt with him; and let them be received, not without fair reward. flavius [aside] what will this come to? he commands us to provide, and give great gifts, and all out of an empty coffer: nor will he know his purse, or yield me this, to show him what a beggar his heart is, being of no power to make his wishes good: his promises fly so beyond his state that what he speaks is all in debt; he owes for every word: he is so kind that he now pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books. well, would i were gently put out of office before i were forced out! happier is he that has no friend to feed than such that do e'en enemies exceed. i bleed inwardly for my lord. [exit] timon you do yourselves much wrong, you bate too much of your own merits: here, my lord, a trifle of our love. second lord with more than common thanks i will receive it. third lord o, he's the very soul of bounty! timon and now i remember, my lord, you gave good words the other day of a bay courser i rode on: it is yours, because you liked it. second lord o, i beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that. timon you may take my word, my lord; i know, no man can justly praise but what he does affect: i weigh my friend's affection with mine own; i'll tell you true. i'll call to you. all lords o, none so welcome. timon i take all and your several visitations so kind to heart, 'tis not enough to give; methinks, i could deal kingdoms to my friends, and ne'er be weary. alcibiades, thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; it comes in charity to thee: for all thy living is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast lie in a pitch'd field. alcibiades ay, defiled land, my lord. first lord we are so virtuously bound- timon and so am i to you. second lord so infinitely endear'd- timon all to you. lights, more lights! first lord the best of happiness, honour and fortunes, keep with you, lord timon! timon ready for his friends. [exeunt all but apemantus and timon] apemantus what a coil's here! serving of becks and jutting-out of bums! i doubt whether their legs be worth the sums that are given for 'em. friendship's full of dregs: methinks, false hearts should never have sound legs, thus honest fools lay out their wealth on court'sies. timon now, apemantus, if thou wert not sullen, i would be good to thee. apemantus no, i'll nothing: for if i should be bribed too, there would be none left to rail upon thee, and then thou wouldst sin the faster. thou givest so long, timon, i fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly: what need these feasts, pomps and vain-glories? timon nay, an you begin to rail on society once, i am sworn not to give regard to you. farewell; and come with better music. [exit] apemantus so: thou wilt not hear me now; thou shalt not then: i'll lock thy heaven from thee. o, that men's ears should be to counsel deaf, but not to flattery! [exit] timon of athens act ii scene i a senator's house. [enter senator, with papers in his hand] senator and late, five thousand: to varro and to isidore he owes nine thousand; besides my former sum, which makes it five and twenty. still in motion of raging waste? it cannot hold; it will not. if i want gold, steal but a beggar's dog, and give it timon, why, the dog coins gold. if i would sell my horse, and buy twenty more better than he, why, give my horse to timon, ask nothing, give it him, it foals me, straight, and able horses. no porter at his gate, but rather one that smiles and still invites all that pass by. it cannot hold: no reason can found his state in safety. caphis, ho! caphis, i say! [enter caphis] caphis here, sir; what is your pleasure? senator get on your cloak, and haste you to lord timon; importune him for my moneys; be not ceased with slight denial, nor then silenced when- 'commend me to your master'--and the cap plays in the right hand, thus: but tell him, my uses cry to me, i must serve my turn out of mine own; his days and times are past and my reliances on his fracted dates have smit my credit: i love and honour him, but must not break my back to heal his finger; immediate are my needs, and my relief must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words, but find supply immediate. get you gone: put on a most importunate aspect, a visage of demand; for, i do fear, when every feather sticks in his own wing, lord timon will be left a naked gull, which flashes now a phoenix. get you gone. caphis i go, sir. senator 'i go, sir!'--take the bonds along with you, and have the dates in contempt. caphis i will, sir. senator go. [exeunt] timon of athens act ii scene ii the same. a hall in timon's house. [enter flavius, with many bills in his hand] flavius no care, no stop! so senseless of expense, that he will neither know how to maintain it, nor cease his flow of riot: takes no account how things go from him, nor resumes no care of what is to continue: never mind was to be so unwise, to be so kind. what shall be done? he will not hear, till feel: i must be round with him, now he comes from hunting. fie, fie, fie, fie! [enter caphis, and the servants of isidore and varro] caphis good even, varro: what, you come for money? varro's servant is't not your business too? caphis it is: and yours too, isidore? isidore's servant it is so. caphis would we were all discharged! varro's servant i fear it. caphis here comes the lord. [enter timon, alcibiades, and lords, &c] timon so soon as dinner's done, we'll forth again, my alcibiades. with me? what is your will? caphis my lord, here is a note of certain dues. timon dues! whence are you? caphis of athens here, my lord. timon go to my steward. caphis please it your lordship, he hath put me off to the succession of new days this month: my master is awaked by great occasion to call upon his own, and humbly prays you that with your other noble parts you'll suit in giving him his right. timon mine honest friend, i prithee, but repair to me next morning. caphis nay, good my lord,- timon contain thyself, good friend. varro's servant one varro's servant, my good lord,- isidore's servant from isidore; he humbly prays your speedy payment. caphis if you did know, my lord, my master's wants- varro's servant 'twas due on forfeiture, my lord, six weeks and past. isidore's servant your steward puts me off, my lord; and i am sent expressly to your lordship. timon give me breath. i do beseech you, good my lords, keep on; i'll wait upon you instantly. [exeunt alcibiades and lords] [to flavius] come hither: pray you, how goes the world, that i am thus encounter'd with clamourous demands of date-broke bonds, and the detention of long-since-due debts, against my honour? flavius please you, gentlemen, the time is unagreeable to this business: your importunacy cease till after dinner, that i may make his lordship understand wherefore you are not paid. timon do so, my friends. see them well entertain'd. [exit] flavius pray, draw near. [exit] [enter apemantus and fool] caphis stay, stay, here comes the fool with apemantus: let's ha' some sport with 'em. varro's servant hang him, he'll abuse us. isidore's servant a plague upon him, dog! varro's servant how dost, fool? apemantus dost dialogue with thy shadow? varro's servant i speak not to thee. apemantus no,'tis to thyself. [to the fool] come away. isidore's servant there's the fool hangs on your back already. apemantus no, thou stand'st single, thou'rt not on him yet. caphis where's the fool now? apemantus he last asked the question. poor rogues, and usurers' men! bawds between gold and want! all servants what are we, apemantus? apemantus asses. all servants why? apemantus that you ask me what you are, and do not know yourselves. speak to 'em, fool. fool how do you, gentlemen? all servants gramercies, good fool: how does your mistress? fool she's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are. would we could see you at corinth! apemantus good! gramercy. [enter page] fool look you, here comes my mistress' page. page [to the fool] why, how now, captain! what do you in this wise company? how dost thou, apemantus? apemantus would i had a rod in my mouth, that i might answer thee profitably. page prithee, apemantus, read me the superscription of these letters: i know not which is which. apemantus canst not read? page no. apemantus there will little learning die then, that day thou art hanged. this is to lord timon; this to alcibiades. go; thou wast born a bastard, and thou't die a bawd. page thou wast whelped a dog, and thou shalt famish a dog's death. answer not; i am gone. [exit] apemantus e'en so thou outrunnest grace. fool, i will go with you to lord timon's. fool will you leave me there? apemantus if timon stay at home. you three serve three usurers? all servants ay; would they served us! apemantus so would i,--as good a trick as ever hangman served thief. fool are you three usurers' men? all servants ay, fool. fool i think no usurer but has a fool to his servant: my mistress is one, and i am her fool. when men come to borrow of your masters, they approach sadly, and go away merry; but they enter my mistress' house merrily, and go away sadly: the reason of this? varro's servant i could render one. apemantus do it then, that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave; which not-withstanding, thou shalt be no less esteemed. varro's servant what is a whoremaster, fool? fool a fool in good clothes, and something like thee. 'tis a spirit: sometime't appears like a lord; sometime like a lawyer; sometime like a philosopher, with two stones moe than's artificial one: he is very often like a knight; and, generally, in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to thirteen, this spirit walks in. varro's servant thou art not altogether a fool. fool nor thou altogether a wise man: as much foolery as i have, so much wit thou lackest. apemantus that answer might have become apemantus. all servants aside, aside; here comes lord timon. [re-enter timon and flavius] apemantus come with me, fool, come. fool i do not always follow lover, elder brother and woman; sometime the philosopher. [exeunt apemantus and fool] flavius pray you, walk near: i'll speak with you anon. [exeunt servants] timon you make me marvel: wherefore ere this time had you not fully laid my state before me, that i might so have rated my expense, as i had leave of means? flavius you would not hear me, at many leisures i proposed. timon go to: perchance some single vantages you took. when my indisposition put you back: and that unaptness made your minister, thus to excuse yourself. flavius o my good lord, at many times i brought in my accounts, laid them before you; you would throw them off, and say, you found them in mine honesty. when, for some trifling present, you have bid me return so much, i have shook my head and wept; yea, 'gainst the authority of manners, pray'd you to hold your hand more close: i did endure not seldom, nor no slight cheques, when i have prompted you in the ebb of your estate and your great flow of debts. my loved lord, though you hear now, too late--yet now's a time- the greatest of your having lacks a half to pay your present debts. timon let all my land be sold. flavius 'tis all engaged, some forfeited and gone; and what remains will hardly stop the mouth of present dues: the future comes apace: what shall defend the interim? and at length how goes our reckoning? timon to lacedaemon did my land extend. flavius o my good lord, the world is but a word: were it all yours to give it in a breath, how quickly were it gone! timon you tell me true. flavius if you suspect my husbandry or falsehood, call me before the exactest auditors and set me on the proof. so the gods bless me, when all our offices have been oppress'd with riotous feeders, when our vaults have wept with drunken spilth of wine, when every room hath blazed with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy, i have retired me to a wasteful cock, and set mine eyes at flow. timon prithee, no more. flavius heavens, have i said, the bounty of this lord! how many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants this night englutted! who is not timon's? what heart, head, sword, force, means, but is lord timon's? great timon, noble, worthy, royal timon! ah, when the means are gone that buy this praise, the breath is gone whereof this praise is made: feast-won, fast-lost; one cloud of winter showers, these flies are couch'd. timon come, sermon me no further: no villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart; unwisely, not ignobly, have i given. why dost thou weep? canst thou the conscience lack, to think i shall lack friends? secure thy heart; if i would broach the vessels of my love, and try the argument of hearts by borrowing, men and men's fortunes could i frankly use as i can bid thee speak. flavius assurance bless your thoughts! timon and, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown'd, that i account them blessings; for by these shall i try friends: you shall perceive how you mistake my fortunes; i am wealthy in my friends. within there! flaminius! servilius! [enter flaminius, servilius, and other servants] servants my lord? my lord? timon i will dispatch you severally; you to lord lucius; to lord lucullus you: i hunted with his honour to-day: you, to sempronius: commend me to their loves, and, i am proud, say, that my occasions have found time to use 'em toward a supply of money: let the request be fifty talents. flaminius as you have said, my lord. flavius [aside] lord lucius and lucullus? hum! timon go you, sir, to the senators- of whom, even to the state's best health, i have deserved this hearing--bid 'em send o' the instant a thousand talents to me. flavius i have been bold- for that i knew it the most general way- to them to use your signet and your name; but they do shake their heads, and i am here no richer in return. timon is't true? can't be? flavius they answer, in a joint and corporate voice, that now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot do what they would; are sorry--you are honourable,- but yet they could have wish'd--they know not- something hath been amiss--a noble nature may catch a wrench--would all were well--'tis pity;- and so, intending other serious matters, after distasteful looks and these hard fractions, with certain half-caps and cold-moving nods they froze me into silence. timon you gods, reward them! prithee, man, look cheerly. these old fellows have their ingratitude in them hereditary: their blood is caked, 'tis cold, it seldom flows; 'tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind; and nature, as it grows again toward earth, is fashion'd for the journey, dull and heavy. [to a servant] go to ventidius. [to flavius] prithee, be not sad, thou art true and honest; ingeniously i speak. no blame belongs to thee. [to servant] ventidius lately buried his father; by whose death he's stepp'd into a great estate: when he was poor, imprison'd and in scarcity of friends, i clear'd him with five talents: greet him from me; bid him suppose some good necessity touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd with those five talents. [exit servant] [to flavius] that had, give't these fellows to whom 'tis instant due. ne'er speak, or think, that timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink. flavius i would i could not think it: that thought is bounty's foe; being free itself, it thinks all others so. [exeunt] timon of athens act iii scene i a room in lucullus' house. [flaminius waiting. enter a servant to him] servant i have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you. flaminius i thank you, sir. [enter lucullus] servant here's my lord. lucullus [aside] one of lord timon's men? a gift, i warrant. why, this hits right; i dreamt of a silver basin and ewer to-night. flaminius, honest flaminius; you are very respectively welcome, sir. fill me some wine. [exit servants] and how does that honourable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master? flaminius his health is well sir. lucullus i am right glad that his health is well, sir: and what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty flaminius? flaminius 'faith, nothing but an empty box, sir; which, in my lord's behalf, i come to entreat your honour to supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing doubting your present assistance therein. lucullus la, la, la, la! 'nothing doubting,' says he? alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a house. many a time and often i ha' dined with him, and told him on't, and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less, and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. every man has his fault, and honesty is his: i ha' told him on't, but i could ne'er get him from't. [re-enter servant, with wine] servant please your lordship, here is the wine. lucullus flaminius, i have noted thee always wise. here's to thee. flaminius your lordship speaks your pleasure. lucullus i have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit--give thee thy due--and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee. [to servant] get you gone, sirrah. [exit servant] draw nearer, honest flaminius. thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship, without security. here's three solidares for thee: good boy, wink at me, and say thou sawest me not. fare thee well. flaminius is't possible the world should so much differ, and we alive that lived? fly, damned baseness, to him that worships thee! [throwing the money back] lucullus ha! now i see thou art a fool, and fit for thy master. [exit] flaminius may these add to the number that may scald thee! let moulten coin be thy damnation, thou disease of a friend, and not himself! has friendship such a faint and milky heart, it turns in less than two nights? o you gods, i feel master's passion! this slave, unto his honour, has my lord's meat in him: why should it thrive and turn to nutriment, when he is turn'd to poison? o, may diseases only work upon't! and, when he's sick to death, let not that part of nature which my lord paid for, be of any power to expel sickness, but prolong his hour! [exit] timon of athens act iii scene ii a public place. [enter lucilius, with three strangers] lucilius who, the lord timon? he is my very good friend, and an honourable gentleman. first stranger we know him for no less, though we are but strangers to him. but i can tell you one thing, my lord, and which i hear from common rumours: now lord timon's happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from him. lucilius fie, no, do not believe it; he cannot want for money. second stranger but believe you this, my lord, that, not long ago, one of his men was with the lord lucullus to borrow so many talents, nay, urged extremely for't and showed what necessity belonged to't, and yet was denied. lucilius how! second stranger i tell you, denied, my lord. lucilius what a strange case was that! now, before the gods, i am ashamed on't. denied that honourable man! there was very little honour showed in't. for my own part, i must needs confess, i have received some small kindnesses from him, as money, plate, jewels and such-like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet, had he mistook him and sent to me, i should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents. [enter servilius] servilius see, by good hap, yonder's my lord; i have sweat to see his honour. my honoured lord,- [to lucius] lucilius servilius! you are kindly met, sir. fare thee well: commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my very exquisite friend. servilius may it please your honour, my lord hath sent- lucilius ha! what has he sent? i am so much endeared to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall i thank him, thinkest thou? and what has he sent now? servilius has only sent his present occasion now, my lord; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents. lucilius i know his lordship is but merry with me; he cannot want fifty five hundred talents. servilius but in the mean time he wants less, my lord. if his occasion were not virtuous, i should not urge it half so faithfully. lucilius dost thou speak seriously, servilius? servilius upon my soul,'tis true, sir. lucilius what a wicked beast was i to disfurnish myself against such a good time, when i might ha' shown myself honourable! how unluckily it happened, that i should purchase the day before for a little part, and undo a great deal of honoured! servilius, now, before the gods, i am not able to do,--the more beast, i say:--i was sending to use lord timon myself, these gentlemen can witness! but i would not, for the wealth of athens, i had done't now. commend me bountifully to his good lordship; and i hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me, because i have no power to be kind: and tell him this from me, i count it one of my greatest afflictions, say, that i cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman. good servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use mine own words to him? servilius yes, sir, i shall. lucilius i'll look you out a good turn, servilius. [exit servilius] true as you said, timon is shrunk indeed; and he that's once denied will hardly speed. [exit] first stranger do you observe this, hostilius? second stranger ay, too well. first stranger why, this is the world's soul; and just of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit. who can call him his friend that dips in the same dish? for, in my knowing, timon has been this lord's father, and kept his credit with his purse, supported his estate; nay, timon's money has paid his men their wages: he ne'er drinks, but timon's silver treads upon his lip; and yet--o, see the monstrousness of man when he looks out in an ungrateful shape!- he does deny him, in respect of his, what charitable men afford to beggars. third stranger religion groans at it. first stranger for mine own part, i never tasted timon in my life, nor came any of his bounties over me, to mark me for his friend; yet, i protest, for his right noble mind, illustrious virtue and honourable carriage, had his necessity made use of me, i would have put my wealth into donation, and the best half should have return'd to him, so much i love his heart: but, i perceive, men must learn now with pity to dispense; for policy sits above conscience. [exeunt] timon of athens act iii scene iii a room in sempronius' house. [enter sempronius, and a servant of timon's] sempronius must he needs trouble me in 't,--hum!--'bove all others? he might have tried lord lucius or lucullus; and now ventidius is wealthy too, whom he redeem'd from prison: all these owe their estates unto him. servant my lord, they have all been touch'd and found base metal, for they have au denied him. sempronius how! have they denied him? has ventidius and lucullus denied him? and does he send to me? three? hum! it shows but little love or judgment in him: must i be his last refuge! his friends, like physicians, thrive, give him over: must i take the cure upon me? has much disgraced me in't; i'm angry at him, that might have known my place: i see no sense for't, but his occasion might have woo'd me first; for, in my conscience, i was the first man that e'er received gift from him: and does he think so backwardly of me now, that i'll requite its last? no: so it may prove an argument of laughter to the rest, and 'mongst lords i be thought a fool. i'ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum, had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; i'd such a courage to do him good. but now return, and with their faint reply this answer join; who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. [exit] servant excellent! your lordship's a goodly villain. the devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he crossed himself by 't: and i cannot think but, in the end, the villainies of man will set him clear. how fairly this lord strives to appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked, like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire: of such a nature is his politic love. this was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, save only the gods: now his friends are dead, doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards many a bounteous year must be employ'd now to guard sure their master. and this is all a liberal course allows; who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. [exit] timon of athens act iii scene iv the same. a hall in timon's house. [enter two servants of varro, and the servant of lucius, meeting titus, hortensius, and other servants of timon's creditors, waiting his coming out] varro's first servant well met; good morrow, titus and hortensius. titus the like to you kind varro. hortensius lucius! what, do we meet together? lucilius' servant ay, and i think one business does command us all; for mine is money. titus so is theirs and ours. [enter philotus] lucilius' servant and sir philotus too! philotus good day at once. lucilius' servant welcome, good brother. what do you think the hour? philotus labouring for nine. lucilius' servant so much? philotus is not my lord seen yet? lucilius' servant not yet. philotus i wonder on't; he was wont to shine at seven. lucilius' servant ay, but the days are wax'd shorter with him: you must consider that a prodigal course is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable. i fear 'tis deepest winter in lord timon's purse; that is one may reach deep enough, and yet find little. philotus i am of your fear for that. titus i'll show you how to observe a strange event. your lord sends now for money. hortensius most true, he does. titus and he wears jewels now of timon's gift, for which i wait for money. hortensius it is against my heart. lucilius' servant mark, how strange it shows, timon in this should pay more than he owes: and e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels, and send for money for 'em. hortensius i'm weary of this charge, the gods can witness: i know my lord hath spent of timon's wealth, and now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth. varro's first servant yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours? lucilius' servant five thousand mine. varro's first servant 'tis much deep: and it should seem by the sun, your master's confidence was above mine; else, surely, his had equall'd. enter flaminius. titus one of lord timon's men. lucilius' servant flaminius! sir, a word: pray, is my lord ready to come forth? flaminius no, indeed, he is not. titus we attend his lordship; pray, signify so much. flaminius i need not tell him that; he knows you are too diligent. [exit] [enter flavius in a cloak, muffled] lucilius' servant ha! is not that his steward muffled so? he goes away in a cloud: call him, call him. titus do you hear, sir? varro's second servant by your leave, sir,- flavius what do ye ask of me, my friend? titus we wait for certain money here, sir. flavius ay, if money were as certain as your waiting, 'twere sure enough. why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills, when your false masters eat of my lord's meat? then they could smile and fawn upon his debts and take down the interest into their gluttonous maws. you do yourselves but wrong to stir me up; let me pass quietly: believe 't, my lord and i have made an end; i have no more to reckon, he to spend. lucilius' servant ay, but this answer will not serve. flavius if 'twill not serve,'tis not so base as you; for you serve knaves. [exit] varro's first servant how! what does his cashiered worship mutter? varro's second servant no matter what; he's poor, and that's revenge enough. who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in? such may rail against great buildings. [enter servilius] titus o, here's servilius; now we shall know some answer. servilius if i might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some other hour, i should derive much from't; for, take't of my soul, my lord leans wondrously to discontent: his comfortable temper has forsook him; he's much out of health, and keeps his chamber. lucilius' servant: many do keep their chambers are not sick: and, if it be so far beyond his health, methinks he should the sooner pay his debts, and make a clear way to the gods. servilius good gods! titus we cannot take this for answer, sir. flaminius [within] servilius, help! my lord! my lord! [enter timon, in a rage, flaminius following] timon what, are my doors opposed against my passage? have i been ever free, and must my house be my retentive enemy, my gaol? the place which i have feasted, does it now, like all mankind, show me an iron heart? lucilius' servant put in now, titus. titus my lord, here is my bill. lucilius' servant here's mine. hortensius and mine, my lord. both varro's servants and ours, my lord. philotus all our bills. timon knock me down with 'em: cleave me to the girdle. lucilius' servant alas, my lord, timon cut my heart in sums. titus mine, fifty talents. timon tell out my blood. lucilius' servant five thousand crowns, my lord. timon five thousand drops pays that. what yours?--and yours? varro's first servant my lord,- varro's second servant my lord,- timon tear me, take me, and the gods fall upon you! [exit] hortensius 'faith, i perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money: these debts may well be called desperate ones, for a madman owes 'em. [exeunt] [re-enter timon and flavius] timon they have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves. creditors? devils! flavius my dear lord,- timon what if it should be so? flavius my lord,- timon i'll have it so. my steward! flavius here, my lord. timon so fitly? go, bid all my friends again, lucius, lucullus, and sempronius: all, sirrah, all: i'll once more feast the rascals. flavius o my lord, you only speak from your distracted soul; there is not so much left, to furnish out a moderate table. timon be't not in thy care; go, i charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and i'll provide. [exeunt] timon of athens act iii scene v the same. the senate-house. the senate sitting. first senator my lord, you have my voice to it; the fault's bloody; 'tis necessary he should die: nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy. second senator most true; the law shall bruise him. [enter alcibiades, with attendants] alcibiades honour, health, and compassion to the senate! first senator now, captain? alcibiades i am an humble suitor to your virtues; for pity is the virtue of the law, and none but tyrants use it cruelly. it pleases time and fortune to lie heavy upon a friend of mine, who, in hot blood, hath stepp'd into the law, which is past depth to those that, without heed, do plunge into 't. he is a man, setting his fate aside, of comely virtues: nor did he soil the fact with cowardice- an honour in him which buys out his fault- but with a noble fury and fair spirit, seeing his reputation touch'd to death, he did oppose his foe: and with such sober and unnoted passion he did behave his anger, ere 'twas spent, as if he had but proved an argument. first senator you undergo too strict a paradox, striving to make an ugly deed look fair: your words have took such pains as if they labour'd to bring manslaughter into form and set quarrelling upon the head of valour; which indeed is valour misbegot and came into the world when sects and factions were newly born: he's truly valiant that can wisely suffer the worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs his outsides, to wear them like his raiment, carelessly, and ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, to bring it into danger. if wrongs be evils and enforce us kill, what folly 'tis to hazard life for ill! alcibiades my lord,- first senator you cannot make gross sins look clear: to revenge is no valour, but to bear. alcibiades my lords, then, under favour, pardon me, if i speak like a captain. why do fond men expose themselves to battle, and not endure all threats? sleep upon't, and let the foes quietly cut their throats, without repugnancy? if there be such valour in the bearing, what make we abroad? why then, women are more valiant that stay at home, if bearing carry it, and the ass more captain than the lion, the felon loaden with irons wiser than the judge, if wisdom be in suffering. o my lords, as you are great, be pitifully good: who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood? to kill, i grant, is sin's extremest gust; but, in defence, by mercy, 'tis most just. to be in anger is impiety; but who is man that is not angry? weigh but the crime with this. second senator you breathe in vain. alcibiades in vain! his service done at lacedaemon and byzantium were a sufficient briber for his life. first senator what's that? alcibiades i say, my lords, he has done fair service, and slain in fight many of your enemies: how full of valour did he bear himself in the last conflict, and made plenteous wounds! second senator he has made too much plenty with 'em; he's a sworn rioter: he has a sin that often drowns him, and takes his valour prisoner: if there were no foes, that were enough to overcome him: in that beastly fury he has been known to commit outrages, and cherish factions: 'tis inferr'd to us, his days are foul and his drink dangerous. first senator he dies. alcibiades hard fate! he might have died in war. my lords, if not for any parts in him- though his right arm might purchase his own time and be in debt to none--yet, more to move you, take my deserts to his, and join 'em both: and, for i know your reverend ages love security, i'll pawn my victories, all my honours to you, upon his good returns. if by this crime he owes the law his life, why, let the war receive 't in valiant gore for law is strict, and war is nothing more. first senator we are for law: he dies; urge it no more, on height of our displeasure: friend or brother, he forfeits his own blood that spills another. alcibiades must it be so? it must not be. my lords, i do beseech you, know me. second senator how! alcibiades call me to your remembrances. third senator what! alcibiades i cannot think but your age has forgot me; it could not else be, i should prove so base, to sue, and be denied such common grace: my wounds ache at you. first senator do you dare our anger? 'tis in few words, but spacious in effect; we banish thee for ever. alcibiades banish me! banish your dotage; banish usury, that makes the senate ugly. first senator if, after two days' shine, athens contain thee, attend our weightier judgment. and, not to swell our spirit, he shall be executed presently. [exeunt senators] alcibiades now the gods keep you old enough; that you may live only in bone, that none may look on you! i'm worse than mad: i have kept back their foes, while they have told their money and let out their coin upon large interest, i myself rich only in large hurts. all those for this? is this the balsam that the usuring senate pours into captains' wounds? banishment! it comes not ill; i hate not to be banish'd; it is a cause worthy my spleen and fury, that i may strike at athens. i'll cheer up my discontented troops, and lay for hearts. 'tis honour with most lands to be at odds; soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods. [exit] timon of athens act iii scene vi the same. a banqueting-room in timon's house. [music. tables set out: servants attending. enter divers lords, senators and others, at several doors] first lord the good time of day to you, sir. second lord i also wish it to you. i think this honourable lord did but try us this other day. first lord upon that were my thoughts tiring, when we encountered: i hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends. second lord it should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting. first lord i should think so: he hath sent me an earnest inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he hath conjured me beyond them, and i must needs appear. second lord in like manner was i in debt to my importunate business, but he would not hear my excuse. i am sorry, when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out. first lord i am sick of that grief too, as i understand how all things go. second lord every man here's so. what would he have borrowed of you? first lord a thousand pieces. second lord a thousand pieces! first lord what of you? second lord he sent to me, sir,--here he comes. [enter timon and attendants] timon with all my heart, gentlemen both; and how fare you? first lord ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship. second lord the swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship. timon [aside] nor more willingly leaves winter; such summer-birds are men. gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense this long stay: feast your ears with the music awhile, if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's sound; we shall to 't presently. first lord i hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that i returned you an empty messenger. timon o, sir, let it not trouble you. second lord my noble lord,- timon ah, my good friend, what cheer? second lord my most honourable lord, i am e'en sick of shame, that, when your lordship this other day sent to me, i was so unfortunate a beggar. timon think not on 't, sir. second lord if you had sent but two hours before,- timon let it not cumber your better remembrance. [the banquet brought in] come, bring in all together. second lord all covered dishes! first lord royal cheer, i warrant you. third lord doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it. first lord how do you? what's the news? third lord alcibiades is banished: hear you of it? first lord | | alcibiades banished! second lord | third lord 'tis so, be sure of it. first lord how! how! second lord i pray you, upon what? timon my worthy friends, will you draw near? third lord i'll tell you more anon. here's a noble feast toward. second lord this is the old man still. third lord will 't hold? will 't hold? second lord it does: but time will--and so- third lord i do conceive. timon each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places alike. make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place: sit, sit. the gods require our thanks. you great benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness. for your own gifts, make yourselves praised: but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. lend to each man enough, that one need not lend to another; for, were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the gods. make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it. let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains: if there sit twelve women at the table, let a dozen of them be--as they are. the rest of your fees, o gods--the senators of athens, together with the common lag of people--what is amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for destruction. for these my present friends, as they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are they welcome. uncover, dogs, and lap. [the dishes are uncovered and seen to be full of warm water] some speak what does his lordship mean? some others i know not. timon may you a better feast never behold, you knot of mouth-friends i smoke and lukewarm water is your perfection. this is timon's last; who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries, washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces your reeking villany. [throwing the water in their faces] live loathed and long, most smiling, smooth, detested parasites, courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears, you fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies, cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks! of man and beast the infinite malady crust you quite o'er! what, dost thou go? soft! take thy physic first--thou too--and thou;- stay, i will lend thee money, borrow none. [throws the dishes at them, and drives them out] what, all in motion? henceforth be no feast, whereat a villain's not a welcome guest. burn, house! sink, athens! henceforth hated be of timon man and all humanity! [exit] [re-enter the lords, senators, &c] first lord how now, my lords! second lord know you the quality of lord timon's fury? third lord push! did you see my cap? fourth lord i have lost my gown. first lord he's but a mad lord, and nought but humour sways him. he gave me a jewel th' other day, and now he has beat it out of my hat: did you see my jewel? third lord did you see my cap? second lord here 'tis. fourth lord here lies my gown. first lord let's make no stay. second lord lord timon's mad. third lord i feel 't upon my bones. fourth lord one day he gives us diamonds, next day stones. [exeunt] timon of athens act iv scene i without the walls of athens. [enter timon] timon let me look back upon thee. o thou wall, that girdlest in those wolves, dive in the earth, and fence not athens! matrons, turn incontinent! obedience fail in children! slaves and fools, pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench, and minister in their steads! to general filths convert o' the instant, green virginity, do 't in your parents' eyes! bankrupts, hold fast; rather than render back, out with your knives, and cut your trusters' throats! bound servants, steal! large-handed robbers your grave masters are, and pill by law. maid, to thy master's bed; thy mistress is o' the brothel! son of sixteen, pluck the lined crutch from thy old limping sire, with it beat out his brains! piety, and fear, religion to the gods, peace, justice, truth, domestic awe, night-rest, and neighbourhood, instruction, manners, mysteries, and trades, degrees, observances, customs, and laws, decline to your confounding contraries, and let confusion live! plagues, incident to men, your potent and infectious fevers heap on athens, ripe for stroke! thou cold sciatica, cripple our senators, that their limbs may halt as lamely as their manners. lust and liberty creep in the minds and marrows of our youth, that 'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive, and drown themselves in riot! itches, blains, sow all the athenian bosoms; and their crop be general leprosy! breath infect breath, at their society, as their friendship, may merely poison! nothing i'll bear from thee, but nakedness, thou detestable town! take thou that too, with multiplying bans! timon will to the woods; where he shall find the unkindest beast more kinder than mankind. the gods confound--hear me, you good gods all- the athenians both within and out that wall! and grant, as timon grows, his hate may grow to the whole race of mankind, high and low! amen. [exit] timon of athens act iv scene ii athens. a room in timon's house. [enter flavius, with two or three servants] first servant hear you, master steward, where's our master? are we undone? cast off? nothing remaining? flavius alack, my fellows, what should i say to you? let me be recorded by the righteous gods, i am as poor as you. first servant such a house broke! so noble a master fall'n! all gone! and not one friend to take his fortune by the arm, and go along with him! second servant as we do turn our backs from our companion thrown into his grave, so his familiars to his buried fortunes slink all away, leave their false vows with him, like empty purses pick'd; and his poor self, a dedicated beggar to the air, with his disease of all-shunn'd poverty, walks, like contempt, alone. more of our fellows. [enter other servants] flavius all broken implements of a ruin'd house. third servant yet do our hearts wear timon's livery; that see i by our faces; we are fellows still, serving alike in sorrow: leak'd is our bark, and we, poor mates, stand on the dying deck, hearing the surges threat: we must all part into this sea of air. flavius good fellows all, the latest of my wealth i'll share amongst you. wherever we shall meet, for timon's sake, let's yet be fellows; let's shake our heads, and say, as 'twere a knell unto our master's fortunes, 'we have seen better days.' let each take some; nay, put out all your hands. not one word more: thus part we rich in sorrow, parting poor. [servants embrace, and part several ways] o, the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us! who would not wish to be from wealth exempt, since riches point to misery and contempt? who would be so mock'd with glory? or to live but in a dream of friendship? to have his pomp and all what state compounds but only painted, like his varnish'd friends? poor honest lord, brought low by his own heart, undone by goodness! strange, unusual blood, when man's worst sin is, he does too much good! who, then, dares to be half so kind again? for bounty, that makes gods, does still mar men. my dearest lord, bless'd, to be most accursed, rich, only to be wretched, thy great fortunes are made thy chief afflictions. alas, kind lord! he's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat of monstrous friends, nor has he with him to supply his life, or that which can command it. i'll follow and inquire him out: i'll ever serve his mind with my best will; whilst i have gold, i'll be his steward still. [exit] timon of athens act iv scene iii woods and cave, near the seashore. [enter timon, from the cave] o blessed breeding sun, draw from the earth rotten humidity; below thy sister's orb infect the air! twinn'd brothers of one womb, whose procreation, residence, and birth, scarce is dividant, touch them with several fortunes; the greater scorns the lesser: not nature, to whom all sores lay siege, can bear great fortune, but by contempt of nature. raise me this beggar, and deny 't that lord; the senator shall bear contempt hereditary, the beggar native honour. it is the pasture lards the rother's sides, the want that makes him lean. who dares, who dares, in purity of manhood stand upright, and say 'this man's a flatterer?' if one be, so are they all; for every grise of fortune is smooth'd by that below: the learned pate ducks to the golden fool: all is oblique; there's nothing level in our cursed natures, but direct villany. therefore, be abhorr'd all feasts, societies, and throngs of men! his semblable, yea, himself, timon disdains: destruction fang mankind! earth, yield me roots! [digging] who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate with thy most operant poison! what is here? gold? yellow, glittering, precious gold? no, gods, i am no idle votarist: roots, you clear heavens! thus much of this will make black white, foul fair, wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant. ha, you gods! why this? what this, you gods? why, this will lug your priests and servants from your sides, pluck stout men's pillows from below their heads: this yellow slave will knit and break religions, bless the accursed, make the hoar leprosy adored, place thieves and give them title, knee and approbation with senators on the bench: this is it that makes the wappen'd widow wed again; she, whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores would cast the gorge at, this embalms and spices to the april day again. come, damned earth, thou common whore of mankind, that put'st odds among the route of nations, i will make thee do thy right nature. [march afar off] ha! a drum? thou'rt quick, but yet i'll bury thee: thou'lt go, strong thief, when gouty keepers of thee cannot stand. nay, stay thou out for earnest. [keeping some gold] [enter alcibiades, with drum and fife, in warlike manner; phrynia and timandra] alcibiades what art thou there? speak. timon a beast, as thou art. the canker gnaw thy heart, for showing me again the eyes of man! alcibiades what is thy name? is man so hateful to thee, that art thyself a man? timon i am misanthropos, and hate mankind. for thy part, i do wish thou wert a dog, that i might love thee something. alcibiades i know thee well; but in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange. timon i know thee too; and more than that i know thee, i not desire to know. follow thy drum; with man's blood paint the ground, gules, gules: religious canons, civil laws are cruel; then what should war be? this fell whore of thine hath in her more destruction than thy sword, for all her cherubim look. phrynia thy lips rot off! timon i will not kiss thee; then the rot returns to thine own lips again. alcibiades how came the noble timon to this change? timon as the moon does, by wanting light to give: but then renew i could not, like the moon; there were no suns to borrow of. alcibiades noble timon, what friendship may i do thee? timon none, but to maintain my opinion. alcibiades what is it, timon? timon promise me friendship, but perform none: if thou wilt not promise, the gods plague thee, for thou art a man! if thou dost perform, confound thee, for thou art a man! alcibiades i have heard in some sort of thy miseries. timon thou saw'st them, when i had prosperity. alcibiades i see them now; then was a blessed time. timon as thine is now, held with a brace of harlots. timandra is this the athenian minion, whom the world voiced so regardfully? timon art thou timandra? timandra yes. timon be a whore still: they love thee not that use thee; give them diseases, leaving with thee their lust. make use of thy salt hours: season the slaves for tubs and baths; bring down rose-cheeked youth to the tub-fast and the diet. timandra hang thee, monster! alcibiades pardon him, sweet timandra; for his wits are drown'd and lost in his calamities. i have but little gold of late, brave timon, the want whereof doth daily make revolt in my penurious band: i have heard, and grieved, how cursed athens, mindless of thy worth, forgetting thy great deeds, when neighbour states, but for thy sword and fortune, trod upon them,- timon i prithee, beat thy drum, and get thee gone. alcibiades i am thy friend, and pity thee, dear timon. timon how dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble? i had rather be alone. alcibiades why, fare thee well: here is some gold for thee. timon keep it, i cannot eat it. alcibiades when i have laid proud athens on a heap,- timon warr'st thou 'gainst athens? alcibiades ay, timon, and have cause. timon the gods confound them all in thy conquest; and thee after, when thou hast conquer'd! alcibiades why me, timon? timon that, by killing of villains, thou wast born to conquer my country. put up thy gold: go on,--here's gold,--go on; be as a planetary plague, when jove will o'er some high-viced city hang his poison in the sick air: let not thy sword skip one: pity not honour'd age for his white beard; he is an usurer: strike me the counterfeit matron; it is her habit only that is honest, herself's a bawd: let not the virgin's cheek make soft thy trenchant sword; for those milk-paps, that through the window-bars bore at men's eyes, are not within the leaf of pity writ, but set them down horrible traitors: spare not the babe, whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy; think it a bastard, whom the oracle hath doubtfully pronounced thy throat shall cut, and mince it sans remorse: swear against objects; put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes; whose proof, nor yells of mothers, maids, nor babes, nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding, shall pierce a jot. there's gold to pay soldiers: make large confusion; and, thy fury spent, confounded be thyself! speak not, be gone. alcibiades hast thou gold yet? i'll take the gold thou givest me, not all thy counsel. timon dost thou, or dost thou not, heaven's curse upon thee! phrynia | | give us some gold, good timon: hast thou more? timandra | timon enough to make a whore forswear her trade, and to make whores, a bawd. hold up, you sluts, your aprons mountant: you are not oathable, although, i know, you 'll swear, terribly swear into strong shudders and to heavenly agues the immortal gods that hear you,--spare your oaths, i'll trust to your conditions: be whores still; and he whose pious breath seeks to convert you, be strong in whore, allure him, burn him up; let your close fire predominate his smoke, and be no turncoats: yet may your pains, six months, be quite contrary: and thatch your poor thin roofs with burthens of the dead;--some that were hang'd, no matter:--wear them, betray with them: whore still; paint till a horse may mire upon your face, a pox of wrinkles! phrynia | | well, more gold: what then? timandra | believe't, that we'll do any thing for gold. timon consumptions sow in hollow bones of man; strike their sharp shins, and mar men's spurring. crack the lawyer's voice, that he may never more false title plead, nor sound his quillets shrilly: hoar the flamen, that scolds against the quality of flesh, and not believes himself: down with the nose, down with it flat; take the bridge quite away of him that, his particular to foresee, smells from the general weal: make curl'd-pate ruffians bald; and let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war derive some pain from you: plague all; that your activity may defeat and quell the source of all erection. there's more gold: do you damn others, and let this damn you, and ditches grave you all! phrynia | | more counsel with more money, bounteous timon. timandra | timon more whore, more mischief first; i have given you earnest. alcibiades strike up the drum towards athens! farewell, timon: if i thrive well, i'll visit thee again. timon if i hope well, i'll never see thee more. alcibiades i never did thee harm. timon yes, thou spokest well of me. alcibiades call'st thou that harm? timon men daily find it. get thee away, and take thy beagles with thee. alcibiades we but offend him. strike! [drum beats. exeunt alcibiades, phrynia, and timandra] timon that nature, being sick of man's unkindness, should yet be hungry! common mother, thou, [digging] whose womb unmeasurable, and infinite breast, teems, and feeds all; whose self-same mettle, whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puff'd, engenders the black toad and adder blue, the gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm, with all the abhorred births below crisp heaven whereon hyperion's quickening fire doth shine; yield him, who all thy human sons doth hate, from forth thy plenteous bosom, one poor root! ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb, let it no more bring out ingrateful man! go great with tigers, dragons, wolves, and bears; teem with new monsters, whom thy upward face hath to the marbled mansion all above never presented!--o, a root,--dear thanks!- dry up thy marrows, vines, and plough-torn leas; whereof ungrateful man, with liquorish draughts and morsels unctuous, greases his pure mind, that from it all consideration slips! [enter apemantus] more man? plague, plague! apemantus i was directed hither: men report thou dost affect my manners, and dost use them. timon 'tis, then, because thou dost not keep a dog, whom i would imitate: consumption catch thee! apemantus this is in thee a nature but infected; a poor unmanly melancholy sprung from change of fortune. why this spade? this place? this slave-like habit? and these looks of care? thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft; hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot that ever timon was. shame not these woods, by putting on the cunning of a carper. be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive by that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee, and let his very breath, whom thou'lt observe, blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain, and call it excellent: thou wast told thus; thou gavest thine ears like tapsters that bid welcome to knaves and all approachers: 'tis most just that thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again, rascals should have 't. do not assume my likeness. timon were i like thee, i'ld throw away myself. apemantus thou hast cast away thyself, being like thyself; a madman so long, now a fool. what, think'st that the bleak air, thy boisterous chamberlain, will put thy shirt on warm? will these moss'd trees, that have outlived the eagle, page thy heels, and skip where thou point'st out? will the cold brook, candied with ice, caudle thy morning taste, to cure thy o'er-night's surfeit? call the creatures whose naked natures live in an the spite of wreakful heaven, whose bare unhoused trunks, to the conflicting elements exposed, answer mere nature; bid them flatter thee; o, thou shalt find- timon a fool of thee: depart. apemantus i love thee better now than e'er i did. timon i hate thee worse. apemantus why? timon thou flatter'st misery. apemantus i flatter not; but say thou art a caitiff. timon why dost thou seek me out? apemantus to vex thee. timon always a villain's office or a fool's. dost please thyself in't? apemantus ay. timon what! a knave too? apemantus if thou didst put this sour-cold habit on to castigate thy pride, 'twere well: but thou dost it enforcedly; thou'ldst courtier be again, wert thou not beggar. willing misery outlives encertain pomp, is crown'd before: the one is filling still, never complete; the other, at high wish: best state, contentless, hath a distracted and most wretched being, worse than the worst, content. thou shouldst desire to die, being miserable. timon not by his breath that is more miserable. thou art a slave, whom fortune's tender arm with favour never clasp'd; but bred a dog. hadst thou, like us from our first swath, proceeded the sweet degrees that this brief world affords to such as may the passive drugs of it freely command, thou wouldst have plunged thyself in general riot; melted down thy youth in different beds of lust; and never learn'd the icy precepts of respect, but follow'd the sugar'd game before thee. but myself, who had the world as my confectionary, the mouths, the tongues, the eyes and hearts of men at duty, more than i could frame employment, that numberless upon me stuck as leaves do on the oak, hive with one winter's brush fell from their boughs and left me open, bare for every storm that blows: i, to bear this, that never knew but better, is some burden: thy nature did commence in sufferance, time hath made thee hard in't. why shouldst thou hate men? they never flatter'd thee: what hast thou given? if thou wilt curse, thy father, that poor rag, must be thy subject, who in spite put stuff to some she beggar and compounded thee poor rogue hereditary. hence, be gone! if thou hadst not been born the worst of men, thou hadst been a knave and flatterer. apemantus art thou proud yet? timon ay, that i am not thee. apemantus i, that i was no prodigal. timon i, that i am one now: were all the wealth i have shut up in thee, i'ld give thee leave to hang it. get thee gone. that the whole life of athens were in this! thus would i eat it. [eating a root] apemantus here; i will mend thy feast. [offering him a root] timon first mend my company, take away thyself. apemantus so i shall mend mine own, by the lack of thine. timon 'tis not well mended so, it is but botch'd; if not, i would it were. apemantus what wouldst thou have to athens? timon thee thither in a whirlwind. if thou wilt, tell them there i have gold; look, so i have. apemantus here is no use for gold. timon the best and truest; for here it sleeps, and does no hired harm. apemantus where liest o' nights, timon? timon under that's above me. where feed'st thou o' days, apemantus? apemantus where my stomach finds meat; or, rather, where i eat it. timon would poison were obedient and knew my mind! apemantus where wouldst thou send it? timon to sauce thy dishes. apemantus the middle of humanity thou never knewest, but the extremity of both ends: when thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much curiosity; in thy rags thou knowest none, but art despised for the contrary. there's a medlar for thee, eat it. timon on what i hate i feed not. apemantus dost hate a medlar? timon ay, though it look like thee. apemantus an thou hadst hated meddlers sooner, thou shouldst have loved thyself better now. what man didst thou ever know unthrift that was beloved after his means? timon who, without those means thou talkest of, didst thou ever know beloved? apemantus myself. timon i understand thee; thou hadst some means to keep a dog. apemantus what things in the world canst thou nearest compare to thy flatterers? timon women nearest; but men, men are the things themselves. what wouldst thou do with the world, apemantus, if it lay in thy power? apemantus give it the beasts, to be rid of the men. timon wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men, and remain a beast with the beasts? apemantus ay, timon. timon a beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee t' attain to! if thou wert the lion, the fox would beguile thee; if thou wert the lamb, the fox would eat three: if thou wert the fox, the lion would suspect thee, when peradventure thou wert accused by the ass: if thou wert the ass, thy dulness would torment thee, and still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf: if thou wert the wolf, thy greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner: wert thou the unicorn, pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury: wert thou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by the horse: wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by the leopard: wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life: all thy safety were remotion and thy defence absence. what beast couldst thou be, that were not subject to a beast? and what a beast art thou already, that seest not thy loss in transformation! apemantus if thou couldst please me with speaking to me, thou mightst have hit upon it here: the commonwealth of athens is become a forest of beasts. timon how has the ass broke the wall, that thou art out of the city? apemantus yonder comes a poet and a painter: the plague of company light upon thee! i will fear to catch it and give way: when i know not what else to do, i'll see thee again. timon when there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be welcome. i had rather be a beggar's dog than apemantus. apemantus thou art the cap of all the fools alive. timon would thou wert clean enough to spit upon! apemantus a plague on thee! thou art too bad to curse. timon all villains that do stand by thee are pure. apemantus there is no leprosy but what thou speak'st. timon if i name thee. i'll beat thee, but i should infect my hands. apemantus i would my tongue could rot them off! timon away, thou issue of a mangy dog! choler does kill me that thou art alive; i swound to see thee. apemantus would thou wouldst burst! timon away, thou tedious rogue! i am sorry i shall lose a stone by thee. [throws a stone at him] apemantus beast! timon slave! apemantus toad! timon rogue, rogue, rogue! i am sick of this false world, and will love nought but even the mere necessities upon 't. then, timon, presently prepare thy grave; lie where the light foam the sea may beat thy grave-stone daily: make thine epitaph, that death in me at others' lives may laugh. [to the gold] o thou sweet king-killer, and dear divorce 'twixt natural son and sire! thou bright defiler of hymen's purest bed! thou valiant mars! thou ever young, fresh, loved and delicate wooer, whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow that lies on dian's lap! thou visible god, that solder'st close impossibilities, and makest them kiss! that speak'st with every tongue, to every purpose! o thou touch of hearts! think, thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue set them into confounding odds, that beasts may have the world in empire! apemantus would 'twere so! but not till i am dead. i'll say thou'st gold: thou wilt be throng'd to shortly. timon throng'd to! apemantus ay. timon thy back, i prithee. apemantus live, and love thy misery. timon long live so, and so die. [exit apemantus] i am quit. moe things like men! eat, timon, and abhor them. [enter banditti] first bandit where should he have this gold? it is some poor fragment, some slender sort of his remainder: the mere want of gold, and the falling-from of his friends, drove him into this melancholy. second bandit it is noised he hath a mass of treasure. third bandit let us make the assay upon him: if he care not for't, he will supply us easily; if he covetously reserve it, how shall's get it? second bandit true; for he bears it not about him, 'tis hid. first bandit is not this he? banditti where? second bandit 'tis his description. third bandit he; i know him. banditti save thee, timon. timon now, thieves? banditti soldiers, not thieves. timon both too; and women's sons. banditti we are not thieves, but men that much do want. timon your greatest want is, you want much of meat. why should you want? behold, the earth hath roots; within this mile break forth a hundred springs; the oaks bear mast, the briers scarlet hips; the bounteous housewife, nature, on each bush lays her full mess before you. want! why want? first bandit we cannot live on grass, on berries, water, as beasts and birds and fishes. timon nor on the beasts themselves, the birds, and fishes; you must eat men. yet thanks i must you con that you are thieves profess'd, that you work not in holier shapes: for there is boundless theft in limited professions. rascal thieves, here's gold. go, suck the subtle blood o' the grape, till the high fever seethe your blood to froth, and so 'scape hanging: trust not the physician; his antidotes are poison, and he slays moe than you rob: take wealth and lives together; do villany, do, since you protest to do't, like workmen. i'll example you with thievery. the sun's a thief, and with his great attraction robs the vast sea: the moon's an arrant thief, and her pale fire she snatches from the sun: the sea's a thief, whose liquid surge resolves the moon into salt tears: the earth's a thief, that feeds and breeds by a composture stolen from general excrement: each thing's a thief: the laws, your curb and whip, in their rough power have uncheque'd theft. love not yourselves: away, rob one another. there's more gold. cut throats: all that you meet are thieves: to athens go, break open shops; nothing can you steal, but thieves do lose it: steal no less for this i give you; and gold confound you howsoe'er! amen. third bandit has almost charmed me from my profession, by persuading me to it. first bandit 'tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises us; not to have us thrive in our mystery. second bandit i'll believe him as an enemy, and give over my trade. first bandit let us first see peace in athens: there is no time so miserable but a man may be true. [exeunt banditti] [enter flavius] flavius o you gods! is yond despised and ruinous man my lord? full of decay and failing? o monument and wonder of good deeds evilly bestow'd! what an alteration of honour has desperate want made! what viler thing upon the earth than friends who can bring noblest minds to basest ends! how rarely does it meet with this time's guise, when man was wish'd to love his enemies! grant i may ever love, and rather woo those that would mischief me than those that do! has caught me in his eye: i will present my honest grief unto him; and, as my lord, still serve him with my life. my dearest master! timon away! what art thou? flavius have you forgot me, sir? timon why dost ask that? i have forgot all men; then, if thou grant'st thou'rt a man, i have forgot thee. flavius an honest poor servant of yours. timon then i know thee not: i never had honest man about me, i; all i kept were knaves, to serve in meat to villains. flavius the gods are witness, ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief for his undone lord than mine eyes for you. timon what, dost thou weep? come nearer. then i love thee, because thou art a woman, and disclaim'st flinty mankind; whose eyes do never give but thorough lust and laughter. pity's sleeping: strange times, that weep with laughing, not with weeping! flavius i beg of you to know me, good my lord, to accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts to entertain me as your steward still. timon had i a steward so true, so just, and now so comfortable? it almost turns my dangerous nature mild. let me behold thy face. surely, this man was born of woman. forgive my general and exceptless rashness, you perpetual-sober gods! i do proclaim one honest man--mistake me not--but one; no more, i pray,--and he's a steward. how fain would i have hated all mankind! and thou redeem'st thyself: but all, save thee, i fell with curses. methinks thou art more honest now than wise; for, by oppressing and betraying me, thou mightst have sooner got another service: for many so arrive at second masters, upon their first lord's neck. but tell me true- for i must ever doubt, though ne'er so sure- is not thy kindness subtle, covetous, if not a usuring kindness, and, as rich men deal gifts, expecting in return twenty for one? flavius no, my most worthy master; in whose breast doubt and suspect, alas, are placed too late: you should have fear'd false times when you did feast: suspect still comes where an estate is least. that which i show, heaven knows, is merely love, duty and zeal to your unmatched mind, care of your food and living; and, believe it, my most honour'd lord, for any benefit that points to me, either in hope or present, i'ld exchange for this one wish, that you had power and wealth to requite me, by making rich yourself. timon look thee, 'tis so! thou singly honest man, here, take: the gods out of my misery have sent thee treasure. go, live rich and happy; but thus condition'd: thou shalt build from men; hate all, curse all, show charity to none, but let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone, ere thou relieve the beggar; give to dogs what thou deny'st to men; let prisons swallow 'em, debts wither 'em to nothing; be men like blasted woods, and may diseases lick up their false bloods! and so farewell and thrive. flavius o, let me stay, and comfort you, my master. timon if thou hatest curses, stay not; fly, whilst thou art blest and free: ne'er see thou man, and let me ne'er see thee. [exit flavius. timon retires to his cave] timon of athens act v scene i the woods. before timon's cave. [enter poet and painter; timon watching them from his cave] painter as i took note of the place, it cannot be far where he abides. poet what's to be thought of him? does the rumour hold for true, that he's so full of gold? painter certain: alcibiades reports it; phrynia and timandra had gold of him: he likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity: 'tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum. poet then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends. painter nothing else: you shall see him a palm in athens again, and flourish with the highest. therefore 'tis not amiss we tender our loves to him, in this supposed distress of his: it will show honestly in us; and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travail for, if it be a just true report that goes of his having. poet what have you now to present unto him? painter nothing at this time but my visitation: only i will promise him an excellent piece. poet i must serve him so too, tell him of an intent that's coming toward him. painter good as the best. promising is the very air o' the time: it opens the eyes of expectation: performance is ever the duller for his act; and, but in the plainer and simpler kind of people, the deed of saying is quite out of use. to promise is most courtly and fashionable: performance is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it. [timon comes from his cave, behind] timon [aside] excellent workman! thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself. poet i am thinking what i shall say i have provided for him: it must be a personating of himself; a satire against the softness of prosperity, with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency. timon [aside] must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work? wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men? do so, i have gold for thee. poet nay, let's seek him: then do we sin against our own estate, when we may profit meet, and come too late. painter true; when the day serves, before black-corner'd night, find what thou want'st by free and offer'd light. come. timon [aside] i'll meet you at the turn. what a god's gold, that he is worshipp'd in a baser temple than where swine feed! 'tis thou that rigg'st the bark and plough'st the foam, settlest admired reverence in a slave: to thee be worship! and thy saints for aye be crown'd with plagues that thee alone obey! fit i meet them. [coming forward] poet hail, worthy timon! painter our late noble master! timon have i once lived to see two honest men? poet sir, having often of your open bounty tasted, hearing you were retired, your friends fall'n off, whose thankless natures--o abhorred spirits!- not all the whips of heaven are large enough: what! to you, whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence to their whole being! i am rapt and cannot cover the monstrous bulk of this ingratitude with any size of words. timon let it go naked, men may see't the better: you that are honest, by being what you are, make them best seen and known. painter he and myself have travail'd in the great shower of your gifts, and sweetly felt it. timon ay, you are honest men. painter we are hither come to offer you our service. timon most honest men! why, how shall i requite you? can you eat roots, and drink cold water? no. both what we can do, we'll do, to do you service. timon ye're honest men: ye've heard that i have gold; i am sure you have: speak truth; ye're honest men. painter so it is said, my noble lord; but therefore came not my friend nor i. timon good honest men! thou draw'st a counterfeit best in all athens: thou'rt, indeed, the best; thou counterfeit'st most lively. painter so, so, my lord. timon e'en so, sir, as i say. and, for thy fiction, why, thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth that thou art even natural in thine art. but, for all this, my honest-natured friends, i must needs say you have a little fault: marry, 'tis not monstrous in you, neither wish i you take much pains to mend. both beseech your honour to make it known to us. timon you'll take it ill. both most thankfully, my lord. timon will you, indeed? both doubt it not, worthy lord. timon there's never a one of you but trusts a knave, that mightily deceives you. both do we, my lord? timon ay, and you hear him cog, see him dissemble, know his gross patchery, love him, feed him, keep in your bosom: yet remain assured that he's a made-up villain. painter i know none such, my lord. poet nor i. timon look you, i love you well; i'll give you gold, rid me these villains from your companies: hang them or stab them, drown them in a draught, confound them by some course, and come to me, i'll give you gold enough. both name them, my lord, let's know them. timon you that way and you this, but two in company; each man apart, all single and alone, yet an arch-villain keeps him company. if where thou art two villains shall not be, come not near him. if thou wouldst not reside but where one villain is, then him abandon. hence, pack! there's gold; you came for gold, ye slaves: [to painter] you have work'd for me; there's payment for you: hence! [to poet] you are an alchemist; make gold of that. out, rascal dogs! [beats them out, and then retires to his cave] [enter flavius and two senators] flavius it is in vain that you would speak with timon; for he is set so only to himself that nothing but himself which looks like man is friendly with him. first senator bring us to his cave: it is our part and promise to the athenians to speak with timon. second senator at all times alike men are not still the same: 'twas time and griefs that framed him thus: time, with his fairer hand, offering the fortunes of his former days, the former man may make him. bring us to him, and chance it as it may. flavius here is his cave. peace and content be here! lord timon! timon! look out, and speak to friends: the athenians, by two of their most reverend senate, greet thee: speak to them, noble timon. [timon comes from his cave] timon thou sun, that comfort'st, burn! speak, and be hang'd: for each true word, a blister! and each false be as cauterizing to the root o' the tongue, consuming it with speaking! first senator worthy timon,- timon of none but such as you, and you of timon. first senator the senators of athens greet thee, timon. timon i thank them; and would send them back the plague, could i but catch it for them. first senator o, forget what we are sorry for ourselves in thee. the senators with one consent of love entreat thee back to athens; who have thought on special dignities, which vacant lie for thy best use and wearing. second senator they confess toward thee forgetfulness too general, gross: which now the public body, which doth seldom play the recanter, feeling in itself a lack of timon's aid, hath sense withal of its own fail, restraining aid to timon; and send forth us, to make their sorrow'd render, together with a recompense more fruitful than their offence can weigh down by the dram; ay, even such heaps and sums of love and wealth as shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs and write in thee the figures of their love, ever to read them thine. timon you witch me in it; surprise me to the very brink of tears: lend me a fool's heart and a woman's eyes, and i'll beweep these comforts, worthy senators. first senator therefore, so please thee to return with us and of our athens, thine and ours, to take the captainship, thou shalt be met with thanks, allow'd with absolute power and thy good name live with authority: so soon we shall drive back of alcibiades the approaches wild, who, like a boar too savage, doth root up his country's peace. second senator and shakes his threatening sword against the walls of athens. first senator therefore, timon,- timon well, sir, i will; therefore, i will, sir; thus: if alcibiades kill my countrymen, let alcibiades know this of timon, that timon cares not. but if be sack fair athens, and take our goodly aged men by the beards, giving our holy virgins to the stain of contumelious, beastly, mad-brain'd war, then let him know, and tell him timon speaks it, in pity of our aged and our youth, i cannot choose but tell him, that i care not, and let him take't at worst; for their knives care not, while you have throats to answer: for myself, there's not a whittle in the unruly camp but i do prize it at my love before the reverend'st throat in athens. so i leave you to the protection of the prosperous gods, as thieves to keepers. flavius stay not, all's in vain. timon why, i was writing of my epitaph; it will be seen to-morrow: my long sickness of health and living now begins to mend, and nothing brings me all things. go, live still; be alcibiades your plague, you his, and last so long enough! first senator we speak in vain. timon but yet i love my country, and am not one that rejoices in the common wreck, as common bruit doth put it. first senator that's well spoke. timon commend me to my loving countrymen,- first senator these words become your lips as they pass thorough them. second senator and enter in our ears like great triumphers in their applauding gates. timon commend me to them, and tell them that, to ease them of their griefs, their fears of hostile strokes, their aches, losses, their pangs of love, with other incident throes that nature's fragile vessel doth sustain in life's uncertain voyage, i will some kindness do them: i'll teach them to prevent wild alcibiades' wrath. first senator i like this well; he will return again. timon i have a tree, which grows here in my close, that mine own use invites me to cut down, and shortly must i fell it: tell my friends, tell athens, in the sequence of degree from high to low throughout, that whoso please to stop affliction, let him take his haste, come hither, ere my tree hath felt the axe, and hang himself. i pray you, do my greeting. flavius trouble him no further; thus you still shall find him. timon come not to me again: but say to athens, timon hath made his everlasting mansion upon the beached verge of the salt flood; who once a day with his embossed froth the turbulent surge shall cover: thither come, and let my grave-stone be your oracle. lips, let sour words go by and language end: what is amiss plague and infection mend! graves only be men's works and death their gain! sun, hide thy beams! timon hath done his reign. [retires to his cave] first senator his discontents are unremoveably coupled to nature. second senator our hope in him is dead: let us return, and strain what other means is left unto us in our dear peril. first senator it requires swift foot. [exeunt] timon of athens act v scene ii before the walls of athens. [enter two senators and a messenger] first senator thou hast painfully discover'd: are his files as full as thy report? messenger have spoke the least: besides, his expedition promises present approach. second senator we stand much hazard, if they bring not timon. messenger i met a courier, one mine ancient friend; whom, though in general part we were opposed, yet our old love made a particular force, and made us speak like friends: this man was riding from alcibiades to timon's cave, with letters of entreaty, which imported his fellowship i' the cause against your city, in part for his sake moved. first senator here come our brothers. [enter the senators from timon] third senator no talk of timon, nothing of him expect. the enemies' drum is heard, and fearful scouring doth choke the air with dust: in, and prepare: ours is the fall, i fear; our foes the snare. [exeunt] timon of athens act v scene iii the woods. timon's cave, and a rude tomb seen. [enter a soldier, seeking timon] soldier by all description this should be the place. who's here? speak, ho! no answer! what is this? timon is dead, who hath outstretch'd his span: some beast rear'd this; there does not live a man. dead, sure; and this his grave. what's on this tomb i cannot read; the character i'll take with wax: our captain hath in every figure skill, an aged interpreter, though young in days: before proud athens he's set down by this, whose fall the mark of his ambition is. [exit] timon of athens act v scene iv before the walls of athens. [trumpets sound. enter alcibiades with his powers] alcibiades sound to this coward and lascivious town our terrible approach. [a parley sounded] [enter senators on the walls] till now you have gone on and fill'd the time with all licentious measure, making your wills the scope of justice; till now myself and such as slept within the shadow of your power have wander'd with our traversed arms and breathed our sufferance vainly: now the time is flush, when crouching marrow in the bearer strong cries of itself 'no more:' now breathless wrong shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease, and pursy insolence shall break his wind with fear and horrid flight. first senator noble and young, when thy first griefs were but a mere conceit, ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear, we sent to thee, to give thy rages balm, to wipe out our ingratitude with loves above their quantity. second senator so did we woo transformed timon to our city's love by humble message and by promised means: we were not all unkind, nor all deserve the common stroke of war. first senator these walls of ours were not erected by their hands from whom you have received your griefs; nor are they such that these great towers, trophies and schools should fall for private faults in them. second senator nor are they living who were the motives that you first went out; shame that they wanted cunning, in excess hath broke their hearts. march, noble lord, into our city with thy banners spread: by decimation, and a tithed death- if thy revenges hunger for that food which nature loathes--take thou the destined tenth, and by the hazard of the spotted die let die the spotted. first senator all have not offended; for those that were, it is not square to take on those that are, revenges: crimes, like lands, are not inherited. then, dear countryman, bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage: spare thy athenian cradle and those kin which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall with those that have offended: like a shepherd, approach the fold and cull the infected forth, but kill not all together. second senator what thou wilt, thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile than hew to't with thy sword. first senator set but thy foot against our rampired gates, and they shall ope; so thou wilt send thy gentle heart before, to say thou'lt enter friendly. second senator throw thy glove, or any token of thine honour else, that thou wilt use the wars as thy redress and not as our confusion, all thy powers shall make their harbour in our town, till we have seal'd thy full desire. alcibiades then there's my glove; descend, and open your uncharged ports: those enemies of timon's and mine own whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof fall and no more: and, to atone your fears with my more noble meaning, not a man shall pass his quarter, or offend the stream of regular justice in your city's bounds, but shall be render'd to your public laws at heaviest answer. both 'tis most nobly spoken. alcibiades descend, and keep your words. [the senators descend, and open the gates] [enter soldier] soldier my noble general, timon is dead; entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea; and on his grave-stone this insculpture, which with wax i brought away, whose soft impression interprets for my poor ignorance. alcibiades [reads the epitaph] 'here lies a wretched corse, of wretched soul bereft: seek not my name: a plague consume you wicked caitiffs left! here lie i, timon; who, alive, all living men did hate: pass by and curse thy fill, but pass and stay not here thy gait.' these well express in thee thy latter spirits: though thou abhorr'dst in us our human griefs, scorn'dst our brain's flow and those our droplets which from niggard nature fall, yet rich conceit taught thee to make vast neptune weep for aye on thy low grave, on faults forgiven. dead is noble timon: of whose memory hereafter more. bring me into your city, and i will use the olive with my sword, make war breed peace, make peace stint war, make each prescribe to other as each other's leech. let our drums strike. [exeunt] julius caesar dramatis personae julius caesar (caesar:) octavius caesar (octavius:) | | marcus antonius (antony:) | triumvirs after death of julius caesar. | m. aemilius | lepidus (lepidus:) | cicero | | publius | senators. | popilius lena (popilius:) | marcus brutus (brutus:) | | cassius | | casca | | trebonius | | conspirators against julius caesar. ligarius | | decius brutus | | metellus cimber | | cinna | flavius | | tribunes. marullus | artemidorus of cnidos a teacher of rhetoric. (artemidorus:) a soothsayer (soothsayer:) cinna a poet. (cinna the poet:) another poet (poet:) lucilius | | titinius | | messala | friends to brutus and cassius. | young cato (cato:) | | volumnius | varro | | clitus | | claudius | | servants to brutus. strato | | lucius | | dardanius | pindarus servant to cassius. calpurnia wife to caesar. portia wife to brutus. senators, citizens, guards, attendants, &c. (first citizen:) (second citizen:) (third citizen:) (fourth citizen:) (first commoner:) (second commoner:) (servant:) (first soldier:) (second soldier:) (third soldier:) (messenger:) scene rome: the neighbourhood of sardis: the neighbourhood of philippi. julius caesar act i scene i rome. a street. [enter flavius, marullus, and certain commoners] flavius hence! home, you idle creatures get you home: is this a holiday? what! know you not, being mechanical, you ought not walk upon a labouring day without the sign of your profession? speak, what trade art thou? first commoner why, sir, a carpenter. marullus where is thy leather apron and thy rule? what dost thou with thy best apparel on? you, sir, what trade are you? second commoner truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, i am but, as you would say, a cobbler. marullus but what trade art thou? answer me directly. second commoner a trade, sir, that, i hope, i may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. marullus what trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade? second commoner nay, i beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be out, sir, i can mend you. marullus what meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow! second commoner why, sir, cobble you. flavius thou art a cobbler, art thou? second commoner truly, sir, all that i live by is with the awl: i meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters, but with awl. i am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, i recover them. as proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork. flavius but wherefore art not in thy shop today? why dost thou lead these men about the streets? second commoner truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. but, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see caesar and to rejoice in his triumph. marullus wherefore rejoice? what conquest brings he home? what tributaries follow him to rome, to grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels? you blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! o you hard hearts, you cruel men of rome, knew you not pompey? many a time and oft have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, to towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, your infants in your arms, and there have sat the livelong day, with patient expectation, to see great pompey pass the streets of rome: and when you saw his chariot but appear, have you not made an universal shout, that tiber trembled underneath her banks, to hear the replication of your sounds made in her concave shores? and do you now put on your best attire? and do you now cull out a holiday? and do you now strew flowers in his way that comes in triumph over pompey's blood? be gone! run to your houses, fall upon your knees, pray to the gods to intermit the plague that needs must light on this ingratitude. flavius go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, assemble all the poor men of your sort; draw them to tiber banks, and weep your tears into the channel, till the lowest stream do kiss the most exalted shores of all. [exeunt all the commoners] see whether their basest metal be not moved; they vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. go you down that way towards the capitol; this way will i disrobe the images, if you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. marullus may we do so? you know it is the feast of lupercal. flavius it is no matter; let no images be hung with caesar's trophies. i'll about, and drive away the vulgar from the streets: so do you too, where you perceive them thick. these growing feathers pluck'd from caesar's wing will make him fly an ordinary pitch, who else would soar above the view of men and keep us all in servile fearfulness. [exeunt] julius caesar act i scene ii a public place. [flourish. enter caesar; antony, for the course; calpurnia, portia, decius brutus, cicero, brutus, cassius, and casca; a great crowd following, among them a soothsayer] caesar calpurnia! casca peace, ho! caesar speaks. caesar calpurnia! calpurnia here, my lord. caesar stand you directly in antonius' way, when he doth run his course. antonius! antony caesar, my lord? caesar forget not, in your speed, antonius, to touch calpurnia; for our elders say, the barren, touched in this holy chase, shake off their sterile curse. antony i shall remember: when caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd. caesar set on; and leave no ceremony out. [flourish] soothsayer caesar! caesar ha! who calls? casca bid every noise be still: peace yet again! caesar who is it in the press that calls on me? i hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, cry 'caesar!' speak; caesar is turn'd to hear. soothsayer beware the ides of march. caesar what man is that? brutus a soothsayer bids you beware the ides of march. caesar set him before me; let me see his face. cassius fellow, come from the throng; look upon caesar. caesar what say'st thou to me now? speak once again. soothsayer beware the ides of march. caesar he is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. [sennet. exeunt all except brutus and cassius] cassius will you go see the order of the course? brutus not i. cassius i pray you, do. brutus i am not gamesome: i do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in antony. let me not hinder, cassius, your desires; i'll leave you. cassius brutus, i do observe you now of late: i have not from your eyes that gentleness and show of love as i was wont to have: you bear too stubborn and too strange a hand over your friend that loves you. brutus cassius, be not deceived: if i have veil'd my look, i turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself. vexed i am of late with passions of some difference, conceptions only proper to myself, which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; but let not therefore my good friends be grieved- among which number, cassius, be you one- nor construe any further my neglect, than that poor brutus, with himself at war, forgets the shows of love to other men. cassius then, brutus, i have much mistook your passion; by means whereof this breast of mine hath buried thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. tell me, good brutus, can you see your face? brutus no, cassius; for the eye sees not itself, but by reflection, by some other things. cassius 'tis just: and it is very much lamented, brutus, that you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. i have heard, where many of the best respect in rome, except immortal caesar, speaking of brutus and groaning underneath this age's yoke, have wish'd that noble brutus had his eyes. brutus into what dangers would you lead me, cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me? cassius therefore, good brutus, be prepared to hear: and since you know you cannot see yourself so well as by reflection, i, your glass, will modestly discover to yourself that of yourself which you yet know not of. and be not jealous on me, gentle brutus: were i a common laugher, or did use to stale with ordinary oaths my love to every new protester; if you know that i do fawn on men and hug them hard and after scandal them, or if you know that i profess myself in banqueting to all the rout, then hold me dangerous. [flourish, and shout] brutus what means this shouting? i do fear, the people choose caesar for their king. cassius ay, do you fear it? then must i think you would not have it so. brutus i would not, cassius; yet i love him well. but wherefore do you hold me here so long? what is it that you would impart to me? if it be aught toward the general good, set honour in one eye and death i' the other, and i will look on both indifferently, for let the gods so speed me as i love the name of honour more than i fear death. cassius i know that virtue to be in you, brutus, as well as i do know your outward favour. well, honour is the subject of my story. i cannot tell what you and other men think of this life; but, for my single self, i had as lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as i myself. i was born free as caesar; so were you: we both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter's cold as well as he: for once, upon a raw and gusty day, the troubled tiber chafing with her shores, caesar said to me 'darest thou, cassius, now leap in with me into this angry flood, and swim to yonder point?' upon the word, accoutred as i was, i plunged in and bade him follow; so indeed he did. the torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it with lusty sinews, throwing it aside and stemming it with hearts of controversy; but ere we could arrive the point proposed, caesar cried 'help me, cassius, or i sink!' i, as aeneas, our great ancestor, did from the flames of troy upon his shoulder the old anchises bear, so from the waves of tiber did i the tired caesar. and this man is now become a god, and cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body, if caesar carelessly but nod on him. he had a fever when he was in spain, and when the fit was on him, i did mark how he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake; his coward lips did from their colour fly, and that same eye whose bend doth awe the world did lose his lustre: i did hear him groan: ay, and that tongue of his that bade the romans mark him and write his speeches in their books, alas, it cried 'give me some drink, titinius,' as a sick girl. ye gods, it doth amaze me a man of such a feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone. [shout. flourish] brutus another general shout! i do believe that these applauses are for some new honours that are heap'd on caesar. cassius why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonourable graves. men at some time are masters of their fates: the fault, dear brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. brutus and caesar: what should be in that 'caesar'? why should that name be sounded more than yours? write them together, yours is as fair a name; sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, brutus will start a spirit as soon as caesar. now, in the names of all the gods at once, upon what meat doth this our caesar feed, that he is grown so great? age, thou art shamed! rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! when went there by an age, since the great flood, but it was famed with more than with one man? when could they say till now, that talk'd of rome, that her wide walls encompass'd but one man? now is it rome indeed and room enough, when there is in it but one only man. o, you and i have heard our fathers say, there was a brutus once that would have brook'd the eternal devil to keep his state in rome as easily as a king. brutus that you do love me, i am nothing jealous; what you would work me to, i have some aim: how i have thought of this and of these times, i shall recount hereafter; for this present, i would not, so with love i might entreat you, be any further moved. what you have said i will consider; what you have to say i will with patience hear, and find a time both meet to hear and answer such high things. till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: brutus had rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of rome under these hard conditions as this time is like to lay upon us. cassius i am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from brutus. brutus the games are done and caesar is returning. cassius as they pass by, pluck casca by the sleeve; and he will, after his sour fashion, tell you what hath proceeded worthy note to-day. [re-enter caesar and his train] brutus i will do so. but, look you, cassius, the angry spot doth glow on caesar's brow, and all the rest look like a chidden train: calpurnia's cheek is pale; and cicero looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes as we have seen him in the capitol, being cross'd in conference by some senators. cassius casca will tell us what the matter is. caesar antonius! antony caesar? caesar let me have men about me that are fat; sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: yond cassius has a lean and hungry look; he thinks too much: such men are dangerous. antony fear him not, caesar; he's not dangerous; he is a noble roman and well given. caesar would he were fatter! but i fear him not: yet if my name were liable to fear, i do not know the man i should avoid so soon as that spare cassius. he reads much; he is a great observer and he looks quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays, as thou dost, antony; he hears no music; seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort as if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit that could be moved to smile at any thing. such men as he be never at heart's ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous. i rather tell thee what is to be fear'd than what i fear; for always i am caesar. come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, and tell me truly what thou think'st of him. [sennet. exeunt caesar and all his train, but casca] casca you pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me? brutus ay, casca; tell us what hath chanced to-day, that caesar looks so sad. casca why, you were with him, were you not? brutus i should not then ask casca what had chanced. casca why, there was a crown offered him: and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. brutus what was the second noise for? casca why, for that too. cassius they shouted thrice: what was the last cry for? casca why, for that too. brutus was the crown offered him thrice? casca ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other, and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted. cassius who offered him the crown? casca why, antony. brutus tell us the manner of it, gentle casca. casca i can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; i did not mark it. i saw mark antony offer him a crown;--yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these coronets;--and, as i told you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. then he offered it to him again; then he put it by again: but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. and then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by: and still as he refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their chapped hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked caesar; for he swounded and fell down at it: and for mine own part, i durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. cassius but, soft, i pray you: what, did caesar swound? casca he fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless. brutus 'tis very like: he hath the failing sickness. cassius no, caesar hath it not; but you and i, and honest casca, we have the falling sickness. casca i know not what you mean by that; but, i am sure, caesar fell down. if the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, i am no true man. brutus what said he when he came unto himself? casca marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. an i had been a man of any occupation, if i would not have taken him at a word, i would i might go to hell among the rogues. and so he fell. when he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said any thing amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. three or four wenches, where i stood, cried 'alas, good soul!' and forgave him with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken of them; if caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less. brutus and after that, he came, thus sad, away? casca ay. cassius did cicero say any thing? casca ay, he spoke greek. cassius to what effect? casca nay, an i tell you that, ill ne'er look you i' the face again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was greek to me. i could tell you more news too: marullus and flavius, for pulling scarfs off caesar's images, are put to silence. fare you well. there was more foolery yet, if i could remember it. cassius will you sup with me to-night, casca? casca no, i am promised forth. cassius will you dine with me to-morrow? casca ay, if i be alive and your mind hold and your dinner worth the eating. cassius good: i will expect you. casca do so. farewell, both. [exit] brutus what a blunt fellow is this grown to be! he was quick mettle when he went to school. cassius so is he now in execution of any bold or noble enterprise, however he puts on this tardy form. this rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, which gives men stomach to digest his words with better appetite. brutus and so it is. for this time i will leave you: to-morrow, if you please to speak with me, i will come home to you; or, if you will, come home to me, and i will wait for you. cassius i will do so: till then, think of the world. [exit brutus] well, brutus, thou art noble; yet, i see, thy honourable metal may be wrought from that it is disposed: therefore it is meet that noble minds keep ever with their likes; for who so firm that cannot be seduced? caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves brutus: if i were brutus now and he were cassius, he should not humour me. i will this night, in several hands, in at his windows throw, as if they came from several citizens, writings all tending to the great opinion that rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely caesar's ambition shall be glanced at: and after this let caesar seat him sure; for we will shake him, or worse days endure. [exit] julius caesar act i scene iii the same. a street. [thunder and lightning. enter from opposite sides, casca, with his sword drawn, and cicero] cicero good even, casca: brought you caesar home? why are you breathless? and why stare you so? casca are not you moved, when all the sway of earth shakes like a thing unfirm? o cicero, i have seen tempests, when the scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks, and i have seen the ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, to be exalted with the threatening clouds: but never till to-night, never till now, did i go through a tempest dropping fire. either there is a civil strife in heaven, or else the world, too saucy with the gods, incenses them to send destruction. cicero why, saw you any thing more wonderful? casca a common slave--you know him well by sight- held up his left hand, which did flame and burn like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand, not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd. besides--i ha' not since put up my sword- against the capitol i met a lion, who glared upon me, and went surly by, without annoying me: and there were drawn upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, transformed with their fear; who swore they saw men all in fire walk up and down the streets. and yesterday the bird of night did sit even at noon-day upon the market-place, hooting and shrieking. when these prodigies do so conjointly meet, let not men say 'these are their reasons; they are natural;' for, i believe, they are portentous things unto the climate that they point upon. cicero indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: but men may construe things after their fashion, clean from the purpose of the things themselves. come caesar to the capitol to-morrow? casca he doth; for he did bid antonius send word to you he would be there to-morrow. cicero good night then, casca: this disturbed sky is not to walk in. casca farewell, cicero. [exit cicero] [enter cassius] cassius who's there? casca a roman. cassius casca, by your voice. casca your ear is good. cassius, what night is this! cassius a very pleasing night to honest men. casca who ever knew the heavens menace so? cassius those that have known the earth so full of faults. for my part, i have walk'd about the streets, submitting me unto the perilous night, and, thus unbraced, casca, as you see, have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; and when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open the breast of heaven, i did present myself even in the aim and very flash of it. casca but wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? it is the part of men to fear and tremble, when the most mighty gods by tokens send such dreadful heralds to astonish us. cassius you are dull, casca, and those sparks of life that should be in a roman you do want, or else you use not. you look pale and gaze and put on fear and cast yourself in wonder, to see the strange impatience of the heavens: but if you would consider the true cause why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, why birds and beasts from quality and kind, why old men fool and children calculate, why all these things change from their ordinance their natures and preformed faculties to monstrous quality,--why, you shall find that heaven hath infused them with these spirits, to make them instruments of fear and warning unto some monstrous state. now could i, casca, name to thee a man most like this dreadful night, that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars as doth the lion in the capitol, a man no mightier than thyself or me in personal action, yet prodigious grown and fearful, as these strange eruptions are. casca 'tis caesar that you mean; is it not, cassius? cassius let it be who it is: for romans now have thews and limbs like to their ancestors; but, woe the while! our fathers' minds are dead, and we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits; our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. casca indeed, they say the senators tomorrow mean to establish caesar as a king; and he shall wear his crown by sea and land, in every place, save here in italy. cassius i know where i will wear this dagger then; cassius from bondage will deliver cassius: therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat: nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, can be retentive to the strength of spirit; but life, being weary of these worldly bars, never lacks power to dismiss itself. if i know this, know all the world besides, that part of tyranny that i do bear i can shake off at pleasure. [thunder still] casca so can i: so every bondman in his own hand bears the power to cancel his captivity. cassius and why should caesar be a tyrant then? poor man! i know he would not be a wolf, but that he sees the romans are but sheep: he were no lion, were not romans hinds. those that with haste will make a mighty fire begin it with weak straws: what trash is rome, what rubbish and what offal, when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as caesar! but, o grief, where hast thou led me? i perhaps speak this before a willing bondman; then i know my answer must be made. but i am arm'd, and dangers are to me indifferent. casca you speak to casca, and to such a man that is no fleering tell-tale. hold, my hand: be factious for redress of all these griefs, and i will set this foot of mine as far as who goes farthest. cassius there's a bargain made. now know you, casca, i have moved already some certain of the noblest-minded romans to undergo with me an enterprise of honourable-dangerous consequence; and i do know, by this, they stay for me in pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, there is no stir or walking in the streets; and the complexion of the element in favour's like the work we have in hand, most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. casca stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. cassius 'tis cinna; i do know him by his gait; he is a friend. [enter cinna] cinna, where haste you so? cinna to find out you. who's that? metellus cimber? cassius no, it is casca; one incorporate to our attempts. am i not stay'd for, cinna? cinna i am glad on 't. what a fearful night is this! there's two or three of us have seen strange sights. cassius am i not stay'd for? tell me. cinna yes, you are. o cassius, if you could but win the noble brutus to our party- cassius be you content: good cinna, take this paper, and look you lay it in the praetor's chair, where brutus may but find it; and throw this in at his window; set this up with wax upon old brutus' statue: all this done, repair to pompey's porch, where you shall find us. is decius brutus and trebonius there? cinna all but metellus cimber; and he's gone to seek you at your house. well, i will hie, and so bestow these papers as you bade me. cassius that done, repair to pompey's theatre. [exit cinna] come, casca, you and i will yet ere day see brutus at his house: three parts of him is ours already, and the man entire upon the next encounter yields him ours. casca o, he sits high in all the people's hearts: and that which would appear offence in us, his countenance, like richest alchemy, will change to virtue and to worthiness. cassius him and his worth and our great need of him you have right well conceited. let us go, for it is after midnight; and ere day we will awake him and be sure of him. [exeunt] julius caesar act ii scene i rome. brutus's orchard. [enter brutus] brutus what, lucius, ho! i cannot, by the progress of the stars, give guess how near to day. lucius, i say! i would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. when, lucius, when? awake, i say! what, lucius! [enter lucius] lucius call'd you, my lord? brutus get me a taper in my study, lucius: when it is lighted, come and call me here. lucius i will, my lord. [exit] brutus it must be by his death: and for my part, i know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general. he would be crown'd: how that might change his nature, there's the question. it is the bright day that brings forth the adder; and that craves wary walking. crown him?--that;- and then, i grant, we put a sting in him, that at his will he may do danger with. the abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins remorse from power: and, to speak truth of caesar, i have not known when his affections sway'd more than his reason. but 'tis a common proof, that lowliness is young ambition's ladder, whereto the climber-upward turns his face; but when he once attains the upmost round. he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. so caesar may. then, lest he may, prevent. and, since the quarrel will bear no colour for the thing he is, fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, would run to these and these extremities: and therefore think him as a serpent's egg which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. [re-enter lucius] lucius the taper burneth in your closet, sir. searching the window for a flint, i found this paper, thus seal'd up; and, i am sure, it did not lie there when i went to bed. [gives him the letter] brutus get you to bed again; it is not day. is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of march? lucius i know not, sir. brutus look in the calendar, and bring me word. lucius i will, sir. [exit] brutus the exhalations whizzing in the air give so much light that i may read by them. [opens the letter and reads] 'brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. shall rome, &c. speak, strike, redress! brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!' such instigations have been often dropp'd where i have took them up. 'shall rome, &c.' thus must i piece it out: shall rome stand under one man's awe? what, rome? my ancestors did from the streets of rome the tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 'speak, strike, redress!' am i entreated to speak and strike? o rome, i make thee promise: if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hand of brutus! [re-enter lucius] lucius sir, march is wasted fourteen days. [knocking within] brutus 'tis good. go to the gate; somebody knocks. [exit lucius] since cassius first did whet me against caesar, i have not slept. between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion, all the interim is like a phantasma, or a hideous dream: the genius and the mortal instruments are then in council; and the state of man, like to a little kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection. [re-enter lucius] lucius sir, 'tis your brother cassius at the door, who doth desire to see you. brutus is he alone? lucius no, sir, there are moe with him. brutus do you know them? lucius no, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, and half their faces buried in their cloaks, that by no means i may discover them by any mark of favour. brutus let 'em enter. [exit lucius] they are the faction. o conspiracy, shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, when evils are most free? o, then by day where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough to mask thy monstrous visage? seek none, conspiracy; hide it in smiles and affability: for if thou path, thy native semblance on, not erebus itself were dim enough to hide thee from prevention. [enter the conspirators, cassius, casca, decius brutus, cinna, metellus cimber, and trebonius] cassius i think we are too bold upon your rest: good morrow, brutus; do we trouble you? brutus i have been up this hour, awake all night. know i these men that come along with you? cassius yes, every man of them, and no man here but honours you; and every one doth wish you had but that opinion of yourself which every noble roman bears of you. this is trebonius. brutus he is welcome hither. cassius this, decius brutus. brutus he is welcome too. cassius this, casca; this, cinna; and this, metellus cimber. brutus they are all welcome. what watchful cares do interpose themselves betwixt your eyes and night? cassius shall i entreat a word? [brutus and cassius whisper] decius brutus here lies the east: doth not the day break here? casca no. cinna o, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines that fret the clouds are messengers of day. casca you shall confess that you are both deceived. here, as i point my sword, the sun arises, which is a great way growing on the south, weighing the youthful season of the year. some two months hence up higher toward the north he first presents his fire; and the high east stands, as the capitol, directly here. brutus give me your hands all over, one by one. cassius and let us swear our resolution. brutus no, not an oath: if not the face of men, the sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,- if these be motives weak, break off betimes, and every man hence to his idle bed; so let high-sighted tyranny range on, till each man drop by lottery. but if these, as i am sure they do, bear fire enough to kindle cowards and to steel with valour the melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, what need we any spur but our own cause, to prick us to redress? what other bond than secret romans, that have spoke the word, and will not palter? and what other oath than honesty to honesty engaged, that this shall be, or we will fall for it? swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, old feeble carrions and such suffering souls that welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain the even virtue of our enterprise, nor the insuppressive mettle of our spirits, to think that or our cause or our performance did need an oath; when every drop of blood that every roman bears, and nobly bears, is guilty of a several bastardy, if he do break the smallest particle of any promise that hath pass'd from him. cassius but what of cicero? shall we sound him? i think he will stand very strong with us. casca let us not leave him out. cinna no, by no means. metellus cimber o, let us have him, for his silver hairs will purchase us a good opinion and buy men's voices to commend our deeds: it shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands; our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, but all be buried in his gravity. brutus o, name him not: let us not break with him; for he will never follow any thing that other men begin. cassius then leave him out. casca indeed he is not fit. decius brutus shall no man else be touch'd but only caesar? cassius decius, well urged: i think it is not meet, mark antony, so well beloved of caesar, should outlive caesar: we shall find of him a shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means, if he improve them, may well stretch so far as to annoy us all: which to prevent, let antony and caesar fall together. brutus our course will seem too bloody, caius cassius, to cut the head off and then hack the limbs, like wrath in death and envy afterwards; for antony is but a limb of caesar: let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, caius. we all stand up against the spirit of caesar; and in the spirit of men there is no blood: o, that we then could come by caesar's spirit, and not dismember caesar! but, alas, caesar must bleed for it! and, gentle friends, let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds: and let our hearts, as subtle masters do, stir up their servants to an act of rage, and after seem to chide 'em. this shall make our purpose necessary and not envious: which so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. and for mark antony, think not of him; for he can do no more than caesar's arm when caesar's head is off. cassius yet i fear him; for in the ingrafted love he bears to caesar- brutus alas, good cassius, do not think of him: if he love caesar, all that he can do is to himself, take thought and die for caesar: and that were much he should; for he is given to sports, to wildness and much company. trebonius there is no fear in him; let him not die; for he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. [clock strikes] brutus peace! count the clock. cassius the clock hath stricken three. trebonius 'tis time to part. cassius but it is doubtful yet, whether caesar will come forth to-day, or no; for he is superstitious grown of late, quite from the main opinion he held once of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies: it may be, these apparent prodigies, the unaccustom'd terror of this night, and the persuasion of his augurers, may hold him from the capitol to-day. decius brutus never fear that: if he be so resolved, i can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear that unicorns may be betray'd with trees, and bears with glasses, elephants with holes, lions with toils and men with flatterers; but when i tell him he hates flatterers, he says he does, being then most flattered. let me work; for i can give his humour the true bent, and i will bring him to the capitol. cassius nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. brutus by the eighth hour: is that the uttermost? cinna be that the uttermost, and fail not then. metellus cimber caius ligarius doth bear caesar hard, who rated him for speaking well of pompey: i wonder none of you have thought of him. brutus now, good metellus, go along by him: he loves me well, and i have given him reasons; send him but hither, and i'll fashion him. cassius the morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, brutus. and, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember what you have said, and show yourselves true romans. brutus good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily; let not our looks put on our purposes, but bear it as our roman actors do, with untired spirits and formal constancy: and so good morrow to you every one. [exeunt all but brutus] boy! lucius! fast asleep? it is no matter; enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber: thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, which busy care draws in the brains of men; therefore thou sleep'st so sound. [enter portia] portia brutus, my lord! brutus portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now? it is not for your health thus to commit your weak condition to the raw cold morning. portia nor for yours neither. you've ungently, brutus, stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, you suddenly arose, and walk'd about, musing and sighing, with your arms across, and when i ask'd you what the matter was, you stared upon me with ungentle looks; i urged you further; then you scratch'd your head, and too impatiently stamp'd with your foot; yet i insisted, yet you answer'd not, but, with an angry wafture of your hand, gave sign for me to leave you: so i did; fearing to strengthen that impatience which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal hoping it was but an effect of humour, which sometime hath his hour with every man. it will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, and could it work so much upon your shape as it hath much prevail'd on your condition, i should not know you, brutus. dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief. brutus i am not well in health, and that is all. portia brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, he would embrace the means to come by it. brutus why, so i do. good portia, go to bed. portia is brutus sick? and is it physical to walk unbraced and suck up the humours of the dank morning? what, is brutus sick, and will he steal out of his wholesome bed, to dare the vile contagion of the night and tempt the rheumy and unpurged air to add unto his sickness? no, my brutus; you have some sick offence within your mind, which, by the right and virtue of my place, i ought to know of: and, upon my knees, i charm you, by my once-commended beauty, by all your vows of love and that great vow which did incorporate and make us one, that you unfold to me, yourself, your half, why you are heavy, and what men to-night have had to resort to you: for here have been some six or seven, who did hide their faces even from darkness. brutus kneel not, gentle portia. portia i should not need, if you were gentle brutus. within the bond of marriage, tell me, brutus, is it excepted i should know no secrets that appertain to you? am i yourself but, as it were, in sort or limitation, to keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, and talk to you sometimes? dwell i but in the suburbs of your good pleasure? if it be no more, portia is brutus' harlot, not his wife. brutus you are my true and honourable wife, as dear to me as are the ruddy drops that visit my sad heart portia if this were true, then should i know this secret. i grant i am a woman; but withal a woman that lord brutus took to wife: i grant i am a woman; but withal a woman well-reputed, cato's daughter. think you i am no stronger than my sex, being so father'd and so husbanded? tell me your counsels, i will not disclose 'em: i have made strong proof of my constancy, giving myself a voluntary wound here, in the thigh: can i bear that with patience. and not my husband's secrets? brutus o ye gods, render me worthy of this noble wife! [knocking within] hark, hark! one knocks: portia, go in awhile; and by and by thy bosom shall partake the secrets of my heart. all my engagements i will construe to thee, all the charactery of my sad brows: leave me with haste. [exit portia] lucius, who's that knocks? [re-enter lucius with ligarius] lucius he is a sick man that would speak with you. brutus caius ligarius, that metellus spake of. boy, stand aside. caius ligarius! how? ligarius vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. brutus o, what a time have you chose out, brave caius, to wear a kerchief! would you were not sick! ligarius i am not sick, if brutus have in hand any exploit worthy the name of honour. brutus such an exploit have i in hand, ligarius, had you a healthful ear to hear of it. ligarius by all the gods that romans bow before, i here discard my sickness! soul of rome! brave son, derived from honourable loins! thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up my mortified spirit. now bid me run, and i will strive with things impossible; yea, get the better of them. what's to do? brutus a piece of work that will make sick men whole. ligarius but are not some whole that we must make sick? brutus that must we also. what it is, my caius, i shall unfold to thee, as we are going to whom it must be done. ligarius set on your foot, and with a heart new-fired i follow you, to do i know not what: but it sufficeth that brutus leads me on. brutus follow me, then. [exeunt] julius caesar act ii scene ii caesar's house. [thunder and lightning. enter caesar, in his night-gown] caesar nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night: thrice hath calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 'help, ho! they murder caesar!' who's within? [enter a servant] servant my lord? caesar go bid the priests do present sacrifice and bring me their opinions of success. servant i will, my lord. [exit] [enter calpurnia] calpurnia what mean you, caesar? think you to walk forth? you shall not stir out of your house to-day. caesar caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see the face of caesar, they are vanished. calpurnia caesar, i never stood on ceremonies, yet now they fright me. there is one within, besides the things that we have heard and seen, recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. a lioness hath whelped in the streets; and graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead; fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, in ranks and squadrons and right form of war, which drizzled blood upon the capitol; the noise of battle hurtled in the air, horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, and ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. o caesar! these things are beyond all use, and i do fear them. caesar what can be avoided whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? yet caesar shall go forth; for these predictions are to the world in general as to caesar. calpurnia when beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. caesar cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. of all the wonders that i yet have heard. it seems to me most strange that men should fear; seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come. [re-enter servant] what say the augurers? servant they would not have you to stir forth to-day. plucking the entrails of an offering forth, they could not find a heart within the beast. caesar the gods do this in shame of cowardice: caesar should be a beast without a heart, if he should stay at home to-day for fear. no, caesar shall not: danger knows full well that caesar is more dangerous than he: we are two lions litter'd in one day, and i the elder and more terrible: and caesar shall go forth. calpurnia alas, my lord, your wisdom is consumed in confidence. do not go forth to-day: call it my fear that keeps you in the house, and not your own. we'll send mark antony to the senate-house: and he shall say you are not well to-day: let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. caesar mark antony shall say i am not well, and, for thy humour, i will stay at home. [enter decius brutus] here's decius brutus, he shall tell them so. decius brutus caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy caesar: i come to fetch you to the senate-house. caesar and you are come in very happy time, to bear my greeting to the senators and tell them that i will not come to-day: cannot, is false, and that i dare not, falser: i will not come to-day: tell them so, decius. calpurnia say he is sick. caesar shall caesar send a lie? have i in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, to be afraid to tell graybeards the truth? decius, go tell them caesar will not come. decius brutus most mighty caesar, let me know some cause, lest i be laugh'd at when i tell them so. caesar the cause is in my will: i will not come; that is enough to satisfy the senate. but for your private satisfaction, because i love you, i will let you know: calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: she dreamt to-night she saw my statua, which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, did run pure blood: and many lusty romans came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: and these does she apply for warnings, and portents, and evils imminent; and on her knee hath begg'd that i will stay at home to-day. decius brutus this dream is all amiss interpreted; it was a vision fair and fortunate: your statue spouting blood in many pipes, in which so many smiling romans bathed, signifies that from you great rome shall suck reviving blood, and that great men shall press for tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. this by calpurnia's dream is signified. caesar and this way have you well expounded it. decius brutus i have, when you have heard what i can say: and know it now: the senate have concluded to give this day a crown to mighty caesar. if you shall send them word you will not come, their minds may change. besides, it were a mock apt to be render'd, for some one to say 'break up the senate till another time, when caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' if caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper 'lo, caesar is afraid'? pardon me, caesar; for my dear dear love to our proceeding bids me tell you this; and reason to my love is liable. caesar how foolish do your fears seem now, calpurnia! i am ashamed i did yield to them. give me my robe, for i will go. [enter publius, brutus, ligarius, metellus, casca, trebonius, and cinna] and look where publius is come to fetch me. publius good morrow, caesar. caesar welcome, publius. what, brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? good morrow, casca. caius ligarius, caesar was ne'er so much your enemy as that same ague which hath made you lean. what is 't o'clock? brutus caesar, 'tis strucken eight. caesar i thank you for your pains and courtesy. [enter antony] see! antony, that revels long o' nights, is notwithstanding up. good morrow, antony. antony so to most noble caesar. caesar bid them prepare within: i am to blame to be thus waited for. now, cinna: now, metellus: what, trebonius! i have an hour's talk in store for you; remember that you call on me to-day: be near me, that i may remember you. trebonius caesar, i will: [aside] and so near will i be, that your best friends shall wish i had been further. caesar good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; and we, like friends, will straightway go together. brutus [aside] that every like is not the same, o caesar, the heart of brutus yearns to think upon! [exeunt] julius caesar act ii scene iii a street near the capitol. [enter artemidorus, reading a paper] artemidorus 'caesar, beware of brutus; take heed of cassius; come not near casca; have an eye to cinna, trust not trebonius: mark well metellus cimber: decius brutus loves thee not: thou hast wronged caius ligarius. there is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against caesar. if thou beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. the mighty gods defend thee! thy lover, 'artemidorus.' here will i stand till caesar pass along, and as a suitor will i give him this. my heart laments that virtue cannot live out of the teeth of emulation. if thou read this, o caesar, thou mayst live; if not, the fates with traitors do contrive. [exit] julius caesar act ii scene iv another part of the same street, before the house of brutus. [enter portia and lucius] portia i prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; stay not to answer me, but get thee gone: why dost thou stay? lucius to know my errand, madam. portia i would have had thee there, and here again, ere i can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. o constancy, be strong upon my side, set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! i have a man's mind, but a woman's might. how hard it is for women to keep counsel! art thou here yet? lucius madam, what should i do? run to the capitol, and nothing else? and so return to you, and nothing else? portia yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, for he went sickly forth: and take good note what caesar doth, what suitors press to him. hark, boy! what noise is that? lucius i hear none, madam. portia prithee, listen well; i heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, and the wind brings it from the capitol. lucius sooth, madam, i hear nothing. [enter the soothsayer] portia come hither, fellow: which way hast thou been? soothsayer at mine own house, good lady. portia what is't o'clock? soothsayer about the ninth hour, lady. portia is caesar yet gone to the capitol? soothsayer madam, not yet: i go to take my stand, to see him pass on to the capitol. portia thou hast some suit to caesar, hast thou not? soothsayer that i have, lady: if it will please caesar to be so good to caesar as to hear me, i shall beseech him to befriend himself. portia why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him? soothsayer none that i know will be, much that i fear may chance. good morrow to you. here the street is narrow: the throng that follows caesar at the heels, of senators, of praetors, common suitors, will crowd a feeble man almost to death: i'll get me to a place more void, and there speak to great caesar as he comes along. [exit] portia i must go in. ay me, how weak a thing the heart of woman is! o brutus, the heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! sure, the boy heard me: brutus hath a suit that caesar will not grant. o, i grow faint. run, lucius, and commend me to my lord; say i am merry: come to me again, and bring me word what he doth say to thee. [exeunt severally] julius caesar act iii scene i rome. before the capitol; the senate sitting above. [a crowd of people; among them artemidorus and the soothsayer. flourish. enter caesar, brutus, cassius, casca, decius brutus, metellus cimber, trebonius, cinna, antony, lepidus, popilius, publius, and others] caesar [to the soothsayer] the ides of march are come. soothsayer ay, caesar; but not gone. artemidorus hail, caesar! read this schedule. decius brutus trebonius doth desire you to o'erread, at your best leisure, this his humble suit. artemidorus o caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit that touches caesar nearer: read it, great caesar. caesar what touches us ourself shall be last served. artemidorus delay not, caesar; read it instantly. caesar what, is the fellow mad? publius sirrah, give place. cassius what, urge you your petitions in the street? come to the capitol. [caesar goes up to the senate-house, the rest following] popilius i wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. cassius what enterprise, popilius? popilius fare you well. [advances to caesar] brutus what said popilius lena? cassius he wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. i fear our purpose is discovered. brutus look, how he makes to caesar; mark him. cassius casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. brutus, what shall be done? if this be known, cassius or caesar never shall turn back, for i will slay myself. brutus cassius, be constant: popilius lena speaks not of our purposes; for, look, he smiles, and caesar doth not change. cassius trebonius knows his time; for, look you, brutus. he draws mark antony out of the way. [exeunt antony and trebonius] decius brutus where is metellus cimber? let him go, and presently prefer his suit to caesar. brutus he is address'd: press near and second him. cinna casca, you are the first that rears your hand. caesar are we all ready? what is now amiss that caesar and his senate must redress? metellus cimber most high, most mighty, and most puissant caesar, metellus cimber throws before thy seat an humble heart,- [kneeling] caesar i must prevent thee, cimber. these couchings and these lowly courtesies might fire the blood of ordinary men, and turn pre-ordinance and first decree into the law of children. be not fond, to think that caesar bears such rebel blood that will be thaw'd from the true quality with that which melteth fools; i mean, sweet words, low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning. thy brother by decree is banished: if thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, i spurn thee like a cur out of my way. know, caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause will he be satisfied. metellus cimber is there no voice more worthy than my own to sound more sweetly in great caesar's ear for the repealing of my banish'd brother? brutus i kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, caesar; desiring thee that publius cimber may have an immediate freedom of repeal. caesar what, brutus! cassius pardon, caesar; caesar, pardon: as low as to thy foot doth cassius fall, to beg enfranchisement for publius cimber. cassius i could be well moved, if i were as you: if i could pray to move, prayers would move me: but i am constant as the northern star, of whose true-fix'd and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament. the skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, they are all fire and every one doth shine, but there's but one in all doth hold his place: so in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men, and men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; yet in the number i do know but one that unassailable holds on his rank, unshaked of motion: and that i am he, let me a little show it, even in this; that i was constant cimber should be banish'd, and constant do remain to keep him so. cinna o caesar,- caesar hence! wilt thou lift up olympus? decius brutus great caesar,- caesar doth not brutus bootless kneel? casca speak, hands for me! [casca first, then the other conspirators and brutus stab caesar] caesar et tu, brute! then fall, caesar. [dies] cinna liberty! freedom! tyranny is dead! run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. cassius some to the common pulpits, and cry out 'liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!' brutus people and senators, be not affrighted; fly not; stand stiff: ambition's debt is paid. casca go to the pulpit, brutus. decius brutus and cassius too. brutus where's publius? cinna here, quite confounded with this mutiny. metellus cimber stand fast together, lest some friend of caesar's should chance- brutus talk not of standing. publius, good cheer; there is no harm intended to your person, nor to no roman else: so tell them, publius. cassius and leave us, publius; lest that the people, rushing on us, should do your age some mischief. brutus do so: and let no man abide this deed, but we the doers. [re-enter trebonius] cassius where is antony? trebonius fled to his house amazed: men, wives and children stare, cry out and run as it were doomsday. brutus fates, we will know your pleasures: that we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time and drawing days out, that men stand upon. cassius why, he that cuts off twenty years of life cuts off so many years of fearing death. brutus grant that, and then is death a benefit: so are we caesar's friends, that have abridged his time of fearing death. stoop, romans, stoop, and let us bathe our hands in caesar's blood up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: then walk we forth, even to the market-place, and, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry 'peace, freedom and liberty!' cassius stoop, then, and wash. how many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted over in states unborn and accents yet unknown! brutus how many times shall caesar bleed in sport, that now on pompey's basis lies along no worthier than the dust! cassius so oft as that shall be, so often shall the knot of us be call'd the men that gave their country liberty. decius brutus what, shall we forth? cassius ay, every man away: brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels with the most boldest and best hearts of rome. [enter a servant] brutus soft! who comes here? a friend of antony's. servant thus, brutus, did my master bid me kneel: thus did mark antony bid me fall down; and, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: say i love brutus, and i honour him; say i fear'd caesar, honour'd him and loved him. if brutus will vouchsafe that antony may safely come to him, and be resolved how caesar hath deserved to lie in death, mark antony shall not love caesar dead so well as brutus living; but will follow the fortunes and affairs of noble brutus thorough the hazards of this untrod state with all true faith. so says my master antony. brutus thy master is a wise and valiant roman; i never thought him worse. tell him, so please him come unto this place, he shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, depart untouch'd. servant i'll fetch him presently. [exit] brutus i know that we shall have him well to friend. cassius i wish we may: but yet have i a mind that fears him much; and my misgiving still falls shrewdly to the purpose. brutus but here comes antony. [re-enter antony] welcome, mark antony. antony o mighty caesar! dost thou lie so low? are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, shrunk to this little measure? fare thee well. i know not, gentlemen, what you intend, who else must be let blood, who else is rank: if i myself, there is no hour so fit as caesar's death hour, nor no instrument of half that worth as those your swords, made rich with the most noble blood of all this world. i do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, fulfil your pleasure. live a thousand years, i shall not find myself so apt to die: no place will please me so, no mean of death, as here by caesar, and by you cut off, the choice and master spirits of this age. brutus o antony, beg not your death of us. though now we must appear bloody and cruel, as, by our hands and this our present act, you see we do, yet see you but our hands and this the bleeding business they have done: our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of rome- as fire drives out fire, so pity pity- hath done this deed on caesar. for your part, to you our swords have leaden points, mark antony: our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts of brothers' temper, do receive you in with all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. cassius your voice shall be as strong as any man's in the disposing of new dignities. brutus only be patient till we have appeased the multitude, beside themselves with fear, and then we will deliver you the cause, why i, that did love caesar when i struck him, have thus proceeded. antony i doubt not of your wisdom. let each man render me his bloody hand: first, marcus brutus, will i shake with you; next, caius cassius, do i take your hand; now, decius brutus, yours: now yours, metellus; yours, cinna; and, my valiant casca, yours; though last, not last in love, yours, good trebonius. gentlemen all,--alas, what shall i say? my credit now stands on such slippery ground, that one of two bad ways you must conceit me, either a coward or a flatterer. that i did love thee, caesar, o, 'tis true: if then thy spirit look upon us now, shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, to see thy thy anthony making his peace, shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, most noble! in the presence of thy corse? had i as many eyes as thou hast wounds, weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, it would become me better than to close in terms of friendship with thine enemies. pardon me, julius! here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. o world, thou wast the forest to this hart; and this, indeed, o world, the heart of thee. how like a deer, strucken by many princes, dost thou here lie! cassius mark antony,- antony pardon me, caius cassius: the enemies of caesar shall say this; then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. cassius i blame you not for praising caesar so; but what compact mean you to have with us? will you be prick'd in number of our friends; or shall we on, and not depend on you? antony therefore i took your hands, but was, indeed, sway'd from the point, by looking down on caesar. friends am i with you all and love you all, upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons why and wherein caesar was dangerous. brutus or else were this a savage spectacle: our reasons are so full of good regard that were you, antony, the son of caesar, you should be satisfied. antony that's all i seek: and am moreover suitor that i may produce his body to the market-place; and in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of his funeral. brutus you shall, mark antony. cassius brutus, a word with you. [aside to brutus] you know not what you do: do not consent that antony speak in his funeral: know you how much the people may be moved by that which he will utter? brutus by your pardon; i will myself into the pulpit first, and show the reason of our caesar's death: what antony shall speak, i will protest he speaks by leave and by permission, and that we are contented caesar shall have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. it shall advantage more than do us wrong. cassius i know not what may fall; i like it not. brutus mark antony, here, take you caesar's body. you shall not in your funeral speech blame us, but speak all good you can devise of caesar, and say you do't by our permission; else shall you not have any hand at all about his funeral: and you shall speak in the same pulpit whereto i am going, after my speech is ended. antony be it so. i do desire no more. brutus prepare the body then, and follow us. [exeunt all but antony] antony o, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that i am meek and gentle with these butchers! thou art the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times. woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! over thy wounds now do i prophesy,- which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, to beg the voice and utterance of my tongue- a curse shall light upon the limbs of men; domestic fury and fierce civil strife shall cumber all the parts of italy; blood and destruction shall be so in use and dreadful objects so familiar that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quarter'd with the hands of war; all pity choked with custom of fell deeds: and caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, with ate by his side come hot from hell, shall in these confines with a monarch's voice cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war; that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial. [enter a servant] you serve octavius caesar, do you not? servant i do, mark antony. antony caesar did write for him to come to rome. servant he did receive his letters, and is coming; and bid me say to you by word of mouth- o caesar!- [seeing the body] antony thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. passion, i see, is catching; for mine eyes, seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, began to water. is thy master coming? servant he lies to-night within seven leagues of rome. antony post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced: here is a mourning rome, a dangerous rome, no rome of safety for octavius yet; hie hence, and tell him so. yet, stay awhile; thou shalt not back till i have borne this corse into the market-place: there shall i try in my oration, how the people take the cruel issue of these bloody men; according to the which, thou shalt discourse to young octavius of the state of things. lend me your hand. [exeunt with caesar's body] julius caesar act iii scene ii the forum. [enter brutus and cassius, and a throng of citizens] citizens we will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. brutus then follow me, and give me audience, friends. cassius, go you into the other street, and part the numbers. those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; those that will follow cassius, go with him; and public reasons shall be rendered of caesar's death. first citizen i will hear brutus speak. second citizen i will hear cassius; and compare their reasons, when severally we hear them rendered. [exit cassius, with some of the citizens. brutus goes into the pulpit] third citizen the noble brutus is ascended: silence! brutus be patient till the last. romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. if there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of caesar's, to him i say, that brutus' love to caesar was no less than his. if then that friend demand why brutus rose against caesar, this is my answer: --not that i loved caesar less, but that i loved rome more. had you rather caesar were living and die all slaves, than that caesar were dead, to live all free men? as caesar loved me, i weep for him; as he was fortunate, i rejoice at it; as he was valiant, i honour him: but, as he was ambitious, i slew him. there is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. who is here so base that would be a bondman? if any, speak; for him have i offended. who is here so rude that would not be a roman? if any, speak; for him have i offended. who is here so vile that will not love his country? if any, speak; for him have i offended. i pause for a reply. all none, brutus, none. brutus then none have i offended. i have done no more to caesar than you shall do to brutus. the question of his death is enrolled in the capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death. [enter antony and others, with caesar's body] here comes his body, mourned by mark antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? with this i depart,--that, as i slew my best lover for the good of rome, i have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. all live, brutus! live, live! first citizen bring him with triumph home unto his house. second citizen give him a statue with his ancestors. third citizen let him be caesar. fourth citizen caesar's better parts shall be crown'd in brutus. first citizen we'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours. brutus my countrymen,- second citizen peace, silence! brutus speaks. first citizen peace, ho! brutus good countrymen, let me depart alone, and, for my sake, stay here with antony: do grace to caesar's corpse, and grace his speech tending to caesar's glories; which mark antony, by our permission, is allow'd to make. i do entreat you, not a man depart, save i alone, till antony have spoke. [exit] first citizen stay, ho! and let us hear mark antony. third citizen let him go up into the public chair; we'll hear him. noble antony, go up. antony for brutus' sake, i am beholding to you. [goes into the pulpit] fourth citizen what does he say of brutus? third citizen he says, for brutus' sake, he finds himself beholding to us all. fourth citizen 'twere best he speak no harm of brutus here. first citizen this caesar was a tyrant. third citizen nay, that's certain: we are blest that rome is rid of him. second citizen peace! let us hear what antony can say. antony you gentle romans,- citizens peace, ho! let us hear him. antony friends, romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; i come to bury caesar, not to praise him. the evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones; so let it be with caesar. the noble brutus hath told you caesar was ambitious: if it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath caesar answer'd it. here, under leave of brutus and the rest- for brutus is an honourable man; so are they all, all honourable men- come i to speak in caesar's funeral. he was my friend, faithful and just to me: but brutus says he was ambitious; and brutus is an honourable man. he hath brought many captives home to rome whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: did this in caesar seem ambitious? when that the poor have cried, caesar hath wept: ambition should be made of sterner stuff: yet brutus says he was ambitious; and brutus is an honourable man. you all did see that on the lupercal i thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? yet brutus says he was ambitious; and, sure, he is an honourable man. i speak not to disprove what brutus spoke, but here i am to speak what i do know. you all did love him once, not without cause: what cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? o judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason. bear with me; my heart is in the coffin there with caesar, and i must pause till it come back to me. first citizen methinks there is much reason in his sayings. second citizen if thou consider rightly of the matter, caesar has had great wrong. third citizen has he, masters? i fear there will a worse come in his place. fourth citizen mark'd ye his words? he would not take the crown; therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. first citizen if it be found so, some will dear abide it. second citizen poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. third citizen there's not a nobler man in rome than antony. fourth citizen now mark him, he begins again to speak. antony but yesterday the word of caesar might have stood against the world; now lies he there. and none so poor to do him reverence. o masters, if i were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, i should do brutus wrong, and cassius wrong, who, you all know, are honourable men: i will not do them wrong; i rather choose to wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, than i will wrong such honourable men. but here's a parchment with the seal of caesar; i found it in his closet, 'tis his will: let but the commons hear this testament- which, pardon me, i do not mean to read- and they would go and kiss dead caesar's wounds and dip their napkins in his sacred blood, yea, beg a hair of him for memory, and, dying, mention it within their wills, bequeathing it as a rich legacy unto their issue. fourth citizen we'll hear the will: read it, mark antony. all the will, the will! we will hear caesar's will. antony have patience, gentle friends, i must not read it; it is not meet you know how caesar loved you. you are not wood, you are not stones, but men; and, being men, bearing the will of caesar, it will inflame you, it will make you mad: 'tis good you know not that you are his heirs; for, if you should, o, what would come of it! fourth citizen read the will; we'll hear it, antony; you shall read us the will, caesar's will. antony will you be patient? will you stay awhile? i have o'ershot myself to tell you of it: i fear i wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabb'd caesar; i do fear it. fourth citizen they were traitors: honourable men! all the will! the testament! second citizen they were villains, murderers: the will! read the will. antony you will compel me, then, to read the will? then make a ring about the corpse of caesar, and let me show you him that made the will. shall i descend? and will you give me leave? several citizens come down. second citizen descend. third citizen you shall have leave. [antony comes down] fourth citizen a ring; stand round. first citizen stand from the hearse, stand from the body. second citizen room for antony, most noble antony. antony nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. several citizens stand back; room; bear back. antony if you have tears, prepare to shed them now. you all do know this mantle: i remember the first time ever caesar put it on; 'twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, that day he overcame the nervii: look, in this place ran cassius' dagger through: see what a rent the envious casca made: through this the well-beloved brutus stabb'd; and as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, mark how the blood of caesar follow'd it, as rushing out of doors, to be resolved if brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; for brutus, as you know, was caesar's angel: judge, o you gods, how dearly caesar loved him! this was the most unkindest cut of all; for when the noble caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; and, in his mantle muffling up his face, even at the base of pompey's statua, which all the while ran blood, great caesar fell. o, what a fall was there, my countrymen! then i, and you, and all of us fell down, whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. o, now you weep; and, i perceive, you feel the dint of pity: these are gracious drops. kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold our caesar's vesture wounded? look you here, here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors. first citizen o piteous spectacle! second citizen o noble caesar! third citizen o woful day! fourth citizen o traitors, villains! first citizen o most bloody sight! second citizen we will be revenged. all revenge! about! seek! burn! fire! kill! slay! let not a traitor live! antony stay, countrymen. first citizen peace there! hear the noble antony. second citizen we'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. antony good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up to such a sudden flood of mutiny. they that have done this deed are honourable: what private griefs they have, alas, i know not, that made them do it: they are wise and honourable, and will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. i come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: i am no orator, as brutus is; but, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, that love my friend; and that they know full well that gave me public leave to speak of him: for i have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, to stir men's blood: i only speak right on; i tell you that which you yourselves do know; show you sweet caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, and bid them speak for me: but were i brutus, and brutus antony, there were an antony would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue in every wound of caesar that should move the stones of rome to rise and mutiny. all we'll mutiny. first citizen we'll burn the house of brutus. third citizen away, then! come, seek the conspirators. antony yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. all peace, ho! hear antony. most noble antony! antony why, friends, you go to do you know not what: wherein hath caesar thus deserved your loves? alas, you know not: i must tell you then: you have forgot the will i told you of. all most true. the will! let's stay and hear the will. antony here is the will, and under caesar's seal. to every roman citizen he gives, to every several man, seventy-five drachmas. second citizen most noble caesar! we'll revenge his death. third citizen o royal caesar! antony hear me with patience. all peace, ho! antony moreover, he hath left you all his walks, his private arbours and new-planted orchards, on this side tiber; he hath left them you, and to your heirs for ever, common pleasures, to walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. here was a caesar! when comes such another? first citizen never, never. come, away, away! we'll burn his body in the holy place, and with the brands fire the traitors' houses. take up the body. second citizen go fetch fire. third citizen pluck down benches. fourth citizen pluck down forms, windows, any thing. [exeunt citizens with the body] antony now let it work. mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt! [enter a servant] how now, fellow! servant sir, octavius is already come to rome. antony where is he? servant he and lepidus are at caesar's house. antony and thither will i straight to visit him: he comes upon a wish. fortune is merry, and in this mood will give us any thing. servant i heard him say, brutus and cassius are rid like madmen through the gates of rome. antony belike they had some notice of the people, how i had moved them. bring me to octavius. [exeunt] julius caesar act iii scene iii a street. [enter cinna the poet] cinna the poet i dreamt to-night that i did feast with caesar, and things unlucky charge my fantasy: i have no will to wander forth of doors, yet something leads me forth. [enter citizens] first citizen what is your name? second citizen whither are you going? third citizen where do you dwell? fourth citizen are you a married man or a bachelor? second citizen answer every man directly. first citizen ay, and briefly. fourth citizen ay, and wisely. third citizen ay, and truly, you were best. cinna the poet what is my name? whither am i going? where do i dwell? am i a married man or a bachelor? then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: wisely i say, i am a bachelor. second citizen that's as much as to say, they are fools that marry: you'll bear me a bang for that, i fear. proceed; directly. cinna the poet directly, i am going to caesar's funeral. first citizen as a friend or an enemy? cinna the poet as a friend. second citizen that matter is answered directly. fourth citizen for your dwelling,--briefly. cinna the poet briefly, i dwell by the capitol. third citizen your name, sir, truly. cinna the poet truly, my name is cinna. first citizen tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator. cinna the poet i am cinna the poet, i am cinna the poet. fourth citizen tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses. cinna the poet i am not cinna the conspirator. fourth citizen it is no matter, his name's cinna; pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. third citizen tear him, tear him! come, brands ho! fire-brands: to brutus', to cassius'; burn all: some to decius' house, and some to casca's; some to ligarius': away, go! [exeunt] julius caesar act iv scene i a house in rome. [antony, octavius, and lepidus, seated at a table] antony these many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd. octavius your brother too must die; consent you, lepidus? lepidus i do consent- octavius prick him down, antony. lepidus upon condition publius shall not live, who is your sister's son, mark antony. antony he shall not live; look, with a spot i damn him. but, lepidus, go you to caesar's house; fetch the will hither, and we shall determine how to cut off some charge in legacies. lepidus what, shall i find you here? octavius or here, or at the capitol. [exit lepidus] antony this is a slight unmeritable man, meet to be sent on errands: is it fit, the three-fold world divided, he should stand one of the three to share it? octavius so you thought him; and took his voice who should be prick'd to die, in our black sentence and proscription. antony octavius, i have seen more days than you: and though we lay these honours on this man, to ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, he shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, to groan and sweat under the business, either led or driven, as we point the way; and having brought our treasure where we will, then take we down his load, and turn him off, like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, and graze in commons. octavius you may do your will; but he's a tried and valiant soldier. antony so is my horse, octavius; and for that i do appoint him store of provender: it is a creature that i teach to fight, to wind, to stop, to run directly on, his corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. and, in some taste, is lepidus but so; he must be taught and train'd and bid go forth; a barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds on abjects, orts and imitations, which, out of use and staled by other men, begin his fashion: do not talk of him, but as a property. and now, octavius, listen great things:--brutus and cassius are levying powers: we must straight make head: therefore let our alliance be combined, our best friends made, our means stretch'd and let us presently go sit in council, how covert matters may be best disclosed, and open perils surest answered. octavius let us do so: for we are at the stake, and bay'd about with many enemies; and some that smile have in their hearts, i fear, millions of mischiefs. [exeunt] julius caesar act iv scene ii camp near sardis. before brutus's tent. [drum. enter brutus, lucilius, lucius, and soldiers; titinius and pindarus meeting them] brutus stand, ho! lucilius give the word, ho! and stand. brutus what now, lucilius! is cassius near? lucilius he is at hand; and pindarus is come to do you salutation from his master. brutus he greets me well. your master, pindarus, in his own change, or by ill officers, hath given me some worthy cause to wish things done, undone: but, if he be at hand, i shall be satisfied. pindarus i do not doubt but that my noble master will appear such as he is, full of regard and honour. brutus he is not doubted. a word, lucilius; how he received you, let me be resolved. lucilius with courtesy and with respect enough; but not with such familiar instances, nor with such free and friendly conference, as he hath used of old. brutus thou hast described a hot friend cooling: ever note, lucilius, when love begins to sicken and decay, it useth an enforced ceremony. there are no tricks in plain and simple faith; but hollow men, like horses hot at hand, make gallant show and promise of their mettle; but when they should endure the bloody spur, they fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, sink in the trial. comes his army on? lucilius they mean this night in sardis to be quarter'd; the greater part, the horse in general, are come with cassius. brutus hark! he is arrived. [low march within] march gently on to meet him. [enter cassius and his powers] cassius stand, ho! brutus stand, ho! speak the word along. first soldier stand! second soldier stand! third soldier stand! cassius most noble brother, you have done me wrong. brutus judge me, you gods! wrong i mine enemies? and, if not so, how should i wrong a brother? cassius brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; and when you do them- brutus cassius, be content. speak your griefs softly: i do know you well. before the eyes of both our armies here, which should perceive nothing but love from us, let us not wrangle: bid them move away; then in my tent, cassius, enlarge your griefs, and i will give you audience. cassius pindarus, bid our commanders lead their charges off a little from this ground. brutus lucilius, do you the like; and let no man come to our tent till we have done our conference. let lucius and titinius guard our door. [exeunt] julius caesar act iv scene iii brutus's tent. [enter brutus and cassius] cassius that you have wrong'd me doth appear in this: you have condemn'd and noted lucius pella for taking bribes here of the sardians; wherein my letters, praying on his side, because i knew the man, were slighted off. brutus you wronged yourself to write in such a case. cassius in such a time as this it is not meet that every nice offence should bear his comment. brutus let me tell you, cassius, you yourself are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; to sell and mart your offices for gold to undeservers. cassius i an itching palm! you know that you are brutus that speak this, or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. brutus the name of cassius honours this corruption, and chastisement doth therefore hide his head. cassius chastisement! brutus remember march, the ides of march remember: did not great julius bleed for justice' sake? what villain touch'd his body, that did stab, and not for justice? what, shall one of us that struck the foremost man of all this world but for supporting robbers, shall we now contaminate our fingers with base bribes, and sell the mighty space of our large honours for so much trash as may be grasped thus? i had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, than such a roman. cassius brutus, bay not me; i'll not endure it: you forget yourself, to hedge me in; i am a soldier, i, older in practise, abler than yourself to make conditions. brutus go to; you are not, cassius. cassius i am. brutus i say you are not. cassius urge me no more, i shall forget myself; have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. brutus away, slight man! cassius is't possible? brutus hear me, for i will speak. must i give way and room to your rash choler? shall i be frighted when a madman stares? cassius o ye gods, ye gods! must i endure all this? brutus all this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break; go show your slaves how choleric you are, and make your bondmen tremble. must i budge? must i observe you? must i stand and crouch under your testy humour? by the gods you shall digest the venom of your spleen, though it do split you; for, from this day forth, i'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, when you are waspish. cassius is it come to this? brutus you say you are a better soldier: let it appear so; make your vaunting true, and it shall please me well: for mine own part, i shall be glad to learn of noble men. cassius you wrong me every way; you wrong me, brutus; i said, an elder soldier, not a better: did i say 'better'? brutus if you did, i care not. cassius when caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. brutus peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him. cassius i durst not! brutus no. cassius what, durst not tempt him! brutus for your life you durst not! cassius do not presume too much upon my love; i may do that i shall be sorry for. brutus you have done that you should be sorry for. there is no terror, cassius, in your threats, for i am arm'd so strong in honesty that they pass by me as the idle wind, which i respect not. i did send to you for certain sums of gold, which you denied me: for i can raise no money by vile means: by heaven, i had rather coin my heart, and drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring from the hard hands of peasants their vile trash by any indirection: i did send to you for gold to pay my legions, which you denied me: was that done like cassius? should i have answer'd caius cassius so? when marcus brutus grows so covetous, to lock such rascal counters from his friends, be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts; dash him to pieces! cassius i denied you not. brutus you did. cassius i did not: he was but a fool that brought my answer back. brutus hath rived my heart: a friend should bear his friend's infirmities, but brutus makes mine greater than they are. brutus i do not, till you practise them on me. cassius you love me not. brutus i do not like your faults. cassius a friendly eye could never see such faults. brutus a flatterer's would not, though they do appear as huge as high olympus. cassius come, antony, and young octavius, come, revenge yourselves alone on cassius, for cassius is aweary of the world; hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; cheque'd like a bondman; all his faults observed, set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, to cast into my teeth. o, i could weep my spirit from mine eyes! there is my dagger, and here my naked breast; within, a heart dearer than plutus' mine, richer than gold: if that thou be'st a roman, take it forth; i, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: strike, as thou didst at caesar; for, i know, when thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better than ever thou lovedst cassius. brutus sheathe your dagger: be angry when you will, it shall have scope; do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. o cassius, you are yoked with a lamb that carries anger as the flint bears fire; who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, and straight is cold again. cassius hath cassius lived to be but mirth and laughter to his brutus, when grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him? brutus when i spoke that, i was ill-temper'd too. cassius do you confess so much? give me your hand. brutus and my heart too. cassius o brutus! brutus what's the matter? cassius have not you love enough to bear with me, when that rash humour which my mother gave me makes me forgetful? brutus yes, cassius; and, from henceforth, when you are over-earnest with your brutus, he'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. poet [within] let me go in to see the generals; there is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet they be alone. lucilius [within] you shall not come to them. poet [within] nothing but death shall stay me. [enter poet, followed by lucilius, titinius, and lucius] cassius how now! what's the matter? poet for shame, you generals! what do you mean? love, and be friends, as two such men should be; for i have seen more years, i'm sure, than ye. cassius ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme! brutus get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence! cassius bear with him, brutus; 'tis his fashion. brutus i'll know his humour, when he knows his time: what should the wars do with these jigging fools? companion, hence! cassius away, away, be gone. [exit poet] brutus lucilius and titinius, bid the commanders prepare to lodge their companies to-night. cassius and come yourselves, and bring messala with you immediately to us. [exeunt lucilius and titinius] brutus lucius, a bowl of wine! [exit lucius] cassius i did not think you could have been so angry. brutus o cassius, i am sick of many griefs. cassius of your philosophy you make no use, if you give place to accidental evils. brutus no man bears sorrow better. portia is dead. cassius ha! portia! brutus she is dead. cassius how 'scaped i killing when i cross'd you so? o insupportable and touching loss! upon what sickness? brutus impatient of my absence, and grief that young octavius with mark antony have made themselves so strong:--for with her death that tidings came;--with this she fell distract, and, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. cassius and died so? brutus even so. cassius o ye immortal gods! [re-enter lucius, with wine and taper] brutus speak no more of her. give me a bowl of wine. in this i bury all unkindness, cassius. cassius my heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. fill, lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; i cannot drink too much of brutus' love. brutus come in, titinius! [exit lucius] [re-enter titinius, with messala] welcome, good messala. now sit we close about this taper here, and call in question our necessities. cassius portia, art thou gone? brutus no more, i pray you. messala, i have here received letters, that young octavius and mark antony come down upon us with a mighty power, bending their expedition toward philippi. messala myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. brutus with what addition? messala that by proscription and bills of outlawry, octavius, antony, and lepidus, have put to death an hundred senators. brutus therein our letters do not well agree; mine speak of seventy senators that died by their proscriptions, cicero being one. cassius cicero one! messala cicero is dead, and by that order of proscription. had you your letters from your wife, my lord? brutus no, messala. messala nor nothing in your letters writ of her? brutus nothing, messala. messala that, methinks, is strange. brutus why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours? messala no, my lord. brutus now, as you are a roman, tell me true. messala then like a roman bear the truth i tell: for certain she is dead, and by strange manner. brutus why, farewell, portia. we must die, messala: with meditating that she must die once, i have the patience to endure it now. messala even so great men great losses should endure. cassius i have as much of this in art as you, but yet my nature could not bear it so. brutus well, to our work alive. what do you think of marching to philippi presently? cassius i do not think it good. brutus your reason? cassius this it is: 'tis better that the enemy seek us: so shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness. brutus good reasons must, of force, give place to better. the people 'twixt philippi and this ground do stand but in a forced affection; for they have grudged us contribution: the enemy, marching along by them, by them shall make a fuller number up, come on refresh'd, new-added, and encouraged; from which advantage shall we cut him off, if at philippi we do face him there, these people at our back. cassius hear me, good brother. brutus under your pardon. you must note beside, that we have tried the utmost of our friends, our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: the enemy increaseth every day; we, at the height, are ready to decline. there is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. on such a full sea are we now afloat; and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures. cassius then, with your will, go on; we'll along ourselves, and meet them at philippi. brutus the deep of night is crept upon our talk, and nature must obey necessity; which we will niggard with a little rest. there is no more to say? cassius no more. good night: early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. brutus lucius! [enter lucius] my gown. [exit lucius] farewell, good messala: good night, titinius. noble, noble cassius, good night, and good repose. cassius o my dear brother! this was an ill beginning of the night: never come such division 'tween our souls! let it not, brutus. brutus every thing is well. cassius good night, my lord. brutus good night, good brother. titinius | | good night, lord brutus. messala | brutus farewell, every one. [exeunt all but brutus] [re-enter lucius, with the gown] give me the gown. where is thy instrument? lucius here in the tent. brutus what, thou speak'st drowsily? poor knave, i blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. call claudius and some other of my men: i'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. lucius varro and claudius! [enter varro and claudius] varro calls my lord? brutus i pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; it may be i shall raise you by and by on business to my brother cassius. varro so please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure. brutus i will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; it may be i shall otherwise bethink me. look, lucius, here's the book i sought for so; i put it in the pocket of my gown. [varro and claudius lie down] lucius i was sure your lordship did not give it me. brutus bear with me, good boy, i am much forgetful. canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, and touch thy instrument a strain or two? lucius ay, my lord, an't please you. brutus it does, my boy: i trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. lucius it is my duty, sir. brutus i should not urge thy duty past thy might; i know young bloods look for a time of rest. lucius i have slept, my lord, already. brutus it was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; i will not hold thee long: if i do live, i will be good to thee. [music, and a song] this is a sleepy tune. o murderous slumber, lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, that plays thee music? gentle knave, good night; i will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee: if thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; i'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night. let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down where i left reading? here it is, i think. [enter the ghost of caesar] how ill this taper burns! ha! who comes here? i think it is the weakness of mine eyes that shapes this monstrous apparition. it comes upon me. art thou any thing? art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, that makest my blood cold and my hair to stare? speak to me what thou art. ghost thy evil spirit, brutus. brutus why comest thou? ghost to tell thee thou shalt see me at philippi. brutus well; then i shall see thee again? ghost ay, at philippi. brutus why, i will see thee at philippi, then. [exit ghost] now i have taken heart thou vanishest: ill spirit, i would hold more talk with thee. boy, lucius! varro! claudius! sirs, awake! claudius! lucius the strings, my lord, are false. brutus he thinks he still is at his instrument. lucius, awake! lucius my lord? brutus didst thou dream, lucius, that thou so criedst out? lucius my lord, i do not know that i did cry. brutus yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing? lucius nothing, my lord. brutus sleep again, lucius. sirrah claudius! [to varro] fellow thou, awake! varro my lord? claudius my lord? brutus why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? varro | | did we, my lord? claudius | brutus ay: saw you any thing? varro no, my lord, i saw nothing. claudius nor i, my lord. brutus go and commend me to my brother cassius; bid him set on his powers betimes before, and we will follow. varro | | it shall be done, my lord. claudius | [exeunt] julius caesar act v scene i the plains of philippi. [enter octavius, antony, and their army] octavius now, antony, our hopes are answered: you said the enemy would not come down, but keep the hills and upper regions; it proves not so: their battles are at hand; they mean to warn us at philippi here, answering before we do demand of them. antony tut, i am in their bosoms, and i know wherefore they do it: they could be content to visit other places; and come down with fearful bravery, thinking by this face to fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; but 'tis not so. [enter a messenger] messenger prepare you, generals: the enemy comes on in gallant show; their bloody sign of battle is hung out, and something to be done immediately. antony octavius, lead your battle softly on, upon the left hand of the even field. octavius upon the right hand i; keep thou the left. antony why do you cross me in this exigent? octavius i do not cross you; but i will do so. [march] [drum. enter brutus, cassius, and their army; lucilius, titinius, messala, and others] brutus they stand, and would have parley. cassius stand fast, titinius: we must out and talk. octavius mark antony, shall we give sign of battle? antony no, caesar, we will answer on their charge. make forth; the generals would have some words. octavius stir not until the signal. brutus words before blows: is it so, countrymen? octavius not that we love words better, as you do. brutus good words are better than bad strokes, octavius. antony in your bad strokes, brutus, you give good words: witness the hole you made in caesar's heart, crying 'long live! hail, caesar!' cassius antony, the posture of your blows are yet unknown; but for your words, they rob the hybla bees, and leave them honeyless. antony not stingless too. brutus o, yes, and soundless too; for you have stol'n their buzzing, antony, and very wisely threat before you sting. antony villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers hack'd one another in the sides of caesar: you show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, and bow'd like bondmen, kissing caesar's feet; whilst damned casca, like a cur, behind struck caesar on the neck. o you flatterers! cassius flatterers! now, brutus, thank yourself: this tongue had not offended so to-day, if cassius might have ruled. octavius come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat, the proof of it will turn to redder drops. look; i draw a sword against conspirators; when think you that the sword goes up again? never, till caesar's three and thirty wounds be well avenged; or till another caesar have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. brutus caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, unless thou bring'st them with thee. octavius so i hope; i was not born to die on brutus' sword. brutus o, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. cassius a peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, join'd with a masker and a reveller! antony old cassius still! octavius come, antony, away! defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: if you dare fight to-day, come to the field; if not, when you have stomachs. [exeunt octavius, antony, and their army] cassius why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark! the storm is up, and all is on the hazard. brutus ho, lucilius! hark, a word with you. lucilius [standing forth] my lord? [brutus and lucilius converse apart] cassius messala! messala [standing forth] what says my general? cassius messala, this is my birth-day; as this very day was cassius born. give me thy hand, messala: be thou my witness that against my will, as pompey was, am i compell'd to set upon one battle all our liberties. you know that i held epicurus strong and his opinion: now i change my mind, and partly credit things that do presage. coming from sardis, on our former ensign two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands; who to philippi here consorted us: this morning are they fled away and gone; and in their steads do ravens, crows and kites, fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, as we were sickly prey: their shadows seem a canopy most fatal, under which our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. messala believe not so. cassius i but believe it partly; for i am fresh of spirit and resolved to meet all perils very constantly. brutus even so, lucilius. cassius now, most noble brutus, the gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! but since the affairs of men rest still incertain, let's reason with the worst that may befall. if we do lose this battle, then is this the very last time we shall speak together: what are you then determined to do? brutus even by the rule of that philosophy by which i did blame cato for the death which he did give himself, i know not how, but i do find it cowardly and vile, for fear of what might fall, so to prevent the time of life: arming myself with patience to stay the providence of some high powers that govern us below. cassius then, if we lose this battle, you are contented to be led in triumph thorough the streets of rome? brutus no, cassius, no: think not, thou noble roman, that ever brutus will go bound to rome; he bears too great a mind. but this same day must end that work the ides of march begun; and whether we shall meet again i know not. therefore our everlasting farewell take: for ever, and for ever, farewell, cassius! if we do meet again, why, we shall smile; if not, why then, this parting was well made. cassius for ever, and for ever, farewell, brutus! if we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; if not, 'tis true this parting was well made. brutus why, then, lead on. o, that a man might know the end of this day's business ere it come! but it sufficeth that the day will end, and then the end is known. come, ho! away! [exeunt] julius caesar act v scene ii the same. the field of battle. [alarum. enter brutus and messala] brutus ride, ride, messala, ride, and give these bills unto the legions on the other side. [loud alarum] let them set on at once; for i perceive but cold demeanor in octavius' wing, and sudden push gives them the overthrow. ride, ride, messala: let them all come down. [exeunt] julius caesar act v scene iii another part of the field. [alarums. enter cassius and titinius] cassius o, look, titinius, look, the villains fly! myself have to mine own turn'd enemy: this ensign here of mine was turning back; i slew the coward, and did take it from him. titinius o cassius, brutus gave the word too early; who, having some advantage on octavius, took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil, whilst we by antony are all enclosed. [enter pindarus] pindarus fly further off, my lord, fly further off; mark antony is in your tents, my lord fly, therefore, noble cassius, fly far off. cassius this hill is far enough. look, look, titinius; are those my tents where i perceive the fire? titinius they are, my lord. cassius titinius, if thou lovest me, mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, till he have brought thee up to yonder troops, and here again; that i may rest assured whether yond troops are friend or enemy. titinius i will be here again, even with a thought. [exit] cassius go, pindarus, get higher on that hill; my sight was ever thick; regard titinius, and tell me what thou notest about the field. [pindarus ascends the hill] this day i breathed first: time is come round, and where i did begin, there shall i end; my life is run his compass. sirrah, what news? pindarus [above] o my lord! cassius what news? pindarus [above] titinius is enclosed round about with horsemen, that make to him on the spur; yet he spurs on. now they are almost on him. now, titinius! now some light. o, he lights too. he's ta'en. [shout] and, hark! they shout for joy. cassius come down, behold no more. o, coward that i am, to live so long, to see my best friend ta'en before my face! [pindarus descends] come hither, sirrah: in parthia did i take thee prisoner; and then i swore thee, saving of thy life, that whatsoever i did bid thee do, thou shouldst attempt it. come now, keep thine oath; now be a freeman: and with this good sword, that ran through caesar's bowels, search this bosom. stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts; and, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now, guide thou the sword. [pindarus stabs him] caesar, thou art revenged, even with the sword that kill'd thee. [dies] pindarus so, i am free; yet would not so have been, durst i have done my will. o cassius, far from this country pindarus shall run, where never roman shall take note of him. [exit] [re-enter titinius with messala] messala it is but change, titinius; for octavius is overthrown by noble brutus' power, as cassius' legions are by antony. titinius these tidings will well comfort cassius. messala where did you leave him? titinius all disconsolate, with pindarus his bondman, on this hill. messala is not that he that lies upon the ground? titinius he lies not like the living. o my heart! messala is not that he? titinius no, this was he, messala, but cassius is no more. o setting sun, as in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night, so in his red blood cassius' day is set; the sun of rome is set! our day is gone; clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done! mistrust of my success hath done this deed. messala mistrust of good success hath done this deed. o hateful error, melancholy's child, why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men the things that are not? o error, soon conceived, thou never comest unto a happy birth, but kill'st the mother that engender'd thee! titinius what, pindarus! where art thou, pindarus? messala seek him, titinius, whilst i go to meet the noble brutus, thrusting this report into his ears; i may say, thrusting it; for piercing steel and darts envenomed shall be as welcome to the ears of brutus as tidings of this sight. titinius hie you, messala, and i will seek for pindarus the while. [exit messala] why didst thou send me forth, brave cassius? did i not meet thy friends? and did not they put on my brows this wreath of victory, and bid me give it thee? didst thou not hear their shouts? alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing! but, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; thy brutus bid me give it thee, and i will do his bidding. brutus, come apace, and see how i regarded caius cassius. by your leave, gods:--this is a roman's part come, cassius' sword, and find titinius' heart. [kills himself] [alarum. re-enter messala, with brutus, cato, strato, volumnius, and lucilius] brutus where, where, messala, doth his body lie? messala lo, yonder, and titinius mourning it. brutus titinius' face is upward. cato he is slain. brutus o julius caesar, thou art mighty yet! thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords in our own proper entrails. [low alarums] cato brave titinius! look, whether he have not crown'd dead cassius! brutus are yet two romans living such as these? the last of all the romans, fare thee well! it is impossible that ever rome should breed thy fellow. friends, i owe more tears to this dead man than you shall see me pay. i shall find time, cassius, i shall find time. come, therefore, and to thasos send his body: his funerals shall not be in our camp, lest it discomfort us. lucilius, come; and come, young cato; let us to the field. labeo and flavius, set our battles on: 'tis three o'clock; and, romans, yet ere night we shall try fortune in a second fight. [exeunt] julius caesar act v scene iv another part of the field. [alarum. enter fighting, soldiers of both armies; then brutus, cato, lucilius, and others] brutus yet, countrymen, o, yet hold up your heads! cato what bastard doth not? who will go with me? i will proclaim my name about the field: i am the son of marcus cato, ho! a foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; i am the son of marcus cato, ho! brutus and i am brutus, marcus brutus, i; brutus, my country's friend; know me for brutus! [exit] lucilius o young and noble cato, art thou down? why, now thou diest as bravely as titinius; and mayst be honour'd, being cato's son. first soldier yield, or thou diest. lucilius only i yield to die: there is so much that thou wilt kill me straight; [offering money] kill brutus, and be honour'd in his death. first soldier we must not. a noble prisoner! second soldier room, ho! tell antony, brutus is ta'en. first soldier i'll tell the news. here comes the general. [enter antony] brutus is ta'en, brutus is ta'en, my lord. antony where is he? lucilius safe, antony; brutus is safe enough: i dare assure thee that no enemy shall ever take alive the noble brutus: the gods defend him from so great a shame! when you do find him, or alive or dead, he will be found like brutus, like himself. antony this is not brutus, friend; but, i assure you, a prize no less in worth: keep this man safe; give him all kindness: i had rather have such men my friends than enemies. go on, and see whether brutus be alive or dead; and bring us word unto octavius' tent how every thing is chanced. [exeunt] julius caesar act v scene v another part of the field. [enter brutus, dardanius, clitus, strato, and volumnius] brutus come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. clitus statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, he came not back: he is or ta'en or slain. brutus sit thee down, clitus: slaying is the word; it is a deed in fashion. hark thee, clitus. [whispers] clitus what, i, my lord? no, not for all the world. brutus peace then! no words. clitus i'll rather kill myself. brutus hark thee, dardanius. [whispers] dardanius shall i do such a deed? clitus o dardanius! dardanius o clitus! clitus what ill request did brutus make to thee? dardanius to kill him, clitus. look, he meditates. clitus now is that noble vessel full of grief, that it runs over even at his eyes. brutus come hither, good volumnius; list a word. volumnius what says my lord? brutus why, this, volumnius: the ghost of caesar hath appear'd to me two several times by night; at sardis once, and, this last night, here in philippi fields: i know my hour is come. volumnius not so, my lord. brutus nay, i am sure it is, volumnius. thou seest the world, volumnius, how it goes; our enemies have beat us to the pit: [low alarums] it is more worthy to leap in ourselves, than tarry till they push us. good volumnius, thou know'st that we two went to school together: even for that our love of old, i prithee, hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst i run on it. volumnius that's not an office for a friend, my lord. [alarum still] clitus fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here. brutus farewell to you; and you; and you, volumnius. strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; farewell to thee too, strato. countrymen, my heart doth joy that yet in all my life i found no man but he was true to me. i shall have glory by this losing day more than octavius and mark antony by this vile conquest shall attain unto. so fare you well at once; for brutus' tongue hath almost ended his life's history: night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, that have but labour'd to attain this hour. [alarum. cry within, 'fly, fly, fly!'] clitus fly, my lord, fly. brutus hence! i will follow. [exeunt clitus, dardanius, and volumnius] i prithee, strato, stay thou by thy lord: thou art a fellow of a good respect; thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it: hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, while i do run upon it. wilt thou, strato? strato give me your hand first. fare you well, my lord. brutus farewell, good strato. [runs on his sword] caesar, now be still: i kill'd not thee with half so good a will. [dies] [alarum. retreat. enter octavius, antony, messala, lucilius, and the army] octavius what man is that? messala my master's man. strato, where is thy master? strato free from the bondage you are in, messala: the conquerors can but make a fire of him; for brutus only overcame himself, and no man else hath honour by his death. lucilius so brutus should be found. i thank thee, brutus, that thou hast proved lucilius' saying true. octavius all that served brutus, i will entertain them. fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me? strato ay, if messala will prefer me to you. octavius do so, good messala. messala how died my master, strato? strato i held the sword, and he did run on it. messala octavius, then take him to follow thee, that did the latest service to my master. antony this was the noblest roman of them all: all the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great caesar; he only, in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them. his life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world 'this was a man!' octavius according to his virtue let us use him, with all respect and rites of burial. within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, most like a soldier, order'd honourably. so call the field to rest; and let's away, to part the glories of this happy day. [exeunt] king john dramatis personae king john: prince henry son to the king. arthur duke of bretagne, nephew to the king. the earl of pembroke (pembroke:) the earl of essex (essex:) the earl of salisbury (salisbury:) the lord bigot (bigot:) hubert de burgh (hubert:) robert faulconbridge son to sir robert faulconbridge. (robert:) philip the bastard his half-brother. (bastard:) james gurney servant to lady faulconbridge. (gurney:) peter of pomfret a prophet. (peter:) philip king of france. (king philip:) lewis the dauphin. lymoges duke of austria. (austria:) cardinal pandulph the pope's legate. melun a french lord. chatillon ambassador from france to king john. queen elinor mother to king john. constance mother to arthur. blanch of spain niece to king john. (blanch:) lady faulconbridge: lords, citizens of angiers, sheriff, heralds, officers, soldiers, messengers, and other attendants. (first citizen:) (french herald:) (english herald:) (first executioner:) (messenger:) scene partly in england, and partly in france. king john act i scene i king john's palace. [enter king john, queen elinor, pembroke, essex, salisbury, and others, with chatillon] king john now, say, chatillon, what would france with us? chatillon thus, after greeting, speaks the king of france in my behavior to the majesty, the borrow'd majesty, of england here. queen elinor a strange beginning: 'borrow'd majesty!' king john silence, good mother; hear the embassy. chatillon philip of france, in right and true behalf of thy deceased brother geffrey's son, arthur plantagenet, lays most lawful claim to this fair island and the territories, to ireland, poictiers, anjou, touraine, maine, desiring thee to lay aside the sword which sways usurpingly these several titles, and put these same into young arthur's hand, thy nephew and right royal sovereign. king john what follows if we disallow of this? chatillon the proud control of fierce and bloody war, to enforce these rights so forcibly withheld. king john here have we war for war and blood for blood, controlment for controlment: so answer france. chatillon then take my king's defiance from my mouth, the farthest limit of my embassy. king john bear mine to him, and so depart in peace: be thou as lightning in the eyes of france; for ere thou canst report i will be there, the thunder of my cannon shall be heard: so hence! be thou the trumpet of our wrath and sullen presage of your own decay. an honourable conduct let him have: pembroke, look to 't. farewell, chatillon. [exeunt chatillon and pembroke] queen elinor what now, my son! have i not ever said how that ambitious constance would not cease till she had kindled france and all the world, upon the right and party of her son? this might have been prevented and made whole with very easy arguments of love, which now the manage of two kingdoms must with fearful bloody issue arbitrate. king john our strong possession and our right for us. queen elinor your strong possession much more than your right, or else it must go wrong with you and me: so much my conscience whispers in your ear, which none but heaven and you and i shall hear. [enter a sheriff] essex my liege, here is the strangest controversy come from country to be judged by you, that e'er i heard: shall i produce the men? king john let them approach. our abbeys and our priories shall pay this expedition's charge. [enter robert and the bastard] what men are you? bastard your faithful subject i, a gentleman born in northamptonshire and eldest son, as i suppose, to robert faulconbridge, a soldier, by the honour-giving hand of coeur-de-lion knighted in the field. king john what art thou? robert the son and heir to that same faulconbridge. king john is that the elder, and art thou the heir? you came not of one mother then, it seems. bastard most certain of one mother, mighty king; that is well known; and, as i think, one father: but for the certain knowledge of that truth i put you o'er to heaven and to my mother: of that i doubt, as all men's children may. queen elinor out on thee, rude man! thou dost shame thy mother and wound her honour with this diffidence. bastard i, madam? no, i have no reason for it; that is my brother's plea and none of mine; the which if he can prove, a' pops me out at least from fair five hundred pound a year: heaven guard my mother's honour and my land! king john a good blunt fellow. why, being younger born, doth he lay claim to thine inheritance? bastard i know not why, except to get the land. but once he slander'd me with bastardy: but whether i be as true begot or no, that still i lay upon my mother's head, but that i am as well begot, my liege,- fair fall the bones that took the pains for me!- compare our faces and be judge yourself. if old sir robert did beget us both and were our father and this son like him, o old sir robert, father, on my knee i give heaven thanks i was not like to thee! king john why, what a madcap hath heaven lent us here! queen elinor he hath a trick of coeur-de-lion's face; the accent of his tongue affecteth him. do you not read some tokens of my son in the large composition of this man? king john mine eye hath well examined his parts and finds them perfect richard. sirrah, speak, what doth move you to claim your brother's land? bastard because he hath a half-face, like my father. with half that face would he have all my land: a half-faced groat five hundred pound a year! robert my gracious liege, when that my father lived, your brother did employ my father much,- bastard well, sir, by this you cannot get my land: your tale must be how he employ'd my mother. robert and once dispatch'd him in an embassy to germany, there with the emperor to treat of high affairs touching that time. the advantage of his absence took the king and in the mean time sojourn'd at my father's; where how he did prevail i shame to speak, but truth is truth: large lengths of seas and shores between my father and my mother lay, as i have heard my father speak himself, when this same lusty gentleman was got. upon his death-bed he by will bequeath'd his lands to me, and took it on his death that this my mother's son was none of his; and if he were, he came into the world full fourteen weeks before the course of time. then, good my liege, let me have what is mine, my father's land, as was my father's will. king john sirrah, your brother is legitimate; your father's wife did after wedlock bear him, and if she did play false, the fault was hers; which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands that marry wives. tell me, how if my brother, who, as you say, took pains to get this son, had of your father claim'd this son for his? in sooth, good friend, your father might have kept this calf bred from his cow from all the world; in sooth he might; then, if he were my brother's, my brother might not claim him; nor your father, being none of his, refuse him: this concludes; my mother's son did get your father's heir; your father's heir must have your father's land. robert shall then my father's will be of no force to dispossess that child which is not his? bastard of no more force to dispossess me, sir, than was his will to get me, as i think. queen elinor whether hadst thou rather be a faulconbridge and like thy brother, to enjoy thy land, or the reputed son of coeur-de-lion, lord of thy presence and no land beside? bastard madam, an if my brother had my shape, and i had his, sir robert's his, like him; and if my legs were two such riding-rods, my arms such eel-skins stuff'd, my face so thin that in mine ear i durst not stick a rose lest men should say 'look, where three-farthings goes!' and, to his shape, were heir to all this land, would i might never stir from off this place, i would give it every foot to have this face; i would not be sir nob in any case. queen elinor i like thee well: wilt thou forsake thy fortune, bequeath thy land to him and follow me? i am a soldier and now bound to france. bastard brother, take you my land, i'll take my chance. your face hath got five hundred pound a year, yet sell your face for five pence and 'tis dear. madam, i'll follow you unto the death. queen elinor nay, i would have you go before me thither. bastard our country manners give our betters way. king john what is thy name? bastard philip, my liege, so is my name begun, philip, good old sir robert's wife's eldest son. king john from henceforth bear his name whose form thou bear'st: kneel thou down philip, but rise more great, arise sir richard and plantagenet. bastard brother by the mother's side, give me your hand: my father gave me honour, yours gave land. now blessed by the hour, by night or day, when i was got, sir robert was away! queen elinor the very spirit of plantagenet! i am thy grandam, richard; call me so. bastard madam, by chance but not by truth; what though? something about, a little from the right, in at the window, or else o'er the hatch: who dares not stir by day must walk by night, and have is have, however men do catch: near or far off, well won is still well shot, and i am i, howe'er i was begot. king john go, faulconbridge: now hast thou thy desire; a landless knight makes thee a landed squire. come, madam, and come, richard, we must speed for france, for france, for it is more than need. bastard brother, adieu: good fortune come to thee! for thou wast got i' the way of honesty. [exeunt all but bastard] a foot of honour better than i was; but many a many foot of land the worse. well, now can i make any joan a lady. 'good den, sir richard!'--'god-a-mercy, fellow!'- and if his name be george, i'll call him peter; for new-made honour doth forget men's names; 'tis too respective and too sociable for your conversion. now your traveller, he and his toothpick at my worship's mess, and when my knightly stomach is sufficed, why then i suck my teeth and catechise my picked man of countries: 'my dear sir,' thus, leaning on mine elbow, i begin, 'i shall beseech you'--that is question now; and then comes answer like an absey book: 'o sir,' says answer, 'at your best command; at your employment; at your service, sir;' 'no, sir,' says question, 'i, sweet sir, at yours:' and so, ere answer knows what question would, saving in dialogue of compliment, and talking of the alps and apennines, the pyrenean and the river po, it draws toward supper in conclusion so. but this is worshipful society and fits the mounting spirit like myself, for he is but a bastard to the time that doth not smack of observation; and so am i, whether i smack or no; and not alone in habit and device, exterior form, outward accoutrement, but from the inward motion to deliver sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age's tooth: which, though i will not practise to deceive, yet, to avoid deceit, i mean to learn; for it shall strew the footsteps of my rising. but who comes in such haste in riding-robes? what woman-post is this? hath she no husband that will take pains to blow a horn before her? [enter lady faulconbridge and gurney] o me! it is my mother. how now, good lady! what brings you here to court so hastily? lady faulconbridge where is that slave, thy brother? where is he, that holds in chase mine honour up and down? bastard my brother robert? old sir robert's son? colbrand the giant, that same mighty man? is it sir robert's son that you seek so? lady faulconbridge sir robert's son! ay, thou unreverend boy, sir robert's son: why scorn'st thou at sir robert? he is sir robert's son, and so art thou. bastard james gurney, wilt thou give us leave awhile? gurney good leave, good philip. bastard philip! sparrow: james, there's toys abroad: anon i'll tell thee more. [exit gurney] madam, i was not old sir robert's son: sir robert might have eat his part in me upon good-friday and ne'er broke his fast: sir robert could do well: marry, to confess, could he get me? sir robert could not do it: we know his handiwork: therefore, good mother, to whom am i beholding for these limbs? sir robert never holp to make this leg. lady faulconbridge hast thou conspired with thy brother too, that for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour? what means this scorn, thou most untoward knave? bastard knight, knight, good mother, basilisco-like. what! i am dubb'd! i have it on my shoulder. but, mother, i am not sir robert's son; i have disclaim'd sir robert and my land; legitimation, name and all is gone: then, good my mother, let me know my father; some proper man, i hope: who was it, mother? lady faulconbridge hast thou denied thyself a faulconbridge? bastard as faithfully as i deny the devil. lady faulconbridge king richard coeur-de-lion was thy father: by long and vehement suit i was seduced to make room for him in my husband's bed: heaven lay not my transgression to my charge! thou art the issue of my dear offence, which was so strongly urged past my defence. bastard now, by this light, were i to get again, madam, i would not wish a better father. some sins do bear their privilege on earth, and so doth yours; your fault was not your folly: needs must you lay your heart at his dispose, subjected tribute to commanding love, against whose fury and unmatched force the aweless lion could not wage the fight, nor keep his princely heart from richard's hand. he that perforce robs lions of their hearts may easily win a woman's. ay, my mother, with all my heart i thank thee for my father! who lives and dares but say thou didst not well when i was got, i'll send his soul to hell. come, lady, i will show thee to my kin; and they shall say, when richard me begot, if thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin: who says it was, he lies; i say 'twas not. [exeunt] king john act ii scene i france. before angiers. [enter austria and forces, drums, etc. on one side: on the other king philip and his power; lewis, arthur, constance and attendants] lewis before angiers well met, brave austria. arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood, richard, that robb'd the lion of his heart and fought the holy wars in palestine, by this brave duke came early to his grave: and for amends to his posterity, at our importance hither is he come, to spread his colours, boy, in thy behalf, and to rebuke the usurpation of thy unnatural uncle, english john: embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither. arthur god shall forgive you coeur-de-lion's death the rather that you give his offspring life, shadowing their right under your wings of war: i give you welcome with a powerless hand, but with a heart full of unstained love: welcome before the gates of angiers, duke. lewis a noble boy! who would not do thee right? austria upon thy cheek lay i this zealous kiss, as seal to this indenture of my love, that to my home i will no more return, till angiers and the right thou hast in france, together with that pale, that white-faced shore, whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides and coops from other lands her islanders, even till that england, hedged in with the main, that water-walled bulwark, still secure and confident from foreign purposes, even till that utmost corner of the west salute thee for her king: till then, fair boy, will i not think of home, but follow arms. constance o, take his mother's thanks, a widow's thanks, till your strong hand shall help to give him strength to make a more requital to your love! austria the peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords in such a just and charitable war. king philip well then, to work: our cannon shall be bent against the brows of this resisting town. call for our chiefest men of discipline, to cull the plots of best advantages: we'll lay before this town our royal bones, wade to the market-place in frenchmen's blood, but we will make it subject to this boy. constance stay for an answer to your embassy, lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood: my lord chatillon may from england bring, that right in peace which here we urge in war, and then we shall repent each drop of blood that hot rash haste so indirectly shed. [enter chatillon] king philip a wonder, lady! lo, upon thy wish, our messenger chatillon is arrived! what england says, say briefly, gentle lord; we coldly pause for thee; chatillon, speak. chatillon then turn your forces from this paltry siege and stir them up against a mightier task. england, impatient of your just demands, hath put himself in arms: the adverse winds, whose leisure i have stay'd, have given him time to land his legions all as soon as i; his marches are expedient to this town, his forces strong, his soldiers confident. with him along is come the mother-queen, an ate, stirring him to blood and strife; with her her niece, the lady blanch of spain; with them a bastard of the king's deceased, and all the unsettled humours of the land, rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries, with ladies' faces and fierce dragons' spleens, have sold their fortunes at their native homes, bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs, to make hazard of new fortunes here: in brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits than now the english bottoms have waft o'er did nearer float upon the swelling tide, to do offence and scath in christendom. [drum beats] the interruption of their churlish drums cuts off more circumstance: they are at hand, to parley or to fight; therefore prepare. king philip how much unlook'd for is this expedition! austria by how much unexpected, by so much we must awake endavour for defence; for courage mounteth with occasion: let them be welcome then: we are prepared. [enter king john, queen elinor, blanch, the bastard, lords, and forces] king john peace be to france, if france in peace permit our just and lineal entrance to our own; if not, bleed france, and peace ascend to heaven, whiles we, god's wrathful agent, do correct their proud contempt that beats his peace to heaven. king philip peace be to england, if that war return from france to england, there to live in peace. england we love; and for that england's sake with burden of our armour here we sweat. this toil of ours should be a work of thine; but thou from loving england art so far, that thou hast under-wrought his lawful king cut off the sequence of posterity, out-faced infant state and done a rape upon the maiden virtue of the crown. look here upon thy brother geffrey's face; these eyes, these brows, were moulded out of his: this little abstract doth contain that large which died in geffrey, and the hand of time shall draw this brief into as huge a volume. that geffrey was thy elder brother born, and this his son; england was geffrey's right and this is geffrey's: in the name of god how comes it then that thou art call'd a king, when living blood doth in these temples beat, which owe the crown that thou o'ermasterest? king john from whom hast thou this great commission, france, to draw my answer from thy articles? king philip from that supernal judge, that stirs good thoughts in any breast of strong authority, to look into the blots and stains of right: that judge hath made me guardian to this boy: under whose warrant i impeach thy wrong and by whose help i mean to chastise it. king john alack, thou dost usurp authority. king philip excuse; it is to beat usurping down. queen elinor who is it thou dost call usurper, france? constance let me make answer; thy usurping son. queen elinor out, insolent! thy bastard shall be king, that thou mayst be a queen, and cheque the world! constance my bed was ever to thy son as true as thine was to thy husband; and this boy liker in feature to his father geffrey than thou and john in manners; being as like as rain to water, or devil to his dam. my boy a bastard! by my soul, i think his father never was so true begot: it cannot be, an if thou wert his mother. queen elinor there's a good mother, boy, that blots thy father. constance there's a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee. austria peace! bastard hear the crier. austria what the devil art thou? bastard one that will play the devil, sir, with you, an a' may catch your hide and you alone: you are the hare of whom the proverb goes, whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard; i'll smoke your skin-coat, an i catch you right; sirrah, look to't; i' faith, i will, i' faith. blanch o, well did he become that lion's robe that did disrobe the lion of that robe! bastard it lies as sightly on the back of him as great alcides' shows upon an ass: but, ass, i'll take that burthen from your back, or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack. austria what craker is this same that deafs our ears with this abundance of superfluous breath? king philip lewis, determine what we shall do straight. lewis women and fools, break off your conference. king john, this is the very sum of all; england and ireland, anjou, touraine, maine, in right of arthur do i claim of thee: wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms? king john my life as soon: i do defy thee, france. arthur of bretagne, yield thee to my hand; and out of my dear love i'll give thee more than e'er the coward hand of france can win: submit thee, boy. queen elinor come to thy grandam, child. constance do, child, go to it grandam, child: give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig: there's a good grandam. arthur good my mother, peace! i would that i were low laid in my grave: i am not worth this coil that's made for me. queen elinor his mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps. constance now shame upon you, whether she does or no! his grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames, draws those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes, which heaven shall take in nature of a fee; ay, with these crystal beads heaven shall be bribed to do him justice and revenge on you. queen elinor thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth! constance thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth! call not me slanderer; thou and thine usurp the dominations, royalties and rights of this oppressed boy: this is thy eld'st son's son, infortunate in nothing but in thee: thy sins are visited in this poor child; the canon of the law is laid on him, being but the second generation removed from thy sin-conceiving womb. king john bedlam, have done. constance i have but this to say, that he is not only plagued for her sin, but god hath made her sin and her the plague on this removed issue, plague for her and with her plague; her sin his injury, her injury the beadle to her sin, all punish'd in the person of this child, and all for her; a plague upon her! queen elinor thou unadvised scold, i can produce a will that bars the title of thy son. constance ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will: a woman's will; a canker'd grandam's will! king philip peace, lady! pause, or be more temperate: it ill beseems this presence to cry aim to these ill-tuned repetitions. some trumpet summon hither to the walls these men of angiers: let us hear them speak whose title they admit, arthur's or john's. [trumpet sounds. enter certain citizens upon the walls] first citizen who is it that hath warn'd us to the walls? king philip 'tis france, for england. king john england, for itself. you men of angiers, and my loving subjects- king philip you loving men of angiers, arthur's subjects, our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle- king john for our advantage; therefore hear us first. these flags of france, that are advanced here before the eye and prospect of your town, have hither march'd to your endamagement: the cannons have their bowels full of wrath, and ready mounted are they to spit forth their iron indignation 'gainst your walls: all preparation for a bloody siege all merciless proceeding by these french confronts your city's eyes, your winking gates; and but for our approach those sleeping stones, that as a waist doth girdle you about, by the compulsion of their ordinance by this time from their fixed beds of lime had been dishabited, and wide havoc made for bloody power to rush upon your peace. but on the sight of us your lawful king, who painfully with much expedient march have brought a countercheque before your gates, to save unscratch'd your city's threatened cheeks, behold, the french amazed vouchsafe a parle; and now, instead of bullets wrapp'd in fire, to make a shaking fever in your walls, they shoot but calm words folded up in smoke, to make a faithless error in your ears: which trust accordingly, kind citizens, and let us in, your king, whose labour'd spirits, forwearied in this action of swift speed, crave harbourage within your city walls. king philip when i have said, make answer to us both. lo, in this right hand, whose protection is most divinely vow'd upon the right of him it holds, stands young plantagenet, son to the elder brother of this man, and king o'er him and all that he enjoys: for this down-trodden equity, we tread in warlike march these greens before your town, being no further enemy to you than the constraint of hospitable zeal in the relief of this oppressed child religiously provokes. be pleased then to pay that duty which you truly owe to that owes it, namely this young prince: and then our arms, like to a muzzled bear, save in aspect, hath all offence seal'd up; our cannons' malice vainly shall be spent against the invulnerable clouds of heaven; and with a blessed and unvex'd retire, with unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruised, we will bear home that lusty blood again which here we came to spout against your town, and leave your children, wives and you in peace. but if you fondly pass our proffer'd offer, 'tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls can hide you from our messengers of war, though all these english and their discipline were harbour'd in their rude circumference. then tell us, shall your city call us lord, in that behalf which we have challenged it? or shall we give the signal to our rage and stalk in blood to our possession? first citizen in brief, we are the king of england's subjects: for him, and in his right, we hold this town. king john acknowledge then the king, and let me in. first citizen that can we not; but he that proves the king, to him will we prove loyal: till that time have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. king john doth not the crown of england prove the king? and if not that, i bring you witnesses, twice fifteen thousand hearts of england's breed,- bastard bastards, and else. king john to verify our title with their lives. king philip as many and as well-born bloods as those,- bastard some bastards too. king philip stand in his face to contradict his claim. first citizen till you compound whose right is worthiest, we for the worthiest hold the right from both. king john then god forgive the sin of all those souls that to their everlasting residence, before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet, in dreadful trial of our kingdom's king! king philip amen, amen! mount, chevaliers! to arms! bastard saint george, that swinged the dragon, and e'er since sits on his horseback at mine hostess' door, teach us some fence! [to austria] sirrah, were i at home, at your den, sirrah, with your lioness i would set an ox-head to your lion's hide, and make a monster of you. austria peace! no more. bastard o tremble, for you hear the lion roar. king john up higher to the plain; where we'll set forth in best appointment all our regiments. bastard speed then, to take advantage of the field. king philip it shall be so; and at the other hill command the rest to stand. god and our right! [exeunt] [here after excursions, enter the herald of france, with trumpets, to the gates] french herald you men of angiers, open wide your gates, and let young arthur, duke of bretagne, in, who by the hand of france this day hath made much work for tears in many an english mother, whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground; many a widow's husband grovelling lies, coldly embracing the discolour'd earth; and victory, with little loss, doth play upon the dancing banners of the french, who are at hand, triumphantly display'd, to enter conquerors and to proclaim arthur of bretagne england's king and yours. [enter english herald, with trumpet] english herald rejoice, you men of angiers, ring your bells: king john, your king and england's doth approach, commander of this hot malicious day: their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright, hither return all gilt with frenchmen's blood; there stuck no plume in any english crest that is removed by a staff of france; our colours do return in those same hands that did display them when we first march'd forth; and, like a troop of jolly huntsmen, come our lusty english, all with purpled hands, dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes: open your gates and gives the victors way. first citizen heralds, from off our towers we might behold, from first to last, the onset and retire of both your armies; whose equality by our best eyes cannot be censured: blood hath bought blood and blows have answered blows; strength match'd with strength, and power confronted power: both are alike; and both alike we like. one must prove greatest: while they weigh so even, we hold our town for neither, yet for both. [re-enter king john and king philip, with their powers, severally] king john france, hast thou yet more blood to cast away? say, shall the current of our right run on? whose passage, vex'd with thy impediment, shall leave his native channel and o'erswell with course disturb'd even thy confining shores, unless thou let his silver water keep a peaceful progress to the ocean. king philip england, thou hast not saved one drop of blood, in this hot trial, more than we of france; rather, lost more. and by this hand i swear, that sways the earth this climate overlooks, before we will lay down our just-borne arms, we'll put thee down, 'gainst whom these arms we bear, or add a royal number to the dead, gracing the scroll that tells of this war's loss with slaughter coupled to the name of kings. bastard ha, majesty! how high thy glory towers, when the rich blood of kings is set on fire! o, now doth death line his dead chaps with steel; the swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs; and now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men, in undetermined differences of kings. why stand these royal fronts amazed thus? cry, 'havoc!' kings; back to the stained field, you equal potents, fiery kindled spirits! then let confusion of one part confirm the other's peace: till then, blows, blood and death! king john whose party do the townsmen yet admit? king philip speak, citizens, for england; who's your king? first citizen the king of england; when we know the king. king philip know him in us, that here hold up his right. king john in us, that are our own great deputy and bear possession of our person here, lord of our presence, angiers, and of you. first citizen a greater power then we denies all this; and till it be undoubted, we do lock our former scruple in our strong-barr'd gates; king'd of our fears, until our fears, resolved, be by some certain king purged and deposed. bastard by heaven, these scroyles of angiers flout you, kings, and stand securely on their battlements, as in a theatre, whence they gape and point at your industrious scenes and acts of death. your royal presences be ruled by me: do like the mutines of jerusalem, be friends awhile and both conjointly bend your sharpest deeds of malice on this town: by east and west let france and england mount their battering cannon charged to the mouths, till their soul-fearing clamours have brawl'd down the flinty ribs of this contemptuous city: i'ld play incessantly upon these jades, even till unfenced desolation leave them as naked as the vulgar air. that done, dissever your united strengths, and part your mingled colours once again; turn face to face and bloody point to point; then, in a moment, fortune shall cull forth out of one side her happy minion, to whom in favour she shall give the day, and kiss him with a glorious victory. how like you this wild counsel, mighty states? smacks it not something of the policy? king john now, by the sky that hangs above our heads, i like it well. france, shall we knit our powers and lay this angiers even to the ground; then after fight who shall be king of it? bastard an if thou hast the mettle of a king, being wronged as we are by this peevish town, turn thou the mouth of thy artillery, as we will ours, against these saucy walls; and when that we have dash'd them to the ground, why then defy each other and pell-mell make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell. king philip let it be so. say, where will you assault? king john we from the west will send destruction into this city's bosom. austria i from the north. king philip our thunder from the south shall rain their drift of bullets on this town. bastard o prudent discipline! from north to south: austria and france shoot in each other's mouth: i'll stir them to it. come, away, away! first citizen hear us, great kings: vouchsafe awhile to stay, and i shall show you peace and fair-faced league; win you this city without stroke or wound; rescue those breathing lives to die in beds, that here come sacrifices for the field: persever not, but hear me, mighty kings. king john speak on with favour; we are bent to hear. first citizen that daughter there of spain, the lady blanch, is niece to england: look upon the years of lewis the dauphin and that lovely maid: if lusty love should go in quest of beauty, where should he find it fairer than in blanch? if zealous love should go in search of virtue, where should he find it purer than in blanch? if love ambitious sought a match of birth, whose veins bound richer blood than lady blanch? such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth, is the young dauphin every way complete: if not complete of, say he is not she; and she again wants nothing, to name want, if want it be not that she is not he: he is the half part of a blessed man, left to be finished by such as she; and she a fair divided excellence, whose fulness of perfection lies in him. o, two such silver currents, when they join, do glorify the banks that bound them in; and two such shores to two such streams made one, two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings, to these two princes, if you marry them. this union shall do more than battery can to our fast-closed gates; for at this match, with swifter spleen than powder can enforce, the mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope, and give you entrance: but without this match, the sea enraged is not half so deaf, lions more confident, mountains and rocks more free from motion, no, not death himself in moral fury half so peremptory, as we to keep this city. bastard here's a stay that shakes the rotten carcass of old death out of his rags! here's a large mouth, indeed, that spits forth death and mountains, rocks and seas, talks as familiarly of roaring lions as maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs! what cannoneer begot this lusty blood? he speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke and bounce; he gives the bastinado with his tongue: our ears are cudgell'd; not a word of his but buffets better than a fist of france: zounds! i was never so bethump'd with words since i first call'd my brother's father dad. queen elinor son, list to this conjunction, make this match; give with our niece a dowry large enough: for by this knot thou shalt so surely tie thy now unsured assurance to the crown, that yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe the bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit. i see a yielding in the looks of france; mark, how they whisper: urge them while their souls are capable of this ambition, lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath of soft petitions, pity and remorse, cool and congeal again to what it was. first citizen why answer not the double majesties this friendly treaty of our threaten'd town? king philip speak england first, that hath been forward first to speak unto this city: what say you? king john if that the dauphin there, thy princely son, can in this book of beauty read 'i love,' her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen: for anjou and fair touraine, maine, poictiers, and all that we upon this side the sea, except this city now by us besieged, find liable to our crown and dignity, shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich in titles, honours and promotions, as she in beauty, education, blood, holds hand with any princess of the world. king philip what say'st thou, boy? look in the lady's face. lewis i do, my lord; and in her eye i find a wonder, or a wondrous miracle, the shadow of myself form'd in her eye: which being but the shadow of your son, becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow: i do protest i never loved myself till now infixed i beheld myself drawn in the flattering table of her eye. [whispers with blanch] bastard drawn in the flattering table of her eye! hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow! and quarter'd in her heart! he doth espy himself love's traitor: this is pity now, that hang'd and drawn and quartered, there should be in such a love so vile a lout as he. blanch my uncle's will in this respect is mine: if he see aught in you that makes him like, that any thing he sees, which moves his liking, i can with ease translate it to my will; or if you will, to speak more properly, i will enforce it easily to my love. further i will not flatter you, my lord, that all i see in you is worthy love, than this; that nothing do i see in you, though churlish thoughts themselves should be your judge, that i can find should merit any hate. king john what say these young ones? what say you my niece? blanch that she is bound in honour still to do what you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say. king john speak then, prince dauphin; can you love this lady? lewis nay, ask me if i can refrain from love; for i do love her most unfeignedly. king john then do i give volquessen, touraine, maine, poictiers and anjou, these five provinces, with her to thee; and this addition more, full thirty thousand marks of english coin. philip of france, if thou be pleased withal, command thy son and daughter to join hands. king philip it likes us well; young princes, close your hands. austria and your lips too; for i am well assured that i did so when i was first assured. king philip now, citizens of angiers, ope your gates, let in that amity which you have made; for at saint mary's chapel presently the rites of marriage shall be solemnized. is not the lady constance in this troop? i know she is not, for this match made up her presence would have interrupted much: where is she and her son? tell me, who knows. lewis she is sad and passionate at your highness' tent. king philip and, by my faith, this league that we have made will give her sadness very little cure. brother of england, how may we content this widow lady? in her right we came; which we, god knows, have turn'd another way, to our own vantage. king john we will heal up all; for we'll create young arthur duke of bretagne and earl of richmond; and this rich fair town we make him lord of. call the lady constance; some speedy messenger bid her repair to our solemnity: i trust we shall, if not fill up the measure of her will, yet in some measure satisfy her so that we shall stop her exclamation. go we, as well as haste will suffer us, to this unlook'd for, unprepared pomp. [exeunt all but the bastard] bastard mad world! mad kings! mad composition! john, to stop arthur's title in the whole, hath willingly departed with a part, and france, whose armour conscience buckled on, whom zeal and charity brought to the field as god's own soldier, rounded in the ear with that same purpose-changer, that sly devil, that broker, that still breaks the pate of faith, that daily break-vow, he that wins of all, of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids, who, having no external thing to lose but the word 'maid,' cheats the poor maid of that, that smooth-faced gentleman, tickling commodity, commodity, the bias of the world, the world, who of itself is peised well, made to run even upon even ground, till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias, this sway of motion, this commodity, makes it take head from all indifferency, from all direction, purpose, course, intent: and this same bias, this commodity, this bawd, this broker, this all-changing word, clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle france, hath drawn him from his own determined aid, from a resolved and honourable war, to a most base and vile-concluded peace. and why rail i on this commodity? but for because he hath not woo'd me yet: not that i have the power to clutch my hand, when his fair angels would salute my palm; but for my hand, as unattempted yet, like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich. well, whiles i am a beggar, i will rail and say there is no sin but to be rich; and being rich, my virtue then shall be to say there is no vice but beggary. since kings break faith upon commodity, gain, be my lord, for i will worship thee. [exit] king john act iii scene i the french king's pavilion. [enter constance, arthur, and salisbury] constance gone to be married! gone to swear a peace! false blood to false blood join'd! gone to be friends! shall lewis have blanch, and blanch those provinces? it is not so; thou hast misspoke, misheard: be well advised, tell o'er thy tale again: it cannot be; thou dost but say 'tis so: i trust i may not trust thee; for thy word is but the vain breath of a common man: believe me, i do not believe thee, man; i have a king's oath to the contrary. thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me, for i am sick and capable of fears, oppress'd with wrongs and therefore full of fears, a widow, husbandless, subject to fears, a woman, naturally born to fears; and though thou now confess thou didst but jest, with my vex'd spirits i cannot take a truce, but they will quake and tremble all this day. what dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? why dost thou look so sadly on my son? what means that hand upon that breast of thine? why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, like a proud river peering o'er his bounds? be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? then speak again; not all thy former tale, but this one word, whether thy tale be true. salisbury as true as i believe you think them false that give you cause to prove my saying true. constance o, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, and let belief and life encounter so as doth the fury of two desperate men which in the very meeting fall and die. lewis marry blanch! o boy, then where art thou? france friend with england, what becomes of me? fellow, be gone: i cannot brook thy sight: this news hath made thee a most ugly man. salisbury what other harm have i, good lady, done, but spoke the harm that is by others done? constance which harm within itself so heinous is as it makes harmful all that speak of it. arthur i do beseech you, madam, be content. constance if thou, that bid'st me be content, wert grim, ugly and slanderous to thy mother's womb, full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains, lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, patch'd with foul moles and eye-offending marks, i would not care, i then would be content, for then i should not love thee, no, nor thou become thy great birth nor deserve a crown. but thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, nature and fortune join'd to make thee great: of nature's gifts thou mayst with lilies boast, and with the half-blown rose. but fortune, o, she is corrupted, changed and won from thee; she adulterates hourly with thine uncle john, and with her golden hand hath pluck'd on france to tread down fair respect of sovereignty, and made his majesty the bawd to theirs. france is a bawd to fortune and king john, that strumpet fortune, that usurping john! tell me, thou fellow, is not france forsworn? envenom him with words, or get thee gone and leave those woes alone which i alone am bound to under-bear. salisbury pardon me, madam, i may not go without you to the kings. constance thou mayst, thou shalt; i will not go with thee: i will instruct my sorrows to be proud; for grief is proud and makes his owner stoop. to me and to the state of my great grief let kings assemble; for my grief's so great that no supporter but the huge firm earth can hold it up: here i and sorrows sit; here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it. [seats herself on the ground] [enter king john, king phillip, lewis, blanch, queen elinor, the bastard, austria, and attendants] king philip 'tis true, fair daughter; and this blessed day ever in france shall be kept festival: to solemnize this day the glorious sun stays in his course and plays the alchemist, turning with splendor of his precious eye the meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold: the yearly course that brings this day about shall never see it but a holiday. constance a wicked day, and not a holy day! [rising] what hath this day deserved? what hath it done, that it in golden letters should be set among the high tides in the calendar? nay, rather turn this day out of the week, this day of shame, oppression, perjury. or, if it must stand still, let wives with child pray that their burthens may not fall this day, lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd: but on this day let seamen fear no wreck; no bargains break that are not this day made: this day, all things begun come to ill end, yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change! king philip by heaven, lady, you shall have no cause to curse the fair proceedings of this day: have i not pawn'd to you my majesty? constance you have beguiled me with a counterfeit resembling majesty, which, being touch'd and tried, proves valueless: you are forsworn, forsworn; you came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood, but now in arms you strengthen it with yours: the grappling vigour and rough frown of war is cold in amity and painted peace, and our oppression hath made up this league. arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings! a widow cries; be husband to me, heavens! let not the hours of this ungodly day wear out the day in peace; but, ere sunset, set armed discord 'twixt these perjured kings! hear me, o, hear me! austria lady constance, peace! constance war! war! no peace! peace is to me a war o lymoges! o austria! thou dost shame that bloody spoil: thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward! thou little valiant, great in villany! thou ever strong upon the stronger side! thou fortune's champion that dost never fight but when her humorous ladyship is by to teach thee safety! thou art perjured too, and soothest up greatness. what a fool art thou, a ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear upon my party! thou cold-blooded slave, hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side, been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend upon thy stars, thy fortune and thy strength, and dost thou now fall over to my fores? thou wear a lion's hide! doff it for shame, and hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. austria o, that a man should speak those words to me! bastard and hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. austria thou darest not say so, villain, for thy life. bastard and hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. king john we like not this; thou dost forget thyself. [enter cardinal pandulph] king philip here comes the holy legate of the pope. cardinal pandulph hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! to thee, king john, my holy errand is. i pandulph, of fair milan cardinal, and from pope innocent the legate here, do in his name religiously demand why thou against the church, our holy mother, so wilfully dost spurn; and force perforce keep stephen langton, chosen archbishop of canterbury, from that holy see? this, in our foresaid holy father's name, pope innocent, i do demand of thee. king john what earthy name to interrogatories can task the free breath of a sacred king? thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name so slight, unworthy and ridiculous, to charge me to an answer, as the pope. tell him this tale; and from the mouth of england add thus much more, that no italian priest shall tithe or toll in our dominions; but as we, under heaven, are supreme head, so under him that great supremacy, where we do reign, we will alone uphold, without the assistance of a mortal hand: so tell the pope, all reverence set apart to him and his usurp'd authority. king philip brother of england, you blaspheme in this. king john though you and all the kings of christendom are led so grossly by this meddling priest, dreading the curse that money may buy out; and by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, purchase corrupted pardon of a man, who in that sale sells pardon from himself, though you and all the rest so grossly led this juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, yet i alone, alone do me oppose against the pope and count his friends my foes. cardinal pandulph then, by the lawful power that i have, thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate. and blessed shall he be that doth revolt from his allegiance to an heretic; and meritorious shall that hand be call'd, canonized and worshipped as a saint, that takes away by any secret course thy hateful life. constance o, lawful let it be that i have room with rome to curse awhile! good father cardinal, cry thou amen to my keen curses; for without my wrong there is no tongue hath power to curse him right. cardinal pandulph there's law and warrant, lady, for my curse. constance and for mine too: when law can do no right, let it be lawful that law bar no wrong: law cannot give my child his kingdom here, for he that holds his kingdom holds the law; therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, how can the law forbid my tongue to curse? cardinal pandulph philip of france, on peril of a curse, let go the hand of that arch-heretic; and raise the power of france upon his head, unless he do submit himself to rome. queen elinor look'st thou pale, france? do not let go thy hand. constance look to that, devil; lest that france repent, and by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul. austria king philip, listen to the cardinal. bastard and hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs. austria well, ruffian, i must pocket up these wrongs, because- bastard your breeches best may carry them. king john philip, what say'st thou to the cardinal? constance what should he say, but as the cardinal? lewis bethink you, father; for the difference is purchase of a heavy curse from rome, or the light loss of england for a friend: forego the easier. blanch that's the curse of rome. constance o lewis, stand fast! the devil tempts thee here in likeness of a new untrimmed bride. blanch the lady constance speaks not from her faith, but from her need. constance o, if thou grant my need, which only lives but by the death of faith, that need must needs infer this principle, that faith would live again by death of need. o then, tread down my need, and faith mounts up; keep my need up, and faith is trodden down! king john the king is moved, and answers not to this. constance o, be removed from him, and answer well! austria do so, king philip; hang no more in doubt. bastard hang nothing but a calf's-skin, most sweet lout. king philip i am perplex'd, and know not what to say. cardinal pandulph what canst thou say but will perplex thee more, if thou stand excommunicate and cursed? king philip good reverend father, make my person yours, and tell me how you would bestow yourself. this royal hand and mine are newly knit, and the conjunction of our inward souls married in league, coupled and linked together with all religious strength of sacred vows; the latest breath that gave the sound of words was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love between our kingdoms and our royal selves, and even before this truce, but new before, no longer than we well could wash our hands to clap this royal bargain up of peace, heaven knows, they were besmear'd and over-stain'd with slaughter's pencil, where revenge did paint the fearful difference of incensed kings: and shall these hands, so lately purged of blood, so newly join'd in love, so strong in both, unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet? play fast and loose with faith? so jest with heaven, make such unconstant children of ourselves, as now again to snatch our palm from palm, unswear faith sworn, and on the marriage-bed of smiling peace to march a bloody host, and make a riot on the gentle brow of true sincerity? o, holy sir, my reverend father, let it not be so! out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose some gentle order; and then we shall be blest to do your pleasure and continue friends. cardinal pandulph all form is formless, order orderless, save what is opposite to england's love. therefore to arms! be champion of our church, or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, a mother's curse, on her revolting son. france, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, a chafed lion by the mortal paw, a fasting tiger safer by the tooth, than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold. king philip i may disjoin my hand, but not my faith. cardinal pandulph so makest thou faith an enemy to faith; and like a civil war set'st oath to oath, thy tongue against thy tongue. o, let thy vow first made to heaven, first be to heaven perform'd, that is, to be the champion of our church! what since thou sworest is sworn against thyself and may not be performed by thyself, for that which thou hast sworn to do amiss is not amiss when it is truly done, and being not done, where doing tends to ill, the truth is then most done not doing it: the better act of purposes mistook is to mistake again; though indirect, yet indirection thereby grows direct, and falsehood falsehood cures, as fire cools fire within the scorched veins of one new-burn'd. it is religion that doth make vows kept; but thou hast sworn against religion, by what thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st, and makest an oath the surety for thy truth against an oath: the truth thou art unsure to swear, swears only not to be forsworn; else what a mockery should it be to swear! but thou dost swear only to be forsworn; and most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear. therefore thy later vows against thy first is in thyself rebellion to thyself; and better conquest never canst thou make than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts against these giddy loose suggestions: upon which better part our prayers come in, if thou vouchsafe them. but if not, then know the peril of our curses light on thee so heavy as thou shalt not shake them off, but in despair die under their black weight. austria rebellion, flat rebellion! bastard will't not be? will not a calfs-skin stop that mouth of thine? lewis father, to arms! blanch upon thy wedding-day? against the blood that thou hast married? what, shall our feast be kept with slaughter'd men? shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums, clamours of hell, be measures to our pomp? o husband, hear me! ay, alack, how new is husband in my mouth! even for that name, which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce, upon my knee i beg, go not to arms against mine uncle. constance o, upon my knee, made hard with kneeling, i do pray to thee, thou virtuous dauphin, alter not the doom forethought by heaven! blanch now shall i see thy love: what motive may be stronger with thee than the name of wife? constance that which upholdeth him that thee upholds, his honour: o, thine honour, lewis, thine honour! lewis i muse your majesty doth seem so cold, when such profound respects do pull you on. cardinal pandulph i will denounce a curse upon his head. king philip thou shalt not need. england, i will fall from thee. constance o fair return of banish'd majesty! queen elinor o foul revolt of french inconstancy! king john france, thou shalt rue this hour within this hour. bastard old time the clock-setter, that bald sexton time, is it as he will? well then, france shall rue. blanch the sun's o'ercast with blood: fair day, adieu! which is the side that i must go withal? i am with both: each army hath a hand; and in their rage, i having hold of both, they swirl asunder and dismember me. husband, i cannot pray that thou mayst win; uncle, i needs must pray that thou mayst lose; father, i may not wish the fortune thine; grandam, i will not wish thy fortunes thrive: whoever wins, on that side shall i lose assured loss before the match be play'd. lewis lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies. blanch there where my fortune lives, there my life dies. king john cousin, go draw our puissance together. [exit bastard] france, i am burn'd up with inflaming wrath; a rage whose heat hath this condition, that nothing can allay, nothing but blood, the blood, and dearest-valued blood, of france. king philip thy rage sham burn thee up, and thou shalt turn to ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire: look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy. king john no more than he that threats. to arms let's hie! [exeunt] king john act iii scene ii the same. plains near angiers. [alarums, excursions. enter the bastard, with austria's head] bastard now, by my life, this day grows wondrous hot; some airy devil hovers in the sky and pours down mischief. austria's head lie there, while philip breathes. [enter king john, arthur, and hubert] king john hubert, keep this boy. philip, make up: my mother is assailed in our tent, and ta'en, i fear. bastard my lord, i rescued her; her highness is in safety, fear you not: but on, my liege; for very little pains will bring this labour to an happy end. [exeunt] king john act iii scene iii the same. [alarums, excursions, retreat. enter king john, queen elinor, arthur, the bastard, hubert, and lords] king john [to queen elinor] so shall it be; your grace shall stay behind so strongly guarded. [to arthur] cousin, look not sad: thy grandam loves thee; and thy uncle will as dear be to thee as thy father was. arthur o, this will make my mother die with grief! king john [to the bastard] cousin, away for england! haste before: and, ere our coming, see thou shake the bags of hoarding abbots; imprisoned angels set at liberty: the fat ribs of peace must by the hungry now be fed upon: use our commission in his utmost force. bastard bell, book, and candle shall not drive me back, when gold and silver becks me to come on. i leave your highness. grandam, i will pray, if ever i remember to be holy, for your fair safety; so, i kiss your hand. elinor farewell, gentle cousin. king john coz, farewell. [exit the bastard] queen elinor come hither, little kinsman; hark, a word. king john come hither, hubert. o my gentle hubert, we owe thee much! within this wall of flesh there is a soul counts thee her creditor and with advantage means to pay thy love: and my good friend, thy voluntary oath lives in this bosom, dearly cherished. give me thy hand. i had a thing to say, but i will fit it with some better time. by heaven, hubert, i am almost ashamed to say what good respect i have of thee. hubert i am much bounden to your majesty. king john good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet, but thou shalt have; and creep time ne'er so slow, yet it shall come from me to do thee good. i had a thing to say, but let it go: the sun is in the heaven, and the proud day, attended with the pleasures of the world, is all too wanton and too full of gawds to give me audience: if the midnight bell did, with his iron tongue and brazen mouth, sound on into the drowsy race of night; if this same were a churchyard where we stand, and thou possessed with a thousand wrongs, or if that surly spirit, melancholy, had baked thy blood and made it heavy-thick, which else runs tickling up and down the veins, making that idiot, laughter, keep men's eyes and strain their cheeks to idle merriment, a passion hateful to my purposes, or if that thou couldst see me without eyes, hear me without thine ears, and make reply without a tongue, using conceit alone, without eyes, ears and harmful sound of words; then, in despite of brooded watchful day, i would into thy bosom pour my thoughts: but, ah, i will not! yet i love thee well; and, by my troth, i think thou lovest me well. hubert so well, that what you bid me undertake, though that my death were adjunct to my act, by heaven, i would do it. king john do not i know thou wouldst? good hubert, hubert, hubert, throw thine eye on yon young boy: i'll tell thee what, my friend, he is a very serpent in my way; and whereso'er this foot of mine doth tread, he lies before me: dost thou understand me? thou art his keeper. hubert and i'll keep him so, that he shall not offend your majesty. king john death. hubert my lord? king john a grave. hubert he shall not live. king john enough. i could be merry now. hubert, i love thee; well, i'll not say what i intend for thee: remember. madam, fare you well: i'll send those powers o'er to your majesty. elinor my blessing go with thee! king john for england, cousin, go: hubert shall be your man, attend on you with all true duty. on toward calais, ho! [exeunt] king john act iii scene iv the same. king philip's tent. [enter king philip, lewis, cardinal pandulph, and attendants] king philip so, by a roaring tempest on the flood, a whole armado of convicted sail is scatter'd and disjoin'd from fellowship. cardinal pandulph courage and comfort! all shall yet go well. king philip what can go well, when we have run so ill? are we not beaten? is not angiers lost? arthur ta'en prisoner? divers dear friends slain? and bloody england into england gone, o'erbearing interruption, spite of france? lewis what he hath won, that hath he fortified: so hot a speed with such advice disposed, such temperate order in so fierce a cause, doth want example: who hath read or heard of any kindred action like to this? king philip well could i bear that england had this praise, so we could find some pattern of our shame. [enter constance] look, who comes here! a grave unto a soul; holding the eternal spirit against her will, in the vile prison of afflicted breath. i prithee, lady, go away with me. constance lo, now i now see the issue of your peace. king philip patience, good lady! comfort, gentle constance! constance no, i defy all counsel, all redress, but that which ends all counsel, true redress, death, death; o amiable lovely death! thou odouriferous stench! sound rottenness! arise forth from the couch of lasting night, thou hate and terror to prosperity, and i will kiss thy detestable bones and put my eyeballs in thy vaulty brows and ring these fingers with thy household worms and stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust and be a carrion monster like thyself: come, grin on me, and i will think thou smilest and buss thee as thy wife. misery's love, o, come to me! king philip o fair affliction, peace! constance no, no, i will not, having breath to cry: o, that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth! then with a passion would i shake the world; and rouse from sleep that fell anatomy which cannot hear a lady's feeble voice, which scorns a modern invocation. cardinal pandulph lady, you utter madness, and not sorrow. constance thou art not holy to belie me so; i am not mad: this hair i tear is mine; my name is constance; i was geffrey's wife; young arthur is my son, and he is lost: i am not mad: i would to heaven i were! for then, 'tis like i should forget myself: o, if i could, what grief should i forget! preach some philosophy to make me mad, and thou shalt be canonized, cardinal; for being not mad but sensible of grief, my reasonable part produces reason how i may be deliver'd of these woes, and teaches me to kill or hang myself: if i were mad, i should forget my son, or madly think a babe of clouts were he: i am not mad; too well, too well i feel the different plague of each calamity. king philip bind up those tresses. o, what love i note in the fair multitude of those her hairs! where but by chance a silver drop hath fallen, even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends do glue themselves in sociable grief, like true, inseparable, faithful loves, sticking together in calamity. constance to england, if you will. king philip bind up your hairs. constance yes, that i will; and wherefore will i do it? i tore them from their bonds and cried aloud 'o that these hands could so redeem my son, as they have given these hairs their liberty!' but now i envy at their liberty, and will again commit them to their bonds, because my poor child is a prisoner. and, father cardinal, i have heard you say that we shall see and know our friends in heaven: if that be true, i shall see my boy again; for since the birth of cain, the first male child, to him that did but yesterday suspire, there was not such a gracious creature born. but now will canker-sorrow eat my bud and chase the native beauty from his cheek and he will look as hollow as a ghost, as dim and meagre as an ague's fit, and so he'll die; and, rising so again, when i shall meet him in the court of heaven i shall not know him: therefore never, never must i behold my pretty arthur more. cardinal pandulph you hold too heinous a respect of grief. constance he talks to me that never had a son. king philip you are as fond of grief as of your child. constance grief fills the room up of my absent child, lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, remembers me of all his gracious parts, stuffs out his vacant garments with his form; then, have i reason to be fond of grief? fare you well: had you such a loss as i, i could give better comfort than you do. i will not keep this form upon my head, when there is such disorder in my wit. o lord! my boy, my arthur, my fair son! my life, my joy, my food, my all the world! my widow-comfort, and my sorrows' cure! [exit] king philip i fear some outrage, and i'll follow her. [exit] lewis there's nothing in this world can make me joy: life is as tedious as a twice-told tale vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man; and bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste that it yields nought but shame and bitterness. cardinal pandulph before the curing of a strong disease, even in the instant of repair and health, the fit is strongest; evils that take leave, on their departure most of all show evil: what have you lost by losing of this day? lewis all days of glory, joy and happiness. cardinal pandulph if you had won it, certainly you had. no, no; when fortune means to men most good, she looks upon them with a threatening eye. 'tis strange to think how much king john hath lost in this which he accounts so clearly won: are not you grieved that arthur is his prisoner? lewis as heartily as he is glad he hath him. cardinal pandulph your mind is all as youthful as your blood. now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit; for even the breath of what i mean to speak shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub, out of the path which shall directly lead thy foot to england's throne; and therefore mark. john hath seized arthur; and it cannot be that, whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins, the misplaced john should entertain an hour, one minute, nay, one quiet breath of rest. a sceptre snatch'd with an unruly hand must be as boisterously maintain'd as gain'd; and he that stands upon a slippery place makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up: that john may stand, then arthur needs must fall; so be it, for it cannot be but so. lewis but what shall i gain by young arthur's fall? cardinal pandulph you, in the right of lady blanch your wife, may then make all the claim that arthur did. lewis and lose it, life and all, as arthur did. cardinal pandulph how green you are and fresh in this old world! john lays you plots; the times conspire with you; for he that steeps his safety in true blood shall find but bloody safety and untrue. this act so evilly born shall cool the hearts of all his people and freeze up their zeal, that none so small advantage shall step forth to cheque his reign, but they will cherish it; no natural exhalation in the sky, no scope of nature, no distemper'd day, no common wind, no customed event, but they will pluck away his natural cause and call them meteors, prodigies and signs, abortives, presages and tongues of heaven, plainly denouncing vengeance upon john. lewis may be he will not touch young arthur's life, but hold himself safe in his prisonment. cardinal pandulph o, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, if that young arthur be not gone already, even at that news he dies; and then the hearts of all his people shall revolt from him and kiss the lips of unacquainted change and pick strong matter of revolt and wrath out of the bloody fingers' ends of john. methinks i see this hurly all on foot: and, o, what better matter breeds for you than i have named! the bastard faulconbridge is now in england, ransacking the church, offending charity: if but a dozen french were there in arms, they would be as a call to train ten thousand english to their side, or as a little snow, tumbled about, anon becomes a mountain. o noble dauphin, go with me to the king: 'tis wonderful what may be wrought out of their discontent, now that their souls are topful of offence. for england go: i will whet on the king. lewis strong reasons make strong actions: let us go: if you say ay, the king will not say no. [exeunt] king john act iv scene i a room in a castle. [enter hubert and executioners] hubert heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand within the arras: when i strike my foot upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, and bind the boy which you shall find with me fast to the chair: be heedful: hence, and watch. first executioner i hope your warrant will bear out the deed. hubert uncleanly scruples! fear not you: look to't. [exeunt executioners] young lad, come forth; i have to say with you. [enter arthur] arthur good morrow, hubert. hubert good morrow, little prince. arthur as little prince, having so great a title to be more prince, as may be. you are sad. hubert indeed, i have been merrier. arthur mercy on me! methinks no body should be sad but i: yet, i remember, when i was in france, young gentlemen would be as sad as night, only for wantonness. by my christendom, so i were out of prison and kept sheep, i should be as merry as the day is long; and so i would be here, but that i doubt my uncle practises more harm to me: he is afraid of me and i of him: is it my fault that i was geffrey's son? no, indeed, is't not; and i would to heaven i were your son, so you would love me, hubert. hubert [aside] if i talk to him, with his innocent prate he will awake my mercy which lies dead: therefore i will be sudden and dispatch. arthur are you sick, hubert? you look pale to-day: in sooth, i would you were a little sick, that i might sit all night and watch with you: i warrant i love you more than you do me. hubert [aside] his words do take possession of my bosom. read here, young arthur. [showing a paper] [aside] how now, foolish rheum! turning dispiteous torture out of door! i must be brief, lest resolution drop out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears. can you not read it? is it not fair writ? arthur too fairly, hubert, for so foul effect: must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? hubert young boy, i must. arthur and will you? hubert and i will. arthur have you the heart? when your head did but ache, i knit my handercher about your brows, the best i had, a princess wrought it me, and i did never ask it you again; and with my hand at midnight held your head, and like the watchful minutes to the hour, still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time, saying, 'what lack you?' and 'where lies your grief?' or 'what good love may i perform for you?' many a poor man's son would have lien still and ne'er have spoke a loving word to you; but you at your sick service had a prince. nay, you may think my love was crafty love and call it cunning: do, an if you will: if heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, why then you must. will you put out mine eyes? these eyes that never did nor never shall so much as frown on you. hubert i have sworn to do it; and with hot irons must i burn them out. arthur ah, none but in this iron age would do it! the iron of itself, though heat red-hot, approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears and quench his fiery indignation even in the matter of mine innocence; nay, after that, consume away in rust but for containing fire to harm mine eye. are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? an if an angel should have come to me and told me hubert should put out mine eyes, i would not have believed him,--no tongue but hubert's. hubert come forth. [stamps] [re-enter executioners, with a cord, irons, &c] do as i bid you do. arthur o, save me, hubert, save me! my eyes are out even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. hubert give me the iron, i say, and bind him here. arthur alas, what need you be so boisterous-rough? i will not struggle, i will stand stone-still. for heaven sake, hubert, let me not be bound! nay, hear me, hubert, drive these men away, and i will sit as quiet as a lamb; i will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, nor look upon the iron angerly: thrust but these men away, and i'll forgive you, whatever torment you do put me to. hubert go, stand within; let me alone with him. first executioner i am best pleased to be from such a deed. [exeunt executioners] arthur alas, i then have chid away my friend! he hath a stern look, but a gentle heart: let him come back, that his compassion may give life to yours. hubert come, boy, prepare yourself. arthur is there no remedy? hubert none, but to lose your eyes. arthur o heaven, that there were but a mote in yours, a grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, any annoyance in that precious sense! then feeling what small things are boisterous there, your vile intent must needs seem horrible. hubert is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. arthur hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes: let me not hold my tongue, let me not, hubert; or, hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue, so i may keep mine eyes: o, spare mine eyes. though to no use but still to look on you! lo, by my truth, the instrument is cold and would not harm me. hubert i can heat it, boy. arthur no, in good sooth: the fire is dead with grief, being create for comfort, to be used in undeserved extremes: see else yourself; there is no malice in this burning coal; the breath of heaven has blown his spirit out and strew'd repentent ashes on his head. hubert but with my breath i can revive it, boy. arthur an if you do, you will but make it blush and glow with shame of your proceedings, hubert: nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes; and like a dog that is compell'd to fight, snatch at his master that doth tarre him on. all things that you should use to do me wrong deny their office: only you do lack that mercy which fierce fire and iron extends, creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses. hubert well, see to live; i will not touch thine eye for all the treasure that thine uncle owes: yet am i sworn and i did purpose, boy, with this same very iron to burn them out. arthur o, now you look like hubert! all this while you were disguised. hubert peace; no more. adieu. your uncle must not know but you are dead; i'll fill these dogged spies with false reports: and, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure, that hubert, for the wealth of all the world, will not offend thee. arthur o heaven! i thank you, hubert. hubert silence; no more: go closely in with me: much danger do i undergo for thee. [exeunt] king john act iv scene ii king john's palace. [enter king john, pembroke, salisbury, and other lords] king john here once again we sit, once again crown'd, and looked upon, i hope, with cheerful eyes. pembroke this 'once again,' but that your highness pleased, was once superfluous: you were crown'd before, and that high royalty was ne'er pluck'd off, the faiths of men ne'er stained with revolt; fresh expectation troubled not the land with any long'd-for change or better state. salisbury therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, to guard a title that was rich before, to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess. pembroke but that your royal pleasure must be done, this act is as an ancient tale new told, and in the last repeating troublesome, being urged at a time unseasonable. salisbury in this the antique and well noted face of plain old form is much disfigured; and, like a shifted wind unto a sail, it makes the course of thoughts to fetch about, startles and frights consideration, makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected, for putting on so new a fashion'd robe. pembroke when workmen strive to do better than well, they do confound their skill in covetousness; and oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse, as patches set upon a little breach discredit more in hiding of the fault than did the fault before it was so patch'd. salisbury to this effect, before you were new crown'd, we breathed our counsel: but it pleased your highness to overbear it, and we are all well pleased, since all and every part of what we would doth make a stand at what your highness will. king john some reasons of this double coronation i have possess'd you with and think them strong; and more, more strong, then lesser is my fear, i shall indue you with: meantime but ask what you would have reform'd that is not well, and well shall you perceive how willingly i will both hear and grant you your requests. pembroke then i, as one that am the tongue of these, to sound the purpose of all their hearts, both for myself and them, but, chief of all, your safety, for the which myself and them bend their best studies, heartily request the enfranchisement of arthur; whose restraint doth move the murmuring lips of discontent to break into this dangerous argument,- if what in rest you have in right you hold, why then your fears, which, as they say, attend the steps of wrong, should move you to mew up your tender kinsman and to choke his days with barbarous ignorance and deny his youth the rich advantage of good exercise? that the time's enemies may not have this to grace occasions, let it be our suit that you have bid us ask his liberty; which for our goods we do no further ask than whereupon our weal, on you depending, counts it your weal he have his liberty. [enter hubert] king john let it be so: i do commit his youth to your direction. hubert, what news with you? [taking him apart] pembroke this is the man should do the bloody deed; he show'd his warrant to a friend of mine: the image of a wicked heinous fault lives in his eye; that close aspect of his does show the mood of a much troubled breast; and i do fearfully believe 'tis done, what we so fear'd he had a charge to do. salisbury the colour of the king doth come and go between his purpose and his conscience, like heralds 'twixt two dreadful battles set: his passion is so ripe, it needs must break. pembroke and when it breaks, i fear will issue thence the foul corruption of a sweet child's death. king john we cannot hold mortality's strong hand: good lords, although my will to give is living, the suit which you demand is gone and dead: he tells us arthur is deceased to-night. salisbury indeed we fear'd his sickness was past cure. pembroke indeed we heard how near his death he was before the child himself felt he was sick: this must be answer'd either here or hence. king john why do you bend such solemn brows on me? think you i bear the shears of destiny? have i commandment on the pulse of life? salisbury it is apparent foul play; and 'tis shame that greatness should so grossly offer it: so thrive it in your game! and so, farewell. pembroke stay yet, lord salisbury; i'll go with thee, and find the inheritance of this poor child, his little kingdom of a forced grave. that blood which owed the breadth of all this isle, three foot of it doth hold: bad world the while! this must not be thus borne: this will break out to all our sorrows, and ere long i doubt. [exeunt lords] king john they burn in indignation. i repent: there is no sure foundation set on blood, no certain life achieved by others' death. [enter a messenger] a fearful eye thou hast: where is that blood that i have seen inhabit in those cheeks? so foul a sky clears not without a storm: pour down thy weather: how goes all in france? messenger from france to england. never such a power for any foreign preparation was levied in the body of a land. the copy of your speed is learn'd by them; for when you should be told they do prepare, the tidings come that they are all arrived. king john o, where hath our intelligence been drunk? where hath it slept? where is my mother's care, that such an army could be drawn in france, and she not hear of it? messenger my liege, her ear is stopp'd with dust; the first of april died your noble mother: and, as i hear, my lord, the lady constance in a frenzy died three days before: but this from rumour's tongue i idly heard; if true or false i know not. king john withhold thy speed, dreadful occasion! o, make a league with me, till i have pleased my discontented peers! what! mother dead! how wildly then walks my estate in france! under whose conduct came those powers of france that thou for truth givest out are landed here? messenger under the dauphin. king john thou hast made me giddy with these ill tidings. [enter the bastard and peter of pomfret] now, what says the world to your proceedings? do not seek to stuff my head with more ill news, for it is full. bastard but if you be afeard to hear the worst, then let the worst unheard fall on your bead. king john bear with me cousin, for i was amazed under the tide: but now i breathe again aloft the flood, and can give audience to any tongue, speak it of what it will. bastard how i have sped among the clergymen, the sums i have collected shall express. but as i travell'd hither through the land, i find the people strangely fantasied; possess'd with rumours, full of idle dreams, not knowing what they fear, but full of fear: and here a prophet, that i brought with me from forth the streets of pomfret, whom i found with many hundreds treading on his heels; to whom he sung, in rude harsh-sounding rhymes, that, ere the next ascension-day at noon, your highness should deliver up your crown. king john thou idle dreamer, wherefore didst thou so? peter foreknowing that the truth will fall out so. king john hubert, away with him; imprison him; and on that day at noon whereon he says i shall yield up my crown, let him be hang'd. deliver him to safety; and return, for i must use thee. [exeunt hubert with peter] o my gentle cousin, hear'st thou the news abroad, who are arrived? bastard the french, my lord; men's mouths are full of it: besides, i met lord bigot and lord salisbury, with eyes as red as new-enkindled fire, and others more, going to seek the grave of arthur, who they say is kill'd to-night on your suggestion. king john gentle kinsman, go, and thrust thyself into their companies: i have a way to win their loves again; bring them before me. bastard i will seek them out. king john nay, but make haste; the better foot before. o, let me have no subject enemies, when adverse foreigners affright my towns with dreadful pomp of stout invasion! be mercury, set feathers to thy heels, and fly like thought from them to me again. bastard the spirit of the time shall teach me speed. [exit] king john spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman. go after him; for he perhaps shall need some messenger betwixt me and the peers; and be thou he. messenger with all my heart, my liege. [exit] king john my mother dead! [re-enter hubert] hubert my lord, they say five moons were seen to-night; four fixed, and the fifth did whirl about the other four in wondrous motion. king john five moons! hubert old men and beldams in the streets do prophesy upon it dangerously: young arthur's death is common in their mouths: and when they talk of him, they shake their heads and whisper one another in the ear; and he that speaks doth gripe the hearer's wrist, whilst he that hears makes fearful action, with wrinkled brows, with nods, with rolling eyes. i saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus, the whilst his iron did on the anvil cool, with open mouth swallowing a tailor's news; who, with his shears and measure in his hand, standing on slippers, which his nimble haste had falsely thrust upon contrary feet, told of a many thousand warlike french that were embattailed and rank'd in kent: another lean unwash'd artificer cuts off his tale and talks of arthur's death. king john why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears? why urgest thou so oft young arthur's death? thy hand hath murder'd him: i had a mighty cause to wish him dead, but thou hadst none to kill him. hubert no had, my lord! why, did you not provoke me? king john it is the curse of kings to be attended by slaves that take their humours for a warrant to break within the bloody house of life, and on the winking of authority to understand a law, to know the meaning of dangerous majesty, when perchance it frowns more upon humour than advised respect. hubert here is your hand and seal for what i did. king john o, when the last account 'twixt heaven and earth is to be made, then shall this hand and seal witness against us to damnation! how oft the sight of means to do ill deeds make deeds ill done! hadst not thou been by, a fellow by the hand of nature mark'd, quoted and sign'd to do a deed of shame, this murder had not come into my mind: but taking note of thy abhorr'd aspect, finding thee fit for bloody villany, apt, liable to be employ'd in danger, i faintly broke with thee of arthur's death; and thou, to be endeared to a king, made it no conscience to destroy a prince. hubert my lord- king john hadst thou but shook thy head or made a pause when i spake darkly what i purposed, or turn'd an eye of doubt upon my face, as bid me tell my tale in express words, deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off, and those thy fears might have wrought fears in me: but thou didst understand me by my signs and didst in signs again parley with sin; yea, without stop, didst let thy heart consent, and consequently thy rude hand to act the deed, which both our tongues held vile to name. out of my sight, and never see me more! my nobles leave me; and my state is braved, even at my gates, with ranks of foreign powers: nay, in the body of this fleshly land, this kingdom, this confine of blood and breath, hostility and civil tumult reigns between my conscience and my cousin's death. hubert arm you against your other enemies, i'll make a peace between your soul and you. young arthur is alive: this hand of mine is yet a maiden and an innocent hand, not painted with the crimson spots of blood. within this bosom never enter'd yet the dreadful motion of a murderous thought; and you have slander'd nature in my form, which, howsoever rude exteriorly, is yet the cover of a fairer mind than to be butcher of an innocent child. king john doth arthur live? o, haste thee to the peers, throw this report on their incensed rage, and make them tame to their obedience! forgive the comment that my passion made upon thy feature; for my rage was blind, and foul imaginary eyes of blood presented thee more hideous than thou art. o, answer not, but to my closet bring the angry lords with all expedient haste. i conjure thee but slowly; run more fast. [exeunt] king john act iv scene iii before the castle. [enter arthur, on the walls] arthur the wall is high, and yet will i leap down: good ground, be pitiful and hurt me not! there's few or none do know me: if they did, this ship-boy's semblance hath disguised me quite. i am afraid; and yet i'll venture it. if i get down, and do not break my limbs, i'll find a thousand shifts to get away: as good to die and go, as die and stay. [leaps down] o me! my uncle's spirit is in these stones: heaven take my soul, and england keep my bones! [dies] [enter pembroke, salisbury, and bigot] salisbury lords, i will meet him at saint edmundsbury: it is our safety, and we must embrace this gentle offer of the perilous time. pembroke who brought that letter from the cardinal? salisbury the count melun, a noble lord of france, whose private with me of the dauphin's love is much more general than these lines import. bigot to-morrow morning let us meet him then. salisbury or rather then set forward; for 'twill be two long days' journey, lords, or ere we meet. [enter the bastard] bastard once more to-day well met, distemper'd lords! the king by me requests your presence straight. salisbury the king hath dispossess'd himself of us: we will not line his thin bestained cloak with our pure honours, nor attend the foot that leaves the print of blood where'er it walks. return and tell him so: we know the worst. bastard whate'er you think, good words, i think, were best. salisbury our griefs, and not our manners, reason now. bastard but there is little reason in your grief; therefore 'twere reason you had manners now. pembroke sir, sir, impatience hath his privilege. bastard 'tis true, to hurt his master, no man else. salisbury this is the prison. what is he lies here? [seeing arthur] pembroke o death, made proud with pure and princely beauty! the earth had not a hole to hide this deed. salisbury murder, as hating what himself hath done, doth lay it open to urge on revenge. bigot or, when he doom'd this beauty to a grave, found it too precious-princely for a grave. salisbury sir richard, what think you? have you beheld, or have you read or heard? or could you think? or do you almost think, although you see, that you do see? could thought, without this object, form such another? this is the very top, the height, the crest, or crest unto the crest, of murder's arms: this is the bloodiest shame, the wildest savagery, the vilest stroke, that ever wall-eyed wrath or staring rage presented to the tears of soft remorse. pembroke all murders past do stand excused in this: and this, so sole and so unmatchable, shall give a holiness, a purity, to the yet unbegotten sin of times; and prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest, exampled by this heinous spectacle. bastard it is a damned and a bloody work; the graceless action of a heavy hand, if that it be the work of any hand. salisbury if that it be the work of any hand! we had a kind of light what would ensue: it is the shameful work of hubert's hand; the practise and the purpose of the king: from whose obedience i forbid my soul, kneeling before this ruin of sweet life, and breathing to his breathless excellence the incense of a vow, a holy vow, never to taste the pleasures of the world, never to be infected with delight, nor conversant with ease and idleness, till i have set a glory to this hand, by giving it the worship of revenge. pembroke | | our souls religiously confirm thy words. bigot | [enter hubert] hubert lords, i am hot with haste in seeking you: arthur doth live; the king hath sent for you. salisbury o, he is old and blushes not at death. avaunt, thou hateful villain, get thee gone! hubert i am no villain. salisbury must i rob the law? [drawing his sword] bastard your sword is bright, sir; put it up again. salisbury not till i sheathe it in a murderer's skin. hubert stand back, lord salisbury, stand back, i say; by heaven, i think my sword's as sharp as yours: i would not have you, lord, forget yourself, nor tempt the danger of my true defence; lest i, by marking of your rage, forget your worth, your greatness and nobility. bigot out, dunghill! darest thou brave a nobleman? hubert not for my life: but yet i dare defend my innocent life against an emperor. salisbury thou art a murderer. hubert do not prove me so; yet i am none: whose tongue soe'er speaks false, not truly speaks; who speaks not truly, lies. pembroke cut him to pieces. bastard keep the peace, i say. salisbury stand by, or i shall gall you, faulconbridge. bastard thou wert better gall the devil, salisbury: if thou but frown on me, or stir thy foot, or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame, i'll strike thee dead. put up thy sword betime; or i'll so maul you and your toasting-iron, that you shall think the devil is come from hell. bigot what wilt thou do, renowned faulconbridge? second a villain and a murderer? hubert lord bigot, i am none. bigot who kill'd this prince? hubert 'tis not an hour since i left him well: i honour'd him, i loved him, and will weep my date of life out for his sweet life's loss. salisbury trust not those cunning waters of his eyes, for villany is not without such rheum; and he, long traded in it, makes it seem like rivers of remorse and innocency. away with me, all you whose souls abhor the uncleanly savours of a slaughter-house; for i am stifled with this smell of sin. bigot away toward bury, to the dauphin there! pembroke there tell the king he may inquire us out. [exeunt lords] bastard here's a good world! knew you of this fair work? beyond the infinite and boundless reach of mercy, if thou didst this deed of death, art thou damn'd, hubert. hubert do but hear me, sir. bastard ha! i'll tell thee what; thou'rt damn'd as black--nay, nothing is so black; thou art more deep damn'd than prince lucifer: there is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell as thou shalt be, if thou didst kill this child. hubert upon my soul- bastard if thou didst but consent to this most cruel act, do but despair; and if thou want'st a cord, the smallest thread that ever spider twisted from her womb will serve to strangle thee, a rush will be a beam to hang thee on; or wouldst thou drown thyself, put but a little water in a spoon, and it shall be as all the ocean, enough to stifle such a villain up. i do suspect thee very grievously. hubert if i in act, consent, or sin of thought, be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath which was embounded in this beauteous clay, let hell want pains enough to torture me. i left him well. bastard go, bear him in thine arms. i am amazed, methinks, and lose my way among the thorns and dangers of this world. how easy dost thou take all england up! from forth this morsel of dead royalty, the life, the right and truth of all this realm is fled to heaven; and england now is left to tug and scamble and to part by the teeth the unowed interest of proud-swelling state. now for the bare-pick'd bone of majesty doth dogged war bristle his angry crest and snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace: now powers from home and discontents at home meet in one line; and vast confusion waits, as doth a raven on a sick-fall'n beast, the imminent decay of wrested pomp. now happy he whose cloak and cincture can hold out this tempest. bear away that child and follow me with speed: i'll to the king: a thousand businesses are brief in hand, and heaven itself doth frown upon the land. [exeunt] king john act v scene i king john's palace. [enter king john, cardinal pandulph, and attendants] king john thus have i yielded up into your hand the circle of my glory. [giving the crown] cardinal pandulph take again from this my hand, as holding of the pope your sovereign greatness and authority. king john now keep your holy word: go meet the french, and from his holiness use all your power to stop their marches 'fore we are inflamed. our discontented counties do revolt; our people quarrel with obedience, swearing allegiance and the love of soul to stranger blood, to foreign royalty. this inundation of mistemper'd humour rests by you only to be qualified: then pause not; for the present time's so sick, that present medicine must be minister'd, or overthrow incurable ensues. cardinal pandulph it was my breath that blew this tempest up, upon your stubborn usage of the pope; but since you are a gentle convertite, my tongue shall hush again this storm of war and make fair weather in your blustering land. on this ascension-day, remember well, upon your oath of service to the pope, go i to make the french lay down their arms. [exit] king john is this ascension-day? did not the prophet say that before ascension-day at noon my crown i should give off? even so i have: i did suppose it should be on constraint: but, heaven be thank'd, it is but voluntary. [enter the bastard] bastard all kent hath yielded; nothing there holds out but dover castle: london hath received, like a kind host, the dauphin and his powers: your nobles will not hear you, but are gone to offer service to your enemy, and wild amazement hurries up and down the little number of your doubtful friends. king john would not my lords return to me again, after they heard young arthur was alive? bastard they found him dead and cast into the streets, an empty casket, where the jewel of life by some damn'd hand was robb'd and ta'en away. king john that villain hubert told me he did live. bastard so, on my soul, he did, for aught he knew. but wherefore do you droop? why look you sad? be great in act, as you have been in thought; let not the world see fear and sad distrust govern the motion of a kingly eye: be stirring as the time; be fire with fire; threaten the threatener and outface the brow of bragging horror: so shall inferior eyes, that borrow their behaviors from the great, grow great by your example and put on the dauntless spirit of resolution. away, and glister like the god of war, when he intendeth to become the field: show boldness and aspiring confidence. what, shall they seek the lion in his den, and fright him there? and make him tremble there? o, let it not be said: forage, and run to meet displeasure farther from the doors, and grapple with him ere he comes so nigh. king john the legate of the pope hath been with me, and i have made a happy peace with him; and he hath promised to dismiss the powers led by the dauphin. bastard o inglorious league! shall we, upon the footing of our land, send fair-play orders and make compromise, insinuation, parley and base truce to arms invasive? shall a beardless boy, a cocker'd silken wanton, brave our fields, and flesh his spirit in a warlike soil, mocking the air with colours idly spread, and find no cheque? let us, my liege, to arms: perchance the cardinal cannot make your peace; or if he do, let it at least be said they saw we had a purpose of defence. king john have thou the ordering of this present time. bastard away, then, with good courage! yet, i know, our party may well meet a prouder foe. [exeunt] king john act v scene ii lewis's camp at st. edmundsbury. [enter, in arms, lewis, salisbury, melun, pembroke, bigot, and soldiers] lewis my lord melun, let this be copied out, and keep it safe for our remembrance: return the precedent to these lords again; that, having our fair order written down, both they and we, perusing o'er these notes, may know wherefore we took the sacrament and keep our faiths firm and inviolable. salisbury upon our sides it never shall be broken. and, noble dauphin, albeit we swear a voluntary zeal and an unurged faith to your proceedings; yet believe me, prince, i am not glad that such a sore of time should seek a plaster by contemn'd revolt, and heal the inveterate canker of one wound by making many. o, it grieves my soul, that i must draw this metal from my side to be a widow-maker! o, and there where honourable rescue and defence cries out upon the name of salisbury! but such is the infection of the time, that, for the health and physic of our right, we cannot deal but with the very hand of stern injustice and confused wrong. and is't not pity, o my grieved friends, that we, the sons and children of this isle, were born to see so sad an hour as this; wherein we step after a stranger march upon her gentle bosom, and fill up her enemies' ranks,--i must withdraw and weep upon the spot of this enforced cause,- to grace the gentry of a land remote, and follow unacquainted colours here? what, here? o nation, that thou couldst remove! that neptune's arms, who clippeth thee about, would bear thee from the knowledge of thyself, and grapple thee unto a pagan shore; where these two christian armies might combine the blood of malice in a vein of league, and not to spend it so unneighbourly! lewis a noble temper dost thou show in this; and great affections wrestling in thy bosom doth make an earthquake of nobility. o, what a noble combat hast thou fought between compulsion and a brave respect! let me wipe off this honourable dew, that silverly doth progress on thy cheeks: my heart hath melted at a lady's tears, being an ordinary inundation; but this effusion of such manly drops, this shower, blown up by tempest of the soul, startles mine eyes, and makes me more amazed than had i seen the vaulty top of heaven figured quite o'er with burning meteors. lift up thy brow, renowned salisbury, and with a great heart heave away the storm: commend these waters to those baby eyes that never saw the giant world enraged; nor met with fortune other than at feasts, full of warm blood, of mirth, of gossiping. come, come; for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep into the purse of rich prosperity as lewis himself: so, nobles, shall you all, that knit your sinews to the strength of mine. and even there, methinks, an angel spake: [enter cardinal pandulph] look, where the holy legate comes apace, to give us warrant from the hand of heaven and on our actions set the name of right with holy breath. cardinal pandulph hail, noble prince of france! the next is this, king john hath reconciled himself to rome; his spirit is come in, that so stood out against the holy church, the great metropolis and see of rome: therefore thy threatening colours now wind up; and tame the savage spirit of wild war, that like a lion foster'd up at hand, it may lie gently at the foot of peace, and be no further harmful than in show. lewis your grace shall pardon me, i will not back: i am too high-born to be propertied, to be a secondary at control, or useful serving-man and instrument, to any sovereign state throughout the world. your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars between this chastised kingdom and myself, and brought in matter that should feed this fire; and now 'tis far too huge to be blown out with that same weak wind which enkindled it. you taught me how to know the face of right, acquainted me with interest to this land, yea, thrust this enterprise into my heart; and come ye now to tell me john hath made his peace with rome? what is that peace to me? i, by the honour of my marriage-bed, after young arthur, claim this land for mine; and, now it is half-conquer'd, must i back because that john hath made his peace with rome? am i rome's slave? what penny hath rome borne, what men provided, what munition sent, to underprop this action? is't not i that undergo this charge? who else but i, and such as to my claim are liable, sweat in this business and maintain this war? have i not heard these islanders shout out 'vive le roi!' as i have bank'd their towns? have i not here the best cards for the game, to win this easy match play'd for a crown? and shall i now give o'er the yielded set? no, no, on my soul, it never shall be said. cardinal pandulph you look but on the outside of this work. lewis outside or inside, i will not return till my attempt so much be glorified as to my ample hope was promised before i drew this gallant head of war, and cull'd these fiery spirits from the world, to outlook conquest and to win renown even in the jaws of danger and of death. [trumpet sounds] what lusty trumpet thus doth summon us? [enter the bastard, attended] bastard according to the fair play of the world, let me have audience; i am sent to speak: my holy lord of milan, from the king i come, to learn how you have dealt for him; and, as you answer, i do know the scope and warrant limited unto my tongue. cardinal pandulph the dauphin is too wilful-opposite, and will not temporize with my entreaties; he flatly says he'll not lay down his arms. bastard by all the blood that ever fury breathed, the youth says well. now hear our english king; for thus his royalty doth speak in me. he is prepared, and reason too he should: this apish and unmannerly approach, this harness'd masque and unadvised revel, this unhair'd sauciness and boyish troops, the king doth smile at; and is well prepared to whip this dwarfish war, these pigmy arms, from out the circle of his territories. that hand which had the strength, even at your door, to cudgel you and make you take the hatch, to dive like buckets in concealed wells, to crouch in litter of your stable planks, to lie like pawns lock'd up in chests and trunks, to hug with swine, to seek sweet safety out in vaults and prisons, and to thrill and shake even at the crying of your nation's crow, thinking his voice an armed englishman; shall that victorious hand be feebled here, that in your chambers gave you chastisement? no: know the gallant monarch is in arms and like an eagle o'er his aery towers, to souse annoyance that comes near his nest. and you degenerate, you ingrate revolts, you bloody neroes, ripping up the womb of your dear mother england, blush for shame; for your own ladies and pale-visaged maids like amazons come tripping after drums, their thimbles into armed gauntlets change, their needles to lances, and their gentle hearts to fierce and bloody inclination. lewis there end thy brave, and turn thy face in peace; we grant thou canst outscold us: fare thee well; we hold our time too precious to be spent with such a brabbler. cardinal pandulph give me leave to speak. bastard no, i will speak. lewis we will attend to neither. strike up the drums; and let the tongue of war plead for our interest and our being here. bastard indeed your drums, being beaten, will cry out; and so shall you, being beaten: do but start an echo with the clamour of thy drum, and even at hand a drum is ready braced that shall reverberate all as loud as thine; sound but another, and another shall as loud as thine rattle the welkin's ear and mock the deep-mouth'd thunder: for at hand, not trusting to this halting legate here, whom he hath used rather for sport than need is warlike john; and in his forehead sits a bare-ribb'd death, whose office is this day to feast upon whole thousands of the french. lewis strike up our drums, to find this danger out. bastard and thou shalt find it, dauphin, do not doubt. [exeunt] king john act v scene iii the field of battle. [alarums. enter king john and hubert] king john how goes the day with us? o, tell me, hubert. hubert badly, i fear. how fares your majesty? king john this fever, that hath troubled me so long, lies heavy on me; o, my heart is sick! [enter a messenger] messenger my lord, your valiant kinsman, faulconbridge, desires your majesty to leave the field and send him word by me which way you go. king john tell him, toward swinstead, to the abbey there. messenger be of good comfort; for the great supply that was expected by the dauphin here, are wreck'd three nights ago on goodwin sands. this news was brought to richard but even now: the french fight coldly, and retire themselves. king john ay me! this tyrant fever burns me up, and will not let me welcome this good news. set on toward swinstead: to my litter straight; weakness possesseth me, and i am faint. [exeunt] king john act v scene iv another part of the field. [enter salisbury, pembroke, and bigot] salisbury i did not think the king so stored with friends. pembroke up once again; put spirit in the french: if they miscarry, we miscarry too. salisbury that misbegotten devil, faulconbridge, in spite of spite, alone upholds the day. pembroke they say king john sore sick hath left the field. [enter melun, wounded] melun lead me to the revolts of england here. salisbury when we were happy we had other names. pembroke it is the count melun. salisbury wounded to death. melun fly, noble english, you are bought and sold; unthread the rude eye of rebellion and welcome home again discarded faith. seek out king john and fall before his feet; for if the french be lords of this loud day, he means to recompense the pains you take by cutting off your heads: thus hath he sworn and i with him, and many moe with me, upon the altar at saint edmundsbury; even on that altar where we swore to you dear amity and everlasting love. salisbury may this be possible? may this be true? melun have i not hideous death within my view, retaining but a quantity of life, which bleeds away, even as a form of wax resolveth from his figure 'gainst the fire? what in the world should make me now deceive, since i must lose the use of all deceit? why should i then be false, since it is true that i must die here and live hence by truth? i say again, if lewis do win the day, he is forsworn, if e'er those eyes of yours behold another day break in the east: but even this night, whose black contagious breath already smokes about the burning crest of the old, feeble and day-wearied sun, even this ill night, your breathing shall expire, paying the fine of rated treachery even with a treacherous fine of all your lives, if lewis by your assistance win the day. commend me to one hubert with your king: the love of him, and this respect besides, for that my grandsire was an englishman, awakes my conscience to confess all this. in lieu whereof, i pray you, bear me hence from forth the noise and rumour of the field, where i may think the remnant of my thoughts in peace, and part this body and my soul with contemplation and devout desires. salisbury we do believe thee: and beshrew my soul but i do love the favour and the form of this most fair occasion, by the which we will untread the steps of damned flight, and like a bated and retired flood, leaving our rankness and irregular course, stoop low within those bounds we have o'erlook'd and cabby run on in obedience even to our ocean, to our great king john. my arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence; for i do see the cruel pangs of death right in thine eye. away, my friends! new flight; and happy newness, that intends old right. [exeunt, leading off melun] king john act v scene v the french camp. [enter lewis and his train] lewis the sun of heaven methought was loath to set, but stay'd and made the western welkin blush, when english measure backward their own ground in faint retire. o, bravely came we off, when with a volley of our needless shot, after such bloody toil, we bid good night; and wound our tattering colours clearly up, last in the field, and almost lords of it! [enter a messenger] messenger where is my prince, the dauphin? lewis here: what news? messenger the count melun is slain; the english lords by his persuasion are again fall'n off, and your supply, which you have wish'd so long, are cast away and sunk on goodwin sands. lewis ah, foul shrewd news! beshrew thy very heart! i did not think to be so sad to-night as this hath made me. who was he that said king john did fly an hour or two before the stumbling night did part our weary powers? messenger whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord. lewis well; keep good quarter and good care to-night: the day shall not be up so soon as i, to try the fair adventure of to-morrow. [exeunt] king john act v scene vi an open place in the neighbourhood of swinstead abbey. [enter the bastard and hubert, severally] hubert who's there? speak, ho! speak quickly, or i shoot. bastard a friend. what art thou? hubert of the part of england. bastard whither dost thou go? hubert what's that to thee? why may not i demand of thine affairs, as well as thou of mine? bastard hubert, i think? hubert thou hast a perfect thought: i will upon all hazards well believe thou art my friend, that know'st my tongue so well. who art thou? bastard who thou wilt: and if thou please, thou mayst befriend me so much as to think i come one way of the plantagenets. hubert unkind remembrance! thou and eyeless night have done me shame: brave soldier, pardon me, that any accent breaking from thy tongue should 'scape the true acquaintance of mine ear. bastard come, come; sans compliment, what news abroad? hubert why, here walk i in the black brow of night, to find you out. bastard brief, then; and what's the news? hubert o, my sweet sir, news fitting to the night, black, fearful, comfortless and horrible. bastard show me the very wound of this ill news: i am no woman, i'll not swoon at it. hubert the king, i fear, is poison'd by a monk: i left him almost speechless; and broke out to acquaint you with this evil, that you might the better arm you to the sudden time, than if you had at leisure known of this. bastard how did he take it? who did taste to him? hubert a monk, i tell you; a resolved villain, whose bowels suddenly burst out: the king yet speaks and peradventure may recover. bastard who didst thou leave to tend his majesty? hubert why, know you not? the lords are all come back, and brought prince henry in their company; at whose request the king hath pardon'd them, and they are all about his majesty. bastard withhold thine indignation, mighty heaven, and tempt us not to bear above our power! i'll tell tree, hubert, half my power this night, passing these flats, are taken by the tide; these lincoln washes have devoured them; myself, well mounted, hardly have escaped. away before: conduct me to the king; i doubt he will be dead or ere i come. [exeunt] king john act v scene vii the orchard in swinstead abbey. [enter prince henry, salisbury, and bigot] prince henry it is too late: the life of all his blood is touch'd corruptibly, and his pure brain, which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house, doth by the idle comments that it makes foretell the ending of mortality. [enter pembroke] pembroke his highness yet doth speak, and holds belief that, being brought into the open air, it would allay the burning quality of that fell poison which assaileth him. prince henry let him be brought into the orchard here. doth he still rage? [exit bigot] pembroke he is more patient than when you left him; even now he sung. prince henry o vanity of sickness! fierce extremes in their continuance will not feel themselves. death, having prey'd upon the outward parts, leaves them invisible, and his siege is now against the mind, the which he pricks and wounds with many legions of strange fantasies, which, in their throng and press to that last hold, confound themselves. 'tis strange that death should sing. i am the cygnet to this pale faint swan, who chants a doleful hymn to his own death, and from the organ-pipe of frailty sings his soul and body to their lasting rest. salisbury be of good comfort, prince; for you are born to set a form upon that indigest which he hath left so shapeless and so rude. [enter attendants, and bigot, carrying king john in a chair] king john ay, marry, now my soul hath elbow-room; it would not out at windows nor at doors. there is so hot a summer in my bosom, that all my bowels crumble up to dust: i am a scribbled form, drawn with a pen upon a parchment, and against this fire do i shrink up. prince henry how fares your majesty? king john poison'd,--ill fare--dead, forsook, cast off: and none of you will bid the winter come to thrust his icy fingers in my maw, nor let my kingdom's rivers take their course through my burn'd bosom, nor entreat the north to make his bleak winds kiss my parched lips and comfort me with cold. i do not ask you much, i beg cold comfort; and you are so strait and so ingrateful, you deny me that. prince henry o that there were some virtue in my tears, that might relieve you! king john the salt in them is hot. within me is a hell; and there the poison is as a fiend confined to tyrannize on unreprievable condemned blood. [enter the bastard] bastard o, i am scalded with my violent motion, and spleen of speed to see your majesty! king john o cousin, thou art come to set mine eye: the tackle of my heart is crack'd and burn'd, and all the shrouds wherewith my life should sail are turned to one thread, one little hair: my heart hath one poor string to stay it by, which holds but till thy news be uttered; and then all this thou seest is but a clod and module of confounded royalty. bastard the dauphin is preparing hitherward, where heaven he knows how we shall answer him; for in a night the best part of my power, as i upon advantage did remove, were in the washes all unwarily devoured by the unexpected flood. [king john dies] salisbury you breathe these dead news in as dead an ear. my liege! my lord! but now a king, now thus. prince henry even so must i run on, and even so stop. what surety of the world, what hope, what stay, when this was now a king, and now is clay? bastard art thou gone so? i do but stay behind to do the office for thee of revenge, and then my soul shall wait on thee to heaven, as it on earth hath been thy servant still. now, now, you stars that move in your right spheres, where be your powers? show now your mended faiths, and instantly return with me again, to push destruction and perpetual shame out of the weak door of our fainting land. straight let us seek, or straight we shall be sought; the dauphin rages at our very heels. salisbury it seems you know not, then, so much as we: the cardinal pandulph is within at rest, who half an hour since came from the dauphin, and brings from him such offers of our peace as we with honour and respect may take, with purpose presently to leave this war. bastard he will the rather do it when he sees ourselves well sinewed to our defence. salisbury nay, it is in a manner done already; for many carriages he hath dispatch'd to the sea-side, and put his cause and quarrel to the disposing of the cardinal: with whom yourself, myself and other lords, if you think meet, this afternoon will post to consummate this business happily. bastard let it be so: and you, my noble prince, with other princes that may best be spared, shall wait upon your father's funeral. prince henry at worcester must his body be interr'd; for so he will'd it. bastard thither shall it then: and happily may your sweet self put on the lineal state and glory of the land! to whom with all submission, on my knee i do bequeath my faithful services and true subjection everlastingly. salisbury and the like tender of our love we make, to rest without a spot for evermore. prince henry i have a kind soul that would give you thanks and knows not how to do it but with tears. bastard o, let us pay the time but needful woe, since it hath been beforehand with our griefs. this england never did, nor never shall, lie at the proud foot of a conqueror, but when it first did help to wound itself. now these her princes are come home again, come the three corners of the world in arms, and we shall shock them. nought shall make us rue, if england to itself do rest but true. [exeunt] much ado about nothing dramatis personae don pedro prince of arragon. don john his bastard brother. claudio a young lord of florence. benedick a young lord of padua. leonato governor of messina. antonio his brother. balthasar attendant on don pedro. conrade | | followers of don john. borachio | friar francis: dogberry a constable. verges a headborough. a sexton. a boy. hero daughter to leonato. beatrice niece to leonato. margaret | | gentlewomen attending on hero. ursula | messengers, watch, attendants, &c. (lord:) (messenger:) (watchman:) (first watchman:) (second watchman:) scene messina. much ado about nothing act i scene i before leonato's house. [enter leonato, hero, and beatrice, with a messenger] leonato i learn in this letter that don peter of arragon comes this night to messina. messenger he is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when i left him. leonato how many gentlemen have you lost in this action? messenger but few of any sort, and none of name. leonato a victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. i find here that don peter hath bestowed much honour on a young florentine called claudio. messenger much deserved on his part and equally remembered by don pedro: he hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how. leonato he hath an uncle here in messina will be very much glad of it. messenger i have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness. leonato did he break out into tears? messenger in great measure. leonato a kind overflow of kindness: there are no faces truer than those that are so washed. how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping! beatrice i pray you, is signior mountanto returned from the wars or no? messenger i know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort. leonato what is he that you ask for, niece? hero my cousin means signior benedick of padua. messenger o, he's returned; and as pleasant as ever he was. beatrice he set up his bills here in messina and challenged cupid at the flight; and my uncle's fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. i pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? but how many hath he killed? for indeed i promised to eat all of his killing. leonato faith, niece, you tax signior benedick too much; but he'll be meet with you, i doubt it not. messenger he hath done good service, lady, in these wars. beatrice you had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it: he is a very valiant trencherman; he hath an excellent stomach. messenger and a good soldier too, lady. beatrice and a good soldier to a lady: but what is he to a lord? messenger a lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues. beatrice it is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man: but for the stuffing,--well, we are all mortal. leonato you must not, sir, mistake my niece. there is a kind of merry war betwixt signior benedick and her: they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit between them. beatrice alas! he gets nothing by that. in our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one: so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left, to be known a reasonable creature. who is his companion now? he hath every month a new sworn brother. messenger is't possible? beatrice very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block. messenger i see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books. beatrice no; an he were, i would burn my study. but, i pray you, who is his companion? is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil? messenger he is most in the company of the right noble claudio. beatrice o lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. god help the noble claudio! if he have caught the benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound ere a' be cured. messenger i will hold friends with you, lady. beatrice do, good friend. leonato you will never run mad, niece. beatrice no, not till a hot january. messenger don pedro is approached. [enter don pedro, don john, claudio, benedick, and balthasar] don pedro good signior leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it. leonato never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave. don pedro you embrace your charge too willingly. i think this is your daughter. leonato her mother hath many times told me so. benedick were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her? leonato signior benedick, no; for then were you a child. don pedro you have it full, benedick: we may guess by this what you are, being a man. truly, the lady fathers herself. be happy, lady; for you are like an honourable father. benedick if signior leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all messina, as like him as she is. beatrice i wonder that you will still be talking, signior benedick: nobody marks you. benedick what, my dear lady disdain! are you yet living? beatrice is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as signior benedick? courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence. benedick then is courtesy a turncoat. but it is certain i am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and i would i could find in my heart that i had not a hard heart; for, truly, i love none. beatrice a dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. i thank god and my cold blood, i am of your humour for that: i had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. benedick god keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face. beatrice scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were. benedick well, you are a rare parrot-teacher. beatrice a bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours. benedick i would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. but keep your way, i' god's name; i have done. beatrice you always end with a jade's trick: i know you of old. don pedro that is the sum of all, leonato. signior claudio and signior benedick, my dear friend leonato hath invited you all. i tell him we shall stay here at the least a month; and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer. i dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart. leonato if you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [to don john] let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to the prince your brother, i owe you all duty. don john i thank you: i am not of many words, but i thank you. leonato please it your grace lead on? don pedro your hand, leonato; we will go together. [exeunt all except benedick and claudio] claudio benedick, didst thou note the daughter of signior leonato? benedick i noted her not; but i looked on her. claudio is she not a modest young lady? benedick do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex? claudio no; i pray thee speak in sober judgment. benedick why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise: only this commendation i can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, i do not like her. claudio thou thinkest i am in sport: i pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her. benedick would you buy her, that you inquire after her? claudio can the world buy such a jewel? benedick yea, and a case to put it into. but speak you this with a sad brow? or do you play the flouting jack, to tell us cupid is a good hare-finder and vulcan a rare carpenter? come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song? claudio in mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever i looked on. benedick i can see yet without spectacles and i see no such matter: there's her cousin, an she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of may doth the last of december. but i hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you? claudio i would scarce trust myself, though i had sworn the contrary, if hero would be my wife. benedick is't come to this? in faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? shall i never see a bachelor of three-score again? go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away sundays. look don pedro is returned to seek you. [re-enter don pedro] don pedro what secret hath held you here, that you followed not to leonato's? benedick i would your grace would constrain me to tell. don pedro i charge thee on thy allegiance. benedick you hear, count claudio: i can be secret as a dumb man; i would have you think so; but, on my allegiance, mark you this, on my allegiance. he is in love. with who? now that is your grace's part. mark how short his answer is;--with hero, leonato's short daughter. claudio if this were so, so were it uttered. benedick like the old tale, my lord: 'it is not so, nor 'twas not so, but, indeed, god forbid it should be so.' claudio if my passion change not shortly, god forbid it should be otherwise. don pedro amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy. claudio you speak this to fetch me in, my lord. don pedro by my troth, i speak my thought. claudio and, in faith, my lord, i spoke mine. benedick and, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, i spoke mine. claudio that i love her, i feel. don pedro that she is worthy, i know. benedick that i neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: i will die in it at the stake. don pedro thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty. claudio and never could maintain his part but in the force of his will. benedick that a woman conceived me, i thank her; that she brought me up, i likewise give her most humble thanks: but that i will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. because i will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, i will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which i may go the finer, i will live a bachelor. don pedro i shall see thee, ere i die, look pale with love. benedick with anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love: prove that ever i lose more blood with love than i will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind cupid. don pedro well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a notable argument. benedick if i do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder, and called adam. don pedro well, as time shall try: 'in time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.' benedick the savage bull may; but if ever the sensible benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write 'here is good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign 'here you may see benedick the married man.' claudio if this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad. don pedro nay, if cupid have not spent all his quiver in venice, thou wilt quake for this shortly. benedick i look for an earthquake too, then. don pedro well, you temporize with the hours. in the meantime, good signior benedick, repair to leonato's: commend me to him and tell him i will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made great preparation. benedick i have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so i commit you- claudio to the tuition of god: from my house, if i had it,- don pedro the sixth of july: your loving friend, benedick. benedick nay, mock not, mock not. the body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: ere you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so i leave you. [exit] claudio my liege, your highness now may do me good. don pedro my love is thine to teach: teach it but how, and thou shalt see how apt it is to learn any hard lesson that may do thee good. claudio hath leonato any son, my lord? don pedro no child but hero; she's his only heir. dost thou affect her, claudio? claudio o, my lord, when you went onward on this ended action, i look'd upon her with a soldier's eye, that liked, but had a rougher task in hand than to drive liking to the name of love: but now i am return'd and that war-thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires, all prompting me how fair young hero is, saying, i liked her ere i went to wars. don pedro thou wilt be like a lover presently and tire the hearer with a book of words. if thou dost love fair hero, cherish it, and i will break with her and with her father, and thou shalt have her. was't not to this end that thou began'st to twist so fine a story? claudio how sweetly you do minister to love, that know love's grief by his complexion! but lest my liking might too sudden seem, i would have salved it with a longer treatise. don pedro what need the bridge much broader than the flood? the fairest grant is the necessity. look, what will serve is fit: 'tis once, thou lovest, and i will fit thee with the remedy. i know we shall have revelling to-night: i will assume thy part in some disguise and tell fair hero i am claudio, and in her bosom i'll unclasp my heart and take her hearing prisoner with the force and strong encounter of my amorous tale: then after to her father will i break; and the conclusion is, she shall be thine. in practise let us put it presently. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act i scene ii a room in leonato's house. [enter leonato and antonio, meeting] leonato how now, brother! where is my cousin, your son? hath he provided this music? antonio he is very busy about it. but, brother, i can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of. leonato are they good? antonio as the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward. the prince and count claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the prince discovered to claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance: and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it. leonato hath the fellow any wit that told you this? antonio a good sharp fellow: i will send for him; and question him yourself. leonato no, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself: but i will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. go you and tell her of it. [enter attendants] cousins, you know what you have to do. o, i cry you mercy, friend; go you with me, and i will use your skill. good cousin, have a care this busy time. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act i scene iii the same. [enter don john and conrade] conrade what the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out of measure sad? don john there is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit. conrade you should hear reason. don john and when i have heard it, what blessing brings it? conrade if not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance. don john i wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art, born under saturn, goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief. i cannot hide what i am: i must be sad when i have cause and smile at no man's jests, eat when i have stomach and wait for no man's leisure, sleep when i am drowsy and tend on no man's business, laugh when i am merry and claw no man in his humour. conrade yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment. you have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself: it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest. don john i had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though i cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but i am a plain-dealing villain. i am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore i have decreed not to sing in my cage. if i had my mouth, i would bite; if i had my liberty, i would do my liking: in the meantime let me be that i am and seek not to alter me. conrade can you make no use of your discontent? don john i make all use of it, for i use it only. who comes here? [enter borachio] what news, borachio? borachio i came yonder from a great supper: the prince your brother is royally entertained by leonato: and i can give you intelligence of an intended marriage. don john will it serve for any model to build mischief on? what is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness? borachio marry, it is your brother's right hand. don john who? the most exquisite claudio? borachio even he. don john a proper squire! and who, and who? which way looks he? borachio marry, on hero, the daughter and heir of leonato. don john a very forward march-chick! how came you to this? borachio being entertained for a perfumer, as i was smoking a musty room, comes me the prince and claudio, hand in hand in sad conference: i whipt me behind the arras; and there heard it agreed upon that the prince should woo hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to count claudio. don john come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to my displeasure. that young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow: if i can cross him any way, i bless myself every way. you are both sure, and will assist me? conrade to the death, my lord. don john let us to the great supper: their cheer is the greater that i am subdued. would the cook were of my mind! shall we go prove what's to be done? borachio we'll wait upon your lordship. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act ii scene i a hall in leonato's house. [enter leonato, antonio, hero, beatrice, and others] leonato was not count john here at supper? antonio i saw him not. beatrice how tartly that gentleman looks! i never can see him but i am heart-burned an hour after. hero he is of a very melancholy disposition. beatrice he were an excellent man that were made just in the midway between him and benedick: the one is too like an image and says nothing, and the other too like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling. leonato then half signior benedick's tongue in count john's mouth, and half count john's melancholy in signior benedick's face,- beatrice with a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world, if a' could get her good-will. leonato by my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue. antonio in faith, she's too curst. beatrice too curst is more than curst: i shall lessen god's sending that way; for it is said, 'god sends a curst cow short horns;' but to a cow too curst he sends none. leonato so, by being too curst, god will send you no horns. beatrice just, if he send me no husband; for the which blessing i am at him upon my knees every morning and evening. lord, i could not endure a husband with a beard on his face: i had rather lie in the woollen. leonato you may light on a husband that hath no beard. beatrice what should i do with him? dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? he that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, i am not for him: therefore, i will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward, and lead his apes into hell. leonato well, then, go you into hell? beatrice no, but to the gate; and there will the devil meet me, like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, and say 'get you to heaven, beatrice, get you to heaven; here's no place for you maids:' so deliver i up my apes, and away to saint peter for the heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long. antonio [to hero] well, niece, i trust you will be ruled by your father. beatrice yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make curtsy and say 'father, as it please you.' but yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make another curtsy and say 'father, as it please me.' leonato well, niece, i hope to see you one day fitted with a husband. beatrice not till god make men of some other metal than earth. would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a pierce of valiant dust? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? no, uncle, i'll none: adam's sons are my brethren; and, truly, i hold it a sin to match in my kindred. leonato daughter, remember what i told you: if the prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer. beatrice the fault will be in the music, cousin, if you be not wooed in good time: if the prince be too important, tell him there is measure in every thing and so dance out the answer. for, hear me, hero: wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque pace: the first suit is hot and hasty, like a scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the cinque pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave. leonato cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly. beatrice i have a good eye, uncle; i can see a church by daylight. leonato the revellers are entering, brother: make good room. [all put on their masks] [enter don pedro, claudio, benedick, balthasar, don john, borachio, margaret, ursula and others, masked] don pedro lady, will you walk about with your friend? hero so you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing, i am yours for the walk; and especially when i walk away. don pedro with me in your company? hero i may say so, when i please. don pedro and when please you to say so? hero when i like your favour; for god defend the lute should be like the case! don pedro my visor is philemon's roof; within the house is jove. hero why, then, your visor should be thatched. don pedro speak low, if you speak love. [drawing her aside] balthasar well, i would you did like me. margaret so would not i, for your own sake; for i have many ill-qualities. balthasar which is one? margaret i say my prayers aloud. balthasar i love you the better: the hearers may cry, amen. margaret god match me with a good dancer! balthasar amen. margaret and god keep him out of my sight when the dance is done! answer, clerk. balthasar no more words: the clerk is answered. ursula i know you well enough; you are signior antonio. antonio at a word, i am not. ursula i know you by the waggling of your head. antonio to tell you true, i counterfeit him. ursula you could never do him so ill-well, unless you were the very man. here's his dry hand up and down: you are he, you are he. antonio at a word, i am not. ursula come, come, do you think i do not know you by your excellent wit? can virtue hide itself? go to, mum, you are he: graces will appear, and there's an end. beatrice will you not tell me who told you so? benedick no, you shall pardon me. beatrice nor will you not tell me who you are? benedick not now. beatrice that i was disdainful, and that i had my good wit out of the 'hundred merry tales:'--well this was signior benedick that said so. benedick what's he? beatrice i am sure you know him well enough. benedick not i, believe me. beatrice did he never make you laugh? benedick i pray you, what is he? beatrice why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool; only his gift is in devising impossible slanders: none but libertines delight in him; and the commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany; for he both pleases men and angers them, and then they laugh at him and beat him. i am sure he is in the fleet: i would he had boarded me. benedick when i know the gentleman, i'll tell him what you say. beatrice do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on me; which, peradventure not marked or not laughed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night. [music] we must follow the leaders. benedick in every good thing. beatrice nay, if they lead to any ill, i will leave them at the next turning. [dance. then exeunt all except don john, borachio, and claudio] don john sure my brother is amorous on hero and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it. the ladies follow her and but one visor remains. borachio and that is claudio: i know him by his bearing. don john are not you signior benedick? claudio you know me well; i am he. don john signior, you are very near my brother in his love: he is enamoured on hero; i pray you, dissuade him from her: she is no equal for his birth: you may do the part of an honest man in it. claudio how know you he loves her? don john i heard him swear his affection. borachio so did i too; and he swore he would marry her to-night. don john come, let us to the banquet. [exeunt don john and borachio] claudio thus answer i in the name of benedick, but hear these ill news with the ears of claudio. 'tis certain so; the prince wooes for himself. friendship is constant in all other things save in the office and affairs of love: therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues; let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent; for beauty is a witch against whose charms faith melteth into blood. this is an accident of hourly proof, which i mistrusted not. farewell, therefore, hero! [re-enter benedick] benedick count claudio? claudio yea, the same. benedick come, will you go with me? claudio whither? benedick even to the next willow, about your own business, county. what fashion will you wear the garland of? about your neck, like an usurer's chain? or under your arm, like a lieutenant's scarf? you must wear it one way, for the prince hath got your hero. claudio i wish him joy of her. benedick why, that's spoken like an honest drovier: so they sell bullocks. but did you think the prince would have served you thus? claudio i pray you, leave me. benedick ho! now you strike like the blind man: 'twas the boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat the post. claudio if it will not be, i'll leave you. [exit] benedick alas, poor hurt fowl! now will he creep into sedges. but that my lady beatrice should know me, and not know me! the prince's fool! ha? it may be i go under that title because i am merry. yea, but so i am apt to do myself wrong; i am not so reputed: it is the base, though bitter, disposition of beatrice that puts the world into her person and so gives me out. well, i'll be revenged as i may. [re-enter don pedro] don pedro now, signior, where's the count? did you see him? benedick troth, my lord, i have played the part of lady fame. i found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a warren: i told him, and i think i told him true, that your grace had got the good will of this young lady; and i offered him my company to a willow-tree, either to make him a garland, as being forsaken, or to bind him up a rod, as being worthy to be whipped. don pedro to be whipped! what's his fault? benedick the flat transgression of a schoolboy, who, being overjoyed with finding a birds' nest, shows it his companion, and he steals it. don pedro wilt thou make a trust a transgression? the transgression is in the stealer. benedick yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made, and the garland too; for the garland he might have worn himself, and the rod he might have bestowed on you, who, as i take it, have stolen his birds' nest. don pedro i will but teach them to sing, and restore them to the owner. benedick if their singing answer your saying, by my faith, you say honestly. don pedro the lady beatrice hath a quarrel to you: the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much wronged by you. benedick o, she misused me past the endurance of a block! an oak but with one green leaf on it would have answered her; my very visor began to assume life and scold with her. she told me, not thinking i had been myself, that i was the prince's jester, that i was duller than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance upon me that i stood like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at me. she speaks poniards, and every word stabs: if her breath were as terrible as her terminations, there were no living near her; she would infect to the north star. i would not marry her, though she were endowed with all that adam bad left him before he transgressed: she would have made hercules have turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to make the fire too. come, talk not of her: you shall find her the infernal ate in good apparel. i would to god some scholar would conjure her; for certainly, while she is here, a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary; and people sin upon purpose, because they would go thither; so, indeed, all disquiet, horror and perturbation follows her. don pedro look, here she comes. [enter claudio, beatrice, hero, and leonato] benedick will your grace command me any service to the world's end? i will go on the slightest errand now to the antipodes that you can devise to send me on; i will fetch you a tooth-picker now from the furthest inch of asia, bring you the length of prester john's foot, fetch you a hair off the great cham's beard, do you any embassage to the pigmies, rather than hold three words' conference with this harpy. you have no employment for me? don pedro none, but to desire your good company. benedick o god, sir, here's a dish i love not: i cannot endure my lady tongue. [exit] don pedro come, lady, come; you have lost the heart of signior benedick. beatrice indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile; and i gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one: marry, once before he won it of me with false dice, therefore your grace may well say i have lost it. don pedro you have put him down, lady, you have put him down. beatrice so i would not he should do me, my lord, lest i should prove the mother of fools. i have brought count claudio, whom you sent me to seek. don pedro why, how now, count! wherefore are you sad? claudio not sad, my lord. don pedro how then? sick? claudio neither, my lord. beatrice the count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well; but civil count, civil as an orange, and something of that jealous complexion. don pedro i' faith, lady, i think your blazon to be true; though, i'll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is false. here, claudio, i have wooed in thy name, and fair hero is won: i have broke with her father, and his good will obtained: name the day of marriage, and god give thee joy! leonato count, take of me my daughter, and with her my fortunes: his grace hath made the match, and an grace say amen to it. beatrice speak, count, 'tis your cue. claudio silence is the perfectest herald of joy: i were but little happy, if i could say how much. lady, as you are mine, i am yours: i give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange. beatrice speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak neither. don pedro in faith, lady, you have a merry heart. beatrice yea, my lord; i thank it, poor fool, it keeps on the windy side of care. my cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart. claudio and so she doth, cousin. beatrice good lord, for alliance! thus goes every one to the world but i, and i am sunburnt; i may sit in a corner and cry heigh-ho for a husband! don pedro lady beatrice, i will get you one. beatrice i would rather have one of your father's getting. hath your grace ne'er a brother like you? your father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them. don pedro will you have me, lady? beatrice no, my lord, unless i might have another for working-days: your grace is too costly to wear every day. but, i beseech your grace, pardon me: i was born to speak all mirth and no matter. don pedro your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for, out of question, you were born in a merry hour. beatrice no, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there was a star danced, and under that was i born. cousins, god give you joy! leonato niece, will you look to those things i told you of? beatrice i cry you mercy, uncle. by your grace's pardon. [exit] don pedro by my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady. leonato there's little of the melancholy element in her, my lord: she is never sad but when she sleeps, and not ever sad then; for i have heard my daughter say, she hath often dreamed of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing. don pedro she cannot endure to hear tell of a husband. leonato o, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit. don pedro she were an excellent wife for benedict. leonato o lord, my lord, if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad. don pedro county claudio, when mean you to go to church? claudio to-morrow, my lord: time goes on crutches till love have all his rites. leonato not till monday, my dear son, which is hence a just seven-night; and a time too brief, too, to have all things answer my mind. don pedro come, you shake the head at so long a breathing: but, i warrant thee, claudio, the time shall not go dully by us. i will in the interim undertake one of hercules' labours; which is, to bring signior benedick and the lady beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other. i would fain have it a match, and i doubt not but to fashion it, if you three will but minister such assistance as i shall give you direction. leonato my lord, i am for you, though it cost me ten nights' watchings. claudio and i, my lord. don pedro and you too, gentle hero? hero i will do any modest office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband. don pedro and benedick is not the unhopefullest husband that i know. thus far can i praise him; he is of a noble strain, of approved valour and confirmed honesty. i will teach you how to humour your cousin, that she shall fall in love with benedick; and i, with your two helps, will so practise on benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with beatrice. if we can do this, cupid is no longer an archer: his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love-gods. go in with me, and i will tell you my drift. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act ii scene ii the same. [enter don john and borachio] don john it is so; the count claudio shall marry the daughter of leonato. borachio yea, my lord; but i can cross it. don john any bar, any cross, any impediment will be medicinable to me: i am sick in displeasure to him, and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine. how canst thou cross this marriage? borachio not honestly, my lord; but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appear in me. don john show me briefly how. borachio i think i told your lordship a year since, how much i am in the favour of margaret, the waiting gentlewoman to hero. don john i remember. borachio i can, at any unseasonable instant of the night, appoint her to look out at her lady's chamber window. don john what life is in that, to be the death of this marriage? borachio the poison of that lies in you to temper. go you to the prince your brother; spare not to tell him that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned claudio--whose estimation do you mightily hold up--to a contaminated stale, such a one as hero. don john what proof shall i make of that? borachio proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex claudio, to undo hero and kill leonato. look you for any other issue? don john only to despite them, i will endeavour any thing. borachio go, then; find me a meet hour to draw don pedro and the count claudio alone: tell them that you know that hero loves me; intend a kind of zeal both to the prince and claudio, as,--in love of your brother's honour, who hath made this match, and his friend's reputation, who is thus like to be cozened with the semblance of a maid,--that you have discovered thus. they will scarcely believe this without trial: offer them instances; which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me at her chamber-window, hear me call margaret hero, hear margaret term me claudio; and bring them to see this the very night before the intended wedding,--for in the meantime i will so fashion the matter that hero shall be absent,--and there shall appear such seeming truth of hero's disloyalty that jealousy shall be called assurance and all the preparation overthrown. don john grow this to what adverse issue it can, i will put it in practise. be cunning in the working this, and thy fee is a thousand ducats. borachio be you constant in the accusation, and my cunning shall not shame me. don john i will presently go learn their day of marriage. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act ii scene iii leonato's orchard. [enter benedick] benedick boy! [enter boy] boy signior? benedick in my chamber-window lies a book: bring it hither to me in the orchard. boy i am here already, sir. benedick i know that; but i would have thee hence, and here again. [exit boy] i do much wonder that one man, seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviors to love, will, after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own scorn by failing in love: and such a man is claudio. i have known when there was no music with him but the drum and the fife; and now had he rather hear the tabour and the pipe: i have known when he would have walked ten mile a-foot to see a good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake, carving the fashion of a new doublet. he was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier; and now is he turned orthography; his words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes. may i be so converted and see with these eyes? i cannot tell; i think not: i will not be sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster; but i'll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. one woman is fair, yet i am well; another is wise, yet i am well; another virtuous, yet i am well; but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. rich she shall be, that's certain; wise, or i'll none; virtuous, or i'll never cheapen her; fair, or i'll never look on her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not i for an angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall be of what colour it please god. ha! the prince and monsieur love! i will hide me in the arbour. [withdraws] [enter don pedro, claudio, and leonato] don pedro come, shall we hear this music? claudio yea, my good lord. how still the evening is, as hush'd on purpose to grace harmony! don pedro see you where benedick hath hid himself? claudio o, very well, my lord: the music ended, we'll fit the kid-fox with a pennyworth. [enter balthasar with music] don pedro come, balthasar, we'll hear that song again. balthasar o, good my lord, tax not so bad a voice to slander music any more than once. don pedro it is the witness still of excellency to put a strange face on his own perfection. i pray thee, sing, and let me woo no more. balthasar because you talk of wooing, i will sing; since many a wooer doth commence his suit to her he thinks not worthy, yet he wooes, yet will he swear he loves. don pedro now, pray thee, come; or, if thou wilt hold longer argument, do it in notes. balthasar note this before my notes; there's not a note of mine that's worth the noting. don pedro why, these are very crotchets that he speaks; note, notes, forsooth, and nothing. [air] benedick now, divine air! now is his soul ravished! is it not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies? well, a horn for my money, when all's done. [the song] balthasar sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, men were deceivers ever, one foot in sea and one on shore, to one thing constant never: then sigh not so, but let them go, and be you blithe and bonny, converting all your sounds of woe into hey nonny, nonny. sing no more ditties, sing no moe, of dumps so dull and heavy; the fraud of men was ever so, since summer first was leafy: then sigh not so, &c. don pedro by my troth, a good song. balthasar and an ill singer, my lord. don pedro ha, no, no, faith; thou singest well enough for a shift. benedick an he had been a dog that should have howled thus, they would have hanged him: and i pray god his bad voice bode no mischief. i had as lief have heard the night-raven, come what plague could have come after it. don pedro yea, marry, dost thou hear, balthasar? i pray thee, get us some excellent music; for to-morrow night we would have it at the lady hero's chamber-window. balthasar the best i can, my lord. don pedro do so: farewell. [exit balthasar] come hither, leonato. what was it you told me of to-day, that your niece beatrice was in love with signior benedick? claudio o, ay: stalk on. stalk on; the fowl sits. i did never think that lady would have loved any man. leonato no, nor i neither; but most wonderful that she should so dote on signior benedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviors seemed ever to abhor. benedick is't possible? sits the wind in that corner? leonato by my troth, my lord, i cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection: it is past the infinite of thought. don pedro may be she doth but counterfeit. claudio faith, like enough. leonato o god, counterfeit! there was never counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it. don pedro why, what effects of passion shows she? claudio bait the hook well; this fish will bite. leonato what effects, my lord? she will sit you, you heard my daughter tell you how. claudio she did, indeed. don pedro how, how, pray you? you amaze me: i would have i thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection. leonato i would have sworn it had, my lord; especially against benedick. benedick i should think this a gull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it: knavery cannot, sure, hide himself in such reverence. claudio he hath ta'en the infection: hold it up. don pedro hath she made her affection known to benedick? leonato no; and swears she never will: that's her torment. claudio 'tis true, indeed; so your daughter says: 'shall i,' says she, 'that have so oft encountered him with scorn, write to him that i love him?' leonato this says she now when she is beginning to write to him; for she'll be up twenty times a night, and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of paper: my daughter tells us all. claudio now you talk of a sheet of paper, i remember a pretty jest your daughter told us of. leonato o, when she had writ it and was reading it over, she found benedick and beatrice between the sheet? claudio that. leonato o, she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence; railed at herself, that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her; 'i measure him,' says she, 'by my own spirit; for i should flout him, if he writ to me; yea, though i love him, i should.' claudio then down upon her knees she falls, weeps, sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses; 'o sweet benedick! god give me patience!' leonato she doth indeed; my daughter says so: and the ecstasy hath so much overborne her that my daughter is sometime afeared she will do a desperate outrage to herself: it is very true. don pedro it were good that benedick knew of it by some other, if she will not discover it. claudio to what end? he would make but a sport of it and torment the poor lady worse. don pedro an he should, it were an alms to hang him. she's an excellent sweet lady; and, out of all suspicion, she is virtuous. claudio and she is exceeding wise. don pedro in every thing but in loving benedick. leonato o, my lord, wisdom and blood combating in so tender a body, we have ten proofs to one that blood hath the victory. i am sorry for her, as i have just cause, being her uncle and her guardian. don pedro i would she had bestowed this dotage on me: i would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself. i pray you, tell benedick of it, and hear what a' will say. leonato were it good, think you? claudio hero thinks surely she will die; for she says she will die, if he love her not, and she will die, ere she make her love known, and she will die, if he woo her, rather than she will bate one breath of her accustomed crossness. don pedro she doth well: if she should make tender of her love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it; for the man, as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit. claudio he is a very proper man. don pedro he hath indeed a good outward happiness. claudio before god! and, in my mind, very wise. don pedro he doth indeed show some sparks that are like wit. claudio and i take him to be valiant. don pedro as hector, i assure you: and in the managing of quarrels you may say he is wise; for either he avoids them with great discretion, or undertakes them with a most christian-like fear. leonato if he do fear god, a' must necessarily keep peace: if he break the peace, he ought to enter into a quarrel with fear and trembling. don pedro and so will he do; for the man doth fear god, howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests he will make. well i am sorry for your niece. shall we go seek benedick, and tell him of her love? claudio never tell him, my lord: let her wear it out with good counsel. leonato nay, that's impossible: she may wear her heart out first. don pedro well, we will hear further of it by your daughter: let it cool the while. i love benedick well; and i could wish he would modestly examine himself, to see how much he is unworthy so good a lady. leonato my lord, will you walk? dinner is ready. claudio if he do not dote on her upon this, i will never trust my expectation. don pedro let there be the same net spread for her; and that must your daughter and her gentlewomen carry. the sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of another's dotage, and no such matter: that's the scene that i would see, which will be merely a dumb-show. let us send her to call him in to dinner. [exeunt don pedro, claudio, and leonato] benedick [coming forward] this can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne. they have the truth of this from hero. they seem to pity the lady: it seems her affections have their full bent. love me! why, it must be requited. i hear how i am censured: they say i will bear myself proudly, if i perceive the love come from her; they say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. i did never think to marry: i must not seem proud: happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. they say the lady is fair; 'tis a truth, i can bear them witness; and virtuous; 'tis so, i cannot reprove it; and wise, but for loving me; by my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for i will be horribly in love with her. i may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me, because i have railed so long against marriage: but doth not the appetite alter? a man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humour? no, the world must be peopled. when i said i would die a bachelor, i did not think i should live till i were married. here comes beatrice. by this day! she's a fair lady: i do spy some marks of love in her. [enter beatrice] beatrice against my will i am sent to bid you come in to dinner. benedick fair beatrice, i thank you for your pains. beatrice i took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me: if it had been painful, i would not have come. benedick you take pleasure then in the message? beatrice yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife's point and choke a daw withal. you have no stomach, signior: fare you well. [exit] benedick ha! 'against my will i am sent to bid you come in to dinner;' there's a double meaning in that 'i took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me.' that's as much as to say, any pains that i take for you is as easy as thanks. if i do not take pity of her, i am a villain; if i do not love her, i am a jew. i will go get her picture. [exit] much ado about nothing act iii scene i leonato's garden. [enter hero, margaret, and ursula] hero good margaret, run thee to the parlor; there shalt thou find my cousin beatrice proposing with the prince and claudio: whisper her ear and tell her, i and ursula walk in the orchard and our whole discourse is all of her; say that thou overheard'st us; and bid her steal into the pleached bower, where honeysuckles, ripen'd by the sun, forbid the sun to enter, like favourites, made proud by princes, that advance their pride against that power that bred it: there will she hide her, to listen our purpose. this is thy office; bear thee well in it and leave us alone. margaret i'll make her come, i warrant you, presently. [exit] hero now, ursula, when beatrice doth come, as we do trace this alley up and down, our talk must only be of benedick. when i do name him, let it be thy part to praise him more than ever man did merit: my talk to thee must be how benedick is sick in love with beatrice. of this matter is little cupid's crafty arrow made, that only wounds by hearsay. [enter beatrice, behind] now begin; for look where beatrice, like a lapwing, runs close by the ground, to hear our conference. ursula the pleasant'st angling is to see the fish cut with her golden oars the silver stream, and greedily devour the treacherous bait: so angle we for beatrice; who even now is couched in the woodbine coverture. fear you not my part of the dialogue. hero then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing of the false sweet bait that we lay for it. [approaching the bower] no, truly, ursula, she is too disdainful; i know her spirits are as coy and wild as haggerds of the rock. ursula but are you sure that benedick loves beatrice so entirely? hero so says the prince and my new-trothed lord. ursula and did they bid you tell her of it, madam? hero they did entreat me to acquaint her of it; but i persuaded them, if they loved benedick, to wish him wrestle with affection, and never to let beatrice know of it. ursula why did you so? doth not the gentleman deserve as full as fortunate a bed as ever beatrice shall couch upon? hero o god of love! i know he doth deserve as much as may be yielded to a man: but nature never framed a woman's heart of prouder stuff than that of beatrice; disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, misprising what they look on, and her wit values itself so highly that to her all matter else seems weak: she cannot love, nor take no shape nor project of affection, she is so self-endeared. ursula sure, i think so; and therefore certainly it were not good she knew his love, lest she make sport at it. hero why, you speak truth. i never yet saw man, how wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured, but she would spell him backward: if fair-faced, she would swear the gentleman should be her sister; if black, why, nature, drawing of an antique, made a foul blot; if tall, a lance ill-headed; if low, an agate very vilely cut; if speaking, why, a vane blown with all winds; if silent, why, a block moved with none. so turns she every man the wrong side out and never gives to truth and virtue that which simpleness and merit purchaseth. ursula sure, sure, such carping is not commendable. hero no, not to be so odd and from all fashions as beatrice is, cannot be commendable: but who dare tell her so? if i should speak, she would mock me into air; o, she would laugh me out of myself, press me to death with wit. therefore let benedick, like cover'd fire, consume away in sighs, waste inwardly: it were a better death than die with mocks, which is as bad as die with tickling. ursula yet tell her of it: hear what she will say. hero no; rather i will go to benedick and counsel him to fight against his passion. and, truly, i'll devise some honest slanders to stain my cousin with: one doth not know how much an ill word may empoison liking. ursula o, do not do your cousin such a wrong. she cannot be so much without true judgment- having so swift and excellent a wit as she is prized to have--as to refuse so rare a gentleman as signior benedick. hero he is the only man of italy. always excepted my dear claudio. ursula i pray you, be not angry with me, madam, speaking my fancy: signior benedick, for shape, for bearing, argument and valour, goes foremost in report through italy. hero indeed, he hath an excellent good name. ursula his excellence did earn it, ere he had it. when are you married, madam? hero why, every day, to-morrow. come, go in: i'll show thee some attires, and have thy counsel which is the best to furnish me to-morrow. ursula she's limed, i warrant you: we have caught her, madam. hero if it proves so, then loving goes by haps: some cupid kills with arrows, some with traps. [exeunt hero and ursula] beatrice [coming forward] what fire is in mine ears? can this be true? stand i condemn'd for pride and scorn so much? contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu! no glory lives behind the back of such. and, benedick, love on; i will requite thee, taming my wild heart to thy loving hand: if thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band; for others say thou dost deserve, and i believe it better than reportingly. [exit] much ado about nothing act iii scene ii a room in leonato's house [enter don pedro, claudio, benedick, and leonato] don pedro i do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then go i toward arragon. claudio i'll bring you thither, my lord, if you'll vouchsafe me. don pedro nay, that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it. i will only be bold with benedick for his company; for, from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all mirth: he hath twice or thrice cut cupid's bow-string and the little hangman dare not shoot at him; he hath a heart as sound as a bell and his tongue is the clapper, for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks. benedick gallants, i am not as i have been. leonato so say i methinks you are sadder. claudio i hope he be in love. don pedro hang him, truant! there's no true drop of blood in him, to be truly touched with love: if he be sad, he wants money. benedick i have the toothache. don pedro draw it. benedick hang it! claudio you must hang it first, and draw it afterwards. don pedro what! sigh for the toothache? leonato where is but a humour or a worm. benedick well, every one can master a grief but he that has it. claudio yet say i, he is in love. don pedro there is no appearance of fancy in him, unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises; as, to be a dutchman today, a frenchman to-morrow, or in the shape of two countries at once, as, a german from the waist downward, all slops, and a spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet. unless he have a fancy to this foolery, as it appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is. claudio if he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs: a' brushes his hat o' mornings; what should that bode? don pedro hath any man seen him at the barber's? claudio no, but the barber's man hath been seen with him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls. leonato indeed, he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard. don pedro nay, a' rubs himself with civet: can you smell him out by that? claudio that's as much as to say, the sweet youth's in love. don pedro the greatest note of it is his melancholy. claudio and when was he wont to wash his face? don pedro yea, or to paint himself? for the which, i hear what they say of him. claudio nay, but his jesting spirit; which is now crept into a lute-string and now governed by stops. don pedro indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him: conclude, conclude he is in love. claudio nay, but i know who loves him. don pedro that would i know too: i warrant, one that knows him not. claudio yes, and his ill conditions; and, in despite of all, dies for him. don pedro she shall be buried with her face upwards. benedick yet is this no charm for the toothache. old signior, walk aside with me: i have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. [exeunt benedick and leonato] don pedro for my life, to break with him about beatrice. claudio 'tis even so. hero and margaret have by this played their parts with beatrice; and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet. [enter don john] don john my lord and brother, god save you! don pedro good den, brother. don john if your leisure served, i would speak with you. don pedro in private? don john if it please you: yet count claudio may hear; for what i would speak of concerns him. don pedro what's the matter? don john [to claudio] means your lordship to be married to-morrow? don pedro you know he does. don john i know not that, when he knows what i know. claudio if there be any impediment, i pray you discover it. don john you may think i love you not: let that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that i now will manifest. for my brother, i think he holds you well, and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage;--surely suit ill spent and labour ill bestowed. don pedro why, what's the matter? don john i came hither to tell you; and, circumstances shortened, for she has been too long a talking of, the lady is disloyal. claudio who, hero? don pedro even she; leonato's hero, your hero, every man's hero: claudio disloyal? don john the word is too good to paint out her wickedness; i could say she were worse: think you of a worse title, and i will fit her to it. wonder not till further warrant: go but with me to-night, you shall see her chamber-window entered, even the night before her wedding-day: if you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind. claudio may this be so? don pedro i will not think it. don john if you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know: if you will follow me, i will show you enough; and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly. claudio if i see any thing to-night why i should not marry her to-morrow in the congregation, where i should wed, there will i shame her. don pedro and, as i wooed for thee to obtain her, i will join with thee to disgrace her. don john i will disparage her no farther till you are my witnesses: bear it coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show itself. don pedro o day untowardly turned! claudio o mischief strangely thwarting! don john o plague right well prevented! so will you say when you have seen the sequel. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act iii scene iii a street. [enter dogberry and verges with the watch] dogberry are you good men and true? verges yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation, body and soul. dogberry nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they should have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the prince's watch. verges well, give them their charge, neighbour dogberry. dogberry first, who think you the most desertless man to be constable? first watchman hugh otecake, sir, or george seacole; for they can write and read. dogberry come hither, neighbour seacole. god hath blessed you with a good name: to be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature. second watchman both which, master constable,- dogberry you have: i knew it would be your answer. well, for your favour, sir, why, give god thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. you are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern. this is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the prince's name. second watchman how if a' will not stand? dogberry why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of the watch together and thank god you are rid of a knave. verges if he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince's subjects. dogberry true, and they are to meddle with none but the prince's subjects. you shall also make no noise in the streets; for, for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured. watchman we will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs to a watch. dogberry why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman; for i cannot see how sleeping should offend: only, have a care that your bills be not stolen. well, you are to call at all the ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. watchman how if they will not? dogberry why, then, let them alone till they are sober: if they make you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you took them for. watchman well, sir. dogberry if you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty. watchman if we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him? dogberry truly, by your office, you may; but i think they that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company. verges you have been always called a merciful man, partner. dogberry truly, i would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him. verges if you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to the nurse and bid her still it. watchman how if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us? dogberry why, then, depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes will never answer a calf when he bleats. verges 'tis very true. dogberry this is the end of the charge:--you, constable, are to present the prince's own person: if you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him. verges nay, by'r our lady, that i think a' cannot. dogberry five shillings to one on't, with any man that knows the statutes, he may stay him: marry, not without the prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no man; and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. verges by'r lady, i think it be so. dogberry ha, ha, ha! well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me: keep your fellows' counsels and your own; and good night. come, neighbour. watchman well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed. dogberry one word more, honest neighbours. i pray you watch about signior leonato's door; for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night. adieu: be vigitant, i beseech you. [exeunt dogberry and verges] [enter borachio and conrade] borachio what conrade! watchman [aside] peace! stir not. borachio conrade, i say! conrade here, man; i am at thy elbow. borachio mass, and my elbow itched; i thought there would a scab follow. conrade i will owe thee an answer for that: and now forward with thy tale. borachio stand thee close, then, under this pent-house, for it drizzles rain; and i will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee. watchman [aside] some treason, masters: yet stand close. borachio therefore know i have earned of don john a thousand ducats. conrade is it possible that any villany should be so dear? borachio thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villany should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will. conrade i wonder at it. borachio that shows thou art unconfirmed. thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a hat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man. conrade yes, it is apparel. borachio i mean, the fashion. conrade yes, the fashion is the fashion. borachio tush! i may as well say the fool's the fool. but seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is? watchman [aside] i know that deformed; a' has been a vile thief this seven year; a' goes up and down like a gentleman: i remember his name. borachio didst thou not hear somebody? conrade no; 'twas the vane on the house. borachio seest thou not, i say, what a deformed thief this fashion is? how giddily a' turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty? sometimes fashioning them like pharaoh's soldiers in the reeky painting, sometime like god bel's priests in the old church-window, sometime like the shaven hercules in the smirched worm-eaten tapestry, where his codpiece seems as massy as his club? conrade all this i see; and i see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man. but art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion? borachio not so, neither: but know that i have to-night wooed margaret, the lady hero's gentlewoman, by the name of hero: she leans me out at her mistress' chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night,--i tell this tale vilely:--i should first tell thee how the prince, claudio and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master don john, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter. conrade and thought they margaret was hero? borachio two of them did, the prince and claudio; but the devil my master knew she was margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villany, which did confirm any slander that don john had made, away went claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw o'er night and send her home again without a husband. first watchman we charge you, in the prince's name, stand! second watchman call up the right master constable. we have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the commonwealth. first watchman and one deformed is one of them: i know him; a' wears a lock. conrade masters, masters,- second watchman you'll be made bring deformed forth, i warrant you. conrade masters,- first watchman never speak: we charge you let us obey you to go with us. borachio we are like to prove a goodly commodity, being taken up of these men's bills. conrade a commodity in question, i warrant you. come, we'll obey you. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act iii scene iv hero's apartment. [enter hero, margaret, and ursula] hero good ursula, wake my cousin beatrice, and desire her to rise. ursula i will, lady. hero and bid her come hither. ursula well. [exit] margaret troth, i think your other rabato were better. hero no, pray thee, good meg, i'll wear this. margaret by my troth, 's not so good; and i warrant your cousin will say so. hero my cousin's a fool, and thou art another: i'll wear none but this. margaret i like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and your gown's a most rare fashion, i' faith. i saw the duchess of milan's gown that they praise so. hero o, that exceeds, they say. margaret by my troth, 's but a night-gown in respect of yours: cloth o' gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts, round underborne with a bluish tinsel: but for a fine, quaint, graceful and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on 't. hero god give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy. margaret 'twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man. hero fie upon thee! art not ashamed? margaret of what, lady? of speaking honourably? is not marriage honourable in a beggar? is not your lord honourable without marriage? i think you would have me say, 'saving your reverence, a husband:' and bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, i'll offend nobody: is there any harm in 'the heavier for a husband'? none, i think, and it be the right husband and the right wife; otherwise 'tis light, and not heavy: ask my lady beatrice else; here she comes. [enter beatrice] hero good morrow, coz. beatrice good morrow, sweet hero. hero why how now? do you speak in the sick tune? beatrice i am out of all other tune, methinks. margaret clap's into 'light o' love;' that goes without a burden: do you sing it, and i'll dance it. beatrice ye light o' love, with your heels! then, if your husband have stables enough, you'll see he shall lack no barns. margaret o illegitimate construction! i scorn that with my heels. beatrice 'tis almost five o'clock, cousin; tis time you were ready. by my troth, i am exceeding ill: heigh-ho! margaret for a hawk, a horse, or a husband? beatrice for the letter that begins them all, h. margaret well, and you be not turned turk, there's no more sailing by the star. beatrice what means the fool, trow? margaret nothing i; but god send every one their heart's desire! hero these gloves the count sent me; they are an excellent perfume. beatrice i am stuffed, cousin; i cannot smell. margaret a maid, and stuffed! there's goodly catching of cold. beatrice o, god help me! god help me! how long have you professed apprehension? margaret even since you left it. doth not my wit become me rarely? beatrice it is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap. by my troth, i am sick. margaret get you some of this distilled carduus benedictus, and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a qualm. hero there thou prickest her with a thistle. beatrice benedictus! why benedictus? you have some moral in this benedictus. margaret moral! no, by my troth, i have no moral meaning; i meant, plain holy-thistle. you may think perchance that i think you are in love: nay, by'r lady, i am not such a fool to think what i list, nor i list not to think what i can, nor indeed i cannot think, if i would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love or that you will be in love or that you can be in love. yet benedick was such another, and now is he become a man: he swore he would never marry, and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats his meat without grudging: and how you may be converted i know not, but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do. beatrice what pace is this that thy tongue keeps? margaret not a false gallop. [re-enter ursula] ursula madam, withdraw: the prince, the count, signior benedick, don john, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church. hero help to dress me, good coz, good meg, good ursula. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act iii scene v another room in leonato's house. [enter leonato, with dogberry and verges] leonato what would you with me, honest neighbour? dogberry marry, sir, i would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly. leonato brief, i pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me. dogberry marry, this it is, sir. verges yes, in truth it is, sir. leonato what is it, my good friends? dogberry goodman verges, sir, speaks a little off the matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt as, god help, i would desire they were; but, in faith, honest as the skin between his brows. verges yes, i thank god i am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than i. dogberry comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour verges. leonato neighbours, you are tedious. dogberry it pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part, if i were as tedious as a king, i could find it in my heart to bestow it all of your worship. leonato all thy tediousness on me, ah? dogberry yea, an 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; for i hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any man in the city; and though i be but a poor man, i am glad to hear it. verges and so am i. leonato i would fain know what you have to say. verges marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in messina. dogberry a good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they say, when the age is in, the wit is out: god help us! it is a world to see. well said, i' faith, neighbour verges: well, god's a good man; an two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. an honest soul, i' faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread; but god is to be worshipped; all men are not alike; alas, good neighbour! leonato indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you. dogberry gifts that god gives. leonato i must leave you. dogberry one word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship. leonato take their examination yourself and bring it me: i am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you. dogberry it shall be suffigance. leonato drink some wine ere you go: fare you well. [enter a messenger] messenger my lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband. leonato i'll wait upon them: i am ready. [exeunt leonato and messenger] dogberry go, good partner, go, get you to francis seacole; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now to examination these men. verges and we must do it wisely. dogberry we will spare for no wit, i warrant you; here's that shall drive some of them to a non-come: only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication and meet me at the gaol. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act iv scene i a church. [enter don pedro, don john, leonato, friar francis, claudio, benedick, hero, beatrice, and attendants] leonato come, friar francis, be brief; only to the plain form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards. friar francis you come hither, my lord, to marry this lady. claudio no. leonato to be married to her: friar, you come to marry her. friar francis lady, you come hither to be married to this count. hero i do. friar francis if either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, charge you, on your souls, to utter it. claudio know you any, hero? hero none, my lord. friar francis know you any, count? leonato i dare make his answer, none. claudio o, what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do, not knowing what they do! benedick how now! interjections? why, then, some be of laughing, as, ah, ha, he! claudio stand thee by, friar. father, by your leave: will you with free and unconstrained soul give me this maid, your daughter? leonato as freely, son, as god did give her me. claudio and what have i to give you back, whose worth may counterpoise this rich and precious gift? don pedro nothing, unless you render her again. claudio sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness. there, leonato, take her back again: give not this rotten orange to your friend; she's but the sign and semblance of her honour. behold how like a maid she blushes here! o, what authority and show of truth can cunning sin cover itself withal! comes not that blood as modest evidence to witness simple virtue? would you not swear, all you that see her, that she were a maid, by these exterior shows? but she is none: she knows the heat of a luxurious bed; her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. leonato what do you mean, my lord? claudio not to be married, not to knit my soul to an approved wanton. leonato dear my lord, if you, in your own proof, have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, and made defeat of her virginity,- claudio i know what you would say: if i have known her, you will say she did embrace me as a husband, and so extenuate the 'forehand sin: no, leonato, i never tempted her with word too large; but, as a brother to his sister, show'd bashful sincerity and comely love. hero and seem'd i ever otherwise to you? claudio out on thee! seeming! i will write against it: you seem to me as dian in her orb, as chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; but you are more intemperate in your blood than venus, or those pamper'd animals that rage in savage sensuality. hero is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide? leonato sweet prince, why speak not you? don pedro what should i speak? i stand dishonour'd, that have gone about to link my dear friend to a common stale. leonato are these things spoken, or do i but dream? don john sir, they are spoken, and these things are true. benedick this looks not like a nuptial. hero true! o god! claudio leonato, stand i here? is this the prince? is this the prince's brother? is this face hero's? are our eyes our own? leonato all this is so: but what of this, my lord? claudio let me but move one question to your daughter; and, by that fatherly and kindly power that you have in her, bid her answer truly. leonato i charge thee do so, as thou art my child. hero o, god defend me! how am i beset! what kind of catechising call you this? claudio to make you answer truly to your name. hero is it not hero? who can blot that name with any just reproach? claudio marry, that can hero; hero itself can blot out hero's virtue. what man was he talk'd with you yesternight out at your window betwixt twelve and one? now, if you are a maid, answer to this. hero i talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord. don pedro why, then are you no maiden. leonato, i am sorry you must hear: upon mine honour, myself, my brother and this grieved count did see her, hear her, at that hour last night talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain, confess'd the vile encounters they have had a thousand times in secret. don john fie, fie! they are not to be named, my lord, not to be spoke of; there is not chastity enough in language without offence to utter them. thus, pretty lady, i am sorry for thy much misgovernment. claudio o hero, what a hero hadst thou been, if half thy outward graces had been placed about thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart! but fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell, thou pure impiety and impious purity! for thee i'll lock up all the gates of love, and on my eyelids shall conjecture hang, to turn all beauty into thoughts of harm, and never shall it more be gracious. leonato hath no man's dagger here a point for me? [hero swoons] beatrice why, how now, cousin! wherefore sink you down? don john come, let us go. these things, come thus to light, smother her spirits up. [exeunt don pedro, don john, and claudio] benedick how doth the lady? beatrice dead, i think. help, uncle! hero! why, hero! uncle! signior benedick! friar! leonato o fate! take not away thy heavy hand. death is the fairest cover for her shame that may be wish'd for. beatrice how now, cousin hero! friar francis have comfort, lady. leonato dost thou look up? friar francis yea, wherefore should she not? leonato wherefore! why, doth not every earthly thing cry shame upon her? could she here deny the story that is printed in her blood? do not live, hero; do not ope thine eyes: for, did i think thou wouldst not quickly die, thought i thy spirits were stronger than thy shames, myself would, on the rearward of reproaches, strike at thy life. grieved i, i had but one? chid i for that at frugal nature's frame? o, one too much by thee! why had i one? why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes? why had i not with charitable hand took up a beggar's issue at my gates, who smirch'd thus and mired with infamy, i might have said 'no part of it is mine; this shame derives itself from unknown loins'? but mine and mine i loved and mine i praised and mine that i was proud on, mine so much that i myself was to myself not mine, valuing of her,--why, she, o, she is fallen into a pit of ink, that the wide sea hath drops too few to wash her clean again and salt too little which may season give to her foul-tainted flesh! benedick sir, sir, be patient. for my part, i am so attired in wonder, i know not what to say. beatrice o, on my soul, my cousin is belied! benedick lady, were you her bedfellow last night? beatrice no, truly not; although, until last night, i have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow. leonato confirm'd, confirm'd! o, that is stronger made which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron! would the two princes lie, and claudio lie, who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness, wash'd it with tears? hence from her! let her die. friar francis hear me a little; for i have only been silent so long and given way unto this course of fortune [ ] by noting of the lady i have mark'd a thousand blushing apparitions to start into her face, a thousand innocent shames in angel whiteness beat away those blushes; and in her eye there hath appear'd a fire, to burn the errors that these princes hold against her maiden truth. call me a fool; trust not my reading nor my observations, which with experimental seal doth warrant the tenor of my book; trust not my age, my reverence, calling, nor divinity, if this sweet lady lie not guiltless here under some biting error. leonato friar, it cannot be. thou seest that all the grace that she hath left is that she will not add to her damnation a sin of perjury; she not denies it: why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse that which appears in proper nakedness? friar francis lady, what man is he you are accused of? hero they know that do accuse me; i know none: if i know more of any man alive than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, let all my sins lack mercy! o my father, prove you that any man with me conversed at hours unmeet, or that i yesternight maintain'd the change of words with any creature, refuse me, hate me, torture me to death! friar francis there is some strange misprision in the princes. benedick two of them have the very bent of honour; and if their wisdoms be misled in this, the practise of it lives in john the bastard, whose spirits toil in frame of villanies. leonato i know not. if they speak but truth of her, these hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honour, the proudest of them shall well hear of it. time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, nor age so eat up my invention, nor fortune made such havoc of my means, nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, but they shall find, awaked in such a kind, both strength of limb and policy of mind, ability in means and choice of friends, to quit me of them throughly. friar francis pause awhile, and let my counsel sway you in this case. your daughter here the princes left for dead: let her awhile be secretly kept in, and publish it that she is dead indeed; maintain a mourning ostentation and on your family's old monument hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites that appertain unto a burial. leonato what shall become of this? what will this do? friar francis marry, this well carried shall on her behalf change slander to remorse; that is some good: but not for that dream i on this strange course, but on this travail look for greater birth. she dying, as it must so be maintain'd, upon the instant that she was accused, shall be lamented, pitied and excused of every hearer: for it so falls out that what we have we prize not to the worth whiles we enjoy it, but being lack'd and lost, why, then we rack the value, then we find the virtue that possession would not show us whiles it was ours. so will it fare with claudio: when he shall hear she died upon his words, the idea of her life shall sweetly creep into his study of imagination, and every lovely organ of her life shall come apparell'd in more precious habit, more moving-delicate and full of life, into the eye and prospect of his soul, than when she lived indeed; then shall he mourn, if ever love had interest in his liver, and wish he had not so accused her, no, though he thought his accusation true. let this be so, and doubt not but success will fashion the event in better shape than i can lay it down in likelihood. but if all aim but this be levell'd false, the supposition of the lady's death will quench the wonder of her infamy: and if it sort not well, you may conceal her, as best befits her wounded reputation, in some reclusive and religious life, out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries. benedick signior leonato, let the friar advise you: and though you know my inwardness and love is very much unto the prince and claudio, yet, by mine honour, i will deal in this as secretly and justly as your soul should with your body. leonato being that i flow in grief, the smallest twine may lead me. friar francis 'tis well consented: presently away; for to strange sores strangely they strain the cure. come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day perhaps is but prolong'd: have patience and endure. [exeunt all but benedick and beatrice] benedick lady beatrice, have you wept all this while? beatrice yea, and i will weep a while longer. benedick i will not desire that. beatrice you have no reason; i do it freely. benedick surely i do believe your fair cousin is wronged. beatrice ah, how much might the man deserve of me that would right her! benedick is there any way to show such friendship? beatrice a very even way, but no such friend. benedick may a man do it? beatrice it is a man's office, but not yours. benedick i do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange? beatrice as strange as the thing i know not. it were as possible for me to say i loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet i lie not; i confess nothing, nor i deny nothing. i am sorry for my cousin. benedick by my sword, beatrice, thou lovest me. beatrice do not swear, and eat it. benedick i will swear by it that you love me; and i will make him eat it that says i love not you. beatrice will you not eat your word? benedick with no sauce that can be devised to it. i protest i love thee. beatrice why, then, god forgive me! benedick what offence, sweet beatrice? beatrice you have stayed me in a happy hour: i was about to protest i loved you. benedick and do it with all thy heart. beatrice i love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest. benedick come, bid me do any thing for thee. beatrice kill claudio. benedick ha! not for the wide world. beatrice you kill me to deny it. farewell. benedick tarry, sweet beatrice. beatrice i am gone, though i am here: there is no love in you: nay, i pray you, let me go. benedick beatrice,- beatrice in faith, i will go. benedick we'll be friends first. beatrice you dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy. benedick is claudio thine enemy? beatrice is he not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? o that i were a man! what, bear her in hand until they come to take hands; and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour, --o god, that i were a man! i would eat his heart in the market-place. benedick hear me, beatrice,- beatrice talk with a man out at a window! a proper saying! benedick nay, but, beatrice,- beatrice sweet hero! she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone. benedick beat- beatrice princes and counties! surely, a princely testimony, a goodly count, count comfect; a sweet gallant, surely! o that i were a man for his sake! or that i had any friend would be a man for my sake! but manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as hercules that only tells a lie and swears it. i cannot be a man with wishing, therefore i will die a woman with grieving. benedick tarry, good beatrice. by this hand, i love thee. beatrice use it for my love some other way than swearing by it. benedick think you in your soul the count claudio hath wronged hero? beatrice yea, as sure as i have a thought or a soul. benedick enough, i am engaged; i will challenge him. i will kiss your hand, and so i leave you. by this hand, claudio shall render me a dear account. as you hear of me, so think of me. go, comfort your cousin: i must say she is dead: and so, farewell. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act iv scene ii a prison. [enter dogberry, verges, and sexton, in gowns; and the watch, with conrade and borachio] dogberry is our whole dissembly appeared? verges o, a stool and a cushion for the sexton. sexton which be the malefactors? dogberry marry, that am i and my partner. verges nay, that's certain; we have the exhibition to examine. sexton but which are the offenders that are to be examined? let them come before master constable. dogberry yea, marry, let them come before me. what is your name, friend? borachio borachio. dogberry pray, write down, borachio. yours, sirrah? conrade i am a gentleman, sir, and my name is conrade. dogberry write down, master gentleman conrade. masters, do you serve god? conrade | | yea, sir, we hope. borachio | dogberry write down, that they hope they serve god: and write god first; for god defend but god should go before such villains! masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves; and it will go near to be thought so shortly. how answer you for yourselves? conrade marry, sir, we say we are none. dogberry a marvellous witty fellow, i assure you: but i will go about with him. come you hither, sirrah; a word in your ear: sir, i say to you, it is thought you are false knaves. borachio sir, i say to you we are none. dogberry well, stand aside. 'fore god, they are both in a tale. have you writ down, that they are none? sexton master constable, you go not the way to examine: you must call forth the watch that are their accusers. dogberry yea, marry, that's the eftest way. let the watch come forth. masters, i charge you, in the prince's name, accuse these men. first watchman this man said, sir, that don john, the prince's brother, was a villain. dogberry write down prince john a villain. why, this is flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain. borachio master constable,- dogberry pray thee, fellow, peace: i do not like thy look, i promise thee. sexton what heard you him say else? second watchman marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of don john for accusing the lady hero wrongfully. dogberry flat burglary as ever was committed. verges yea, by mass, that it is. sexton what else, fellow? first watchman and that count claudio did mean, upon his words, to disgrace hero before the whole assembly. and not marry her. dogberry o villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this. sexton what else? watchman this is all. sexton and this is more, masters, than you can deny. prince john is this morning secretly stolen away; hero was in this manner accused, in this very manner refused, and upon the grief of this suddenly died. master constable, let these men be bound, and brought to leonato's: i will go before and show him their examination. [exit] dogberry come, let them be opinioned. verges let them be in the hands- conrade off, coxcomb! dogberry god's my life, where's the sexton? let him write down the prince's officer coxcomb. come, bind them. thou naughty varlet! conrade away! you are an ass, you are an ass. dogberry dost thou not suspect my place? dost thou not suspect my years? o that he were here to write me down an ass! but, masters, remember that i am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that i am an ass. no, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness. i am a wise fellow, and, which is more, an officer, and, which is more, a householder, and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in messina, and one that knows the law, go to; and a rich fellow enough, go to; and a fellow that hath had losses, and one that hath two gowns and every thing handsome about him. bring him away. o that i had been writ down an ass! [exeunt] much ado about nothing act v scene i before leonato's house. [enter leonato and antonio] antonio if you go on thus, you will kill yourself: and 'tis not wisdom thus to second grief against yourself. leonato i pray thee, cease thy counsel, which falls into mine ears as profitless as water in a sieve: give not me counsel; nor let no comforter delight mine ear but such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine. bring me a father that so loved his child, whose joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine, and bid him speak of patience; measure his woe the length and breadth of mine and let it answer every strain for strain, as thus for thus and such a grief for such, in every lineament, branch, shape, and form: if such a one will smile and stroke his beard, bid sorrow wag, cry 'hem!' when he should groan, patch grief with proverbs, make misfortune drunk with candle-wasters; bring him yet to me, and i of him will gather patience. but there is no such man: for, brother, men can counsel and speak comfort to that grief which they themselves not feel; but, tasting it, their counsel turns to passion, which before would give preceptial medicine to rage, fetter strong madness in a silken thread, charm ache with air and agony with words: no, no; 'tis all men's office to speak patience to those that wring under the load of sorrow, but no man's virtue nor sufficiency to be so moral when he shall endure the like himself. therefore give me no counsel: my griefs cry louder than advertisement. antonio therein do men from children nothing differ. leonato i pray thee, peace. i will be flesh and blood; for there was never yet philosopher that could endure the toothache patiently, however they have writ the style of gods and made a push at chance and sufferance. antonio yet bend not all the harm upon yourself; make those that do offend you suffer too. leonato there thou speak'st reason: nay, i will do so. my soul doth tell me hero is belied; and that shall claudio know; so shall the prince and all of them that thus dishonour her. antonio here comes the prince and claudio hastily. [enter don pedro and claudio] don pedro good den, good den. claudio good day to both of you. leonato hear you. my lords,- don pedro we have some haste, leonato. leonato some haste, my lord! well, fare you well, my lord: are you so hasty now? well, all is one. don pedro nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man. antonio if he could right himself with quarreling, some of us would lie low. claudio who wrongs him? leonato marry, thou dost wrong me; thou dissembler, thou:- nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword; i fear thee not. claudio marry, beshrew my hand, if it should give your age such cause of fear: in faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword. leonato tush, tush, man; never fleer and jest at me: i speak not like a dotard nor a fool, as under privilege of age to brag what i have done being young, or what would do were i not old. know, claudio, to thy head, thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me that i am forced to lay my reverence by and, with grey hairs and bruise of many days, do challenge thee to trial of a man. i say thou hast belied mine innocent child; thy slander hath gone through and through her heart, and she lies buried with her ancestors; o, in a tomb where never scandal slept, save this of hers, framed by thy villany! claudio my villany? leonato thine, claudio; thine, i say. don pedro you say not right, old man. leonato my lord, my lord, i'll prove it on his body, if he dare, despite his nice fence and his active practise, his may of youth and bloom of lustihood. claudio away! i will not have to do with you. leonato canst thou so daff me? thou hast kill'd my child: if thou kill'st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man. antonio he shall kill two of us, and men indeed: but that's no matter; let him kill one first; win me and wear me; let him answer me. come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me: sir boy, i'll whip you from your foining fence; nay, as i am a gentleman, i will. leonato brother,- antonio content yourself. god knows i loved my niece; and she is dead, slander'd to death by villains, that dare as well answer a man indeed as i dare take a serpent by the tongue: boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops! leonato brother antony,- antonio hold you content. what, man! i know them, yea, and what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple,- scrambling, out-facing, fashion-monging boys, that lie and cog and flout, deprave and slander, go anticly, show outward hideousness, and speak off half a dozen dangerous words, how they might hurt their enemies, if they durst; and this is all. leonato but, brother antony,- antonio come, 'tis no matter: do not you meddle; let me deal in this. don pedro gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience. my heart is sorry for your daughter's death: but, on my honour, she was charged with nothing but what was true and very full of proof. leonato my lord, my lord,- don pedro i will not hear you. leonato no? come, brother; away! i will be heard. antonio and shall, or some of us will smart for it. [exeunt leonato and antonio] don pedro see, see; here comes the man we went to seek. [enter benedick] claudio now, signior, what news? benedick good day, my lord. don pedro welcome, signior: you are almost come to part almost a fray. claudio we had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two old men without teeth. don pedro leonato and his brother. what thinkest thou? had we fought, i doubt we should have been too young for them. benedick in a false quarrel there is no true valour. i came to seek you both. claudio we have been up and down to seek thee; for we are high-proof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away. wilt thou use thy wit? benedick it is in my scabbard: shall i draw it? don pedro dost thou wear thy wit by thy side? claudio never any did so, though very many have been beside their wit. i will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels; draw, to pleasure us. don pedro as i am an honest man, he looks pale. art thou sick, or angry? claudio what, courage, man! what though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care. benedick sir, i shall meet your wit in the career, and you charge it against me. i pray you choose another subject. claudio nay, then, give him another staff: this last was broke cross. don pedro by this light, he changes more and more: i think he be angry indeed. claudio if he be, he knows how to turn his girdle. benedick shall i speak a word in your ear? claudio god bless me from a challenge! benedick [aside to claudio] you are a villain; i jest not: i will make it good how you dare, with what you dare, and when you dare. do me right, or i will protest your cowardice. you have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. let me hear from you. claudio well, i will meet you, so i may have good cheer. don pedro what, a feast, a feast? claudio i' faith, i thank him; he hath bid me to a calf's head and a capon; the which if i do not carve most curiously, say my knife's naught. shall i not find a woodcock too? benedick sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily. don pedro i'll tell thee how beatrice praised thy wit the other day. i said, thou hadst a fine wit: 'true,' said she, 'a fine little one.' 'no,' said i, 'a great wit:' 'right,' says she, 'a great gross one.' 'nay,' said i, 'a good wit:' 'just,' said she, 'it hurts nobody.' 'nay,' said i, 'the gentleman is wise:' 'certain,' said she, 'a wise gentleman.' 'nay,' said i, 'he hath the tongues:' 'that i believe,' said she, 'for he swore a thing to me on monday night, which he forswore on tuesday morning; there's a double tongue; there's two tongues.' thus did she, an hour together, transshape thy particular virtues: yet at last she concluded with a sigh, thou wast the properest man in italy. claudio for the which she wept heartily and said she cared not. don pedro yea, that she did: but yet, for all that, an if she did not hate him deadly, she would love him dearly: the old man's daughter told us all. claudio all, all; and, moreover, god saw him when he was hid in the garden. don pedro but when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the sensible benedick's head? claudio yea, and text underneath, 'here dwells benedick the married man'? benedick fare you well, boy: you know my mind. i will leave you now to your gossip-like humour: you break jests as braggarts do their blades, which god be thanked, hurt not. my lord, for your many courtesies i thank you: i must discontinue your company: your brother the bastard is fled from messina: you have among you killed a sweet and innocent lady. for my lord lackbeard there, he and i shall meet: and, till then, peace be with him. [exit] don pedro he is in earnest. claudio in most profound earnest; and, i'll warrant you, for the love of beatrice. don pedro and hath challenged thee. claudio most sincerely. don pedro what a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and hose and leaves off his wit! claudio he is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to such a man. don pedro but, soft you, let me be: pluck up, my heart, and be sad. did he not say, my brother was fled? [enter dogberry, verges, and the watch, with conrade and borachio] dogberry come you, sir: if justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er weigh more reasons in her balance: nay, an you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be looked to. don pedro how now? two of my brother's men bound! borachio one! claudio hearken after their offence, my lord. don pedro officers, what offence have these men done? dogberry marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves. don pedro first, i ask thee what they have done; thirdly, i ask thee what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge. claudio rightly reasoned, and in his own division: and, by my troth, there's one meaning well suited. don pedro who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? this learned constable is too cunning to be understood: what's your offence? borachio sweet prince, let me go no farther to mine answer: do you hear me, and let this count kill me. i have deceived even your very eyes: what your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light: who in the night overheard me confessing to this man how don john your brother incensed me to slander the lady hero, how you were brought into the orchard and saw me court margaret in hero's garments, how you disgraced her, when you should marry her: my villany they have upon record; which i had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. the lady is dead upon mine and my master's false accusation; and, briefly, i desire nothing but the reward of a villain. don pedro runs not this speech like iron through your blood? claudio i have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it. don pedro but did my brother set thee on to this? borachio yea, and paid me richly for the practise of it. don pedro he is composed and framed of treachery: and fled he is upon this villany. claudio sweet hero! now thy image doth appear in the rare semblance that i loved it first. dogberry come, bring away the plaintiffs: by this time our sexton hath reformed signior leonato of the matter: and, masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that i am an ass. verges here, here comes master signior leonato, and the sexton too. [re-enter leonato and antonio, with the sexton] leonato which is the villain? let me see his eyes, that, when i note another man like him, i may avoid him: which of these is he? borachio if you would know your wronger, look on me. leonato art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd mine innocent child? borachio yea, even i alone. leonato no, not so, villain; thou beliest thyself: here stand a pair of honourable men; a third is fled, that had a hand in it. i thank you, princes, for my daughter's death: record it with your high and worthy deeds: 'twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it. claudio i know not how to pray your patience; yet i must speak. choose your revenge yourself; impose me to what penance your invention can lay upon my sin: yet sinn'd i not but in mistaking. don pedro by my soul, nor i: and yet, to satisfy this good old man, i would bend under any heavy weight that he'll enjoin me to. leonato i cannot bid you bid my daughter live; that were impossible: but, i pray you both, possess the people in messina here how innocent she died; and if your love can labour ought in sad invention, hang her an epitaph upon her tomb and sing it to her bones, sing it to-night: to-morrow morning come you to my house, and since you could not be my son-in-law, be yet my nephew: my brother hath a daughter, almost the copy of my child that's dead, and she alone is heir to both of us: give her the right you should have given her cousin, and so dies my revenge. claudio o noble sir, your over-kindness doth wring tears from me! i do embrace your offer; and dispose for henceforth of poor claudio. leonato to-morrow then i will expect your coming; to-night i take my leave. this naughty man shall face to face be brought to margaret, who i believe was pack'd in all this wrong, hired to it by your brother. borachio no, by my soul, she was not, nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me, but always hath been just and virtuous in any thing that i do know by her. dogberry moreover, sir, which indeed is not under white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me ass: i beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment. and also, the watch heard them talk of one deformed: they say be wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it, and borrows money in god's name, the which he hath used so long and never paid that now men grow hard-hearted and will lend nothing for god's sake: pray you, examine him upon that point. leonato i thank thee for thy care and honest pains. dogberry your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth; and i praise god for you. leonato there's for thy pains. dogberry god save the foundation! leonato go, i discharge thee of thy prisoner, and i thank thee. dogberry i leave an arrant knave with your worship; which i beseech your worship to correct yourself, for the example of others. god keep your worship! i wish your worship well; god restore you to health! i humbly give you leave to depart; and if a merry meeting may be wished, god prohibit it! come, neighbour. [exeunt dogberry and verges] leonato until to-morrow morning, lords, farewell. antonio farewell, my lords: we look for you to-morrow. don pedro we will not fail. claudio to-night i'll mourn with hero. leonato [to the watch] bring you these fellows on. we'll talk with margaret, how her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow. [exeunt, severally] much ado about nothing act v scene ii leonato's garden. [enter benedick and margaret, meeting] benedick pray thee, sweet mistress margaret, deserve well at my hands by helping me to the speech of beatrice. margaret will you then write me a sonnet in praise of my beauty? benedick in so high a style, margaret, that no man living shall come over it; for, in most comely truth, thou deservest it. margaret to have no man come over me! why, shall i always keep below stairs? benedick thy wit is as quick as the greyhound's mouth; it catches. margaret and yours as blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not. benedick a most manly wit, margaret; it will not hurt a woman: and so, i pray thee, call beatrice: i give thee the bucklers. margaret give us the swords; we have bucklers of our own. benedick if you use them, margaret, you must put in the pikes with a vice; and they are dangerous weapons for maids. margaret well, i will call beatrice to you, who i think hath legs. benedick and therefore will come. [exit margaret] [sings] the god of love, that sits above, and knows me, and knows me, how pitiful i deserve,- i mean in singing; but in loving, leander the good swimmer, troilus the first employer of panders, and a whole bookful of these quondam carpet-mangers, whose names yet run smoothly in the even road of a blank verse, why, they were never so truly turned over and over as my poor self in love. marry, i cannot show it in rhyme; i have tried: i can find out no rhyme to 'lady' but 'baby,' an innocent rhyme; for 'scorn,' 'horn,' a hard rhyme; for, 'school,' 'fool,' a babbling rhyme; very ominous endings: no, i was not born under a rhyming planet, nor i cannot woo in festival terms. [enter beatrice] sweet beatrice, wouldst thou come when i called thee? beatrice yea, signior, and depart when you bid me. benedick o, stay but till then! beatrice 'then' is spoken; fare you well now: and yet, ere i go, let me go with that i came; which is, with knowing what hath passed between you and claudio. benedick only foul words; and thereupon i will kiss thee. beatrice foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is but foul breath, and foul breath is noisome; therefore i will depart unkissed. benedick thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense, so forcible is thy wit. but i must tell thee plainly, claudio undergoes my challenge; and either i must shortly hear from him, or i will subscribe him a coward. and, i pray thee now, tell me for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me? beatrice for them all together; which maintained so politic a state of evil that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them. but for which of my good parts did you first suffer love for me? benedick suffer love! a good epithet! i do suffer love indeed, for i love thee against my will. beatrice in spite of your heart, i think; alas, poor heart! if you spite it for my sake, i will spite it for yours; for i will never love that which my friend hates. benedick thou and i are too wise to woo peaceably. beatrice it appears not in this confession: there's not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself. benedick an old, an old instance, beatrice, that lived in the lime of good neighbours. if a man do not erect in this age his own tomb ere he dies, he shall live no longer in monument than the bell rings and the widow weeps. beatrice and how long is that, think you? benedick question: why, an hour in clamour and a quarter in rheum: therefore is it most expedient for the wise, if don worm, his conscience, find no impediment to the contrary, to be the trumpet of his own virtues, as i am to myself. so much for praising myself, who, i myself will bear witness, is praiseworthy: and now tell me, how doth your cousin? beatrice very ill. benedick and how do you? beatrice very ill too. benedick serve god, love me and mend. there will i leave you too, for here comes one in haste. [enter ursula] ursula madam, you must come to your uncle. yonder's old coil at home: it is proved my lady hero hath been falsely accused, the prince and claudio mightily abused; and don john is the author of all, who is fed and gone. will you come presently? beatrice will you go hear this news, signior? benedick i will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be buried in thy eyes; and moreover i will go with thee to thy uncle's. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act v scene iii a church. [enter don pedro, claudio, and three or four with tapers] claudio is this the monument of leonato? lord it is, my lord. claudio [reading out of a scroll] done to death by slanderous tongues was the hero that here lies: death, in guerdon of her wrongs, gives her fame which never dies. so the life that died with shame lives in death with glorious fame. hang thou there upon the tomb, praising her when i am dumb. now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn. song. pardon, goddess of the night, those that slew thy virgin knight; for the which, with songs of woe, round about her tomb they go. midnight, assist our moan; help us to sigh and groan, heavily, heavily: graves, yawn and yield your dead, till death be uttered, heavily, heavily. claudio now, unto thy bones good night! yearly will i do this rite. don pedro good morrow, masters; put your torches out: the wolves have prey'd; and look, the gentle day, before the wheels of phoebus, round about dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey. thanks to you all, and leave us: fare you well. claudio good morrow, masters: each his several way. don pedro come, let us hence, and put on other weeds; and then to leonato's we will go. claudio and hymen now with luckier issue speed's than this for whom we render'd up this woe. [exeunt] much ado about nothing act v scene iv a room in leonato's house. [enter leonato, antonio, benedick, beatrice, margaret, ursula, friar francis, and hero] friar francis did i not tell you she was innocent? leonato so are the prince and claudio, who accused her upon the error that you heard debated: but margaret was in some fault for this, although against her will, as it appears in the true course of all the question. antonio well, i am glad that all things sort so well. benedick and so am i, being else by faith enforced to call young claudio to a reckoning for it. leonato well, daughter, and you gentle-women all, withdraw into a chamber by yourselves, and when i send for you, come hither mask'd. [exeunt ladies] the prince and claudio promised by this hour to visit me. you know your office, brother: you must be father to your brother's daughter and give her to young claudio. antonio which i will do with confirm'd countenance. benedick friar, i must entreat your pains, i think. friar francis to do what, signior? benedick to bind me, or undo me; one of them. signior leonato, truth it is, good signior, your niece regards me with an eye of favour. leonato that eye my daughter lent her: 'tis most true. benedick and i do with an eye of love requite her. leonato the sight whereof i think you had from me, from claudio and the prince: but what's your will? benedick your answer, sir, is enigmatical: but, for my will, my will is your good will may stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd in the state of honourable marriage: in which, good friar, i shall desire your help. leonato my heart is with your liking. friar francis and my help. here comes the prince and claudio. [enter don pedro and claudio, and two or three others] don pedro good morrow to this fair assembly. leonato good morrow, prince; good morrow, claudio: we here attend you. are you yet determined to-day to marry with my brother's daughter? claudio i'll hold my mind, were she an ethiope. leonato call her forth, brother; here's the friar ready. [exit antonio] don pedro good morrow, benedick. why, what's the matter, that you have such a february face, so full of frost, of storm and cloudiness? claudio i think he thinks upon the savage bull. tush, fear not, man; we'll tip thy horns with gold and all europa shall rejoice at thee, as once europa did at lusty jove, when he would play the noble beast in love. benedick bull jove, sir, had an amiable low; and some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow, and got a calf in that same noble feat much like to you, for you have just his bleat. claudio for this i owe you: here comes other reckonings. [re-enter antonio, with the ladies masked] which is the lady i must seize upon? antonio this same is she, and i do give you her. claudio why, then she's mine. sweet, let me see your face. leonato no, that you shall not, till you take her hand before this friar and swear to marry her. claudio give me your hand: before this holy friar, i am your husband, if you like of me. hero and when i lived, i was your other wife: [unmasking] and when you loved, you were my other husband. claudio another hero! hero nothing certainer: one hero died defiled, but i do live, and surely as i live, i am a maid. don pedro the former hero! hero that is dead! leonato she died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived. friar francis all this amazement can i qualify: when after that the holy rites are ended, i'll tell you largely of fair hero's death: meantime let wonder seem familiar, and to the chapel let us presently. benedick soft and fair, friar. which is beatrice? beatrice [unmasking] i answer to that name. what is your will? benedick do not you love me? beatrice why, no; no more than reason. benedick why, then your uncle and the prince and claudio have been deceived; they swore you did. beatrice do not you love me? benedick troth, no; no more than reason. beatrice why, then my cousin margaret and ursula are much deceived; for they did swear you did. benedick they swore that you were almost sick for me. beatrice they swore that you were well-nigh dead for me. benedick 'tis no such matter. then you do not love me? beatrice no, truly, but in friendly recompense. leonato come, cousin, i am sure you love the gentleman. claudio and i'll be sworn upon't that he loves her; for here's a paper written in his hand, a halting sonnet of his own pure brain, fashion'd to beatrice. hero and here's another writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket, containing her affection unto benedick. benedick a miracle! here's our own hands against our hearts. come, i will have thee; but, by this light, i take thee for pity. beatrice i would not deny you; but, by this good day, i yield upon great persuasion; and partly to save your life, for i was told you were in a consumption. benedick peace! i will stop your mouth. [kissing her] don pedro how dost thou, benedick, the married man? benedick i'll tell thee what, prince; a college of wit-crackers cannot flout me out of my humour. dost thou think i care for a satire or an epigram? no: if a man will be beaten with brains, a' shall wear nothing handsome about him. in brief, since i do purpose to marry, i will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore never flout at me for what i have said against it; for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. for thy part, claudio, i did think to have beaten thee, but in that thou art like to be my kinsman, live unbruised and love my cousin. claudio i had well hoped thou wouldst have denied beatrice, that i might have cudgelled thee out of thy single life, to make thee a double-dealer; which, out of question, thou wilt be, if my cousin do not look exceedingly narrowly to thee. benedick come, come, we are friends: let's have a dance ere we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives' heels. leonato we'll have dancing afterward. benedick first, of my word; therefore play, music. prince, thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife: there is no staff more reverend than one tipped with horn. [enter a messenger] messenger my lord, your brother john is ta'en in flight, and brought with armed men back to messina. benedick think not on him till to-morrow: i'll devise thee brave punishments for him. strike up, pipers. [dance] [exeunt] twelfth night dramatis personae orsino duke of illyria. (duke orsino:) sebastian brother to viola. antonio a sea captain, friend to sebastian. a sea captain, friend to viola. (captain:) valentine | | gentlemen attending on the duke. curio | sir toby belch uncle to olivia. sir andrew aguecheek (sir andrew:) malvolio steward to olivia. fabian | | servants to olivia. feste a clown (clown:) | olivia: viola: maria olivia's woman. lords, priests, sailors, officers, musicians, and other attendants. (priest:) (first officer:) (second officer:) (servant:) scene a city in illyria, and the sea-coast near it. twelfth night act i scene i duke orsino's palace. [enter duke orsino, curio, and other lords; musicians attending] duke orsino if music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die. that strain again! it had a dying fall: o, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound, that breathes upon a bank of violets, stealing and giving odour! enough; no more: 'tis not so sweet now as it was before. o spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou, that, notwithstanding thy capacity receiveth as the sea, nought enters there, of what validity and pitch soe'er, but falls into abatement and low price, even in a minute: so full of shapes is fancy that it alone is high fantastical. curio will you go hunt, my lord? duke orsino what, curio? curio the hart. duke orsino why, so i do, the noblest that i have: o, when mine eyes did see olivia first, methought she purged the air of pestilence! that instant was i turn'd into a hart; and my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, e'er since pursue me. [enter valentine] how now! what news from her? valentine so please my lord, i might not be admitted; but from her handmaid do return this answer: the element itself, till seven years' heat, shall not behold her face at ample view; but, like a cloistress, she will veiled walk and water once a day her chamber round with eye-offending brine: all this to season a brother's dead love, which she would keep fresh and lasting in her sad remembrance. duke orsino o, she that hath a heart of that fine frame to pay this debt of love but to a brother, how will she love, when the rich golden shaft hath kill'd the flock of all affections else that live in her; when liver, brain and heart, these sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and fill'd her sweet perfections with one self king! away before me to sweet beds of flowers: love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers. [exeunt] twelfth night act i scene ii the sea-coast. [enter viola, a captain, and sailors] viola what country, friends, is this? captain this is illyria, lady. viola and what should i do in illyria? my brother he is in elysium. perchance he is not drown'd: what think you, sailors? captain it is perchance that you yourself were saved. viola o my poor brother! and so perchance may he be. captain true, madam: and, to comfort you with chance, assure yourself, after our ship did split, when you and those poor number saved with you hung on our driving boat, i saw your brother, most provident in peril, bind himself, courage and hope both teaching him the practise, to a strong mast that lived upon the sea; where, like arion on the dolphin's back, i saw him hold acquaintance with the waves so long as i could see. viola for saying so, there's gold: mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope, whereto thy speech serves for authority, the like of him. know'st thou this country? captain ay, madam, well; for i was bred and born not three hours' travel from this very place. viola who governs here? captain a noble duke, in nature as in name. viola what is the name? captain orsino. viola orsino! i have heard my father name him: he was a bachelor then. captain and so is now, or was so very late; for but a month ago i went from hence, and then 'twas fresh in murmur,--as, you know, what great ones do the less will prattle of,- that he did seek the love of fair olivia. viola what's she? captain a virtuous maid, the daughter of a count that died some twelvemonth since, then leaving her in the protection of his son, her brother, who shortly also died: for whose dear love, they say, she hath abjured the company and sight of men. viola o that i served that lady and might not be delivered to the world, till i had made mine own occasion mellow, what my estate is! captain that were hard to compass; because she will admit no kind of suit, no, not the duke's. viola there is a fair behavior in thee, captain; and though that nature with a beauteous wall doth oft close in pollution, yet of thee i will believe thou hast a mind that suits with this thy fair and outward character. i prithee, and i'll pay thee bounteously, conceal me what i am, and be my aid for such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent. i'll serve this duke: thou shall present me as an eunuch to him: it may be worth thy pains; for i can sing and speak to him in many sorts of music that will allow me very worth his service. what else may hap to time i will commit; only shape thou thy silence to my wit. captain be you his eunuch, and your mute i'll be: when my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see. viola i thank thee: lead me on. [exeunt] twelfth night act i scene iii olivia's house. [enter sir toby belch and maria] sir toby belch what a plague means my niece, to take the death of her brother thus? i am sure care's an enemy to life. maria by my troth, sir toby, you must come in earlier o' nights: your cousin, my lady, takes great exceptions to your ill hours. sir toby belch why, let her except, before excepted. maria ay, but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order. sir toby belch confine! i'll confine myself no finer than i am: these clothes are good enough to drink in; and so be these boots too: an they be not, let them hang themselves in their own straps. maria that quaffing and drinking will undo you: i heard my lady talk of it yesterday; and of a foolish knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer. sir toby belch who, sir andrew aguecheek? maria ay, he. sir toby belch he's as tall a man as any's in illyria. maria what's that to the purpose? sir toby belch why, he has three thousand ducats a year. maria ay, but he'll have but a year in all these ducats: he's a very fool and a prodigal. sir toby belch fie, that you'll say so! he plays o' the viol-de-gamboys, and speaks three or four languages word for word without book, and hath all the good gifts of nature. maria he hath indeed, almost natural: for besides that he's a fool, he's a great quarreller: and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling, 'tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave. sir toby belch by this hand, they are scoundrels and subtractors that say so of him. who are they? maria they that add, moreover, he's drunk nightly in your company. sir toby belch with drinking healths to my niece: i'll drink to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in illyria: he's a coward and a coystrill that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish-top. what, wench! castiliano vulgo! for here comes sir andrew agueface. [enter sir andrew] sir andrew sir toby belch! how now, sir toby belch! sir toby belch sweet sir andrew! sir andrew bless you, fair shrew. maria and you too, sir. sir toby belch accost, sir andrew, accost. sir andrew what's that? sir toby belch my niece's chambermaid. sir andrew good mistress accost, i desire better acquaintance. maria my name is mary, sir. sir andrew good mistress mary accost,- sir toby belch you mistake, knight; 'accost' is front her, board her, woo her, assail her. sir andrew by my troth, i would not undertake her in this company. is that the meaning of 'accost'? maria fare you well, gentlemen. sir toby belch an thou let part so, sir andrew, would thou mightst never draw sword again. sir andrew an you part so, mistress, i would i might never draw sword again. fair lady, do you think you have fools in hand? maria sir, i have not you by the hand. sir andrew marry, but you shall have; and here's my hand. maria now, sir, 'thought is free:' i pray you, bring your hand to the buttery-bar and let it drink. sir andrew wherefore, sweet-heart? what's your metaphor? maria it's dry, sir. sir andrew why, i think so: i am not such an ass but i can keep my hand dry. but what's your jest? maria a dry jest, sir. sir andrew are you full of them? maria ay, sir, i have them at my fingers' ends: marry, now i let go your hand, i am barren. [exit] sir toby belch o knight thou lackest a cup of canary: when did i see thee so put down? sir andrew never in your life, i think; unless you see canary put me down. methinks sometimes i have no more wit than a christian or an ordinary man has: but i am a great eater of beef and i believe that does harm to my wit. sir toby belch no question. sir andrew an i thought that, i'ld forswear it. i'll ride home to-morrow, sir toby. sir toby belch pourquoi, my dear knight? sir andrew what is 'pourquoi'? do or not do? i would i had bestowed that time in the tongues that i have in fencing, dancing and bear-baiting: o, had i but followed the arts! sir toby belch then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair. sir andrew why, would that have mended my hair? sir toby belch past question; for thou seest it will not curl by nature. sir andrew but it becomes me well enough, does't not? sir toby belch excellent; it hangs like flax on a distaff; and i hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs and spin it off. sir andrew faith, i'll home to-morrow, sir toby: your niece will not be seen; or if she be, it's four to one she'll none of me: the count himself here hard by woos her. sir toby belch she'll none o' the count: she'll not match above her degree, neither in estate, years, nor wit; i have heard her swear't. tut, there's life in't, man. sir andrew i'll stay a month longer. i am a fellow o' the strangest mind i' the world; i delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether. sir toby belch art thou good at these kickshawses, knight? sir andrew as any man in illyria, whatsoever he be, under the degree of my betters; and yet i will not compare with an old man. sir toby belch what is thy excellence in a galliard, knight? sir andrew faith, i can cut a caper. sir toby belch and i can cut the mutton to't. sir andrew and i think i have the back-trick simply as strong as any man in illyria. sir toby belch wherefore are these things hid? wherefore have these gifts a curtain before 'em? are they like to take dust, like mistress mall's picture? why dost thou not go to church in a galliard and come home in a coranto? my very walk should be a jig; i would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace. what dost thou mean? is it a world to hide virtues in? i did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard. sir andrew ay, 'tis strong, and it does indifferent well in a flame-coloured stock. shall we set about some revels? sir toby belch what shall we do else? were we not born under taurus? sir andrew taurus! that's sides and heart. sir toby belch no, sir; it is legs and thighs. let me see the caper; ha! higher: ha, ha! excellent! [exeunt] twelfth night act i scene iv duke orsino's palace. [enter valentine and viola in man's attire] valentine if the duke continue these favours towards you, cesario, you are like to be much advanced: he hath known you but three days, and already you are no stranger. viola you either fear his humour or my negligence, that you call in question the continuance of his love: is he inconstant, sir, in his favours? valentine no, believe me. viola i thank you. here comes the count. [enter duke orsino, curio, and attendants] duke orsino who saw cesario, ho? viola on your attendance, my lord; here. duke orsino stand you a while aloof, cesario, thou know'st no less but all; i have unclasp'd to thee the book even of my secret soul: therefore, good youth, address thy gait unto her; be not denied access, stand at her doors, and tell them, there thy fixed foot shall grow till thou have audience. viola sure, my noble lord, if she be so abandon'd to her sorrow as it is spoke, she never will admit me. duke orsino be clamorous and leap all civil bounds rather than make unprofited return. viola say i do speak with her, my lord, what then? duke orsino o, then unfold the passion of my love, surprise her with discourse of my dear faith: it shall become thee well to act my woes; she will attend it better in thy youth than in a nuncio's of more grave aspect. viola i think not so, my lord. duke orsino dear lad, believe it; for they shall yet belie thy happy years, that say thou art a man: diana's lip is not more smooth and rubious; thy small pipe is as the maiden's organ, shrill and sound, and all is semblative a woman's part. i know thy constellation is right apt for this affair. some four or five attend him; all, if you will; for i myself am best when least in company. prosper well in this, and thou shalt live as freely as thy lord, to call his fortunes thine. viola i'll do my best to woo your lady: [aside] yet, a barful strife! whoe'er i woo, myself would be his wife. [exeunt] twelfth night act i scene v olivia's house. [enter maria and clown] maria nay, either tell me where thou hast been, or i will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse: my lady will hang thee for thy absence. clown let her hang me: he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours. maria make that good. clown he shall see none to fear. maria a good lenten answer: i can tell thee where that saying was born, of 'i fear no colours.' clown where, good mistress mary? maria in the wars; and that may you be bold to say in your foolery. clown well, god give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents. maria yet you will be hanged for being so long absent; or, to be turned away, is not that as good as a hanging to you? clown many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage; and, for turning away, let summer bear it out. maria you are resolute, then? clown not so, neither; but i am resolved on two points. maria that if one break, the other will hold; or, if both break, your gaskins fall. clown apt, in good faith; very apt. well, go thy way; if sir toby would leave drinking, thou wert as witty a piece of eve's flesh as any in illyria. maria peace, you rogue, no more o' that. here comes my lady: make your excuse wisely, you were best. [exit] clown wit, an't be thy will, put me into good fooling! those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and i, that am sure i lack thee, may pass for a wise man: for what says quinapalus? 'better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.' [enter olivia with malvolio] god bless thee, lady! olivia take the fool away. clown do you not hear, fellows? take away the lady. olivia go to, you're a dry fool; i'll no more of you: besides, you grow dishonest. clown two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry: bid the dishonest man mend himself; if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him. any thing that's mended is but patched: virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. if that this simple syllogism will serve, so; if it will not, what remedy? as there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty's a flower. the lady bade take away the fool; therefore, i say again, take her away. olivia sir, i bade them take away you. clown misprision in the highest degree! lady, cucullus non facit monachum; that's as much to say as i wear not motley in my brain. good madonna, give me leave to prove you a fool. olivia can you do it? clown dexterously, good madonna. olivia make your proof. clown i must catechise you for it, madonna: good my mouse of virtue, answer me. olivia well, sir, for want of other idleness, i'll bide your proof. clown good madonna, why mournest thou? olivia good fool, for my brother's death. clown i think his soul is in hell, madonna. olivia i know his soul is in heaven, fool. clown the more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven. take away the fool, gentlemen. olivia what think you of this fool, malvolio? doth he not mend? malvolio yes, and shall do till the pangs of death shake him: infirmity, that decays the wise, doth ever make the better fool. clown god send you, sir, a speedy infirmity, for the better increasing your folly! sir toby will be sworn that i am no fox; but he will not pass his word for two pence that you are no fool. olivia how say you to that, malvolio? malvolio i marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal: i saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone. look you now, he's out of his guard already; unless you laugh and minister occasion to him, he is gagged. i protest, i take these wise men, that crow so at these set kind of fools, no better than the fools' zanies. olivia oh, you are sick of self-love, malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. to be generous, guiltless and of free disposition, is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon-bullets: there is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in a known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove. clown now mercury endue thee with leasing, for thou speakest well of fools! [re-enter maria] maria madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you. olivia from the count orsino, is it? maria i know not, madam: 'tis a fair young man, and well attended. olivia who of my people hold him in delay? maria sir toby, madam, your kinsman. olivia fetch him off, i pray you; he speaks nothing but madman: fie on him! [exit maria] go you, malvolio: if it be a suit from the count, i am sick, or not at home; what you will, to dismiss it. [exit malvolio] now you see, sir, how your fooling grows old, and people dislike it. clown thou hast spoke for us, madonna, as if thy eldest son should be a fool; whose skull jove cram with brains! for,--here he comes,--one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater. [enter sir toby belch] olivia by mine honour, half drunk. what is he at the gate, cousin? sir toby belch a gentleman. olivia a gentleman! what gentleman? sir toby belch 'tis a gentle man here--a plague o' these pickle-herring! how now, sot! clown good sir toby! olivia cousin, cousin, how have you come so early by this lethargy? sir toby belch lechery! i defy lechery. there's one at the gate. olivia ay, marry, what is he? sir toby belch let him be the devil, an he will, i care not: give me faith, say i. well, it's all one. [exit] olivia what's a drunken man like, fool? clown like a drowned man, a fool and a mad man: one draught above heat makes him a fool; the second mads him; and a third drowns him. olivia go thou and seek the crowner, and let him sit o' my coz; for he's in the third degree of drink, he's drowned: go, look after him. clown he is but mad yet, madonna; and the fool shall look to the madman. [exit] [re-enter malvolio] malvolio madam, yond young fellow swears he will speak with you. i told him you were sick; he takes on him to understand so much, and therefore comes to speak with you. i told him you were asleep; he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too, and therefore comes to speak with you. what is to be said to him, lady? he's fortified against any denial. olivia tell him he shall not speak with me. malvolio has been told so; and he says, he'll stand at your door like a sheriff's post, and be the supporter to a bench, but he'll speak with you. olivia what kind o' man is he? malvolio why, of mankind. olivia what manner of man? malvolio of very ill manner; he'll speak with you, will you or no. olivia of what personage and years is he? malvolio not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod, or a cooling when 'tis almost an apple: 'tis with him in standing water, between boy and man. he is very well-favoured and he speaks very shrewishly; one would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him. olivia let him approach: call in my gentlewoman. malvolio gentlewoman, my lady calls. [exit] [re-enter maria] olivia give me my veil: come, throw it o'er my face. we'll once more hear orsino's embassy. [enter viola, and attendants] viola the honourable lady of the house, which is she? olivia speak to me; i shall answer for her. your will? viola most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty,--i pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house, for i never saw her: i would be loath to cast away my speech, for besides that it is excellently well penned, i have taken great pains to con it. good beauties, let me sustain no scorn; i am very comptible, even to the least sinister usage. olivia whence came you, sir? viola i can say little more than i have studied, and that question's out of my part. good gentle one, give me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house, that i may proceed in my speech. olivia are you a comedian? viola no, my profound heart: and yet, by the very fangs of malice i swear, i am not that i play. are you the lady of the house? olivia if i do not usurp myself, i am. viola most certain, if you are she, you do usurp yourself; for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve. but this is from my commission: i will on with my speech in your praise, and then show you the heart of my message. olivia come to what is important in't: i forgive you the praise. viola alas, i took great pains to study it, and 'tis poetical. olivia it is the more like to be feigned: i pray you, keep it in. i heard you were saucy at my gates, and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you. if you be not mad, be gone; if you have reason, be brief: 'tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue. maria will you hoist sail, sir? here lies your way. viola no, good swabber; i am to hull here a little longer. some mollification for your giant, sweet lady. tell me your mind: i am a messenger. olivia sure, you have some hideous matter to deliver, when the courtesy of it is so fearful. speak your office. viola it alone concerns your ear. i bring no overture of war, no taxation of homage: i hold the olive in my hand; my words are as fun of peace as matter. olivia yet you began rudely. what are you? what would you? viola the rudeness that hath appeared in me have i learned from my entertainment. what i am, and what i would, are as secret as maidenhead; to your ears, divinity, to any other's, profanation. olivia give us the place alone: we will hear this divinity. [exeunt maria and attendants] now, sir, what is your text? viola most sweet lady,- olivia a comfortable doctrine, and much may be said of it. where lies your text? viola in orsino's bosom. olivia in his bosom! in what chapter of his bosom? viola to answer by the method, in the first of his heart. olivia o, i have read it: it is heresy. have you no more to say? viola good madam, let me see your face. olivia have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face? you are now out of your text: but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture. look you, sir, such a one i was this present: is't not well done? [unveiling] viola excellently done, if god did all. olivia 'tis in grain, sir; 'twill endure wind and weather. viola 'tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on: lady, you are the cruell'st she alive, if you will lead these graces to the grave and leave the world no copy. olivia o, sir, i will not be so hard-hearted; i will give out divers schedules of my beauty: it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labelled to my will: as, item, two lips, indifferent red; item, two grey eyes, with lids to them; item, one neck, one chin, and so forth. were you sent hither to praise me? viola i see you what you are, you are too proud; but, if you were the devil, you are fair. my lord and master loves you: o, such love could be but recompensed, though you were crown'd the nonpareil of beauty! olivia how does he love me? viola with adorations, fertile tears, with groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire. olivia your lord does know my mind; i cannot love him: yet i suppose him virtuous, know him noble, of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth; in voices well divulged, free, learn'd and valiant; and in dimension and the shape of nature a gracious person: but yet i cannot love him; he might have took his answer long ago. viola if i did love you in my master's flame, with such a suffering, such a deadly life, in your denial i would find no sense; i would not understand it. olivia why, what would you? viola make me a willow cabin at your gate, and call upon my soul within the house; write loyal cantons of contemned love and sing them loud even in the dead of night; halloo your name to the reverberate hills and make the babbling gossip of the air cry out 'olivia!' o, you should not rest between the elements of air and earth, but you should pity me! olivia you might do much. what is your parentage? viola above my fortunes, yet my state is well: i am a gentleman. olivia get you to your lord; i cannot love him: let him send no more; unless, perchance, you come to me again, to tell me how he takes it. fare you well: i thank you for your pains: spend this for me. viola i am no fee'd post, lady; keep your purse: my master, not myself, lacks recompense. love make his heart of flint that you shall love; and let your fervor, like my master's, be placed in contempt! farewell, fair cruelty. [exit] olivia 'what is your parentage?' 'above my fortunes, yet my state is well: i am a gentleman.' i'll be sworn thou art; thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions and spirit, do give thee five-fold blazon: not too fast: soft, soft! unless the master were the man. how now! even so quickly may one catch the plague? methinks i feel this youth's perfections with an invisible and subtle stealth to creep in at mine eyes. well, let it be. what ho, malvolio! [re-enter malvolio] malvolio here, madam, at your service. olivia run after that same peevish messenger, the county's man: he left this ring behind him, would i or not: tell him i'll none of it. desire him not to flatter with his lord, nor hold him up with hopes; i am not for him: if that the youth will come this way to-morrow, i'll give him reasons for't: hie thee, malvolio. malvolio madam, i will. [exit] olivia i do i know not what, and fear to find mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind. fate, show thy force: ourselves we do not owe; what is decreed must be, and be this so. [exit] twelfth night act ii scene i the sea-coast. [enter antonio and sebastian] antonio will you stay no longer? nor will you not that i go with you? sebastian by your patience, no. my stars shine darkly over me: the malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemper yours; therefore i shall crave of you your leave that i may bear my evils alone: it were a bad recompense for your love, to lay any of them on you. antonio: let me yet know of you whither you are bound. sebastian no, sooth, sir: my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy. but i perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty, that you will not extort from me what i am willing to keep in; therefore it charges me in manners the rather to express myself. you must know of me then, antonio, my name is sebastian, which i called roderigo. my father was that sebastian of messaline, whom i know you have heard of. he left behind him myself and a sister, both born in an hour: if the heavens had been pleased, would we had so ended! but you, sir, altered that; for some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned. antonio alas the day! sebastian a lady, sir, though it was said she much resembled me, was yet of many accounted beautiful: but, though i could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that, yet thus far i will boldly publish her; she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair. she is drowned already, sir, with salt water, though i seem to drown her remembrance again with more. antonio pardon me, sir, your bad entertainment. sebastian o good antonio, forgive me your trouble. antonio if you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant. sebastian if you will not undo what you have done, that is, kill him whom you have recovered, desire it not. fare ye well at once: my bosom is full of kindness, and i am yet so near the manners of my mother, that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me. i am bound to the count orsino's court: farewell. [exit] antonio the gentleness of all the gods go with thee! i have many enemies in orsino's court, else would i very shortly see thee there. but, come what may, i do adore thee so, that danger shall seem sport, and i will go. [exit] twelfth night act ii scene ii a street. [enter viola, malvolio following] malvolio were not you even now with the countess olivia? viola even now, sir; on a moderate pace i have since arrived but hither. malvolio she returns this ring to you, sir: you might have saved me my pains, to have taken it away yourself. she adds, moreover, that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him: and one thing more, that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs, unless it be to report your lord's taking of this. receive it so. viola she took the ring of me: i'll none of it. malvolio come, sir, you peevishly threw it to her; and her will is, it should be so returned: if it be worth stooping for, there it lies in your eye; if not, be it his that finds it. [exit] viola i left no ring with her: what means this lady? fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her! she made good view of me; indeed, so much, that sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue, for she did speak in starts distractedly. she loves me, sure; the cunning of her passion invites me in this churlish messenger. none of my lord's ring! why, he sent her none. i am the man: if it be so, as 'tis, poor lady, she were better love a dream. disguise, i see, thou art a wickedness, wherein the pregnant enemy does much. how easy is it for the proper-false in women's waxen hearts to set their forms! alas, our frailty is the cause, not we! for such as we are made of, such we be. how will this fadge? my master loves her dearly; and i, poor monster, fond as much on him; and she, mistaken, seems to dote on me. what will become of this? as i am man, my state is desperate for my master's love; as i am woman,--now alas the day!- what thriftless sighs shall poor olivia breathe! o time! thou must untangle this, not i; it is too hard a knot for me to untie! [exit] twelfth night act ii scene iii olivia's house. [enter sir toby belch and sir andrew] sir toby belch approach, sir andrew: not to be abed after midnight is to be up betimes; and 'diluculo surgere,' thou know'st,- sir andrew nay, my troth, i know not: but i know, to be up late is to be up late. sir toby belch a false conclusion: i hate it as an unfilled can. to be up after midnight and to go to bed then, is early: so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes. does not our life consist of the four elements? sir andrew faith, so they say; but i think it rather consists of eating and drinking. sir toby belch thou'rt a scholar; let us therefore eat and drink. marian, i say! a stoup of wine! [enter clown] sir andrew here comes the fool, i' faith. clown how now, my hearts! did you never see the picture of 'we three'? sir toby belch welcome, ass. now let's have a catch. sir andrew by my troth, the fool has an excellent breast. i had rather than forty shillings i had such a leg, and so sweet a breath to sing, as the fool has. in sooth, thou wast in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest of pigrogromitus, of the vapians passing the equinoctial of queubus: 'twas very good, i' faith. i sent thee sixpence for thy leman: hadst it? clown i did impeticos thy gratillity; for malvolio's nose is no whipstock: my lady has a white hand, and the myrmidons are no bottle-ale houses. sir andrew excellent! why, this is the best fooling, when all is done. now, a song. sir toby belch come on; there is sixpence for you: let's have a song. sir andrew there's a testril of me too: if one knight give a- clown would you have a love-song, or a song of good life? sir toby belch a love-song, a love-song. sir andrew ay, ay: i care not for good life. clown [sings] o mistress mine, where are you roaming? o, stay and hear; your true love's coming, that can sing both high and low: trip no further, pretty sweeting; journeys end in lovers meeting, every wise man's son doth know. sir andrew excellent good, i' faith. sir toby belch good, good. clown [sings] what is love? 'tis not hereafter; present mirth hath present laughter; what's to come is still unsure: in delay there lies no plenty; then come kiss me, sweet and twenty, youth's a stuff will not endure. sir andrew a mellifluous voice, as i am true knight. sir toby belch a contagious breath. sir andrew very sweet and contagious, i' faith. sir toby belch to hear by the nose, it is dulcet in contagion. but shall we make the welkin dance indeed? shall we rouse the night-owl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver? shall we do that? sir andrew an you love me, let's do't: i am dog at a catch. clown by'r lady, sir, and some dogs will catch well. sir andrew most certain. let our catch be, 'thou knave.' clown 'hold thy peace, thou knave,' knight? i shall be constrained in't to call thee knave, knight. sir andrew 'tis not the first time i have constrained one to call me knave. begin, fool: it begins 'hold thy peace.' clown i shall never begin if i hold my peace. sir andrew good, i' faith. come, begin. [catch sung] [enter maria] maria what a caterwauling do you keep here! if my lady have not called up her steward malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors, never trust me. sir toby belch my lady's a cataian, we are politicians, malvolio's a peg-a-ramsey, and 'three merry men be we.' am not i consanguineous? am i not of her blood? tillyvally. lady! [sings] 'there dwelt a man in babylon, lady, lady!' clown beshrew me, the knight's in admirable fooling. sir andrew ay, he does well enough if he be disposed, and so do i too: he does it with a better grace, but i do it more natural. sir toby belch [sings] 'o, the twelfth day of december,'- maria for the love o' god, peace! [enter malvolio] malvolio my masters, are you mad? or what are you? have ye no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night? do ye make an alehouse of my lady's house, that ye squeak out your coziers' catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice? is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? sir toby belch we did keep time, sir, in our catches. sneck up! malvolio sir toby, i must be round with you. my lady bade me tell you, that, though she harbours you as her kinsman, she's nothing allied to your disorders. if you can separate yourself and your misdemeanors, you are welcome to the house; if not, an it would please you to take leave of her, she is very willing to bid you farewell. sir toby belch 'farewell, dear heart, since i must needs be gone.' maria nay, good sir toby. clown 'his eyes do show his days are almost done.' malvolio is't even so? sir toby belch 'but i will never die.' clown sir toby, there you lie. malvolio this is much credit to you. sir toby belch 'shall i bid him go?' clown 'what an if you do?' sir toby belch 'shall i bid him go, and spare not?' clown 'o no, no, no, no, you dare not.' sir toby belch out o' tune, sir: ye lie. art any more than a steward? dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale? clown yes, by saint anne, and ginger shall be hot i' the mouth too. sir toby belch thou'rt i' the right. go, sir, rub your chain with crumbs. a stoup of wine, maria! malvolio mistress mary, if you prized my lady's favour at any thing more than contempt, you would not give means for this uncivil rule: she shall know of it, by this hand. [exit] maria go shake your ears. sir andrew 'twere as good a deed as to drink when a man's a-hungry, to challenge him the field, and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him. sir toby belch do't, knight: i'll write thee a challenge: or i'll deliver thy indignation to him by word of mouth. maria sweet sir toby, be patient for tonight: since the youth of the count's was today with thy lady, she is much out of quiet. for monsieur malvolio, let me alone with him: if i do not gull him into a nayword, and make him a common recreation, do not think i have wit enough to lie straight in my bed: i know i can do it. sir toby belch possess us, possess us; tell us something of him. maria marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of puritan. sir andrew o, if i thought that i'ld beat him like a dog! sir toby belch what, for being a puritan? thy exquisite reason, dear knight? sir andrew i have no exquisite reason for't, but i have reason good enough. maria the devil a puritan that he is, or any thing constantly, but a time-pleaser; an affectioned ass, that cons state without book and utters it by great swarths: the best persuaded of himself, so crammed, as he thinks, with excellencies, that it is his grounds of faith that all that look on him love him; and on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work. sir toby belch what wilt thou do? maria i will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love; wherein, by the colour of his beard, the shape of his leg, the manner of his gait, the expressure of his eye, forehead, and complexion, he shall find himself most feelingly personated. i can write very like my lady your niece: on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands. sir toby belch excellent! i smell a device. sir andrew i have't in my nose too. sir toby belch he shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop, that they come from my niece, and that she's in love with him. maria my purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour. sir andrew and your horse now would make him an ass. maria ass, i doubt not. sir andrew o, 'twill be admirable! maria sport royal, i warrant you: i know my physic will work with him. i will plant you two, and let the fool make a third, where he shall find the letter: observe his construction of it. for this night, to bed, and dream on the event. farewell. [exit] sir toby belch good night, penthesilea. sir andrew before me, she's a good wench. sir toby belch she's a beagle, true-bred, and one that adores me: what o' that? sir andrew i was adored once too. sir toby belch let's to bed, knight. thou hadst need send for more money. sir andrew if i cannot recover your niece, i am a foul way out. sir toby belch send for money, knight: if thou hast her not i' the end, call me cut. sir andrew if i do not, never trust me, take it how you will. sir toby belch come, come, i'll go burn some sack; 'tis too late to go to bed now: come, knight; come, knight. [exeunt] twelfth night act ii scene iv duke orsino's palace. [enter duke orsino, viola, curio, and others] duke orsino give me some music. now, good morrow, friends. now, good cesario, but that piece of song, that old and antique song we heard last night: methought it did relieve my passion much, more than light airs and recollected terms of these most brisk and giddy-paced times: come, but one verse. curio he is not here, so please your lordship that should sing it. duke orsino who was it? curio feste, the jester, my lord; a fool that the lady olivia's father took much delight in. he is about the house. duke orsino seek him out, and play the tune the while. [exit curio. music plays] come hither, boy: if ever thou shalt love, in the sweet pangs of it remember me; for such as i am all true lovers are, unstaid and skittish in all motions else, save in the constant image of the creature that is beloved. how dost thou like this tune? viola it gives a very echo to the seat where love is throned. duke orsino thou dost speak masterly: my life upon't, young though thou art, thine eye hath stay'd upon some favour that it loves: hath it not, boy? viola a little, by your favour. duke orsino what kind of woman is't? viola of your complexion. duke orsino she is not worth thee, then. what years, i' faith? viola about your years, my lord. duke orsino too old by heaven: let still the woman take an elder than herself: so wears she to him, so sways she level in her husband's heart: for, boy, however we do praise ourselves, our fancies are more giddy and unfirm, more longing, wavering, sooner lost and worn, than women's are. viola i think it well, my lord. duke orsino then let thy love be younger than thyself, or thy affection cannot hold the bent; for women are as roses, whose fair flower being once display'd, doth fall that very hour. viola and so they are: alas, that they are so; to die, even when they to perfection grow! [re-enter curio and clown] duke orsino o, fellow, come, the song we had last night. mark it, cesario, it is old and plain; the spinsters and the knitters in the sun and the free maids that weave their thread with bones do use to chant it: it is silly sooth, and dallies with the innocence of love, like the old age. clown are you ready, sir? duke orsino ay; prithee, sing. [music] song. clown come away, come away, death, and in sad cypress let me be laid; fly away, fly away breath; i am slain by a fair cruel maid. my shroud of white, stuck all with yew, o, prepare it! my part of death, no one so true did share it. not a flower, not a flower sweet on my black coffin let there be strown; not a friend, not a friend greet my poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown: a thousand thousand sighs to save, lay me, o, where sad true lover never find my grave, to weep there! duke orsino there's for thy pains. clown no pains, sir: i take pleasure in singing, sir. duke orsino i'll pay thy pleasure then. clown truly, sir, and pleasure will be paid, one time or another. duke orsino give me now leave to leave thee. clown now, the melancholy god protect thee; and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is a very opal. i would have men of such constancy put to sea, that their business might be every thing and their intent every where; for that's it that always makes a good voyage of nothing. farewell. [exit] duke orsino let all the rest give place. [curio and attendants retire] once more, cesario, get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty: tell her, my love, more noble than the world, prizes not quantity of dirty lands; the parts that fortune hath bestow'd upon her, tell her, i hold as giddily as fortune; but 'tis that miracle and queen of gems that nature pranks her in attracts my soul. viola but if she cannot love you, sir? duke orsino i cannot be so answer'd. viola sooth, but you must. say that some lady, as perhaps there is, hath for your love a great a pang of heart as you have for olivia: you cannot love her; you tell her so; must she not then be answer'd? duke orsino there is no woman's sides can bide the beating of so strong a passion as love doth give my heart; no woman's heart so big, to hold so much; they lack retention alas, their love may be call'd appetite, no motion of the liver, but the palate, that suffer surfeit, cloyment and revolt; but mine is all as hungry as the sea, and can digest as much: make no compare between that love a woman can bear me and that i owe olivia. viola ay, but i know- duke orsino what dost thou know? viola too well what love women to men may owe: in faith, they are as true of heart as we. my father had a daughter loved a man, as it might be, perhaps, were i a woman, i should your lordship. duke orsino and what's her history? viola a blank, my lord. she never told her love, but let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought, and with a green and yellow melancholy she sat like patience on a monument, smiling at grief. was not this love indeed? we men may say more, swear more: but indeed our shows are more than will; for still we prove much in our vows, but little in our love. duke orsino but died thy sister of her love, my boy? viola i am all the daughters of my father's house, and all the brothers too: and yet i know not. sir, shall i to this lady? duke orsino ay, that's the theme. to her in haste; give her this jewel; say, my love can give no place, bide no denay. [exeunt] twelfth night act ii scene v olivia's garden. [enter sir toby belch, sir andrew, and fabian] sir toby belch come thy ways, signior fabian. fabian nay, i'll come: if i lose a scruple of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy. sir toby belch wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascally sheep-biter come by some notable shame? fabian i would exult, man: you know, he brought me out o' favour with my lady about a bear-baiting here. sir toby belch to anger him we'll have the bear again; and we will fool him black and blue: shall we not, sir andrew? sir andrew an we do not, it is pity of our lives. sir toby belch here comes the little villain. [enter maria] how now, my metal of india! maria get ye all three into the box-tree: malvolio's coming down this walk: he has been yonder i' the sun practising behavior to his own shadow this half hour: observe him, for the love of mockery; for i know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him. close, in the name of jesting! lie thou there, [throws down a letter] for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling. [exit] [enter malvolio] malvolio 'tis but fortune; all is fortune. maria once told me she did affect me: and i have heard herself come thus near, that, should she fancy, it should be one of my complexion. besides, she uses me with a more exalted respect than any one else that follows her. what should i think on't? sir toby belch here's an overweening rogue! fabian o, peace! contemplation makes a rare turkey-cock of him: how he jets under his advanced plumes! sir andrew 'slight, i could so beat the rogue! sir toby belch peace, i say. malvolio to be count malvolio! sir toby belch ah, rogue! sir andrew pistol him, pistol him. sir toby belch peace, peace! malvolio there is example for't; the lady of the strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe. sir andrew fie on him, jezebel! fabian o, peace! now he's deeply in: look how imagination blows him. malvolio having been three months married to her, sitting in my state,- sir toby belch o, for a stone-bow, to hit him in the eye! malvolio calling my officers about me, in my branched velvet gown; having come from a day-bed, where i have left olivia sleeping,- sir toby belch fire and brimstone! fabian o, peace, peace! malvolio and then to have the humour of state; and after a demure travel of regard, telling them i know my place as i would they should do theirs, to for my kinsman toby,- sir toby belch bolts and shackles! fabian o peace, peace, peace! now, now. malvolio seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him: i frown the while; and perchance wind up watch, or play with my--some rich jewel. toby approaches; courtesies there to me,- sir toby belch shall this fellow live? fabian though our silence be drawn from us with cars, yet peace. malvolio i extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control,- sir toby belch and does not toby take you a blow o' the lips then? malvolio saying, 'cousin toby, my fortunes having cast me on your niece give me this prerogative of speech,'- sir toby belch what, what? malvolio 'you must amend your drunkenness.' sir toby belch out, scab! fabian nay, patience, or we break the sinews of our plot. malvolio 'besides, you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight,'- sir andrew that's me, i warrant you. malvolio 'one sir andrew,'- sir andrew i knew 'twas i; for many do call me fool. malvolio what employment have we here? [taking up the letter] fabian now is the woodcock near the gin. sir toby belch o, peace! and the spirit of humour intimate reading aloud to him! malvolio by my life, this is my lady's hand these be her very c's, her u's and her t's and thus makes she her great p's. it is, in contempt of question, her hand. sir andrew her c's, her u's and her t's: why that? malvolio [reads] 'to the unknown beloved, this, and my good wishes:'--her very phrases! by your leave, wax. soft! and the impressure her lucrece, with which she uses to seal: 'tis my lady. to whom should this be? fabian this wins him, liver and all. malvolio [reads] jove knows i love: but who? lips, do not move; no man must know. 'no man must know.' what follows? the numbers altered! 'no man must know:' if this should be thee, malvolio? sir toby belch marry, hang thee, brock! malvolio [reads] i may command where i adore; but silence, like a lucrece knife, with bloodless stroke my heart doth gore: m, o, a, i, doth sway my life. fabian a fustian riddle! sir toby belch excellent wench, say i. malvolio 'm, o, a, i, doth sway my life.' nay, but first, let me see, let me see, let me see. fabian what dish o' poison has she dressed him! sir toby belch and with what wing the staniel cheques at it! malvolio 'i may command where i adore.' why, she may command me: i serve her; she is my lady. why, this is evident to any formal capacity; there is no obstruction in this: and the end,--what should that alphabetical position portend? if i could make that resemble something in me,--softly! m, o, a, i,- sir toby belch o, ay, make up that: he is now at a cold scent. fabian sowter will cry upon't for all this, though it be as rank as a fox. malvolio m,--malvolio; m,--why, that begins my name. fabian did not i say he would work it out? the cur is excellent at faults. malvolio m,--but then there is no consonancy in the sequel; that suffers under probation a should follow but o does. fabian and o shall end, i hope. sir toby belch ay, or i'll cudgel him, and make him cry o! malvolio and then i comes behind. fabian ay, an you had any eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you. malvolio m, o, a, i; this simulation is not as the former: and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name. soft! here follows prose. [reads] 'if this fall into thy hand, revolve. in my stars i am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em. thy fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them; and, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh. be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity: she thus advises thee that sighs for thee. remember who commended thy yellow stockings, and wished to see thee ever cross-gartered: i say, remember. go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so; if not, let me see thee a steward still, the fellow of servants, and not worthy to touch fortune's fingers. farewell. she that would alter services with thee, the fortunate-unhappy.' daylight and champaign discovers not more: this is open. i will be proud, i will read politic authors, i will baffle sir toby, i will wash off gross acquaintance, i will be point-devise the very man. i do not now fool myself, to let imagination jade me; for every reason excites to this, that my lady loves me. she did commend my yellow stockings of late, she did praise my leg being cross-gartered; and in this she manifests herself to my love, and with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits of her liking. i thank my stars i am happy. i will be strange, stout, in yellow stockings, and cross-gartered, even with the swiftness of putting on. jove and my stars be praised! here is yet a postscript. [reads] 'thou canst not choose but know who i am. if thou entertainest my love, let it appear in thy smiling; thy smiles become thee well; therefore in my presence still smile, dear my sweet, i prithee.' jove, i thank thee: i will smile; i will do everything that thou wilt have me. [exit] fabian i will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the sophy. sir toby belch i could marry this wench for this device. sir andrew so could i too. sir toby belch and ask no other dowry with her but such another jest. sir andrew nor i neither. fabian here comes my noble gull-catcher. [re-enter maria] sir toby belch wilt thou set thy foot o' my neck? sir andrew or o' mine either? sir toby belch shall i play my freedom at traytrip, and become thy bond-slave? sir andrew i' faith, or i either? sir toby belch why, thou hast put him in such a dream, that when the image of it leaves him he must run mad. maria nay, but say true; does it work upon him? sir toby belch like aqua-vitae with a midwife. maria if you will then see the fruits of the sport, mark his first approach before my lady: he will come to her in yellow stockings, and 'tis a colour she abhors, and cross-gartered, a fashion she detests; and he will smile upon her, which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition, being addicted to a melancholy as she is, that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt. if you will see it, follow me. sir toby belch to the gates of tartar, thou most excellent devil of wit! sir andrew i'll make one too. [exeunt] twelfth night act iii scene i olivia's garden. [enter viola, and clown with a tabour] viola save thee, friend, and thy music: dost thou live by thy tabour? clown no, sir, i live by the church. viola art thou a churchman? clown no such matter, sir: i do live by the church; for i do live at my house, and my house doth stand by the church. viola so thou mayst say, the king lies by a beggar, if a beggar dwell near him; or, the church stands by thy tabour, if thy tabour stand by the church. clown you have said, sir. to see this age! a sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit: how quickly the wrong side may be turned outward! viola nay, that's certain; they that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton. clown i would, therefore, my sister had had no name, sir. viola why, man? clown why, sir, her name's a word; and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton. but indeed words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them. viola thy reason, man? clown troth, sir, i can yield you none without words; and words are grown so false, i am loath to prove reason with them. viola i warrant thou art a merry fellow and carest for nothing. clown not so, sir, i do care for something; but in my conscience, sir, i do not care for you: if that be to care for nothing, sir, i would it would make you invisible. viola art not thou the lady olivia's fool? clown no, indeed, sir; the lady olivia has no folly: she will keep no fool, sir, till she be married; and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings; the husband's the bigger: i am indeed not her fool, but her corrupter of words. viola i saw thee late at the count orsino's. clown foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines every where. i would be sorry, sir, but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress: i think i saw your wisdom there. viola nay, an thou pass upon me, i'll no more with thee. hold, there's expenses for thee. clown now jove, in his next commodity of hair, send thee a beard! viola by my troth, i'll tell thee, i am almost sick for one; [aside] though i would not have it grow on my chin. is thy lady within? clown would not a pair of these have bred, sir? viola yes, being kept together and put to use. clown i would play lord pandarus of phrygia, sir, to bring a cressida to this troilus. viola i understand you, sir; 'tis well begged. clown the matter, i hope, is not great, sir, begging but a beggar: cressida was a beggar. my lady is within, sir. i will construe to them whence you come; who you are and what you would are out of my welkin, i might say 'element,' but the word is over-worn. [exit] viola this fellow is wise enough to play the fool; and to do that well craves a kind of wit: he must observe their mood on whom he jests, the quality of persons, and the time, and, like the haggard, cheque at every feather that comes before his eye. this is a practise as full of labour as a wise man's art for folly that he wisely shows is fit; but wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit. [enter sir toby belch, and sir andrew] sir toby belch save you, gentleman. viola and you, sir. sir andrew dieu vous garde, monsieur. viola et vous aussi; votre serviteur. sir andrew i hope, sir, you are; and i am yours. sir toby belch will you encounter the house? my niece is desirous you should enter, if your trade be to her. viola i am bound to your niece, sir; i mean, she is the list of my voyage. sir toby belch taste your legs, sir; put them to motion. viola my legs do better understand me, sir, than i understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs. sir toby belch i mean, to go, sir, to enter. viola i will answer you with gait and entrance. but we are prevented. [enter olivia and maria] most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odours on you! sir andrew that youth's a rare courtier: 'rain odours;' well. viola my matter hath no voice, to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear. sir andrew 'odours,' 'pregnant' and 'vouchsafed:' i'll get 'em all three all ready. olivia let the garden door be shut, and leave me to my hearing. [exeunt sir toby belch, sir andrew, and maria] give me your hand, sir. viola my duty, madam, and most humble service. olivia what is your name? viola cesario is your servant's name, fair princess. olivia my servant, sir! 'twas never merry world since lowly feigning was call'd compliment: you're servant to the count orsino, youth. viola and he is yours, and his must needs be yours: your servant's servant is your servant, madam. olivia for him, i think not on him: for his thoughts, would they were blanks, rather than fill'd with me! viola madam, i come to whet your gentle thoughts on his behalf. olivia o, by your leave, i pray you, i bade you never speak again of him: but, would you undertake another suit, i had rather hear you to solicit that than music from the spheres. viola dear lady,- olivia give me leave, beseech you. i did send, after the last enchantment you did here, a ring in chase of you: so did i abuse myself, my servant and, i fear me, you: under your hard construction must i sit, to force that on you, in a shameful cunning, which you knew none of yours: what might you think? have you not set mine honour at the stake and baited it with all the unmuzzled thoughts that tyrannous heart can think? to one of your receiving enough is shown: a cypress, not a bosom, hideth my heart. so, let me hear you speak. viola i pity you. olivia that's a degree to love. viola no, not a grize; for 'tis a vulgar proof, that very oft we pity enemies. olivia why, then, methinks 'tis time to smile again. o, world, how apt the poor are to be proud! if one should be a prey, how much the better to fall before the lion than the wolf! [clock strikes] the clock upbraids me with the waste of time. be not afraid, good youth, i will not have you: and yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest, your were is alike to reap a proper man: there lies your way, due west. viola then westward-ho! grace and good disposition attend your ladyship! you'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me? olivia stay: i prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me. viola that you do think you are not what you are. olivia if i think so, i think the same of you. viola then think you right: i am not what i am. olivia i would you were as i would have you be! viola would it be better, madam, than i am? i wish it might, for now i am your fool. olivia o, what a deal of scorn looks beautiful in the contempt and anger of his lip! a murderous guilt shows not itself more soon than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon. cesario, by the roses of the spring, by maidhood, honour, truth and every thing, i love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, nor wit nor reason can my passion hide. do not extort thy reasons from this clause, for that i woo, thou therefore hast no cause, but rather reason thus with reason fetter, love sought is good, but given unsought better. viola by innocence i swear, and by my youth i have one heart, one bosom and one truth, and that no woman has; nor never none shall mistress be of it, save i alone. and so adieu, good madam: never more will i my master's tears to you deplore. olivia yet come again; for thou perhaps mayst move that heart, which now abhors, to like his love. [exeunt] twelfth night act iii scene ii olivia's house. [enter sir toby belch, sir andrew, and fabian] sir andrew no, faith, i'll not stay a jot longer. sir toby belch thy reason, dear venom, give thy reason. fabian you must needs yield your reason, sir andrew. sir andrew marry, i saw your niece do more favours to the count's serving-man than ever she bestowed upon me; i saw't i' the orchard. sir toby belch did she see thee the while, old boy? tell me that. sir andrew as plain as i see you now. fabian this was a great argument of love in her toward you. sir andrew 'slight, will you make an ass o' me? fabian i will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgment and reason. sir toby belch and they have been grand-jury-men since before noah was a sailor. fabian she did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you, to awake your dormouse valour, to put fire in your heart and brimstone in your liver. you should then have accosted her; and with some excellent jests, fire-new from the mint, you should have banged the youth into dumbness. this was looked for at your hand, and this was balked: the double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash off, and you are now sailed into the north of my lady's opinion; where you will hang like an icicle on a dutchman's beard, unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt either of valour or policy. sir andrew an't be any way, it must be with valour; for policy i hate: i had as lief be a brownist as a politician. sir toby belch why, then, build me thy fortunes upon the basis of valour. challenge me the count's youth to fight with him; hurt him in eleven places: my niece shall take note of it; and assure thyself, there is no love-broker in the world can more prevail in man's commendation with woman than report of valour. fabian there is no way but this, sir andrew. sir andrew will either of you bear me a challenge to him? sir toby belch go, write it in a martial hand; be curst and brief; it is no matter how witty, so it be eloquent and fun of invention: taunt him with the licence of ink: if thou thou'st him some thrice, it shall not be amiss; and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of ware in england, set 'em down: go, about it. let there be gall enough in thy ink, though thou write with a goose-pen, no matter: about it. sir andrew where shall i find you? sir toby belch we'll call thee at the cubiculo: go. [exit sir andrew] fabian this is a dear manikin to you, sir toby. sir toby belch i have been dear to him, lad, some two thousand strong, or so. fabian we shall have a rare letter from him: but you'll not deliver't? sir toby belch never trust me, then; and by all means stir on the youth to an answer. i think oxen and wainropes cannot hale them together. for andrew, if he were opened, and you find so much blood in his liver as will clog the foot of a flea, i'll eat the rest of the anatomy. fabian and his opposite, the youth, bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty. [enter maria] sir toby belch look, where the youngest wren of nine comes. maria if you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourself into stitches, follow me. yond gull malvolio is turned heathen, a very renegado; for there is no christian, that means to be saved by believing rightly, can ever believe such impossible passages of grossness. he's in yellow stockings. sir toby belch and cross-gartered? maria most villanously; like a pedant that keeps a school i' the church. i have dogged him, like his murderer. he does obey every point of the letter that i dropped to betray him: he does smile his face into more lines than is in the new map with the augmentation of the indies: you have not seen such a thing as 'tis. i can hardly forbear hurling things at him. i know my lady will strike him: if she do, he'll smile and take't for a great favour. sir toby belch come, bring us, bring us where he is. [exeunt] twelfth night act iii scene iii a street. [enter sebastian and antonio] sebastian i would not by my will have troubled you; but, since you make your pleasure of your pains, i will no further chide you. antonio i could not stay behind you: my desire, more sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth; and not all love to see you, though so much as might have drawn one to a longer voyage, but jealousy what might befall your travel, being skilless in these parts; which to a stranger, unguided and unfriended, often prove rough and unhospitable: my willing love, the rather by these arguments of fear, set forth in your pursuit. sebastian my kind antonio, i can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks; and ever [ ] oft good turns are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay: but, were my worth as is my conscience firm, you should find better dealing. what's to do? shall we go see the reliques of this town? antonio to-morrow, sir: best first go see your lodging. sebastian i am not weary, and 'tis long to night: i pray you, let us satisfy our eyes with the memorials and the things of fame that do renown this city. antonio would you'ld pardon me; i do not without danger walk these streets: once, in a sea-fight, 'gainst the count his galleys i did some service; of such note indeed, that were i ta'en here it would scarce be answer'd. sebastian belike you slew great number of his people. antonio the offence is not of such a bloody nature; albeit the quality of the time and quarrel might well have given us bloody argument. it might have since been answer'd in repaying what we took from them; which, for traffic's sake, most of our city did: only myself stood out; for which, if i be lapsed in this place, i shall pay dear. sebastian do not then walk too open. antonio it doth not fit me. hold, sir, here's my purse. in the south suburbs, at the elephant, is best to lodge: i will bespeak our diet, whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge with viewing of the town: there shall you have me. sebastian why i your purse? antonio haply your eye shall light upon some toy you have desire to purchase; and your store, i think, is not for idle markets, sir. sebastian i'll be your purse-bearer and leave you for an hour. antonio to the elephant. sebastian i do remember. [exeunt] twelfth night act iii scene iv olivia's garden. [enter olivia and maria] olivia i have sent after him: he says he'll come; how shall i feast him? what bestow of him? for youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd. i speak too loud. where is malvolio? he is sad and civil, and suits well for a servant with my fortunes: where is malvolio? maria he's coming, madam; but in very strange manner. he is, sure, possessed, madam. olivia why, what's the matter? does he rave? maria no. madam, he does nothing but smile: your ladyship were best to have some guard about you, if he come; for, sure, the man is tainted in's wits. olivia go call him hither. [exit maria] i am as mad as he, if sad and merry madness equal be. [re-enter maria, with malvolio] how now, malvolio! malvolio sweet lady, ho, ho. olivia smilest thou? i sent for thee upon a sad occasion. malvolio sad, lady! i could be sad: this does make some obstruction in the blood, this cross-gartering; but what of that? if it please the eye of one, it is with me as the very true sonnet is, 'please one, and please all.' olivia why, how dost thou, man? what is the matter with thee? malvolio not black in my mind, though yellow in my legs. it did come to his hands, and commands shall be executed: i think we do know the sweet roman hand. olivia wilt thou go to bed, malvolio? malvolio to bed! ay, sweet-heart, and i'll come to thee. olivia god comfort thee! why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand so oft? maria how do you, malvolio? malvolio at your request! yes; nightingales answer daws. maria why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady? malvolio 'be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ. olivia what meanest thou by that, malvolio? malvolio 'some are born great,'- olivia ha! malvolio 'some achieve greatness,'- olivia what sayest thou? malvolio 'and some have greatness thrust upon them.' olivia heaven restore thee! malvolio 'remember who commended thy yellow stockings,'- olivia thy yellow stockings! malvolio 'and wished to see thee cross-gartered.' olivia cross-gartered! malvolio 'go to thou art made, if thou desirest to be so;'- olivia am i made? malvolio 'if not, let me see thee a servant still.' olivia why, this is very midsummer madness. [enter servant] servant madam, the young gentleman of the count orsino's is returned: i could hardly entreat him back: he attends your ladyship's pleasure. olivia i'll come to him. [exit servant] good maria, let this fellow be looked to. where's my cousin toby? let some of my people have a special care of him: i would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry. [exeunt olivia and maria] malvolio o, ho! do you come near me now? no worse man than sir toby to look to me! this concurs directly with the letter: she sends him on purpose, that i may appear stubborn to him; for she incites me to that in the letter. 'cast thy humble slough,' says she; 'be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants; let thy tongue tang with arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity;' and consequently sets down the manner how; as, a sad face, a reverend carriage, a slow tongue, in the habit of some sir of note, and so forth. i have limed her; but it is jove's doing, and jove make me thankful! and when she went away now, 'let this fellow be looked to:' fellow! not malvolio, nor after my degree, but fellow. why, every thing adheres together, that no dram of a scruple, no scruple of a scruple, no obstacle, no incredulous or unsafe circumstance--what can be said? nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes. well, jove, not i, is the doer of this, and he is to be thanked. [re-enter maria, with sir toby belch and fabian] sir toby belch which way is he, in the name of sanctity? if all the devils of hell be drawn in little, and legion himself possessed him, yet i'll speak to him. fabian here he is, here he is. how is't with you, sir? how is't with you, man? malvolio go off; i discard you: let me enjoy my private: go off. maria lo, how hollow the fiend speaks within him! did not i tell you? sir toby, my lady prays you to have a care of him. malvolio ah, ha! does she so? sir toby belch go to, go to; peace, peace; we must deal gently with him: let me alone. how do you, malvolio? how is't with you? what, man! defy the devil: consider, he's an enemy to mankind. malvolio do you know what you say? maria la you, an you speak ill of the devil, how he takes it at heart! pray god, he be not bewitched! fabian carry his water to the wise woman. maria marry, and it shall be done to-morrow morning, if i live. my lady would not lose him for more than i'll say. malvolio how now, mistress! maria o lord! sir toby belch prithee, hold thy peace; this is not the way: do you not see you move him? let me alone with him. fabian no way but gentleness; gently, gently: the fiend is rough, and will not be roughly used. sir toby belch why, how now, my bawcock! how dost thou, chuck? malvolio sir! sir toby belch ay, biddy, come with me. what, man! 'tis not for gravity to play at cherry-pit with satan: hang him, foul collier! maria get him to say his prayers, good sir toby, get him to pray. malvolio my prayers, minx! maria no, i warrant you, he will not hear of godliness. malvolio go, hang yourselves all! you are idle shallow things: i am not of your element: you shall know more hereafter. [exit] sir toby belch is't possible? fabian if this were played upon a stage now, i could condemn it as an improbable fiction. sir toby belch his very genius hath taken the infection of the device, man. maria nay, pursue him now, lest the device take air and taint. fabian why, we shall make him mad indeed. maria the house will be the quieter. sir toby belch come, we'll have him in a dark room and bound. my niece is already in the belief that he's mad: we may carry it thus, for our pleasure and his penance, till our very pastime, tired out of breath, prompt us to have mercy on him: at which time we will bring the device to the bar and crown thee for a finder of madmen. but see, but see. [enter sir andrew] fabian more matter for a may morning. sir andrew here's the challenge, read it: warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't. fabian is't so saucy? sir andrew ay, is't, i warrant him: do but read. sir toby belch give me. [reads] 'youth, whatsoever thou art, thou art but a scurvy fellow.' fabian good, and valiant. sir toby belch [reads] 'wonder not, nor admire not in thy mind, why i do call thee so, for i will show thee no reason for't.' fabian a good note; that keeps you from the blow of the law. sir toby belch [reads] 'thou comest to the lady olivia, and in my sight she uses thee kindly: but thou liest in thy throat; that is not the matter i challenge thee for.' fabian very brief, and to exceeding good sense--less. sir toby belch [reads] 'i will waylay thee going home; where if it be thy chance to kill me,'- fabian good. sir toby belch [reads] 'thou killest me like a rogue and a villain.' fabian still you keep o' the windy side of the law: good. sir toby belch [reads] 'fare thee well; and god have mercy upon one of our souls! he may have mercy upon mine; but my hope is better, and so look to thyself. thy friend, as thou usest him, and thy sworn enemy, andrew aguecheek. if this letter move him not, his legs cannot: i'll give't him. maria you may have very fit occasion for't: he is now in some commerce with my lady, and will by and by depart. sir toby belch go, sir andrew: scout me for him at the corner the orchard like a bum-baily: so soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and, as thou drawest swear horrible; for it comes to pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering accent sharply twanged off, gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him. away! sir andrew nay, let me alone for swearing. [exit] sir toby belch now will not i deliver his letter: for the behavior of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity and breeding; his employment between his lord and my niece confirms no less: therefore this letter, being so excellently ignorant, will breed no terror in the youth: he will find it comes from a clodpole. but, sir, i will deliver his challenge by word of mouth; set upon aguecheek a notable report of valour; and drive the gentleman, as i know his youth will aptly receive it, into a most hideous opinion of his rage, skill, fury and impetuosity. this will so fright them both that they will kill one another by the look, like cockatrices. [re-enter olivia, with viola] fabian here he comes with your niece: give them way till he take leave, and presently after him. sir toby belch i will meditate the while upon some horrid message for a challenge. [exeunt sir toby belch, fabian, and maria] olivia i have said too much unto a heart of stone and laid mine honour too unchary out: there's something in me that reproves my fault; but such a headstrong potent fault it is, that it but mocks reproof. viola with the same 'havior that your passion bears goes on my master's grief. olivia here, wear this jewel for me, 'tis my picture; refuse it not; it hath no tongue to vex you; and i beseech you come again to-morrow. what shall you ask of me that i'll deny, that honour saved may upon asking give? viola nothing but this; your true love for my master. olivia how with mine honour may i give him that which i have given to you? viola i will acquit you. olivia well, come again to-morrow: fare thee well: a fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell. [exit] [re-enter sir toby belch and fabian] sir toby belch gentleman, god save thee. viola and you, sir. sir toby belch that defence thou hast, betake thee to't: of what nature the wrongs are thou hast done him, i know not; but thy intercepter, full of despite, bloody as the hunter, attends thee at the orchard-end: dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful and deadly. viola you mistake, sir; i am sure no man hath any quarrel to me: my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man. sir toby belch you'll find it otherwise, i assure you: therefore, if you hold your life at any price, betake you to your guard; for your opposite hath in him what youth, strength, skill and wrath can furnish man withal. viola i pray you, sir, what is he? sir toby belch he is knight, dubbed with unhatched rapier and on carpet consideration; but he is a devil in private brawl: souls and bodies hath he divorced three; and his incensement at this moment is so implacable, that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre. hob, nob, is his word; give't or take't. viola i will return again into the house and desire some conduct of the lady. i am no fighter. i have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others, to taste their valour: belike this is a man of that quirk. sir toby belch sir, no; his indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury: therefore, get you on and give him his desire. back you shall not to the house, unless you undertake that with me which with as much safety you might answer him: therefore, on, or strip your sword stark naked; for meddle you must, that's certain, or forswear to wear iron about you. viola this is as uncivil as strange. i beseech you, do me this courteous office, as to know of the knight what my offence to him is: it is something of my negligence, nothing of my purpose. sir toby belch i will do so. signior fabian, stay you by this gentleman till my return. [exit] viola pray you, sir, do you know of this matter? fabian i know the knight is incensed against you, even to a mortal arbitrement; but nothing of the circumstance more. viola i beseech you, what manner of man is he? fabian nothing of that wonderful promise, to read him by his form, as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour. he is, indeed, sir, the most skilful, bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of illyria. will you walk towards him? i will make your peace with him if i can. viola i shall be much bound to you for't: i am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight: i care not who knows so much of my mettle. [exeunt] [re-enter sir toby belch, with sir andrew] sir toby belch why, man, he's a very devil; i have not seen such a firago. i had a pass with him, rapier, scabbard and all, and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal motion, that it is inevitable; and on the answer, he pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they step on. they say he has been fencer to the sophy. sir andrew pox on't, i'll not meddle with him. sir toby belch ay, but he will not now be pacified: fabian can scarce hold him yonder. sir andrew plague on't, an i thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence, i'ld have seen him damned ere i'ld have challenged him. let him let the matter slip, and i'll give him my horse, grey capilet. sir toby belch i'll make the motion: stand here, make a good show on't: this shall end without the perdition of souls. [aside] marry, i'll ride your horse as well as i ride you. [re-enter fabian and viola] [to fabian] i have his horse to take up the quarrel: i have persuaded him the youth's a devil. fabian he is as horribly conceited of him; and pants and looks pale, as if a bear were at his heels. sir toby belch [to viola] there's no remedy, sir; he will fight with you for's oath sake: marry, he hath better bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of: therefore draw, for the supportance of his vow; he protests he will not hurt you. viola [aside] pray god defend me! a little thing would make me tell them how much i lack of a man. fabian give ground, if you see him furious. sir toby belch come, sir andrew, there's no remedy; the gentleman will, for his honour's sake, have one bout with you; he cannot by the duello avoid it: but he has promised me, as he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt you. come on; to't. sir andrew pray god, he keep his oath! viola i do assure you, 'tis against my will. [they draw] [enter antonio] antonio put up your sword. if this young gentleman have done offence, i take the fault on me: if you offend him, i for him defy you. sir toby belch you, sir! why, what are you? antonio one, sir, that for his love dares yet do more than you have heard him brag to you he will. sir toby belch nay, if you be an undertaker, i am for you. [they draw] [enter officers] fabian o good sir toby, hold! here come the officers. sir toby belch i'll be with you anon. viola pray, sir, put your sword up, if you please. sir andrew marry, will i, sir; and, for that i promised you, i'll be as good as my word: he will bear you easily and reins well. first officer this is the man; do thy office. second officer antonio, i arrest thee at the suit of count orsino. antonio you do mistake me, sir. first officer no, sir, no jot; i know your favour well, though now you have no sea-cap on your head. take him away: he knows i know him well. antonio i must obey. [to viola] this comes with seeking you: but there's no remedy; i shall answer it. what will you do, now my necessity makes me to ask you for my purse? it grieves me much more for what i cannot do for you than what befalls myself. you stand amazed; but be of comfort. second officer come, sir, away. antonio i must entreat of you some of that money. viola what money, sir? for the fair kindness you have show'd me here, and, part, being prompted by your present trouble, out of my lean and low ability i'll lend you something: my having is not much; i'll make division of my present with you: hold, there's half my coffer. antonio will you deny me now? is't possible that my deserts to you can lack persuasion? do not tempt my misery, lest that it make me so unsound a man as to upbraid you with those kindnesses that i have done for you. viola i know of none; nor know i you by voice or any feature: i hate ingratitude more in a man than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, or any taint of vice whose strong corruption inhabits our frail blood. antonio o heavens themselves! second officer come, sir, i pray you, go. antonio let me speak a little. this youth that you see here i snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death, relieved him with such sanctity of love, and to his image, which methought did promise most venerable worth, did i devotion. first officer what's that to us? the time goes by: away! antonio but o how vile an idol proves this god thou hast, sebastian, done good feature shame. in nature there's no blemish but the mind; none can be call'd deform'd but the unkind: virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil. first officer the man grows mad: away with him! come, come, sir. antonio lead me on. [exit with officers] viola methinks his words do from such passion fly, that he believes himself: so do not i. prove true, imagination, o, prove true, that i, dear brother, be now ta'en for you! sir toby belch come hither, knight; come hither, fabian: we'll whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws. viola he named sebastian: i my brother know yet living in my glass; even such and so in favour was my brother, and he went still in this fashion, colour, ornament, for him i imitate: o, if it prove, tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love. [exit] sir toby belch a very dishonest paltry boy, and more a coward than a hare: his dishonesty appears in leaving his friend here in necessity and denying him; and for his cowardship, ask fabian. fabian a coward, a most devout coward, religious in it. sir andrew 'slid, i'll after him again and beat him. sir toby belch do; cuff him soundly, but never draw thy sword. sir andrew an i do not,- fabian come, let's see the event. sir toby belch i dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet. [exeunt] twelfth night act iv scene i before olivia's house. [enter sebastian and clown] clown will you make me believe that i am not sent for you? sebastian go to, go to, thou art a foolish fellow: let me be clear of thee. clown well held out, i' faith! no, i do not know you; nor i am not sent to you by my lady, to bid you come speak with her; nor your name is not master cesario; nor this is not my nose neither. nothing that is so is so. sebastian i prithee, vent thy folly somewhere else: thou know'st not me. clown vent my folly! he has heard that word of some great man and now applies it to a fool. vent my folly! i am afraid this great lubber, the world, will prove a cockney. i prithee now, ungird thy strangeness and tell me what i shall vent to my lady: shall i vent to her that thou art coming? sebastian i prithee, foolish greek, depart from me: there's money for thee: if you tarry longer, i shall give worse payment. clown by my troth, thou hast an open hand. these wise men that give fools money get themselves a good report--after fourteen years' purchase. [enter sir andrew, sir toby belch, and fabian] sir andrew now, sir, have i met you again? there's for you. sebastian why, there's for thee, and there, and there. are all the people mad? sir toby belch hold, sir, or i'll throw your dagger o'er the house. clown this will i tell my lady straight: i would not be in some of your coats for two pence. [exit] sir toby belch come on, sir; hold. sir andrew nay, let him alone: i'll go another way to work with him; i'll have an action of battery against him, if there be any law in illyria: though i struck him first, yet it's no matter for that. sebastian let go thy hand. sir toby belch come, sir, i will not let you go. come, my young soldier, put up your iron: you are well fleshed; come on. sebastian i will be free from thee. what wouldst thou now? if thou darest tempt me further, draw thy sword. sir toby belch what, what? nay, then i must have an ounce or two of this malapert blood from you. [enter olivia] olivia hold, toby; on thy life i charge thee, hold! sir toby belch madam! olivia will it be ever thus? ungracious wretch, fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves, where manners ne'er were preach'd! out of my sight! be not offended, dear cesario. rudesby, be gone! [exeunt sir toby belch, sir andrew, and fabian] i prithee, gentle friend, let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway in this uncivil and thou unjust extent against thy peace. go with me to my house, and hear thou there how many fruitless pranks this ruffian hath botch'd up, that thou thereby mayst smile at this: thou shalt not choose but go: do not deny. beshrew his soul for me, he started one poor heart of mine in thee. sebastian what relish is in this? how runs the stream? or i am mad, or else this is a dream: let fancy still my sense in lethe steep; if it be thus to dream, still let me sleep! olivia nay, come, i prithee; would thou'ldst be ruled by me! sebastian madam, i will. olivia o, say so, and so be! [exeunt] twelfth night act iv scene ii olivia's house. [enter maria and clown] maria nay, i prithee, put on this gown and this beard; make him believe thou art sir topas the curate: do it quickly; i'll call sir toby the whilst. [exit] clown well, i'll put it on, and i will dissemble myself in't; and i would i were the first that ever dissembled in such a gown. i am not tall enough to become the function well, nor lean enough to be thought a good student; but to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar. the competitors enter. [enter sir toby belch and maria] sir toby belch jove bless thee, master parson. clown bonos dies, sir toby: for, as the old hermit of prague, that never saw pen and ink, very wittily said to a niece of king gorboduc, 'that that is is;' so i, being master parson, am master parson; for, what is 'that' but 'that,' and 'is' but 'is'? sir toby belch to him, sir topas. clown what, ho, i say! peace in this prison! sir toby belch the knave counterfeits well; a good knave. malvolio [within] who calls there? clown sir topas the curate, who comes to visit malvolio the lunatic. malvolio sir topas, sir topas, good sir topas, go to my lady. clown out, hyperbolical fiend! how vexest thou this man! talkest thou nothing but of ladies? sir toby belch well said, master parson. malvolio sir topas, never was man thus wronged: good sir topas, do not think i am mad: they have laid me here in hideous darkness. clown fie, thou dishonest satan! i call thee by the most modest terms; for i am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy: sayest thou that house is dark? malvolio as hell, sir topas. clown why it hath bay windows transparent as barricadoes, and the clearstores toward the south north are as lustrous as ebony; and yet complainest thou of obstruction? malvolio i am not mad, sir topas: i say to you, this house is dark. clown madman, thou errest: i say, there is no darkness but ignorance; in which thou art more puzzled than the egyptians in their fog. malvolio i say, this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and i say, there was never man thus abused. i am no more mad than you are: make the trial of it in any constant question. clown what is the opinion of pythagoras concerning wild fowl? malvolio that the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird. clown what thinkest thou of his opinion? malvolio i think nobly of the soul, and no way approve his opinion. clown fare thee well. remain thou still in darkness: thou shalt hold the opinion of pythagoras ere i will allow of thy wits, and fear to kill a woodcock, lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam. fare thee well. malvolio sir topas, sir topas! sir toby belch my most exquisite sir topas! clown nay, i am for all waters. maria thou mightst have done this without thy beard and gown: he sees thee not. sir toby belch to him in thine own voice, and bring me word how thou findest him: i would we were well rid of this knavery. if he may be conveniently delivered, i would he were, for i am now so far in offence with my niece that i cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot. come by and by to my chamber. [exeunt sir toby belch and maria] clown [singing] 'hey, robin, jolly robin, tell me how thy lady does.' malvolio fool! clown 'my lady is unkind, perdy.' malvolio fool! clown 'alas, why is she so?' malvolio fool, i say! clown 'she loves another'--who calls, ha? malvolio good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, ink and paper: as i am a gentleman, i will live to be thankful to thee for't. clown master malvolio? malvolio ay, good fool. clown alas, sir, how fell you besides your five wits? malvolio fool, there was never a man so notoriously abused: i am as well in my wits, fool, as thou art. clown but as well? then you are mad indeed, if you be no better in your wits than a fool. malvolio they have here propertied me; keep me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, and do all they can to face me out of my wits. clown advise you what you say; the minister is here. malvolio, malvolio, thy wits the heavens restore! endeavour thyself to sleep, and leave thy vain bibble babble. malvolio sir topas! clown maintain no words with him, good fellow. who, i, sir? not i, sir. god be wi' you, good sir topas. merry, amen. i will, sir, i will. malvolio fool, fool, fool, i say! clown alas, sir, be patient. what say you sir? i am shent for speaking to you. malvolio good fool, help me to some light and some paper: i tell thee, i am as well in my wits as any man in illyria. clown well-a-day that you were, sir malvolio by this hand, i am. good fool, some ink, paper and light; and convey what i will set down to my lady: it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did. clown i will help you to't. but tell me true, are you not mad indeed? or do you but counterfeit? malvolio believe me, i am not; i tell thee true. clown nay, i'll ne'er believe a madman till i see his brains. i will fetch you light and paper and ink. malvolio fool, i'll requite it in the highest degree: i prithee, be gone. clown [singing] i am gone, sir, and anon, sir, i'll be with you again, in a trice, like to the old vice, your need to sustain; who, with dagger of lath, in his rage and his wrath, cries, ah, ha! to the devil: like a mad lad, pare thy nails, dad; adieu, good man devil. [exit] twelfth night act iv scene iii olivia's garden. [enter sebastian] sebastian this is the air; that is the glorious sun; this pearl she gave me, i do feel't and see't; and though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus, yet 'tis not madness. where's antonio, then? i could not find him at the elephant: yet there he was; and there i found this credit, that he did range the town to seek me out. his counsel now might do me golden service; for though my soul disputes well with my sense, that this may be some error, but no madness, yet doth this accident and flood of fortune so far exceed all instance, all discourse, that i am ready to distrust mine eyes and wrangle with my reason that persuades me to any other trust but that i am mad or else the lady's mad; yet, if 'twere so, she could not sway her house, command her followers, take and give back affairs and their dispatch with such a smooth, discreet and stable bearing as i perceive she does: there's something in't that is deceiveable. but here the lady comes. [enter olivia and priest] olivia blame not this haste of mine. if you mean well, now go with me and with this holy man into the chantry by: there, before him, and underneath that consecrated roof, plight me the full assurance of your faith; that my most jealous and too doubtful soul may live at peace. he shall conceal it whiles you are willing it shall come to note, what time we will our celebration keep according to my birth. what do you say? sebastian i'll follow this good man, and go with you; and, having sworn truth, ever will be true. olivia then lead the way, good father; and heavens so shine, that they may fairly note this act of mine! [exeunt] twelfth night act v scene i before olivia's house. [enter clown and fabian] fabian now, as thou lovest me, let me see his letter. clown good master fabian, grant me another request. fabian any thing. clown do not desire to see this letter. fabian this is, to give a dog, and in recompense desire my dog again. [enter duke orsino, viola, curio, and lords] duke orsino belong you to the lady olivia, friends? clown ay, sir; we are some of her trappings. duke orsino i know thee well; how dost thou, my good fellow? clown truly, sir, the better for my foes and the worse for my friends. duke orsino just the contrary; the better for thy friends. clown no, sir, the worse. duke orsino how can that be? clown marry, sir, they praise me and make an ass of me; now my foes tell me plainly i am an ass: so that by my foes, sir i profit in the knowledge of myself, and by my friends, i am abused: so that, conclusions to be as kisses, if your four negatives make your two affirmatives why then, the worse for my friends and the better for my foes. duke orsino why, this is excellent. clown by my troth, sir, no; though it please you to be one of my friends. duke orsino thou shalt not be the worse for me: there's gold. clown but that it would be double-dealing, sir, i would you could make it another. duke orsino o, you give me ill counsel. clown put your grace in your pocket, sir, for this once, and let your flesh and blood obey it. duke orsino well, i will be so much a sinner, to be a double-dealer: there's another. clown primo, secundo, tertio, is a good play; and the old saying is, the third pays for all: the triplex, sir, is a good tripping measure; or the bells of saint bennet, sir, may put you in mind; one, two, three. duke orsino you can fool no more money out of me at this throw: if you will let your lady know i am here to speak with her, and bring her along with you, it may awake my bounty further. clown marry, sir, lullaby to your bounty till i come again. i go, sir; but i would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness: but, as you say, sir, let your bounty take a nap, i will awake it anon. [exit] viola here comes the man, sir, that did rescue me. [enter antonio and officers] duke orsino that face of his i do remember well; yet, when i saw it last, it was besmear'd as black as vulcan in the smoke of war: a bawbling vessel was he captain of, for shallow draught and bulk unprizable; with which such scathful grapple did he make with the most noble bottom of our fleet, that very envy and the tongue of loss cried fame and honour on him. what's the matter? first officer orsino, this is that antonio that took the phoenix and her fraught from candy; and this is he that did the tiger board, when your young nephew titus lost his leg: here in the streets, desperate of shame and state, in private brabble did we apprehend him. viola he did me kindness, sir, drew on my side; but in conclusion put strange speech upon me: i know not what 'twas but distraction. duke orsino notable pirate! thou salt-water thief! what foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies, whom thou, in terms so bloody and so dear, hast made thine enemies? antonio orsino, noble sir, be pleased that i shake off these names you give me: antonio never yet was thief or pirate, though i confess, on base and ground enough, orsino's enemy. a witchcraft drew me hither: that most ingrateful boy there by your side, from the rude sea's enraged and foamy mouth did i redeem; a wreck past hope he was: his life i gave him and did thereto add my love, without retention or restraint, all his in dedication; for his sake did i expose myself, pure for his love, into the danger of this adverse town; drew to defend him when he was beset: where being apprehended, his false cunning, not meaning to partake with me in danger, taught him to face me out of his acquaintance, and grew a twenty years removed thing while one would wink; denied me mine own purse, which i had recommended to his use not half an hour before. viola how can this be? duke orsino when came he to this town? antonio to-day, my lord; and for three months before, no interim, not a minute's vacancy, both day and night did we keep company. [enter olivia and attendants] duke orsino here comes the countess: now heaven walks on earth. but for thee, fellow; fellow, thy words are madness: three months this youth hath tended upon me; but more of that anon. take him aside. olivia what would my lord, but that he may not have, wherein olivia may seem serviceable? cesario, you do not keep promise with me. viola madam! duke orsino gracious olivia,- olivia what do you say, cesario? good my lord,- viola my lord would speak; my duty hushes me. olivia if it be aught to the old tune, my lord, it is as fat and fulsome to mine ear as howling after music. duke orsino still so cruel? olivia still so constant, lord. duke orsino what, to perverseness? you uncivil lady, to whose ingrate and unauspicious altars my soul the faithfull'st offerings hath breathed out that e'er devotion tender'd! what shall i do? olivia even what it please my lord, that shall become him. duke orsino why should i not, had i the heart to do it, like to the egyptian thief at point of death, kill what i love?--a savage jealousy that sometimes savours nobly. but hear me this: since you to non-regardance cast my faith, and that i partly know the instrument that screws me from my true place in your favour, live you the marble-breasted tyrant still; but this your minion, whom i know you love, and whom, by heaven i swear, i tender dearly, him will i tear out of that cruel eye, where he sits crowned in his master's spite. come, boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in mischief: i'll sacrifice the lamb that i do love, to spite a raven's heart within a dove. viola and i, most jocund, apt and willingly, to do you rest, a thousand deaths would die. olivia where goes cesario? viola after him i love more than i love these eyes, more than my life, more, by all mores, than e'er i shall love wife. if i do feign, you witnesses above punish my life for tainting of my love! olivia ay me, detested! how am i beguiled! viola who does beguile you? who does do you wrong? olivia hast thou forgot thyself? is it so long? call forth the holy father. duke orsino come, away! olivia whither, my lord? cesario, husband, stay. duke orsino husband! olivia ay, husband: can he that deny? duke orsino her husband, sirrah! viola no, my lord, not i. olivia alas, it is the baseness of thy fear that makes thee strangle thy propriety: fear not, cesario; take thy fortunes up; be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou art as great as that thou fear'st. [enter priest] o, welcome, father! father, i charge thee, by thy reverence, here to unfold, though lately we intended to keep in darkness what occasion now reveals before 'tis ripe, what thou dost know hath newly pass'd between this youth and me. priest a contract of eternal bond of love, confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands, attested by the holy close of lips, strengthen'd by interchangement of your rings; and all the ceremony of this compact seal'd in my function, by my testimony: since when, my watch hath told me, toward my grave i have travell'd but two hours. duke orsino o thou dissembling cub! what wilt thou be when time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case? or will not else thy craft so quickly grow, that thine own trip shall be thine overthrow? farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet where thou and i henceforth may never meet. viola my lord, i do protest- olivia o, do not swear! hold little faith, though thou hast too much fear. [enter sir andrew] sir andrew for the love of god, a surgeon! send one presently to sir toby. olivia what's the matter? sir andrew he has broke my head across and has given sir toby a bloody coxcomb too: for the love of god, your help! i had rather than forty pound i were at home. olivia who has done this, sir andrew? sir andrew the count's gentleman, one cesario: we took him for a coward, but he's the very devil incardinate. duke orsino my gentleman, cesario? sir andrew 'od's lifelings, here he is! you broke my head for nothing; and that that i did, i was set on to do't by sir toby. viola why do you speak to me? i never hurt you: you drew your sword upon me without cause; but i bespoke you fair, and hurt you not. sir andrew if a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you have hurt me: i think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb. [enter sir toby belch and clown] here comes sir toby halting; you shall hear more: but if he had not been in drink, he would have tickled you othergates than he did. duke orsino how now, gentleman! how is't with you? sir toby belch that's all one: has hurt me, and there's the end on't. sot, didst see dick surgeon, sot? clown o, he's drunk, sir toby, an hour agone; his eyes were set at eight i' the morning. sir toby belch then he's a rogue, and a passy measures panyn: i hate a drunken rogue. olivia away with him! who hath made this havoc with them? sir andrew i'll help you, sir toby, because well be dressed together. sir toby belch will you help? an ass-head and a coxcomb and a knave, a thin-faced knave, a gull! olivia get him to bed, and let his hurt be look'd to. [exeunt clown, fabian, sir toby belch, and sir andrew] [enter sebastian] sebastian i am sorry, madam, i have hurt your kinsman: but, had it been the brother of my blood, i must have done no less with wit and safety. you throw a strange regard upon me, and by that i do perceive it hath offended you: pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows we made each other but so late ago. duke orsino one face, one voice, one habit, and two persons, a natural perspective, that is and is not! sebastian antonio, o my dear antonio! how have the hours rack'd and tortured me, since i have lost thee! antonio sebastian are you? sebastian fear'st thou that, antonio? antonio how have you made division of yourself? an apple, cleft in two, is not more twin than these two creatures. which is sebastian? olivia most wonderful! sebastian do i stand there? i never had a brother; nor can there be that deity in my nature, of here and every where. i had a sister, whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd. of charity, what kin are you to me? what countryman? what name? what parentage? viola of messaline: sebastian was my father; such a sebastian was my brother too, so went he suited to his watery tomb: if spirits can assume both form and suit you come to fright us. sebastian a spirit i am indeed; but am in that dimension grossly clad which from the womb i did participate. were you a woman, as the rest goes even, i should my tears let fall upon your cheek, and say 'thrice-welcome, drowned viola!' viola my father had a mole upon his brow. sebastian and so had mine. viola and died that day when viola from her birth had number'd thirteen years. sebastian o, that record is lively in my soul! he finished indeed his mortal act that day that made my sister thirteen years. viola if nothing lets to make us happy both but this my masculine usurp'd attire, do not embrace me till each circumstance of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump that i am viola: which to confirm, i'll bring you to a captain in this town, where lie my maiden weeds; by whose gentle help i was preserved to serve this noble count. all the occurrence of my fortune since hath been between this lady and this lord. sebastian [to olivia] so comes it, lady, you have been mistook: but nature to her bias drew in that. you would have been contracted to a maid; nor are you therein, by my life, deceived, you are betroth'd both to a maid and man. duke orsino be not amazed; right noble is his blood. if this be so, as yet the glass seems true, i shall have share in this most happy wreck. [to viola] boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times thou never shouldst love woman like to me. viola and all those sayings will i overswear; and those swearings keep as true in soul as doth that orbed continent the fire that severs day from night. duke orsino give me thy hand; and let me see thee in thy woman's weeds. viola the captain that did bring me first on shore hath my maid's garments: he upon some action is now in durance, at malvolio's suit, a gentleman, and follower of my lady's. olivia he shall enlarge him: fetch malvolio hither: and yet, alas, now i remember me, they say, poor gentleman, he's much distract. [re-enter clown with a letter, and fabian] a most extracting frenzy of mine own from my remembrance clearly banish'd his. how does he, sirrah? clown truly, madam, he holds belzebub at the staves's end as well as a man in his case may do: has here writ a letter to you; i should have given't you to-day morning, but as a madman's epistles are no gospels, so it skills not much when they are delivered. olivia open't, and read it. clown look then to be well edified when the fool delivers the madman. [reads] 'by the lord, madam,'- olivia how now! art thou mad? clown no, madam, i do but read madness: an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow vox. olivia prithee, read i' thy right wits. clown so i do, madonna; but to read his right wits is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear. olivia read it you, sirrah. [to fabian] fabian [reads] 'by the lord, madam, you wrong me, and the world shall know it: though you have put me into darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over me, yet have i the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship. i have your own letter that induced me to the semblance i put on; with the which i doubt not but to do myself much right, or you much shame. think of me as you please. i leave my duty a little unthought of and speak out of my injury. the madly-used malvolio.' olivia did he write this? clown ay, madam. duke orsino this savours not much of distraction. olivia see him deliver'd, fabian; bring him hither. [exit fabian] my lord so please you, these things further thought on, to think me as well a sister as a wife, one day shall crown the alliance on't, so please you, here at my house and at my proper cost. duke orsino madam, i am most apt to embrace your offer. [to viola] your master quits you; and for your service done him, so much against the mettle of your sex, so far beneath your soft and tender breeding, and since you call'd me master for so long, here is my hand: you shall from this time be your master's mistress. olivia a sister! you are she. [re-enter fabian, with malvolio] duke orsino is this the madman? olivia ay, my lord, this same. how now, malvolio! malvolio madam, you have done me wrong, notorious wrong. olivia have i, malvolio? no. malvolio lady, you have. pray you, peruse that letter. you must not now deny it is your hand: write from it, if you can, in hand or phrase; or say 'tis not your seal, nor your invention: you can say none of this: well, grant it then and tell me, in the modesty of honour, why you have given me such clear lights of favour, bade me come smiling and cross-garter'd to you, to put on yellow stockings and to frown upon sir toby and the lighter people; and, acting this in an obedient hope, why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd, kept in a dark house, visited by the priest, and made the most notorious geck and gull that e'er invention play'd on? tell me why. olivia alas, malvolio, this is not my writing, though, i confess, much like the character but out of question 'tis maria's hand. and now i do bethink me, it was she first told me thou wast mad; then camest in smiling, and in such forms which here were presupposed upon thee in the letter. prithee, be content: this practise hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee; but when we know the grounds and authors of it, thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge of thine own cause. fabian good madam, hear me speak, and let no quarrel nor no brawl to come taint the condition of this present hour, which i have wonder'd at. in hope it shall not, most freely i confess, myself and toby set this device against malvolio here, upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts we had conceived against him: maria writ the letter at sir toby's great importance; in recompense whereof he hath married her. how with a sportful malice it was follow'd, may rather pluck on laughter than revenge; if that the injuries be justly weigh'd that have on both sides pass'd. olivia alas, poor fool, how have they baffled thee! clown why, 'some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrown upon them.' i was one, sir, in this interlude; one sir topas, sir; but that's all one. 'by the lord, fool, i am not mad.' but do you remember? 'madam, why laugh you at such a barren rascal? an you smile not, he's gagged:' and thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. malvolio i'll be revenged on the whole pack of you. [exit] olivia he hath been most notoriously abused. duke orsino pursue him and entreat him to a peace: he hath not told us of the captain yet: when that is known and golden time convents, a solemn combination shall be made of our dear souls. meantime, sweet sister, we will not part from hence. cesario, come; for so you shall be, while you are a man; but when in other habits you are seen, orsino's mistress and his fancy's queen. [exeunt all, except clown] clown [sings] when that i was and a little tiny boy, with hey, ho, the wind and the rain, a foolish thing was but a toy, for the rain it raineth every day. but when i came to man's estate, with hey, ho, &c. 'gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate, for the rain, &c. but when i came, alas! to wive, with hey, ho, &c. by swaggering could i never thrive, for the rain, &c. but when i came unto my beds, with hey, ho, &c. with toss-pots still had drunken heads, for the rain, &c. a great while ago the world begun, with hey, ho, &c. but that's all one, our play is done, and we'll strive to please you every day. [exit] the merchant of venice dramatis personae the duke of venice. (duke:) the prince of | morocco (morocco:) | | suitors to portia. the prince of | arragon (arragon:) | antonio a merchant of venice. bassanio his friend, suitor likewise to portia. salanio | | salarino | | friends to antonio and bassanio. gratiano | | salerio | lorenzo in love with jessica. shylock a rich jew. tubal a jew, his friend. launcelot gobbo the clown, servant to shylock. (launcelot:) old gobbo father to launcelot. (gobbo:) leonardo servant to bassanio. balthasar | | servants to portia. stephano | portia a rich heiress. nerissa her waiting-maid. jessica daughter to shylock. magnificoes of venice, officers of the court of justice, gaoler, servants to portia, and other attendants. (servant:) (clerk:) scene partly at venice, and partly at belmont, the seat of portia, on the continent. the merchant of venice act i scene i venice. a street. [enter antonio, salarino, and salanio] antonio in sooth, i know not why i am so sad: it wearies me; you say it wearies you; but how i caught it, found it, or came by it, what stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, i am to learn; and such a want-wit sadness makes of me, that i have much ado to know myself. salarino your mind is tossing on the ocean; there, where your argosies with portly sail, like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, or, as it were, the pageants of the sea, do overpeer the petty traffickers, that curtsy to them, do them reverence, as they fly by them with their woven wings. salanio believe me, sir, had i such venture forth, the better part of my affections would be with my hopes abroad. i should be still plucking the grass, to know where sits the wind, peering in maps for ports and piers and roads; and every object that might make me fear misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt would make me sad. salarino my wind cooling my broth would blow me to an ague, when i thought what harm a wind too great at sea might do. i should not see the sandy hour-glass run, but i should think of shallows and of flats, and see my wealthy andrew dock'd in sand, vailing her high-top lower than her ribs to kiss her burial. should i go to church and see the holy edifice of stone, and not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, which touching but my gentle vessel's side, would scatter all her spices on the stream, enrobe the roaring waters with my silks, and, in a word, but even now worth this, and now worth nothing? shall i have the thought to think on this, and shall i lack the thought that such a thing bechanced would make me sad? but tell not me; i know, antonio is sad to think upon his merchandise. antonio believe me, no: i thank my fortune for it, my ventures are not in one bottom trusted, nor to one place; nor is my whole estate upon the fortune of this present year: therefore my merchandise makes me not sad. salarino why, then you are in love. antonio fie, fie! salarino not in love neither? then let us say you are sad, because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy for you to laugh and leap and say you are merry, because you are not sad. now, by two-headed janus, nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: some that will evermore peep through their eyes and laugh like parrots at a bag-piper, and other of such vinegar aspect that they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, though nestor swear the jest be laughable. [enter bassanio, lorenzo, and gratiano] salanio here comes bassanio, your most noble kinsman, gratiano and lorenzo. fare ye well: we leave you now with better company. salarino i would have stay'd till i had made you merry, if worthier friends had not prevented me. antonio your worth is very dear in my regard. i take it, your own business calls on you and you embrace the occasion to depart. salarino good morrow, my good lords. bassanio good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when? you grow exceeding strange: must it be so? salarino we'll make our leisures to attend on yours. [exeunt salarino and salanio] lorenzo my lord bassanio, since you have found antonio, we two will leave you: but at dinner-time, i pray you, have in mind where we must meet. bassanio i will not fail you. gratiano you look not well, signior antonio; you have too much respect upon the world: they lose it that do buy it with much care: believe me, you are marvellously changed. antonio i hold the world but as the world, gratiano; a stage where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one. gratiano let me play the fool: with mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come, and let my liver rather heat with wine than my heart cool with mortifying groans. why should a man, whose blood is warm within, sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster? sleep when he wakes and creep into the jaundice by being peevish? i tell thee what, antonio- i love thee, and it is my love that speaks- there are a sort of men whose visages do cream and mantle like a standing pond, and do a wilful stillness entertain, with purpose to be dress'd in an opinion of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit, as who should say 'i am sir oracle, and when i ope my lips let no dog bark!' o my antonio, i do know of these that therefore only are reputed wise for saying nothing; when, i am very sure, if they should speak, would almost damn those ears, which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools. i'll tell thee more of this another time: but fish not, with this melancholy bait, for this fool gudgeon, this opinion. come, good lorenzo. fare ye well awhile: i'll end my exhortation after dinner. lorenzo well, we will leave you then till dinner-time: i must be one of these same dumb wise men, for gratiano never lets me speak. gratiano well, keep me company but two years moe, thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue. antonio farewell: i'll grow a talker for this gear. gratiano thanks, i' faith, for silence is only commendable in a neat's tongue dried and a maid not vendible. [exeunt gratiano and lorenzo] antonio is that any thing now? bassanio gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all venice. his reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search. antonio well, tell me now what lady is the same to whom you swore a secret pilgrimage, that you to-day promised to tell me of? bassanio 'tis not unknown to you, antonio, how much i have disabled mine estate, by something showing a more swelling port than my faint means would grant continuance: nor do i now make moan to be abridged from such a noble rate; but my chief care is to come fairly off from the great debts wherein my time something too prodigal hath left me gaged. to you, antonio, i owe the most, in money and in love, and from your love i have a warranty to unburden all my plots and purposes how to get clear of all the debts i owe. antonio i pray you, good bassanio, let me know it; and if it stand, as you yourself still do, within the eye of honour, be assured, my purse, my person, my extremest means, lie all unlock'd to your occasions. bassanio in my school-days, when i had lost one shaft, i shot his fellow of the self-same flight the self-same way with more advised watch, to find the other forth, and by adventuring both i oft found both: i urge this childhood proof, because what follows is pure innocence. i owe you much, and, like a wilful youth, that which i owe is lost; but if you please to shoot another arrow that self way which you did shoot the first, i do not doubt, as i will watch the aim, or to find both or bring your latter hazard back again and thankfully rest debtor for the first. antonio you know me well, and herein spend but time to wind about my love with circumstance; and out of doubt you do me now more wrong in making question of my uttermost than if you had made waste of all i have: then do but say to me what i should do that in your knowledge may by me be done, and i am prest unto it: therefore, speak. bassanio in belmont is a lady richly left; and she is fair, and, fairer than that word, of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes i did receive fair speechless messages: her name is portia, nothing undervalued to cato's daughter, brutus' portia: nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, for the four winds blow in from every coast renowned suitors, and her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece; which makes her seat of belmont colchos' strand, and many jasons come in quest of her. o my antonio, had i but the means to hold a rival place with one of them, i have a mind presages me such thrift, that i should questionless be fortunate! antonio thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea; neither have i money nor commodity to raise a present sum: therefore go forth; try what my credit can in venice do: that shall be rack'd, even to the uttermost, to furnish thee to belmont, to fair portia. go, presently inquire, and so will i, where money is, and i no question make to have it of my trust or for my sake. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act i scene ii: belmont. a room in portia's house. [enter portia and nerissa] portia by my troth, nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world. nerissa you would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are: and yet, for aught i see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing. it is no mean happiness therefore, to be seated in the mean: superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. portia good sentences and well pronounced. nerissa they would be better, if well followed. portia if to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. it is a good divine that follows his own instructions: i can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. the brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple. but this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. o me, the word 'choose!' i may neither choose whom i would nor refuse whom i dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. is it not hard, nerissa, that i cannot choose one nor refuse none? nerissa your father was ever virtuous; and holy men at their death have good inspirations: therefore the lottery, that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will, no doubt, never be chosen by any rightly but one who shall rightly love. but what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come? portia i pray thee, over-name them; and as thou namest them, i will describe them; and, according to my description, level at my affection. nerissa first, there is the neapolitan prince. portia ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts, that he can shoe him himself. i am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith. nerissa then there is the county palatine. portia he doth nothing but frown, as who should say 'if you will not have me, choose:' he hears merry tales and smiles not: i fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. i had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth than to either of these. god defend me from these two! nerissa how say you by the french lord, monsieur le bon? portia god made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. in truth, i know it is a sin to be a mocker: but, he! why, he hath a horse better than the neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the count palatine; he is every man in no man; if a throstle sing, he falls straight a capering: he will fence with his own shadow: if i should marry him, i should marry twenty husbands. if he would despise me i would forgive him, for if he love me to madness, i shall never requite him. nerissa what say you, then, to falconbridge, the young baron of england? portia you know i say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor i him: he hath neither latin, french, nor italian, and you will come into the court and swear that i have a poor pennyworth in the english. he is a proper man's picture, but, alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? how oddly he is suited! i think he bought his doublet in italy, his round hose in france, his bonnet in germany and his behavior every where. nerissa what think you of the scottish lord, his neighbour? portia that he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able: i think the frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another. nerissa how like you the young german, the duke of saxony's nephew? portia very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: and the worst fall that ever fell, i hope i shall make shift to go without him. nerissa if he should offer to choose, and choose the right casket, you should refuse to perform your father's will, if you should refuse to accept him. portia therefore, for fear of the worst, i pray thee, set a deep glass of rhenish wine on the contrary casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation without, i know he will choose it. i will do any thing, nerissa, ere i'll be married to a sponge. nerissa you need not fear, lady, the having any of these lords: they have acquainted me with their determinations; which is, indeed, to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit, unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition depending on the caskets. portia if i live to be as old as sibylla, i will die as chaste as diana, unless i be obtained by the manner of my father's will. i am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but i dote on his very absence, and i pray god grant them a fair departure. nerissa do you not remember, lady, in your father's time, a venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither in company of the marquis of montferrat? portia yes, yes, it was bassanio; as i think, he was so called. nerissa true, madam: he, of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. portia i remember him well, and i remember him worthy of thy praise. [enter a serving-man] how now! what news? servant the four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the prince of morocco, who brings word the prince his master will be here to-night. portia if i could bid the fifth welcome with so good a heart as i can bid the other four farewell, i should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, i had rather he should shrive me than wive me. come, nerissa. sirrah, go before. whiles we shut the gates upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act i scene iii venice. a public place. [enter bassanio and shylock] shylock three thousand ducats; well. bassanio ay, sir, for three months. shylock for three months; well. bassanio for the which, as i told you, antonio shall be bound. shylock antonio shall become bound; well. bassanio may you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall i know your answer? shylock three thousand ducats for three months and antonio bound. bassanio your answer to that. shylock antonio is a good man. bassanio have you heard any imputation to the contrary? shylock oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to tripolis, another to the indies; i understand moreover, upon the rialto, he hath a third at mexico, a fourth for england, and other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. but ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, i mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks. the man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. three thousand ducats; i think i may take his bond. bassanio be assured you may. shylock i will be assured i may; and, that i may be assured, i will bethink me. may i speak with antonio? bassanio if it please you to dine with us. shylock yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the nazarite conjured the devil into. i will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but i will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. what news on the rialto? who is he comes here? [enter antonio] bassanio this is signior antonio. shylock [aside] how like a fawning publican he looks! i hate him for he is a christian, but more for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in venice. if i can catch him once upon the hip, i will feed fat the ancient grudge i bear him. he hates our sacred nation, and he rails, even there where merchants most do congregate, on me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, which he calls interest. cursed be my tribe, if i forgive him! bassanio shylock, do you hear? shylock i am debating of my present store, and, by the near guess of my memory, i cannot instantly raise up the gross of full three thousand ducats. what of that? tubal, a wealthy hebrew of my tribe, will furnish me. but soft! how many months do you desire? [to antonio] rest you fair, good signior; your worship was the last man in our mouths. antonio shylock, although i neither lend nor borrow by taking nor by giving of excess, yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, i'll break a custom. is he yet possess'd how much ye would? shylock ay, ay, three thousand ducats. antonio and for three months. shylock i had forgot; three months; you told me so. well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you; methought you said you neither lend nor borrow upon advantage. antonio i do never use it. shylock when jacob grazed his uncle laban's sheep- this jacob from our holy abram was, as his wise mother wrought in his behalf, the third possessor; ay, he was the third- antonio and what of him? did he take interest? shylock no, not take interest, not, as you would say, directly interest: mark what jacob did. when laban and himself were compromised that all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied should fall as jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank, in the end of autumn turned to the rams, and, when the work of generation was between these woolly breeders in the act, the skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands, and, in the doing of the deed of kind, he stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, who then conceiving did in eaning time fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were jacob's. this was a way to thrive, and he was blest: and thrift is blessing, if men steal it not. antonio this was a venture, sir, that jacob served for; a thing not in his power to bring to pass, but sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven. was this inserted to make interest good? or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? shylock i cannot tell; i make it breed as fast: but note me, signior. antonio mark you this, bassanio, the devil can cite scripture for his purpose. an evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek, a goodly apple rotten at the heart: o, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! shylock three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum. three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate- antonio well, shylock, shall we be beholding to you? shylock signior antonio, many a time and oft in the rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usances: still have i borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. you call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my jewish gaberdine, and all for use of that which is mine own. well then, it now appears you need my help: go to, then; you come to me, and you say 'shylock, we would have moneys:' you say so; you, that did void your rheum upon my beard and foot me as you spurn a stranger cur over your threshold: moneys is your suit what should i say to you? should i not say 'hath a dog money? is it possible a cur can lend three thousand ducats?' or shall i bend low and in a bondman's key, with bated breath and whispering humbleness, say this; 'fair sir, you spit on me on wednesday last; you spurn'd me such a day; another time you call'd me dog; and for these courtesies i'll lend you thus much moneys'? antonio i am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. if thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as to thy friends; for when did friendship take a breed for barren metal of his friend? but lend it rather to thine enemy, who, if he break, thou mayst with better face exact the penalty. shylock why, look you, how you storm! i would be friends with you and have your love, forget the shames that you have stain'd me with, supply your present wants and take no doit of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me: this is kind i offer. bassanio this were kindness. shylock this kindness will i show. go with me to a notary, seal me there your single bond; and, in a merry sport, if you repay me not on such a day, in such a place, such sum or sums as are express'd in the condition, let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me. antonio content, i' faith: i'll seal to such a bond and say there is much kindness in the jew. bassanio you shall not seal to such a bond for me: i'll rather dwell in my necessity. antonio why, fear not, man; i will not forfeit it: within these two months, that's a month before this bond expires, i do expect return of thrice three times the value of this bond. shylock o father abram, what these christians are, whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect the thoughts of others! pray you, tell me this; if he should break his day, what should i gain by the exaction of the forfeiture? a pound of man's flesh taken from a man is not so estimable, profitable neither, as flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. i say, to buy his favour, i extend this friendship: if he will take it, so; if not, adieu; and, for my love, i pray you wrong me not. antonio yes shylock, i will seal unto this bond. shylock then meet me forthwith at the notary's; give him direction for this merry bond, and i will go and purse the ducats straight, see to my house, left in the fearful guard of an unthrifty knave, and presently i will be with you. antonio hie thee, gentle jew. [exit shylock] the hebrew will turn christian: he grows kind. bassanio i like not fair terms and a villain's mind. antonio come on: in this there can be no dismay; my ships come home a month before the day. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene i belmont. a room in portia's house. [flourish of cornets. enter the prince of morocco and his train; portia, nerissa, and others attending] morocco mislike me not for my complexion, the shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, to whom i am a neighbour and near bred. bring me the fairest creature northward born, where phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles, and let us make incision for your love, to prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. i tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine hath fear'd the valiant: by my love i swear the best-regarded virgins of our clime have loved it too: i would not change this hue, except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen. portia in terms of choice i am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden's eyes; besides, the lottery of my destiny bars me the right of voluntary choosing: but if my father had not scanted me and hedged me by his wit, to yield myself his wife who wins me by that means i told you, yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer i have look'd on yet for my affection. morocco even for that i thank you: therefore, i pray you, lead me to the caskets to try my fortune. by this scimitar that slew the sophy and a persian prince that won three fields of sultan solyman, i would outstare the sternest eyes that look, outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, to win thee, lady. but, alas the while! if hercules and lichas play at dice which is the better man, the greater throw may turn by fortune from the weaker hand: so is alcides beaten by his page; and so may i, blind fortune leading me, miss that which one unworthier may attain, and die with grieving. portia you must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never to speak to lady afterward in way of marriage: therefore be advised. morocco nor will not. come, bring me unto my chance. portia first, forward to the temple: after dinner your hazard shall be made. morocco good fortune then! to make me blest or cursed'st among men. [cornets, and exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene ii venice. a street. [enter launcelot] launcelot certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this jew my master. the fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me saying to me 'gobbo, launcelot gobbo, good launcelot,' or 'good gobbo,' or good launcelot gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away. my conscience says 'no; take heed,' honest launcelot; take heed, honest gobbo, or, as aforesaid, 'honest launcelot gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels.' well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: 'via!' says the fiend; 'away!' says the fiend; 'for the heavens, rouse up a brave mind,' says the fiend, 'and run.' well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me 'my honest friend launcelot, being an honest man's son,' or rather an honest woman's son; for, indeed, my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience says 'launcelot, budge not.' 'budge,' says the fiend. 'budge not,' says my conscience. 'conscience,' say i, 'you counsel well;' ' fiend,' say i, 'you counsel well:' to be ruled by my conscience, i should stay with the jew my master, who, god bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the jew, i should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself. certainly the jew is the very devil incarnal; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the jew. the fiend gives the more friendly counsel: i will run, fiend; my heels are at your command; i will run. [enter old gobbo, with a basket] gobbo master young man, you, i pray you, which is the way to master jew's? launcelot [aside] o heavens, this is my true-begotten father! who, being more than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not: i will try confusions with him. gobbo master young gentleman, i pray you, which is the way to master jew's? launcelot turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the jew's house. gobbo by god's sonties, 'twill be a hard way to hit. can you tell me whether one launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no? launcelot talk you of young master launcelot? [aside] mark me now; now will i raise the waters. talk you of young master launcelot? gobbo no master, sir, but a poor man's son: his father, though i say it, is an honest exceeding poor man and, god be thanked, well to live. launcelot well, let his father be what a' will, we talk of young master launcelot. gobbo your worship's friend and launcelot, sir. launcelot but i pray you, ergo, old man, ergo, i beseech you, talk you of young master launcelot? gobbo of launcelot, an't please your mastership. launcelot ergo, master launcelot. talk not of master launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to fates and destinies and such odd sayings, the sisters three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven. gobbo marry, god forbid! the boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. launcelot do i look like a cudgel or a hovel-post, a staff or a prop? do you know me, father? gobbo alack the day, i know you not, young gentleman: but, i pray you, tell me, is my boy, god rest his soul, alive or dead? launcelot do you not know me, father? gobbo alack, sir, i am sand-blind; i know you not. launcelot nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. well, old man, i will tell you news of your son: give me your blessing: truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son may, but at the length truth will out. gobbo pray you, sir, stand up: i am sure you are not launcelot, my boy. launcelot pray you, let's have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing: i am launcelot, your boy that was, your son that is, your child that shall be. gobbo i cannot think you are my son. launcelot i know not what i shall think of that: but i am launcelot, the jew's man, and i am sure margery your wife is my mother. gobbo her name is margery, indeed: i'll be sworn, if thou be launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood. lord worshipped might he be! what a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail. launcelot it should seem, then, that dobbin's tail grows backward: i am sure he had more hair of his tail than i have of my face when i last saw him. gobbo lord, how art thou changed! how dost thou and thy master agree? i have brought him a present. how 'gree you now? launcelot well, well: but, for mine own part, as i have set up my rest to run away, so i will not rest till i have run some ground. my master's a very jew: give him a present! give him a halter: i am famished in his service; you may tell every finger i have with my ribs. father, i am glad you are come: give me your present to one master bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries: if i serve not him, i will run as far as god has any ground. o rare fortune! here comes the man: to him, father; for i am a jew, if i serve the jew any longer. [enter bassanio, with leonardo and other followers] bassanio you may do so; but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock. see these letters delivered; put the liveries to making, and desire gratiano to come anon to my lodging. [exit a servant] launcelot to him, father. gobbo god bless your worship! bassanio gramercy! wouldst thou aught with me? gobbo here's my son, sir, a poor boy,- launcelot not a poor boy, sir, but the rich jew's man; that would, sir, as my father shall specify- gobbo he hath a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve- launcelot indeed, the short and the long is, i serve the jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify- gobbo his master and he, saving your worship's reverence, are scarce cater-cousins- launcelot to be brief, the very truth is that the jew, having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, i hope, an old man, shall frutify unto you- gobbo i have here a dish of doves that i would bestow upon your worship, and my suit is- launcelot in very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself, as your worship shall know by this honest old man; and, though i say it, though old man, yet poor man, my father. bassanio one speak for both. what would you? launcelot serve you, sir. gobbo that is the very defect of the matter, sir. bassanio i know thee well; thou hast obtain'd thy suit: shylock thy master spoke with me this day, and hath preferr'd thee, if it be preferment to leave a rich jew's service, to become the follower of so poor a gentleman. launcelot the old proverb is very well parted between my master shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of god, sir, and he hath enough. bassanio thou speak'st it well. go, father, with thy son. take leave of thy old master and inquire my lodging out. give him a livery more guarded than his fellows': see it done. launcelot father, in. i cannot get a service, no; i have ne'er a tongue in my head. well, if any man in italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book, i shall have good fortune. go to, here's a simple line of life: here's a small trifle of wives: alas, fifteen wives is nothing! eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man: and then to 'scape drowning thrice, and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed; here are simple scapes. well, if fortune be a woman, she's a good wench for this gear. father, come; i'll take my leave of the jew in the twinkling of an eye. [exeunt launcelot and old gobbo] bassanio i pray thee, good leonardo, think on this: these things being bought and orderly bestow'd, return in haste, for i do feast to-night my best-esteem'd acquaintance: hie thee, go. leonardo my best endeavours shall be done herein. [enter gratiano] gratiano where is your master? leonardo yonder, sir, he walks. [exit] gratiano signior bassanio! bassanio gratiano! gratiano i have a suit to you. bassanio you have obtain'd it. gratiano you must not deny me: i must go with you to belmont. bassanio why then you must. but hear thee, gratiano; thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice; parts that become thee happily enough and in such eyes as ours appear not faults; but where thou art not known, why, there they show something too liberal. pray thee, take pain to allay with some cold drops of modesty thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior i be misconstrued in the place i go to, and lose my hopes. gratiano signior bassanio, hear me: if i do not put on a sober habit, talk with respect and swear but now and then, wear prayer-books in my pocket, look demurely, nay more, while grace is saying, hood mine eyes thus with my hat, and sigh and say 'amen,' use all the observance of civility, like one well studied in a sad ostent to please his grandam, never trust me more. bassanio well, we shall see your bearing. gratiano nay, but i bar to-night: you shall not gauge me by what we do to-night. bassanio no, that were pity: i would entreat you rather to put on your boldest suit of mirth, for we have friends that purpose merriment. but fare you well: i have some business. gratiano and i must to lorenzo and the rest: but we will visit you at supper-time. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene iii the same. a room in shylock's house. [enter jessica and launcelot] jessica i am sorry thou wilt leave my father so: our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, didst rob it of some taste of tediousness. but fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee: and, launcelot, soon at supper shalt thou see lorenzo, who is thy new master's guest: give him this letter; do it secretly; and so farewell: i would not have my father see me in talk with thee. launcelot adieu! tears exhibit my tongue. most beautiful pagan, most sweet jew! if a christian did not play the knave and get thee, i am much deceived. but, adieu: these foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit: adieu. jessica farewell, good launcelot. [exit launcelot] alack, what heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father's child! but though i am a daughter to his blood, i am not to his manners. o lorenzo, if thou keep promise, i shall end this strife, become a christian and thy loving wife. [exit] the merchant of venice act ii scene iv the same. a street. [enter gratiano, lorenzo, salarino, and salanio] lorenzo nay, we will slink away in supper-time, disguise us at my lodging and return, all in an hour. gratiano we have not made good preparation. salarino we have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. salanio 'tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd, and better in my mind not undertook. lorenzo 'tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours to furnish us. [enter launcelot, with a letter] friend launcelot, what's the news? launcelot an it shall please you to break up this, it shall seem to signify. lorenzo i know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; and whiter than the paper it writ on is the fair hand that writ. gratiano love-news, in faith. launcelot by your leave, sir. lorenzo whither goest thou? launcelot marry, sir, to bid my old master the jew to sup to-night with my new master the christian. lorenzo hold here, take this: tell gentle jessica i will not fail her; speak it privately. go, gentlemen, [exit launcelot] will you prepare you for this masque tonight? i am provided of a torch-bearer. salanio ay, marry, i'll be gone about it straight. salanio and so will i. lorenzo meet me and gratiano at gratiano's lodging some hour hence. salarino 'tis good we do so. [exeunt salarino and salanio] gratiano was not that letter from fair jessica? lorenzo i must needs tell thee all. she hath directed how i shall take her from her father's house, what gold and jewels she is furnish'd with, what page's suit she hath in readiness. if e'er the jew her father come to heaven, it will be for his gentle daughter's sake: and never dare misfortune cross her foot, unless she do it under this excuse, that she is issue to a faithless jew. come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: fair jessica shall be my torch-bearer. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene v the same. before shylock's house. [enter shylock and launcelot] shylock well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, the difference of old shylock and bassanio:- what, jessica!--thou shalt not gormandise, as thou hast done with me:--what, jessica!- and sleep and snore, and rend apparel out;- why, jessica, i say! launcelot why, jessica! shylock who bids thee call? i do not bid thee call. launcelot your worship was wont to tell me that i could do nothing without bidding. [enter jessica] jessica call you? what is your will? shylock i am bid forth to supper, jessica: there are my keys. but wherefore should i go? i am not bid for love; they flatter me: but yet i'll go in hate, to feed upon the prodigal christian. jessica, my girl, look to my house. i am right loath to go: there is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for i did dream of money-bags to-night. launcelot i beseech you, sir, go: my young master doth expect your reproach. shylock so do i his. launcelot an they have conspired together, i will not say you shall see a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on black-monday last at six o'clock i' the morning, falling out that year on ash-wednesday was four year, in the afternoon. shylock what, are there masques? hear you me, jessica: lock up my doors; and when you hear the drum and the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife, clamber not you up to the casements then, nor thrust your head into the public street to gaze on christian fools with varnish'd faces, but stop my house's ears, i mean my casements: let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house. by jacob's staff, i swear, i have no mind of feasting forth to-night: but i will go. go you before me, sirrah; say i will come. launcelot i will go before, sir. mistress, look out at window, for all this, there will come a christian boy, will be worth a jewess' eye. [exit] shylock what says that fool of hagar's offspring, ha? jessica his words were 'farewell mistress;' nothing else. shylock the patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder; snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day more than the wild-cat: drones hive not with me; therefore i part with him, and part with him to one that would have him help to waste his borrow'd purse. well, jessica, go in; perhaps i will return immediately: do as i bid you; shut doors after you: fast bind, fast find; a proverb never stale in thrifty mind. [exit] jessica farewell; and if my fortune be not crost, i have a father, you a daughter, lost. [exit] the merchant of venice act ii scene vi the same. [enter gratiano and salarino, masqued] gratiano this is the pent-house under which lorenzo desired us to make stand. salarino his hour is almost past. gratiano and it is marvel he out-dwells his hour, for lovers ever run before the clock. salarino o, ten times faster venus' pigeons fly to seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont to keep obliged faith unforfeited! gratiano that ever holds: who riseth from a feast with that keen appetite that he sits down? where is the horse that doth untread again his tedious measures with the unbated fire that he did pace them first? all things that are, are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. how like a younker or a prodigal the scarfed bark puts from her native bay, hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind! how like the prodigal doth she return, with over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails, lean, rent and beggar'd by the strumpet wind! salarino here comes lorenzo: more of this hereafter. [enter lorenzo] lorenzo sweet friends, your patience for my long abode; not i, but my affairs, have made you wait: when you shall please to play the thieves for wives, i'll watch as long for you then. approach; here dwells my father jew. ho! who's within? [enter jessica, above, in boy's clothes] jessica who are you? tell me, for more certainty, albeit i'll swear that i do know your tongue. lorenzo lorenzo, and thy love. jessica lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed, for who love i so much? and now who knows but you, lorenzo, whether i am yours? lorenzo heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art. jessica here, catch this casket; it is worth the pains. i am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, for i am much ashamed of my exchange: but love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit; for if they could, cupid himself would blush to see me thus transformed to a boy. lorenzo descend, for you must be my torchbearer. jessica what, must i hold a candle to my shames? they in themselves, good-sooth, are too too light. why, 'tis an office of discovery, love; and i should be obscured. lorenzo so are you, sweet, even in the lovely garnish of a boy. but come at once; for the close night doth play the runaway, and we are stay'd for at bassanio's feast. jessica i will make fast the doors, and gild myself with some more ducats, and be with you straight. [exit above] gratiano now, by my hood, a gentile and no jew. lorenzo beshrew me but i love her heartily; for she is wise, if i can judge of her, and fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, and true she is, as she hath proved herself, and therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true, shall she be placed in my constant soul. [enter jessica, below] what, art thou come? on, gentlemen; away! our masquing mates by this time for us stay. [exit with jessica and salarino] [enter antonio] antonio who's there? gratiano signior antonio! antonio fie, fie, gratiano! where are all the rest? 'tis nine o'clock: our friends all stay for you. no masque to-night: the wind is come about; bassanio presently will go aboard: i have sent twenty out to seek for you. gratiano i am glad on't: i desire no more delight than to be under sail and gone to-night. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene vii belmont. a room in portia's house. [flourish of cornets. enter portia, with the prince of morocco, and their trains] portia go draw aside the curtains and discover the several caskets to this noble prince. now make your choice. morocco the first, of gold, who this inscription bears, 'who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire;' the second, silver, which this promise carries, 'who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves;' this third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt, 'who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' how shall i know if i do choose the right? portia the one of them contains my picture, prince: if you choose that, then i am yours withal. morocco some god direct my judgment! let me see; i will survey the inscriptions back again. what says this leaden casket? 'who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' must give: for what? for lead? hazard for lead? this casket threatens. men that hazard all do it in hope of fair advantages: a golden mind stoops not to shows of dross; i'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead. what says the silver with her virgin hue? 'who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' as much as he deserves! pause there, morocco, and weigh thy value with an even hand: if thou be'st rated by thy estimation, thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough may not extend so far as to the lady: and yet to be afeard of my deserving were but a weak disabling of myself. as much as i deserve! why, that's the lady: i do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, in graces and in qualities of breeding; but more than these, in love i do deserve. what if i stray'd no further, but chose here? let's see once more this saying graved in gold 'who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' why, that's the lady; all the world desires her; from the four corners of the earth they come, to kiss this shrine, this mortal-breathing saint: the hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds of wide arabia are as thoroughfares now for princes to come view fair portia: the watery kingdom, whose ambitious head spits in the face of heaven, is no bar to stop the foreign spirits, but they come, as o'er a brook, to see fair portia. one of these three contains her heavenly picture. is't like that lead contains her? 'twere damnation to think so base a thought: it were too gross to rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. or shall i think in silver she's immured, being ten times undervalued to tried gold? o sinful thought! never so rich a gem was set in worse than gold. they have in england a coin that bears the figure of an angel stamped in gold, but that's insculp'd upon; but here an angel in a golden bed lies all within. deliver me the key: here do i choose, and thrive i as i may! portia there, take it, prince; and if my form lie there, then i am yours. [he unlocks the golden casket] morocco o hell! what have we here? a carrion death, within whose empty eye there is a written scroll! i'll read the writing. [reads] all that glitters is not gold; often have you heard that told: many a man his life hath sold but my outside to behold: gilded tombs do worms enfold. had you been as wise as bold, young in limbs, in judgment old, your answer had not been inscroll'd: fare you well; your suit is cold. cold, indeed; and labour lost: then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost! portia, adieu. i have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave: thus losers part. [exit with his train. flourish of cornets] portia a gentle riddance. draw the curtains, go. let all of his complexion choose me so. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene viii venice. a street. [enter salarino and salanio] salarino why, man, i saw bassanio under sail: with him is gratiano gone along; and in their ship i am sure lorenzo is not. salanio the villain jew with outcries raised the duke, who went with him to search bassanio's ship. salarino he came too late, the ship was under sail: but there the duke was given to understand that in a gondola were seen together lorenzo and his amorous jessica: besides, antonio certified the duke they were not with bassanio in his ship. salanio i never heard a passion so confused, so strange, outrageous, and so variable, as the dog jew did utter in the streets: 'my daughter! o my ducats! o my daughter! fled with a christian! o my christian ducats! justice! the law! my ducats, and my daughter! a sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! and jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter! justice! find the girl; she hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.' salarino why, all the boys in venice follow him, crying, his stones, his daughter, and his ducats. salanio let good antonio look he keep his day, or he shall pay for this. salarino marry, well remember'd. i reason'd with a frenchman yesterday, who told me, in the narrow seas that part the french and english, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught: i thought upon antonio when he told me; and wish'd in silence that it were not his. salanio you were best to tell antonio what you hear; yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. salarino a kinder gentleman treads not the earth. i saw bassanio and antonio part: bassanio told him he would make some speed of his return: he answer'd, 'do not so; slubber not business for my sake, bassanio but stay the very riping of the time; and for the jew's bond which he hath of me, let it not enter in your mind of love: be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts to courtship and such fair ostents of love as shall conveniently become you there:' and even there, his eye being big with tears, turning his face, he put his hand behind him, and with affection wondrous sensible he wrung bassanio's hand; and so they parted. salanio i think he only loves the world for him. i pray thee, let us go and find him out and quicken his embraced heaviness with some delight or other. salarino do we so. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act ii scene ix belmont. a room in portia's house. [enter nerissa with a servitor] nerissa quick, quick, i pray thee; draw the curtain straight: the prince of arragon hath ta'en his oath, and comes to his election presently. [flourish of cornets. enter the prince of arragon, portia, and their trains] portia behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince: if you choose that wherein i am contain'd, straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized: but if you fail, without more speech, my lord, you must be gone from hence immediately. arragon i am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things: first, never to unfold to any one which casket 'twas i chose; next, if i fail of the right casket, never in my life to woo a maid in way of marriage: lastly, if i do fail in fortune of my choice, immediately to leave you and be gone. portia to these injunctions every one doth swear that comes to hazard for my worthless self. arragon and so have i address'd me. fortune now to my heart's hope! gold; silver; and base lead. 'who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.' you shall look fairer, ere i give or hazard. what says the golden chest? ha! let me see: 'who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' what many men desire! that 'many' may be meant by the fool multitude, that choose by show, not learning more than the fond eye doth teach; which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet, builds in the weather on the outward wall, even in the force and road of casualty. i will not choose what many men desire, because i will not jump with common spirits and rank me with the barbarous multitudes. why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house; tell me once more what title thou dost bear: 'who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:' and well said too; for who shall go about to cozen fortune and be honourable without the stamp of merit? let none presume to wear an undeserved dignity. o, that estates, degrees and offices were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour were purchased by the merit of the wearer! how many then should cover that stand bare! how many be commanded that command! how much low peasantry would then be glean'd from the true seed of honour! and how much honour pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times to be new-varnish'd! well, but to my choice: 'who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' i will assume desert. give me a key for this, and instantly unlock my fortunes here. [he opens the silver casket] portia too long a pause for that which you find there. arragon what's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, presenting me a schedule! i will read it. how much unlike art thou to portia! how much unlike my hopes and my deservings! 'who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.' did i deserve no more than a fool's head? is that my prize? are my deserts no better? portia to offend, and judge, are distinct offices and of opposed natures. arragon what is here? [reads] the fire seven times tried this: seven times tried that judgment is, that did never choose amiss. some there be that shadows kiss; such have but a shadow's bliss: there be fools alive, i wis, silver'd o'er; and so was this. take what wife you will to bed, i will ever be your head: so be gone: you are sped. still more fool i shall appear by the time i linger here with one fool's head i came to woo, but i go away with two. sweet, adieu. i'll keep my oath, patiently to bear my wroth. [exeunt arragon and train] portia thus hath the candle singed the moth. o, these deliberate fools! when they do choose, they have the wisdom by their wit to lose. nerissa the ancient saying is no heresy, hanging and wiving goes by destiny. portia come, draw the curtain, nerissa. [enter a servant] servant where is my lady? portia here: what would my lord? servant madam, there is alighted at your gate a young venetian, one that comes before to signify the approaching of his lord; from whom he bringeth sensible regreets, to wit, besides commends and courteous breath, gifts of rich value. yet i have not seen so likely an ambassador of love: a day in april never came so sweet, to show how costly summer was at hand, as this fore-spurrer comes before his lord. portia no more, i pray thee: i am half afeard thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him. come, come, nerissa; for i long to see quick cupid's post that comes so mannerly. nerissa bassanio, lord love, if thy will it be! [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iii scene i venice. a street. [enter salanio and salarino] salanio now, what news on the rialto? salarino why, yet it lives there uncheck'd that antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas; the goodwins, i think they call the place; a very dangerous flat and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an honest woman of her word. salanio i would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband. but it is true, without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the good antonio, the honest antonio,--o that i had a title good enough to keep his name company!- salarino come, the full stop. salanio ha! what sayest thou? why, the end is, he hath lost a ship. salarino i would it might prove the end of his losses. salanio let me say 'amen' betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a jew. [enter shylock] how now, shylock! what news among the merchants? shylock you know, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight. salarino that's certain: i, for my part, knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal. salanio and shylock, for his own part, knew the bird was fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. shylock she is damned for it. salanio that's certain, if the devil may be her judge. shylock my own flesh and blood to rebel! salanio out upon it, old carrion! rebels it at these years? shylock i say, my daughter is my flesh and blood. salarino there is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory; more between your bloods than there is between red wine and rhenish. but tell us, do you hear whether antonio have had any loss at sea or no? shylock there i have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the rialto; a beggar, that was used to come so smug upon the mart; let him look to his bond: he was wont to call me usurer; let him look to his bond: he was wont to lend money for a christian courtesy; let him look to his bond. salarino why, i am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for? shylock to bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. he hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? i am a jew. hath not a jew eyes? hath not a jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a christian is? if you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? if we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. if a jew wrong a christian, what is his humility? revenge. if a christian wrong a jew, what should his sufferance be by christian example? why, revenge. the villany you teach me, i will execute, and it shall go hard but i will better the instruction. [enter a servant] servant gentlemen, my master antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both. salarino we have been up and down to seek him. [enter tubal] salanio here comes another of the tribe: a third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn jew. [exeunt salanio, salarino, and servant] shylock how now, tubal! what news from genoa? hast thou found my daughter? tubal i often came where i did hear of her, but cannot find her. shylock why, there, there, there, there! a diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in frankfort! the curse never fell upon our nation till now; i never felt it till now: two thousand ducats in that; and other precious, precious jewels. i would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin! no news of them? why, so: and i know not what's spent in the search: why, thou loss upon loss! the thief gone with so much, and so much to find the thief; and no satisfaction, no revenge: nor no in luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders; no sighs but of my breathing; no tears but of my shedding. tubal yes, other men have ill luck too: antonio, as i heard in genoa,- shylock what, what, what? ill luck, ill luck? tubal hath an argosy cast away, coming from tripolis. shylock i thank god, i thank god. is't true, is't true? tubal i spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wreck. shylock i thank thee, good tubal: good news, good news! ha, ha! where? in genoa? tubal your daughter spent in genoa, as i heard, in one night fourscore ducats. shylock thou stickest a dagger in me: i shall never see my gold again: fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore ducats! tubal there came divers of antonio's creditors in my company to venice, that swear he cannot choose but break. shylock i am very glad of it: i'll plague him; i'll torture him: i am glad of it. tubal one of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey. shylock out upon her! thou torturest me, tubal: it was my turquoise; i had it of leah when i was a bachelor: i would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. tubal but antonio is certainly undone. shylock nay, that's true, that's very true. go, tubal, fee me an officer; bespeak him a fortnight before. i will have the heart of him, if he forfeit; for, were he out of venice, i can make what merchandise i will. go, go, tubal, and meet me at our synagogue; go, good tubal; at our synagogue, tubal. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iii scene ii belmont. a room in portia's house. [enter bassanio, portia, gratiano, nerissa, and attendants] portia i pray you, tarry: pause a day or two before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, i lose your company: therefore forbear awhile. there's something tells me, but it is not love, i would not lose you; and you know yourself, hate counsels not in such a quality. but lest you should not understand me well,- and yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,- i would detain you here some month or two before you venture for me. i could teach you how to choose right, but i am then forsworn; so will i never be: so may you miss me; but if you do, you'll make me wish a sin, that i had been forsworn. beshrew your eyes, they have o'erlook'd me and divided me; one half of me is yours, the other half yours, mine own, i would say; but if mine, then yours, and so all yours. o, these naughty times put bars between the owners and their rights! and so, though yours, not yours. prove it so, let fortune go to hell for it, not i. i speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time, to eke it and to draw it out in length, to stay you from election. bassanio let me choose for as i am, i live upon the rack. portia upon the rack, bassanio! then confess what treason there is mingled with your love. bassanio none but that ugly treason of mistrust, which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: there may as well be amity and life 'tween snow and fire, as treason and my love. portia ay, but i fear you speak upon the rack, where men enforced do speak anything. bassanio promise me life, and i'll confess the truth. portia well then, confess and live. bassanio 'confess' and 'love' had been the very sum of my confession: o happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance! but let me to my fortune and the caskets. portia away, then! i am lock'd in one of them: if you do love me, you will find me out. nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. let music sound while he doth make his choice; then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, fading in music: that the comparison may stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream and watery death-bed for him. he may win; and what is music then? then music is even as the flourish when true subjects bow to a new-crowned monarch: such it is as are those dulcet sounds in break of day that creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear, and summon him to marriage. now he goes, with no less presence, but with much more love, than young alcides, when he did redeem the virgin tribute paid by howling troy to the sea-monster: i stand for sacrifice the rest aloof are the dardanian wives, with bleared visages, come forth to view the issue of the exploit. go, hercules! live thou, i live: with much, much more dismay i view the fight than thou that makest the fray. [music, whilst bassanio comments on the caskets to himself] song. tell me where is fancy bred, or in the heart, or in the head? how begot, how nourished? reply, reply. it is engender'd in the eyes, with gazing fed; and fancy dies in the cradle where it lies. let us all ring fancy's knell i'll begin it,--ding, dong, bell. all ding, dong, bell. bassanio so may the outward shows be least themselves: the world is still deceived with ornament. in law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, but, being seasoned with a gracious voice, obscures the show of evil? in religion, what damned error, but some sober brow will bless it and approve it with a text, hiding the grossness with fair ornament? there is no vice so simple but assumes some mark of virtue on his outward parts: how many cowards, whose hearts are all as false as stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins the beards of hercules and frowning mars; who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk; and these assume but valour's excrement to render them redoubted! look on beauty, and you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; which therein works a miracle in nature, making them lightest that wear most of it: so are those crisped snaky golden locks which make such wanton gambols with the wind, upon supposed fairness, often known to be the dowry of a second head, the skull that bred them in the sepulchre. thus ornament is but the guiled shore to a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf veiling an indian beauty; in a word, the seeming truth which cunning times put on to entrap the wisest. therefore, thou gaudy gold, hard food for midas, i will none of thee; nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 'tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead, which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, thy paleness moves me more than eloquence; and here choose i; joy be the consequence! portia [aside] how all the other passions fleet to air, as doubtful thoughts, and rash-embraced despair, and shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! o love, be moderate; allay thy ecstasy, in measure rein thy joy; scant this excess. i feel too much thy blessing: make it less, for fear i surfeit. bassanio what find i here? [opening the leaden casket] fair portia's counterfeit! what demi-god hath come so near creation? move these eyes? or whether, riding on the balls of mine, seem they in motion? here are sever'd lips, parted with sugar breath: so sweet a bar should sunder such sweet friends. here in her hairs the painter plays the spider and hath woven a golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men, faster than gnats in cobwebs; but her eyes,- how could he see to do them? having made one, methinks it should have power to steal both his and leave itself unfurnish'd. yet look, how far the substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow in underprizing it, so far this shadow doth limp behind the substance. here's the scroll, the continent and summary of my fortune. [reads] you that choose not by the view, chance as fair and choose as true! since this fortune falls to you, be content and seek no new, if you be well pleased with this and hold your fortune for your bliss, turn you where your lady is and claim her with a loving kiss. a gentle scroll. fair lady, by your leave; i come by note, to give and to receive. like one of two contending in a prize, that thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, hearing applause and universal shout, giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt whether these pearls of praise be his or no; so, thrice fair lady, stand i, even so; as doubtful whether what i see be true, until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you. portia you see me, lord bassanio, where i stand, such as i am: though for myself alone i would not be ambitious in my wish, to wish myself much better; yet, for you i would be trebled twenty times myself; a thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich; that only to stand high in your account, i might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends, exceed account; but the full sum of me is sum of something, which, to term in gross, is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised; happy in this, she is not yet so old but she may learn; happier than this, she is not bred so dull but she can learn; happiest of all is that her gentle spirit commits itself to yours to be directed, as from her lord, her governor, her king. myself and what is mine to you and yours is now converted: but now i was the lord of this fair mansion, master of my servants, queen o'er myself: and even now, but now, this house, these servants and this same myself are yours, my lord: i give them with this ring; which when you part from, lose, or give away, let it presage the ruin of your love and be my vantage to exclaim on you. bassanio madam, you have bereft me of all words, only my blood speaks to you in my veins; and there is such confusion in my powers, as after some oration fairly spoke by a beloved prince, there doth appear among the buzzing pleased multitude; where every something, being blent together, turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, express'd and not express'd. but when this ring parts from this finger, then parts life from hence: o, then be bold to say bassanio's dead! nerissa my lord and lady, it is now our time, that have stood by and seen our wishes prosper, to cry, good joy: good joy, my lord and lady! gratiano my lord bassanio and my gentle lady, i wish you all the joy that you can wish; for i am sure you can wish none from me: and when your honours mean to solemnize the bargain of your faith, i do beseech you, even at that time i may be married too. bassanio with all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. gratiano i thank your lordship, you have got me one. my eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: you saw the mistress, i beheld the maid; you loved, i loved for intermission. no more pertains to me, my lord, than you. your fortune stood upon the casket there, and so did mine too, as the matter falls; for wooing here until i sweat again, and sweating until my very roof was dry with oaths of love, at last, if promise last, i got a promise of this fair one here to have her love, provided that your fortune achieved her mistress. portia is this true, nerissa? nerissa madam, it is, so you stand pleased withal. bassanio and do you, gratiano, mean good faith? gratiano yes, faith, my lord. bassanio our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. gratiano we'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats. nerissa what, and stake down? gratiano no; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. but who comes here? lorenzo and his infidel? what, and my old venetian friend salerio? [enter lorenzo, jessica, and salerio, a messenger from venice] bassanio lorenzo and salerio, welcome hither; if that the youth of my new interest here have power to bid you welcome. by your leave, i bid my very friends and countrymen, sweet portia, welcome. portia so do i, my lord: they are entirely welcome. lorenzo i thank your honour. for my part, my lord, my purpose was not to have seen you here; but meeting with salerio by the way, he did entreat me, past all saying nay, to come with him along. salerio i did, my lord; and i have reason for it. signior antonio commends him to you. [gives bassanio a letter] bassanio ere i ope his letter, i pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. salerio not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind; nor well, unless in mind: his letter there will show you his estate. gratiano nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. your hand, salerio: what's the news from venice? how doth that royal merchant, good antonio? i know he will be glad of our success; we are the jasons, we have won the fleece. salerio i would you had won the fleece that he hath lost. portia there are some shrewd contents in yon same paper, that steals the colour from bassanio's cheek: some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world could turn so much the constitution of any constant man. what, worse and worse! with leave, bassanio: i am half yourself, and i must freely have the half of anything that this same paper brings you. bassanio o sweet portia, here are a few of the unpleasant'st words that ever blotted paper! gentle lady, when i did first impart my love to you, i freely told you, all the wealth i had ran in my veins, i was a gentleman; and then i told you true: and yet, dear lady, rating myself at nothing, you shall see how much i was a braggart. when i told you my state was nothing, i should then have told you that i was worse than nothing; for, indeed, i have engaged myself to a dear friend, engaged my friend to his mere enemy, to feed my means. here is a letter, lady; the paper as the body of my friend, and every word in it a gaping wound, issuing life-blood. but is it true, salerio? have all his ventures fail'd? what, not one hit? from tripolis, from mexico and england, from lisbon, barbary and india? and not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch of merchant-marring rocks? salerio not one, my lord. besides, it should appear, that if he had the present money to discharge the jew, he would not take it. never did i know a creature, that did bear the shape of man, so keen and greedy to confound a man: he plies the duke at morning and at night, and doth impeach the freedom of the state, if they deny him justice: twenty merchants, the duke himself, and the magnificoes of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; but none can drive him from the envious plea of forfeiture, of justice and his bond. jessica when i was with him i have heard him swear to tubal and to chus, his countrymen, that he would rather have antonio's flesh than twenty times the value of the sum that he did owe him: and i know, my lord, if law, authority and power deny not, it will go hard with poor antonio. portia is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble? bassanio the dearest friend to me, the kindest man, the best-condition'd and unwearied spirit in doing courtesies, and one in whom the ancient roman honour more appears than any that draws breath in italy. portia what sum owes he the jew? bassanio for me three thousand ducats. portia what, no more? pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; double six thousand, and then treble that, before a friend of this description shall lose a hair through bassanio's fault. first go with me to church and call me wife, and then away to venice to your friend; for never shall you lie by portia's side with an unquiet soul. you shall have gold to pay the petty debt twenty times over: when it is paid, bring your true friend along. my maid nerissa and myself meantime will live as maids and widows. come, away! for you shall hence upon your wedding-day: bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer: since you are dear bought, i will love you dear. but let me hear the letter of your friend. bassanio [reads] sweet bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible i should live, all debts are cleared between you and i, if i might but see you at my death. notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. portia o love, dispatch all business, and be gone! bassanio since i have your good leave to go away, i will make haste: but, till i come again, no bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay, no rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iii scene iii venice. a street. [enter shylock, salarino, antonio, and gaoler] shylock gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy; this is the fool that lent out money gratis: gaoler, look to him. antonio hear me yet, good shylock. shylock i'll have my bond; speak not against my bond: i have sworn an oath that i will have my bond. thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause; but, since i am a dog, beware my fangs: the duke shall grant me justice. i do wonder, thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond to come abroad with him at his request. antonio i pray thee, hear me speak. shylock i'll have my bond; i will not hear thee speak: i'll have my bond; and therefore speak no more. i'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, to shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield to christian intercessors. follow not; i'll have no speaking: i will have my bond. [exit] salarino it is the most impenetrable cur that ever kept with men. antonio let him alone: i'll follow him no more with bootless prayers. he seeks my life; his reason well i know: i oft deliver'd from his forfeitures many that have at times made moan to me; therefore he hates me. salarino i am sure the duke will never grant this forfeiture to hold. antonio the duke cannot deny the course of law: for the commodity that strangers have with us in venice, if it be denied, will much impeach the justice of his state; since that the trade and profit of the city consisteth of all nations. therefore, go: these griefs and losses have so bated me, that i shall hardly spare a pound of flesh to-morrow to my bloody creditor. well, gaoler, on. pray god, bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then i care not! [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iii scene iv belmont. a room in portia's house. [enter portia, nerissa, lorenzo, jessica, and balthasar] lorenzo madam, although i speak it in your presence, you have a noble and a true conceit of godlike amity; which appears most strongly in bearing thus the absence of your lord. but if you knew to whom you show this honour, how true a gentleman you send relief, how dear a lover of my lord your husband, i know you would be prouder of the work than customary bounty can enforce you. portia i never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now: for in companions that do converse and waste the time together, whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, there must be needs a like proportion of lineaments, of manners and of spirit; which makes me think that this antonio, being the bosom lover of my lord, must needs be like my lord. if it be so, how little is the cost i have bestow'd in purchasing the semblance of my soul from out the state of hellish misery! this comes too near the praising of myself; therefore no more of it: hear other things. lorenzo, i commit into your hands the husbandry and manage of my house until my lord's return: for mine own part, i have toward heaven breathed a secret vow to live in prayer and contemplation, only attended by nerissa here, until her husband and my lord's return: there is a monastery two miles off; and there will we abide. i do desire you not to deny this imposition; the which my love and some necessity now lays upon you. lorenzo madam, with all my heart; i shall obey you in all fair commands. portia my people do already know my mind, and will acknowledge you and jessica in place of lord bassanio and myself. and so farewell, till we shall meet again. lorenzo fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you! jessica i wish your ladyship all heart's content. portia i thank you for your wish, and am well pleased to wish it back on you: fare you well jessica. [exeunt jessica and lorenzo] now, balthasar, as i have ever found thee honest-true, so let me find thee still. take this same letter, and use thou all the endeavour of a man in speed to padua: see thou render this into my cousin's hand, doctor bellario; and, look, what notes and garments he doth give thee, bring them, i pray thee, with imagined speed unto the tranect, to the common ferry which trades to venice. waste no time in words, but get thee gone: i shall be there before thee. balthasar madam, i go with all convenient speed. [exit] portia come on, nerissa; i have work in hand that you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands before they think of us. nerissa shall they see us? portia they shall, nerissa; but in such a habit, that they shall think we are accomplished with that we lack. i'll hold thee any wager, when we are both accoutred like young men, i'll prove the prettier fellow of the two, and wear my dagger with the braver grace, and speak between the change of man and boy with a reed voice, and turn two mincing steps into a manly stride, and speak of frays like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies, how honourable ladies sought my love, which i denying, they fell sick and died; i could not do withal; then i'll repent, and wish for all that, that i had not killed them; and twenty of these puny lies i'll tell, that men shall swear i have discontinued school above a twelvemonth. i have within my mind a thousand raw tricks of these bragging jacks, which i will practise. nerissa why, shall we turn to men? portia fie, what a question's that, if thou wert near a lewd interpreter! but come, i'll tell thee all my whole device when i am in my coach, which stays for us at the park gate; and therefore haste away, for we must measure twenty miles to-day. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iii scene v the same. a garden. [enter launcelot and jessica] launcelot yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, i promise ye, i fear you. i was always plain with you, and so now i speak my agitation of the matter: therefore be of good cheer, for truly i think you are damned. there is but one hope in it that can do you any good; and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither. jessica and what hope is that, i pray thee? launcelot marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the jew's daughter. jessica that were a kind of bastard hope, indeed: so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me. launcelot truly then i fear you are damned both by father and mother: thus when i shun scylla, your father, i fall into charybdis, your mother: well, you are gone both ways. jessica i shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a christian. launcelot truly, the more to blame he: we were christians enow before; e'en as many as could well live, one by another. this making christians will raise the price of hogs: if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money. [enter lorenzo] jessica i'll tell my husband, launcelot, what you say: here he comes. lorenzo i shall grow jealous of you shortly, launcelot, if you thus get my wife into corners. jessica nay, you need not fear us, lorenzo: launcelot and i are out. he tells me flatly, there is no mercy for me in heaven, because i am a jew's daughter: and he says, you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting jews to christians, you raise the price of pork. lorenzo i shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negro's belly: the moor is with child by you, launcelot. launcelot it is much that the moor should be more than reason: but if she be less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than i took her for. lorenzo how every fool can play upon the word! i think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots. go in, sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. launcelot that is done, sir; they have all stomachs. lorenzo goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then bid them prepare dinner. launcelot that is done too, sir; only 'cover' is the word. lorenzo will you cover then, sir? launcelot not so, sir, neither; i know my duty. lorenzo yet more quarrelling with occasion! wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant? i pray tree, understand a plain man in his plain meaning: go to thy fellows; bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. launcelot for the table, sir, it shall be served in; for the meat, sir, it shall be covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why, let it be as humours and conceits shall govern. [exit] lorenzo o dear discretion, how his words are suited! the fool hath planted in his memory an army of good words; and i do know a many fools, that stand in better place, garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word defy the matter. how cheerest thou, jessica? and now, good sweet, say thy opinion, how dost thou like the lord bassanio's wife? jessica past all expressing. it is very meet the lord bassanio live an upright life; for, having such a blessing in his lady, he finds the joys of heaven here on earth; and if on earth he do not mean it, then in reason he should never come to heaven why, if two gods should play some heavenly match and on the wager lay two earthly women, and portia one, there must be something else pawn'd with the other, for the poor rude world hath not her fellow. lorenzo even such a husband hast thou of me as she is for a wife. jessica nay, but ask my opinion too of that. lorenzo i will anon: first, let us go to dinner. jessica nay, let me praise you while i have a stomach. lorenzo no, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; ' then, howso'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things i shall digest it. jessica well, i'll set you forth. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iv scene i venice. a court of justice. [enter the duke, the magnificoes, antonio, bassanio, gratiano, salerio, and others] duke what, is antonio here? antonio ready, so please your grace. duke i am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch uncapable of pity, void and empty from any dram of mercy. antonio i have heard your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify his rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate and that no lawful means can carry me out of his envy's reach, i do oppose my patience to his fury, and am arm'd to suffer, with a quietness of spirit, the very tyranny and rage of his. duke go one, and call the jew into the court. salerio he is ready at the door: he comes, my lord. [enter shylock] duke make room, and let him stand before our face. shylock, the world thinks, and i think so too, that thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice to the last hour of act; and then 'tis thought thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange than is thy strange apparent cruelty; and where thou now exact'st the penalty, which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture, but, touch'd with human gentleness and love, forgive a moiety of the principal; glancing an eye of pity on his losses, that have of late so huddled on his back, enow to press a royal merchant down and pluck commiseration of his state from brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint, from stubborn turks and tartars, never train'd to offices of tender courtesy. we all expect a gentle answer, jew. shylock i have possess'd your grace of what i purpose; and by our holy sabbath have i sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond: if you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your city's freedom. you'll ask me, why i rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh than to receive three thousand ducats: i'll not answer that: but, say, it is my humour: is it answer'd? what if my house be troubled with a rat and i be pleased to give ten thousand ducats to have it baned? what, are you answer'd yet? some men there are love not a gaping pig; some, that are mad if they behold a cat; and others, when the bagpipe sings i' the nose, cannot contain their urine: for affection, mistress of passion, sways it to the mood of what it likes or loathes. now, for your answer: as there is no firm reason to be render'd, why he cannot abide a gaping pig; why he, a harmless necessary cat; why he, a woollen bagpipe; but of force must yield to such inevitable shame as to offend, himself being offended; so can i give no reason, nor i will not, more than a lodged hate and a certain loathing i bear antonio, that i follow thus a losing suit against him. are you answer'd? bassanio this is no answer, thou unfeeling man, to excuse the current of thy cruelty. shylock i am not bound to please thee with my answers. bassanio do all men kill the things they do not love? shylock hates any man the thing he would not kill? bassanio every offence is not a hate at first. shylock what, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice? antonio i pray you, think you question with the jew: you may as well go stand upon the beach and bid the main flood bate his usual height; you may as well use question with the wolf why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb; you may as well forbid the mountain pines to wag their high tops and to make no noise, when they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; you may as well do anything most hard, as seek to soften that--than which what's harder?- his jewish heart: therefore, i do beseech you, make no more offers, use no farther means, but with all brief and plain conveniency let me have judgment and the jew his will. bassanio for thy three thousand ducats here is six. shylock what judgment shall i dread, doing were in six parts and every part a ducat, i would not draw them; i would have my bond. duke how shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? shylock what judgment shall i dread, doing no wrong? you have among you many a purchased slave, which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, you use in abject and in slavish parts, because you bought them: shall i say to you, let them be free, marry them to your heirs? why sweat they under burthens? let their beds be made as soft as yours and let their palates be season'd with such viands? you will answer 'the slaves are ours:' so do i answer you: the pound of flesh, which i demand of him, is dearly bought; 'tis mine and i will have it. if you deny me, fie upon your law! there is no force in the decrees of venice. i stand for judgment: answer; shall i have it? duke upon my power i may dismiss this court, unless bellario, a learned doctor, whom i have sent for to determine this, come here to-day. salerio my lord, here stays without a messenger with letters from the doctor, new come from padua. duke bring us the letter; call the messenger. bassanio good cheer, antonio! what, man, courage yet! the jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all, ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. antonio i am a tainted wether of the flock, meetest for death: the weakest kind of fruit drops earliest to the ground; and so let me you cannot better be employ'd, bassanio, than to live still and write mine epitaph. [enter nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk] duke came you from padua, from bellario? nerissa from both, my lord. bellario greets your grace. [presenting a letter] bassanio why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly? shylock to cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there. gratiano not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh jew, thou makest thy knife keen; but no metal can, no, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness of thy sharp envy. can no prayers pierce thee? shylock no, none that thou hast wit enough to make. gratiano o, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog! and for thy life let justice be accused. thou almost makest me waver in my faith to hold opinion with pythagoras, that souls of animals infuse themselves into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit govern'd a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter, even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, and, whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam, infused itself in thee; for thy desires are wolvish, bloody, starved and ravenous. shylock till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud: repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall to cureless ruin. i stand here for law. duke this letter from bellario doth commend a young and learned doctor to our court. where is he? nerissa he attendeth here hard by, to know your answer, whether you'll admit him. duke with all my heart. some three or four of you go give him courteous conduct to this place. meantime the court shall hear bellario's letter. clerk [reads] your grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter i am very sick: but in the instant that your messenger came, in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of rome; his name is balthasar. i acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the jew and antonio the merchant: we turned o'er many books together: he is furnished with my opinion; which, bettered with his own learning, the greatness whereof i cannot enough commend, comes with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's request in my stead. i beseech you, let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation; for i never knew so young a body with so old a head. i leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish his commendation. duke you hear the learn'd bellario, what he writes: and here, i take it, is the doctor come. [enter portia, dressed like a doctor of laws] give me your hand. come you from old bellario? portia i did, my lord. duke you are welcome: take your place. are you acquainted with the difference that holds this present question in the court? portia i am informed thoroughly of the cause. which is the merchant here, and which the jew? duke antonio and old shylock, both stand forth. portia is your name shylock? shylock shylock is my name. portia of a strange nature is the suit you follow; yet in such rule that the venetian law cannot impugn you as you do proceed. you stand within his danger, do you not? antonio ay, so he says. portia do you confess the bond? antonio i do. portia then must the jew be merciful. shylock on what compulsion must i? tell me that. portia the quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes the throned monarch better than his crown; his sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty, wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; but mercy is above this sceptred sway; it is enthroned in the hearts of kings, it is an attribute to god himself; and earthly power doth then show likest god's when mercy seasons justice. therefore, jew, though justice be thy plea, consider this, that, in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. i have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of thy plea; which if thou follow, this strict court of venice must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. shylock my deeds upon my head! i crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond. portia is he not able to discharge the money? bassanio yes, here i tender it for him in the court; yea, twice the sum: if that will not suffice, i will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, on forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart: if this will not suffice, it must appear that malice bears down truth. and i beseech you, wrest once the law to your authority: to do a great right, do a little wrong, and curb this cruel devil of his will. portia it must not be; there is no power in venice can alter a decree established: 'twill be recorded for a precedent, and many an error by the same example will rush into the state: it cannot be. shylock a daniel come to judgment! yea, a daniel! o wise young judge, how i do honour thee! portia i pray you, let me look upon the bond. shylock here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is. portia shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee. shylock an oath, an oath, i have an oath in heaven: shall i lay perjury upon my soul? no, not for venice. portia why, this bond is forfeit; and lawfully by this the jew may claim a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest the merchant's heart. be merciful: take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond. shylock when it is paid according to the tenor. it doth appear you are a worthy judge; you know the law, your exposition hath been most sound: i charge you by the law, whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, proceed to judgment: by my soul i swear there is no power in the tongue of man to alter me: i stay here on my bond. antonio most heartily i do beseech the court to give the judgment. portia why then, thus it is: you must prepare your bosom for his knife. shylock o noble judge! o excellent young man! portia for the intent and purpose of the law hath full relation to the penalty, which here appeareth due upon the bond. shylock 'tis very true: o wise and upright judge! how much more elder art thou than thy looks! portia therefore lay bare your bosom. shylock ay, his breast: so says the bond: doth it not, noble judge? 'nearest his heart:' those are the very words. portia it is so. are there balance here to weigh the flesh? shylock i have them ready. portia have by some surgeon, shylock, on your charge, to stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. shylock is it so nominated in the bond? portia it is not so express'd: but what of that? 'twere good you do so much for charity. shylock i cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. portia you, merchant, have you any thing to say? antonio but little: i am arm'd and well prepared. give me your hand, bassanio: fare you well! grieve not that i am fallen to this for you; for herein fortune shows herself more kind than is her custom: it is still her use to let the wretched man outlive his wealth, to view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow an age of poverty; from which lingering penance of such misery doth she cut me off. commend me to your honourable wife: tell her the process of antonio's end; say how i loved you, speak me fair in death; and, when the tale is told, bid her be judge whether bassanio had not once a love. repent but you that you shall lose your friend, and he repents not that he pays your debt; for if the jew do cut but deep enough, i'll pay it presently with all my heart. bassanio antonio, i am married to a wife which is as dear to me as life itself; but life itself, my wife, and all the world, are not with me esteem'd above thy life: i would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you. portia your wife would give you little thanks for that, if she were by, to hear you make the offer. gratiano i have a wife, whom, i protest, i love: i would she were in heaven, so she could entreat some power to change this currish jew. nerissa 'tis well you offer it behind her back; the wish would make else an unquiet house. shylock these be the christian husbands. i have a daughter; would any of the stock of barrabas had been her husband rather than a christian! [aside] we trifle time: i pray thee, pursue sentence. portia a pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine: the court awards it, and the law doth give it. shylock most rightful judge! portia and you must cut this flesh from off his breast: the law allows it, and the court awards it. shylock most learned judge! a sentence! come, prepare! portia tarry a little; there is something else. this bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; the words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:' take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; but, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of christian blood, thy lands and goods are, by the laws of venice, confiscate unto the state of venice. gratiano o upright judge! mark, jew: o learned judge! shylock is that the law? portia thyself shalt see the act: for, as thou urgest justice, be assured thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest. gratiano o learned judge! mark, jew: a learned judge! shylock i take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice and let the christian go. bassanio here is the money. portia soft! the jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste: he shall have nothing but the penalty. gratiano o jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! portia therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more but just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st more or less than a just pound, be it but so much as makes it light or heavy in the substance, or the division of the twentieth part of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn but in the estimation of a hair, thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate. gratiano a second daniel, a daniel, jew! now, infidel, i have you on the hip. portia why doth the jew pause? take thy forfeiture. shylock give me my principal, and let me go. bassanio i have it ready for thee; here it is. portia he hath refused it in the open court: he shall have merely justice and his bond. gratiano a daniel, still say i, a second daniel! i thank thee, jew, for teaching me that word. shylock shall i not have barely my principal? portia thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, to be so taken at thy peril, jew. shylock why, then the devil give him good of it! i'll stay no longer question. portia tarry, jew: the law hath yet another hold on you. it is enacted in the laws of venice, if it be proved against an alien that by direct or indirect attempts he seek the life of any citizen, the party 'gainst the which he doth contrive shall seize one half his goods; the other half comes to the privy coffer of the state; and the offender's life lies in the mercy of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice. in which predicament, i say, thou stand'st; for it appears, by manifest proceeding, that indirectly and directly too thou hast contrived against the very life of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd the danger formerly by me rehearsed. down therefore and beg mercy of the duke. gratiano beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself: and yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, thou hast not left the value of a cord; therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge. duke that thou shalt see the difference of our spirits, i pardon thee thy life before thou ask it: for half thy wealth, it is antonio's; the other half comes to the general state, which humbleness may drive unto a fine. portia ay, for the state, not for antonio. shylock nay, take my life and all; pardon not that: you take my house when you do take the prop that doth sustain my house; you take my life when you do take the means whereby i live. portia what mercy can you render him, antonio? gratiano a halter gratis; nothing else, for god's sake. antonio so please my lord the duke and all the court to quit the fine for one half of his goods, i am content; so he will let me have the other half in use, to render it, upon his death, unto the gentleman that lately stole his daughter: two things provided more, that, for this favour, he presently become a christian; the other, that he do record a gift, here in the court, of all he dies possess'd, unto his son lorenzo and his daughter. duke he shall do this, or else i do recant the pardon that i late pronounced here. portia art thou contented, jew? what dost thou say? shylock i am content. portia clerk, draw a deed of gift. shylock i pray you, give me leave to go from hence; i am not well: send the deed after me, and i will sign it. duke get thee gone, but do it. gratiano in christening shalt thou have two god-fathers: had i been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more, to bring thee to the gallows, not the font. [exit shylock] duke sir, i entreat you home with me to dinner. portia i humbly do desire your grace of pardon: i must away this night toward padua, and it is meet i presently set forth. duke i am sorry that your leisure serves you not. antonio, gratify this gentleman, for, in my mind, you are much bound to him. [exeunt duke and his train] bassanio most worthy gentleman, i and my friend have by your wisdom been this day acquitted of grievous penalties; in lieu whereof, three thousand ducats, due unto the jew, we freely cope your courteous pains withal. antonio and stand indebted, over and above, in love and service to you evermore. portia he is well paid that is well satisfied; and i, delivering you, am satisfied and therein do account myself well paid: my mind was never yet more mercenary. i pray you, know me when we meet again: i wish you well, and so i take my leave. bassanio dear sir, of force i must attempt you further: take some remembrance of us, as a tribute, not as a fee: grant me two things, i pray you, not to deny me, and to pardon me. portia you press me far, and therefore i will yield. [to antonio] give me your gloves, i'll wear them for your sake; [to bassanio] and, for your love, i'll take this ring from you: do not draw back your hand; i'll take no more; and you in love shall not deny me this. bassanio this ring, good sir, alas, it is a trifle! i will not shame myself to give you this. portia i will have nothing else but only this; and now methinks i have a mind to it. bassanio there's more depends on this than on the value. the dearest ring in venice will i give you, and find it out by proclamation: only for this, i pray you, pardon me. portia i see, sir, you are liberal in offers you taught me first to beg; and now methinks you teach me how a beggar should be answer'd. bassanio good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; and when she put it on, she made me vow that i should neither sell nor give nor lose it. portia that 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. an if your wife be not a mad-woman, and know how well i have deserved the ring, she would not hold out enemy for ever, for giving it to me. well, peace be with you! [exeunt portia and nerissa] antonio my lord bassanio, let him have the ring: let his deservings and my love withal be valued against your wife's commandment. bassanio go, gratiano, run and overtake him; give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst, unto antonio's house: away! make haste. [exit gratiano] come, you and i will thither presently; and in the morning early will we both fly toward belmont: come, antonio. [exeunt] the merchant of venice act iv scene ii the same. a street. [enter portia and nerissa] portia inquire the jew's house out, give him this deed and let him sign it: we'll away to-night and be a day before our husbands home: this deed will be well welcome to lorenzo. [enter gratiano] gratiano fair sir, you are well o'erta'en my lord bassanio upon more advice hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat your company at dinner. portia that cannot be: his ring i do accept most thankfully: and so, i pray you, tell him: furthermore, i pray you, show my youth old shylock's house. gratiano that will i do. nerissa sir, i would speak with you. [aside to portia] i'll see if i can get my husband's ring, which i did make him swear to keep for ever. portia [aside to nerissa] thou mayst, i warrant. we shall have old swearing that they did give the rings away to men; but we'll outface them, and outswear them too. [aloud] away! make haste: thou knowist where i will tarry. nerissa come, good sir, will you show me to this house? [exeunt] the merchant of venice act v scene i belmont. avenue to portia's house. [enter lorenzo and jessica] lorenzo the moon shines bright: in such a night as this, when the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees and they did make no noise, in such a night troilus methinks mounted the troyan walls and sigh'd his soul toward the grecian tents, where cressid lay that night. jessica in such a night did thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew and saw the lion's shadow ere himself and ran dismay'd away. lorenzo in such a night stood dido with a willow in her hand upon the wild sea banks and waft her love to come again to carthage. jessica in such a night medea gather'd the enchanted herbs that did renew old aeson. lorenzo in such a night did jessica steal from the wealthy jew and with an unthrift love did run from venice as far as belmont. jessica in such a night did young lorenzo swear he loved her well, stealing her soul with many vows of faith and ne'er a true one. lorenzo in such a night did pretty jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love, and he forgave it her. jessica i would out-night you, did no body come; but, hark, i hear the footing of a man. [enter stephano] lorenzo who comes so fast in silence of the night? stephano a friend. lorenzo a friend! what friend? your name, i pray you, friend? stephano stephano is my name; and i bring word my mistress will before the break of day be here at belmont; she doth stray about by holy crosses, where she kneels and prays for happy wedlock hours. lorenzo who comes with her? stephano none but a holy hermit and her maid. i pray you, is my master yet return'd? lorenzo he is not, nor we have not heard from him. but go we in, i pray thee, jessica, and ceremoniously let us prepare some welcome for the mistress of the house. [enter launcelot] launcelot sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola! lorenzo who calls? launcelot sola! did you see master lorenzo? master lorenzo, sola, sola! lorenzo leave hollaing, man: here. launcelot sola! where? where? lorenzo here. launcelot tell him there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news: my master will be here ere morning. [exit] lorenzo sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming. and yet no matter: why should we go in? my friend stephano, signify, i pray you, within the house, your mistress is at hand; and bring your music forth into the air. [exit stephano] how sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony. sit, jessica. look how the floor of heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: there's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st but in his motion like an angel sings, still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins; such harmony is in immortal souls; but whilst this muddy vesture of decay doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. [enter musicians] come, ho! and wake diana with a hymn! with sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear, and draw her home with music. [music] jessica i am never merry when i hear sweet music. lorenzo the reason is, your spirits are attentive: for do but note a wild and wanton herd, or race of youthful and unhandled colts, fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, which is the hot condition of their blood; if they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, or any air of music touch their ears, you shall perceive them make a mutual stand, their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze by the sweet power of music: therefore the poet did feign that orpheus drew trees, stones and floods; since nought so stockish, hard and full of rage, but music for the time doth change his nature. the man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as erebus: let no such man be trusted. mark the music. [enter portia and nerissa] portia that light we see is burning in my hall. how far that little candle throws his beams! so shines a good deed in a naughty world. nerissa when the moon shone, we did not see the candle. portia so doth the greater glory dim the less: a substitute shines brightly as a king unto the king be by, and then his state empties itself, as doth an inland brook into the main of waters. music! hark! nerissa it is your music, madam, of the house. portia nothing is good, i see, without respect: methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. nerissa silence bestows that virtue on it, madam. portia the crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark, when neither is attended, and i think the nightingale, if she should sing by day, when every goose is cackling, would be thought no better a musician than the wren. how many things by season season'd are to their right praise and true perfection! peace, ho! the moon sleeps with endymion and would not be awaked. [music ceases] lorenzo that is the voice, or i am much deceived, of portia. portia he knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, by the bad voice. lorenzo dear lady, welcome home. portia we have been praying for our husbands' healths, which speed, we hope, the better for our words. are they return'd? lorenzo madam, they are not yet; but there is come a messenger before, to signify their coming. portia go in, nerissa; give order to my servants that they take no note at all of our being absent hence; nor you, lorenzo; jessica, nor you. [a tucket sounds] lorenzo your husband is at hand; i hear his trumpet: we are no tell-tales, madam; fear you not. portia this night methinks is but the daylight sick; it looks a little paler: 'tis a day, such as the day is when the sun is hid. [enter bassanio, antonio, gratiano, and their followers] bassanio we should hold day with the antipodes, if you would walk in absence of the sun. portia let me give light, but let me not be light; for a light wife doth make a heavy husband, and never be bassanio so for me: but god sort all! you are welcome home, my lord. bassanio i thank you, madam. give welcome to my friend. this is the man, this is antonio, to whom i am so infinitely bound. portia you should in all sense be much bound to him. for, as i hear, he was much bound for you. antonio no more than i am well acquitted of. portia sir, you are very welcome to our house: it must appear in other ways than words, therefore i scant this breathing courtesy. gratiano [to nerissa] by yonder moon i swear you do me wrong; in faith, i gave it to the judge's clerk: would he were gelt that had it, for my part, since you do take it, love, so much at heart. portia a quarrel, ho, already! what's the matter? gratiano about a hoop of gold, a paltry ring that she did give me, whose posy was for all the world like cutler's poetry upon a knife, 'love me, and leave me not.' nerissa what talk you of the posy or the value? you swore to me, when i did give it you, that you would wear it till your hour of death and that it should lie with you in your grave: though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, you should have been respective and have kept it. gave it a judge's clerk! no, god's my judge, the clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it. gratiano he will, an if he live to be a man. nerissa ay, if a woman live to be a man. gratiano now, by this hand, i gave it to a youth, a kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy, no higher than thyself; the judge's clerk, a prating boy, that begg'd it as a fee: i could not for my heart deny it him. portia you were to blame, i must be plain with you, to part so slightly with your wife's first gift: a thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger and so riveted with faith unto your flesh. i gave my love a ring and made him swear never to part with it; and here he stands; i dare be sworn for him he would not leave it nor pluck it from his finger, for the wealth that the world masters. now, in faith, gratiano, you give your wife too unkind a cause of grief: an 'twere to me, i should be mad at it. bassanio [aside] why, i were best to cut my left hand off and swear i lost the ring defending it. gratiano my lord bassanio gave his ring away unto the judge that begg'd it and indeed deserved it too; and then the boy, his clerk, that took some pains in writing, he begg'd mine; and neither man nor master would take aught but the two rings. portia what ring gave you my lord? not that, i hope, which you received of me. bassanio if i could add a lie unto a fault, i would deny it; but you see my finger hath not the ring upon it; it is gone. portia even so void is your false heart of truth. by heaven, i will ne'er come in your bed until i see the ring. nerissa nor i in yours till i again see mine. bassanio sweet portia, if you did know to whom i gave the ring, if you did know for whom i gave the ring and would conceive for what i gave the ring and how unwillingly i left the ring, when nought would be accepted but the ring, you would abate the strength of your displeasure. portia if you had known the virtue of the ring, or half her worthiness that gave the ring, or your own honour to contain the ring, you would not then have parted with the ring. what man is there so much unreasonable, if you had pleased to have defended it with any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty to urge the thing held as a ceremony? nerissa teaches me what to believe: i'll die for't but some woman had the ring. bassanio no, by my honour, madam, by my soul, no woman had it, but a civil doctor, which did refuse three thousand ducats of me and begg'd the ring; the which i did deny him and suffer'd him to go displeased away; even he that did uphold the very life of my dear friend. what should i say, sweet lady? i was enforced to send it after him; i was beset with shame and courtesy; my honour would not let ingratitude so much besmear it. pardon me, good lady; for, by these blessed candles of the night, had you been there, i think you would have begg'd the ring of me to give the worthy doctor. portia let not that doctor e'er come near my house: since he hath got the jewel that i loved, and that which you did swear to keep for me, i will become as liberal as you; i'll not deny him any thing i have, no, not my body nor my husband's bed: know him i shall, i am well sure of it: lie not a night from home; watch me like argus: if you do not, if i be left alone, now, by mine honour, which is yet mine own, i'll have that doctor for my bedfellow. nerissa and i his clerk; therefore be well advised how you do leave me to mine own protection. gratiano well, do you so; let not me take him, then; for if i do, i'll mar the young clerk's pen. antonio i am the unhappy subject of these quarrels. portia sir, grieve not you; you are welcome notwithstanding. bassanio portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; and, in the hearing of these many friends, i swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, wherein i see myself- portia mark you but that! in both my eyes he doubly sees himself; in each eye, one: swear by your double self, and there's an oath of credit. bassanio nay, but hear me: pardon this fault, and by my soul i swear i never more will break an oath with thee. antonio i once did lend my body for his wealth; which, but for him that had your husband's ring, had quite miscarried: i dare be bound again, my soul upon the forfeit, that your lord will never more break faith advisedly. portia then you shall be his surety. give him this and bid him keep it better than the other. antonio here, lord bassanio; swear to keep this ring. bassanio by heaven, it is the same i gave the doctor! portia i had it of him: pardon me, bassanio; for, by this ring, the doctor lay with me. nerissa and pardon me, my gentle gratiano; for that same scrubbed boy, the doctor's clerk, in lieu of this last night did lie with me. gratiano why, this is like the mending of highways in summer, where the ways are fair enough: what, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it? portia speak not so grossly. you are all amazed: here is a letter; read it at your leisure; it comes from padua, from bellario: there you shall find that portia was the doctor, nerissa there her clerk: lorenzo here shall witness i set forth as soon as you and even but now return'd; i have not yet enter'd my house. antonio, you are welcome; and i have better news in store for you than you expect: unseal this letter soon; there you shall find three of your argosies are richly come to harbour suddenly: you shall not know by what strange accident i chanced on this letter. antonio i am dumb. bassanio were you the doctor and i knew you not? gratiano were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold? nerissa ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, unless he live until he be a man. bassanio sweet doctor, you shall be my bed-fellow: when i am absent, then lie with my wife. antonio sweet lady, you have given me life and living; for here i read for certain that my ships are safely come to road. portia how now, lorenzo! my clerk hath some good comforts too for you. nerissa ay, and i'll give them him without a fee. there do i give to you and jessica, from the rich jew, a special deed of gift, after his death, of all he dies possess'd of. lorenzo fair ladies, you drop manna in the way of starved people. portia it is almost morning, and yet i am sure you are not satisfied of these events at full. let us go in; and charge us there upon inter'gatories, and we will answer all things faithfully. gratiano let it be so: the first inter'gatory that my nerissa shall be sworn on is, whether till the next night she had rather stay, or go to bed now, being two hours to day: but were the day come, i should wish it dark, that i were couching with the doctor's clerk. well, while i live i'll fear no other thing so sore as keeping safe nerissa's ring. [exeunt] titus andronicus dramatis personae saturninus son to the late emperor of rome, and afterwards declared emperor. bassianus brother to saturninus; in love with lavinia. titus andronicus a noble roman, general against the goths. marcus andronicus tribune of the people, and brother to titus. lucius | | quintus | | sons to titus andronicus. martius | | mutius | young lucius a boy, son to lucius. publius son to marcus the tribune. sempronius | | caius | kinsmen to titus. | valentine | aemilius a noble roman. alarbus | | demetrius | sons to tamora. | chiron | aaron a moor, beloved by tamora. a captain, tribune, messenger, and clown; romans. (captain:) (messenger:) (clown:) goths and romans. (first goth:) (second goth:) (third goth:) tamora queen of the goths. lavinia daughter of titus andronicus. a nurse. (nurse:) senators, tribunes, officers, soldiers, and attendants. scene rome, and the country near it. titus andronicus act i scene i rome. before the capitol. [the tomb of the andronici appearing; the tribunes and senators aloft. enter, below, from one side, saturninus and his followers; and, from the other side, bassianus and his followers; with drum and colours] saturninus noble patricians, patrons of my right, defend the justice of my cause with arms, and, countrymen, my loving followers, plead my successive title with your swords: i am his first-born son, that was the last that wore the imperial diadem of rome; then let my father's honours live in me, nor wrong mine age with this indignity. bassianus romans, friends, followers, favorers of my right, if ever bassianus, caesar's son, were gracious in the eyes of royal rome, keep then this passage to the capitol and suffer not dishonour to approach the imperial seat, to virtue consecrate, to justice, continence and nobility; but let desert in pure election shine, and, romans, fight for freedom in your choice. [enter marcus andronicus, aloft, with the crown] marcus andronicus princes, that strive by factions and by friends ambitiously for rule and empery, know that the people of rome, for whom we stand a special party, have, by common voice, in election for the roman empery, chosen andronicus, surnamed pius for many good and great deserts to rome: a nobler man, a braver warrior, lives not this day within the city walls: he by the senate is accit'd home from weary wars against the barbarous goths; that, with his sons, a terror to our foes, hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms. ten years are spent since first he undertook this cause of rome and chastised with arms our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd bleeding to rome, bearing his valiant sons in coffins from the field; and now at last, laden with horror's spoils, returns the good andronicus to rome, renowned titus, flourishing in arms. let us entreat, by honour of his name, whom worthily you would have now succeed. and in the capitol and senate's right, whom you pretend to honour and adore, that you withdraw you and abate your strength; dismiss your followers and, as suitors should, plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. saturninus how fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts! bassianus marcus andronicus, so i do ally in thy uprightness and integrity, and so i love and honour thee and thine, thy noble brother titus and his sons, and her to whom my thoughts are humbled all, gracious lavinia, rome's rich ornament, that i will here dismiss my loving friends, and to my fortunes and the people's favor commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd. [exeunt the followers of bassianus] saturninus friends, that have been thus forward in my right, i thank you all and here dismiss you all, and to the love and favor of my country commit myself, my person and the cause. [exeunt the followers of saturninus] rome, be as just and gracious unto me as i am confident and kind to thee. open the gates, and let me in. bassianus tribunes, and me, a poor competitor. [flourish. saturninus and bassianus go up into the capitol] [enter a captain] captain romans, make way: the good andronicus. patron of virtue, rome's best champion, successful in the battles that he fights, with honour and with fortune is return'd from where he circumscribed with his sword, and brought to yoke, the enemies of rome. [drums and trumpets sounded. enter martius and mutius; after them, two men bearing a coffin covered with black; then lucius and quintus. after them, titus andronicus; and then tamora, with alarbus, demetrius, chiron, aaron, and other goths, prisoners; soldiers and people following. the bearers set down the coffin, and titus speaks] titus andronicus hail, rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! lo, as the bark, that hath discharged her fraught, returns with precious jading to the bay from whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, cometh andronicus, bound with laurel boughs, to re-salute his country with his tears, tears of true joy for his return to rome. thou great defender of this capitol, stand gracious to the rites that we intend! romans, of five and twenty valiant sons, half of the number that king priam had, behold the poor remains, alive and dead! these that survive let rome reward with love; these that i bring unto their latest home, with burial amongst their ancestors: here goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. titus, unkind and careless of thine own, why suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet, to hover on the dreadful shore of styx? make way to lay them by their brethren. [the tomb is opened] there greet in silence, as the dead are wont, and sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars! o sacred receptacle of my joys, sweet cell of virtue and nobility, how many sons of mine hast thou in store, that thou wilt never render to me more! lucius give us the proudest prisoner of the goths, that we may hew his limbs, and on a pile ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh, before this earthy prison of their bones; that so the shadows be not unappeased, nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth. titus andronicus i give him you, the noblest that survives, the eldest son of this distressed queen. tamora stay, roman brethren! gracious conqueror, victorious titus, rue the tears i shed, a mother's tears in passion for her son: and if thy sons were ever dear to thee, o, think my son to be as dear to me! sufficeth not that we are brought to rome, to beautify thy triumphs and return, captive to thee and to thy roman yoke, but must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets, for valiant doings in their country's cause? o, if to fight for king and commonweal were piety in thine, it is in these. andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood: wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods? draw near them then in being merciful: sweet mercy is nobility's true badge: thrice noble titus, spare my first-born son. titus andronicus patient yourself, madam, and pardon me. these are their brethren, whom you goths beheld alive and dead, and for their brethren slain religiously they ask a sacrifice: to this your son is mark'd, and die he must, to appease their groaning shadows that are gone. lucius away with him! and make a fire straight; and with our swords, upon a pile of wood, let's hew his limbs till they be clean consumed. [exeunt lucius, quintus, martius, and mutius, with alarbus] tamora o cruel, irreligious piety! chiron was ever scythia half so barbarous? demetrius oppose not scythia to ambitious rome. alarbus goes to rest; and we survive to tremble under titus' threatening looks. then, madam, stand resolved, but hope withal the self-same gods that arm'd the queen of troy with opportunity of sharp revenge upon the thracian tyrant in his tent, may favor tamora, the queen of goths- when goths were goths and tamora was queen- to quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes. [re-enter lucius, quintus, martius and mutius, with their swords bloody] lucius see, lord and father, how we have perform'd our roman rites: alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, and entrails feed the sacrificing fire, whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren, and with loud 'larums welcome them to rome. titus andronicus let it be so; and let andronicus make this his latest farewell to their souls. [trumpets sounded, and the coffin laid in the tomb] in peace and honour rest you here, my sons; rome's readiest champions, repose you here in rest, secure from worldly chances and mishaps! here lurks no treason, here no envy swells, here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms, no noise, but silence and eternal sleep: in peace and honour rest you here, my sons! [enter lavinia] lavinia in peace and honour live lord titus long; my noble lord and father, live in fame! lo, at this tomb my tributary tears i render, for my brethren's obsequies; and at thy feet i kneel, with tears of joy, shed on the earth, for thy return to rome: o, bless me here with thy victorious hand, whose fortunes rome's best citizens applaud! titus andronicus kind rome, that hast thus lovingly reserved the cordial of mine age to glad my heart! lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days, and fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise! [enter, below, marcus andronicus and tribunes; re-enter saturninus and bassianus, attended] marcus andronicus long live lord titus, my beloved brother, gracious triumpher in the eyes of rome! titus andronicus thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother marcus. marcus andronicus and welcome, nephews, from successful wars, you that survive, and you that sleep in fame! fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all, that in your country's service drew your swords: but safer triumph is this funeral pomp, that hath aspired to solon's happiness and triumphs over chance in honour's bed. titus andronicus, the people of rome, whose friend in justice thou hast ever been, send thee by me, their tribune and their trust, this palliament of white and spotless hue; and name thee in election for the empire, with these our late-deceased emperor's sons: be candidatus then, and put it on, and help to set a head on headless rome. titus andronicus a better head her glorious body fits than his that shakes for age and feebleness: what should i don this robe, and trouble you? be chosen with proclamations to-day, to-morrow yield up rule, resign my life, and set abroad new business for you all? rome, i have been thy soldier forty years, and led my country's strength successfully, and buried one and twenty valiant sons, knighted in field, slain manfully in arms, in right and service of their noble country give me a staff of honour for mine age, but not a sceptre to control the world: upright he held it, lords, that held it last. marcus andronicus titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. saturninus proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell? titus andronicus patience, prince saturninus. saturninus romans, do me right: patricians, draw your swords: and sheathe them not till saturninus be rome's emperor. andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell, rather than rob me of the people's hearts! lucius proud saturnine, interrupter of the good that noble-minded titus means to thee! titus andronicus content thee, prince; i will restore to thee the people's hearts, and wean them from themselves. bassianus andronicus, i do not flatter thee, but honour thee, and will do till i die: my faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, i will most thankful be; and thanks to men of noble minds is honourable meed. titus andronicus people of rome, and people's tribunes here, i ask your voices and your suffrages: will you bestow them friendly on andronicus? tribunes to gratify the good andronicus, and gratulate his safe return to rome, the people will accept whom he admits. titus andronicus tribunes, i thank you: and this suit i make, that you create your emperor's eldest son, lord saturnine; whose virtues will, i hope, reflect on rome as titan's rays on earth, and ripen justice in this commonweal: then, if you will elect by my advice, crown him and say 'long live our emperor!' marcus andronicus with voices and applause of every sort, patricians and plebeians, we create lord saturninus rome's great emperor, and say 'long live our emperor saturnine!' [a long flourish till they come down] saturninus titus andronicus, for thy favors done to us in our election this day, i give thee thanks in part of thy deserts, and will with deeds requite thy gentleness: and, for an onset, titus, to advance thy name and honourable family, lavinia will i make my empress, rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart, and in the sacred pantheon her espouse: tell me, andronicus, doth this motion please thee? titus andronicus it doth, my worthy lord; and in this match i hold me highly honour'd of your grace: and here in sight of rome to saturnine, king and commander of our commonweal, the wide world's emperor, do i consecrate my sword, my chariot and my prisoners; presents well worthy rome's imperial lord: receive them then, the tribute that i owe, mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet. saturninus thanks, noble titus, father of my life! how proud i am of thee and of thy gifts rome shall record, and when i do forget the least of these unspeakable deserts, romans, forget your fealty to me. titus andronicus [to tamora] now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; to him that, for your honour and your state, will use you nobly and your followers. saturninus a goodly lady, trust me; of the hue that i would choose, were i to choose anew. clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance: though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer, thou comest not to be made a scorn in rome: princely shall be thy usage every way. rest on my word, and let not discontent daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you can make you greater than the queen of goths. lavinia, you are not displeased with this? lavinia not i, my lord; sith true nobility warrants these words in princely courtesy. saturninus thanks, sweet lavinia. romans, let us go; ransomless here we set our prisoners free: proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum. [flourish. saturninus courts tamora in dumb show] bassianus lord titus, by your leave, this maid is mine. [seizing lavinia] titus andronicus how, sir! are you in earnest then, my lord? bassianus ay, noble titus; and resolved withal to do myself this reason and this right. marcus andronicus 'suum cuique' is our roman justice: this prince in justice seizeth but his own. lucius and that he will, and shall, if lucius live. titus andronicus traitors, avaunt! where is the emperor's guard? treason, my lord! lavinia is surprised! saturninus surprised! by whom? bassianus by him that justly may bear his betroth'd from all the world away. [exeunt bassianus and marcus with lavinia] mutius brothers, help to convey her hence away, and with my sword i'll keep this door safe. [exeunt lucius, quintus, and martius] titus andronicus follow, my lord, and i'll soon bring her back. mutius my lord, you pass not here. titus andronicus what, villain boy! barr'st me my way in rome? [stabbing mutius] mutius help, lucius, help! [dies] [during the fray, saturninus, tamora, demetrius, chiron and aaron go out and re-enter, above] [re-enter lucius] lucius my lord, you are unjust, and, more than so, in wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. titus andronicus nor thou, nor he, are any sons of mine; my sons would never so dishonour me: traitor, restore lavinia to the emperor. lucius dead, if you will; but not to be his wife, that is another's lawful promised love. [exit] saturninus no, titus, no; the emperor needs her not, nor her, nor thee, nor any of thy stock: i'll trust, by leisure, him that mocks me once; thee never, nor thy traitorous haughty sons, confederates all thus to dishonour me. was there none else in rome to make a stale, but saturnine? full well, andronicus, agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, that said'st i begg'd the empire at thy hands. titus andronicus o monstrous! what reproachful words are these? saturninus but go thy ways; go, give that changing piece to him that flourish'd for her with his sword a valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy; one fit to bandy with thy lawless sons, to ruffle in the commonwealth of rome. titus andronicus these words are razors to my wounded heart. saturninus and therefore, lovely tamora, queen of goths, that like the stately phoebe 'mongst her nymphs dost overshine the gallant'st dames of rome, if thou be pleased with this my sudden choice, behold, i choose thee, tamora, for my bride, and will create thee empress of rome, speak, queen of goths, dost thou applaud my choice? and here i swear by all the roman gods, sith priest and holy water are so near and tapers burn so bright and every thing in readiness for hymenaeus stand, i will not re-salute the streets of rome, or climb my palace, till from forth this place i lead espoused my bride along with me. tamora and here, in sight of heaven, to rome i swear, if saturnine advance the queen of goths, she will a handmaid be to his desires, a loving nurse, a mother to his youth. saturninus ascend, fair queen, pantheon. lords, accompany your noble emperor and his lovely bride, sent by the heavens for prince saturnine, whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: there shall we consummate our spousal rites. [exeunt all but titus] titus andronicus i am not bid to wait upon this bride. titus, when wert thou wont to walk alone, dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? [re-enter marcus, lucius, quintus, and martius] marcus andronicus o titus, see, o, see what thou hast done! in a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. titus andronicus no, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine, nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed that hath dishonour'd all our family; unworthy brother, and unworthy sons! lucius but let us give him burial, as becomes; give mutius burial with our brethren. titus andronicus traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb: this monument five hundred years hath stood, which i have sumptuously re-edified: here none but soldiers and rome's servitors repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls: bury him where you can; he comes not here. marcus andronicus my lord, this is impiety in you: my nephew mutius' deeds do plead for him he must be buried with his brethren. quintus | | and shall, or him we will accompany. martius | titus andronicus 'and shall!' what villain was it that spake that word? quintus he that would vouch it in any place but here. titus andronicus what, would you bury him in my despite? marcus andronicus no, noble titus, but entreat of thee to pardon mutius and to bury him. titus andronicus marcus, even thou hast struck upon my crest, and, with these boys, mine honour thou hast wounded: my foes i do repute you every one; so, trouble me no more, but get you gone. martius he is not with himself; let us withdraw. quintus not i, till mutius' bones be buried. [marcus and the sons of titus kneel] marcus andronicus brother, for in that name doth nature plead,- quintus father, and in that name doth nature speak,- titus andronicus speak thou no more, if all the rest will speed. marcus andronicus renowned titus, more than half my soul,- lucius dear father, soul and substance of us all,- marcus andronicus suffer thy brother marcus to inter his noble nephew here in virtue's nest, that died in honour and lavinia's cause. thou art a roman; be not barbarous: the greeks upon advice did bury ajax that slew himself; and wise laertes' son did graciously plead for his funerals: let not young mutius, then, that was thy joy be barr'd his entrance here. titus andronicus rise, marcus, rise. the dismall'st day is this that e'er i saw, to be dishonour'd by my sons in rome! well, bury him, and bury me the next. [mutius is put into the tomb] lucius there lie thy bones, sweet mutius, with thy friends, till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb. all [kneeling] no man shed tears for noble mutius; he lives in fame that died in virtue's cause. marcus andronicus my lord, to step out of these dreary dumps, how comes it that the subtle queen of goths is of a sudden thus advanced in rome? titus andronicus i know not, marcus; but i know it is, whether by device or no, the heavens can tell: is she not then beholding to the man that brought her for this high good turn so far? yes, and will nobly him remunerate. [flourish. re-enter, from one side, saturninus attended, tamora, demetrius, chiron and aaron; from the other, bassianus, lavinia, and others] saturninus so, bassianus, you have play'd your prize: god give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride! bassianus and you of yours, my lord! i say no more, nor wish no less; and so, i take my leave. saturninus traitor, if rome have law or we have power, thou and thy faction shall repent this rape. bassianus rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own, my truth-betrothed love and now my wife? but let the laws of rome determine all; meanwhile i am possess'd of that is mine. saturninus 'tis good, sir: you are very short with us; but, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you. bassianus my lord, what i have done, as best i may, answer i must and shall do with my life. only thus much i give your grace to know: by all the duties that i owe to rome, this noble gentleman, lord titus here, is in opinion and in honour wrong'd; that in the rescue of lavinia with his own hand did slay his youngest son, in zeal to you and highly moved to wrath to be controll'd in that he frankly gave: receive him, then, to favor, saturnine, that hath express'd himself in all his deeds a father and a friend to thee and rome. titus andronicus prince bassianus, leave to plead my deeds: 'tis thou and those that have dishonour'd me. rome and the righteous heavens be my judge, how i have loved and honour'd saturnine! tamora my worthy lord, if ever tamora were gracious in those princely eyes of thine, then hear me speak in indifferently for all; and at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past. saturninus what, madam! be dishonour'd openly, and basely put it up without revenge? tamora not so, my lord; the gods of rome forfend i should be author to dishonour you! but on mine honour dare i undertake for good lord titus' innocence in all; whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs: then, at my suit, look graciously on him; lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart. [aside to saturninus] my lord, be ruled by me, be won at last; dissemble all your griefs and discontents: you are but newly planted in your throne; lest, then, the people, and patricians too, upon a just survey, take titus' part, and so supplant you for ingratitude, which rome reputes to be a heinous sin, yield at entreats; and then let me alone: i'll find a day to massacre them all and raze their faction and their family, the cruel father and his traitorous sons, to whom i sued for my dear son's life, and make them know what 'tis to let a queen kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain. [aloud] come, come, sweet emperor; come, andronicus; take up this good old man, and cheer the heart that dies in tempest of thy angry frown. saturninus rise, titus, rise; my empress hath prevail'd. titus andronicus i thank your majesty, and her, my lord: these words, these looks, infuse new life in me. tamora titus, i am incorporate in rome, a roman now adopted happily, and must advise the emperor for his good. this day all quarrels die, andronicus; and let it be mine honour, good my lord, that i have reconciled your friends and you. for you, prince bassianus, i have pass'd my word and promise to the emperor, that you will be more mild and tractable. and fear not lords, and you, lavinia; by my advice, all humbled on your knees, you shall ask pardon of his majesty. lucius we do, and vow to heaven and to his highness, that what we did was mildly as we might, tendering our sister's honour and our own. marcus andronicus that, on mine honour, here i do protest. saturninus away, and talk not; trouble us no more. tamora nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends: the tribune and his nephews kneel for grace; i will not be denied: sweet heart, look back. saturninus marcus, for thy sake and thy brother's here, and at my lovely tamora's entreats, i do remit these young men's heinous faults: stand up. lavinia, though you left me like a churl, i found a friend, and sure as death i swore i would not part a bachelor from the priest. come, if the emperor's court can feast two brides, you are my guest, lavinia, and your friends. this day shall be a love-day, tamora. titus andronicus to-morrow, an it please your majesty to hunt the panther and the hart with me, with horn and hound we'll give your grace bonjour. saturninus be it so, titus, and gramercy too. [flourish. exeunt] titus andronicus act ii scene i rome. before the palace. [enter aaron] aaron now climbeth tamora olympus' top, safe out of fortune's shot; and sits aloft, secure of thunder's crack or lightning flash; advanced above pale envy's threatening reach. as when the golden sun salutes the morn, and, having gilt the ocean with his beams, gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach, and overlooks the highest-peering hills; so tamora: upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, and virtue stoops and trembles at her frown. then, aaron, arm thy heart, and fit thy thoughts, to mount aloft with thy imperial mistress, and mount her pitch, whom thou in triumph long hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains and faster bound to aaron's charming eyes than is prometheus tied to caucasus. away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts! i will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold, to wait upon this new-made empress. to wait, said i? to wanton with this queen, this goddess, this semiramis, this nymph, this siren, that will charm rome's saturnine, and see his shipwreck and his commonweal's. holloa! what storm is this? [enter demetrius and chiron, braving] demetrius chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge, and manners, to intrude where i am graced; and may, for aught thou know'st, affected be. chiron demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all; and so in this, to bear me down with braves. 'tis not the difference of a year or two makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate: i am as able and as fit as thou to serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; and that my sword upon thee shall approve, and plead my passions for lavinia's love. aaron [aside] clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace. demetrius why, boy, although our mother, unadvised, gave you a dancing-rapier by your side, are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends? go to; have your lath glued within your sheath till you know better how to handle it. chiron meanwhile, sir, with the little skill i have, full well shalt thou perceive how much i dare. demetrius ay, boy, grow ye so brave? [they draw] aaron [coming forward] why, how now, lords! so near the emperor's palace dare you draw, and maintain such a quarrel openly? full well i wot the ground of all this grudge: i would not for a million of gold the cause were known to them it most concerns; nor would your noble mother for much more be so dishonour'd in the court of rome. for shame, put up. demetrius not i, till i have sheathed my rapier in his bosom and withal thrust these reproachful speeches down his throat that he hath breathed in my dishonour here. chiron for that i am prepared and full resolved. foul-spoken coward, that thunder'st with thy tongue, and with thy weapon nothing darest perform! aaron away, i say! now, by the gods that warlike goths adore, this petty brabble will undo us all. why, lords, and think you not how dangerous it is to jet upon a prince's right? what, is lavinia then become so loose, or bassianus so degenerate, that for her love such quarrels may be broach'd without controlment, justice, or revenge? young lords, beware! and should the empress know this discord's ground, the music would not please. chiron i care not, i, knew she and all the world: i love lavinia more than all the world. demetrius youngling, learn thou to make some meaner choice: lavinia is thine elder brother's hope. aaron why, are ye mad? or know ye not, in rome how furious and impatient they be, and cannot brook competitors in love? i tell you, lords, you do but plot your deaths by this device. chiron aaron, a thousand deaths would i propose to achieve her whom i love. aaron to achieve her! how? demetrius why makest thou it so strange? she is a woman, therefore may be woo'd; she is a woman, therefore may be won; she is lavinia, therefore must be loved. what, man! more water glideth by the mill than wots the miller of; and easy it is of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know: though bassianus be the emperor's brother. better than he have worn vulcan's badge. aaron [aside] ay, and as good as saturninus may. demetrius then why should he despair that knows to court it with words, fair looks and liberality? what, hast not thou full often struck a doe, and borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose? aaron why, then, it seems, some certain snatch or so would serve your turns. chiron ay, so the turn were served. demetrius aaron, thou hast hit it. aaron would you had hit it too! then should not we be tired with this ado. why, hark ye, hark ye! and are you such fools to square for this? would it offend you, then that both should speed? chiron faith, not me. demetrius nor me, so i were one. aaron for shame, be friends, and join for that you jar: 'tis policy and stratagem must do that you affect; and so must you resolve, that what you cannot as you would achieve, you must perforce accomplish as you may. take this of me: lucrece was not more chaste than this lavinia, bassianus' love. a speedier course than lingering languishment must we pursue, and i have found the path. my lords, a solemn hunting is in hand; there will the lovely roman ladies troop: the forest walks are wide and spacious; and many unfrequented plots there are fitted by kind for rape and villany: single you thither then this dainty doe, and strike her home by force, if not by words: this way, or not at all, stand you in hope. come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit to villany and vengeance consecrate, will we acquaint with all that we intend; and she shall file our engines with advice, that will not suffer you to square yourselves, but to your wishes' height advance you both. the emperor's court is like the house of fame, the palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears: the woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull; there speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns; there serve your lusts, shadow'd from heaven's eye, and revel in lavinia's treasury. chiron thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice, demetrius sit fas aut nefas, till i find the stream to cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits. per styga, per manes vehor. [exeunt] titus andronicus act ii scene ii a forest near rome. horns and cry of hounds heard. [enter titus andronicus, with hunters, &c., marcus, lucius, quintus, and martius] titus andronicus the hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, the fields are fragrant and the woods are green: uncouple here and let us make a bay and wake the emperor and his lovely bride and rouse the prince and ring a hunter's peal, that all the court may echo with the noise. sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, to attend the emperor's person carefully: i have been troubled in my sleep this night, but dawning day new comfort hath inspired. [a cry of hounds and horns, winded in a peal. enter saturninus, tamora, bassianus, lavinia, demetrius, chiron, and attendants] many good morrows to your majesty; madam, to you as many and as good: i promised your grace a hunter's peal. saturninus and you have rung it lustily, my lord; somewhat too early for new-married ladies. bassianus lavinia, how say you? lavinia i say, no; i have been broad awake two hours and more. saturninus come on, then; horse and chariots let us have, and to our sport. [to tamora] madam, now shall ye see our roman hunting. marcus andronicus i have dogs, my lord, will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, and climb the highest promontory top. titus andronicus and i have horse will follow where the game makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain. demetrius chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, but hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground. [exeunt] titus andronicus act ii scene iii a lonely part of the forest. [enter aaron, with a bag of gold] aaron he that had wit would think that i had none, to bury so much gold under a tree, and never after to inherit it. let him that thinks of me so abjectly know that this gold must coin a stratagem, which, cunningly effected, will beget a very excellent piece of villany: and so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest [hides the gold] that have their alms out of the empress' chest. [enter tamora] tamora my lovely aaron, wherefore look'st thou sad, when every thing doth make a gleeful boast? the birds chant melody on every bush, the snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun, the green leaves quiver with the cooling wind and make a chequer'd shadow on the ground: under their sweet shade, aaron, let us sit, and, whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds, replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns, as if a double hunt were heard at once, let us sit down and mark their yelping noise; and, after conflict such as was supposed the wandering prince and dido once enjoy'd, when with a happy storm they were surprised and curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave, we may, each wreathed in the other's arms, our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber; whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds be unto us as is a nurse's song of lullaby to bring her babe asleep. aaron madam, though venus govern your desires, saturn is dominator over mine: what signifies my deadly-standing eye, my silence and my cloudy melancholy, my fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls even as an adder when she doth unroll to do some fatal execution? no, madam, these are no venereal signs: vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, blood and revenge are hammering in my head. hark tamora, the empress of my soul, which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee, this is the day of doom for bassianus: his philomel must lose her tongue to-day, thy sons make pillage of her chastity and wash their hands in bassianus' blood. seest thou this letter? take it up, i pray thee, and give the king this fatal plotted scroll. now question me no more; we are espied; here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty, which dreads not yet their lives' destruction. tamora ah, my sweet moor, sweeter to me than life! aaron no more, great empress; bassianus comes: be cross with him; and i'll go fetch thy sons to back thy quarrels, whatsoe'er they be. [exit] [enter bassianus and lavinia] bassianus who have we here? rome's royal empress, unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop? or is it dian, habited like her, who hath abandoned her holy groves to see the general hunting in this forest? tamora saucy controller of our private steps! had i the power that some say dian had, thy temples should be planted presently with horns, as was actaeon's; and the hounds should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, unmannerly intruder as thou art! lavinia under your patience, gentle empress, 'tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning; and to be doubted that your moor and you are singled forth to try experiments: jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! 'tis pity they should take him for a stag. bassianus believe me, queen, your swarth cimmerian doth make your honour of his body's hue, spotted, detested, and abominable. why are you sequester'd from all your train, dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed. and wander'd hither to an obscure plot, accompanied but with a barbarous moor, if foul desire had not conducted you? lavinia and, being intercepted in your sport, great reason that my noble lord be rated for sauciness. i pray you, let us hence, and let her joy her raven-colour'd love; this valley fits the purpose passing well. bassianus the king my brother shall have note of this. lavinia ay, for these slips have made him noted long: good king, to be so mightily abused! tamora why have i patience to endure all this? [enter demetrius and chiron] demetrius how now, dear sovereign, and our gracious mother! why doth your highness look so pale and wan? tamora have i not reason, think you, to look pale? these two have 'ticed me hither to this place: a barren detested vale, you see it is; the trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, o'ercome with moss and baleful mistletoe: here never shines the sun; here nothing breeds, unless the nightly owl or fatal raven: and when they show'd me this abhorred pit, they told me, here, at dead time of the night, a thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, would make such fearful and confused cries as any mortal body hearing it should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. no sooner had they told this hellish tale, but straight they told me they would bind me here unto the body of a dismal yew, and leave me to this miserable death: and then they call'd me foul adulteress, lascivious goth, and all the bitterest terms that ever ear did hear to such effect: and, had you not by wondrous fortune come, this vengeance on me had they executed. revenge it, as you love your mother's life, or be ye not henceforth call'd my children. demetrius this is a witness that i am thy son. [stabs bassianus] chiron and this for me, struck home to show my strength. [also stabs bassianus, who dies] lavinia ay, come, semiramis, nay, barbarous tamora, for no name fits thy nature but thy own! tamora give me thy poniard; you shall know, my boys your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong. demetrius stay, madam; here is more belongs to her; first thrash the corn, then after burn the straw: this minion stood upon her chastity, upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, and with that painted hope braves your mightiness: and shall she carry this unto her grave? chiron an if she do, i would i were an eunuch. drag hence her husband to some secret hole, and make his dead trunk pillow to our lust. tamora but when ye have the honey ye desire, let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting. chiron i warrant you, madam, we will make that sure. come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy that nice-preserved honesty of yours. lavinia o tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face,- tamora i will not hear her speak; away with her! lavinia sweet lords, entreat her hear me but a word. demetrius listen, fair madam: let it be your glory to see her tears; but be your heart to them as unrelenting flint to drops of rain. lavinia when did the tiger's young ones teach the dam? o, do not learn her wrath; she taught it thee; the milk thou suck'dst from her did turn to marble; even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. yet every mother breeds not sons alike: [to chiron] do thou entreat her show a woman pity. chiron what, wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard? lavinia 'tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark: yet have i heard,--o, could i find it now!- the lion moved with pity did endure to have his princely paws pared all away: some say that ravens foster forlorn children, the whilst their own birds famish in their nests: o, be to me, though thy hard heart say no, nothing so kind, but something pitiful! tamora i know not what it means; away with her! lavinia o, let me teach thee! for my father's sake, that gave thee life, when well he might have slain thee, be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears. tamora hadst thou in person ne'er offended me, even for his sake am i pitiless. remember, boys, i pour'd forth tears in vain, to save your brother from the sacrifice; but fierce andronicus would not relent; therefore, away with her, and use her as you will, the worse to her, the better loved of me. lavinia o tamora, be call'd a gentle queen, and with thine own hands kill me in this place! for 'tis not life that i have begg'd so long; poor i was slain when bassianus died. tamora what begg'st thou, then? fond woman, let me go. lavinia 'tis present death i beg; and one thing more that womanhood denies my tongue to tell: o, keep me from their worse than killing lust, and tumble me into some loathsome pit, where never man's eye may behold my body: do this, and be a charitable murderer. tamora so should i rob my sweet sons of their fee: no, let them satisfy their lust on thee. demetrius away! for thou hast stay'd us here too long. lavinia no grace? no womanhood? ah, beastly creature! the blot and enemy to our general name! confusion fall- chiron nay, then i'll stop your mouth. bring thou her husband: this is the hole where aaron bid us hide him. [demetrius throws the body of bassianus into the pit; then exeunt demetrius and chiron, dragging off lavinia] tamora farewell, my sons: see that you make her sure. ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed, till all the andronici be made away. now will i hence to seek my lovely moor, and let my spleenful sons this trull deflow'r. [exit] [re-enter aaron, with quintus and martius] aaron come on, my lords, the better foot before: straight will i bring you to the loathsome pit where i espied the panther fast asleep. quintus my sight is very dull, whate'er it bodes. martius and mine, i promise you; were't not for shame, well could i leave our sport to sleep awhile. [falls into the pit] quintus what art thou fall'n? what subtle hole is this, whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briers, upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood as fresh as morning dew distill'd on flowers? a very fatal place it seems to me. speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? martius o brother, with the dismall'st object hurt that ever eye with sight made heart lament! aaron [aside] now will i fetch the king to find them here, that he thereby may give a likely guess how these were they that made away his brother. [exit] martius why dost not comfort me, and help me out from this unhallowed and blood-stained hole? quintus i am surprised with an uncouth fear; a chilling sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints: my heart suspects more than mine eye can see. martius to prove thou hast a true-divining heart, aaron and thou look down into this den, and see a fearful sight of blood and death. quintus aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart will not permit mine eyes once to behold the thing whereat it trembles by surmise; o, tell me how it is; for ne'er till now was i a child to fear i know not what. martius lord bassianus lies embrewed here, all on a heap, like to a slaughter'd lamb, in this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit. quintus if it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he? martius upon his bloody finger he doth wear a precious ring, that lightens all the hole, which, like a taper in some monument, doth shine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks, and shows the ragged entrails of the pit: so pale did shine the moon on pyramus when he by night lay bathed in maiden blood. o brother, help me with thy fainting hand- if fear hath made thee faint, as me it hath- out of this fell devouring receptacle, as hateful as cocytus' misty mouth. quintus reach me thy hand, that i may help thee out; or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, i may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb of this deep pit, poor bassianus' grave. i have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. martius nor i no strength to climb without thy help. quintus thy hand once more; i will not loose again, till thou art here aloft, or i below: thou canst not come to me: i come to thee. [falls in] [enter saturninus with aaron] saturninus along with me: i'll see what hole is here, and what he is that now is leap'd into it. say who art thou that lately didst descend into this gaping hollow of the earth? martius the unhappy son of old andronicus: brought hither in a most unlucky hour, to find thy brother bassianus dead. saturninus my brother dead! i know thou dost but jest: he and his lady both are at the lodge upon the north side of this pleasant chase; 'tis not an hour since i left him there. martius we know not where you left him all alive; but, out, alas! here have we found him dead. [re-enter tamora, with attendants; titus andronicus, and lucius] tamora where is my lord the king? saturninus here, tamora, though grieved with killing grief. tamora where is thy brother bassianus? saturninus now to the bottom dost thou search my wound: poor bassianus here lies murdered. tamora then all too late i bring this fatal writ, the complot of this timeless tragedy; and wonder greatly that man's face can fold in pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny. [she giveth saturninus a letter] saturninus [reads] 'an if we miss to meet him handsomely- sweet huntsman, bassianus 'tis we mean- do thou so much as dig the grave for him: thou know'st our meaning. look for thy reward among the nettles at the elder-tree which overshades the mouth of that same pit where we decreed to bury bassianus. do this, and purchase us thy lasting friends.' o tamora! was ever heard the like? this is the pit, and this the elder-tree. look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out that should have murdered bassianus here. aaron my gracious lord, here is the bag of gold. saturninus [to titus] two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind, have here bereft my brother of his life. sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison: there let them bide until we have devised some never-heard-of torturing pain for them. tamora what, are they in this pit? o wondrous thing! how easily murder is discovered! titus andronicus high emperor, upon my feeble knee i beg this boon, with tears not lightly shed, that this fell fault of my accursed sons, accursed if the fault be proved in them,- saturninus if it be proved! you see it is apparent. who found this letter? tamora, was it you? tamora andronicus himself did take it up. titus andronicus i did, my lord: yet let me be their bail; for, by my father's reverend tomb, i vow they shall be ready at your highness' will to answer their suspicion with their lives. saturninus thou shalt not bail them: see thou follow me. some bring the murder'd body, some the murderers: let them not speak a word; the guilt is plain; for, by my soul, were there worse end than death, that end upon them should be executed. tamora andronicus, i will entreat the king; fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough. titus andronicus come, lucius, come; stay not to talk with them. [exeunt] titus andronicus act ii scene iv another part of the forest. [enter demetrius and chiron with lavinia, ravished; her hands cut off, and her tongue cut out] demetrius so, now go tell, an if thy tongue can speak, who 'twas that cut thy tongue and ravish'd thee. chiron write down thy mind, bewray thy meaning so, an if thy stumps will let thee play the scribe. demetrius see, how with signs and tokens she can scrowl. chiron go home, call for sweet water, wash thy hands. demetrius she hath no tongue to call, nor hands to wash; and so let's leave her to her silent walks. chiron an 'twere my case, i should go hang myself. demetrius if thou hadst hands to help thee knit the cord. [exeunt demetrius and chiron] [enter marcus] marcus who is this? my niece, that flies away so fast! cousin, a word; where is your husband? if i do dream, would all my wealth would wake me! if i do wake, some planet strike me down, that i may slumber in eternal sleep! speak, gentle niece, what stern ungentle hands have lopp'd and hew'd and made thy body bare of her two branches, those sweet ornaments, whose circling shadows kings have sought to sleep in, and might not gain so great a happiness as have thy love? why dost not speak to me? alas, a crimson river of warm blood, like to a bubbling fountain stirr'd with wind, doth rise and fall between thy rosed lips, coming and going with thy honey breath. but, sure, some tereus hath deflowered thee, and, lest thou shouldst detect him, cut thy tongue. ah, now thou turn'st away thy face for shame! and, notwithstanding all this loss of blood, as from a conduit with three issuing spouts, yet do thy cheeks look red as titan's face blushing to be encountered with a cloud. shall i speak for thee? shall i say 'tis so? o, that i knew thy heart; and knew the beast, that i might rail at him, to ease my mind! sorrow concealed, like an oven stopp'd, doth burn the heart to cinders where it is. fair philomela, she but lost her tongue, and in a tedious sampler sew'd her mind: but, lovely niece, that mean is cut from thee; a craftier tereus, cousin, hast thou met, and he hath cut those pretty fingers off, that could have better sew'd than philomel. o, had the monster seen those lily hands tremble, like aspen-leaves, upon a lute, and make the silken strings delight to kiss them, he would not then have touch'd them for his life! or, had he heard the heavenly harmony which that sweet tongue hath made, he would have dropp'd his knife, and fell asleep as cerberus at the thracian poet's feet. come, let us go, and make thy father blind; for such a sight will blind a father's eye: one hour's storm will drown the fragrant meads; what will whole months of tears thy father's eyes? do not draw back, for we will mourn with thee o, could our mourning ease thy misery! [exeunt] titus andronicus act iii scene i rome. a street. [enter judges, senators and tribunes, with martius and quintus, bound, passing on to the place of execution; titus going before, pleading] titus andronicus hear me, grave fathers! noble tribunes, stay! for pity of mine age, whose youth was spent in dangerous wars, whilst you securely slept; for all my blood in rome's great quarrel shed; for all the frosty nights that i have watch'd; and for these bitter tears, which now you see filling the aged wrinkles in my cheeks; be pitiful to my condemned sons, whose souls are not corrupted as 'tis thought. for two and twenty sons i never wept, because they died in honour's lofty bed. [lieth down; the judges, &c., pass by him, and exeunt] for these, these, tribunes, in the dust i write my heart's deep languor and my soul's sad tears: let my tears stanch the earth's dry appetite; my sons' sweet blood will make it shame and blush. o earth, i will befriend thee more with rain, that shall distil from these two ancient urns, than youthful april shall with all his showers: in summer's drought i'll drop upon thee still; in winter with warm tears i'll melt the snow and keep eternal spring-time on thy face, so thou refuse to drink my dear sons' blood. [enter lucius, with his sword drawn] o reverend tribunes! o gentle, aged men! unbind my sons, reverse the doom of death; and let me say, that never wept before, my tears are now prevailing orators. lucius o noble father, you lament in vain: the tribunes hear you not; no man is by; and you recount your sorrows to a stone. titus andronicus ah, lucius, for thy brothers let me plead. grave tribunes, once more i entreat of you,- lucius my gracious lord, no tribune hears you speak. titus andronicus why, tis no matter, man; if they did hear, they would not mark me, or if they did mark, they would not pity me, yet plead i must; and bootless unto them [ ] therefore i tell my sorrows to the stones; who, though they cannot answer my distress, yet in some sort they are better than the tribunes, for that they will not intercept my tale: when i do weep, they humbly at my feet receive my tears and seem to weep with me; and, were they but attired in grave weeds, rome could afford no tribune like to these. a stone is soft as wax,--tribunes more hard than stones; a stone is silent, and offendeth not, and tribunes with their tongues doom men to death. [rises] but wherefore stand'st thou with thy weapon drawn? lucius to rescue my two brothers from their death: for which attempt the judges have pronounced my everlasting doom of banishment. titus andronicus o happy man! they have befriended thee. why, foolish lucius, dost thou not perceive that rome is but a wilderness of tigers? tigers must prey, and rome affords no prey but me and mine: how happy art thou, then, from these devourers to be banished! but who comes with our brother marcus here? [enter marcus and lavinia] marcus andronicus titus, prepare thy aged eyes to weep; or, if not so, thy noble heart to break: i bring consuming sorrow to thine age. titus andronicus will it consume me? let me see it, then. marcus andronicus this was thy daughter. titus andronicus why, marcus, so she is. lucius ay me, this object kills me! titus andronicus faint-hearted boy, arise, and look upon her. speak, lavinia, what accursed hand hath made thee handless in thy father's sight? what fool hath added water to the sea, or brought a faggot to bright-burning troy? my grief was at the height before thou camest, and now like nilus, it disdaineth bounds. give me a sword, i'll chop off my hands too; for they have fought for rome, and all in vain; and they have nursed this woe, in feeding life; in bootless prayer have they been held up, and they have served me to effectless use: now all the service i require of them is that the one will help to cut the other. 'tis well, lavinia, that thou hast no hands; for hands, to do rome service, are but vain. lucius speak, gentle sister, who hath martyr'd thee? marcus andronicus o, that delightful engine of her thoughts that blabb'd them with such pleasing eloquence, is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage, where, like a sweet melodious bird, it sung sweet varied notes, enchanting every ear! lucius o, say thou for her, who hath done this deed? marcus andronicus o, thus i found her, straying in the park, seeking to hide herself, as doth the deer that hath received some unrecuring wound. titus andronicus it was my deer; and he that wounded her hath hurt me more than had he killed me dead: for now i stand as one upon a rock environed with a wilderness of sea, who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave, expecting ever when some envious surge will in his brinish bowels swallow him. this way to death my wretched sons are gone; here stands my other son, a banished man, and here my brother, weeping at my woes. but that which gives my soul the greatest spurn, is dear lavinia, dearer than my soul. had i but seen thy picture in this plight, it would have madded me: what shall i do now i behold thy lively body so? thou hast no hands, to wipe away thy tears: nor tongue, to tell me who hath martyr'd thee: thy husband he is dead: and for his death thy brothers are condemn'd, and dead by this. look, marcus! ah, son lucius, look on her! when i did name her brothers, then fresh tears stood on her cheeks, as doth the honey-dew upon a gather'd lily almost wither'd. marcus andronicus perchance she weeps because they kill'd her husband; perchance because she knows them innocent. titus andronicus if they did kill thy husband, then be joyful because the law hath ta'en revenge on them. no, no, they would not do so foul a deed; witness the sorrow that their sister makes. gentle lavinia, let me kiss thy lips. or make some sign how i may do thee ease: shall thy good uncle, and thy brother lucius, and thou, and i, sit round about some fountain, looking all downwards to behold our cheeks how they are stain'd, as meadows, yet not dry, with miry slime left on them by a flood? and in the fountain shall we gaze so long till the fresh taste be taken from that clearness, and made a brine-pit with our bitter tears? or shall we cut away our hands, like thine? or shall we bite our tongues, and in dumb shows pass the remainder of our hateful days? what shall we do? let us, that have our tongues, plot some deuce of further misery, to make us wonder'd at in time to come. lucius sweet father, cease your tears; for, at your grief, see how my wretched sister sobs and weeps. marcus andronicus patience, dear niece. good titus, dry thine eyes. titus andronicus ah, marcus, marcus! brother, well i wot thy napkin cannot drink a tear of mine, for thou, poor man, hast drown'd it with thine own. lucius ah, my lavinia, i will wipe thy cheeks. titus andronicus mark, marcus, mark! i understand her signs: had she a tongue to speak, now would she say that to her brother which i said to thee: his napkin, with his true tears all bewet, can do no service on her sorrowful cheeks. o, what a sympathy of woe is this, as far from help as limbo is from bliss! [enter aaron] aaron titus andronicus, my lord the emperor sends thee this word,--that, if thou love thy sons, let marcus, lucius, or thyself, old titus, or any one of you, chop off your hand, and send it to the king: he for the same will send thee hither both thy sons alive; and that shall be the ransom for their fault. titus andronicus o gracious emperor! o gentle aaron! did ever raven sing so like a lark, that gives sweet tidings of the sun's uprise? with all my heart, i'll send the emperor my hand: good aaron, wilt thou help to chop it off? lucius stay, father! for that noble hand of thine, that hath thrown down so many enemies, shall not be sent: my hand will serve the turn: my youth can better spare my blood than you; and therefore mine shall save my brothers' lives. marcus andronicus which of your hands hath not defended rome, and rear'd aloft the bloody battle-axe, writing destruction on the enemy's castle? o, none of both but are of high desert: my hand hath been but idle; let it serve to ransom my two nephews from their death; then have i kept it to a worthy end. aaron nay, come, agree whose hand shall go along, for fear they die before their pardon come. marcus andronicus my hand shall go. lucius by heaven, it shall not go! titus andronicus sirs, strive no more: such wither'd herbs as these are meet for plucking up, and therefore mine. lucius sweet father, if i shall be thought thy son, let me redeem my brothers both from death. marcus andronicus and, for our father's sake and mother's care, now let me show a brother's love to thee. titus andronicus agree between you; i will spare my hand. lucius then i'll go fetch an axe. marcus andronicus but i will use the axe. [exeunt lucius and marcus] titus andronicus come hither, aaron; i'll deceive them both: lend me thy hand, and i will give thee mine. aaron [aside] if that be call'd deceit, i will be honest, and never, whilst i live, deceive men so: but i'll deceive you in another sort, and that you'll say, ere half an hour pass. [cuts off titus's hand] [re-enter lucius and marcus] titus andronicus now stay your strife: what shall be is dispatch'd. good aaron, give his majesty my hand: tell him it was a hand that warded him from thousand dangers; bid him bury it more hath it merited; that let it have. as for my sons, say i account of them as jewels purchased at an easy price; and yet dear too, because i bought mine own. aaron i go, andronicus: and for thy hand look by and by to have thy sons with thee. [aside] their heads, i mean. o, how this villany doth fat me with the very thoughts of it! let fools do good, and fair men call for grace. aaron will have his soul black like his face. [exit] titus andronicus o, here i lift this one hand up to heaven, and bow this feeble ruin to the earth: if any power pities wretched tears, to that i call! [to lavinia] what, wilt thou kneel with me? do, then, dear heart; for heaven shall hear our prayers; or with our sighs we'll breathe the welkin dim, and stain the sun with fog, as sometime clouds when they do hug him in their melting bosoms. marcus andronicus o brother, speak with possibilities, and do not break into these deep extremes. titus andronicus is not my sorrow deep, having no bottom? then be my passions bottomless with them. marcus andronicus but yet let reason govern thy lament. titus andronicus if there were reason for these miseries, then into limits could i bind my woes: when heaven doth weep, doth not the earth o'erflow? if the winds rage, doth not the sea wax mad, threatening the welkin with his big-swoln face? and wilt thou have a reason for this coil? i am the sea; hark, how her sighs do blow! she is the weeping welkin, i the earth: then must my sea be moved with her sighs; then must my earth with her continual tears become a deluge, overflow'd and drown'd; for why my bowels cannot hide her woes, but like a drunkard must i vomit them. then give me leave, for losers will have leave to ease their stomachs with their bitter tongues. [enter a messenger, with two heads and a hand] messenger worthy andronicus, ill art thou repaid for that good hand thou sent'st the emperor. here are the heads of thy two noble sons; and here's thy hand, in scorn to thee sent back; thy griefs their sports, thy resolution mock'd; that woe is me to think upon thy woes more than remembrance of my father's death. [exit] marcus andronicus now let hot aetna cool in sicily, and be my heart an ever-burning hell! these miseries are more than may be borne. to weep with them that weep doth ease some deal; but sorrow flouted at is double death. lucius ah, that this sight should make so deep a wound, and yet detested life not shrink thereat! that ever death should let life bear his name, where life hath no more interest but to breathe! [lavinia kisses titus] marcus andronicus alas, poor heart, that kiss is comfortless as frozen water to a starved snake. titus andronicus when will this fearful slumber have an end? marcus andronicus now, farewell, flattery: die, andronicus; thou dost not slumber: see, thy two sons' heads, thy warlike hand, thy mangled daughter here: thy other banish'd son, with this dear sight struck pale and bloodless; and thy brother, i, even like a stony image, cold and numb. ah, now no more will i control thy griefs: rend off thy silver hair, thy other hand gnawing with thy teeth; and be this dismal sight the closing up of our most wretched eyes; now is a time to storm; why art thou still? titus andronicus ha, ha, ha! marcus andronicus why dost thou laugh? it fits not with this hour. titus andronicus why, i have not another tear to shed: besides, this sorrow is an enemy, and would usurp upon my watery eyes and make them blind with tributary tears: then which way shall i find revenge's cave? for these two heads do seem to speak to me, and threat me i shall never come to bliss till all these mischiefs be return'd again even in their throats that have committed them. come, let me see what task i have to do. you heavy people, circle me about, that i may turn me to each one of you, and swear unto my soul to right your wrongs. the vow is made. come, brother, take a head; and in this hand the other i will bear. lavinia, thou shalt be employ'd: these arms! bear thou my hand, sweet wench, between thy teeth. as for thee, boy, go get thee from my sight; thou art an exile, and thou must not stay: hie to the goths, and raise an army there: and, if you love me, as i think you do, let's kiss and part, for we have much to do. [exeunt titus, marcus, and lavinia] lucius farewell andronicus, my noble father, the wofull'st man that ever lived in rome: farewell, proud rome; till lucius come again, he leaves his pledges dearer than his life: farewell, lavinia, my noble sister; o, would thou wert as thou tofore hast been! but now nor lucius nor lavinia lives but in oblivion and hateful griefs. if lucius live, he will requite your wrongs; and make proud saturnine and his empress beg at the gates, like tarquin and his queen. now will i to the goths, and raise a power, to be revenged on rome and saturnine. [exit] titus andronicus act iii scene ii a room in titus's house. a banquet set out. [enter titus, marcus, lavinia and young lucius, a boy] titus andronicus so, so; now sit: and look you eat no more than will preserve just so much strength in us as will revenge these bitter woes of ours. marcus, unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot: thy niece and i, poor creatures, want our hands, and cannot passionate our tenfold grief with folded arms. this poor right hand of mine is left to tyrannize upon my breast; who, when my heart, all mad with misery, beats in this hollow prison of my flesh, then thus i thump it down. [to lavinia] thou map of woe, that thus dost talk in signs! when thy poor heart beats with outrageous beating, thou canst not strike it thus to make it still. wound it with sighing, girl, kill it with groans; or get some little knife between thy teeth, and just against thy heart make thou a hole; that all the tears that thy poor eyes let fall may run into that sink, and soaking in drown the lamenting fool in sea-salt tears. marcus andronicus fie, brother, fie! teach her not thus to lay such violent hands upon her tender life. titus andronicus how now! has sorrow made thee dote already? why, marcus, no man should be mad but i. what violent hands can she lay on her life? ah, wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands; to bid aeneas tell the tale twice o'er, how troy was burnt and he made miserable? o, handle not the theme, to talk of hands, lest we remember still that we have none. fie, fie, how franticly i square my talk, as if we should forget we had no hands, if marcus did not name the word of hands! come, let's fall to; and, gentle girl, eat this: here is no drink! hark, marcus, what she says; i can interpret all her martyr'd signs; she says she drinks no other drink but tears, brew'd with her sorrow, mesh'd upon her cheeks: speechless complainer, i will learn thy thought; in thy dumb action will i be as perfect as begging hermits in their holy prayers: thou shalt not sigh, nor hold thy stumps to heaven, nor wink, nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a sign, but i of these will wrest an alphabet and by still practise learn to know thy meaning. young lucius good grandsire, leave these bitter deep laments: make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale. marcus andronicus alas, the tender boy, in passion moved, doth weep to see his grandsire's heaviness. titus andronicus peace, tender sapling; thou art made of tears, and tears will quickly melt thy life away. [marcus strikes the dish with a knife] what dost thou strike at, marcus, with thy knife? marcus andronicus at that that i have kill'd, my lord; a fly. titus andronicus out on thee, murderer! thou kill'st my heart; mine eyes are cloy'd with view of tyranny: a deed of death done on the innocent becomes not titus' brother: get thee gone: i see thou art not for my company. marcus andronicus alas, my lord, i have but kill'd a fly. titus andronicus but how, if that fly had a father and mother? how would he hang his slender gilded wings, and buzz lamenting doings in the air! poor harmless fly, that, with his pretty buzzing melody, came here to make us merry! and thou hast kill'd him. marcus andronicus pardon me, sir; it was a black ill-favor'd fly, like to the empress' moor; therefore i kill'd him. titus andronicus o, o, o, then pardon me for reprehending thee, for thou hast done a charitable deed. give me thy knife, i will insult on him; flattering myself, as if it were the moor come hither purposely to poison me.- there's for thyself, and that's for tamora. ah, sirrah! yet, i think, we are not brought so low, but that between us we can kill a fly that comes in likeness of a coal-black moor. marcus andronicus alas, poor man! grief has so wrought on him, he takes false shadows for true substances. titus andronicus come, take away. lavinia, go with me: i'll to thy closet; and go read with thee sad stories chanced in the times of old. come, boy, and go with me: thy sight is young, and thou shalt read when mine begin to dazzle. [exeunt] titus andronicus act iv scene i rome. titus's garden. [enter young lucius, and lavinia running after him, and the boy flies from her, with books under his arm. then enter titus and marcus] young lucius help, grandsire, help! my aunt lavinia follows me every where, i know not why: good uncle marcus, see how swift she comes. alas, sweet aunt, i know not what you mean. marcus andronicus stand by me, lucius; do not fear thine aunt. titus andronicus she loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm. young lucius ay, when my father was in rome she did. marcus andronicus what means my niece lavinia by these signs? titus andronicus fear her not, lucius: somewhat doth she mean: see, lucius, see how much she makes of thee: somewhither would she have thee go with her. ah, boy, cornelia never with more care read to her sons than she hath read to thee sweet poetry and tully's orator. marcus andronicus canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus? young lucius my lord, i know not, i, nor can i guess, unless some fit or frenzy do possess her: for i have heard my grandsire say full oft, extremity of griefs would make men mad; and i have read that hecuba of troy ran mad through sorrow: that made me to fear; although, my lord, i know my noble aunt loves me as dear as e'er my mother did, and would not, but in fury, fright my youth: which made me down to throw my books, and fly- causeless, perhaps. but pardon me, sweet aunt: and, madam, if my uncle marcus go, i will most willingly attend your ladyship. marcus andronicus lucius, i will. [lavinia turns over with her stumps the books which lucius has let fall] titus andronicus how now, lavinia! marcus, what means this? some book there is that she desires to see. which is it, girl, of these? open them, boy. but thou art deeper read, and better skill'd come, and take choice of all my library, and so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed. why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus? marcus andronicus i think she means that there was more than one confederate in the fact: ay, more there was; or else to heaven she heaves them for revenge. titus andronicus lucius, what book is that she tosseth so? young lucius grandsire, 'tis ovid's metamorphoses; my mother gave it me. marcus andronicus for love of her that's gone, perhaps she cull'd it from among the rest. titus andronicus soft! see how busily she turns the leaves! [helping her] what would she find? lavinia, shall i read? this is the tragic tale of philomel, and treats of tereus' treason and his rape: and rape, i fear, was root of thine annoy. marcus andronicus see, brother, see; note how she quotes the leaves. titus andronicus lavinia, wert thou thus surprised, sweet girl, ravish'd and wrong'd, as philomela was, forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods? see, see! ay, such a place there is, where we did hunt- o, had we never, never hunted there!- pattern'd by that the poet here describes, by nature made for murders and for rapes. marcus andronicus o, why should nature build so foul a den, unless the gods delight in tragedies? titus andronicus give signs, sweet girl, for here are none but friends, what roman lord it was durst do the deed: or slunk not saturnine, as tarquin erst, that left the camp to sin in lucrece' bed? marcus andronicus sit down, sweet niece: brother, sit down by me. apollo, pallas, jove, or mercury, inspire me, that i may this treason find! my lord, look here: look here, lavinia: this sandy plot is plain; guide, if thou canst this after me, when i have writ my name without the help of any hand at all. [he writes his name with his staff, and guides it with feet and mouth] cursed be that heart that forced us to this shift! write thou good niece; and here display, at last, what god will have discover'd for revenge; heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain, that we may know the traitors and the truth! [she takes the staff in her mouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes] titus andronicus o, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ? 'stuprum. chiron. demetrius.' marcus andronicus what, what! the lustful sons of tamora performers of this heinous, bloody deed? titus andronicus magni dominator poli, tam lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides? marcus andronicus o, calm thee, gentle lord; although i know there is enough written upon this earth to stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts and arm the minds of infants to exclaims. my lord, kneel down with me; lavinia, kneel; and kneel, sweet boy, the roman hector's hope; and swear with me, as, with the woful fere and father of that chaste dishonour'd dame, lord junius brutus sware for lucrece' rape, that we will prosecute by good advice mortal revenge upon these traitorous goths, and see their blood, or die with this reproach. titus andronicus 'tis sure enough, an you knew how. but if you hunt these bear-whelps, then beware: the dam will wake; and, if she wind you once, she's with the lion deeply still in league, and lulls him whilst she playeth on her back, and when he sleeps will she do what she list. you are a young huntsman, marcus; let it alone; and, come, i will go get a leaf of brass, and with a gad of steel will write these words, and lay it by: the angry northern wind will blow these sands, like sibyl's leaves, abroad, and where's your lesson, then? boy, what say you? young lucius i say, my lord, that if i were a man, their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe for these bad bondmen to the yoke of rome. marcus andronicus ay, that's my boy! thy father hath full oft for his ungrateful country done the like. young lucius and, uncle, so will i, an if i live. titus andronicus come, go with me into mine armoury; lucius, i'll fit thee; and withal, my boy, shalt carry from me to the empress' sons presents that i intend to send them both: come, come; thou'lt do thy message, wilt thou not? young lucius ay, with my dagger in their bosoms, grandsire. titus andronicus no, boy, not so; i'll teach thee another course. lavinia, come. marcus, look to my house: lucius and i'll go brave it at the court: ay, marry, will we, sir; and we'll be waited on. [exeunt titus, lavinia, and young lucius] marcus andronicus o heavens, can you hear a good man groan, and not relent, or not compassion him? marcus, attend him in his ecstasy, that hath more scars of sorrow in his heart than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield; but yet so just that he will not revenge. revenge, ye heavens, for old andronicus! [exit] titus andronicus act iv scene ii the same. a room in the palace. [enter, from one side, aaron, demetrius, and chiron; from the other side, young lucius, and an attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them] chiron demetrius, here's the son of lucius; he hath some message to deliver us. aaron ay, some mad message from his mad grandfather. young lucius my lords, with all the humbleness i may, i greet your honours from andronicus. [aside] and pray the roman gods confound you both! demetrius gramercy, lovely lucius: what's the news? young lucius [aside] that you are both decipher'd, that's the news, for villains mark'd with rape.--may it please you, my grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me the goodliest weapons of his armoury to gratify your honourable youth, the hope of rome; for so he bade me say; and so i do, and with his gifts present your lordships, that, whenever you have need, you may be armed and appointed well: and so i leave you both: [aside] like bloody villains. [exeunt young lucius, and attendant] demetrius what's here? a scroll; and written round about? let's see; [reads] 'integer vitae, scelerisque purus, non eget mauri jaculis, nec arcu.' chiron o, 'tis a verse in horace; i know it well: i read it in the grammar long ago. aaron ay, just; a verse in horace; right, you have it. [aside] now, what a thing it is to be an ass! here's no sound jest! the old man hath found their guilt; and sends them weapons wrapped about with lines, that wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick. but were our witty empress well afoot, she would applaud andronicus' conceit: but let her rest in her unrest awhile. and now, young lords, was't not a happy star led us to rome, strangers, and more than so, captives, to be advanced to this height? it did me good, before the palace gate to brave the tribune in his brother's hearing. demetrius but me more good, to see so great a lord basely insinuate and send us gifts. aaron had he not reason, lord demetrius? did you not use his daughter very friendly? demetrius i would we had a thousand roman dames at such a bay, by turn to serve our lust. chiron a charitable wish and full of love. aaron here lacks but your mother for to say amen. chiron and that would she for twenty thousand more. demetrius come, let us go; and pray to all the gods for our beloved mother in her pains. aaron [aside] pray to the devils; the gods have given us over. [trumpets sound within] demetrius why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus? chiron belike, for joy the emperor hath a son. demetrius soft! who comes here? [enter a nurse, with a blackamoor child in her arms] nurse good morrow, lords: o, tell me, did you see aaron the moor? aaron well, more or less, or ne'er a whit at all, here aaron is; and what with aaron now? nurse o gentle aaron, we are all undone! now help, or woe betide thee evermore! aaron why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep! what dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms? nurse o, that which i would hide from heaven's eye, our empress' shame, and stately rome's disgrace! she is deliver'd, lords; she is deliver'd. aaron to whom? nurse i mean, she is brought a-bed. aaron well, god give her good rest! what hath he sent her? nurse a devil. aaron why, then she is the devil's dam; a joyful issue. nurse a joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue: here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad amongst the fairest breeders of our clime: the empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal, and bids thee christen it with thy dagger's point. aaron 'zounds, ye whore! is black so base a hue? sweet blowse, you are a beauteous blossom, sure. demetrius villain, what hast thou done? aaron that which thou canst not undo. chiron thou hast undone our mother. aaron villain, i have done thy mother. demetrius and therein, hellish dog, thou hast undone. woe to her chance, and damn'd her loathed choice! accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend! chiron it shall not live. aaron it shall not die. nurse aaron, it must; the mother wills it so. aaron what, must it, nurse? then let no man but i do execution on my flesh and blood. demetrius i'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point: nurse, give it me; my sword shall soon dispatch it. aaron sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up. [takes the child from the nurse, and draws] stay, murderous villains! will you kill your brother? now, by the burning tapers of the sky, that shone so brightly when this boy was got, he dies upon my scimitar's sharp point that touches this my first-born son and heir! i tell you, younglings, not enceladus, with all his threatening band of typhon's brood, nor great alcides, nor the god of war, shall seize this prey out of his father's hands. what, what, ye sanguine, shallow-hearted boys! ye white-limed walls! ye alehouse painted signs! coal-black is better than another hue, in that it scorns to bear another hue; for all the water in the ocean can never turn the swan's black legs to white, although she lave them hourly in the flood. tell the empress from me, i am of age to keep mine own, excuse it how she can. demetrius wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus? aaron my mistress is my mistress; this myself, the vigour and the picture of my youth: this before all the world do i prefer; this maugre all the world will i keep safe, or some of you shall smoke for it in rome. demetrius by this our mother is forever shamed. chiron rome will despise her for this foul escape. nurse the emperor, in his rage, will doom her death. chiron i blush to think upon this ignomy. aaron why, there's the privilege your beauty bears: fie, treacherous hue, that will betray with blushing the close enacts and counsels of the heart! here's a young lad framed of another leer: look, how the black slave smiles upon the father, as who should say 'old lad, i am thine own.' he is your brother, lords, sensibly fed of that self-blood that first gave life to you, and from that womb where you imprison'd were he is enfranchised and come to light: nay, he is your brother by the surer side, although my seal be stamped in his face. nurse aaron, what shall i say unto the empress? demetrius advise thee, aaron, what is to be done, and we will all subscribe to thy advice: save thou the child, so we may all be safe. aaron then sit we down, and let us all consult. my son and i will have the wind of you: keep there: now talk at pleasure of your safety. [they sit] demetrius how many women saw this child of his? aaron why, so, brave lords! when we join in league, i am a lamb: but if you brave the moor, the chafed boar, the mountain lioness, the ocean swells not so as aaron storms. but say, again; how many saw the child? nurse cornelia the midwife and myself; and no one else but the deliver'd empress. aaron the empress, the midwife, and yourself: two may keep counsel when the third's away: go to the empress, tell her this i said. [he kills the nurse] weke, weke! so cries a pig prepared to the spit. demetrius what mean'st thou, aaron? wherefore didst thou this? aaron o lord, sir, 'tis a deed of policy: shall she live to betray this guilt of ours, a long-tongued babbling gossip? no, lords, no: and now be it known to you my full intent. not far, one muli lives, my countryman; his wife but yesternight was brought to bed; his child is like to her, fair as you are: go pack with him, and give the mother gold, and tell them both the circumstance of all; and how by this their child shall be advanced, and be received for the emperor's heir, and substituted in the place of mine, to calm this tempest whirling in the court; and let the emperor dandle him for his own. hark ye, lords; ye see i have given her physic, [pointing to the nurse] and you must needs bestow her funeral; the fields are near, and you are gallant grooms: this done, see that you take no longer days, but send the midwife presently to me. the midwife and the nurse well made away, then let the ladies tattle what they please. chiron aaron, i see thou wilt not trust the air with secrets. demetrius for this care of tamora, herself and hers are highly bound to thee. [exeunt demetrius and chiron bearing off the nurse's body] aaron now to the goths, as swift as swallow flies; there to dispose this treasure in mine arms, and secretly to greet the empress' friends. come on, you thick lipp'd slave, i'll bear you hence; for it is you that puts us to our shifts: i'll make you feed on berries and on roots, and feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat, and cabin in a cave, and bring you up to be a warrior, and command a camp. [exit] titus andronicus act iv scene iii the same. a public place. [enter titus, bearing arrows with letters at the ends of them; with him, marcus, young lucius, publius, sempronius, caius, and other gentlemen, with bows] titus andronicus come, marcus; come, kinsmen; this is the way. sir boy, now let me see your archery; look ye draw home enough, and 'tis there straight. terras astraea reliquit: be you remember'd, marcus, she's gone, she's fled. sirs, take you to your tools. you, cousins, shall go sound the ocean, and cast your nets; happily you may catch her in the sea; yet there's as little justice as at land: no; publius and sempronius, you must do it; 'tis you must dig with mattock and with spade, and pierce the inmost centre of the earth: then, when you come to pluto's region, i pray you, deliver him this petition; tell him, it is for justice and for aid, and that it comes from old andronicus, shaken with sorrows in ungrateful rome. ah, rome! well, well; i made thee miserable what time i threw the people's suffrages on him that thus doth tyrannize o'er me. go, get you gone; and pray be careful all, and leave you not a man-of-war unsearch'd: this wicked emperor may have shipp'd her hence; and, kinsmen, then we may go pipe for justice. marcus andronicus o publius, is not this a heavy case, to see thy noble uncle thus distract? publius therefore, my lord, it highly us concerns by day and night to attend him carefully, and feed his humour kindly as we may, till time beget some careful remedy. marcus andronicus kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy. join with the goths; and with revengeful war take wreak on rome for this ingratitude, and vengeance on the traitor saturnine. titus andronicus publius, how now! how now, my masters! what, have you met with her? publius no, my good lord; but pluto sends you word, if you will have revenge from hell, you shall: marry, for justice, she is so employ'd, he thinks, with jove in heaven, or somewhere else, so that perforce you must needs stay a time. titus andronicus he doth me wrong to feed me with delays. i'll dive into the burning lake below, and pull her out of acheron by the heels. marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we no big-boned men framed of the cyclops' size; but metal, marcus, steel to the very back, yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear: and, sith there's no justice in earth nor hell, we will solicit heaven and move the gods to send down justice for to wreak our wrongs. come, to this gear. you are a good archer, marcus; [he gives them the arrows] 'ad jovem,' that's for you: here, 'ad apollinem:' 'ad martem,' that's for myself: here, boy, to pallas: here, to mercury: to saturn, caius, not to saturnine; you were as good to shoot against the wind. to it, boy! marcus, loose when i bid. of my word, i have written to effect; there's not a god left unsolicited. marcus andronicus kinsmen, shoot all your shafts into the court: we will afflict the emperor in his pride. titus andronicus now, masters, draw. [they shoot] o, well said, lucius! good boy, in virgo's lap; give it pallas. marcus andronicus my lord, i aim a mile beyond the moon; your letter is with jupiter by this. titus andronicus ha, ha! publius, publius, what hast thou done? see, see, thou hast shot off one of taurus' horns. marcus andronicus this was the sport, my lord: when publius shot, the bull, being gall'd, gave aries such a knock that down fell both the ram's horns in the court; and who should find them but the empress' villain? she laugh'd, and told the moor he should not choose but give them to his master for a present. titus andronicus why, there it goes: god give his lordship joy! [enter a clown, with a basket, and two pigeons in it] news, news from heaven! marcus, the post is come. sirrah, what tidings? have you any letters? shall i have justice? what says jupiter? clown o, the gibbet-maker! he says that he hath taken them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the next week. titus andronicus but what says jupiter, i ask thee? clown alas, sir, i know not jupiter; i never drank with him in all my life. titus andronicus why, villain, art not thou the carrier? clown ay, of my pigeons, sir; nothing else. titus andronicus why, didst thou not come from heaven? clown from heaven! alas, sir, i never came there god forbid i should be so bold to press to heaven in my young days. why, i am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs, to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the emperial's men. marcus andronicus why, sir, that is as fit as can be to serve for your oration; and let him deliver the pigeons to the emperor from you. titus andronicus tell me, can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace? clown nay, truly, sir, i could never say grace in all my life. titus andronicus sirrah, come hither: make no more ado, but give your pigeons to the emperor: by me thou shalt have justice at his hands. hold, hold; meanwhile here's money for thy charges. give me pen and ink. sirrah, can you with a grace deliver a supplication? clown ay, sir. titus andronicus then here is a supplication for you. and when you come to him, at the first approach you must kneel, then kiss his foot, then deliver up your pigeons, and then look for your reward. i'll be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely. clown i warrant you, sir, let me alone. titus andronicus sirrah, hast thou a knife? come, let me see it. here, marcus, fold it in the oration; for thou hast made it like an humble suppliant. and when thou hast given it the emperor, knock at my door, and tell me what he says. clown god be with you, sir; i will. titus andronicus come, marcus, let us go. publius, follow me. [exeunt] titus andronicus act iv scene iv the same. before the palace. [enter saturninus, tamora, demetrius, chiron, lords, and others; saturninus with the arrows in his hand that titus shot] saturninus why, lords, what wrongs are these! was ever seen an emperor in rome thus overborne, troubled, confronted thus; and, for the extent of egal justice, used in such contempt? my lords, you know, as know the mightful gods, however these disturbers of our peace buz in the people's ears, there nought hath pass'd, but even with law, against the willful sons of old andronicus. and what an if his sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits, shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks, his fits, his frenzy, and his bitterness? and now he writes to heaven for his redress: see, here's to jove, and this to mercury; this to apollo; this to the god of war; sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of rome! what's this but libelling against the senate, and blazoning our injustice every where? a goodly humour, is it not, my lords? as who would say, in rome no justice were. but if i live, his feigned ecstasies shall be no shelter to these outrages: but he and his shall know that justice lives in saturninus' health, whom, if she sleep, he'll so awake as she in fury shall cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives. tamora my gracious lord, my lovely saturnine, lord of my life, commander of my thoughts, calm thee, and bear the faults of titus' age, the effects of sorrow for his valiant sons, whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarr'd his heart; and rather comfort his distressed plight than prosecute the meanest or the best for these contempts. [aside] why, thus it shall become high-witted tamora to gloze with all: but, titus, i have touched thee to the quick, thy life-blood out: if aaron now be wise, then is all safe, the anchor's in the port. [enter clown] how now, good fellow! wouldst thou speak with us? clown yea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial. tamora empress i am, but yonder sits the emperor. clown 'tis he. god and saint stephen give you good den: i have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here. [saturninus reads the letter] saturninus go, take him away, and hang him presently. clown how much money must i have? tamora come, sirrah, you must be hanged. clown hanged! by'r lady, then i have brought up a neck to a fair end. [exit, guarded] saturninus despiteful and intolerable wrongs! shall i endure this monstrous villany? i know from whence this same device proceeds: may this be borne?--as if his traitorous sons, that died by law for murder of our brother, have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully! go, drag the villain hither by the hair; nor age nor honour shall shape privilege: for this proud mock i'll be thy slaughterman; sly frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great, in hope thyself should govern rome and me. [enter aemilius] what news with thee, aemilius? aemilius arm, arm, my lord;--rome never had more cause. the goths have gather'd head; and with a power high-resolved men, bent to the spoil, they hither march amain, under conduct of lucius, son to old andronicus; who threats, in course of this revenge, to do as much as ever coriolanus did. saturninus is warlike lucius general of the goths? these tidings nip me, and i hang the head as flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms: ay, now begin our sorrows to approach: 'tis he the common people love so much; myself hath often over-heard them say, when i have walked like a private man, that lucius' banishment was wrongfully, and they have wish'd that lucius were their emperor. tamora why should you fear? is not your city strong? saturninus ay, but the citizens favor lucius, and will revolt from me to succor him. tamora king, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. is the sun dimm'd, that gnats do fly in it? the eagle suffers little birds to sing, and is not careful what they mean thereby, knowing that with the shadow of his wings he can at pleasure stint their melody: even so mayst thou the giddy men of rome. then cheer thy spirit : for know, thou emperor, i will enchant the old andronicus with words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep, when as the one is wounded with the bait, the other rotted with delicious feed. saturninus but he will not entreat his son for us. tamora if tamora entreat him, then he will: for i can smooth and fill his aged ear with golden promises; that, were his heart almost impregnable, his old ears deaf, yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue. [to aemilius] go thou before, be our ambassador: say that the emperor requests a parley of warlike lucius, and appoint the meeting even at his father's house, the old andronicus. saturninus aemilius, do this message honourably: and if he stand on hostage for his safety, bid him demand what pledge will please him best. aemilius your bidding shall i do effectually. [exit] tamora now will i to that old andronicus; and temper him with all the art i have, to pluck proud lucius from the warlike goths. and now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, and bury all thy fear in my devices. saturninus then go successantly, and plead to him. [exeunt] titus andronicus act v scene i plains near rome. [enter lucius with an army of goths, with drum and colours] lucius approved warriors, and my faithful friends, i have received letters from great rome, which signify what hate they bear their emperor and how desirous of our sight they are. therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, imperious and impatient of your wrongs, and wherein rome hath done you any scath, let him make treble satisfaction. first goth brave slip, sprung from the great andronicus, whose name was once our terror, now our comfort; whose high exploits and honourable deeds ingrateful rome requites with foul contempt, be bold in us: we'll follow where thou lead'st, like stinging bees in hottest summer's day led by their master to the flowered fields, and be avenged on cursed tamora. all the goths and as he saith, so say we all with him. lucius i humbly thank him, and i thank you all. but who comes here, led by a lusty goth? [enter a goth, leading aaron with his child in his arms] second goth renowned lucius, from our troops i stray'd to gaze upon a ruinous monastery; and, as i earnestly did fix mine eye upon the wasted building, suddenly i heard a child cry underneath a wall. i made unto the noise; when soon i heard the crying babe controll'd with this discourse: 'peace, tawny slave, half me and half thy dam! did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art, had nature lent thee but thy mother's look, villain, thou mightst have been an emperor: but where the bull and cow are both milk-white, they never do beget a coal-black calf. peace, villain, peace!'--even thus he rates the babe,- 'for i must bear thee to a trusty goth; who, when he knows thou art the empress' babe, will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake.' with this, my weapon drawn, i rush'd upon him, surprised him suddenly, and brought him hither, to use as you think needful of the man. lucius o worthy goth, this is the incarnate devil that robb'd andronicus of his good hand; this is the pearl that pleased your empress' eye, and here's the base fruit of his burning lust. say, wall-eyed slave, whither wouldst thou convey this growing image of thy fiend-like face? why dost not speak? what, deaf? not a word? a halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree. and by his side his fruit of bastardy. aaron touch not the boy; he is of royal blood. lucius too like the sire for ever being good. first hang the child, that he may see it sprawl; a sight to vex the father's soul withal. get me a ladder. [a ladder brought, which aaron is made to ascend] aaron lucius, save the child, and bear it from me to the empress. if thou do this, i'll show thee wondrous things, that highly may advantage thee to hear: if thou wilt not, befall what may befall, i'll speak no more but 'vengeance rot you all!' lucius say on: an if it please me which thou speak'st thy child shall live, and i will see it nourish'd. aaron an if it please thee! why, assure thee, lucius, 'twill vex thy soul to hear what i shall speak; for i must talk of murders, rapes and massacres, acts of black night, abominable deeds, complots of mischief, treason, villanies ruthful to hear, yet piteously perform'd: and this shall all be buried by my death, unless thou swear to me my child shall live. lucius tell on thy mind; i say thy child shall live. aaron swear that he shall, and then i will begin. lucius who should i swear by? thou believest no god: that granted, how canst thou believe an oath? aaron what if i do not? as, indeed, i do not; yet, for i know thou art religious and hast a thing within thee called conscience, with twenty popish tricks and ceremonies, which i have seen thee careful to observe, therefore i urge thy oath; for that i know an idiot holds his bauble for a god and keeps the oath which by that god he swears, to that i'll urge him: therefore thou shalt vow by that same god, what god soe'er it be, that thou adorest and hast in reverence, to save my boy, to nourish and bring him up; or else i will discover nought to thee. lucius even by my god i swear to thee i will. aaron first know thou, i begot him on the empress. lucius o most insatiate and luxurious woman! aaron tut, lucius, this was but a deed of charity to that which thou shalt hear of me anon. 'twas her two sons that murder'd bassianus; they cut thy sister's tongue and ravish'd her and cut her hands and trimm'd her as thou saw'st. lucius o detestable villain! call'st thou that trimming? aaron why, she was wash'd and cut and trimm'd, and 'twas trim sport for them that had the doing of it. lucius o barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself! aaron indeed, i was their tutor to instruct them: that codding spirit had they from their mother, as sure a card as ever won the set; that bloody mind, i think, they learn'd of me, as true a dog as ever fought at head. well, let my deeds be witness of my worth. i train'd thy brethren to that guileful hole where the dead corpse of bassianus lay: i wrote the letter that thy father found and hid the gold within the letter mention'd, confederate with the queen and her two sons: and what not done, that thou hast cause to rue, wherein i had no stroke of mischief in it? i play'd the cheater for thy father's hand, and, when i had it, drew myself apart and almost broke my heart with extreme laughter: i pry'd me through the crevice of a wall when, for his hand, he had his two sons' heads; beheld his tears, and laugh'd so heartily, that both mine eyes were rainy like to his : and when i told the empress of this sport, she swooned almost at my pleasing tale, and for my tidings gave me twenty kisses. first goth what, canst thou say all this, and never blush? aaron ay, like a black dog, as the saying is. lucius art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds? aaron ay, that i had not done a thousand more. even now i curse the day--and yet, i think, few come within the compass of my curse,- wherein i did not some notorious ill, as kill a man, or else devise his death, ravish a maid, or plot the way to do it, accuse some innocent and forswear myself, set deadly enmity between two friends, make poor men's cattle break their necks; set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night, and bid the owners quench them with their tears. oft have i digg'd up dead men from their graves, and set them upright at their dear friends' doors, even when their sorrows almost were forgot; and on their skins, as on the bark of trees, have with my knife carved in roman letters, 'let not your sorrow die, though i am dead.' tut, i have done a thousand dreadful things as willingly as one would kill a fly, and nothing grieves me heartily indeed but that i cannot do ten thousand more. lucius bring down the devil; for he must not die so sweet a death as hanging presently. aaron if there be devils, would i were a devil, to live and burn in everlasting fire, so i might have your company in hell, but to torment you with my bitter tongue! lucius sirs, stop his mouth, and let him speak no more. [enter a goth] third goth my lord, there is a messenger from rome desires to be admitted to your presence. lucius let him come near. [enter aemilius] welcome, aemilius what's the news from rome? aemilius lord lucius, and you princes of the goths, the roman emperor greets you all by me; and, for he understands you are in arms, he craves a parley at your father's house, willing you to demand your hostages, and they shall be immediately deliver'd. first goth what says our general? lucius aemilius, let the emperor give his pledges unto my father and my uncle marcus, and we will come. march away. [exeunt] titus andronicus act v scene ii rome. before titus's house. [enter tamora, demetrius, and chiron, disguised] tamora thus, in this strange and sad habiliment, i will encounter with andronicus, and say i am revenge, sent from below to join with him and right his heinous wrongs. knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps, to ruminate strange plots of dire revenge; tell him revenge is come to join with him, and work confusion on his enemies. [they knock] [enter titus, above] titus andronicus who doth molest my contemplation? is it your trick to make me ope the door, that so my sad decrees may fly away, and all my study be to no effect? you are deceived: for what i mean to do see here in bloody lines i have set down; and what is written shall be executed. tamora titus, i am come to talk with thee. titus andronicus no, not a word; how can i grace my talk, wanting a hand to give it action? thou hast the odds of me; therefore no more. tamora if thou didst know me, thou wouldest talk with me. titus andronicus i am not mad; i know thee well enough: witness this wretched stump, witness these crimson lines; witness these trenches made by grief and care, witness the tiring day and heavy night; witness all sorrow, that i know thee well for our proud empress, mighty tamora: is not thy coming for my other hand? tamora know, thou sad man, i am not tamora; she is thy enemy, and i thy friend: i am revenge: sent from the infernal kingdom, to ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind, by working wreakful vengeance on thy foes. come down, and welcome me to this world's light; confer with me of murder and of death: there's not a hollow cave or lurking-place, no vast obscurity or misty vale, where bloody murder or detested rape can couch for fear, but i will find them out; and in their ears tell them my dreadful name, revenge, which makes the foul offender quake. titus andronicus art thou revenge? and art thou sent to me, to be a torment to mine enemies? tamora i am; therefore come down, and welcome me. titus andronicus do me some service, ere i come to thee. lo, by thy side where rape and murder stands; now give me some surance that thou art revenge, stab them, or tear them on thy chariot-wheels; and then i'll come and be thy waggoner, and whirl along with thee about the globe. provide thee two proper palfreys, black as jet, to hale thy vengeful waggon swift away, and find out murderers in their guilty caves: and when thy car is loaden with their heads, i will dismount, and by the waggon-wheel trot, like a servile footman, all day long, even from hyperion's rising in the east until his very downfall in the sea: and day by day i'll do this heavy task, so thou destroy rapine and murder there. tamora these are my ministers, and come with me. titus andronicus are these thy ministers? what are they call'd? tamora rapine and murder; therefore called so, cause they take vengeance of such kind of men. titus andronicus good lord, how like the empress' sons they are! and you, the empress! but we worldly men have miserable, mad, mistaking eyes. o sweet revenge, now do i come to thee; and, if one arm's embracement will content thee, i will embrace thee in it by and by. [exit above] tamora this closing with him fits his lunacy whate'er i forge to feed his brain-sick fits, do you uphold and maintain in your speeches, for now he firmly takes me for revenge; and, being credulous in this mad thought, i'll make him send for lucius his son; and, whilst i at a banquet hold him sure, i'll find some cunning practise out of hand, to scatter and disperse the giddy goths, or, at the least, make them his enemies. see, here he comes, and i must ply my theme. [enter titus below] titus andronicus long have i been forlorn, and all for thee: welcome, dread fury, to my woful house: rapine and murder, you are welcome too. how like the empress and her sons you are! well are you fitted, had you but a moor: could not all hell afford you such a devil? for well i wot the empress never wags but in her company there is a moor; and, would you represent our queen aright, it were convenient you had such a devil: but welcome, as you are. what shall we do? tamora what wouldst thou have us do, andronicus? demetrius show me a murderer, i'll deal with him. chiron show me a villain that hath done a rape, and i am sent to be revenged on him. tamora show me a thousand that have done thee wrong, and i will be revenged on them all. titus andronicus look round about the wicked streets of rome; and when thou find'st a man that's like thyself. good murder, stab him; he's a murderer. go thou with him; and when it is thy hap to find another that is like to thee, good rapine, stab him; he's a ravisher. go thou with them; and in the emperor's court there is a queen, attended by a moor; well mayst thou know her by thy own proportion, for up and down she doth resemble thee: i pray thee, do on them some violent death; they have been violent to me and mine. tamora well hast thou lesson'd us; this shall we do. but would it please thee, good andronicus, to send for lucius, thy thrice-valiant son, who leads towards rome a band of warlike goths, and bid him come and banquet at thy house; when he is here, even at thy solemn feast, i will bring in the empress and her sons, the emperor himself and all thy foes; and at thy mercy shalt they stoop and kneel, and on them shalt thou ease thy angry heart. what says andronicus to this device? titus andronicus marcus, my brother! 'tis sad titus calls. [enter marcus] go, gentle marcus, to thy nephew lucius; thou shalt inquire him out among the goths: bid him repair to me, and bring with him some of the chiefest princes of the goths; bid him encamp his soldiers where they are: tell him the emperor and the empress too feast at my house, and he shall feast with them. this do thou for my love; and so let him, as he regards his aged father's life. marcus andronicus this will i do, and soon return again. [exit] tamora now will i hence about thy business, and take my ministers along with me. titus andronicus nay, nay, let rape and murder stay with me; or else i'll call my brother back again, and cleave to no revenge but lucius. tamora [aside to her sons] what say you, boys? will you bide with him, whiles i go tell my lord the emperor how i have govern'd our determined jest? yield to his humour, smooth and speak him fair, and tarry with him till i turn again. titus andronicus [aside] i know them all, though they suppose me mad, and will o'erreach them in their own devices: a pair of cursed hell-hounds and their dam! demetrius madam, depart at pleasure; leave us here. tamora farewell, andronicus: revenge now goes to lay a complot to betray thy foes. titus andronicus i know thou dost; and, sweet revenge, farewell. [exit tamora] chiron tell us, old man, how shall we be employ'd? titus andronicus tut, i have work enough for you to do. publius, come hither, caius, and valentine! [enter publius and others] publius what is your will? titus andronicus know you these two? publius the empress' sons, i take them, chiron and demetrius. titus andronicus fie, publius, fie! thou art too much deceived; the one is murder, rape is the other's name; and therefore bind them, gentle publius. caius and valentine, lay hands on them. oft have you heard me wish for such an hour, and now i find it; therefore bind them sure, and stop their mouths, if they begin to cry. [exit] [publius, &c. lay hold on chiron and demetrius] chiron villains, forbear! we are the empress' sons. publius and therefore do we what we are commanded. stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word. is he sure bound? look that you bind them fast. [re-enter titus, with lavinia; he bearing a knife, and she a basin] titus andronicus come, come, lavinia; look, thy foes are bound. sirs, stop their mouths, let them not speak to me; but let them hear what fearful words i utter. o villains, chiron and demetrius! here stands the spring whom you have stain'd with mud, this goodly summer with your winter mix'd. you kill'd her husband, and for that vile fault two of her brothers were condemn'd to death, my hand cut off and made a merry jest; both her sweet hands, her tongue, and that more dear than hands or tongue, her spotless chastity, inhuman traitors, you constrain'd and forced. what would you say, if i should let you speak? villains, for shame you could not beg for grace. hark, wretches! how i mean to martyr you. this one hand yet is left to cut your throats, whilst that lavinia 'tween her stumps doth hold the basin that receives your guilty blood. you know your mother means to feast with me, and calls herself revenge, and thinks me mad: hark, villains! i will grind your bones to dust and with your blood and it i'll make a paste, and of the paste a coffin i will rear and make two pasties of your shameful heads, and bid that strumpet, your unhallow'd dam, like to the earth swallow her own increase. this is the feast that i have bid her to, and this the banquet she shall surfeit on; for worse than philomel you used my daughter, and worse than progne i will be revenged: and now prepare your throats. lavinia, come, [he cuts their throats] receive the blood: and when that they are dead, let me go grind their bones to powder small and with this hateful liquor temper it; and in that paste let their vile heads be baked. come, come, be every one officious to make this banquet; which i wish may prove more stern and bloody than the centaurs' feast. so, now bring them in, for i'll play the cook, and see them ready 'gainst their mother comes. [exeunt, bearing the dead bodies] titus andronicus act v scene iii court of titus's house. a banquet set out. [enter lucius, marcus, and goths, with aaron prisoner] lucius uncle marcus, since it is my father's mind that i repair to rome, i am content. first goth and ours with thine, befall what fortune will. lucius good uncle, take you in this barbarous moor, this ravenous tiger, this accursed devil; let him receive no sustenance, fetter him till he be brought unto the empress' face, for testimony of her foul proceedings: and see the ambush of our friends be strong; i fear the emperor means no good to us. aaron some devil whisper curses in mine ear, and prompt me, that my tongue may utter forth the venomous malice of my swelling heart! lucius away, inhuman dog! unhallow'd slave! sirs, help our uncle to convey him in. [exeunt goths, with aaron. flourish within] the trumpets show the emperor is at hand. [enter saturninus and tamora, with aemilius, tribunes, senators, and others] saturninus what, hath the firmament more suns than one? lucius what boots it thee to call thyself a sun? marcus andronicus rome's emperor, and nephew, break the parle; these quarrels must be quietly debated. the feast is ready, which the careful titus hath ordain'd to an honourable end, for peace, for love, for league, and good to rome: please you, therefore, draw nigh, and take your places. saturninus marcus, we will. [hautboys sound. the company sit down at table] [enter titus dressed like a cook, lavinia veiled, young lucius, and others. titus places the dishes on the table] titus andronicus welcome, my gracious lord; welcome, dread queen; welcome, ye warlike goths; welcome, lucius; and welcome, all: although the cheer be poor, 'twill fill your stomachs; please you eat of it. saturninus why art thou thus attired, andronicus? titus andronicus because i would be sure to have all well, to entertain your highness and your empress. tamora we are beholding to you, good andronicus. titus andronicus an if your highness knew my heart, you were. my lord the emperor, resolve me this: was it well done of rash virginius to slay his daughter with his own right hand, because she was enforced, stain'd, and deflower'd? saturninus it was, andronicus. titus andronicus your reason, mighty lord? saturninus because the girl should not survive her shame, and by her presence still renew his sorrows. titus andronicus a reason mighty, strong, and effectual; a pattern, precedent, and lively warrant, for me, most wretched, to perform the like. die, die, lavinia, and thy shame with thee; [kills lavinia] and, with thy shame, thy father's sorrow die! saturninus what hast thou done, unnatural and unkind? titus andronicus kill'd her, for whom my tears have made me blind. i am as woful as virginius was, and have a thousand times more cause than he to do this outrage: and it now is done. saturninus what, was she ravish'd? tell who did the deed. titus andronicus will't please you eat? will't please your highness feed? tamora why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus? titus andronicus not i; 'twas chiron and demetrius: they ravish'd her, and cut away her tongue; and they, 'twas they, that did her all this wrong. saturninus go fetch them hither to us presently. titus andronicus why, there they are both, baked in that pie; whereof their mother daintily hath fed, eating the flesh that she herself hath bred. 'tis true, 'tis true; witness my knife's sharp point. [kills tamora] saturninus die, frantic wretch, for this accursed deed! [kills titus] lucius can the son's eye behold his father bleed? there's meed for meed, death for a deadly deed! [kills saturninus. a great tumult. lucius, marcus, and others go up into the balcony] marcus andronicus you sad-faced men, people and sons of rome, by uproar sever'd, like a flight of fowl scatter'd by winds and high tempestuous gusts, o, let me teach you how to knit again this scatter'd corn into one mutual sheaf, these broken limbs again into one body; lest rome herself be bane unto herself, and she whom mighty kingdoms court'sy to, like a forlorn and desperate castaway, do shameful execution on herself. but if my frosty signs and chaps of age, grave witnesses of true experience, cannot induce you to attend my words, [to lucius] speak, rome's dear friend, as erst our ancestor, when with his solemn tongue he did discourse to love-sick dido's sad attending ear the story of that baleful burning night when subtle greeks surprised king priam's troy, tell us what sinon hath bewitch'd our ears, or who hath brought the fatal engine in that gives our troy, our rome, the civil wound. my heart is not compact of flint nor steel; nor can i utter all our bitter grief, but floods of tears will drown my oratory, and break my utterance, even in the time when it should move you to attend me most, lending your kind commiseration. here is a captain, let him tell the tale; your hearts will throb and weep to hear him speak. lucius then, noble auditory, be it known to you, that cursed chiron and demetrius were they that murdered our emperor's brother; and they it were that ravished our sister: for their fell faults our brothers were beheaded; our father's tears despised, and basely cozen'd of that true hand that fought rome's quarrel out, and sent her enemies unto the grave. lastly, myself unkindly banished, the gates shut on me, and turn'd weeping out, to beg relief among rome's enemies: who drown'd their enmity in my true tears. and oped their arms to embrace me as a friend. i am the turned forth, be it known to you, that have preserved her welfare in my blood; and from her bosom took the enemy's point, sheathing the steel in my adventurous body. alas, you know i am no vaunter, i; my scars can witness, dumb although they are, that my report is just and full of truth. but, soft! methinks i do digress too much, citing my worthless praise: o, pardon me; for when no friends are by, men praise themselves. marcus andronicus now is my turn to speak. behold this child: [pointing to the child in the arms of an attendant] of this was tamora delivered; the issue of an irreligious moor, chief architect and plotter of these woes: the villain is alive in titus' house, and as he is, to witness this is true. now judge what cause had titus to revenge these wrongs, unspeakable, past patience, or more than any living man could bear. now you have heard the truth, what say you, romans? have we done aught amiss,--show us wherein, and, from the place where you behold us now, the poor remainder of andronici will, hand in hand, all headlong cast us down. and on the ragged stones beat forth our brains, and make a mutual closure of our house. speak, romans, speak; and if you say we shall, lo, hand in hand, lucius and i will fall. aemilius come, come, thou reverend man of rome, and bring our emperor gently in thy hand, lucius our emperor; for well i know the common voice do cry it shall be so. all lucius, all hail, rome's royal emperor! marcus andronicus go, go into old titus' sorrowful house, [to attendants] and hither hale that misbelieving moor, to be adjudged some direful slaughtering death, as punishment for his most wicked life. [exeunt attendants] [lucius, marcus, and the others descend] all lucius, all hail, rome's gracious governor! lucius thanks, gentle romans: may i govern so, to heal rome's harms, and wipe away her woe! but, gentle people, give me aim awhile, for nature puts me to a heavy task: stand all aloof: but, uncle, draw you near, to shed obsequious tears upon this trunk. o, take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips, [kissing titus] these sorrowful drops upon thy blood-stain'd face, the last true duties of thy noble son! marcus andronicus tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss, thy brother marcus tenders on thy lips: o were the sum of these that i should pay countless and infinite, yet would i pay them! lucius come hither, boy; come, come, and learn of us to melt in showers: thy grandsire loved thee well: many a time he danced thee on his knee, sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow: many a matter hath he told to thee, meet and agreeing with thine infancy; in that respect, then, like a loving child, shed yet some small drops from thy tender spring, because kind nature doth require it so: friends should associate friends in grief and woe: bid him farewell; commit him to the grave; do him that kindness, and take leave of him. young lucius o grandsire, grandsire! even with all my heart would i were dead, so you did live again! o lord, i cannot speak to him for weeping; my tears will choke me, if i ope my mouth. [re-enter attendants with aaron] aemilius you sad andronici, have done with woes: give sentence on this execrable wretch, that hath been breeder of these dire events. lucius set him breast-deep in earth, and famish him; there let him stand, and rave, and cry for food; if any one relieves or pities him, for the offence he dies. this is our doom: some stay to see him fasten'd in the earth. aaron o, why should wrath be mute, and fury dumb? i am no baby, i, that with base prayers i should repent the evils i have done: ten thousand worse than ever yet i did would i perform, if i might have my will; if one good deed in all my life i did, i do repent it from my very soul. lucius some loving friends convey the emperor hence, and give him burial in his father's grave: my father and lavinia shall forthwith be closed in our household's monument. as for that heinous tiger, tamora, no funeral rite, nor man m mourning weeds, no mournful bell shall ring her burial; but throw her forth to beasts and birds of prey: her life was beast-like, and devoid of pity; and, being so, shall have like want of pity. see justice done on aaron, that damn'd moor, by whom our heavy haps had their beginning: then, afterwards, to order well the state, that like events may ne'er it ruinate. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew dramatis personae a lord. | | christopher sly a tinker. (sly:) | persons in | the induction. hostess, page, players, | huntsmen, and servants. | (hostess:) (page:) (a player:) (first huntsman:) (second huntsman:) (messenger:) (first servant:) (second servant:) (third servant:) baptista a rich gentleman of padua. vincentio an old gentleman of pisa. lucentio son to vincentio, in love with bianca. petruchio a gentleman of verona, a suitor to katharina. gremio | | suitors to bianca. hortensio | tranio | | servants to lucentio. biondello | grumio | | curtis | | nathaniel | | nicholas | servants to petruchio. | joseph | | philip | | peter | a pedant. katharina the shrew, | | daughters to baptista. bianca | widow. tailor, haberdasher, and servants attending on baptista and petruchio. (tailor:) (haberdasher:) (first servant:) scene padua, and petruchio's country house. the taming of the shrew induction scene i before an alehouse on a heath. [enter hostess and sly] sly i'll pheeze you, in faith. hostess a pair of stocks, you rogue! sly ye are a baggage: the slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came in with richard conqueror. therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide: sessa! hostess you will not pay for the glasses you have burst? sly no, not a denier. go by, jeronimy: go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. hostess i know my remedy; i must go fetch the third--borough. [exit] sly third, or fourth, or fifth borough, i'll answer him by law: i'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, and kindly. [falls asleep] [horns winded. enter a lord from hunting, with his train] lord huntsman, i charge thee, tender well my hounds: brach merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd; and couple clowder with the deep--mouth'd brach. saw'st thou not, boy, how silver made it good at the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? i would not lose the dog for twenty pound. first huntsman why, belman is as good as he, my lord; he cried upon it at the merest loss and twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent: trust me, i take him for the better dog. lord thou art a fool: if echo were as fleet, i would esteem him worth a dozen such. but sup them well and look unto them all: to-morrow i intend to hunt again. first huntsman i will, my lord. lord what's here? one dead, or drunk? see, doth he breathe? second huntsman he breathes, my lord. were he not warm'd with ale, this were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly. lord o monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! sirs, i will practise on this drunken man. what think you, if he were convey'd to bed, wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, a most delicious banquet by his bed, and brave attendants near him when he wakes, would not the beggar then forget himself? first huntsman believe me, lord, i think he cannot choose. second huntsman it would seem strange unto him when he waked. lord even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. then take him up and manage well the jest: carry him gently to my fairest chamber and hang it round with all my wanton pictures: balm his foul head in warm distilled waters and burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet: procure me music ready when he wakes, to make a dulcet and a heavenly sound; and if he chance to speak, be ready straight and with a low submissive reverence say 'what is it your honour will command?' let one attend him with a silver basin full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers, another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, and say 'will't please your lordship cool your hands?' some one be ready with a costly suit and ask him what apparel he will wear; another tell him of his hounds and horse, and that his lady mourns at his disease: persuade him that he hath been lunatic; and when he says he is, say that he dreams, for he is nothing but a mighty lord. this do and do it kindly, gentle sirs: it will be pastime passing excellent, if it be husbanded with modesty. first huntsman my lord, i warrant you we will play our part, as he shall think by our true diligence he is no less than what we say he is. lord take him up gently and to bed with him; and each one to his office when he wakes. [some bear out sly. a trumpet sounds] sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: [exit servingman] belike, some noble gentleman that means, travelling some journey, to repose him here. [re-enter servingman] how now! who is it? servant an't please your honour, players that offer service to your lordship. lord bid them come near. [enter players] now, fellows, you are welcome. players we thank your honour. lord do you intend to stay with me tonight? a player so please your lordship to accept our duty. lord with all my heart. this fellow i remember, since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son: 'twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well: i have forgot your name; but, sure, that part was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. a player i think 'twas soto that your honour means. lord 'tis very true: thou didst it excellent. well, you are come to me in a happy time; the rather for i have some sport in hand wherein your cunning can assist me much. there is a lord will hear you play to-night: but i am doubtful of your modesties; lest over-eyeing of his odd behavior,- for yet his honour never heard a play- you break into some merry passion and so offend him; for i tell you, sirs, if you should smile he grows impatient. a player fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves, were he the veriest antic in the world. lord go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, and give them friendly welcome every one: let them want nothing that my house affords. [exit one with the players] sirrah, go you to barthol'mew my page, and see him dress'd in all suits like a lady: that done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber; and call him 'madam,' do him obeisance. tell him from me, as he will win my love, he bear himself with honourable action, such as he hath observed in noble ladies unto their lords, by them accomplished: such duty to the drunkard let him do with soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, and say 'what is't your honour will command, wherein your lady and your humble wife may show her duty and make known her love?' and then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, and with declining head into his bosom, bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd to see her noble lord restored to health, who for this seven years hath esteem'd him no better than a poor and loathsome beggar: and if the boy have not a woman's gift to rain a shower of commanded tears, an onion will do well for such a shift, which in a napkin being close convey'd shall in despite enforce a watery eye. see this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst: anon i'll give thee more instructions. [exit a servingman] i know the boy will well usurp the grace, voice, gait and action of a gentlewoman: i long to hear him call the drunkard husband, and how my men will stay themselves from laughter when they do homage to this simple peasant. i'll in to counsel them; haply my presence may well abate the over-merry spleen which otherwise would grow into extremes. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew induction scene ii a bedchamber in the lord's house. [enter aloft sly, with attendants; some with apparel, others with basin and ewer and appurtenances; and lord] sly for god's sake, a pot of small ale. first servant will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack? second servant will't please your honour taste of these conserves? third servant what raiment will your honour wear to-day? sly i am christophero sly; call not me 'honour' nor 'lordship:' i ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne'er ask me what raiment i'll wear; for i have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-leather. lord heaven cease this idle humour in your honour! o, that a mighty man of such descent, of such possessions and so high esteem, should be infused with so foul a spirit! sly what, would you make me mad? am not i christopher sly, old sly's son of burtonheath, by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? ask marian hacket, the fat ale-wife of wincot, if she know me not: if she say i am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in christendom. what! i am not bestraught: here's- third servant o, this it is that makes your lady mourn! second servant o, this is it that makes your servants droop! lord hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house, as beaten hence by your strange lunacy. o noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth, call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment and banish hence these abject lowly dreams. look how thy servants do attend on thee, each in his office ready at thy beck. wilt thou have music? hark! apollo plays, [music] and twenty caged nightingales do sing: or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch softer and sweeter than the lustful bed on purpose trimm'd up for semiramis. say thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground: or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd, their harness studded all with gold and pearl. dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will soar above the morning lark or wilt thou hunt? thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them and fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. first servant say thou wilt course; thy greyhounds are as swift as breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe. second servant dost thou love pictures? we will fetch thee straight adonis painted by a running brook, and cytherea all in sedges hid, which seem to move and wanton with her breath, even as the waving sedges play with wind. lord we'll show thee io as she was a maid, and how she was beguiled and surprised, as lively painted as the deed was done. third servant or daphne roaming through a thorny wood, scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds, and at that sight shall sad apollo weep, so workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. lord thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord: thou hast a lady far more beautiful than any woman in this waning age. first servant and till the tears that she hath shed for thee like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face, she was the fairest creature in the world; and yet she is inferior to none. sly am i a lord? and have i such a lady? or do i dream? or have i dream'd till now? i do not sleep: i see, i hear, i speak; i smell sweet savours and i feel soft things: upon my life, i am a lord indeed and not a tinker nor christophero sly. well, bring our lady hither to our sight; and once again, a pot o' the smallest ale. second servant will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? o, how we joy to see your wit restored! o, that once more you knew but what you are! these fifteen years you have been in a dream; or when you waked, so waked as if you slept. sly these fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap. but did i never speak of all that time? first servant o, yes, my lord, but very idle words: for though you lay here in this goodly chamber, yet would you say ye were beaten out of door; and rail upon the hostess of the house; and say you would present her at the leet, because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd quarts: sometimes you would call out for cicely hacket. sly ay, the woman's maid of the house. third servant why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid, nor no such men as you have reckon'd up, as stephen sly and did john naps of greece and peter turph and henry pimpernell and twenty more such names and men as these which never were nor no man ever saw. sly now lord be thanked for my good amends! all amen. sly i thank thee: thou shalt not lose by it. [enter the page as a lady, with attendants] page how fares my noble lord? sly marry, i fare well for here is cheer enough. where is my wife? page here, noble lord: what is thy will with her? sly are you my wife and will not call me husband? my men should call me 'lord:' i am your goodman. page my husband and my lord, my lord and husband; i am your wife in all obedience. sly i know it well. what must i call her? lord madam. sly al'ce madam, or joan madam? lord 'madam,' and nothing else: so lords call ladies. sly madam wife, they say that i have dream'd and slept above some fifteen year or more. page ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, being all this time abandon'd from your bed. sly 'tis much. servants, leave me and her alone. madam, undress you and come now to bed. page thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you to pardon me yet for a night or two, or, if not so, until the sun be set: for your physicians have expressly charged, in peril to incur your former malady, that i should yet absent me from your bed: i hope this reason stands for my excuse. sly ay, it stands so that i may hardly tarry so long. but i would be loath to fall into my dreams again: i will therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood. [enter a messenger] messenger your honour's players, heating your amendment, are come to play a pleasant comedy; for so your doctors hold it very meet, seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood, and melancholy is the nurse of frenzy: therefore they thought it good you hear a play and frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life. sly marry, i will, let them play it. is not a comondy a christmas gambold or a tumbling-trick? page no, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. sly what, household stuff? page it is a kind of history. sly well, well see't. come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger. [flourish] the taming of the shrew act i scene i padua. a public place. [enter lucentio and his man tranio] lucentio tranio, since for the great desire i had to see fair padua, nursery of arts, i am arrived for fruitful lombardy, the pleasant garden of great italy; and by my father's love and leave am arm'd with his good will and thy good company, my trusty servant, well approved in all, here let us breathe and haply institute a course of learning and ingenious studies. pisa renown'd for grave citizens gave me my being and my father first, a merchant of great traffic through the world, vincetino come of bentivolii. vincetino's son brought up in florence it shall become to serve all hopes conceived, to deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds: and therefore, tranio, for the time i study, virtue and that part of philosophy will i apply that treats of happiness by virtue specially to be achieved. tell me thy mind; for i have pisa left and am to padua come, as he that leaves a shallow plash to plunge him in the deep and with satiety seeks to quench his thirst. tranio mi perdonato, gentle master mine, i am in all affected as yourself; glad that you thus continue your resolve to suck the sweets of sweet philosophy. only, good master, while we do admire this virtue and this moral discipline, let's be no stoics nor no stocks, i pray; or so devote to aristotle's cheques as ovid be an outcast quite abjured: balk logic with acquaintance that you have and practise rhetoric in your common talk; music and poesy use to quicken you; the mathematics and the metaphysics, fall to them as you find your stomach serves you; no profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en: in brief, sir, study what you most affect. lucentio gramercies, tranio, well dost thou advise. if, biondello, thou wert come ashore, we could at once put us in readiness, and take a lodging fit to entertain such friends as time in padua shall beget. but stay a while: what company is this? tranio master, some show to welcome us to town. [enter baptista, katharina, bianca, gremio, and hortensio. lucentio and tranio stand by] baptista gentlemen, importune me no farther, for how i firmly am resolved you know; that is, not bestow my youngest daughter before i have a husband for the elder: if either of you both love katharina, because i know you well and love you well, leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. gremio [aside] to cart her rather: she's too rough for me. there, there, hortensio, will you any wife? katharina i pray you, sir, is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates? hortensio mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, unless you were of gentler, milder mould. katharina i'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: i wis it is not half way to her heart; but if it were, doubt not her care should be to comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool and paint your face and use you like a fool. hortensia from all such devils, good lord deliver us! gremio and me too, good lord! tranio hush, master! here's some good pastime toward: that wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. lucentio but in the other's silence do i see maid's mild behavior and sobriety. peace, tranio! tranio well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. baptista gentlemen, that i may soon make good what i have said, bianca, get you in: and let it not displease thee, good bianca, for i will love thee ne'er the less, my girl. katharina a pretty peat! it is best put finger in the eye, an she knew why. bianca sister, content you in my discontent. sir, to your pleasure humbly i subscribe: my books and instruments shall be my company, on them to took and practise by myself. lucentio hark, tranio! thou may'st hear minerva speak. hortensio signior baptista, will you be so strange? sorry am i that our good will effects bianca's grief. gremio why will you mew her up, signior baptista, for this fiend of hell, and make her bear the penance of her tongue? baptista gentlemen, content ye; i am resolved: go in, bianca: [exit bianca] and for i know she taketh most delight in music, instruments and poetry, schoolmasters will i keep within my house, fit to instruct her youth. if you, hortensio, or signior gremio, you, know any such, prefer them hither; for to cunning men i will be very kind, and liberal to mine own children in good bringing up: and so farewell. katharina, you may stay; for i have more to commune with bianca. [exit] katharina why, and i trust i may go too, may i not? what, shall i be appointed hours; as though, belike, i knew not what to take and what to leave, ha? [exit] gremio you may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so good, here's none will hold you. their love is not so great, hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out: our cakes dough on both sides. farewell: yet for the love i bear my sweet bianca, if i can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights, i will wish him to her father. hortensio so will i, signior gremio: but a word, i pray. though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both, that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress and be happy rivals in bianco's love, to labour and effect one thing specially. gremio what's that, i pray? hortensio marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister. gremio a husband! a devil. hortensio i say, a husband. gremio i say, a devil. thinkest thou, hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? hortensio tush, gremio, though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough. gremio i cannot tell; but i had as lief take her dowry with this condition, to be whipped at the high cross every morning. hortensio faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples. but come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained all by helping baptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't a fresh. sweet bianca! happy man be his dole! he that runs fastest gets the ring. how say you, signior gremio? gremio i am agreed; and would i had given him the best horse in padua to begin his wooing that would thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the house of her! come on. [exeunt gremio and hortensio] tranio i pray, sir, tell me, is it possible that love should of a sudden take such hold? lucentio o tranio, till i found it to be true, i never thought it possible or likely; but see, while idly i stood looking on, i found the effect of love in idleness: and now in plainness do confess to thee, that art to me as secret and as dear as anna to the queen of carthage was, tranio, i burn, i pine, i perish, tranio, if i achieve not this young modest girl. counsel me, tranio, for i know thou canst; assist me, tranio, for i know thou wilt. tranio master, it is no time to chide you now; affection is not rated from the heart: if love have touch'd you, nought remains but so, 'redime te captum quam queas minimo.' lucentio gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents: the rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. tranio master, you look'd so longly on the maid, perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. lucentio o yes, i saw sweet beauty in her face, such as the daughter of agenor had, that made great jove to humble him to her hand. when with his knees he kiss'd the cretan strand. tranio saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister began to scold and raise up such a storm that mortal ears might hardly endure the din? lucentio tranio, i saw her coral lips to move and with her breath she did perfume the air: sacred and sweet was all i saw in her. tranio nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. i pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid, bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. thus it stands: her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd that till the father rid his hands of her, master, your love must live a maid at home; and therefore has he closely mew'd her up, because she will not be annoy'd with suitors. lucentio ah, tranio, what a cruel father's he! but art thou not advised, he took some care to get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? tranio ay, marry, am i, sir; and now 'tis plotted. lucentio i have it, tranio. tranio master, for my hand, both our inventions meet and jump in one. lucentio tell me thine first. tranio you will be schoolmaster and undertake the teaching of the maid: that's your device. lucentio it is: may it be done? tranio not possible; for who shall bear your part, and be in padua here vincentio's son, keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends, visit his countrymen and banquet them? lucentio basta; content thee, for i have it full. we have not yet been seen in any house, nor can we lie distinguish'd by our faces for man or master; then it follows thus; thou shalt be master, tranio, in my stead, keep house and port and servants as i should: i will some other be, some florentine, some neapolitan, or meaner man of pisa. 'tis hatch'd and shall be so: tranio, at once uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: when biondello comes, he waits on thee; but i will charm him first to keep his tongue. tranio so had you need. in brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is, and i am tied to be obedient; for so your father charged me at our parting, 'be serviceable to my son,' quoth he, although i think 'twas in another sense; i am content to be lucentio, because so well i love lucentio. lucentio tranio, be so, because lucentio loves: and let me be a slave, to achieve that maid whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye. here comes the rogue. [enter biondello] sirrah, where have you been? biondello where have i been! nay, how now! where are you? master, has my fellow tranio stolen your clothes? or you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news? lucentio sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest, and therefore frame your manners to the time. your fellow tranio here, to save my life, puts my apparel and my countenance on, and i for my escape have put on his; for in a quarrel since i came ashore i kill'd a man and fear i was descried: wait you on him, i charge you, as becomes, while i make way from hence to save my life: you understand me? biondello i, sir! ne'er a whit. lucentio and not a jot of tranio in your mouth: tranio is changed into lucentio. biondello the better for him: would i were so too! tranio so could i, faith, boy, to have the next wish after, that lucentio indeed had baptista's youngest daughter. but, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, i advise you use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies: when i am alone, why, then i am tranio; but in all places else your master lucentio. lucentio tranio, let's go: one thing more rests, that thyself execute, to make one among these wooers: if thou ask me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. [exeunt] [the presenters above speak] first servant my lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. sly yes, by saint anne, do i. a good matter, surely: comes there any more of it? page my lord, 'tis but begun. sly 'tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady: would 'twere done! [they sit and mark] the taming of the shrew act i scene ii padua. before hortensio's house. [enter petruchio and his man grumio] petruchio verona, for a while i take my leave, to see my friends in padua, but of all my best beloved and approved friend, hortensio; and i trow this is his house. here, sirrah grumio; knock, i say. grumio knock, sir! whom should i knock? is there man has rebused your worship? petruchio villain, i say, knock me here soundly. grumio knock you here, sir! why, sir, what am i, sir, that i should knock you here, sir? petruchio villain, i say, knock me at this gate and rap me well, or i'll knock your knave's pate. grumio my master is grown quarrelsome. i should knock you first, and then i know after who comes by the worst. petruchio will it not be? faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, i'll ring it; i'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. [he wrings him by the ears] grumio help, masters, help! my master is mad. petruchio now, knock when i bid you, sirrah villain! [enter hortensio] hortensio how now! what's the matter? my old friend grumio! and my good friend petruchio! how do you all at verona? petruchio signior hortensio, come you to part the fray? 'con tutto il cuore, ben trovato,' may i say. hortensio 'alla nostra casa ben venuto, molto honorato signor mio petruchio.' rise, grumio, rise: we will compound this quarrel. grumio nay, 'tis no matter, sir, what he 'leges in latin. if this be not a lawful case for me to leave his service, look you, sir, he bid me knock him and rap him soundly, sir: well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for aught i see, two and thirty, a pip out? whom would to god i had well knock'd at first, then had not grumio come by the worst. petruchio a senseless villain! good hortensio, i bade the rascal knock upon your gate and could not get him for my heart to do it. grumio knock at the gate! o heavens! spake you not these words plain, 'sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly'? and come you now with, 'knocking at the gate'? petruchio sirrah, be gone, or talk not, i advise you. hortensio petruchio, patience; i am grumio's pledge: why, this's a heavy chance 'twixt him and you, your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant grumio. and tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale blows you to padua here from old verona? petruchio such wind as scatters young men through the world, to seek their fortunes farther than at home where small experience grows. but in a few, signior hortensio, thus it stands with me: antonio, my father, is deceased; and i have thrust myself into this maze, haply to wive and thrive as best i may: crowns in my purse i have and goods at home, and so am come abroad to see the world. hortensio petruchio, shall i then come roundly to thee and wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: and yet i'll promise thee she shall be rich and very rich: but thou'rt too much my friend, and i'll not wish thee to her. petruchio signior hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know one rich enough to be petruchio's wife, as wealth is burden of my wooing dance, be she as foul as was florentius' love, as old as sibyl and as curst and shrewd as socrates' xanthippe, or a worse, she moves me not, or not removes, at least, affection's edge in me, were she as rough as are the swelling adriatic seas: i come to wive it wealthily in padua; if wealthily, then happily in padua. grumio nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: why give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal. hortensio petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in, i will continue that i broach'd in jest. i can, petruchio, help thee to a wife with wealth enough and young and beauteous, brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman: her only fault, and that is faults enough, is that she is intolerable curst and shrewd and froward, so beyond all measure that, were my state far worser than it is, i would not wed her for a mine of gold. petruchio hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's effect: tell me her father's name and 'tis enough; for i will board her, though she chide as loud as thunder when the clouds in autumn crack. hortensio her father is baptista minola, an affable and courteous gentleman: her name is katharina minola, renown'd in padua for her scolding tongue. petruchio i know her father, though i know not her; and he knew my deceased father well. i will not sleep, hortensio, till i see her; and therefore let me be thus bold with you to give you over at this first encounter, unless you will accompany me thither. grumio i pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. o' my word, an she knew him as well as i do, she would think scolding would do little good upon him: she may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so: why, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in his rope-tricks. i'll tell you what sir, an she stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. you know him not, sir. hortensio tarry, petruchio, i must go with thee, for in baptista's keep my treasure is: he hath the jewel of my life in hold, his youngest daughter, beautiful binaca, and her withholds from me and other more, suitors to her and rivals in my love, supposing it a thing impossible, for those defects i have before rehearsed, that ever katharina will be woo'd; therefore this order hath baptista ta'en, that none shall have access unto bianca till katharina the curst have got a husband. grumio katharina the curst! a title for a maid of all titles the worst. hortensio now shall my friend petruchio do me grace, and offer me disguised in sober robes to old baptista as a schoolmaster well seen in music, to instruct bianca; that so i may, by this device, at least have leave and leisure to make love to her and unsuspected court her by herself. grumio here's no knavery! see, to beguile the old folks, how the young folks lay their heads together! [enter gremio, and lucentio disguised] master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha? hortensio peace, grumio! it is the rival of my love. petruchio, stand by a while. grumio a proper stripling and an amorous! gremio o, very well; i have perused the note. hark you, sir: i'll have them very fairly bound: all books of love, see that at any hand; and see you read no other lectures to her: you understand me: over and beside signior baptista's liberality, i'll mend it with a largess. take your paper too, and let me have them very well perfumed for she is sweeter than perfume itself to whom they go to. what will you read to her? lucentio whate'er i read to her, i'll plead for you as for my patron, stand you so assured, as firmly as yourself were still in place: yea, and perhaps with more successful words than you, unless you were a scholar, sir. gremio o this learning, what a thing it is! grumio o this woodcock, what an ass it is! petruchio peace, sirrah! hortensio grumio, mum! god save you, signior gremio. gremio and you are well met, signior hortensio. trow you whither i am going? to baptista minola. i promised to inquire carefully about a schoolmaster for the fair bianca: and by good fortune i have lighted well on this young man, for learning and behavior fit for her turn, well read in poetry and other books, good ones, i warrant ye. hortensio 'tis well; and i have met a gentleman hath promised me to help me to another, a fine musician to instruct our mistress; so shall i no whit be behind in duty to fair bianca, so beloved of me. gremio beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove. grumio and that his bags shall prove. hortensio gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: listen to me, and if you speak me fair, i'll tell you news indifferent good for either. here is a gentleman whom by chance i met, upon agreement from us to his liking, will undertake to woo curst katharina, yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please. gremio so said, so done, is well. hortensio, have you told him all her faults? petruchio i know she is an irksome brawling scold: if that be all, masters, i hear no harm. gremio no, say'st me so, friend? what countryman? petruchio born in verona, old antonio's son: my father dead, my fortune lives for me; and i do hope good days and long to see. gremio o sir, such a life, with such a wife, were strange! but if you have a stomach, to't i' god's name: you shall have me assisting you in all. but will you woo this wild-cat? petruchio will i live? grumio will he woo her? ay, or i'll hang her. petruchio why came i hither but to that intent? think you a little din can daunt mine ears? have i not in my time heard lions roar? have i not heard the sea puff'd up with winds rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? have i not heard great ordnance in the field, and heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? have i not in a pitched battle heard loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? and do you tell me of a woman's tongue, that gives not half so great a blow to hear as will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. grumio for he fears none. gremio hortensio, hark: this gentleman is happily arrived, my mind presumes, for his own good and ours. hortensio i promised we would be contributors and bear his charging of wooing, whatsoe'er. gremio and so we will, provided that he win her. grumio i would i were as sure of a good dinner. [enter tranio brave, and biondello] tranio gentlemen, god save you. if i may be bold, tell me, i beseech you, which is the readiest way to the house of signior baptista minola? biondello he that has the two fair daughters: is't he you mean? tranio even he, biondello. gremio hark you, sir; you mean not her to- tranio perhaps, him and her, sir: what have you to do? petruchio not her that chides, sir, at any hand, i pray. tranio i love no chiders, sir. biondello, let's away. lucentio well begun, tranio. hortensio sir, a word ere you go; are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no? tranio and if i be, sir, is it any offence? gremio no; if without more words you will get you hence. tranio why, sir, i pray, are not the streets as free for me as for you? gremio but so is not she. tranio for what reason, i beseech you? gremio for this reason, if you'll know, that she's the choice love of signior gremio. hortensio that she's the chosen of signior hortensio. tranio softly, my masters! if you be gentlemen, do me this right; hear me with patience. baptista is a noble gentleman, to whom my father is not all unknown; and were his daughter fairer than she is, she may more suitors have and me for one. fair leda's daughter had a thousand wooers; then well one more may fair bianca have: and so she shall; lucentio shall make one, though paris came in hope to speed alone. gremio what! this gentleman will out-talk us all. lucentio sir, give him head: i know he'll prove a jade. petruchio hortensio, to what end are all these words? hortensio sir, let me be so bold as ask you, did you yet ever see baptista's daughter? tranio no, sir; but hear i do that he hath two, the one as famous for a scolding tongue as is the other for beauteous modesty. petruchio sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by. gremio yea, leave that labour to great hercules; and let it be more than alcides' twelve. petruchio sir, understand you this of me in sooth: the youngest daughter whom you hearken for her father keeps from all access of suitors, and will not promise her to any man until the elder sister first be wed: the younger then is free and not before. tranio if it be so, sir, that you are the man must stead us all and me amongst the rest, and if you break the ice and do this feat, achieve the elder, set the younger free for our access, whose hap shall be to have her will not so graceless be to be ingrate. hortensio sir, you say well and well you do conceive; and since you do profess to be a suitor, you must, as we do, gratify this gentleman, to whom we all rest generally beholding. tranio sir, i shall not be slack: in sign whereof, please ye we may contrive this afternoon, and quaff carouses to our mistress' health, and do as adversaries do in law, strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends. grumio | | o excellent motion! fellows, let's be gone. biondello | hortensio the motion's good indeed and be it so, petruchio, i shall be your ben venuto. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew act ii scene i padua. a room in baptista's house. [enter katharina and bianca] bianca good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, to make a bondmaid and a slave of me; that i disdain: but for these other gawds, unbind my hands, i'll pull them off myself, yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; or what you will command me will i do, so well i know my duty to my elders. katharina of all thy suitors, here i charge thee, tell whom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not. bianca believe me, sister, of all the men alive i never yet beheld that special face which i could fancy more than any other. katharina minion, thou liest. is't not hortensio? bianca if you affect him, sister, here i swear i'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him. katharina o then, belike, you fancy riches more: you will have gremio to keep you fair. bianca is it for him you do envy me so? nay then you jest, and now i well perceive you have but jested with me all this while: i prithee, sister kate, untie my hands. katharina if that be jest, then all the rest was so. [strikes her] [enter baptista] baptista why, how now, dame! whence grows this insolence? bianca, stand aside. poor girl! she weeps. go ply thy needle; meddle not with her. for shame, thou helding of a devilish spirit, why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? when did she cross thee with a bitter word? katharina her silence flouts me, and i'll be revenged. [flies after bianca] baptista what, in my sight? bianca, get thee in. [exit bianca] katharina what, will you not suffer me? nay, now i see she is your treasure, she must have a husband; i must dance bare-foot on her wedding day and for your love to her lead apes in hell. talk not to me: i will go sit and weep till i can find occasion of revenge. [exit] baptista was ever gentleman thus grieved as i? but who comes here? [enter gremio, lucentio in the habit of a mean man; petruchio, with hortensio as a musician; and tranio, with biondello bearing a lute and books] gremio good morrow, neighbour baptista. baptista good morrow, neighbour gremio. god save you, gentlemen! petruchio and you, good sir! pray, have you not a daughter call'd katharina, fair and virtuous? baptista i have a daughter, sir, called katharina. gremio you are too blunt: go to it orderly. petruchio you wrong me, signior gremio: give me leave. i am a gentleman of verona, sir, that, hearing of her beauty and her wit, her affability and bashful modesty, her wondrous qualities and mild behavior, am bold to show myself a forward guest within your house, to make mine eye the witness of that report which i so oft have heard. and, for an entrance to my entertainment, i do present you with a man of mine, [presenting hortensio] cunning in music and the mathematics, to instruct her fully in those sciences, whereof i know she is not ignorant: accept of him, or else you do me wrong: his name is licio, born in mantua. baptista you're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake. but for my daughter katharina, this i know, she is not for your turn, the more my grief. petruchio i see you do not mean to part with her, or else you like not of my company. baptista mistake me not; i speak but as i find. whence are you, sir? what may i call your name? petruchio petruchio is my name; antonio's son, a man well known throughout all italy. baptista i know him well: you are welcome for his sake. gremio saving your tale, petruchio, i pray, let us, that are poor petitioners, speak too: baccare! you are marvellous forward. petruchio o, pardon me, signior gremio; i would fain be doing. gremio i doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing. neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, i am sure of it. to express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly beholding to you than any, freely give unto you this young scholar, [presenting lucentio] that hath been long studying at rheims; as cunning in greek, latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is cambio; pray, accept his service. baptista a thousand thanks, signior gremio. welcome, good cambio. [to tranio] but, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger: may i be so bold to know the cause of your coming? tranio pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own, that, being a stranger in this city here, do make myself a suitor to your daughter, unto bianca, fair and virtuous. nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, in the preferment of the eldest sister. this liberty is all that i request, that, upon knowledge of my parentage, i may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo and free access and favour as the rest: and, toward the education of your daughters, i here bestow a simple instrument, and this small packet of greek and latin books: if you accept them, then their worth is great. baptista lucentio is your name; of whence, i pray? tranio of pisa, sir; son to vincentio. baptista a mighty man of pisa; by report i know him well: you are very welcome, sir, take you the lute, and you the set of books; you shall go see your pupils presently. holla, within! [enter a servant] sirrah, lead these gentlemen to my daughters; and tell them both, these are their tutors: bid them use them well. [exit servant, with lucentio and hortensio, biondello following] we will go walk a little in the orchard, and then to dinner. you are passing welcome, and so i pray you all to think yourselves. petruchio signior baptista, my business asketh haste, and every day i cannot come to woo. you knew my father well, and in him me, left solely heir to all his lands and goods, which i have better'd rather than decreased: then tell me, if i get your daughter's love, what dowry shall i have with her to wife? baptista after my death the one half of my lands, and in possession twenty thousand crowns. petruchio and, for that dowry, i'll assure her of her widowhood, be it that she survive me, in all my lands and leases whatsoever: let specialties be therefore drawn between us, that covenants may be kept on either hand. baptista ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, that is, her love; for that is all in all. petruchio why, that is nothing: for i tell you, father, i am as peremptory as she proud-minded; and where two raging fires meet together they do consume the thing that feeds their fury: though little fire grows great with little wind, yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: so i to her and so she yields to me; for i am rough and woo not like a babe. baptista well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed! but be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. petruchio ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, that shake not, though they blow perpetually. [re-enter hortensio, with his head broke] baptista how now, my friend! why dost thou look so pale? hortensio for fear, i promise you, if i look pale. baptista what, will my daughter prove a good musician? hortensio i think she'll sooner prove a soldier iron may hold with her, but never lutes. baptista why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? hortensio why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me. i did but tell her she mistook her frets, and bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; when, with a most impatient devilish spirit, 'frets, call you these?' quoth she; 'i'll fume with them:' and, with that word, she struck me on the head, and through the instrument my pate made way; and there i stood amazed for a while, as on a pillory, looking through the lute; while she did call me rascal fiddler and twangling jack; with twenty such vile terms, as had she studied to misuse me so. petruchio now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; i love her ten times more than e'er i did: o, how i long to have some chat with her! baptista well, go with me and be not so discomfited: proceed in practise with my younger daughter; she's apt to learn and thankful for good turns. signior petruchio, will you go with us, or shall i send my daughter kate to you? petruchio i pray you do. [exeunt all but petruchio] i will attend her here, and woo her with some spirit when she comes. say that she rail; why then i'll tell her plain she sings as sweetly as a nightingale: say that she frown, i'll say she looks as clear as morning roses newly wash'd with dew: say she be mute and will not speak a word; then i'll commend her volubility, and say she uttereth piercing eloquence: if she do bid me pack, i'll give her thanks, as though she bid me stay by her a week: if she deny to wed, i'll crave the day when i shall ask the banns and when be married. but here she comes; and now, petruchio, speak. [enter katharina] good morrow, kate; for that's your name, i hear. katharina well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: they call me katharina that do talk of me. petruchio you lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain kate, and bonny kate and sometimes kate the curst; but kate, the prettiest kate in christendom kate of kate hall, my super-dainty kate, for dainties are all kates, and therefore, kate, take this of me, kate of my consolation; hearing thy mildness praised in every town, thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded, yet not so deeply as to thee belongs, myself am moved to woo thee for my wife. katharina moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither remove you hence: i knew you at the first you were a moveable. petruchio why, what's a moveable? katharina a join'd-stool. petruchio thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. katharina asses are made to bear, and so are you. petruchio women are made to bear, and so are you. katharina no such jade as you, if me you mean. petruchio alas! good kate, i will not burden thee; for, knowing thee to be but young and light- katharina too light for such a swain as you to catch; and yet as heavy as my weight should be. petruchio should be! should--buzz! katharina well ta'en, and like a buzzard. petruchio o slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? katharina ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard. petruchio come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. katharina if i be waspish, best beware my sting. petruchio my remedy is then, to pluck it out. katharina ay, if the fool could find it where it lies, petruchio who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? in his tail. katharina in his tongue. petruchio whose tongue? katharina yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell. petruchio what, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, good kate; i am a gentleman. katharina that i'll try. [she strikes him] petruchio i swear i'll cuff you, if you strike again. katharina so may you lose your arms: if you strike me, you are no gentleman; and if no gentleman, why then no arms. petruchio a herald, kate? o, put me in thy books! katharina what is your crest? a coxcomb? petruchio a combless cock, so kate will be my hen. katharina no cock of mine; you crow too like a craven. petruchio nay, come, kate, come; you must not look so sour. katharina it is my fashion, when i see a crab. petruchio why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour. katharina there is, there is. petruchio then show it me. katharina had i a glass, i would. petruchio what, you mean my face? katharina well aim'd of such a young one. petruchio now, by saint george, i am too young for you. katharina yet you are wither'd. petruchio 'tis with cares. katharina i care not. petruchio nay, hear you, kate: in sooth you scape not so. katharina i chafe you, if i tarry: let me go. petruchio no, not a whit: i find you passing gentle. 'twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen, and now i find report a very liar; for thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, but slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time flowers: thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance, nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will, nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk, but thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers, with gentle conference, soft and affable. why does the world report that kate doth limp? o slanderous world! kate like the hazel-twig is straight and slender and as brown in hue as hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels. o, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt. katharina go, fool, and whom thou keep'st command. petruchio did ever dian so become a grove as kate this chamber with her princely gait? o, be thou dian, and let her be kate; and then let kate be chaste and dian sportful! katharina where did you study all this goodly speech? petruchio it is extempore, from my mother-wit. katharina a witty mother! witless else her son. petruchio am i not wise? katharina yes; keep you warm. petruchio marry, so i mean, sweet katharina, in thy bed: and therefore, setting all this chat aside, thus in plain terms: your father hath consented that you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; and, will you, nill you, i will marry you. now, kate, i am a husband for your turn; for, by this light, whereby i see thy beauty, thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well, thou must be married to no man but me; for i am he am born to tame you kate, and bring you from a wild kate to a kate conformable as other household kates. here comes your father: never make denial; i must and will have katharina to my wife. [re-enter baptista, gremio, and tranio] baptista now, signior petruchio, how speed you with my daughter? petruchio how but well, sir? how but well? it were impossible i should speed amiss. baptista why, how now, daughter katharina! in your dumps? katharina call you me daughter? now, i promise you you have show'd a tender fatherly regard, to wish me wed to one half lunatic; a mad-cup ruffian and a swearing jack, that thinks with oaths to face the matter out. petruchio father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world, that talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her: if she be curst, it is for policy, for she's not froward, but modest as the dove; she is not hot, but temperate as the morn; for patience she will prove a second grissel, and roman lucrece for her chastity: and to conclude, we have 'greed so well together, that upon sunday is the wedding-day. katharina i'll see thee hang'd on sunday first. gremio hark, petruchio; she says she'll see thee hang'd first. tranio is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part! petruchio be patient, gentlemen; i choose her for myself: if she and i be pleased, what's that to you? 'tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain, being alone, that she shall still be curst in company. i tell you, 'tis incredible to believe how much she loves me: o, the kindest kate! she hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss she vied so fast, protesting oath on oath, that in a twink she won me to her love. o, you are novices! 'tis a world to see, how tame, when men and women are alone, a meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. give me thy hand, kate: i will unto venice, to buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day. provide the feast, father, and bid the guests; i will be sure my katharina shall be fine. baptista i know not what to say: but give me your hands; god send you joy, petruchio! 'tis a match. gremio | | amen, say we: we will be witnesses. tranio | petruchio father, and wife, and gentlemen, adieu; i will to venice; sunday comes apace: we will have rings and things and fine array; and kiss me, kate, we will be married o'sunday. [exeunt petruchio and katharina severally] gremio was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? baptista faith, gentlemen, now i play a merchant's part, and venture madly on a desperate mart. tranio 'twas a commodity lay fretting by you: 'twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas. baptista the gain i seek is, quiet in the match. gremio no doubt but he hath got a quiet catch. but now, baptists, to your younger daughter: now is the day we long have looked for: i am your neighbour, and was suitor first. tranio and i am one that love bianca more than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. gremio youngling, thou canst not love so dear as i. tranio graybeard, thy love doth freeze. gremio but thine doth fry. skipper, stand back: 'tis age that nourisheth. tranio but youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. baptista content you, gentlemen: i will compound this strife: 'tis deeds must win the prize; and he of both that can assure my daughter greatest dower shall have my bianca's love. say, signior gremio, what can you assure her? gremio first, as you know, my house within the city is richly furnished with plate and gold; basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands; my hangings all of tyrian tapestry; in ivory coffers i have stuff'd my crowns; in cypress chests my arras counterpoints, costly apparel, tents, and canopies, fine linen, turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, valance of venice gold in needlework, pewter and brass and all things that belong to house or housekeeping: then, at my farm i have a hundred milch-kine to the pail, sixscore fat oxen standing in my stalls, and all things answerable to this portion. myself am struck in years, i must confess; and if i die to-morrow, this is hers, if whilst i live she will be only mine. tranio that 'only' came well in. sir, list to me: i am my father's heir and only son: if i may have your daughter to my wife, i'll leave her houses three or four as good, within rich pisa walls, as any one old signior gremio has in padua; besides two thousand ducats by the year of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure. what, have i pinch'd you, signior gremio? gremio two thousand ducats by the year of land! my land amounts not to so much in all: that she shall have; besides an argosy that now is lying in marseilles' road. what, have i choked you with an argosy? tranio gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less than three great argosies; besides two galliases, and twelve tight galleys: these i will assure her, and twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next. gremio nay, i have offer'd all, i have no more; and she can have no more than all i have: if you like me, she shall have me and mine. tranio why, then the maid is mine from all the world, by your firm promise: gremio is out-vied. baptista i must confess your offer is the best; and, let your father make her the assurance, she is your own; else, you must pardon me, if you should die before him, where's her dower? tranio that's but a cavil: he is old, i young. gremio and may not young men die, as well as old? baptista well, gentlemen, i am thus resolved: on sunday next you know my daughter katharina is to be married: now, on the sunday following, shall bianca be bride to you, if you this assurance; if not, signior gremio: and so, i take my leave, and thank you both. gremio adieu, good neighbour. [exit baptista] now i fear thee not: sirrah young gamester, your father were a fool to give thee all, and in his waning age set foot under thy table: tut, a toy! an old italian fox is not so kind, my boy. [exit] tranio a vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide! yet i have faced it with a card of ten. 'tis in my head to do my master good: i see no reason but supposed lucentio must get a father, call'd 'supposed vincentio;' and that's a wonder: fathers commonly do get their children; but in this case of wooing, a child shall get a sire, if i fail not of my cunning. [exit] the taming of the shrew act iii scene i padua. baptista's house. [enter lucentio, hortensio, and bianca] lucentio fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir: have you so soon forgot the entertainment her sister katharina welcomed you withal? hortensio but, wrangling pedant, this is the patroness of heavenly harmony: then give me leave to have prerogative; and when in music we have spent an hour, your lecture shall have leisure for as much. lucentio preposterous ass, that never read so far to know the cause why music was ordain'd! was it not to refresh the mind of man after his studies or his usual pain? then give me leave to read philosophy, and while i pause, serve in your harmony. hortensio sirrah, i will not bear these braves of thine. bianca why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong, to strive for that which resteth in my choice: i am no breeching scholar in the schools; i'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times, but learn my lessons as i please myself. and, to cut off all strife, here sit we down: take you your instrument, play you the whiles; his lecture will be done ere you have tuned. hortensio you'll leave his lecture when i am in tune? lucentio that will be never: tune your instrument. bianca where left we last? lucentio here, madam: 'hic ibat simois; hic est sigeia tellus; hic steterat priami regia celsa senis.' bianca construe them. lucentio 'hic ibat,' as i told you before, 'simois,' i am lucentio, 'hic est,' son unto vincentio of pisa, 'sigeia tellus,' disguised thus to get your love; 'hic steterat,' and that lucentio that comes a-wooing, 'priami,' is my man tranio, 'regia,' bearing my port, 'celsa senis,' that we might beguile the old pantaloon. hortensio madam, my instrument's in tune. bianca let's hear. o fie! the treble jars. lucentio spit in the hole, man, and tune again. bianca now let me see if i can construe it: 'hic ibat simois,' i know you not, 'hic est sigeia tellus,' i trust you not; 'hic steterat priami,' take heed he hear us not, 'regia,' presume not, 'celsa senis,' despair not. hortensio madam, 'tis now in tune. lucentio all but the base. hortensio the base is right; 'tis the base knave that jars. [aside] how fiery and forward our pedant is! now, for my life, the knave doth court my love: pedascule, i'll watch you better yet. bianca in time i may believe, yet i mistrust. lucentio mistrust it not: for, sure, aeacides was ajax, call'd so from his grandfather. bianca i must believe my master; else, i promise you, i should be arguing still upon that doubt: but let it rest. now, licio, to you: good masters, take it not unkindly, pray, that i have been thus pleasant with you both. hortensio you may go walk, and give me leave a while: my lessons make no music in three parts. lucentio are you so formal, sir? well, i must wait, [aside] and watch withal; for, but i be deceived, our fine musician groweth amorous. hortensio madam, before you touch the instrument, to learn the order of my fingering, i must begin with rudiments of art; to teach you gamut in a briefer sort, more pleasant, pithy and effectual, than hath been taught by any of my trade: and there it is in writing, fairly drawn. bianca why, i am past my gamut long ago. hortensio yet read the gamut of hortensio. bianca [reads] ''gamut' i am, the ground of all accord, 'a re,' to plead hortensio's passion; 'b mi,' bianca, take him for thy lord, 'c fa ut,' that loves with all affection: 'd sol re,' one clef, two notes have i: 'e la mi,' show pity, or i die.' call you this gamut? tut, i like it not: old fashions please me best; i am not so nice, to change true rules for old inventions. [enter a servant] servant mistress, your father prays you leave your books and help to dress your sister's chamber up: you know to-morrow is the wedding-day. bianca farewell, sweet masters both; i must be gone. [exeunt bianca and servant] lucentio faith, mistress, then i have no cause to stay. [exit] hortensio but i have cause to pry into this pedant: methinks he looks as though he were in love: yet if thy thoughts, bianca, be so humble to cast thy wandering eyes on every stale, seize thee that list: if once i find thee ranging, hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. [exit] the taming of the shrew act iii scene ii padua. before baptista's house. [enter baptista, gremio, tranio, katharina, bianca, lucentio, and others, attendants] baptista [to tranio] signior lucentio, this is the 'pointed day. that katharina and petruchio should be married, and yet we hear not of our son-in-law. what will be said? what mockery will it be, to want the bridegroom when the priest attends to speak the ceremonial rites of marriage! what says lucentio to this shame of ours? katharina no shame but mine: i must, forsooth, be forced to give my hand opposed against my heart unto a mad-brain rudesby full of spleen; who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure. i told you, i, he was a frantic fool, hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior: and, to be noted for a merry man, he'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, make feasts, invite friends, and proclaim the banns; yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd. now must the world point at poor katharina, and say, 'lo, there is mad petruchio's wife, if it would please him come and marry her!' tranio patience, good katharina, and baptista too. upon my life, petruchio means but well, whatever fortune stays him from his word: though he be blunt, i know him passing wise; though he be merry, yet withal he's honest. katharina would katharina had never seen him though! [exit weeping, followed by bianca and others] baptista go, girl; i cannot blame thee now to weep; for such an injury would vex a very saint, much more a shrew of thy impatient humour. [enter biondello] biondello master, master! news, old news, and such news as you never heard of! baptista is it new and old too? how may that be? biondello why, is it not news, to hear of petruchio's coming? baptista is he come? biondello why, no, sir. baptista what then? biondello he is coming. baptista when will he be here? biondello when he stands where i am and sees you there. tranio but say, what to thine old news? biondello why, petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned, a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one buckled, another laced, an old rusty sword ta'en out of the town-armory, with a broken hilt, and chapeless; with two broken points: his horse hipped with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no kindred; besides, possessed with the glanders and like to mose in the chine; troubled with the lampass, infected with the fashions, full of wingdalls, sped with spavins, rayed with yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn with the bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten; near-legged before and with, a half-chequed bit and a head-stall of sheeps leather which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst and now repaired with knots; one girth six time pieced and a woman's crupper of velure, which hath two letters for her name fairly set down in studs, and here and there pieced with packthread. baptista who comes with him? biondello o, sir, his lackey, for all the world caparisoned like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list; an old hat and 'the humour of forty fancies' pricked in't for a feather: a monster, a very monster in apparel, and not like a christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey. tranio 'tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell'd. baptista i am glad he's come, howsoe'er he comes. biondello why, sir, he comes not. baptista didst thou not say he comes? biondello who? that petruchio came? baptista ay, that petruchio came. biondello no, sir, i say his horse comes, with him on his back. baptista why, that's all one. biondello nay, by saint jamy, i hold you a penny, a horse and a man is more than one, and yet not many. [enter petruchio and grumio] petruchio come, where be these gallants? who's at home? baptista you are welcome, sir. petruchio and yet i come not well. baptista and yet you halt not. tranio not so well apparell'd as i wish you were. petruchio were it better, i should rush in thus. but where is kate? where is my lovely bride? how does my father? gentles, methinks you frown: and wherefore gaze this goodly company, as if they saw some wondrous monument, some comet or unusual prodigy? baptista why, sir, you know this is your wedding-day: first were we sad, fearing you would not come; now sadder, that you come so unprovided. fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate, an eye-sore to our solemn festival! tranio and tells us, what occasion of import hath all so long detain'd you from your wife, and sent you hither so unlike yourself? petruchio tedious it were to tell, and harsh to hear: sufficeth i am come to keep my word, though in some part enforced to digress; which, at more leisure, i will so excuse as you shall well be satisfied withal. but where is kate? i stay too long from her: the morning wears, 'tis time we were at church. tranio see not your bride in these unreverent robes: go to my chamber; put on clothes of mine. petruchio not i, believe me: thus i'll visit her. baptista but thus, i trust, you will not marry her. petruchio good sooth, even thus; therefore ha' done with words: to me she's married, not unto my clothes: could i repair what she will wear in me, as i can change these poor accoutrements, 'twere well for kate and better for myself. but what a fool am i to chat with you, when i should bid good morrow to my bride, and seal the title with a lovely kiss! [exeunt petruchio and grumio] tranio he hath some meaning in his mad attire: we will persuade him, be it possible, to put on better ere he go to church. baptista i'll after him, and see the event of this. [exeunt baptista, gremio, and attendants] tranio but to her love concerneth us to add her father's liking: which to bring to pass, as i before unparted to your worship, i am to get a man,--whate'er he be, it skills not much. we'll fit him to our turn,- and he shall be vincentio of pisa; and make assurance here in padua of greater sums than i have promised. so shall you quietly enjoy your hope, and marry sweet bianca with consent. lucentio were it not that my fellow-school-master doth watch bianca's steps so narrowly, 'twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage; which once perform'd, let all the world say no, i'll keep mine own, despite of all the world. tranio that by degrees we mean to look into, and watch our vantage in this business: we'll over-reach the greybeard, gremio, the narrow-prying father, minola, the quaint musician, amorous licio; all for my master's sake, lucentio. [re-enter gremio] signior gremio, came you from the church? gremio as willingly as e'er i came from school. tranio and is the bride and bridegroom coming home? gremio a bridegroom say you? 'tis a groom indeed, a grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. tranio curster than she? why, 'tis impossible. gremio why he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend. tranio why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam. gremio tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him! i'll tell you, sir lucentio: when the priest should ask, if katharina should be his wife, 'ay, by gogs-wouns,' quoth he; and swore so loud, that, all-amazed, the priest let fall the book; and, as he stoop'd again to take it up, the mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff that down fell priest and book and book and priest: 'now take them up,' quoth he, 'if any list.' tranio what said the wench when he rose again? gremio trembled and shook; for why, he stamp'd and swore, as if the vicar meant to cozen him. but after many ceremonies done, he calls for wine: 'a health!' quoth he, as if he had been aboard, carousing to his mates after a storm; quaff'd off the muscadel and threw the sops all in the sexton's face; having no other reason but that his beard grew thin and hungerly and seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking. this done, he took the bride about the neck and kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack that at the parting all the church did echo: and i seeing this came thence for very shame; and after me, i know, the rout is coming. such a mad marriage never was before: hark, hark! i hear the minstrels play. [music] [re-enter petruchio, katharina, bianca, baptista, hortensio, grumio, and train] petruchio gentlemen and friends, i thank you for your pains: i know you think to dine with me to-day, and have prepared great store of wedding cheer; but so it is, my haste doth call me hence, and therefore here i mean to take my leave. baptista is't possible you will away to-night? petruchio i must away to-day, before night come: make it no wonder; if you knew my business, you would entreat me rather go than stay. and, honest company, i thank you all, that have beheld me give away myself to this most patient, sweet and virtuous wife: dine with my father, drink a health to me; for i must hence; and farewell to you all. tranio let us entreat you stay till after dinner. petruchio it may not be. gremio let me entreat you. petruchio it cannot be. katharina let me entreat you. petruchio i am content. katharina are you content to stay? petruchio i am content you shall entreat me stay; but yet not stay, entreat me how you can. katharina now, if you love me, stay. petruchio grumio, my horse. grumio ay, sir, they be ready: the oats have eaten the horses. katharina nay, then, do what thou canst, i will not go to-day; no, nor to-morrow, not till i please myself. the door is open, sir; there lies your way; you may be jogging whiles your boots are green; for me, i'll not be gone till i please myself: 'tis like you'll prove a jolly surly groom, that take it on you at the first so roundly. petruchio o kate, content thee; prithee, be not angry. katharina i will be angry: what hast thou to do? father, be quiet; he shall stay my leisure. gremio ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work. katarina gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner: i see a woman may be made a fool, if she had not a spirit to resist. petruchio they shall go forward, kate, at thy command. obey the bride, you that attend on her; go to the feast, revel and domineer, carouse full measure to her maidenhead, be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves: but for my bonny kate, she must with me. nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret; i will be master of what is mine own: she is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing; and here she stands, touch her whoever dare; i'll bring mine action on the proudest he that stops my way in padua. grumio, draw forth thy weapon, we are beset with thieves; rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man. fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch thee, kate: i'll buckler thee against a million. [exeunt petruchio, katharina, and grumio] baptista nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones. gremio went they not quickly, i should die with laughing. tranio of all mad matches never was the like. lucentio mistress, what's your opinion of your sister? bianca that, being mad herself, she's madly mated. gremio i warrant him, petruchio is kated. baptista neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants for to supply the places at the table, you know there wants no junkets at the feast. lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place: and let bianca take her sister's room. tranio shall sweet bianca practise how to bride it? baptista she shall, lucentio. come, gentlemen, let's go. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew act iv scene i petruchio's country house. [enter grumio] grumio fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and all foul ways! was ever man so beaten? was ever man so rayed? was ever man so weary? i am sent before to make a fire, and they are coming after to warm them. now, were not i a little pot and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, ere i should come by a fire to thaw me: but i, with blowing the fire, shall warm myself; for, considering the weather, a taller man than i will take cold. holla, ho! curtis. [enter curtis] curtis who is that calls so coldly? grumio a piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my head and my neck. a fire good curtis. curtis is my master and his wife coming, grumio? grumio o, ay, curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no water. curtis is she so hot a shrew as she's reported? grumio she was, good curtis, before this frost: but, thou knowest, winter tames man, woman and beast; for it hath tamed my old master and my new mistress and myself, fellow curtis. curtis away, you three-inch fool! i am no beast. grumio am i but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot; and so long am i at the least. but wilt thou make a fire, or shall i complain on thee to our mistress, whose hand, she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office? curtis i prithee, good grumio, tell me, how goes the world? grumio a cold world, curtis, in every office but thine; and therefore fire: do thy duty, and have thy duty; for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death. curtis there's fire ready; and therefore, good grumio, the news. grumio why, 'jack, boy! ho! boy!' and as much news as will thaw. curtis come, you are so full of cony-catching! grumio why, therefore fire; for i have caught extreme cold. where's the cook? is supper ready, the house trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the serving-men in their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer his wedding-garment on? be the jacks fair within, the jills fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing in order? curtis all ready; and therefore, i pray thee, news. grumio first, know, my horse is tired; my master and mistress fallen out. curtis how? grumio out of their saddles into the dirt; and thereby hangs a tale. curtis let's ha't, good grumio. grumio lend thine ear. curtis here. grumio there. [strikes him] curtis this is to feel a tale, not to hear a tale. grumio and therefore 'tis called a sensible tale: and this cuff was but to knock at your ear, and beseech listening. now i begin: imprimis, we came down a foul hill, my master riding behind my mistress,- curtis both of one horse? grumio what's that to thee? curtis why, a horse. grumio tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not crossed me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she under her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her with the horse upon her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled, how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me, how he swore, how she prayed, that never prayed before, how i cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was burst, how i lost my crupper, with many things of worthy memory, which now shall die in oblivion and thou return unexperienced to thy grave. curtis by this reckoning he is more shrew than she. grumio ay; and that thou and the proudest of you all shall find when he comes home. but what talk i of this? call forth nathaniel, joseph, nicholas, philip, walter, sugarsop and the rest: let their heads be sleekly combed their blue coats brushed and their garters of an indifferent knit: let them curtsy with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair of my master's horse-tail till they kiss their hands. are they all ready? curtis they are. grumio call them forth. curtis do you hear, ho? you must meet my master to countenance my mistress. grumio why, she hath a face of her own. curtis who knows not that? grumio thou, it seems, that calls for company to countenance her. curtis i call them forth to credit her. grumio why, she comes to borrow nothing of them. [enter four or five serving-men] nathaniel welcome home, grumio! philip how now, grumio! joseph what, grumio! nicholas fellow grumio! nathaniel how now, old lad? grumio welcome, you;--how now, you;-what, you;--fellow, you;--and thus much for greeting. now, my spruce companions, is all ready, and all things neat? nathaniel all things is ready. how near is our master? grumio e'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be not--cock's passion, silence! i hear my master. [enter petruchio and katharina] petruchio where be these knaves? what, no man at door to hold my stirrup nor to take my horse! where is nathaniel, gregory, philip? all serving-men here, here, sir; here, sir. petruchio here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! you logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms! what, no attendance? no regard? no duty? where is the foolish knave i sent before? grumio here, sir; as foolish as i was before. petruchio you peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge! did i not bid thee meet me in the park, and bring along these rascal knaves with thee? grumio nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made, and gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel; there was no link to colour peter's hat, and walter's dagger was not come from sheathing: there were none fine but adam, ralph, and gregory; the rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you. petruchio go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in. [exeunt servants] [singing] where is the life that late i led- where are those--sit down, kate, and welcome.- sound, sound, sound, sound! [re-enter servants with supper] why, when, i say? nay, good sweet kate, be merry. off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when? [sings] it was the friar of orders grey, as he forth walked on his way:- out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry: take that, and mend the plucking off the other. [strikes him] be merry, kate. some water, here; what, ho! where's my spaniel troilus? sirrah, get you hence, and bid my cousin ferdinand come hither: one, kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with. where are my slippers? shall i have some water? [enter one with water] come, kate, and wash, and welcome heartily. you whoreson villain! will you let it fall? [strikes him] katharina patience, i pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling. petruchio a whoreson beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave! come, kate, sit down; i know you have a stomach. will you give thanks, sweet kate; or else shall i? what's this? mutton? first servant ay. petruchio who brought it? peter i. petruchio 'tis burnt; and so is all the meat. what dogs are these! where is the rascal cook? how durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser, and serve it thus to me that love it not? theretake it to you, trenchers, cups, and all; [throws the meat, &c. about the stage] you heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves! what, do you grumble? i'll be with you straight. katharina i pray you, husband, be not so disquiet: the meat was well, if you were so contented. petruchio i tell thee, kate, 'twas burnt and dried away; and i expressly am forbid to touch it, for it engenders choler, planteth anger; and better 'twere that both of us did fast, since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric, than feed it with such over-roasted flesh. be patient; to-morrow 't shall be mended, and, for this night, we'll fast for company: come, i will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. [exeunt] [re-enter servants severally] nathaniel peter, didst ever see the like? peter he kills her in her own humour. [re-enter curtis] grumio where is he? curtis in her chamber, making a sermon of continency to her; and rails, and swears, and rates, that she, poor soul, knows not which way to stand, to look, to speak, and sits as one new-risen from a dream. away, away! for he is coming hither. [exeunt] [re-enter petruchio] petruchio thus have i politicly begun my reign, and 'tis my hope to end successfully. my falcon now is sharp and passing empty; and till she stoop she must not be full-gorged, for then she never looks upon her lure. another way i have to man my haggard, to make her come and know her keeper's call, that is, to watch her, as we watch these kites that bate and beat and will not be obedient. she eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat; last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not; as with the meat, some undeserved fault i'll find about the making of the bed; and here i'll fling the pillow, there the bolster, this way the coverlet, another way the sheets: ay, and amid this hurly i intend that all is done in reverend care of her; and in conclusion she shall watch all night: and if she chance to nod i'll rail and brawl and with the clamour keep her still awake. this is a way to kill a wife with kindness; and thus i'll curb her mad and headstrong humour. he that knows better how to tame a shrew, now let him speak: 'tis charity to show. [exit] the taming of the shrew act iv scene ii padua. before baptista's house. [enter tranio and hortensio] tranio is't possible, friend licio, that mistress bianca doth fancy any other but lucentio? i tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. hortensio sir, to satisfy you in what i have said, stand by and mark the manner of his teaching. [enter bianca and lucentio] lucentio now, mistress, profit you in what you read? bianca what, master, read you? first resolve me that. lucentio i read that i profess, the art to love. bianca and may you prove, sir, master of your art! lucentio while you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart! hortensio quick proceeders, marry! now, tell me, i pray, you that durst swear at your mistress bianca loved none in the world so well as lucentio. tranio o despiteful love! unconstant womankind! i tell thee, licio, this is wonderful. hortensio mistake no more: i am not licio, nor a musician, as i seem to be; but one that scorn to live in this disguise, for such a one as leaves a gentleman, and makes a god of such a cullion: know, sir, that i am call'd hortensio. tranio signior hortensio, i have often heard of your entire affection to bianca; and since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, i will with you, if you be so contented, forswear bianca and her love for ever. hortensio see, how they kiss and court! signior lucentio, here is my hand, and here i firmly vow never to woo her no more, but do forswear her, as one unworthy all the former favours that i have fondly flatter'd her withal. tranio and here i take the unfeigned oath, never to marry with her though she would entreat: fie on her! see, how beastly she doth court him! hortensio would all the world but he had quite forsworn! for me, that i may surely keep mine oath, i will be married to a wealthy widow, ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me as i have loved this proud disdainful haggard. and so farewell, signior lucentio. kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love: and so i take my leave, in resolution as i swore before. [exit] tranio mistress bianca, bless you with such grace as 'longeth to a lover's blessed case! nay, i have ta'en you napping, gentle love, and have forsworn you with hortensio. bianca tranio, you jest: but have you both forsworn me? tranio mistress, we have. lucentio then we are rid of licio. tranio i' faith, he'll have a lusty widow now, that shall be wood and wedded in a day. bianca god give him joy! tranio ay, and he'll tame her. bianca he says so, tranio. tranio faith, he is gone unto the taming-school. bianca the taming-school! what, is there such a place? tranio ay, mistress, and petruchio is the master; that teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, to tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue. [enter biondello] biondello o master, master, i have watch'd so long that i am dog-weary: but at last i spied an ancient angel coming down the hill, will serve the turn. tranio what is he, biondello? biondello master, a mercatante, or a pedant, i know not what; but format in apparel, in gait and countenance surely like a father. lucentio and what of him, tranio? tranio if he be credulous and trust my tale, i'll make him glad to seem vincentio, and give assurance to baptista minola, as if he were the right vincentio take in your love, and then let me alone. [exeunt lucentio and bianca] [enter a pedant] pedant god save you, sir! tranio and you, sir! you are welcome. travel you far on, or are you at the farthest? pedant sir, at the farthest for a week or two: but then up farther, and as for as rome; and so to tripoli, if god lend me life. tranio what countryman, i pray? pedant of mantua. tranio of mantua, sir? marry, god forbid! and come to padua, careless of your life? pedant my life, sir! how, i pray? for that goes hard. tranio 'tis death for any one in mantua to come to padua. know you not the cause? your ships are stay'd at venice, and the duke, for private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him, hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'tis, marvel, but that you are but newly come, you might have heard it else proclaim'd about. pedant alas! sir, it is worse for me than so; for i have bills for money by exchange from florence and must here deliver them. tranio well, sir, to do you courtesy, this will i do, and this i will advise you: first, tell me, have you ever been at pisa? pedant ay, sir, in pisa have i often been, pisa renowned for grave citizens. tranio among them know you one vincentio? pedant i know him not, but i have heard of him; a merchant of incomparable wealth. tranio he is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, in countenance somewhat doth resemble you. biondello [aside] as much as an apple doth an oyster, and all one. tranio to save your life in this extremity, this favour will i do you for his sake; and think it not the worst of an your fortunes that you are like to sir vincentio. his name and credit shall you undertake, and in my house you shall be friendly lodged: look that you take upon you as you should; you understand me, sir: so shall you stay till you have done your business in the city: if this be courtesy, sir, accept of it. pedant o sir, i do; and will repute you ever the patron of my life and liberty. tranio then go with me to make the matter good. this, by the way, i let you understand; my father is here look'd for every day, to pass assurance of a dower in marriage 'twixt me and one baptista's daughter here: in all these circumstances i'll instruct you: go with me to clothe you as becomes you. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew act iv scene iii a room in petruchio's house. [enter katharina and grumio] grumio no, no, forsooth; i dare not for my life. katharina the more my wrong, the more his spite appears: what, did he marry me to famish me? beggars, that come unto my father's door, upon entreaty have a present aims; if not, elsewhere they meet with charity: but i, who never knew how to entreat, nor never needed that i should entreat, am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep, with oath kept waking and with brawling fed: and that which spites me more than all these wants, he does it under name of perfect love; as who should say, if i should sleep or eat, 'twere deadly sickness or else present death. i prithee go and get me some repast; i care not what, so it be wholesome food. grumio what say you to a neat's foot? katharina 'tis passing good: i prithee let me have it. grumio i fear it is too choleric a meat. how say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd? katharina i like it well: good grumio, fetch it me. grumio i cannot tell; i fear 'tis choleric. what say you to a piece of beef and mustard? katharina a dish that i do love to feed upon. grumio ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. katharina why then, the beef, and let the mustard rest. grumio nay then, i will not: you shall have the mustard, or else you get no beef of grumio. katharina then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. grumio why then, the mustard without the beef. katharina go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, [beats him] that feed'st me with the very name of meat: sorrow on thee and all the pack of you, that triumph thus upon my misery! go, get thee gone, i say. [enter petruchio and hortensio with meat] petruchio how fares my kate? what, sweeting, all amort? hortensio mistress, what cheer? katharina faith, as cold as can be. petruchio pluck up thy spirits; look cheerfully upon me. here love; thou see'st how diligent i am to dress thy meat myself and bring it thee: i am sure, sweet kate, this kindness merits thanks. what, not a word? nay, then thou lovest it not; and all my pains is sorted to no proof. here, take away this dish. katharina i pray you, let it stand. petruchio the poorest service is repaid with thanks; and so shall mine, before you touch the meat. katharina i thank you, sir. hortensio signior petruchio, fie! you are to blame. come, mistress kate, i'll bear you company. petruchio [aside] eat it up all, hortensio, if thou lovest me. much good do it unto thy gentle heart! kate, eat apace: and now, my honey love, will we return unto thy father's house and revel it as bravely as the best, with silken coats and caps and golden rings, with ruffs and cuffs and fardingales and things; with scarfs and fans and double change of bravery, with amber bracelets, beads and all this knavery. what, hast thou dined? the tailor stays thy leisure, to deck thy body with his ruffling treasure. [enter tailor] come, tailor, let us see these ornaments; lay forth the gown. [enter haberdasher] what news with you, sir? haberdasher here is the cap your worship did bespeak. petruchio why, this was moulded on a porringer; a velvet dish: fie, fie! 'tis lewd and filthy: why, 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell, a knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap: away with it! come, let me have a bigger. katharina i'll have no bigger: this doth fit the time, and gentlewomen wear such caps as these petruchio when you are gentle, you shall have one too, and not till then. hortensio [aside] that will not be in haste. katharina why, sir, i trust i may have leave to speak; and speak i will; i am no child, no babe: your betters have endured me say my mind, and if you cannot, best you stop your ears. my tongue will tell the anger of my heart, or else my heart concealing it will break, and rather than it shall, i will be free even to the uttermost, as i please, in words. petruchio why, thou say'st true; it is a paltry cap, a custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie: i love thee well, in that thou likest it not. katharina love me or love me not, i like the cap; and it i will have, or i will have none. [exit haberdasher] petruchio thy gown? why, ay: come, tailor, let us see't. o mercy, god! what masquing stuff is here? what's this? a sleeve? 'tis like a demi-cannon: what, up and down, carved like an apple-tart? here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash, like to a censer in a barber's shop: why, what, i' devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this? hortensio [aside] i see she's like to have neither cap nor gown. tailor you bid me make it orderly and well, according to the fashion and the time. petruchio marry, and did; but if you be remember'd, i did not bid you mar it to the time. go, hop me over every kennel home, for you shall hop without my custom, sir: i'll none of it: hence! make your best of it. katharina i never saw a better-fashion'd gown, more quaint, more pleasing, nor more commendable: belike you mean to make a puppet of me. petruchio why, true; he means to make a puppet of thee. tailor she says your worship means to make a puppet of her. petruchio o monstrous arrogance! thou liest, thou thread, thou thimble, thou yard, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail! thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou! braved in mine own house with a skein of thread? away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant; or i shall so be-mete thee with thy yard as thou shalt think on prating whilst thou livest! i tell thee, i, that thou hast marr'd her gown. tailor your worship is deceived; the gown is made just as my master had direction: grumio gave order how it should be done. grumio i gave him no order; i gave him the stuff. tailor but how did you desire it should be made? grumio marry, sir, with needle and thread. tailor but did you not request to have it cut? grumio thou hast faced many things. tailor i have. grumio face not me: thou hast braved many men; brave not me; i will neither be faced nor braved. i say unto thee, i bid thy master cut out the gown; but i did not bid him cut it to pieces: ergo, thou liest. tailor why, here is the note of the fashion to testify petruchio read it. grumio the note lies in's throat, if he say i said so. tailor [reads] 'imprimis, a loose-bodied gown:' grumio master, if ever i said loose-bodied gown, sew me in the skirts of it, and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread: i said a gown. petruchio proceed. tailor [reads] 'with a small compassed cape:' grumio i confess the cape. tailor [reads] 'with a trunk sleeve:' grumio i confess two sleeves. tailor [reads] 'the sleeves curiously cut.' petruchio ay, there's the villany. grumio error i' the bill, sir; error i' the bill. i commanded the sleeves should be cut out and sewed up again; and that i'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble. tailor this is true that i say: an i had thee in place where, thou shouldst know it. grumio i am for thee straight: take thou the bill, give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me. hortensio god-a-mercy, grumio! then he shall have no odds. petruchio well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me. grumio you are i' the right, sir: 'tis for my mistress. petruchio go, take it up unto thy master's use. grumio villain, not for thy life: take up my mistress' gown for thy master's use! petruchio why, sir, what's your conceit in that? grumio o, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for: take up my mistress' gown to his master's use! o, fie, fie, fie! petruchio [aside] hortensio, say thou wilt see the tailor paid. go take it hence; be gone, and say no more. hortensio tailor, i'll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow: take no unkindness of his hasty words: away! i say; commend me to thy master. [exit tailor] petruchio well, come, my kate; we will unto your father's even in these honest mean habiliments: our purses shall be proud, our garments poor; for 'tis the mind that makes the body rich; and as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds, so honour peereth in the meanest habit. what is the jay more precious than the lark, because his fathers are more beautiful? or is the adder better than the eel, because his painted skin contents the eye? o, no, good kate; neither art thou the worse for this poor furniture and mean array. if thou account'st it shame. lay it on me; and therefore frolic: we will hence forthwith, to feast and sport us at thy father's house. go, call my men, and let us straight to him; and bring our horses unto long-lane end; there will we mount, and thither walk on foot let's see; i think 'tis now some seven o'clock, and well we may come there by dinner-time. katharina i dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two; and 'twill be supper-time ere you come there. petruchio it shall be seven ere i go to horse: look, what i speak, or do, or think to do, you are still crossing it. sirs, let't alone: i will not go to-day; and ere i do, it shall be what o'clock i say it is. hortensio [aside] why, so this gallant will command the sun. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew act iv scene iv padua. before baptista's house. [enter tranio, and the pedant dressed like vincentio] tranio sir, this is the house: please it you that i call? pedant ay, what else? and but i be deceived signior baptista may remember me, near twenty years ago, in genoa, where we were lodgers at the pegasus. tranio 'tis well; and hold your own, in any case, with such austerity as 'longeth to a father. pedant i warrant you. [enter biondello] but, sir, here comes your boy; 'twere good he were school'd. tranio fear you not him. sirrah biondello, now do your duty throughly, i advise you: imagine 'twere the right vincentio. biondello tut, fear not me. tranio but hast thou done thy errand to baptista? biondello i told him that your father was at venice, and that you look'd for him this day in padua. tranio thou'rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to drink. here comes baptista: set your countenance, sir. [enter baptista and lucentio] signior baptista, you are happily met. [to the pedant] sir, this is the gentleman i told you of: i pray you stand good father to me now, give me bianca for my patrimony. pedant soft son! sir, by your leave: having come to padua to gather in some debts, my son lucentio made me acquainted with a weighty cause of love between your daughter and himself: and, for the good report i hear of you and for the love he beareth to your daughter and she to him, to stay him not too long, i am content, in a good father's care, to have him match'd; and if you please to like no worse than i, upon some agreement me shall you find ready and willing with one consent to have her so bestow'd; for curious i cannot be with you, signior baptista, of whom i hear so well. baptista sir, pardon me in what i have to say: your plainness and your shortness please me well. right true it is, your son lucentio here doth love my daughter and she loveth him, or both dissemble deeply their affections: and therefore, if you say no more than this, that like a father you will deal with him and pass my daughter a sufficient dower, the match is made, and all is done: your son shall have my daughter with consent. tranio i thank you, sir. where then do you know best we be affied and such assurance ta'en as shall with either part's agreement stand? baptista not in my house, lucentio; for, you know, pitchers have ears, and i have many servants: besides, old gremio is hearkening still; and happily we might be interrupted. tranio then at my lodging, an it like you: there doth my father lie; and there, this night, we'll pass the business privately and well. send for your daughter by your servant here: my boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. the worst is this, that, at so slender warning, you are like to have a thin and slender pittance. baptista it likes me well. biondello, hie you home, and bid bianca make her ready straight; and, if you will, tell what hath happened, lucentio's father is arrived in padua, and how she's like to be lucentio's wife. biondello i pray the gods she may with all my heart! tranio dally not with the gods, but get thee gone. [exit biondello] signior baptista, shall i lead the way? welcome! one mess is like to be your cheer: come, sir; we will better it in pisa. baptista i follow you. [exeunt tranio, pedant, and baptista] [re-enter biondello] biondello cambio! lucentio what sayest thou, biondello? biondello you saw my master wink and laugh upon you? lucentio biondello, what of that? biondello faith, nothing; but has left me here behind, to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens. lucentio i pray thee, moralize them. biondello then thus. baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son. lucentio and what of him? biondello his daughter is to be brought by you to the supper. lucentio and then? biondello the old priest of saint luke's church is at your command at all hours. lucentio and what of all this? biondello i cannot tell; expect they are busied about a counterfeit assurance: take you assurance of her, 'cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum:' to the church; take the priest, clerk, and some sufficient honest witnesses: if this be not that you look for, i have no more to say, but bid bianca farewell for ever and a day. lucentio hearest thou, biondello? biondello i cannot tarry: i knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so may you, sir: and so, adieu, sir. my master hath appointed me to go to saint luke's, to bid the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix. [exit] lucentio i may, and will, if she be so contented: she will be pleased; then wherefore should i doubt? hap what hap may, i'll roundly go about her: it shall go hard if cambio go without her. [exit] the taming of the shrew act iv scene v a public road. [enter petruchio, katharina, hortensio, and servants] petruchio come on, i' god's name; once more toward our father's. good lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! katharina the moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now. petruchio i say it is the moon that shines so bright. katharina i know it is the sun that shines so bright. petruchio now, by my mother's son, and that's myself, it shall be moon, or star, or what i list, or ere i journey to your father's house. go on, and fetch our horses back again. evermore cross'd and cross'd; nothing but cross'd! hortensio say as he says, or we shall never go. katharina forward, i pray, since we have come so far, and be it moon, or sun, or what you please: an if you please to call it a rush-candle, henceforth i vow it shall be so for me. petruchio i say it is the moon. katharina i know it is the moon. petruchio nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun. katharina then, god be bless'd, it is the blessed sun: but sun it is not, when you say it is not; and the moon changes even as your mind. what you will have it named, even that it is; and so it shall be so for katharina. hortensio petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won. petruchio well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run, and not unluckily against the bias. but, soft! company is coming here. [enter vincentio] [to vincentio] good morrow, gentle mistress: where away? tell me, sweet kate, and tell me truly too, hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman? such war of white and red within her cheeks! what stars do spangle heaven with such beauty, as those two eyes become that heavenly face? fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee. sweet kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake. hortensio a' will make the man mad, to make a woman of him. katharina young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet, whither away, or where is thy abode? happy the parents of so fair a child; happier the man, whom favourable stars allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow! petruchio why, how now, kate! i hope thou art not mad: this is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd, and not a maiden, as thou say'st he is. katharina pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes, that have been so bedazzled with the sun that everything i look on seemeth green: now i perceive thou art a reverend father; pardon, i pray thee, for my mad mistaking. petruchio do, good old grandsire; and withal make known which way thou travellest: if along with us, we shall be joyful of thy company. vincentio fair sir, and you my merry mistress, that with your strange encounter much amazed me, my name is call'd vincentio; my dwelling pisa; and bound i am to padua; there to visit a son of mine, which long i have not seen. petruchio what is his name? vincentio lucentio, gentle sir. petruchio happily we met; the happier for thy son. and now by law, as well as reverend age, i may entitle thee my loving father: the sister to my wife, this gentlewoman, thy son by this hath married. wonder not, nor be grieved: she is of good esteem, her dowery wealthy, and of worthy birth; beside, so qualified as may beseem the spouse of any noble gentleman. let me embrace with old vincentio, and wander we to see thy honest son, who will of thy arrival be full joyous. vincentio but is it true? or else is it your pleasure, like pleasant travellers, to break a jest upon the company you overtake? hortensio i do assure thee, father, so it is. petruchio come, go along, and see the truth hereof; for our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [exeunt all but hortensio] hortensio well, petruchio, this has put me in heart. have to my widow! and if she be froward, then hast thou taught hortensio to be untoward. [exit] the taming of the shrew act v scene i padua. before lucentio's house. [gremio discovered. enter behind biondello, lucentio, and bianca] biondello softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready. lucentio i fly, biondello: but they may chance to need thee at home; therefore leave us. biondello nay, faith, i'll see the church o' your back; and then come back to my master's as soon as i can. [exeunt lucentio, bianca, and biondello] gremio i marvel cambio comes not all this while. [enter petruchio, katharina, vincentio, grumio, with attendants] petruchio sir, here's the door, this is lucentio's house: my father's bears more toward the market-place; thither must i, and here i leave you, sir. vincentio you shall not choose but drink before you go: i think i shall command your welcome here, and, by all likelihood, some cheer is toward. [knocks] gremio they're busy within; you were best knock louder. [pedant looks out of the window] pedant what's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate? vincentio is signior lucentio within, sir? pedant he's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal. vincentio what if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal? pedant keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none, so long as i live. petruchio nay, i told you your son was well beloved in padua. do you hear, sir? to leave frivolous circumstances, i pray you, tell signior lucentio that his father is come from pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him. pedant thou liest: his father is come from padua and here looking out at the window. vincentio art thou his father? pedant ay, sir; so his mother says, if i may believe her. petruchio [to vincentio] why, how now, gentleman! why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's name. pedant lay hands on the villain: i believe a' means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance. [re-enter biondello] biondello i have seen them in the church together: god send 'em good shipping! but who is here? mine old master vincentio! now we are undone and brought to nothing. vincentio [seeing biondello] come hither, crack-hemp. biondello hope i may choose, sir. vincentio come hither, you rogue. what, have you forgot me? biondello forgot you! no, sir: i could not forget you, for i never saw you before in all my life. vincentio what, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master's father, vincentio? biondello what, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: see where he looks out of the window. vincentio is't so, indeed. [beats biondello] biondello help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me. [exit] pedant help, son! help, signior baptista! [exit from above] petruchio prithee, kate, let's stand aside and see the end of this controversy. [they retire] [re-enter pedant below; tranio, baptista, and servants] tranio sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant? vincentio what am i, sir! nay, what are you, sir? o immortal gods! o fine villain! a silken doublet! a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat! o, i am undone! i am undone! while i play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university. tranio how now! what's the matter? baptista what, is the man lunatic? tranio sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. why, sir, what 'cerns it you if i wear pearl and gold? i thank my good father, i am able to maintain it. vincentio thy father! o villain! he is a sailmaker in bergamo. baptista you mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. pray, what do you think is his name? vincentio his name! as if i knew not his name: i have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is tranio. pedant away, away, mad ass! his name is lucentio and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, signior vincentio. vincentio lucentio! o, he hath murdered his master! lay hold on him, i charge you, in the duke's name. o, my son, my son! tell me, thou villain, where is my son lucentio? tranio call forth an officer. [enter one with an officer] carry this mad knave to the gaol. father baptista, i charge you see that he be forthcoming. vincentio carry me to the gaol! gremio stay, officer: he shall not go to prison. baptista talk not, signior gremio: i say he shall go to prison. gremio take heed, signior baptista, lest you be cony-catched in this business: i dare swear this is the right vincentio. pedant swear, if thou darest. gremio nay, i dare not swear it. tranio then thou wert best say that i am not lucentio. gremio yes, i know thee to be signior lucentio. baptista away with the dotard! to the gaol with him! vincentio thus strangers may be hailed and abused: o monstrous villain! [re-enter biondello, with lucentio and bianca] biondello o! we are spoiled and--yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone. lucentio [kneeling] pardon, sweet father. vincentio lives my sweet son? [exeunt biondello, tranio, and pedant, as fast as may be] bianca pardon, dear father. baptista how hast thou offended? where is lucentio? lucentio here's lucentio, right son to the right vincentio; that have by marriage made thy daughter mine, while counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne. gremio here's packing, with a witness to deceive us all! vincentio where is that damned villain tranio, that faced and braved me in this matter so? baptista why, tell me, is not this my cambio? bianca cambio is changed into lucentio. lucentio love wrought these miracles. bianca's love made me exchange my state with tranio, while he did bear my countenance in the town; and happily i have arrived at the last unto the wished haven of my bliss. what tranio did, myself enforced him to; then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake. vincentio i'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent me to the gaol. baptista but do you hear, sir? have you married my daughter without asking my good will? vincentio fear not, baptista; we will content you, go to: but i will in, to be revenged for this villany. [exit] baptista and i, to sound the depth of this knavery. [exit] lucentio look not pale, bianca; thy father will not frown. [exeunt lucentio and bianca] gremio my cake is dough; but i'll in among the rest, out of hope of all, but my share of the feast. [exit] katharina husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado. petruchio first kiss me, kate, and we will. katharina what, in the midst of the street? petruchio what, art thou ashamed of me? katharina no, sir, god forbid; but ashamed to kiss. petruchio why, then let's home again. come, sirrah, let's away. katharina nay, i will give thee a kiss: now pray thee, love, stay. petruchio is not this well? come, my sweet kate: better once than never, for never too late. [exeunt] the taming of the shrew act v scene ii padua. lucentio's house. [enter baptista, vincentio, gremio, the pedant, lucentio, bianca, petruchio, katharina, hortensio, and widow, tranio, biondello, and grumio the serving-men with tranio bringing in a banquet] lucentio at last, though long, our jarring notes agree: and time it is, when raging war is done, to smile at scapes and perils overblown. my fair bianca, bid my father welcome, while i with self-same kindness welcome thine. brother petruchio, sister katharina, and thou, hortensio, with thy loving widow, feast with the best, and welcome to my house: my banquet is to close our stomachs up, after our great good cheer. pray you, sit down; for now we sit to chat as well as eat. petruchio nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat! baptista padua affords this kindness, son petruchio. petruchio padua affords nothing but what is kind. hortensio for both our sakes, i would that word were true. petruchio now, for my life, hortensio fears his widow. widow then never trust me, if i be afeard. petruchio you are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense: i mean, hortensio is afeard of you. widow he that is giddy thinks the world turns round. petruchio roundly replied. katharina mistress, how mean you that? widow thus i conceive by him. petruchio conceives by me! how likes hortensio that? hortensio my widow says, thus she conceives her tale. petruchio very well mended. kiss him for that, good widow. katharina 'he that is giddy thinks the world turns round:' i pray you, tell me what you meant by that. widow your husband, being troubled with a shrew, measures my husband's sorrow by his woe: and now you know my meaning, katharina a very mean meaning. widow right, i mean you. katharina and i am mean indeed, respecting you. petruchio to her, kate! hortensio to her, widow! petruchio a hundred marks, my kate does put her down. hortensio that's my office. petruchio spoke like an officer; ha' to thee, lad! [drinks to hortensio] baptista how likes gremio these quick-witted folks? gremio believe me, sir, they butt together well. bianca head, and butt! an hasty-witted body would say your head and butt were head and horn. vincentio ay, mistress bride, hath that awaken'd you? bianca ay, but not frighted me; therefore i'll sleep again. petruchio nay, that you shall not: since you have begun, have at you for a bitter jest or two! bianca am i your bird? i mean to shift my bush; and then pursue me as you draw your bow. you are welcome all. [exeunt bianca, katharina, and widow] petruchio she hath prevented me. here, signior tranio. this bird you aim'd at, though you hit her not; therefore a health to all that shot and miss'd. tranio o, sir, lucentio slipp'd me like his greyhound, which runs himself and catches for his master. petruchio a good swift simile, but something currish. tranio 'tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself: 'tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay. baptista o ho, petruchio! tranio hits you now. lucentio i thank thee for that gird, good tranio. hortensio confess, confess, hath he not hit you here? petruchio a' has a little gall'd me, i confess; and, as the jest did glance away from me, 'tis ten to one it maim'd you two outright. baptista now, in good sadness, son petruchio, i think thou hast the veriest shrew of all. petruchio well, i say no: and therefore for assurance let's each one send unto his wife; and he whose wife is most obedient to come at first when he doth send for her, shall win the wager which we will propose. hortensio content. what is the wager? lucentio twenty crowns. petruchio twenty crowns! i'll venture so much of my hawk or hound, but twenty times so much upon my wife. lucentio a hundred then. hortensio content. petruchio a match! 'tis done. hortensio who shall begin? lucentio that will i. go, biondello, bid your mistress come to me. biondello i go. [exit] baptista son, i'll be your half, bianca comes. lucentio i'll have no halves; i'll bear it all myself. [re-enter biondello] how now! what news? biondello sir, my mistress sends you word that she is busy and she cannot come. petruchio how! she is busy and she cannot come! is that an answer? gremio ay, and a kind one too: pray god, sir, your wife send you not a worse. petruchio i hope better. hortensio sirrah biondello, go and entreat my wife to come to me forthwith. [exit biondello] petruchio o, ho! entreat her! nay, then she must needs come. hortensio i am afraid, sir, do what you can, yours will not be entreated. [re-enter biondello] now, where's my wife? biondello she says you have some goodly jest in hand: she will not come: she bids you come to her. petruchio worse and worse; she will not come! o vile, intolerable, not to be endured! sirrah grumio, go to your mistress; say, i command her to come to me. [exit grumio] hortensio i know her answer. petruchio what? hortensio she will not. petruchio the fouler fortune mine, and there an end. baptista now, by my holidame, here comes katharina! [re-enter katarina] katharina what is your will, sir, that you send for me? petruchio where is your sister, and hortensio's wife? katharina they sit conferring by the parlor fire. petruchio go fetch them hither: if they deny to come. swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands: away, i say, and bring them hither straight. [exit katharina] lucentio here is a wonder, if you talk of a wonder. hortensio and so it is: i wonder what it bodes. petruchio marry, peace it bodes, and love and quiet life, and awful rule and right supremacy; and, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy? baptista now, fair befal thee, good petruchio! the wager thou hast won; and i will add unto their losses twenty thousand crowns; another dowry to another daughter, for she is changed, as she had never been. petruchio nay, i will win my wager better yet and show more sign of her obedience, her new-built virtue and obedience. see where she comes and brings your froward wives as prisoners to her womanly persuasion. [re-enter katharina, with bianca and widow] katharina, that cap of yours becomes you not: off with that bauble, throw it under-foot. widow lord, let me never have a cause to sigh, till i be brought to such a silly pass! bianca fie! what a foolish duty call you this? lucentio i would your duty were as foolish too: the wisdom of your duty, fair bianca, hath cost me an hundred crowns since supper-time. bianca the more fool you, for laying on my duty. petruchio katharina, i charge thee, tell these headstrong women what duty they do owe their lords and husbands. widow come, come, you're mocking: we will have no telling. petruchio come on, i say; and first begin with her. widow she shall not. petruchio i say she shall: and first begin with her. katharina fie, fie! unknit that threatening unkind brow, and dart not scornful glances from those eyes, to wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor: it blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads, confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds, and in no sense is meet or amiable. a woman moved is like a fountain troubled, muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty; and while it is so, none so dry or thirsty will deign to sip or touch one drop of it. thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee, and for thy maintenance commits his body to painful labour both by sea and land, to watch the night in storms, the day in cold, whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe; and craves no other tribute at thy hands but love, fair looks and true obedience; too little payment for so great a debt. such duty as the subject owes the prince even such a woman oweth to her husband; and when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour, and not obedient to his honest will, what is she but a foul contending rebel and graceless traitor to her loving lord? i am ashamed that women are so simple to offer war where they should kneel for peace; or seek for rule, supremacy and sway, when they are bound to serve, love and obey. why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth, unapt to toil and trouble in the world, but that our soft conditions and our hearts should well agree with our external parts? come, come, you froward and unable worms! my mind hath been as big as one of yours, my heart as great, my reason haply more, to bandy word for word and frown for frown; but now i see our lances are but straws, our strength as weak, our weakness past compare, that seeming to be most which we indeed least are. then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot, and place your hands below your husband's foot: in token of which duty, if he please, my hand is ready; may it do him ease. petruchio why, there's a wench! come on, and kiss me, kate. lucentio well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't. vincentio 'tis a good hearing when children are toward. lucentio but a harsh hearing when women are froward. petruchio come, kate, we'll to bed. we three are married, but you two are sped. [to lucentio] 'twas i won the wager, though you hit the white; and, being a winner, god give you good night! [exeunt petruchio and katharina] hortensio now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew. lucentio 'tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so. [exeunt] measure for measure dramatis personae vincentio the duke. (duke vincentio:) angelo deputy. escalus an ancient lord. claudio a young gentleman. lucio a fantastic. two other gentlemen. (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) provost. peter (friar peter:) | | two friars. thomas (friar thomas:) | a justice. varrius: elbow a simple constable. froth a foolish gentleman. pompey servant to mistress overdone. abhorson an executioner. barnardine a dissolute prisoner. isabella sister to claudio. mariana betrothed to angelo. juliet beloved of claudio. francisca a nun. mistress overdone a bawd. lords, officers, citizens, boy, and attendant. (servant:) (messenger:) scene vienna. measure for measure act i scene i an apartment in the duke's palace. [enter duke vincentio, escalus, lords and attendants] duke vincentio escalus. escalus my lord. duke vincentio of government the properties to unfold, would seem in me to affect speech and discourse; since i am put to know that your own science exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice my strength can give you: then no more remains, but that to your sufficiency [ ] [ ] as your worth is able, and let them work. the nature of our people, our city's institutions, and the terms for common justice, you're as pregnant in as art and practise hath enriched any that we remember. there is our commission, from which we would not have you warp. call hither, i say, bid come before us angelo. [exit an attendant] what figure of us think you he will bear? for you must know, we have with special soul elected him our absence to supply, lent him our terror, dress'd him with our love, and given his deputation all the organs of our own power: what think you of it? escalus if any in vienna be of worth to undergo such ample grace and honour, it is lord angelo. duke vincentio look where he comes. [enter angelo] angelo always obedient to your grace's will, i come to know your pleasure. duke vincentio angelo, there is a kind of character in thy life, that to the observer doth thy history fully unfold. thyself and thy belongings are not thine own so proper as to waste thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee. heaven doth with us as we with torches do, not light them for themselves; for if our virtues did not go forth of us, 'twere all alike as if we had them not. spirits are not finely touch'd but to fine issues, nor nature never lends the smallest scruple of her excellence but, like a thrifty goddess, she determines herself the glory of a creditor, both thanks and use. but i do bend my speech to one that can my part in him advertise; hold therefore, angelo:- in our remove be thou at full ourself; mortality and mercy in vienna live in thy tongue and heart: old escalus, though first in question, is thy secondary. take thy commission. angelo now, good my lord, let there be some more test made of my metal, before so noble and so great a figure be stamp'd upon it. duke vincentio no more evasion: we have with a leaven'd and prepared choice proceeded to you; therefore take your honours. our haste from hence is of so quick condition that it prefers itself and leaves unquestion'd matters of needful value. we shall write to you, as time and our concernings shall importune, how it goes with us, and do look to know what doth befall you here. so, fare you well; to the hopeful execution do i leave you of your commissions. angelo yet give leave, my lord, that we may bring you something on the way. duke vincentio my haste may not admit it; nor need you, on mine honour, have to do with any scruple; your scope is as mine own so to enforce or qualify the laws as to your soul seems good. give me your hand: i'll privily away. i love the people, but do not like to stage me to their eyes: through it do well, i do not relish well their loud applause and aves vehement; nor do i think the man of safe discretion that does affect it. once more, fare you well. angelo the heavens give safety to your purposes! escalus lead forth and bring you back in happiness! duke i thank you. fare you well. [exit] escalus i shall desire you, sir, to give me leave to have free speech with you; and it concerns me to look into the bottom of my place: a power i have, but of what strength and nature i am not yet instructed. angelo 'tis so with me. let us withdraw together, and we may soon our satisfaction have touching that point. escalus i'll wait upon your honour. [exeunt] measure for measure act i scene ii a street. [enter lucio and two gentlemen] lucio if the duke with the other dukes come not to composition with the king of hungary, why then all the dukes fall upon the king. first gentleman heaven grant us its peace, but not the king of hungary's! second gentleman amen. lucio thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate, that went to sea with the ten commandments, but scraped one out of the table. second gentleman 'thou shalt not steal'? lucio ay, that he razed. first gentleman why, 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions: they put forth to steal. there's not a soldier of us all, that, in the thanksgiving before meat, do relish the petition well that prays for peace. second gentleman i never heard any soldier dislike it. lucio i believe thee; for i think thou never wast where grace was said. second gentleman no? a dozen times at least. first gentleman what, in metre? lucio in any proportion or in any language. first gentleman i think, or in any religion. lucio ay, why not? grace is grace, despite of all controversy: as, for example, thou thyself art a wicked villain, despite of all grace. first gentleman well, there went but a pair of shears between us. lucio i grant; as there may between the lists and the velvet. thou art the list. first gentleman and thou the velvet: thou art good velvet; thou'rt a three-piled piece, i warrant thee: i had as lief be a list of an english kersey as be piled, as thou art piled, for a french velvet. do i speak feelingly now? lucio i think thou dost; and, indeed, with most painful feeling of thy speech: i will, out of thine own confession, learn to begin thy health; but, whilst i live, forget to drink after thee. first gentleman i think i have done myself wrong, have i not? second gentleman yes, that thou hast, whether thou art tainted or free. lucio behold, behold. where madam mitigation comes! i have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to- second gentleman to what, i pray? lucio judge. second gentleman to three thousand dolours a year. first gentleman ay, and more. lucio a french crown more. first gentleman thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error; i am sound. lucio nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee. [enter mistress overdone] first gentleman how now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica? mistress overdone well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all. second gentleman who's that, i pray thee? mistress overdone marry, sir, that's claudio, signior claudio. first gentleman claudio to prison? 'tis not so. mistress overdone nay, but i know 'tis so: i saw him arrested, saw him carried away; and, which is more, within these three days his head to be chopped off. lucio but, after all this fooling, i would not have it so. art thou sure of this? mistress overdone i am too sure of it: and it is for getting madam julietta with child. lucio believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. second gentleman besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. first gentleman but, most of all, agreeing with the proclamation. lucio away! let's go learn the truth of it. [exeunt lucio and gentlemen] mistress overdone thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows and what with poverty, i am custom-shrunk. [enter pompey] how now! what's the news with you? pompey yonder man is carried to prison. mistress overdone well; what has he done? pompey a woman. mistress overdone but what's his offence? pompey groping for trouts in a peculiar river. mistress overdone what, is there a maid with child by him? pompey no, but there's a woman with maid by him. you have not heard of the proclamation, have you? mistress overdone what proclamation, man? pompey all houses in the suburbs of vienna must be plucked down. mistress overdone and what shall become of those in the city? pompey they shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. mistress overdone but shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? pompey to the ground, mistress. mistress overdone why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! what shall become of me? pompey come; fear you not: good counsellors lack no clients: though you change your place, you need not change your trade; i'll be your tapster still. courage! there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. mistress overdone what's to do here, thomas tapster? let's withdraw. pompey here comes signior claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's madam juliet. [exeunt] [enter provost, claudio, juliet, and officers] claudio fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? bear me to prison, where i am committed. provost i do it not in evil disposition, but from lord angelo by special charge. claudio thus can the demigod authority make us pay down for our offence by weight the words of heaven; on whom it will, it will; on whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just. [re-enter lucio and two gentlemen] lucio why, how now, claudio! whence comes this restraint? claudio from too much liberty, my lucio, liberty: as surfeit is the father of much fast, so every scope by the immoderate use turns to restraint. our natures do pursue, like rats that ravin down their proper bane, a thirsty evil; and when we drink we die. lucio if could speak so wisely under an arrest, i would send for certain of my creditors: and yet, to say the truth, i had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment. what's thy offence, claudio? claudio what but to speak of would offend again. lucio what, is't murder? claudio no. lucio lechery? claudio call it so. provost away, sir! you must go. claudio one word, good friend. lucio, a word with you. lucio a hundred, if they'll do you any good. is lechery so look'd after? claudio thus stands it with me: upon a true contract i got possession of julietta's bed: you know the lady; she is fast my wife, save that we do the denunciation lack of outward order: this we came not to, only for propagation of a dower remaining in the coffer of her friends, from whom we thought it meet to hide our love till time had made them for us. but it chances the stealth of our most mutual entertainment with character too gross is writ on juliet. lucio with child, perhaps? claudio unhappily, even so. and the new deputy now for the duke- whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness, or whether that the body public be a horse whereon the governor doth ride, who, newly in the seat, that it may know he can command, lets it straight feel the spur; whether the tyranny be in his place, or in his emmence that fills it up, i stagger in:--but this new governor awakes me all the enrolled penalties which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall so long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round and none of them been worn; and, for a name, now puts the drowsy and neglected act freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name. lucio i warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. send after the duke and appeal to him. claudio i have done so, but he's not to be found. i prithee, lucio, do me this kind service: this day my sister should the cloister enter and there receive her approbation: acquaint her with the danger of my state: implore her, in my voice, that she make friends to the strict deputy; bid herself assay him: i have great hope in that; for in her youth there is a prone and speechless dialect, such as move men; beside, she hath prosperous art when she will play with reason and discourse, and well she can persuade. lucio i pray she may; as well for the encouragement of the like, which else would stand under grievous imposition, as for the enjoying of thy life, who i would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack. i'll to her. claudio i thank you, good friend lucio. lucio within two hours. claudio come, officer, away! [exeunt] measure for measure act i scene iii a monastery. [enter duke vincentio and friar thomas] duke vincentio no, holy father; throw away that thought; believe not that the dribbling dart of love can pierce a complete bosom. why i desire thee to give me secret harbour, hath a purpose more grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends of burning youth. friar thomas may your grace speak of it? duke vincentio my holy sir, none better knows than you how i have ever loved the life removed and held in idle price to haunt assemblies where youth, and cost, and witless bravery keeps. i have deliver'd to lord angelo, a man of stricture and firm abstinence, my absolute power and place here in vienna, and he supposes me travell'd to poland; for so i have strew'd it in the common ear, and so it is received. now, pious sir, you will demand of me why i do this? friar thomas gladly, my lord. duke vincentio we have strict statutes and most biting laws. the needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, which for this nineteen years we have let slip; even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, that goes not out to prey. now, as fond fathers, having bound up the threatening twigs of birch, only to stick it in their children's sight for terror, not to use, in time the rod becomes more mock'd than fear'd; so our decrees, dead to infliction, to themselves are dead; and liberty plucks justice by the nose; the baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart goes all decorum. friar thomas it rested in your grace to unloose this tied-up justice when you pleased: and it in you more dreadful would have seem'd than in lord angelo. duke vincentio i do fear, too dreadful: sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope, 'twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them for what i bid them do: for we bid this be done, when evil deeds have their permissive pass and not the punishment. therefore indeed, my father, i have on angelo imposed the office; who may, in the ambush of my name, strike home, and yet my nature never in the fight to do in slander. and to behold his sway, i will, as 'twere a brother of your order, visit both prince and people: therefore, i prithee, supply me with the habit and instruct me how i may formally in person bear me like a true friar. more reasons for this action at our more leisure shall i render you; only, this one: lord angelo is precise; stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses that his blood flows, or that his appetite is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, if power change purpose, what our seemers be. [exeunt] measure for measure act i scene iv a nunnery. [enter isabella and francisca] isabella and have you nuns no farther privileges? francisca are not these large enough? isabella yes, truly; i speak not as desiring more; but rather wishing a more strict restraint upon the sisterhood, the votarists of saint clare. lucio [within] ho! peace be in this place! isabella who's that which calls? francisca it is a man's voice. gentle isabella, turn you the key, and know his business of him; you may, i may not; you are yet unsworn. when you have vow'd, you must not speak with men but in the presence of the prioress: then, if you speak, you must not show your face, or, if you show your face, you must not speak. he calls again; i pray you, answer him. [exit] isabella peace and prosperity! who is't that calls [enter lucio] lucio hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses proclaim you are no less! can you so stead me as bring me to the sight of isabella, a novice of this place and the fair sister to her unhappy brother claudio? isabella why 'her unhappy brother'? let me ask, the rather for i now must make you know i am that isabella and his sister. lucio gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you: not to be weary with you, he's in prison. isabella woe me! for what? lucio for that which, if myself might be his judge, he should receive his punishment in thanks: he hath got his friend with child. isabella sir, make me not your story. lucio it is true. i would not--though 'tis my familiar sin with maids to seem the lapwing and to jest, tongue far from heart--play with all virgins so: i hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted. by your renouncement an immortal spirit, and to be talk'd with in sincerity, as with a saint. isabella you do blaspheme the good in mocking me. lucio do not believe it. fewness and truth, 'tis thus: your brother and his lover have embraced: as those that feed grow full, as blossoming time that from the seedness the bare fallow brings to teeming foison, even so her plenteous womb expresseth his full tilth and husbandry. isabella some one with child by him? my cousin juliet? lucio is she your cousin? isabella adoptedly; as school-maids change their names by vain though apt affection. lucio she it is. isabella o, let him marry her. lucio this is the point. the duke is very strangely gone from hence; bore many gentlemen, myself being one, in hand and hope of action: but we do learn by those that know the very nerves of state, his givings-out were of an infinite distance from his true-meant design. upon his place, and with full line of his authority, governs lord angelo; a man whose blood is very snow-broth; one who never feels the wanton stings and motions of the sense, but doth rebate and blunt his natural edge with profits of the mind, study and fast. he--to give fear to use and liberty, which have for long run by the hideous law, as mice by lions--hath pick'd out an act, under whose heavy sense your brother's life falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it; and follows close the rigour of the statute, to make him an example. all hope is gone, unless you have the grace by your fair prayer to soften angelo: and that's my pith of business 'twixt you and your poor brother. isabella doth he so seek his life? lucio has censured him already; and, as i hear, the provost hath a warrant for his execution. isabella alas! what poor ability's in me to do him good? lucio assay the power you have. isabella my power? alas, i doubt- lucio our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. go to lord angelo, and let him learn to know, when maidens sue, men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, all their petitions are as freely theirs as they themselves would owe them. isabella i'll see what i can do. lucio but speedily. isabella i will about it straight; no longer staying but to give the mother notice of my affair. i humbly thank you: commend me to my brother: soon at night i'll send him certain word of my success. lucio i take my leave of you. isabella good sir, adieu. [exeunt] measure for measure act ii scene i a hall in angelo's house. [enter angelo, escalus, and a justice, provost, officers, and other attendants, behind] angelo we must not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey, and let it keep one shape, till custom make it their perch and not their terror. escalus ay, but yet let us be keen, and rather cut a little, than fall, and bruise to death. alas, this gentleman whom i would save, had a most noble father! let but your honour know, whom i believe to be most strait in virtue, that, in the working of your own affections, had time cohered with place or place with wishing, or that the resolute acting of your blood could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose, whether you had not sometime in your life err'd in this point which now you censure him, and pull'd the law upon you. angelo 'tis one thing to be tempted, escalus, another thing to fall. i not deny, the jury, passing on the prisoner's life, may in the sworn twelve have a thief or two guiltier than him they try. what's open made to justice, that justice seizes: what know the laws that thieves do pass on thieves? 'tis very pregnant, the jewel that we find, we stoop and take't because we see it; but what we do not see we tread upon, and never think of it. you may not so extenuate his offence for i have had such faults; but rather tell me, when i, that censure him, do so offend, let mine own judgment pattern out my death, and nothing come in partial. sir, he must die. escalus be it as your wisdom will. angelo where is the provost? provost here, if it like your honour. angelo see that claudio be executed by nine to-morrow morning: bring him his confessor, let him be prepared; for that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. [exit provost] escalus [aside] well, heaven forgive him! and forgive us all! some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall: some run from brakes of ice, and answer none: and some condemned for a fault alone. [enter elbow, and officers with froth and pompey] elbow come, bring them away: if these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses, i know no law: bring them away. angelo how now, sir! what's your name? and what's the matter? elbow if it please your honour, i am the poor duke's constable, and my name is elbow: i do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors. angelo benefactors? well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? elbow if it? please your honour, i know not well what they are: but precise villains they are, that i am sure of; and void of all profanation in the world that good christians ought to have. escalus this comes off well; here's a wise officer. angelo go to: what quality are they of? elbow is your name? why dost thou not speak, elbow? pompey he cannot, sir; he's out at elbow. angelo what are you, sir? elbow he, sir! a tapster, sir; parcel-bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose house, sir, was, as they say, plucked down in the suburbs; and now she professes a hot-house, which, i think, is a very ill house too. escalus how know you that? elbow my wife, sir, whom i detest before heaven and your honour,- escalus how? thy wife? elbow ay, sir; whom, i thank heaven, is an honest woman,- escalus dost thou detest her therefore? elbow i say, sir, i will detest myself also, as well as she, that this house, if it be not a bawd's house, it is pity of her life, for it is a naughty house. escalus how dost thou know that, constable? elbow marry, sir, by my wife; who, if she had been a woman cardinally given, might have been accused in fornication, adultery, and all uncleanliness there. escalus by the woman's means? elbow ay, sir, by mistress overdone's means: but as she spit in his face, so she defied him. pompey sir, if it please your honour, this is not so. elbow prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man; prove it. escalus do you hear how he misplaces? pompey sir, she came in great with child; and longing, saving your honour's reverence, for stewed prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that very distant time stood, as it were, in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three-pence; your honours have seen such dishes; they are not china dishes, but very good dishes,- escalus go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir. pompey no, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but to the point. as i say, this mistress elbow, being, as i say, with child, and being great-bellied, and longing, as i said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as i said, master froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as i said, and, as i say, paying for them very honestly; for, as you know, master froth, i could not give you three-pence again. froth no, indeed. pompey very well: you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes,- froth ay, so i did indeed. pompey why, very well; i telling you then, if you be remembered, that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as i told you,- froth all this is true. pompey why, very well, then,- escalus come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose. what was done to elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? come me to what was done to her. pompey sir, your honour cannot come to that yet. escalus no, sir, nor i mean it not. pompey sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave. and, i beseech you, look into master froth here, sir; a man of four-score pound a year; whose father died at hallowmas: was't not at hallowmas, master froth? froth all-hallond eve. pompey why, very well; i hope here be truths. he, sir, sitting, as i say, in a lower chair, sir; 'twas in the bunch of grapes, where indeed you have a delight to sit, have you not? froth i have so; because it is an open room and good for winter. pompey why, very well, then; i hope here be truths. angelo this will last out a night in russia, when nights are longest there: i'll take my leave. and leave you to the hearing of the cause; hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all. escalus i think no less. good morrow to your lordship. [exit angelo] now, sir, come on: what was done to elbow's wife, once more? pompey once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. elbow i beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife. pompey i beseech your honour, ask me. escalus well, sir; what did this gentleman to her? pompey i beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face. good master froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose. doth your honour mark his face? escalus ay, sir, very well. pompey nay; i beseech you, mark it well. escalus well, i do so. pompey doth your honour see any harm in his face? escalus why, no. pompey i'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him. good, then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master froth do the constable's wife any harm? i would know that of your honour. escalus he's in the right. constable, what say you to it? elbow first, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. pompey by this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all. elbow varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! the time has yet to come that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. pompey sir, she was respected with him before he married with her. escalus which is the wiser here? justice or iniquity? is this true? elbow o thou caitiff! o thou varlet! o thou wicked hannibal! i respected with her before i was married to her! if ever i was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke's officer. prove this, thou wicked hannibal, or i'll have mine action of battery on thee. escalus if he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your action of slander too. elbow marry, i thank your good worship for it. what is't your worship's pleasure i shall do with this wicked caitiff? escalus truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou knowest what they are. elbow marry, i thank your worship for it. thou seest, thou wicked varlet, now, what's come upon thee: thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. escalus where were you born, friend? froth here in vienna, sir. escalus are you of fourscore pounds a year? froth yes, an't please you, sir. escalus so. what trade are you of, sir? pomphey tapster; a poor widow's tapster. escalus your mistress' name? pomphey mistress overdone. escalus hath she had any more than one husband? pompey nine, sir; overdone by the last. escalus nine! come hither to me, master froth. master froth, i would not have you acquainted with tapsters: they will draw you, master froth, and you will hang them. get you gone, and let me hear no more of you. froth i thank your worship. for mine own part, i never come into any room in a tap-house, but i am drawn in. escalus well, no more of it, master froth: farewell. [exit froth] come you hither to me, master tapster. what's your name, master tapster? pompey pompey. escalus what else? pompey bum, sir. escalus troth, and your bum is the greatest thing about you; so that in the beastliest sense you are pompey the great. pompey, you are partly a bawd, pompey, howsoever you colour it in being a tapster, are you not? come, tell me true: it shall be the better for you. pompey truly, sir, i am a poor fellow that would live. escalus how would you live, pompey? by being a bawd? what do you think of the trade, pompey? is it a lawful trade? pompey if the law would allow it, sir. escalus but the law will not allow it, pompey; nor it shall not be allowed in vienna. pompey does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city? escalus no, pompey. pompey truly, sir, in my poor opinion, they will to't then. if your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. escalus there are pretty orders beginning, i can tell you: it is but heading and hanging. pompey if you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together, you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads: if this law hold in vienna ten year, i'll rent the fairest house in it after three-pence a bay: if you live to see this come to pass, say pompey told you so. escalus thank you, good pompey; and, in requital of your prophecy, hark you: i advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever; no, not for dwelling where you do: if i do, pompey, i shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd caesar to you; in plain dealing, pompey, i shall have you whipt: so, for this time, pompey, fare you well. pompey i thank your worship for your good counsel: [aside] but i shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine. whip me? no, no; let carman whip his jade: the valiant heart is not whipt out of his trade. [exit] escalus come hither to me, master elbow; come hither, master constable. how long have you been in this place of constable? elbow seven year and a half, sir. escalus i thought, by your readiness in the office, you had continued in it some time. you say, seven years together? elbow and a half, sir. escalus alas, it hath been great pains to you. they do you wrong to put you so oft upon 't: are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it? elbow faith, sir, few of any wit in such matters: as they are chosen, they are glad to choose me for them; i do it for some piece of money, and go through with all. escalus look you bring me in the names of some six or seven, the most sufficient of your parish. elbow to your worship's house, sir? escalus to my house. fare you well. [exit elbow] what's o'clock, think you? justice eleven, sir. escalus i pray you home to dinner with me. justice i humbly thank you. escalus it grieves me for the death of claudio; but there's no remedy. justice lord angelo is severe. escalus it is but needful: mercy is not itself, that oft looks so; pardon is still the nurse of second woe: but yet,--poor claudio! there is no remedy. come, sir. [exeunt] measure for measure act ii scene ii another room in the same. [enter provost and a servant] servant he's hearing of a cause; he will come straight i'll tell him of you. provost pray you, do. [exit servant] i'll know his pleasure; may be he will relent. alas, he hath but as offended in a dream! all sects, all ages smack of this vice; and he to die for't! [enter angelo] angelo now, what's the matter. provost? provost is it your will claudio shall die tomorrow? angelo did not i tell thee yea? hadst thou not order? why dost thou ask again? provost lest i might be too rash: under your good correction, i have seen, when, after execution, judgment hath repented o'er his doom. angelo go to; let that be mine: do you your office, or give up your place, and you shall well be spared. provost i crave your honour's pardon. what shall be done, sir, with the groaning juliet? she's very near her hour. angelo dispose of her to some more fitter place, and that with speed. [re-enter servant] servant here is the sister of the man condemn'd desires access to you. angelo hath he a sister? provost ay, my good lord; a very virtuous maid, and to be shortly of a sisterhood, if not already. angelo well, let her be admitted. [exit servant] see you the fornicatress be removed: let have needful, but not lavish, means; there shall be order for't. [enter isabella and lucio] provost god save your honour! angelo stay a little while. [to isabella] you're welcome: what's your will? isabella i am a woeful suitor to your honour, please but your honour hear me. angelo well; what's your suit? isabella there is a vice that most i do abhor, and most desire should meet the blow of justice; for which i would not plead, but that i must; for which i must not plead, but that i am at war 'twixt will and will not. angelo well; the matter? isabella i have a brother is condemn'd to die: i do beseech you, let it be his fault, and not my brother. provost [aside] heaven give thee moving graces! angelo condemn the fault and not the actor of it? why, every fault's condemn'd ere it be done: mine were the very cipher of a function, to fine the faults whose fine stands in record, and let go by the actor. isabella o just but severe law! i had a brother, then. heaven keep your honour! lucio [aside to isabella] give't not o'er so: to him again, entreat him; kneel down before him, hang upon his gown: you are too cold; if you should need a pin, you could not with more tame a tongue desire it: to him, i say! isabella must he needs die? angelo maiden, no remedy. isabella yes; i do think that you might pardon him, and neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy. angelo i will not do't. isabella but can you, if you would? angelo look, what i will not, that i cannot do. isabella but might you do't, and do the world no wrong, if so your heart were touch'd with that remorse as mine is to him? angelo he's sentenced; 'tis too late. lucio [aside to isabella] you are too cold. isabella too late? why, no; i, that do speak a word. may call it back again. well, believe this, no ceremony that to great ones 'longs, not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, the marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, become them with one half so good a grace as mercy does. if he had been as you and you as he, you would have slipt like him; but he, like you, would not have been so stern. angelo pray you, be gone. isabella i would to heaven i had your potency, and you were isabel! should it then be thus? no; i would tell what 'twere to be a judge, and what a prisoner. lucio [aside to isabella] ay, touch him; there's the vein. angelo your brother is a forfeit of the law, and you but waste your words. isabella alas, alas! why, all the souls that were were forfeit once; and he that might the vantage best have took found out the remedy. how would you be, if he, which is the top of judgment, should but judge you as you are? o, think on that; and mercy then will breathe within your lips, like man new made. angelo be you content, fair maid; it is the law, not i condemn your brother: were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, it should be thus with him: he must die tomorrow. isabella to-morrow! o, that's sudden! spare him, spare him! he's not prepared for death. even for our kitchens we kill the fowl of season: shall we serve heaven with less respect than we do minister to our gross selves? good, good my lord, bethink you; who is it that hath died for this offence? there's many have committed it. lucio [aside to isabella] ay, well said. angelo the law hath not been dead, though it hath slept: those many had not dared to do that evil, if the first that did the edict infringe had answer'd for his deed: now 'tis awake takes note of what is done; and, like a prophet, looks in a glass, that shows what future evils, either new, or by remissness new-conceived, and so in progress to be hatch'd and born, are now to have no successive degrees, but, ere they live, to end. isabella yet show some pity. angelo i show it most of all when i show justice; for then i pity those i do not know, which a dismiss'd offence would after gall; and do him right that, answering one foul wrong, lives not to act another. be satisfied; your brother dies to-morrow; be content. isabella so you must be the first that gives this sentence, and he, that suffer's. o, it is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant. lucio [aside to isabella] that's well said. isabella could great men thunder as jove himself does, jove would ne'er be quiet, for every pelting, petty officer would use his heaven for thunder; nothing but thunder! merciful heaven, thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man, drest in a little brief authority, most ignorant of what he's most assured, his glassy essence, like an angry ape, plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make the angels weep; who, with our spleens, would all themselves laugh mortal. lucio [aside to isabella] o, to him, to him, wench! he will relent; he's coming; i perceive 't. provost [aside] pray heaven she win him! isabella we cannot weigh our brother with ourself: great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them, but in the less foul profanation. lucio thou'rt i' the right, girl; more o, that. isabella that in the captain's but a choleric word, which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. lucio [aside to isabella] art avised o' that? more on 't. angelo why do you put these sayings upon me? isabella because authority, though it err like others, hath yet a kind of medicine in itself, that skins the vice o' the top. go to your bosom; knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know that's like my brother's fault: if it confess a natural guiltiness such as is his, let it not sound a thought upon your tongue against my brother's life. angelo [aside] she speaks, and 'tis such sense, that my sense breeds with it. fare you well. isabella gentle my lord, turn back. angelo i will bethink me: come again tomorrow. isabella hark how i'll bribe you: good my lord, turn back. angelo how! bribe me? isabella ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you. lucio [aside to isabella] you had marr'd all else. isabella not with fond shekels of the tested gold, or stones whose rates are either rich or poor as fancy values them; but with true prayers that shall be up at heaven and enter there ere sun-rise, prayers from preserved souls, from fasting maids whose minds are dedicate to nothing temporal. angelo well; come to me to-morrow. lucio [aside to isabella] go to; 'tis well; away! isabella heaven keep your honour safe! angelo [aside] amen: for i am that way going to temptation, where prayers cross. isabella at what hour to-morrow shall i attend your lordship? angelo at any time 'fore noon. isabella 'save your honour! [exeunt isabella, lucio, and provost] angelo from thee, even from thy virtue! what's this, what's this? is this her fault or mine? the tempter or the tempted, who sins most? ha! not she: nor doth she tempt: but it is i that, lying by the violet in the sun, do as the carrion does, not as the flower, corrupt with virtuous season. can it be that modesty may more betray our sense than woman's lightness? having waste ground enough, shall we desire to raze the sanctuary and pitch our evils there? o, fie, fie, fie! what dost thou, or what art thou, angelo? dost thou desire her foully for those things that make her good? o, let her brother live! thieves for their robbery have authority when judges steal themselves. what, do i love her, that i desire to hear her speak again, and feast upon her eyes? what is't i dream on? o cunning enemy, that, to catch a saint, with saints dost bait thy hook! most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue: never could the strumpet, with all her double vigour, art and nature, once stir my temper; but this virtuous maid subdues me quite. even till now, when men were fond, i smiled and wonder'd how. [exit] measure for measure act ii scene iii a room in a prison. [enter, severally, duke vincentio disguised as a friar, and provost] duke vincentio hail to you, provost! so i think you are. provost i am the provost. what's your will, good friar? duke vincentio bound by my charity and my blest order, i come to visit the afflicted spirits here in the prison. do me the common right to let me see them and to make me know the nature of their crimes, that i may minister to them accordingly. provost i would do more than that, if more were needful. [enter juliet] look, here comes one: a gentlewoman of mine, who, falling in the flaws of her own youth, hath blister'd her report: she is with child; and he that got it, sentenced; a young man more fit to do another such offence than die for this. duke vincentio when must he die? provost as i do think, to-morrow. i have provided for you: stay awhile, [to juliet] and you shall be conducted. duke vincentio repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? juliet i do; and bear the shame most patiently. duke vincentio i'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, and try your penitence, if it be sound, or hollowly put on. juliet i'll gladly learn. duke vincentio love you the man that wrong'd you? juliet yes, as i love the woman that wrong'd him. duke vincentio so then it seems your most offenceful act was mutually committed? juliet mutually. duke vincentio then was your sin of heavier kind than his. juliet i do confess it, and repent it, father. duke vincentio 'tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent, as that the sin hath brought you to this shame, which sorrow is always towards ourselves, not heaven, showing we would not spare heaven as we love it, but as we stand in fear,- juliet i do repent me, as it is an evil, and take the shame with joy. duke vincentio there rest. your partner, as i hear, must die to-morrow, and i am going with instruction to him. grace go with you, benedicite! [exit] juliet must die to-morrow! o injurious love, that respites me a life, whose very comfort is still a dying horror! provost 'tis pity of him. [exeunt] measure for measure act ii scene iv a room in angelo's house. [enter angelo] angelo when i would pray and think, i think and pray to several subjects. heaven hath my empty words; whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, anchors on isabel: heaven in my mouth, as if i did but only chew his name; and in my heart the strong and swelling evil of my conception. the state, whereon i studied is like a good thing, being often read, grown fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity, wherein--let no man hear me--i take pride, could i with boot change for an idle plume, which the air beats for vain. o place, o form, how often dost thou with thy case, thy habit, wrench awe from fools and tie the wiser souls to thy false seeming! blood, thou art blood: let's write good angel on the devil's horn: 'tis not the devil's crest. [enter a servant] how now! who's there? servant one isabel, a sister, desires access to you. angelo teach her the way. [exit servant] o heavens! why does my blood thus muster to my heart, making both it unable for itself, and dispossessing all my other parts of necessary fitness? so play the foolish throngs with one that swoons; come all to help him, and so stop the air by which he should revive: and even so the general, subject to a well-wish'd king, quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness crowd to his presence, where their untaught love must needs appear offence. [enter isabella] how now, fair maid? isabella i am come to know your pleasure. angelo that you might know it, would much better please me than to demand what 'tis. your brother cannot live. isabella even so. heaven keep your honour! angelo yet may he live awhile; and, it may be, as long as you or i yet he must die. isabella under your sentence? angelo yea. isabella when, i beseech you? that in his reprieve, longer or shorter, he may be so fitted that his soul sicken not. angelo ha! fie, these filthy vices! it were as good to pardon him that hath from nature stolen a man already made, as to remit their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image in stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as easy falsely to take away a life true made as to put metal in restrained means to make a false one. isabella 'tis set down so in heaven, but not in earth. angelo say you so? then i shall pose you quickly. which had you rather, that the most just law now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him, give up your body to such sweet uncleanness as she that he hath stain'd? isabella sir, believe this, i had rather give my body than my soul. angelo i talk not of your soul: our compell'd sins stand more for number than for accompt. isabella how say you? angelo nay, i'll not warrant that; for i can speak against the thing i say. answer to this: i, now the voice of the recorded law, pronounce a sentence on your brother's life: might there not be a charity in sin to save this brother's life? isabella please you to do't, i'll take it as a peril to my soul, it is no sin at all, but charity. angelo pleased you to do't at peril of your soul, were equal poise of sin and charity. isabella that i do beg his life, if it be sin, heaven let me bear it! you granting of my suit, if that be sin, i'll make it my morn prayer to have it added to the faults of mine, and nothing of your answer. angelo nay, but hear me. your sense pursues not mine: either you are ignorant, or seem so craftily; and that's not good. isabella let me be ignorant, and in nothing good, but graciously to know i am no better. angelo thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright when it doth tax itself; as these black masks proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder than beauty could, display'd. but mark me; to be received plain, i'll speak more gross: your brother is to die. isabella so. angelo and his offence is so, as it appears, accountant to the law upon that pain. isabella true. angelo admit no other way to save his life,- as i subscribe not that, nor any other, but in the loss of question,--that you, his sister, finding yourself desired of such a person, whose credit with the judge, or own great place, could fetch your brother from the manacles of the all-building law; and that there were no earthly mean to save him, but that either you must lay down the treasures of your body to this supposed, or else to let him suffer; what would you do? isabella as much for my poor brother as myself: that is, were i under the terms of death, the impression of keen whips i'ld wear as rubies, and strip myself to death, as to a bed that longing have been sick for, ere i'ld yield my body up to shame. angelo then must your brother die. isabella and 'twere the cheaper way: better it were a brother died at once, than that a sister, by redeeming him, should die for ever. angelo were not you then as cruel as the sentence that you have slander'd so? isabella ignomy in ransom and free pardon are of two houses: lawful mercy is nothing kin to foul redemption. angelo you seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant; and rather proved the sliding of your brother a merriment than a vice. isabella o, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out, to have what we would have, we speak not what we mean: i something do excuse the thing i hate, for his advantage that i dearly love. angelo we are all frail. isabella else let my brother die, if not a feodary, but only he owe and succeed thy weakness. angelo nay, women are frail too. isabella ay, as the glasses where they view themselves; which are as easy broke as they make forms. women! help heaven! men their creation mar in profiting by them. nay, call us ten times frail; for we are soft as our complexions are, and credulous to false prints. angelo i think it well: and from this testimony of your own sex,- since i suppose we are made to be no stronger than faults may shake our frames,--let me be bold; i do arrest your words. be that you are, that is, a woman; if you be more, you're none; if you be one, as you are well express'd by all external warrants, show it now, by putting on the destined livery. isabella i have no tongue but one: gentle my lord, let me entreat you speak the former language. angelo plainly conceive, i love you. isabella my brother did love juliet, and you tell me that he shall die for it. angelo he shall not, isabel, if you give me love. isabella i know your virtue hath a licence in't, which seems a little fouler than it is, to pluck on others. angelo believe me, on mine honour, my words express my purpose. isabella ha! little honour to be much believed, and most pernicious purpose! seeming, seeming! i will proclaim thee, angelo; look for't: sign me a present pardon for my brother, or with an outstretch'd throat i'll tell the world aloud what man thou art. angelo who will believe thee, isabel? my unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, my vouch against you, and my place i' the state, will so your accusation overweigh, that you shall stifle in your own report and smell of calumny. i have begun, and now i give my sensual race the rein: fit thy consent to my sharp appetite; lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes, that banish what they sue for; redeem thy brother by yielding up thy body to my will; or else he must not only die the death, but thy unkindness shall his death draw out to lingering sufferance. answer me to-morrow, or, by the affection that now guides me most, i'll prove a tyrant to him. as for you, say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. [exit] isabella to whom should i complain? did i tell this, who would believe me? o perilous mouths, that bear in them one and the self-same tongue, either of condemnation or approof; bidding the law make court'sy to their will: hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, to follow as it draws! i'll to my brother: though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood, yet hath he in him such a mind of honour. that, had he twenty heads to tender down on twenty bloody blocks, he'ld yield them up, before his sister should her body stoop to such abhorr'd pollution. then, isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: more than our brother is our chastity. i'll tell him yet of angelo's request, and fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. [exit] measure for measure act iii scene i a room in the prison. [enter duke vincentio disguised as before, claudio, and provost] duke vincentio so then you hope of pardon from lord angelo? claudio the miserable have no other medicine but only hope: i've hope to live, and am prepared to die. duke vincentio be absolute for death; either death or life shall thereby be the sweeter. reason thus with life: if i do lose thee, i do lose a thing that none but fools would keep: a breath thou art, servile to all the skyey influences, that dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; for him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun and yet runn'st toward him still. thou art not noble; for all the accommodations that thou bear'st are nursed by baseness. thou'rt by no means valiant; for thou dost fear the soft and tender fork of a poor worm. thy best of rest is sleep, and that thou oft provokest; yet grossly fear'st thy death, which is no more. thou art not thyself; for thou exist'st on many a thousand grains that issue out of dust. happy thou art not; for what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get, and what thou hast, forget'st. thou art not certain; for thy complexion shifts to strange effects, after the moon. if thou art rich, thou'rt poor; for, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, thou bear's thy heavy riches but a journey, and death unloads thee. friend hast thou none; for thine own bowels, which do call thee sire, the mere effusion of thy proper loins, do curse the gout, serpigo, and the rheum, for ending thee no sooner. thou hast nor youth nor age, but, as it were, an after-dinner's sleep, dreaming on both; for all thy blessed youth becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms of palsied eld; and when thou art old and rich, thou hast neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty, to make thy riches pleasant. what's yet in this that bears the name of life? yet in this life lie hid moe thousand deaths: yet death we fear, that makes these odds all even. claudio i humbly thank you. to sue to live, i find i seek to die; and, seeking death, find life: let it come on. isabella [within] what, ho! peace here; grace and good company! provost who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. duke vincentio dear sir, ere long i'll visit you again. claudio most holy sir, i thank you. [enter isabella] isabella my business is a word or two with claudio. provost and very welcome. look, signior, here's your sister. duke vincentio provost, a word with you. provost as many as you please. duke vincentio bring me to hear them speak, where i may be concealed. [exeunt duke vincentio and provost] claudio now, sister, what's the comfort? isabella why, as all comforts are; most good, most good indeed. lord angelo, having affairs to heaven, intends you for his swift ambassador, where you shall be an everlasting leiger: therefore your best appointment make with speed; to-morrow you set on. claudio is there no remedy? isabella none, but such remedy as, to save a head, to cleave a heart in twain. claudio but is there any? isabella yes, brother, you may live: there is a devilish mercy in the judge, if you'll implore it, that will free your life, but fetter you till death. claudio perpetual durance? isabella ay, just; perpetual durance, a restraint, though all the world's vastidity you had, to a determined scope. claudio but in what nature? isabella in such a one as, you consenting to't, would bark your honour from that trunk you bear, and leave you naked. claudio let me know the point. isabella o, i do fear thee, claudio; and i quake, lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain, and six or seven winters more respect than a perpetual honour. darest thou die? the sense of death is most in apprehension; and the poor beetle, that we tread upon, in corporal sufferance finds a pang as great as when a giant dies. claudio why give you me this shame? think you i can a resolution fetch from flowery tenderness? if i must die, i will encounter darkness as a bride, and hug it in mine arms. isabella there spake my brother; there my father's grave did utter forth a voice. yes, thou must die: thou art too noble to conserve a life in base appliances. this outward-sainted deputy, whose settled visage and deliberate word nips youth i' the head and follies doth emmew as falcon doth the fowl, is yet a devil his filth within being cast, he would appear a pond as deep as hell. claudio the prenzie angelo! isabella o, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, the damned'st body to invest and cover in prenzie guards! dost thou think, claudio? if i would yield him my virginity, thou mightst be freed. claudio o heavens! it cannot be. isabella yes, he would give't thee, from this rank offence, so to offend him still. this night's the time that i should do what i abhor to name, or else thou diest to-morrow. claudio thou shalt not do't. isabella o, were it but my life, i'ld throw it down for your deliverance as frankly as a pin. claudio thanks, dear isabel. isabella be ready, claudio, for your death tomorrow. claudio yes. has he affections in him, that thus can make him bite the law by the nose, when he would force it? sure, it is no sin, or of the deadly seven, it is the least. isabella which is the least? claudio if it were damnable, he being so wise, why would he for the momentary trick be perdurably fined? o isabel! isabella what says my brother? claudio death is a fearful thing. isabella and shamed life a hateful. claudio ay, but to die, and go we know not where; to lie in cold obstruction and to rot; this sensible warm motion to become a kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit to bathe in fiery floods, or to reside in thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice; to be imprison'd in the viewless winds, and blown with restless violence round about the pendent world; or to be worse than worst of those that lawless and incertain thought imagine howling: 'tis too horrible! the weariest and most loathed worldly life that age, ache, penury and imprisonment can lay on nature is a paradise to what we fear of death. isabella alas, alas! claudio sweet sister, let me live: what sin you do to save a brother's life, nature dispenses with the deed so far that it becomes a virtue. isabella o you beast! o faithless coward! o dishonest wretch! wilt thou be made a man out of my vice? is't not a kind of incest, to take life from thine own sister's shame? what should i think? heaven shield my mother play'd my father fair! for such a warped slip of wilderness ne'er issued from his blood. take my defiance! die, perish! might but my bending down reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: i'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death, no word to save thee. claudio nay, hear me, isabel. isabella o, fie, fie, fie! thy sin's not accidental, but a trade. mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: 'tis best thou diest quickly. claudio o hear me, isabella! [re-enter duke vincentio] duke vincentio vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. isabella what is your will? duke vincentio might you dispense with your leisure, i would by and by have some speech with you: the satisfaction i would require is likewise your own benefit. isabella i have no superfluous leisure; my stay must be stolen out of other affairs; but i will attend you awhile. [walks apart] duke vincentio son, i have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister. angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her; only he hath made an essay of her virtue to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures: she, having the truth of honour in her, hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive. i am confessor to angelo, and i know this to be true; therefore prepare yourself to death: do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible: tomorrow you must die; go to your knees and make ready. claudio let me ask my sister pardon. i am so out of love with life that i will sue to be rid of it. duke vincentio hold you there: farewell. [exit claudio] provost, a word with you! [re-enter provost] provost what's your will, father duke vincentio that now you are come, you will be gone. leave me awhile with the maid: my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company. provost in good time. [exit provost. isabella comes forward] duke vincentio the hand that hath made you fair hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of your complexion, shall keep the body of it ever fair. the assault that angelo hath made to you, fortune hath conveyed to my understanding; and, but that frailty hath examples for his falling, i should wonder at angelo. how will you do to content this substitute, and to save your brother? isabella i am now going to resolve him: i had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born. but, o, how much is the good duke deceived in angelo! if ever he return and i can speak to him, i will open my lips in vain, or discover his government. duke vincentio that shall not be much amiss: yet, as the matter now stands, he will avoid your accusation; he made trial of you only. therefore fasten your ear on my advisings: to the love i have in doing good a remedy presents itself. i do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law; do no stain to your own gracious person; and much please the absent duke, if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business. isabella let me hear you speak farther. i have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit. duke vincentio virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful. have you not heard speak of mariana, the sister of frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea? isabella i have heard of the lady, and good words went with her name. duke vincentio she should this angelo have married; was affianced to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed: between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity, her brother frederick was wrecked at sea, having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister. but mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman: there she lost a noble and renowned brother, in his love toward her ever most kind and natural; with him, the portion and sinew of her fortune, her marriage-dowry; with both, her combinate husband, this well-seeming angelo. isabella can this be so? did angelo so leave her? duke vincentio left her in her tears, and dried not one of them with his comfort; swallowed his vows whole, pretending in her discoveries of dishonour: in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, which she yet wears for his sake; and he, a marble to her tears, is washed with them, but relents not. isabella what a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world! what corruption in this life, that it will let this man live! but how out of this can she avail? duke vincentio it is a rupture that you may easily heal: and the cure of it not only saves your brother, but keeps you from dishonour in doing it. isabella show me how, good father. duke vincentio this forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection: his unjust unkindness, that in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more violent and unruly. go you to angelo; answer his requiring with a plausible obedience; agree with his demands to the point; only refer yourself to this advantage, first, that your stay with him may not be long; that the time may have all shadow and silence in it; and the place answer to convenience. this being granted in course,--and now follows all,--we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter, it may compel him to her recompense: and here, by this, is your brother saved, your honour untainted, the poor mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled. the maid will i frame and make fit for his attempt. if you think well to carry this as you may, the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof. what think you of it? isabella the image of it gives me content already; and i trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection. duke vincentio it lies much in your holding up. haste you speedily to angelo: if for this night he entreat you to his bed, give him promise of satisfaction. i will presently to saint luke's: there, at the moated grange, resides this dejected mariana. at that place call upon me; and dispatch with angelo, that it may be quickly. isabella i thank you for this comfort. fare you well, good father. [exeunt severally] measure for measure act iii scene ii the street before the prison. [enter, on one side, duke vincentio disguised as before; on the other, elbow, and officers with pompey] elbow nay, if there be no remedy for it, but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts, we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard. duke vincentio o heavens! what stuff is here pompey 'twas never merry world since, of two usuries, the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm; and furred with fox and lamb-skins too, to signify, that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. elbow come your way, sir. 'bless you, good father friar. duke vincentio and you, good brother father. what offence hath this man made you, sir? elbow marry, sir, he hath offended the law: and, sir, we take him to be a thief too, sir; for we have found upon him, sir, a strange picklock, which we have sent to the deputy. duke vincentio fie, sirrah! a bawd, a wicked bawd! the evil that thou causest to be done, that is thy means to live. do thou but think what 'tis to cram a maw or clothe a back from such a filthy vice: say to thyself, from their abominable and beastly touches i drink, i eat, array myself, and live. canst thou believe thy living is a life, so stinkingly depending? go mend, go mend. pompey indeed, it does stink in some sort, sir; but yet, sir, i would prove- duke vincentio nay, if the devil have given thee proofs for sin, thou wilt prove his. take him to prison, officer: correction and instruction must both work ere this rude beast will profit. elbow he must before the deputy, sir; he has given him warning: the deputy cannot abide a whoremaster: if he be a whoremonger, and comes before him, he were as good go a mile on his errand. duke vincentio that we were all, as some would seem to be, from our faults, as faults from seeming, free! elbow his neck will come to your waist,--a cord, sir. pompey i spy comfort; i cry bail. here's a gentleman and a friend of mine. [enter lucio] lucio how now, noble pompey! what, at the wheels of caesar? art thou led in triumph? what, is there none of pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutch'd? what reply, ha? what sayest thou to this tune, matter and method? is't not drowned i' the last rain, ha? what sayest thou, trot? is the world as it was, man? which is the way? is it sad, and few words? or how? the trick of it? duke vincentio still thus, and thus; still worse! lucio how doth my dear morsel, thy mistress? procures she still, ha? pompey troth, sir, she hath eaten up all her beef, and she is herself in the tub. lucio why, 'tis good; it is the right of it; it must be so: ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd: an unshunned consequence; it must be so. art going to prison, pompey? pompey yes, faith, sir. lucio why, 'tis not amiss, pompey. farewell: go, say i sent thee thither. for debt, pompey? or how? elbow for being a bawd, for being a bawd. lucio well, then, imprison him: if imprisonment be the due of a bawd, why, 'tis his right: bawd is he doubtless, and of antiquity too; bawd-born. farewell, good pompey. commend me to the prison, pompey: you will turn good husband now, pompey; you will keep the house. pompey i hope, sir, your good worship will be my bail. lucio no, indeed, will i not, pompey; it is not the wear. i will pray, pompey, to increase your bondage: if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the more. adieu, trusty pompey. 'bless you, friar. duke vincentio and you. lucio does bridget paint still, pompey, ha? elbow come your ways, sir; come. pompey you will not bail me, then, sir? lucio then, pompey, nor now. what news abroad, friar? what news? elbow come your ways, sir; come. lucio go to kennel, pompey; go. [exeunt elbow, pompey and officers] what news, friar, of the duke? duke vincentio i know none. can you tell me of any? lucio some say he is with the emperor of russia; other some, he is in rome: but where is he, think you? duke vincentio i know not where; but wheresoever, i wish him well. lucio it was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state, and usurp the beggary he was never born to. lord angelo dukes it well in his absence; he puts transgression to 't. duke vincentio he does well in 't. lucio a little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him: something too crabbed that way, friar. duke vincentio it is too general a vice, and severity must cure it. lucio yes, in good sooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is well allied: but it is impossible to extirp it quite, friar, till eating and drinking be put down. they say this angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation: is it true, think you? duke vincentio how should he be made, then? lucio some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he was begot between two stock-fishes. but it is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice; that i know to be true: and he is a motion generative; that's infallible. duke vincentio you are pleasant, sir, and speak apace. lucio why, what a ruthless thing is this in him, for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man! would the duke that is absent have done this? ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards, he would have paid for the nursing a thousand: he had some feeling of the sport: he knew the service, and that instructed him to mercy. duke vincentio i never heard the absent duke much detected for women; he was not inclined that way. lucio o, sir, you are deceived. duke vincentio 'tis not possible. lucio who, not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the duke had crotchets in him. he would be drunk too; that let me inform you. duke vincentio you do him wrong, surely. lucio sir, i was an inward of his. a shy fellow was the duke: and i believe i know the cause of his withdrawing. duke vincentio what, i prithee, might be the cause? lucio no, pardon; 'tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips: but this i can let you understand, the greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise. duke vincentio wise! why, no question but he was. lucio a very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. duke vincentio either this is the envy in you, folly, or mistaking: the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must upon a warranted need give him a better proclamation. let him be but testimonied in his own bringings-forth, and he shall appear to the envious a scholar, a statesman and a soldier. therefore you speak unskilfully: or if your knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice. lucio sir, i know him, and i love him. duke vincentio love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with dearer love. lucio come, sir, i know what i know. duke vincentio i can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. but, if ever the duke return, as our prayers are he may, let me desire you to make your answer before him. if it be honest you have spoke, you have courage to maintain it: i am bound to call upon you; and, i pray you, your name? lucio sir, my name is lucio; well known to the duke. duke vincentio he shall know you better, sir, if i may live to report you. lucio i fear you not. duke vincentio o, you hope the duke will return no more; or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite. but indeed i can do you little harm; you'll forswear this again. lucio i'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me, friar. but no more of this. canst thou tell if claudio die to-morrow or no? duke vincentio why should he die, sir? lucio why? for filling a bottle with a tundish. i would the duke we talk of were returned again: the ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous. the duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light: would he were returned! marry, this claudio is condemned for untrussing. farewell, good friar: i prithee, pray for me. the duke, i say to thee again, would eat mutton on fridays. he's not past it yet, and i say to thee, he would mouth with a beggar, though she smelt brown bread and garlic: say that i said so. farewell. [exit] duke vincentio no might nor greatness in mortality can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny the whitest virtue strikes. what king so strong can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? but who comes here? [enter escalus, provost, and officers with mistress overdone] escalus go; away with her to prison! mistress overdone good my lord, be good to me; your honour is accounted a merciful man; good my lord. escalus double and treble admonition, and still forfeit in the same kind! this would make mercy swear and play the tyrant. provost a bawd of eleven years' continuance, may it please your honour. mistress overdone my lord, this is one lucio's information against me. mistress kate keepdown was with child by him in the duke's time; he promised her marriage: his child is a year and a quarter old, come philip and jacob: i have kept it myself; and see how he goes about to abuse me! escalus that fellow is a fellow of much licence: let him be called before us. away with her to prison! go to; no more words. [exeunt officers with mistress overdone] provost, my brother angelo will not be altered; claudio must die to-morrow: let him be furnished with divines, and have all charitable preparation. if my brother wrought by my pity, it should not be so with him. provost so please you, this friar hath been with him, and advised him for the entertainment of death. escalus good even, good father. duke vincentio bliss and goodness on you! escalus of whence are you? duke vincentio not of this country, though my chance is now to use it for my time: i am a brother of gracious order, late come from the see in special business from his holiness. escalus what news abroad i' the world? duke vincentio none, but that there is so great a fever on goodness, that the dissolution of it must cure it: novelty is only in request; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course, as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking. there is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure; but security enough to make fellowships accurst: much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. this news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. i pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? escalus one that, above all other strifes, contended especially to know himself. duke vincentio what pleasure was he given to? escalus rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at any thing which professed to make him rejoice: a gentleman of all temperance. but leave we him to his events, with a prayer they may prove prosperous; and let me desire to know how you find claudio prepared. i am made to understand that you have lent him visitation. duke vincentio he professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge, but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice: yet had he framed to himself, by the instruction of his frailty, many deceiving promises of life; which i by my good leisure have discredited to him, and now is he resolved to die. escalus you have paid the heavens your function, and the prisoner the very debt of your calling. i have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty: but my brother justice have i found so severe, that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed justice. duke vincentio if his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding, it shall become him well; wherein if he chance to fail, he hath sentenced himself. escalus i am going to visit the prisoner. fare you well. duke vincentio peace be with you! [exeunt escalus and provost] he who the sword of heaven will bear should be as holy as severe; pattern in himself to know, grace to stand, and virtue go; more nor less to others paying than by self-offences weighing. shame to him whose cruel striking kills for faults of his own liking! twice treble shame on angelo, to weed my vice and let his grow! o, what may man within him hide, though angel on the outward side! how may likeness made in crimes, making practise on the times, to draw with idle spiders' strings most ponderous and substantial things! craft against vice i must apply: with angelo to-night shall lie his old betrothed but despised; so disguise shall, by the disguised, pay with falsehood false exacting, and perform an old contracting. [exit] measure for measure act iv scene i the moated grange at st. luke's. [enter mariana and a boy] [boy sings] take, o, take those lips away, that so sweetly were forsworn; and those eyes, the break of day, lights that do mislead the morn: but my kisses bring again, bring again; seals of love, but sealed in vain, sealed in vain. mariana break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: here comes a man of comfort, whose advice hath often still'd my brawling discontent. [exit boy] [enter duke vincentio disguised as before] i cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish you had not found me here so musical: let me excuse me, and believe me so, my mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe. duke vincentio 'tis good; though music oft hath such a charm to make bad good, and good provoke to harm. i pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have i promised here to meet. mariana you have not been inquired after: i have sat here all day. [enter isabella] duke vincentio i do constantly believe you. the time is come even now. i shall crave your forbearance a little: may be i will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. mariana i am always bound to you. [exit] duke vincentio very well met, and well come. what is the news from this good deputy? isabella he hath a garden circummured with brick, whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; and to that vineyard is a planched gate, that makes his opening with this bigger key: this other doth command a little door which from the vineyard to the garden leads; there have i made my promise upon the heavy middle of the night to call upon him. duke vincentio but shall you on your knowledge find this way? isabella i have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: with whispering and most guilty diligence, in action all of precept, he did show me the way twice o'er. duke vincentio are there no other tokens between you 'greed concerning her observance? isabella no, none, but only a repair i' the dark; and that i have possess'd him my most stay can be but brief; for i have made him know i have a servant comes with me along, that stays upon me, whose persuasion is i come about my brother. duke vincentio 'tis well borne up. i have not yet made known to mariana a word of this. what, ho! within! come forth! [re-enter mariana] i pray you, be acquainted with this maid; she comes to do you good. isabella i do desire the like. duke vincentio do you persuade yourself that i respect you? mariana good friar, i know you do, and have found it. duke vincentio take, then, this your companion by the hand, who hath a story ready for your ear. i shall attend your leisure: but make haste; the vaporous night approaches. mariana will't please you walk aside? [exeunt mariana and isabella] duke vincentio o place and greatness! millions of false eyes are stuck upon thee: volumes of report run with these false and most contrarious quests upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit make thee the father of their idle dreams and rack thee in their fancies. [re-enter mariana and isabella] welcome, how agreed? isabella she'll take the enterprise upon her, father, if you advise it. duke vincentio it is not my consent, but my entreaty too. isabella little have you to say when you depart from him, but, soft and low, 'remember now my brother.' mariana fear me not. duke vincentio nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. he is your husband on a pre-contract: to bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, sith that the justice of your title to him doth flourish the deceit. come, let us go: our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. [exeunt] measure for measure act iv scene ii a room in the prison. [enter provost and pompey] provost come hither, sirrah. can you cut off a man's head? pompey if the man be a bachelor, sir, i can; but if he be a married man, he's his wife's head, and i can never cut off a woman's head. provost come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. to-morrow morning are to die claudio and barnardine. here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper: if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves; if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd. pompey sir, i have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind; but yet i will be content to be a lawful hangman. i would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner. provost what, ho! abhorson! where's abhorson, there? [enter abhorson] abhorson do you call, sir? provost sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution. if you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for the present and dismiss him. he cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd. abhorson a bawd, sir? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery. provost go to, sir; you weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale. [exit] pompey pray, sir, by your good favour,--for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look,--do you call, sir, your occupation a mystery? abhorson ay, sir; a mystery pompey painting, sir, i have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if i should be hanged, i cannot imagine. abhorson sir, it is a mystery. pompey proof? abhorson every true man's apparel fits your thief: if it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief. [re-enter provost] provost are you agreed? pompey sir, i will serve him; for i do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftener ask forgiveness. provost you, sirrah, provide your block and your axe to-morrow four o'clock. abhorson come on, bawd; i will instruct thee in my trade; follow. pompey i do desire to learn, sir: and i hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yare; for truly, sir, for your kindness i owe you a good turn. provost call hither barnardine and claudio: [exeunt pompey and abhorson] the one has my pity; not a jot the other, being a murderer, though he were my brother. [enter claudio] look, here's the warrant, claudio, for thy death: 'tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow thou must be made immortal. where's barnardine? claudio as fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour when it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: he will not wake. provost who can do good on him? well, go, prepare yourself. [knocking within] but, hark, what noise? heaven give your spirits comfort! [exit claudio] by and by. i hope it is some pardon or reprieve for the most gentle claudio. [enter duke vincentio disguised as before] welcome father. duke vincentio the best and wholesomest spirts of the night envelope you, good provost! who call'd here of late? provost none, since the curfew rung. duke vincentio not isabel? provost no. duke vincentio they will, then, ere't be long. provost what comfort is for claudio? duke vincentio there's some in hope. provost it is a bitter deputy. duke vincentio not so, not so; his life is parallel'd even with the stroke and line of his great justice: he doth with holy abstinence subdue that in himself which he spurs on his power to qualify in others: were he meal'd with that which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; but this being so, he's just. [knocking within] now are they come. [exit provost] this is a gentle provost: seldom when the steeled gaoler is the friend of men. [knocking within] how now! what noise? that spirit's possessed with haste that wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. [re-enter provost] provost there he must stay until the officer arise to let him in: he is call'd up. duke vincentio have you no countermand for claudio yet, but he must die to-morrow? provost none, sir, none. duke vincentio as near the dawning, provost, as it is, you shall hear more ere morning. provost happily you something know; yet i believe there comes no countermand; no such example have we: besides, upon the very siege of justice lord angelo hath to the public ear profess'd the contrary. [enter a messenger] this is his lordship's man. duke vincentio and here comes claudio's pardon. messenger [giving a paper] my lord hath sent you this note; and by me this further charge, that you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time, matter, or other circumstance. good morrow; for, as i take it, it is almost day. provost i shall obey him. [exit messenger] duke vincentio [aside] this is his pardon, purchased by such sin for which the pardoner himself is in. hence hath offence his quick celerity, when it is born in high authority: when vice makes mercy, mercy's so extended, that for the fault's love is the offender friended. now, sir, what news? provost i told you. lord angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before. duke vincentio pray you, let's hear. provost [reads] 'whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let claudio be executed by four of the clock; and in the afternoon barnardine: for my better satisfaction, let me have claudio's head sent me by five. let this be duly performed; with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver. thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer it at your peril.' what say you to this, sir? duke vincentio what is that barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon? provost a bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old. duke vincentio how came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him? i have heard it was ever his manner to do so. provost his friends still wrought reprieves for him: and, indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof. duke vincentio it is now apparent? provost most manifest, and not denied by himself. duke vincentio hath he born himself penitently in prison? how seems he to be touched? provost a man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep; careless, reckless, and fearless of what's past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and desperately mortal. duke vincentio he wants advice. provost he will hear none: he hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leave to escape hence, he would not: drunk many times a day, if not many days entirely drunk. we have very oft awaked him, as if to carry him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it: it hath not moved him at all. duke vincentio more of him anon. there is written in your brow, provost, honesty and constancy: if i read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but, in the boldness of my cunning, i will lay myself in hazard. claudio, whom here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than angelo who hath sentenced him. to make you understand this in a manifested effect, i crave but four days' respite; for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy. provost pray, sir, in what? duke vincentio in the delaying death. provost a lack, how may i do it, having the hour limited, and an express command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of angelo? i may make my case as claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. duke vincentio by the vow of mine order i warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. let this barnardine be this morning executed, and his head born to angelo. provost angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. duke vincentio o, death's a great disguiser; and you may add to it. shave the head, and tie the beard; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death: you know the course is common. if any thing fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom i profess, i will plead against it with my life. provost pardon me, good father; it is against my oath. duke vincentio were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? provost to him, and to his substitutes. duke vincentio you will think you have made no offence, if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing? provost but what likelihood is in that? duke vincentio not a resemblance, but a certainty. yet since i see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, i will go further than i meant, to pluck all fears out of you. look you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the duke: you know the character, i doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. provost i know them both. duke vincentio the contents of this is the return of the duke: you shall anon over-read it at your pleasure; where you shall find, within these two days he will be here. this is a thing that angelo knows not; for he this very day receives letters of strange tenor; perchance of the duke's death; perchance entering into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what is writ. look, the unfolding star calls up the shepherd. put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known. call your executioner, and off with barnardine's head: i will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place. yet you are amazed; but this shall absolutely resolve you. come away; it is almost clear dawn. [exeunt] measure for measure act iv scene iii another room in the same. [enter pompey] pompey i am as well acquainted here as i was in our house of profession: one would think it were mistress overdone's own house, for here be many of her old customers. first, here's young master rash; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, ninescore and seventeen pounds; of which he made five marks, ready money: marry, then ginger was not much in request, for the old women were all dead. then is there here one master caper, at the suit of master three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a beggar. then have we here young dizy, and young master deep-vow, and master copperspur, and master starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young drop-heir that killed lusty pudding, and master forthlight the tilter, and brave master shooty the great traveller, and wild half-can that stabbed pots, and, i think, forty more; all great doers in our trade, and are now 'for the lord's sake.' [enter abhorson] abhorson sirrah, bring barnardine hither. pompey master barnardine! you must rise and be hanged. master barnardine! abhorson what, ho, barnardine! barnardine [within] a pox o' your throats! who makes that noise there? what are you? pompey your friends, sir; the hangman. you must be so good, sir, to rise and be put to death. barnardine [within] away, you rogue, away! i am sleepy. abhorson tell him he must awake, and that quickly too. pompey pray, master barnardine, awake till you are executed, and sleep afterwards. abhorson go in to him, and fetch him out. pompey he is coming, sir, he is coming; i hear his straw rustle. abhorson is the axe upon the block, sirrah? pompey very ready, sir. [enter barnardine] barnardine how now, abhorson? what's the news with you? abhorson truly, sir, i would desire you to clap into your prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. barnardine you rogue, i have been drinking all night; i am not fitted for 't. pompey o, the better, sir; for he that drinks all night, and is hanged betimes in the morning, may sleep the sounder all the next day. abhorson look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do we jest now, think you? [enter duke vincentio disguised as before] duke vincentio sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how hastily you are to depart, i am come to advise you, comfort you and pray with you. barnardine friar, not i i have been drinking hard all night, and i will have more time to prepare me, or they shall beat out my brains with billets: i will not consent to die this day, that's certain. duke vincentio o, sir, you must: and therefore i beseech you look forward on the journey you shall go. barnardine i swear i will not die to-day for any man's persuasion. duke vincentio but hear you. barnardine not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, come to my ward; for thence will not i to-day. [exit] duke vincentio unfit to live or die: o gravel heart! after him, fellows; bring him to the block. [exeunt abhorson and pompey] [re-enter provost] provost now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? duke vincentio a creature unprepared, unmeet for death; and to transport him in the mind he is were damnable. provost here in the prison, father, there died this morning of a cruel fever one ragozine, a most notorious pirate, a man of claudio's years; his beard and head just of his colour. what if we do omit this reprobate till he were well inclined; and satisfy the deputy with the visage of ragozine, more like to claudio? duke vincentio o, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! dispatch it presently; the hour draws on prefix'd by angelo: see this be done, and sent according to command; whiles i persuade this rude wretch willingly to die. provost this shall be done, good father, presently. but barnardine must die this afternoon: and how shall we continue claudio, to save me from the danger that might come if he were known alive? duke vincentio let this be done. put them in secret holds, both barnardine and claudio: ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting to the under generation, you shall find your safety manifested. provost i am your free dependant. duke vincentio quick, dispatch, and send the head to angelo. [exit provost] now will i write letters to angelo,- the provost, he shall bear them, whose contents shall witness to him i am near at home, and that, by great injunctions, i am bound to enter publicly: him i'll desire to meet me at the consecrated fount a league below the city; and from thence, by cold gradation and well-balanced form, we shall proceed with angelo. [re-enter provost] provost here is the head; i'll carry it myself. duke vincentio convenient is it. make a swift return; for i would commune with you of such things that want no ear but yours. provost i'll make all speed. [exit] isabella [within] peace, ho, be here! duke vincentio the tongue of isabel. she's come to know if yet her brother's pardon be come hither: but i will keep her ignorant of her good, to make her heavenly comforts of despair, when it is least expected. [enter isabella] isabella ho, by your leave! duke vincentio good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter. isabella the better, given me by so holy a man. hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? duke vincentio he hath released him, isabel, from the world: his head is off and sent to angelo. isabella nay, but it is not so. duke vincentio it is no other: show your wisdom, daughter, in your close patience. isabella o, i will to him and pluck out his eyes! duke vincentio you shall not be admitted to his sight. isabella unhappy claudio! wretched isabel! injurious world! most damned angelo! duke vincentio this nor hurts him nor profits you a jot; forbear it therefore; give your cause to heaven. mark what i say, which you shall find by every syllable a faithful verity: the duke comes home to-morrow; nay, dry your eyes; one of our convent, and his confessor, gives me this instance: already he hath carried notice to escalus and angelo, who do prepare to meet him at the gates, there to give up their power. if you can, pace your wisdom in that good path that i would wish it go, and you shall have your bosom on this wretch, grace of the duke, revenges to your heart, and general honour. isabella i am directed by you. duke vincentio this letter, then, to friar peter give; 'tis that he sent me of the duke's return: say, by this token, i desire his company at mariana's house to-night. her cause and yours i'll perfect him withal, and he shall bring you before the duke, and to the head of angelo accuse him home and home. for my poor self, i am combined by a sacred vow and shall be absent. wend you with this letter: command these fretting waters from your eyes with a light heart; trust not my holy order, if i pervert your course. who's here? [enter lucio] lucio good even. friar, where's the provost? duke vincentio not within, sir. lucio o pretty isabella, i am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red: thou must be patient. i am fain to dine and sup with water and bran; i dare not for my head fill my belly; one fruitful meal would set me to 't. but they say the duke will be here to-morrow. by my troth, isabel, i loved thy brother: if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home, he had lived. [exit isabella] duke vincentio sir, the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports; but the best is, he lives not in them. lucio friar, thou knowest not the duke so well as i do: he's a better woodman than thou takest him for. duke vincentio well, you'll answer this one day. fare ye well. lucio nay, tarry; i'll go along with thee i can tell thee pretty tales of the duke. duke vincentio you have told me too many of him already, sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough. lucio i was once before him for getting a wench with child. duke vincentio did you such a thing? lucio yes, marry, did i but i was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar. duke vincentio sir, your company is fairer than honest. rest you well. lucio by my troth, i'll go with thee to the lane's end: if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it. nay, friar, i am a kind of burr; i shall stick. [exeunt] measure for measure act iv scene iv a room in angelo's house. [enter angelo and escalus] escalus every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other. angelo in most uneven and distracted manner. his actions show much like to madness: pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted! and why meet him at the gates, and redeliver our authorities there escalus i guess not. angelo and why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering, that if any crave redress of injustice, they should exhibit their petitions in the street? escalus he shows his reason for that: to have a dispatch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices hereafter, which shall then have no power to stand against us. angelo well, i beseech you, let it be proclaimed betimes i' the morn; i'll call you at your house: give notice to such men of sort and suit as are to meet him. escalus i shall, sir. fare you well. angelo good night. [exit escalus] this deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant and dull to all proceedings. a deflower'd maid! and by an eminent body that enforced the law against it! but that her tender shame will not proclaim against her maiden loss, how might she tongue me! yet reason dares her no; for my authority bears of a credent bulk, that no particular scandal once can touch but it confounds the breather. he should have lived, save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense, might in the times to come have ta'en revenge, by so receiving a dishonour'd life with ransom of such shame. would yet he had lived! a lack, when once our grace we have forgot, nothing goes right: we would, and we would not. [exit] measure for measure act iv scene v fields without the town. [enter duke vincentio in his own habit, and friar peter] duke vincentio these letters at fit time deliver me [giving letters] the provost knows our purpose and our plot. the matter being afoot, keep your instruction, and hold you ever to our special drift; though sometimes you do blench from this to that, as cause doth minister. go call at flavius' house, and tell him where i stay: give the like notice to valentinus, rowland, and to crassus, and bid them bring the trumpets to the gate; but send me flavius first. friar peter it shall be speeded well. [exit] [enter varrius] duke vincentio i thank thee, varrius; thou hast made good haste: come, we will walk. there's other of our friends will greet us here anon, my gentle varrius. [exeunt] measure for measure act iv scene vi street near the city gate. [enter isabella and mariana] isabella to speak so indirectly i am loath: i would say the truth; but to accuse him so, that is your part: yet i am advised to do it; he says, to veil full purpose. mariana be ruled by him. isabella besides, he tells me that, if peradventure he speak against me on the adverse side, i should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic that's bitter to sweet end. mariana i would friar peter- isabella o, peace! the friar is come. [enter friar peter] friar peter come, i have found you out a stand most fit, where you may have such vantage on the duke, he shall not pass you. twice have the trumpets sounded; the generous and gravest citizens have hent the gates, and very near upon the duke is entering: therefore, hence, away! [exeunt] measure for measure act v scene i the city gate. [mariana veiled, isabella, and friar peter, at their stand. enter duke vincentio, varrius, lords, angelo, escalus, lucio, provost, officers, and citizens, at several doors] duke vincentio my very worthy cousin, fairly met! our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. angelo | | happy return be to your royal grace! escalus | duke vincentio many and hearty thankings to you both. we have made inquiry of you; and we hear such goodness of your justice, that our soul cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, forerunning more requital. angelo you make my bonds still greater. duke vincentio o, your desert speaks loud; and i should wrong it, to lock it in the wards of covert bosom, when it deserves, with characters of brass, a forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time and razure of oblivion. give me your hand, and let the subject see, to make them know that outward courtesies would fain proclaim favours that keep within. come, escalus, you must walk by us on our other hand; and good supporters are you. [friar peter and isabella come forward] friar peter now is your time: speak loud and kneel before him. isabella justice, o royal duke! vail your regard upon a wrong'd, i would fain have said, a maid! o worthy prince, dishonour not your eye by throwing it on any other object till you have heard me in my true complaint and given me justice, justice, justice, justice! duke vincentio relate your wrongs; in what? by whom? be brief. here is lord angelo shall give you justice: reveal yourself to him. isabella o worthy duke, you bid me seek redemption of the devil: hear me yourself; for that which i must speak must either punish me, not being believed, or wring redress from you. hear me, o hear me, here! angelo my lord, her wits, i fear me, are not firm: she hath been a suitor to me for her brother cut off by course of justice,- isabella by course of justice! angelo and she will speak most bitterly and strange. isabella most strange, but yet most truly, will i speak: that angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? that angelo's a murderer; is 't not strange? that angelo is an adulterous thief, an hypocrite, a virgin-violator; is it not strange and strange? duke vincentio nay, it is ten times strange. isabella it is not truer he is angelo than this is all as true as it is strange: nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth to the end of reckoning. duke vincentio away with her! poor soul, she speaks this in the infirmity of sense. isabella o prince, i conjure thee, as thou believest there is another comfort than this world, that thou neglect me not, with that opinion that i am touch'd with madness! make not impossible that which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible but one, the wicked'st caitiff on the ground, may seem as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute as angelo; even so may angelo, in all his dressings, characts, titles, forms, be an arch-villain; believe it, royal prince: if he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, had i more name for badness. duke vincentio by mine honesty, if she be mad,--as i believe no other,- her madness hath the oddest frame of sense, such a dependency of thing on thing, as e'er i heard in madness. isabella o gracious duke, harp not on that, nor do not banish reason for inequality; but let your reason serve to make the truth appear where it seems hid, and hide the false seems true. duke vincentio many that are not mad have, sure, more lack of reason. what would you say? isabella i am the sister of one claudio, condemn'd upon the act of fornication to lose his head; condemn'd by angelo: i, in probation of a sisterhood, was sent to by my brother; one lucio as then the messenger,- lucio that's i, an't like your grace: i came to her from claudio, and desired her to try her gracious fortune with lord angelo for her poor brother's pardon. isabella that's he indeed. duke vincentio you were not bid to speak. lucio no, my good lord; nor wish'd to hold my peace. duke vincentio i wish you now, then; pray you, take note of it: and when you have a business for yourself, pray heaven you then be perfect. lucio i warrant your honour. duke vincentio the warrants for yourself; take heed to't. isabella this gentleman told somewhat of my tale,- lucio right. duke vincentio it may be right; but you are i' the wrong to speak before your time. proceed. isabella i went to this pernicious caitiff deputy,- duke vincentio that's somewhat madly spoken. isabella pardon it; the phrase is to the matter. duke vincentio mended again. the matter; proceed. isabella in brief, to set the needless process by, how i persuaded, how i pray'd, and kneel'd, how he refell'd me, and how i replied,- for this was of much length,--the vile conclusion i now begin with grief and shame to utter: he would not, but by gift of my chaste body to his concupiscible intemperate lust, release my brother; and, after much debatement, my sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, and i did yield to him: but the next morn betimes, his purpose surfeiting, he sends a warrant for my poor brother's head. duke vincentio this is most likely! isabella o, that it were as like as it is true! duke vincentio by heaven, fond wretch, thou knowist not what thou speak'st, or else thou art suborn'd against his honour in hateful practise. first, his integrity stands without blemish. next, it imports no reason that with such vehemency he should pursue faults proper to himself: if he had so offended, he would have weigh'd thy brother by himself and not have cut him off. some one hath set you on: confess the truth, and say by whose advice thou camest here to complain. isabella and is this all? then, o you blessed ministers above, keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time unfold the evil which is here wrapt up in countenance! heaven shield your grace from woe, as i, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! duke vincentio i know you'ld fain be gone. an officer! to prison with her! shall we thus permit a blasting and a scandalous breath to fall on him so near us? this needs must be a practise. who knew of your intent and coming hither? isabella one that i would were here, friar lodowick. duke vincentio a ghostly father, belike. who knows that lodowick? lucio my lord, i know him; 'tis a meddling friar; i do not like the man: had he been lay, my lord for certain words he spake against your grace in your retirement, i had swinged him soundly. duke vincentio words against me? this is a good friar, belike! and to set on this wretched woman here against our substitute! let this friar be found. lucio but yesternight, my lord, she and that friar, i saw them at the prison: a saucy friar, a very scurvy fellow. friar peter blessed be your royal grace! i have stood by, my lord, and i have heard your royal ear abused. first, hath this woman most wrongfully accused your substitute, who is as free from touch or soil with her as she from one ungot. duke vincentio we did believe no less. know you that friar lodowick that she speaks of? friar peter i know him for a man divine and holy; not scurvy, nor a temporary meddler, as he's reported by this gentleman; and, on my trust, a man that never yet did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. lucio my lord, most villanously; believe it. friar peter well, he in time may come to clear himself; but at this instant he is sick my lord, of a strange fever. upon his mere request, being come to knowledge that there was complaint intended 'gainst lord angelo, came i hither, to speak, as from his mouth, what he doth know is true and false; and what he with his oath and all probation will make up full clear, whensoever he's convented. first, for this woman. to justify this worthy nobleman, so vulgarly and personally accused, her shall you hear disproved to her eyes, till she herself confess it. duke vincentio good friar, let's hear it. [isabella is carried off guarded; and mariana comes forward] do you not smile at this, lord angelo? o heaven, the vanity of wretched fools! give us some seats. come, cousin angelo; in this i'll be impartial; be you judge of your own cause. is this the witness, friar? first, let her show her face, and after speak. mariana pardon, my lord; i will not show my face until my husband bid me. duke vincentio what, are you married? mariana no, my lord. duke vincentio are you a maid? mariana no, my lord. duke vincentio a widow, then? mariana neither, my lord. duke vincentio why, you are nothing then: neither maid, widow, nor wife? lucio my lord, she may be a punk; for many of them are neither maid, widow, nor wife. duke vincentio silence that fellow: i would he had some cause to prattle for himself. lucio well, my lord. mariana my lord; i do confess i ne'er was married; and i confess besides i am no maid: i have known my husband; yet my husband knows not that ever he knew me. lucio he was drunk then, my lord: it can be no better. duke vincentio for the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! lucio well, my lord. duke vincentio this is no witness for lord angelo. mariana now i come to't my lord she that accuses him of fornication, in self-same manner doth accuse my husband, and charges him my lord, with such a time when i'll depose i had him in mine arms with all the effect of love. angelo charges she more than me? mariana not that i know. duke vincentio no? you say your husband. mariana why, just, my lord, and that is angelo, who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, but knows he thinks that he knows isabel's. angelo this is a strange abuse. let's see thy face. mariana my husband bids me; now i will unmask. [unveiling] this is that face, thou cruel angelo, which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; this is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body that took away the match from isabel, and did supply thee at thy garden-house in her imagined person. duke vincentio know you this woman? lucio carnally, she says. duke vincentio sirrah, no more! lucio enough, my lord. angelo my lord, i must confess i know this woman: and five years since there was some speech of marriage betwixt myself and her; which was broke off, partly for that her promised proportions came short of composition, but in chief for that her reputation was disvalued in levity: since which time of five years i never spake with her, saw her, nor heard from her, upon my faith and honour. mariana noble prince, as there comes light from heaven and words from breath, as there is sense in truth and truth in virtue, i am affianced this man's wife as strongly as words could make up vows: and, my good lord, but tuesday night last gone in's garden-house he knew me as a wife. as this is true, let me in safety raise me from my knees or else for ever be confixed here, a marble monument! angelo i did but smile till now: now, good my lord, give me the scope of justice my patience here is touch'd. i do perceive these poor informal women are no more but instruments of some more mightier member that sets them on: let me have way, my lord, to find this practise out. duke vincentio ay, with my heart and punish them to your height of pleasure. thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman, compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths, though they would swear down each particular saint, were testimonies against his worth and credit that's seal'd in approbation? you, lord escalus, sit with my cousin; lend him your kind pains to find out this abuse, whence 'tis derived. there is another friar that set them on; let him be sent for. friar peter would he were here, my lord! for he indeed hath set the women on to this complaint: your provost knows the place where he abides and he may fetch him. duke vincentio go do it instantly. [exit provost] and you, my noble and well-warranted cousin, whom it concerns to hear this matter forth, do with your injuries as seems you best, in any chastisement: i for a while will leave you; but stir not you till you have well determined upon these slanderers. escalus my lord, we'll do it throughly. [exit duke] signior lucio, did not you say you knew that friar lodowick to be a dishonest person? lucio 'cucullus non facit monachum:' honest in nothing but in his clothes; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the duke. escalus we shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce them against him: we shall find this friar a notable fellow. lucio as any in vienna, on my word. escalus call that same isabel here once again; i would speak with her. [exit an attendant] pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you shall see how i'll handle her. lucio not better than he, by her own report. escalus say you? lucio marry, sir, i think, if you handled her privately, she would sooner confess: perchance, publicly, she'll be ashamed. escalus i will go darkly to work with her. lucio that's the way; for women are light at midnight. [re-enter officers with isabella; and provost with the duke vincentio in his friar's habit] escalus come on, mistress: here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said. lucio my lord, here comes the rascal i spoke of; here with the provost. escalus in very good time: speak not you to him till we call upon you. lucio mum. escalus come, sir: did you set these women on to slander lord angelo? they have confessed you did. duke vincentio 'tis false. escalus how! know you where you are? duke vincentio respect to your great place! and let the devil be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. escalus the duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: look you speak justly. duke vincentio boldly, at least. but, o, poor souls, come you to seek the lamb here of the fox? good night to your redress! is the duke gone? then is your cause gone too. the duke's unjust, thus to retort your manifest appeal, and put your trial in the villain's mouth which here you come to accuse. lucio this is the rascal; this is he i spoke of. escalus why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar, is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women to accuse this worthy man, but, in foul mouth and in the witness of his proper ear, to call him villain? and then to glance from him to the duke himself, to tax him with injustice? take him hence; to the rack with him! we'll touse you joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. what 'unjust'! duke vincentio be not so hot; the duke dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he dare rack his own: his subject am i not, nor here provincial. my business in this state made me a looker on here in vienna, where i have seen corruption boil and bubble till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults, but faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, as much in mock as mark. escalus slander to the state! away with him to prison! angelo what can you vouch against him, signior lucio? is this the man that you did tell us of? lucio 'tis he, my lord. come hither, goodman baldpate: do you know me? duke vincentio i remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: i met you at the prison, in the absence of the duke. lucio o, did you so? and do you remember what you said of the duke? duke vincentio most notedly, sir. lucio do you so, sir? and was the duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? duke vincentio you must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. lucio o thou damnable fellow! did not i pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches? duke vincentio i protest i love the duke as i love myself. angelo hark, how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses! escalus such a fellow is not to be talked withal. away with him to prison! where is the provost? away with him to prison! lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more. away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate companion! duke vincentio [to provost] stay, sir; stay awhile. angelo what, resists he? help him, lucio. lucio come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! why, you bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must you? show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! will't not off? [pulls off the friar's hood, and discovers duke vincentio] duke vincentio thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke. first, provost, let me bail these gentle three. [to lucio] sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you must have a word anon. lay hold on him. lucio this may prove worse than hanging. duke vincentio [to escalus] what you have spoke i pardon: sit you down: we'll borrow place of him. [to angelo] sir, by your leave. hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, that yet can do thee office? if thou hast, rely upon it till my tale be heard, and hold no longer out. angelo o my dread lord, i should be guiltier than my guiltiness, to think i can be undiscernible, when i perceive your grace, like power divine, hath look'd upon my passes. then, good prince, no longer session hold upon my shame, but let my trial be mine own confession: immediate sentence then and sequent death is all the grace i beg. duke vincentio come hither, mariana. say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? angelo i was, my lord. duke vincentio go take her hence, and marry her instantly. do you the office, friar; which consummate, return him here again. go with him, provost. [exeunt angelo, mariana, friar peter and provost] escalus my lord, i am more amazed at his dishonour than at the strangeness of it. duke vincentio come hither, isabel. your friar is now your prince: as i was then advertising and holy to your business, not changing heart with habit, i am still attorney'd at your service. isabella o, give me pardon, that i, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd your unknown sovereignty! duke vincentio you are pardon'd, isabel: and now, dear maid, be you as free to us. your brother's death, i know, sits at your heart; and you may marvel why i obscured myself, labouring to save his life, and would not rather make rash remonstrance of my hidden power than let him so be lost. o most kind maid, it was the swift celerity of his death, which i did think with slower foot came on, that brain'd my purpose. but, peace be with him! that life is better life, past fearing death, than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, so happy is your brother. isabella i do, my lord. [re-enter angelo, mariana, friar peter, and provost] duke vincentio for this new-married man approaching here, whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd your well defended honour, you must pardon for mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,- being criminal, in double violation of sacred chastity and of promise-breach thereon dependent, for your brother's life,- the very mercy of the law cries out most audible, even from his proper tongue, 'an angelo for claudio, death for death!' haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; like doth quit like, and measure still for measure. then, angelo, thy fault's thus manifested; which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. we do condemn thee to the very block where claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste. away with him! mariana o my most gracious lord, i hope you will not mock me with a husband. duke vincentio it is your husband mock'd you with a husband. consenting to the safeguard of your honour, i thought your marriage fit; else imputation, for that he knew you, might reproach your life and choke your good to come; for his possessions, although by confiscation they are ours, we do instate and widow you withal, to buy you a better husband. mariana o my dear lord, i crave no other, nor no better man. duke vincentio never crave him; we are definitive. mariana gentle my liege,- [kneeling] duke vincentio you do but lose your labour. away with him to death! [to lucio] now, sir, to you. mariana o my good lord! sweet isabel, take my part; lend me your knees, and all my life to come i'll lend you all my life to do you service. duke vincentio against all sense you do importune her: should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, her brother's ghost his paved bed would break, and take her hence in horror. mariana isabel, sweet isabel, do yet but kneel by me; hold up your hands, say nothing; i'll speak all. they say, best men are moulded out of faults; and, for the most, become much more the better for being a little bad: so may my husband. o isabel, will you not lend a knee? duke vincentio he dies for claudio's death. isabella most bounteous sir, [kneeling] look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, as if my brother lived: i partly think a due sincerity govern'd his deeds, till he did look on me: since it is so, let him not die. my brother had but justice, in that he did the thing for which he died: for angelo, his act did not o'ertake his bad intent, and must be buried but as an intent that perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; intents but merely thoughts. mariana merely, my lord. duke vincentio your suit's unprofitable; stand up, i say. i have bethought me of another fault. provost, how came it claudio was beheaded at an unusual hour? provost it was commanded so. duke vincentio had you a special warrant for the deed? provost no, my good lord; it was by private message. duke vincentio for which i do discharge you of your office: give up your keys. provost pardon me, noble lord: i thought it was a fault, but knew it not; yet did repent me, after more advice; for testimony whereof, one in the prison, that should by private order else have died, i have reserved alive. duke vincentio what's he? provost his name is barnardine. duke vincentio i would thou hadst done so by claudio. go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. [exit provost] escalus i am sorry, one so learned and so wise as you, lord angelo, have still appear'd, should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood. and lack of temper'd judgment afterward. angelo i am sorry that such sorrow i procure: and so deep sticks it in my penitent heart that i crave death more willingly than mercy; 'tis my deserving, and i do entreat it. [re-enter provost, with barnardine, claudio muffled, and juliet] duke vincentio which is that barnardine? provost this, my lord. duke vincentio there was a friar told me of this man. sirrah, thou art said to have a stubborn soul. that apprehends no further than this world, and squarest thy life according. thou'rt condemn'd: but, for those earthly faults, i quit them all; and pray thee take this mercy to provide for better times to come. friar, advise him; i leave him to your hand. what muffled fellow's that? provost this is another prisoner that i saved. who should have died when claudio lost his head; as like almost to claudio as himself. [unmuffles claudio] duke vincentio [to isabella] if he be like your brother, for his sake is he pardon'd; and, for your lovely sake, give me your hand and say you will be mine. he is my brother too: but fitter time for that. by this lord angelo perceives he's safe; methinks i see a quickening in his eye. well, angelo, your evil quits you well: look that you love your wife; her worth worth yours. i find an apt remission in myself; and yet here's one in place i cannot pardon. [to lucio] you, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward, one all of luxury, an ass, a madman; wherein have i so deserved of you, that you extol me thus? lucio 'faith, my lord. i spoke it but according to the trick. if you will hang me for it, you may; but i had rather it would please you i might be whipt. duke vincentio whipt first, sir, and hanged after. proclaim it, provost, round about the city. is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, as i have heard him swear himself there's one whom he begot with child, let her appear, and he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, let him be whipt and hang'd. lucio i beseech your highness, do not marry me to a whore. your highness said even now, i made you a duke: good my lord, do not recompense me in making me a cuckold. duke vincentio upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. thy slanders i forgive; and therewithal remit thy other forfeits. take him to prison; and see our pleasure herein executed. lucio marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging. duke vincentio slandering a prince deserves it. [exit officers with lucio] she, claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. joy to you, mariana! love her, angelo: i have confess'd her and i know her virtue. thanks, good friend escalus, for thy much goodness: there's more behind that is more gratulate. thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: we shill employ thee in a worthier place. forgive him, angelo, that brought you home the head of ragozine for claudio's: the offence pardons itself. dear isabel, i have a motion much imports your good; whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, what's mine is yours and what is yours is mine. so, bring us to our palace; where we'll show what's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. [exeunt] love's labour's lost dramatis personae ferdinand king of navarre. biron | | longaville | lords attending on the king. | dumain | boyet | | lords attending on the princess of france. mercade | don adriano de armado a fantastical spaniard. sir nathaniel a curate. holofernes a schoolmaster. dull a constable. costard a clown. moth page to armado. a forester. the princess of france: (princess:) rosaline | | maria | ladies attending on the princess. | katharine | jaquenetta a country wench. lords, attendants, &c. (first lord:) scene navarre. love's labours lost act i scene i the king of navarre's park. [enter ferdinand king of navarre, biron, longaville and dumain] ferdinand let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, live register'd upon our brazen tombs and then grace us in the disgrace of death; when, spite of cormorant devouring time, the endeavor of this present breath may buy that honour which shall bate his scythe's keen edge and make us heirs of all eternity. therefore, brave conquerors,--for so you are, that war against your own affections and the huge army of the world's desires,- our late edict shall strongly stand in force: navarre shall be the wonder of the world; our court shall be a little academe, still and contemplative in living art. you three, biron, dumain, and longaville, have sworn for three years' term to live with me my fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes that are recorded in this schedule here: your oaths are pass'd; and now subscribe your names, that his own hand may strike his honour down that violates the smallest branch herein: if you are arm'd to do as sworn to do, subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too. longaville i am resolved; 'tis but a three years' fast: the mind shall banquet, though the body pine: fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits. dumain my loving lord, dumain is mortified: the grosser manner of these world's delights he throws upon the gross world's baser slaves: to love, to wealth, to pomp, i pine and die; with all these living in philosophy. biron i can but say their protestation over; so much, dear liege, i have already sworn, that is, to live and study here three years. but there are other strict observances; as, not to see a woman in that term, which i hope well is not enrolled there; and one day in a week to touch no food and but one meal on every day beside, the which i hope is not enrolled there; and then, to sleep but three hours in the night, and not be seen to wink of all the day- when i was wont to think no harm all night and make a dark night too of half the day- which i hope well is not enrolled there: o, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep! ferdinand your oath is pass'd to pass away from these. biron let me say no, my liege, an if you please: i only swore to study with your grace and stay here in your court for three years' space. longaville you swore to that, biron, and to the rest. biron by yea and nay, sir, then i swore in jest. what is the end of study? let me know. ferdinand why, that to know, which else we should not know. biron things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense? ferdinand ay, that is study's godlike recompense. biron come on, then; i will swear to study so, to know the thing i am forbid to know: as thus,--to study where i well may dine, when i to feast expressly am forbid; or study where to meet some mistress fine, when mistresses from common sense are hid; or, having sworn too hard a keeping oath, study to break it and not break my troth. if study's gain be thus and this be so, study knows that which yet it doth not know: swear me to this, and i will ne'er say no. ferdinand these be the stops that hinder study quite and train our intellects to vain delight. biron why, all delights are vain; but that most vain, which with pain purchased doth inherit pain: as, painfully to pore upon a book to seek the light of truth; while truth the while doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look: light seeking light doth light of light beguile: so, ere you find where light in darkness lies, your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. study me how to please the eye indeed by fixing it upon a fairer eye, who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed and give him light that it was blinded by. study is like the heaven's glorious sun that will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks: small have continual plodders ever won save base authority from others' books these earthly godfathers of heaven's lights that give a name to every fixed star have no more profit of their shining nights than those that walk and wot not what they are. too much to know is to know nought but fame; and every godfather can give a name. ferdinand how well he's read, to reason against reading! dumain proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding! longaville he weeds the corn and still lets grow the weeding. biron the spring is near when green geese are a-breeding. dumain how follows that? biron fit in his place and time. dumain in reason nothing. biron something then in rhyme. ferdinand biron is like an envious sneaping frost, that bites the first-born infants of the spring. biron well, say i am; why should proud summer boast before the birds have any cause to sing? why should i joy in any abortive birth? at christmas i no more desire a rose than wish a snow in may's new-fangled mirth; but like of each thing that in season grows. so you, to study now it is too late, climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate. ferdinand well, sit you out: go home, biron: adieu. biron no, my good lord; i have sworn to stay with you: and though i have for barbarism spoke more than for that angel knowledge you can say, yet confident i'll keep what i have swore and bide the penance of each three years' day. give me the paper; let me read the same; and to the strict'st decrees i'll write my name. ferdinand how well this yielding rescues thee from shame! biron [reads] 'item, that no woman shall come within a mile of my court:' hath this been proclaimed? longaville four days ago. biron let's see the penalty. [reads] 'on pain of losing her tongue.' who devised this penalty? longaville marry, that did i. biron sweet lord, and why? longaville to fright them hence with that dread penalty. biron a dangerous law against gentility! [reads] 'item, if any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years, he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise.' this article, my liege, yourself must break; for well you know here comes in embassy the french king's daughter with yourself to speak- a maid of grace and complete majesty- about surrender up of aquitaine to her decrepit, sick and bedrid father: therefore this article is made in vain, or vainly comes the admired princess hither. ferdinand what say you, lords? why, this was quite forgot. biron so study evermore is overshot: while it doth study to have what it would it doth forget to do the thing it should, and when it hath the thing it hunteth most, 'tis won as towns with fire, so won, so lost. ferdinand we must of force dispense with this decree; she must lie here on mere necessity. biron necessity will make us all forsworn three thousand times within this three years' space; for every man with his affects is born, not by might master'd but by special grace: if i break faith, this word shall speak for me; i am forsworn on 'mere necessity.' so to the laws at large i write my name: [subscribes] and he that breaks them in the least degree stands in attainder of eternal shame: suggestions are to other as to me; but i believe, although i seem so loath, i am the last that will last keep his oath. but is there no quick recreation granted? ferdinand ay, that there is. our court, you know, is haunted with a refined traveller of spain; a man in all the world's new fashion planted, that hath a mint of phrases in his brain; one whom the music of his own vain tongue doth ravish like enchanting harmony; a man of complements, whom right and wrong have chose as umpire of their mutiny: this child of fancy, that armado hight, for interim to our studies shall relate in high-born words the worth of many a knight from tawny spain lost in the world's debate. how you delight, my lords, i know not, i; but, i protest, i love to hear him lie and i will use him for my minstrelsy. biron armado is a most illustrious wight, a man of fire-new words, fashion's own knight. longaville costard the swain and he shall be our sport; and so to study, three years is but short. [enter dull with a letter, and costard] dull which is the duke's own person? biron this, fellow: what wouldst? dull i myself reprehend his own person, for i am his grace's tharborough: but i would see his own person in flesh and blood. biron this is he. dull signior arme--arme--commends you. there's villany abroad: this letter will tell you more. costard sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me. ferdinand a letter from the magnificent armado. biron how low soever the matter, i hope in god for high words. longaville a high hope for a low heaven: god grant us patience! biron to hear? or forbear laughing? longaville to hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately; or to forbear both. biron well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness. costard the matter is to me, sir, as concerning jaquenetta. the manner of it is, i was taken with the manner. biron in what manner? costard in manner and form following, sir; all those three: i was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park; which, put together, is in manner and form following. now, sir, for the manner,--it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman: for the form,- in some form. biron for the following, sir? costard as it shall follow in my correction: and god defend the right! ferdinand will you hear this letter with attention? biron as we would hear an oracle. costard such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh. ferdinand [reads] 'great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent and sole dominator of navarre, my soul's earth's god, and body's fostering patron.' costard not a word of costard yet. ferdinand [reads] 'so it is,'- costard it may be so: but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so. ferdinand peace! costard be to me and every man that dares not fight! ferdinand no words! costard of other men's secrets, i beseech you. ferdinand [reads] 'so it is, besieged with sable-coloured melancholy, i did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air; and, as i am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. the time when. about the sixth hour; when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper: so much for the time when. now for the ground which; which, i mean, i walked upon: it is y-cleped thy park. then for the place where; where, i mean, i did encounter that obscene and preposterous event, that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest; but to the place where; it standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious knotted garden: there did i see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of thy mirth,'- costard me? ferdinand [reads] 'that unlettered small-knowing soul,'- costard me? ferdinand [reads] 'that shallow vassal,'- costard still me? ferdinand [reads] 'which, as i remember, hight costard,'- costard o, me! ferdinand [reads] 'sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with,--o, with--but with this i passion to say wherewith,- costard with a wench. ferdinand [reads] 'with a child of our grandmother eve, a female; or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. him i, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by thy sweet grace's officer, anthony dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation.' dull 'me, an't shall please you; i am anthony dull. ferdinand [reads] 'for jaquenetta,--so is the weaker vessel called which i apprehended with the aforesaid swain,--i keep her as a vessel of the law's fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty. don adriano de armado.' biron this is not so well as i looked for, but the best that ever i heard. ferdinand ay, the best for the worst. but, sirrah, what say you to this? costard sir, i confess the wench. ferdinand did you hear the proclamation? costard i do confess much of the hearing it but little of the marking of it. ferdinand it was proclaimed a year's imprisonment, to be taken with a wench. costard i was taken with none, sir: i was taken with a damsel. ferdinand well, it was proclaimed 'damsel.' costard this was no damsel, neither, sir; she was a virgin. ferdinand it is so varied, too; for it was proclaimed 'virgin.' costard if it were, i deny her virginity: i was taken with a maid. ferdinand this maid will not serve your turn, sir. costard this maid will serve my turn, sir. ferdinand sir, i will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water. costard i had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge. ferdinand and don armado shall be your keeper. my lord biron, see him deliver'd o'er: and go we, lords, to put in practise that which each to other hath so strongly sworn. [exeunt ferdinand, longaville, and dumain] biron i'll lay my head to any good man's hat, these oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. sirrah, come on. costard i suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is, i was taken with jaquenetta, and jaquenetta is a true girl; and therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! affliction may one day smile again; and till then, sit thee down, sorrow! [exeunt] love's labours lost act i scene ii the same. [enter don adriano de armado and moth] don adriano de armado boy, what sign is it when a man of great spirit grows melancholy? moth a great sign, sir, that he will look sad. don adriano de armado why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp. moth no, no; o lord, sir, no. don adriano de armado how canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal? moth by a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough senior. don adriano de armado why tough senior? why tough senior? moth why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal? don adriano de armado i spoke it, tender juvenal, as a congruent epitheton appertaining to thy young days, which we may nominate tender. moth and i, tough senior, as an appertinent title to your old time, which we may name tough. don adriano de armado pretty and apt. moth how mean you, sir? i pretty, and my saying apt? or i apt, and my saying pretty? don adriano de armado thou pretty, because little. moth little pretty, because little. wherefore apt? don adriano de armado and therefore apt, because quick. moth speak you this in my praise, master? don adriano de armado in thy condign praise. moth i will praise an eel with the same praise. don adriano de armado what, that an eel is ingenious? moth that an eel is quick. don adriano de armado i do say thou art quick in answers: thou heatest my blood. moth i am answered, sir. don adriano de armado i love not to be crossed. moth [aside] he speaks the mere contrary; crosses love not him. don adriano de armado i have promised to study three years with the duke. moth you may do it in an hour, sir. don adriano de armado impossible. moth how many is one thrice told? don adriano de armado i am ill at reckoning; it fitteth the spirit of a tapster. moth you are a gentleman and a gamester, sir. don adriano de armado 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. don adriano de armado it doth amount to one more than two. moth which the base vulgar do call three. don adriano de armado true. moth why, sir, is this such a piece of study? now here is 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. don adriano de armado a most fine figure! moth to prove you a cipher. don adriano de armado 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-devised courtesy. i think scorn to sigh: methinks i should outswear cupid. comfort, me, boy: what great men have been in love? moth hercules, master. don adriano de armado most sweet hercules! more authority, dear boy, name more; and, sweet my child, let them be men of good repute and carriage. 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. don adriano de armado 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. don adriano de armado of what complexion? moth of all the four, or the three, or the two, or one of the four. don adriano de armado tell me precisely of what complexion. moth of the sea-water green, sir. don adriano de armado is that one of the four complexions? moth as i have read, sir; and the best of them too. don adriano de armado green indeed is the colour of lovers; but to have a love of that colour, methinks samson had small reason for it. he surely affected her for her wit. moth it was so, sir; for she had a green wit. don adriano de armado my love is most immaculate white and red. moth most maculate thoughts, master, are masked under such colours. don adriano de armado define, define, well-educated infant. moth my father's wit and my mother's tongue, assist me! don adriano de armado 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 shown: 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 white and red. don adriano de armado is there not a ballad, boy, of the king and the beggar? moth the world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but i think now 'tis not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing nor the tune. don adriano de armado i will have that subject newly writ o'er, that i may example my digression 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 whipped; and yet a better love than my master. don adriano de armado sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. moth and that's great marvel, loving a light wench. don adriano de armado 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 safe: and you must suffer him to take no delight nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a week. for this damsel, i must keep her at the park: she is allowed for the day-woman. fare you well. don adriano de armado i do betray myself with blushing. maid! jaquenetta man? don adriano de armado i will visit thee at the lodge. jaquenetta that's hereby. don adriano de armado i know where it is situate. jaquenetta lord, how wise you are! don adriano de armado i will tell thee wonders. jaquenetta with that face? don adriano de armado i love thee. jaquenetta so i heard you say. don adriano de armado and so, farewell. jaquenetta fair weather after you! dull come, jaquenetta, away! [exeunt dull and jaquenetta] don adriano de armado villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned. costard well, sir, i hope, when i do it, i shall do it on a full stomach. don adriano de armado thou shalt be heavily punished. costard i am more bound to you than your fellows, for they are but lightly rewarded. don adriano de armado take away this villain; shut him up. moth come, you transgressing slave; away! costard let me not be pent up, sir: i will fast, being loose. moth no, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison. costard well, if ever i do see the merry days of desolation that i have seen, some shall see. moth what shall some see? costard nay, nothing, master moth, but what they look upon. it is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and therefore i will say nothing: i thank god i have as little patience as another man; and therefore i can be quiet. [exeunt moth and costard] don adriano de armado i do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe, which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread. i shall be forsworn, which is a great argument of falsehood, if i love. and how can that be true love which is falsely attempted? love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. yet was samson so tempted, and he had an excellent strength; yet was solomon so seduced, and he had a very good wit. cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for hercules' club; and therefore too much odds for a spaniard's rapier. the first and second cause will not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duello he regards not: his disgrace is to be called boy; but his glory is to subdue men. adieu, valour! rust rapier! be still, drum! for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. assist me, some extemporal god of rhyme, for i am sure i shall turn sonnet. devise, wit; write, pen; for i am for whole volumes in folio. [exit] love's labours lost act ii scene i the same. [enter the princess of france, rosaline, maria, katharine, boyet, lords, and other attendants] boyet now, madam, summon up your dearest spirits: consider who the king your father sends, to whom he sends, and what's his embassy: yourself, held precious in the world's esteem, to parley with the sole inheritor of all perfections that a man may owe, matchless navarre; the plea of no less weight than aquitaine, a dowry for a queen. be now as prodigal of all dear grace as nature was in making graces dear when she did starve the general world beside and prodigally gave them all to you. princess good lord boyet, my beauty, though but mean, needs not the painted flourish of your praise: beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, not utter'd by base sale of chapmen's tongues: i am less proud to hear you tell my worth than you much willing to be counted wise in spending your wit in the praise of mine. but now to task the tasker: good boyet, you are not ignorant, all-telling fame doth noise abroad, navarre hath made a vow, till painful study shall outwear three years, no woman may approach his silent court: therefore to's seemeth it a needful course, before we enter his forbidden gates, to know his pleasure; and in that behalf, bold of your worthiness, we single you as our best-moving fair solicitor. tell him, the daughter of the king of france, on serious business, craving quick dispatch, importunes personal conference with his grace: haste, signify so much; while we attend, like humble-visaged suitors, his high will. boyet proud of employment, willingly i go. princess all pride is willing pride, and yours is so. [exit boyet] who are the votaries, my loving lords, that are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? first lord lord longaville is one. princess know you the man? maria i know him, madam: at a marriage-feast, between lord perigort and the beauteous heir of jaques falconbridge, solemnized in normandy, saw i this longaville: a man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd; well fitted in arts, glorious in arms: nothing becomes him ill that he would well. the only soil of his fair virtue's gloss, if virtue's gloss will stain with any soil, is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will; whose edge hath power to cut, whose will still wills it should none spare that come within his power. princess some merry mocking lord, belike; is't so? maria they say so most that most his humours know. princess such short-lived wits do wither as they grow. who are the rest? katharine the young dumain, a well-accomplished youth, of all that virtue love for virtue loved: most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; for he hath wit to make an ill shape good, and shape to win grace though he had no wit. i saw him at the duke alencon's once; and much too little of that good i saw is my report to his great worthiness. rosaline another of these students at that time was there with him, if i have heard a truth. biron they call him; but a merrier man, within the limit of becoming mirth, i never spent an hour's talk withal: his eye begets occasion for his wit; for every object that the one doth catch the other turns to a mirth-moving jest, which his fair tongue, conceit's expositor, delivers in such apt and gracious words that aged ears play truant at his tales and younger hearings are quite ravished; so sweet and voluble is his discourse. princess god bless my ladies! are they all in love, that every one her own hath garnished with such bedecking ornaments of praise? first lord here comes boyet. [re-enter boyet] princess now, what admittance, lord? boyet navarre had notice of your fair approach; and he and his competitors in oath were all address'd to meet you, gentle lady, before i came. marry, thus much i have learnt: he rather means to lodge you in the field, like one that comes here to besiege his court, than seek a dispensation for his oath, to let you enter his unpeopled house. here comes navarre. [enter ferdinand, longaville, dumain, biron, and attendants] ferdinand fair princess, welcome to the court of navarre. princess 'fair' i give you back again; and 'welcome' i have not yet: the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine. ferdinand you shall be welcome, madam, to my court. princess i will be welcome, then: conduct me thither. ferdinand hear me, dear lady; i have sworn an oath. princess our lady help my lord! he'll be forsworn. ferdinand not for the world, fair madam, by my will. princess why, will shall break it; will and nothing else. ferdinand your ladyship is ignorant what it is. princess were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, where now his knowledge must prove ignorance. i hear your grace hath sworn out house-keeping: tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, and sin to break it. but pardon me. i am too sudden-bold: to teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, and suddenly resolve me in my suit. ferdinand madam, i will, if suddenly i may. princess you will the sooner, that i were away; for you'll prove perjured if you make me stay. biron did not i dance with you in brabant once? rosaline did not i dance with you in brabant once? biron i know you did. rosaline how needless was it then to ask the question! biron you must not be so quick. rosaline 'tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. biron your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire. rosaline not till it leave the rider in the mire. biron what time o' day? rosaline the hour that fools should ask. biron now fair befall your mask! rosaline fair fall the face it covers! biron and send you many lovers! rosaline amen, so you be none. biron nay, then will i be gone. ferdinand madam, your father here doth intimate the payment of a hundred thousand crowns; being but the one half of an entire sum disbursed by my father in his wars. but say that he or we, as neither have, received that sum, yet there remains unpaid a hundred thousand more; in surety of the which, one part of aquitaine is bound to us, although not valued to the money's worth. if then the king your father will restore but that one half which is unsatisfied, we will give up our right in aquitaine, and hold fair friendship with his majesty. but that, it seems, he little purposeth, for here he doth demand to have repaid a hundred thousand crowns; and not demands, on payment of a hundred thousand crowns, to have his title live in aquitaine; which we much rather had depart withal and have the money by our father lent than aquitaine so gelded as it is. dear princess, were not his requests so far from reason's yielding, your fair self should make a yielding 'gainst some reason in my breast and go well satisfied to france again. princess you do the king my father too much wrong and wrong the reputation of your name, in so unseeming to confess receipt of that which hath so faithfully been paid. ferdinand i do protest i never heard of it; and if you prove it, i'll repay it back or yield up aquitaine. princess we arrest your word. boyet, you can produce acquittances for such a sum from special officers of charles his father. ferdinand satisfy me so. boyet so please your grace, the packet is not come where that and other specialties are bound: to-morrow you shall have a sight of them. ferdinand it shall suffice me: at which interview all liberal reason i will yield unto. meantime receive such welcome at my hand as honour without breach of honour may make tender of to thy true worthiness: you may not come, fair princess, in my gates; but here without you shall be so received as you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart, though so denied fair harbour in my house. your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell: to-morrow shall we visit you again. princess sweet health and fair desires consort your grace! ferdinand thy own wish wish i thee in every place! [exit] biron lady, i will commend you to mine own heart. rosaline pray you, do my commendations; i would be glad to see it. biron i would you heard it groan. rosaline is the fool sick? biron sick at the heart. rosaline alack, let it blood. biron would that do it good? rosaline my physic says 'ay.' biron will you prick't with your eye? rosaline no point, with my knife. biron now, god save thy life! rosaline and yours from long living! biron i cannot stay thanksgiving. [retiring] dumain sir, i pray you, a word: what lady is that same? boyet the heir of alencon, katharine her name. dumain a gallant lady. monsieur, fare you well. [exit] longaville i beseech you a word: what is she in the white? boyet a woman sometimes, an you saw her in the light. longaville perchance light in the light. i desire her name. boyet she hath but one for herself; to desire that were a shame. longaville pray you, sir, whose daughter? boyet her mother's, i have heard. longaville god's blessing on your beard! boyet good sir, be not offended. she is an heir of falconbridge. longaville nay, my choler is ended. she is a most sweet lady. boyet not unlike, sir, that may be. [exit longaville] biron what's her name in the cap? boyet rosaline, by good hap. biron is she wedded or no? boyet to her will, sir, or so. biron you are welcome, sir: adieu. boyet farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. [exit biron] maria that last is biron, the merry madcap lord: not a word with him but a jest. boyet and every jest but a word. princess it was well done of you to take him at his word. boyet i was as willing to grapple as he was to board. maria two hot sheeps, marry. boyet and wherefore not ships? no sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips. maria you sheep, and i pasture: shall that finish the jest? boyet so you grant pasture for me. [offering to kiss her] maria not so, gentle beast: my lips are no common, though several they be. boyet belonging to whom? maria to my fortunes and me. princess good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree: this civil war of wits were much better used on navarre and his book-men; for here 'tis abused. boyet if my observation, which very seldom lies, by the heart's still rhetoric disclosed with eyes, deceive me not now, navarre is infected. princess with what? boyet with that which we lovers entitle affected. princess your reason? boyet why, all his behaviors did make their retire to the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire: his heart, like an agate, with your print impress'd, proud with his form, in his eye pride express'd: his tongue, all impatient to speak and not see, did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be; all senses to that sense did make their repair, to feel only looking on fairest of fair: methought all his senses were lock'd in his eye, as jewels in crystal for some prince to buy; who, tendering their own worth from where they were glass'd, did point you to buy them, along as you pass'd: his face's own margent did quote such amazes that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes. i'll give you aquitaine and all that is his, an you give him for my sake but one loving kiss. princess come to our pavilion: boyet is disposed. boyet but to speak that in words which his eye hath disclosed. i only have made a mouth of his eye, by adding a tongue which i know will not lie. rosaline thou art an old love-monger and speakest skilfully. maria he is cupid's grandfather and learns news of him. rosaline then was venus like her mother, for her father is but grim. boyet do you hear, my mad wenches? maria no. boyet what then, do you see? rosaline ay, our way to be gone. boyet you are too hard for me. [exeunt] love's labours lost act iii scene i the same. [enter don adriano de armado and moth] don adriano de armado warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing. moth concolinel. [singing] don adriano de armado sweet air! go, tenderness of years; take this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring him festinately hither: i must employ him in a letter to my love. moth master, will you win your love with a french brawl? don adriano de armado how meanest thou? brawling in french? moth no, my complete master: but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end, canary to it with your feet, humour it with turning up your eyelids, sigh a note and sing a note, sometime through the throat, as if you swallowed love with singing love, sometime through the nose, as if you snuffed up love by smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like o'er the shop of your eyes; with your arms crossed on your thin-belly doublet like a rabbit on a spit; or your hands in your pocket like a man after the old painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a snip and away. these are complements, these are humours; these betray nice wenches, that would be betrayed without these; and make them men of note--do you note me?--that most are affected to these. don adriano de armado how hast thou purchased this experience? moth by my penny of observation. don adriano de armado but o,--but o,- moth 'the hobby-horse is forgot.' don adriano de armado callest thou my love 'hobby-horse'? moth no, master; the hobby-horse is but a colt, and your love perhaps a hackney. but have you forgot your love? don adriano de armado almost i had. moth negligent student! learn her by heart. don adriano de armado by heart and in heart, boy. moth and out of heart, master: all those three i will prove. don adriano de armado what wilt thou prove? moth a man, if i live; and this, by, in, and without, upon the instant: by heart you love her, because your heart cannot come by her; in heart you love her, because your heart is in love with her; and out of heart you love her, being out of heart that you cannot enjoy her. don adriano de armado i am all these three. moth and three times as much more, and yet nothing at all. don adriano de armado fetch hither the swain: he must carry me a letter. moth a message well sympathized; a horse to be ambassador for an ass. don adriano de armado ha, ha! what sayest thou? moth marry, sir, you must send the ass upon the horse, for he is very slow-gaited. but i go. don adriano de armado the way is but short: away! moth as swift as lead, sir. don adriano de armado the meaning, pretty ingenious? is not lead a metal heavy, dull, and slow? moth minime, honest master; or rather, master, no. don adriano de armado i say lead is slow. moth you are too swift, sir, to say so: is that lead slow which is fired from a gun? don adriano de armado sweet smoke of rhetoric! he reputes me a cannon; and the bullet, that's he: i shoot thee at the swain. moth thump then and i flee. [exit] don adriano de armado a most acute juvenal; voluble and free of grace! by thy favour, sweet welkin, i must sigh in thy face: most rude melancholy, valour gives thee place. my herald is return'd. [re-enter moth with costard] moth a wonder, master! here's a costard broken in a shin. don adriano de armado some enigma, some riddle: come, thy l'envoy; begin. costard no enigma, no riddle, no l'envoy; no salve in the mail, sir: o, sir, plantain, a plain plantain! no l'envoy, no l'envoy; no salve, sir, but a plantain! don adriano de armado by virtue, thou enforcest laughter; thy silly thought my spleen; the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling. o, pardon me, my stars! doth the inconsiderate take salve for l'envoy, and the word l'envoy for a salve? moth do the wise think them other? is not l'envoy a salve? don adriano de armado no, page: it is an epilogue or discourse, to make plain some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain. i will example it: the fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, were still at odds, being but three. there's the moral. now the l'envoy. moth i will add the l'envoy. say the moral again. don adriano de armado the fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, were still at odds, being but three. moth until the goose came out of door, and stay'd the odds by adding four. now will i begin your moral, and do you follow with my l'envoy. the fox, the ape, and the humble-bee, were still at odds, being but three. don adriano de armado until the goose came out of door, staying the odds by adding four. moth a good l'envoy, ending in the goose: would you desire more? costard the boy hath sold him a bargain, a goose, that's flat. sir, your pennyworth is good, an your goose be fat. to sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and loose: let me see; a fat l'envoy; ay, that's a fat goose. don adriano de armado come hither, come hither. how did this argument begin? moth by saying that a costard was broken in a shin. then call'd you for the l'envoy. costard true, and i for a plantain: thus came your argument in; then the boy's fat l'envoy, the goose that you bought; and he ended the market. don adriano de armado but tell me; how was there a costard broken in a shin? moth i will tell you sensibly. costard thou hast no feeling of it, moth: i will speak that l'envoy: i costard, running out, that was safely within, fell over the threshold and broke my shin. don adriano de armado we will talk no more of this matter. costard till there be more matter in the shin. don adriano de armado sirrah costard, i will enfranchise thee. costard o, marry me to one frances: i smell some l'envoy, some goose, in this. don adriano de armado by my sweet soul, i mean setting thee at liberty, enfreedoming thy person; thou wert immured, restrained, captivated, bound. costard true, true; and now you will be my purgation and let me loose. don adriano de armado i give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance; and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but this: bear this significant [giving a letter] to the country maid jaquenetta: there is remuneration; for the best ward of mine honour is rewarding my dependents. moth, follow. [exit] moth like the sequel, i. signior costard, adieu. costard my sweet ounce of man's flesh! my incony jew! [exit moth] now will i look to his remuneration. remuneration! o, that's the latin word for three farthings: three farthings--remuneration.--'what's the price of this inkle?'--'one penny.'--'no, i'll give you a remuneration:' why, it carries it. remuneration! why, it is a fairer name than french crown. i will never buy and sell out of this word. [enter biron] biron o, my good knave costard! exceedingly well met. costard pray you, sir, how much carnation ribbon may a man buy for a remuneration? biron what is a remuneration? costard marry, sir, halfpenny farthing. biron why, then, three-farthing worth of silk. costard i thank your worship: god be wi' you! biron stay, slave; i must employ thee: as thou wilt win my favour, good my knave, do one thing for me that i shall entreat. costard when would you have it done, sir? biron this afternoon. costard well, i will do it, sir: fare you well. biron thou knowest not what it is. costard i shall know, sir, when i have done it. biron why, villain, thou must know first. costard i will come to your worship to-morrow morning. biron it must be done this afternoon. hark, slave, it is but this: the princess comes to hunt here in the park, and in her train there is a gentle lady; when tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name, and rosaline they call her: ask for her; and to her white hand see thou do commend this seal'd-up counsel. there's thy guerdon; go. [giving him a shilling] costard gardon, o sweet gardon! better than remuneration, a'leven-pence farthing better: most sweet gardon! i will do it sir, in print. gardon! remuneration! [exit] biron and i, forsooth, in love! i, that have been love's whip; a very beadle to a humorous sigh; a critic, nay, a night-watch constable; a domineering pedant o'er the boy; than whom no mortal so magnificent! this whimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy; this senior-junior, giant-dwarf, dan cupid; regent of love-rhymes, lord of folded arms, the anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, liege of all loiterers and malcontents, dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, sole imperator and great general of trotting 'paritors:--o my little heart:- and i to be a corporal of his field, and wear his colours like a tumbler's hoop! what, i! i love! i sue! i seek a wife! a woman, that is like a german clock, still a-repairing, ever out of frame, and never going aright, being a watch, but being watch'd that it may still go right! nay, to be perjured, which is worst of all; and, among three, to love the worst of all; a wightly wanton with a velvet brow, with two pitch-balls stuck in her face for eyes; ay, and by heaven, one that will do the deed though argus were her eunuch and her guard: and i to sigh for her! to watch for her! to pray for her! go to; it is a plague that cupid will impose for my neglect of his almighty dreadful little might. well, i will love, write, sigh, pray, sue and groan: some men must love my lady and some joan. [exit] love's labours lost act iv scene i the same. [enter the princess, and her train, a forester, boyet, rosaline, maria, and katharine] princess was that the king, that spurred his horse so hard against the steep uprising of the hill? boyet i know not; but i think it was not he. princess whoe'er a' was, a' show'd a mounting mind. well, lords, to-day we shall have our dispatch: on saturday we will return to france. then, forester, my friend, where is the bush that we must stand and play the murderer in? forester hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice; a stand where you may make the fairest shoot. princess i thank my beauty, i am fair that shoot, and thereupon thou speak'st the fairest shoot. forester pardon me, madam, for i meant not so. princess what, what? first praise me and again say no? o short-lived pride! not fair? alack for woe! forester yes, madam, fair. princess nay, never paint me now: where fair is not, praise cannot mend the brow. here, good my glass, take this for telling true: fair payment for foul words is more than due. forester nothing but fair is that which you inherit. princess see see, my beauty will be saved by merit! o heresy in fair, fit for these days! a giving hand, though foul, shall have fair praise. but come, the bow: now mercy goes to kill, and shooting well is then accounted ill. thus will i save my credit in the shoot: not wounding, pity would not let me do't; if wounding, then it was to show my skill, that more for praise than purpose meant to kill. and out of question so it is sometimes, glory grows guilty of detested crimes, when, for fame's sake, for praise, an outward part, we bend to that the working of the heart; as i for praise alone now seek to spill the poor deer's blood, that my heart means no ill. boyet do not curst wives hold that self-sovereignty only for praise sake, when they strive to be lords o'er their lords? princess only for praise: and praise we may afford to any lady that subdues a lord. boyet here comes a member of the commonwealth. [enter costard] costard god dig-you-den all! pray you, which is the head lady? princess thou shalt know her, fellow, by the rest that have no heads. costard which is the greatest lady, the highest? princess the thickest and the tallest. costard the thickest and the tallest! it is so; truth is truth. an your waist, mistress, were as slender as my wit, one o' these maids' girdles for your waist should be fit. are not you the chief woman? you are the thickest here. princess what's your will, sir? what's your will? costard i have a letter from monsieur biron to one lady rosaline. princess o, thy letter, thy letter! he's a good friend of mine: stand aside, good bearer. boyet, you can carve; break up this capon. boyet i am bound to serve. this letter is mistook, it importeth none here; it is writ to jaquenetta. princess we will read it, i swear. break the neck of the wax, and every one give ear. [reads] boyet 'by heaven, that thou art fair, is most infallible; true, that thou art beauteous; truth itself, that thou art lovely. more fairer than fair, beautiful than beauteous, truer than truth itself, have commiseration on thy heroical vassal! the magnanimous and most illustrate king cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate beggar zenelophon; and he it was that might rightly say, veni, vidi, vici; which to annothanize in the vulgar,--o base and obscure vulgar!--videlicet, he came, saw, and overcame: he came, one; saw two; overcame, three. who came? the king: why did he come? to see: why did he see? to overcome: to whom came he? to the beggar: what saw he? the beggar: who overcame he? the beggar. the conclusion is victory: on whose side? the king's. the captive is enriched: on whose side? the beggar's. the catastrophe is a nuptial: on whose side? the king's: no, on both in one, or one in both. i am the king; for so stands the comparison: thou the beggar; for so witnesseth thy lowliness. shall i command thy love? i may: shall i enforce thy love? i could: shall i entreat thy love? i will. what shalt thou exchange for rags? robes; for tittles? titles; for thyself? me. thus, expecting thy reply, i profane my lips on thy foot, my eyes on thy picture. and my heart on thy every part. thine, in the dearest design of industry, don adriano de armado.' thus dost thou hear the nemean lion roar 'gainst thee, thou lamb, that standest as his prey. submissive fall his princely feet before, and he from forage will incline to play: but if thou strive, poor soul, what art thou then? food for his rage, repasture for his den. princess what plume of feathers is he that indited this letter? what vane? what weathercock? did you ever hear better? boyet i am much deceived but i remember the style. princess else your memory is bad, going o'er it erewhile. boyet this armado is a spaniard, that keeps here in court; a phantasime, a monarcho, and one that makes sport to the prince and his bookmates. princess thou fellow, a word: who gave thee this letter? costard i told you; my lord. princess to whom shouldst thou give it? costard from my lord to my lady. princess from which lord to which lady? costard from my lord biron, a good master of mine, to a lady of france that he call'd rosaline. princess thou hast mistaken his letter. come, lords, away. [to rosaline] here, sweet, put up this: 'twill be thine another day. [exeunt princess and train] boyet who is the suitor? who is the suitor? rosaline shall i teach you to know? boyet ay, my continent of beauty. rosaline why, she that bears the bow. finely put off! boyet my lady goes to kill horns; but, if thou marry, hang me by the neck, if horns that year miscarry. finely put on! rosaline well, then, i am the shooter. boyet and who is your deer? rosaline if we choose by the horns, yourself come not near. finely put on, indeed! maria you still wrangle with her, boyet, and she strikes at the brow. boyet but she herself is hit lower: have i hit her now? rosaline shall i come upon thee with an old saying, that was a man when king pepin of france was a little boy, as touching the hit it? boyet so i may answer thee with one as old, that was a woman when queen guinover of britain was a little wench, as touching the hit it. rosaline thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it, thou canst not hit it, my good man. boyet an i cannot, cannot, cannot, an i cannot, another can. [exeunt rosaline and katharine] costard by my troth, most pleasant: how both did fit it! maria a mark marvellous well shot, for they both did hit it. boyet a mark! o, mark but that mark! a mark, says my lady! let the mark have a prick in't, to mete at, if it may be. maria wide o' the bow hand! i' faith, your hand is out. costard indeed, a' must shoot nearer, or he'll ne'er hit the clout. boyet an if my hand be out, then belike your hand is in. costard then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin. maria come, come, you talk greasily; your lips grow foul. costard she's too hard for you at pricks, sir: challenge her to bowl. boyet i fear too much rubbing. good night, my good owl. [exeunt boyet and maria] costard by my soul, a swain! a most simple clown! lord, lord, how the ladies and i have put him down! o' my troth, most sweet jests! most incony vulgar wit! when it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely, as it were, so fit. armado o' th' one side,--o, a most dainty man! to see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan! to see him kiss his hand! and how most sweetly a' will swear! and his page o' t' other side, that handful of wit! ah, heavens, it is a most pathetical nit! sola, sola! [shout within] [exit costard, running] love's labours lost act iv scene ii the same. [enter holofernes, sir nathaniel, and dull] sir nathaniel very reverend sport, truly; and done in the testimony of a good conscience. holofernes the deer was, as you know, sanguis, in blood; ripe as the pomewater, who now hangeth like a jewel in the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin, the heaven; and anon falleth like a crab on the face of terra, the soil, the land, the earth. sir nathaniel truly, master holofernes, the epithets are sweetly varied, like a scholar at the least: but, sir, i assure ye, it was a buck of the first head. holofernes sir nathaniel, haud credo. dull 'twas not a haud credo; 'twas a pricket. holofernes most barbarous intimation! yet a kind of insinuation, as it were, in via, in way, of explication; facere, as it were, replication, or rather, ostentare, to show, as it were, his inclination, after his undressed, unpolished, uneducated, unpruned, untrained, or rather, unlettered, or ratherest, unconfirmed fashion, to insert again my haud credo for a deer. dull i said the deer was not a haud credo; twas a pricket. holofernes twice-sod simplicity, his coctus! o thou monster ignorance, how deformed dost thou look! sir nathaniel sir, he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred in a book; he hath not eat paper, as it were; he hath not drunk ink: his intellect is not replenished; he is only an animal, only sensible in the duller parts: and such barren plants are set before us, that we thankful should be, which we of taste and feeling are, for those parts that do fructify in us more than he. for as it would ill become me to be vain, indiscreet, or a fool, so were there a patch set on learning, to see him in a school: but omne bene, say i; being of an old father's mind, many can brook the weather that love not the wind. dull you two are book-men: can you tell me by your wit what was a month old at cain's birth, that's not five weeks old as yet? holofernes dictynna, goodman dull; dictynna, goodman dull. dull what is dictynna? sir nathaniel a title to phoebe, to luna, to the moon. holofernes the moon was a month old when adam was no more, and raught not to five weeks when he came to five-score. the allusion holds in the exchange. dull 'tis true indeed; the collusion holds in the exchange. holofernes god comfort thy capacity! i say, the allusion holds in the exchange. dull and i say, the pollusion holds in the exchange; for the moon is never but a month old: and i say beside that, 'twas a pricket that the princess killed. holofernes sir nathaniel, will you hear an extemporal epitaph on the death of the deer? and, to humour the ignorant, call i the deer the princess killed a pricket. sir nathaniel perge, good master holofernes, perge; so it shall please you to abrogate scurrility. holofernes i will something affect the letter, for it argues facility. the preyful princess pierced and prick'd a pretty pleasing pricket; some say a sore; but not a sore, till now made sore with shooting. the dogs did yell: put l to sore, then sorel jumps from thicket; or pricket sore, or else sorel; the people fall a-hooting. if sore be sore, then l to sore makes fifty sores one sorel. of one sore i an hundred make by adding but one more l. sir nathaniel a rare talent! dull [aside] if a talent be a claw, look how he claws him with a talent. holofernes this is a gift that i have, simple, simple; a foolish extravagant spirit, full of forms, figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions, revolutions: these are begot in the ventricle of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater, and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion. but the gift is good in those in whom it is acute, and i am thankful for it. sir nathaniel sir, i praise the lord for you; and so may my parishioners; for their sons are well tutored by you, and their daughters profit very greatly under you: you are a good member of the commonwealth. holofernes mehercle, if their sons be ingenuous, they shall want no instruction; if their daughters be capable, i will put it to them: but vir sapit qui pauca loquitur; a soul feminine saluteth us. [enter jaquenetta and costard] jaquenetta god give you good morrow, master parson. holofernes master parson, quasi pers-on. an if one should be pierced, which is the one? costard marry, master schoolmaster, he that is likest to a hogshead. holofernes piercing a hogshead! a good lustre of conceit in a tuft of earth; fire enough for a flint, pearl enough for a swine: 'tis pretty; it is well. jaquenetta good master parson, be so good as read me this letter: it was given me by costard, and sent me from don armado: i beseech you, read it. holofernes fauste, precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra ruminat,--and so forth. ah, good old mantuan! i may speak of thee as the traveller doth of venice; venetia, venetia, chi non ti vede non ti pretia. old mantuan, old mantuan! who understandeth thee not, loves thee not. ut, re, sol, la, mi, fa. under pardon, sir, what are the contents? or rather, as horace says in his--what, my soul, verses? sir nathaniel ay, sir, and very learned. holofernes let me hear a staff, a stanze, a verse; lege, domine. sir nathaniel [reads] if love make me forsworn, how shall i swear to love? ah, never faith could hold, if not to beauty vow'd! though to myself forsworn, to thee i'll faithful prove: those thoughts to me were oaks, to thee like osiers bow'd. study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes, where all those pleasures live that art would comprehend: if knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice; well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend, all ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder; which is to me some praise that i thy parts admire: thy eye jove's lightning bears, thy voice his dreadful thunder, which not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire. celestial as thou art, o, pardon, love, this wrong, that sings heaven's praise with such an earthly tongue. holofernes you find not the apostraphas, and so miss the accent: let me supervise the canzonet. here are only numbers ratified; but, for the elegancy, facility, and golden cadence of poesy, caret. ovidius naso was the man: and why, indeed, naso, but for smelling out the odouriferous flowers of fancy, the jerks of invention? imitari is nothing: so doth the hound his master, the ape his keeper, the tired horse his rider. but, damosella virgin, was this directed to you? jaquenetta ay, sir, from one monsieur biron, one of the strange queen's lords. holofernes i will overglance the superscript: 'to the snow-white hand of the most beauteous lady rosaline.' i will look again on the intellect of the letter, for the nomination of the party writing to the person written unto: 'your ladyship's in all desired employment, biron.' sir nathaniel, this biron is one of the votaries with the king; and here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the stranger queen's, which accidentally, or by the way of progression, hath miscarried. trip and go, my sweet; deliver this paper into the royal hand of the king: it may concern much. stay not thy compliment; i forgive thy duty; adieu. jaquenetta good costard, go with me. sir, god save your life! costard have with thee, my girl. [exeunt costard and jaquenetta] sir nathaniel sir, you have done this in the fear of god, very religiously; and, as a certain father saith,- holofernes sir tell me not of the father; i do fear colourable colours. but to return to the verses: did they please you, sir nathaniel? sir nathaniel marvellous well for the pen. holofernes i do dine to-day at the father's of a certain pupil of mine; where, if, before repast, it shall please you to gratify the table with a grace, i will, on my privilege i have with the parents of the foresaid child or pupil, undertake your ben venuto; where i will prove those verses to be very unlearned, neither savouring of poetry, wit, nor invention: i beseech your society. sir nathaniel and thank you too; for society, saith the text, is the happiness of life. holofernes and, certes, the text most infallibly concludes it. [to dull] sir, i do invite you too; you shall not say me nay: pauca verba. away! the gentles are at their game, and we will to our recreation. [exeunt] love's labours lost act iv scene iii the same. [enter biron, with a paper] biron the king he is hunting the deer; i am coursing myself: they have pitched a toil; i am toiling in a pitch,--pitch that defiles: defile! a foul word. well, set thee down, sorrow! for so they say the fool said, and so say i, and i the fool: well proved, wit! by the lord, this love is as mad as ajax: it kills sheep; it kills me, i a sheep: well proved again o' my side! i will not love: if i do, hang me; i' faith, i will not. o, but her eye,--by this light, but for her eye, i would not love her; yes, for her two eyes. well, i do nothing in the world but lie, and lie in my throat. by heaven, i do love: and it hath taught me to rhyme and to be melancholy; and here is part of my rhyme, and here my melancholy. well, she hath one o' my sonnets already: the clown bore it, the fool sent it, and the lady hath it: sweet clown, sweeter fool, sweetest lady! by the world, i would not care a pin, if the other three were in. here comes one with a paper: god give him grace to groan! [stands aside] [enter ferdinand, with a paper] ferdinand ay me! biron [aside] shot, by heaven! proceed, sweet cupid: thou hast thumped him with thy bird-bolt under the left pap. in faith, secrets! ferdinand [reads] so sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not to those fresh morning drops upon the rose, as thy eye-beams, when their fresh rays have smote the night of dew that on my cheeks down flows: nor shines the silver moon one half so bright through the transparent bosom of the deep, as doth thy face through tears of mine give light; thou shinest in every tear that i do weep: no drop but as a coach doth carry thee; so ridest thou triumphing in my woe. do but behold the tears that swell in me, and they thy glory through my grief will show: but do not love thyself; then thou wilt keep my tears for glasses, and still make me weep. o queen of queens! how far dost thou excel, no thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell. how shall she know my griefs? i'll drop the paper: sweet leaves, shade folly. who is he comes here? [steps aside] what, longaville! and reading! listen, ear. biron now, in thy likeness, one more fool appear! [enter longaville, with a paper] longaville ay me, i am forsworn! biron why, he comes in like a perjure, wearing papers. ferdinand in love, i hope: sweet fellowship in shame! biron one drunkard loves another of the name. longaville am i the first that have been perjured so? biron i could put thee in comfort. not by two that i know: thou makest the triumviry, the corner-cap of society, the shape of love's tyburn that hangs up simplicity. longaville i fear these stubborn lines lack power to move: o sweet maria, empress of my love! these numbers will i tear, and write in prose. biron o, rhymes are guards on wanton cupid's hose: disfigure not his slop. longaville this same shall go. [reads] did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye, 'gainst whom the world cannot hold argument, persuade my heart to this false perjury? vows for thee broke deserve not punishment. a woman i forswore; but i will prove, thou being a goddess, i forswore not thee: my vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love; thy grace being gain'd cures all disgrace in me. vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is: then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost shine, exhalest this vapour-vow; in thee it is: if broken then, it is no fault of mine: if by me broke, what fool is not so wise to lose an oath to win a paradise? biron this is the liver-vein, which makes flesh a deity, a green goose a goddess: pure, pure idolatry. god amend us, god amend! we are much out o' the way. longaville by whom shall i send this?--company! stay. [steps aside] biron all hid, all hid; an old infant play. like a demigod here sit i in the sky. and wretched fools' secrets heedfully o'ereye. more sacks to the mill! o heavens, i have my wish! [enter dumain, with a paper] dumain transform'd! four woodcocks in a dish! dumain o most divine kate! biron o most profane coxcomb! dumain by heaven, the wonder in a mortal eye! biron by earth, she is not, corporal, there you lie. dumain her amber hair for foul hath amber quoted. biron an amber-colour'd raven was well noted. dumain as upright as the cedar. biron stoop, i say; her shoulder is with child. dumain as fair as day. biron ay, as some days; but then no sun must shine. dumain o that i had my wish! longaville and i had mine! ferdinand and i mine too, good lord! biron amen, so i had mine: is not that a good word? dumain i would forget her; but a fever she reigns in my blood and will remember'd be. biron a fever in your blood! why, then incision would let her out in saucers: sweet misprision! dumain once more i'll read the ode that i have writ. biron once more i'll mark how love can vary wit. dumain [reads] on a day--alack the day!- love, whose month is ever may, spied a blossom passing fair playing in the wanton air: through the velvet leaves the wind, all unseen, can passage find; that the lover, sick to death, wish himself the heaven's breath. air, quoth he, thy cheeks may blow; air, would i might triumph so! but, alack, my hand is sworn ne'er to pluck thee from thy thorn; vow, alack, for youth unmeet, youth so apt to pluck a sweet! do not call it sin in me, that i am forsworn for thee; thou for whom jove would swear juno but an ethiope were; and deny himself for jove, turning mortal for thy love. this will i send, and something else more plain, that shall express my true love's fasting pain. o, would the king, biron, and longaville, were lovers too! ill, to example ill, would from my forehead wipe a perjured note; for none offend where all alike do dote. longaville [advancing] dumain, thy love is far from charity. you may look pale, but i should blush, i know, to be o'erheard and taken napping so. ferdinand [advancing] come, sir, you blush; as his your case is such; you chide at him, offending twice as much; you do not love maria; longaville did never sonnet for her sake compile, nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart his loving bosom to keep down his heart. i have been closely shrouded in this bush and mark'd you both and for you both did blush: i heard your guilty rhymes, observed your fashion, saw sighs reek from you, noted well your passion: ay me! says one; o jove! the other cries; one, her hairs were gold, crystal the other's eyes: [to longaville] you would for paradise break faith, and troth; [to dumain] and jove, for your love, would infringe an oath. what will biron say when that he shall hear faith so infringed, which such zeal did swear? how will he scorn! how will he spend his wit! how will he triumph, leap and laugh at it! for all the wealth that ever i did see, i would not have him know so much by me. biron now step i forth to whip hypocrisy. [advancing] ah, good my liege, i pray thee, pardon me! good heart, what grace hast thou, thus to reprove these worms for loving, that art most in love? your eyes do make no coaches; in your tears there is no certain princess that appears; you'll not be perjured, 'tis a hateful thing; tush, none but minstrels like of sonneting! but are you not ashamed? nay, are you not, all three of you, to be thus much o'ershot? you found his mote; the king your mote did see; but i a beam do find in each of three. o, what a scene of foolery have i seen, of sighs, of groans, of sorrow and of teen! o me, with what strict patience have i sat, to see a king transformed to a gnat! to see great hercules whipping a gig, and profound solomon to tune a jig, and nestor play at push-pin with the boys, and critic timon laugh at idle toys! where lies thy grief, o, tell me, good dumain? and gentle longaville, where lies thy pain? and where my liege's? all about the breast: a caudle, ho! ferdinand too bitter is thy jest. are we betray'd thus to thy over-view? biron not you to me, but i betray'd by you: i, that am honest; i, that hold it sin to break the vow i am engaged in; i am betray'd, by keeping company with men like men of inconstancy. when shall you see me write a thing in rhyme? or groan for love? or spend a minute's time in pruning me? when shall you hear that i will praise a hand, a foot, a face, an eye, a gait, a state, a brow, a breast, a waist, a leg, a limb? ferdinand soft! whither away so fast? a true man or a thief that gallops so? biron i post from love: good lover, let me go. [enter jaquenetta and costard] jaquenetta god bless the king! ferdinand what present hast thou there? costard some certain treason. ferdinand what makes treason here? costard nay, it makes nothing, sir. ferdinand if it mar nothing neither, the treason and you go in peace away together. jaquenetta i beseech your grace, let this letter be read: our parson misdoubts it; 'twas treason, he said. ferdinand biron, read it over. [giving him the paper] where hadst thou it? jaquenetta of costard. ferdinand where hadst thou it? costard of dun adramadio, dun adramadio. [biron tears the letter] ferdinand how now! what is in you? why dost thou tear it? biron a toy, my liege, a toy: your grace needs not fear it. longaville it did move him to passion, and therefore let's hear it. dumain it is biron's writing, and here is his name. [gathering up the pieces] biron [to costard] ah, you whoreson loggerhead! you were born to do me shame. guilty, my lord, guilty! i confess, i confess. ferdinand what? biron that you three fools lack'd me fool to make up the mess: he, he, and you, and you, my liege, and i, are pick-purses in love, and we deserve to die. o, dismiss this audience, and i shall tell you more. dumain now the number is even. biron true, true; we are four. will these turtles be gone? ferdinand hence, sirs; away! costard walk aside the true folk, and let the traitors stay. [exeunt costard and jaquenetta] biron sweet lords, sweet lovers, o, let us embrace! as true we are as flesh and blood can be: the sea will ebb and flow, heaven show his face; young blood doth not obey an old decree: we cannot cross the cause why we were born; therefore of all hands must we be forsworn. ferdinand what, did these rent lines show some love of thine? biron did they, quoth you? who sees the heavenly rosaline, that, like a rude and savage man of inde, at the first opening of the gorgeous east, bows not his vassal head and strucken blind kisses the base ground with obedient breast? what peremptory eagle-sighted eye dares look upon the heaven of her brow, that is not blinded by her majesty? ferdinand what zeal, what fury hath inspired thee now? my love, her mistress, is a gracious moon; she an attending star, scarce seen a light. biron my eyes are then no eyes, nor i biron: o, but for my love, day would turn to night! of all complexions the cull'd sovereignty do meet, as at a fair, in her fair cheek, where several worthies make one dignity, where nothing wants that want itself doth seek. lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues,- fie, painted rhetoric! o, she needs it not: to things of sale a seller's praise belongs, she passes praise; then praise too short doth blot. a wither'd hermit, five-score winters worn, might shake off fifty, looking in her eye: beauty doth varnish age, as if new-born, and gives the crutch the cradle's infancy: o, 'tis the sun that maketh all things shine. ferdinand by heaven, thy love is black as ebony. biron is ebony like her? o wood divine! a wife of such wood were felicity. o, who can give an oath? where is a book? that i may swear beauty doth beauty lack, if that she learn not of her eye to look: no face is fair that is not full so black. ferdinand o paradox! black is the badge of hell, the hue of dungeons and the suit of night; and beauty's crest becomes the heavens well. biron devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light. o, if in black my lady's brows be deck'd, it mourns that painting and usurping hair should ravish doters with a false aspect; and therefore is she born to make black fair. her favour turns the fashion of the days, for native blood is counted painting now; and therefore red, that would avoid dispraise, paints itself black, to imitate her brow. dumain to look like her are chimney-sweepers black. longaville and since her time are colliers counted bright. ferdinand and ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack. dumain dark needs no candles now, for dark is light. biron your mistresses dare never come in rain, for fear their colours should be wash'd away. ferdinand 'twere good, yours did; for, sir, to tell you plain, i'll find a fairer face not wash'd to-day. biron i'll prove her fair, or talk till doomsday here. ferdinand no devil will fright thee then so much as she. dumain i never knew man hold vile stuff so dear. longaville look, here's thy love: my foot and her face see. biron o, if the streets were paved with thine eyes, her feet were much too dainty for such tread! dumain o, vile! then, as she goes, what upward lies the street should see as she walk'd overhead. ferdinand but what of this? are we not all in love? biron nothing so sure; and thereby all forsworn. ferdinand then leave this chat; and, good biron, now prove our loving lawful, and our faith not torn. dumain ay, marry, there; some flattery for this evil. longaville o, some authority how to proceed; some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the devil. dumain some salve for perjury. biron 'tis more than need. have at you, then, affection's men at arms. consider what you first did swear unto, to fast, to study, and to see no woman; flat treason 'gainst the kingly state of youth. say, can you fast? your stomachs are too young; and abstinence engenders maladies. and where that you have vow'd to study, lords, in that each of you have forsworn his book, can you still dream and pore and thereon look? for when would you, my lord, or you, or you, have found the ground of study's excellence without the beauty of a woman's face? [from women's eyes this doctrine i derive; they are the ground, the books, the academes from whence doth spring the true promethean fire] why, universal plodding poisons up the nimble spirits in the arteries, as motion and long-during action tires the sinewy vigour of the traveller. now, for not looking on a woman's face, you have in that forsworn the use of eyes and study too, the causer of your vow; for where is any author in the world teaches such beauty as a woman's eye? learning is but an adjunct to ourself and where we are our learning likewise is: then when ourselves we see in ladies' eyes, do we not likewise see our learning there? o, we have made a vow to study, lords, and in that vow we have forsworn our books. for when would you, my liege, or you, or you, in leaden contemplation have found out such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes of beauty's tutors have enrich'd you with? other slow arts entirely keep the brain; and therefore, finding barren practisers, scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil: but love, first learned in a lady's eyes, lives not alone immured in the brain; but, with the motion of all elements, courses as swift as thought in every power, and gives to every power a double power, above their functions and their offices. it adds a precious seeing to the eye; a lover's eyes will gaze an eagle blind; a lover's ear will hear the lowest sound, when the suspicious head of theft is stopp'd: love's feeling is more soft and sensible than are the tender horns of cockl'd snails; love's tongue proves dainty bacchus gross in taste: for valour, is not love a hercules, still climbing trees in the hesperides? subtle as sphinx; as sweet and musical as bright apollo's lute, strung with his hair: and when love speaks, the voice of all the gods makes heaven drowsy with the harmony. never durst poet touch a pen to write until his ink were temper'd with love's sighs; o, then his lines would ravish savage ears and plant in tyrants mild humility. from women's eyes this doctrine i derive: they sparkle still the right promethean fire; they are the books, the arts, the academes, that show, contain and nourish all the world: else none at all in ought proves excellent. then fools you were these women to forswear, or keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools. for wisdom's sake, a word that all men love, or for love's sake, a word that loves all men, or for men's sake, the authors of these women, or women's sake, by whom we men are men, let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves, or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths. it is religion to be thus forsworn, for charity itself fulfills the law, and who can sever love from charity? ferdinand saint cupid, then! and, soldiers, to the field! biron advance your standards, and upon them, lords; pell-mell, down with them! but be first advised, in conflict that you get the sun of them. longaville now to plain-dealing; lay these glozes by: shall we resolve to woo these girls of france? ferdinand and win them too: therefore let us devise some entertainment for them in their tents. biron first, from the park let us conduct them thither; then homeward every man attach the hand of his fair mistress: in the afternoon we will with some strange pastime solace them, such as the shortness of the time can shape; for revels, dances, masks and merry hours forerun fair love, strewing her way with flowers. ferdinand away, away! no time shall be omitted that will betime, and may by us be fitted. biron allons! allons! sow'd cockle reap'd no corn; and justice always whirls in equal measure: light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn; if so, our copper buys no better treasure. [exeunt] love's labours lost act v scene i the same. [enter holofernes, sir nathaniel, and dull] holofernes satis quod sufficit. sir nathaniel i praise god for you, sir: your reasons at dinner have been sharp and sententious; pleasant without scurrility, witty without affection, audacious without impudency, learned without opinion, and strange with out heresy. i did converse this quondam day with a companion of the king's, who is intituled, nomi nated, or called, don adriano de armado. holofernes novi hominem tanquam te: his humour is lofty, his discourse peremptory, his tongue filed, his eye ambitious, his gait majestical, and his general behavior vain, ridiculous, and thrasonical. he is too picked, too spruce, too affected, too odd, as it were, too peregrinate, as i may call it. sir nathaniel a most singular and choice epithet. [draws out his table-book] holofernes he draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument. i abhor such fanatical phantasimes, such insociable and point-devise companions; such rackers of orthography, as to speak dout, fine, when he should say doubt; det, when he should pronounce debt,--d, e, b, t, not d, e, t: he clepeth a calf, cauf; half, hauf; neighbour vocatur nebor; neigh abbreviated ne. this is abhominable,--which he would call abbominable: it insinuateth me of insanie: anne intelligis, domine? to make frantic, lunatic. sir nathaniel laus deo, bene intelligo. holofernes bon, bon, fort bon, priscian! a little scratch'd, 'twill serve. sir nathaniel videsne quis venit? holofernes video, et gaudeo. [enter don adriano de armado, moth, and costard] don adriano de armado chirrah! [to moth] holofernes quare chirrah, not sirrah? don adriano de armado men of peace, well encountered. holofernes most military sir, salutation. moth [aside to costard] they have been at a great feast of languages, and stolen the scraps. costard o, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. i marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus: thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon. moth peace! the peal begins. don adriano de armado [to holofernes] monsieur, are you not lettered? moth yes, yes; he teaches boys the hornbook. what is a, b, spelt backward, with the horn on his head? holofernes ba, pueritia, with a horn added. moth ba, most silly sheep with a horn. you hear his learning. holofernes quis, quis, thou consonant? moth the third of the five vowels, if you repeat them; or the fifth, if i. holofernes i will repeat them,--a, e, i,- moth the sheep: the other two concludes it,--o, u. don adriano de armado now, by the salt wave of the mediterraneum, a sweet touch, a quick venue of wit! snip, snap, quick and home! it rejoiceth my intellect: true wit! moth offered by a child to an old man; which is wit-old. holofernes what is the figure? what is the figure? moth horns. holofernes thou disputest like an infant: go, whip thy gig. moth lend me your horn to make one, and i will whip about your infamy circum circa,--a gig of a cuckold's horn. costard an i had but one penny in the world, thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread: hold, there is the very remuneration i had of thy master, thou halfpenny purse of wit, thou pigeon-egg of discretion. o, an the heavens were so pleased that thou wert but my bastard, what a joyful father wouldst thou make me! go to; thou hast it ad dunghill, at the fingers' ends, as they say. holofernes o, i smell false latin; dunghill for unguem. don adriano de armado arts-man, preambulate, we will be singled from the barbarous. do you not educate youth at the charge-house on the top of the mountain? holofernes or mons, the hill. don adriano de armado at your sweet pleasure, for the mountain. holofernes i do, sans question. don adriano de armado sir, it is the king's most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the princess at her pavilion in the posteriors of this day, which the rude multitude call the afternoon. holofernes the posterior of the day, most generous sir, is liable, congruent and measurable for the afternoon: the word is well culled, chose, sweet and apt, i do assure you, sir, i do assure. don adriano de armado sir, the king is a noble gentleman, and my familiar, i do assure ye, very good friend: for what is inward between us, let it pass. i do beseech thee, remember thy courtesy; i beseech thee, apparel thy head: and among other important and most serious designs, and of great import indeed, too, but let that pass: for i must tell thee, it will please his grace, by the world, sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder, and with his royal finger, thus, dally with my excrement, with my mustachio; but, sweet heart, let that pass. by the world, i recount no fable: some certain special honours it pleaseth his greatness to impart to armado, a soldier, a man of travel, that hath seen the world; but let that pass. the very all of all is,--but, sweet heart, i do implore secrecy,--that the king would have me present the princess, sweet chuck, with some delightful ostentation, or show, or pageant, or antique, or firework. now, understanding that the curate and your sweet self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking out of mirth, as it were, i have acquainted you withal, to the end to crave your assistance. holofernes sir, you shall present before her the nine worthies. sir, as concerning some entertainment of time, some show in the posterior of this day, to be rendered by our assistants, at the king's command, and this most gallant, illustrate, and learned gentleman, before the princess; i say none so fit as to present the nine worthies. sir nathaniel where will you find men worthy enough to present them? holofernes joshua, yourself; myself and this gallant gentleman, judas maccabaeus; this swain, because of his great limb or joint, shall pass pompey the great; the page, hercules,- don adriano de armado pardon, sir; error: he is not quantity enough for that worthy's thumb: he is not so big as the end of his club. holofernes shall i have audience? he shall present hercules in minority: his enter and exit shall be strangling a snake; and i will have an apology for that purpose. moth an excellent device! so, if any of the audience hiss, you may cry 'well done, hercules! now thou crushest the snake!' that is the way to make an offence gracious, though few have the grace to do it. don adriano de armado for the rest of the worthies?- holofernes i will play three myself. moth thrice-worthy gentleman! don adriano de armado shall i tell you a thing? holofernes we attend. don adriano de armado we will have, if this fadge not, an antique. i beseech you, follow. holofernes via, goodman dull! thou hast spoken no word all this while. dull nor understood none neither, sir. holofernes allons! we will employ thee. dull i'll make one in a dance, or so; or i will play on the tabour to the worthies, and let them dance the hay. holofernes most dull, honest dull! to our sport, away! [exeunt] love's labours lost act v scene ii the same. [enter the princess, katharine, rosaline, and maria] princess sweet hearts, we shall be rich ere we depart, if fairings come thus plentifully in: a lady wall'd about with diamonds! look you what i have from the loving king. rosaline madame, came nothing else along with that? princess nothing but this! yes, as much love in rhyme as would be cramm'd up in a sheet of paper, writ o' both sides the leaf, margent and all, that he was fain to seal on cupid's name. rosaline that was the way to make his godhead wax, for he hath been five thousand years a boy. katharine ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows too. rosaline you'll ne'er be friends with him; a' kill'd your sister. katharine he made her melancholy, sad, and heavy; and so she died: had she been light, like you, of such a merry, nimble, stirring spirit, she might ha' been a grandam ere she died: and so may you; for a light heart lives long. rosaline what's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light word? katharine a light condition in a beauty dark. rosaline we need more light to find your meaning out. katharine you'll mar the light by taking it in snuff; therefore i'll darkly end the argument. rosaline look what you do, you do it still i' the dark. katharine so do not you, for you are a light wench. rosaline indeed i weigh not you, and therefore light. katharine you weigh me not? o, that's you care not for me. rosaline great reason; for 'past cure is still past care.' princess well bandied both; a set of wit well play'd. but rosaline, you have a favour too: who sent it? and what is it? rosaline i would you knew: an if my face were but as fair as yours, my favour were as great; be witness this. nay, i have verses too, i thank biron: the numbers true; and, were the numbering too, i were the fairest goddess on the ground: i am compared to twenty thousand fairs. o, he hath drawn my picture in his letter! princess any thing like? rosaline much in the letters; nothing in the praise. princess beauteous as ink; a good conclusion. katharine fair as a text b in a copy-book. rosaline 'ware pencils, ho! let me not die your debtor, my red dominical, my golden letter: o, that your face were not so full of o's! katharine a pox of that jest! and i beshrew all shrows. princess but, katharine, what was sent to you from fair dumain? katharine madam, this glove. princess did he not send you twain? katharine yes, madam, and moreover some thousand verses of a faithful lover, a huge translation of hypocrisy, vilely compiled, profound simplicity. maria this and these pearls to me sent longaville: the letter is too long by half a mile. princess i think no less. dost thou not wish in heart the chain were longer and the letter short? maria ay, or i would these hands might never part. princess we are wise girls to mock our lovers so. rosaline they are worse fools to purchase mocking so. that same biron i'll torture ere i go: o that i knew he were but in by the week! how i would make him fawn and beg and seek and wait the season and observe the times and spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes and shape his service wholly to my hests and make him proud to make me proud that jests! so perttaunt-like would i o'ersway his state that he should be my fool and i his fate. princess none are so surely caught, when they are catch'd, as wit turn'd fool: folly, in wisdom hatch'd, hath wisdom's warrant and the help of school and wit's own grace to grace a learned fool. rosaline the blood of youth burns not with such excess as gravity's revolt to wantonness. maria folly in fools bears not so strong a note as foolery in the wise, when wit doth dote; since all the power thereof it doth apply to prove, by wit, worth in simplicity. princess here comes boyet, and mirth is in his face. [enter boyet] boyet o, i am stabb'd with laughter! where's her grace? princess thy news boyet? boyet prepare, madam, prepare! arm, wenches, arm! encounters mounted are against your peace: love doth approach disguised, armed in arguments; you'll be surprised: muster your wits; stand in your own defence; or hide your heads like cowards, and fly hence. princess saint denis to saint cupid! what are they that charge their breath against us? say, scout, say. boyet under the cool shade of a sycamore i thought to close mine eyes some half an hour; when, lo! to interrupt my purposed rest, toward that shade i might behold addrest the king and his companions: warily i stole into a neighbour thicket by, and overheard what you shall overhear, that, by and by, disguised they will be here. their herald is a pretty knavish page, that well by heart hath conn'd his embassage: action and accent did they teach him there; 'thus must thou speak,' and 'thus thy body bear:' and ever and anon they made a doubt presence majestical would put him out, 'for,' quoth the king, 'an angel shalt thou see; yet fear not thou, but speak audaciously.' the boy replied, 'an angel is not evil; i should have fear'd her had she been a devil.' with that, all laugh'd and clapp'd him on the shoulder, making the bold wag by their praises bolder: one rubb'd his elbow thus, and fleer'd and swore a better speech was never spoke before; another, with his finger and his thumb, cried, 'via! we will do't, come what will come;' the third he caper'd, and cried, 'all goes well;' the fourth turn'd on the toe, and down he fell. with that, they all did tumble on the ground, with such a zealous laughter, so profound, that in this spleen ridiculous appears, to cheque their folly, passion's solemn tears. princess but what, but what, come they to visit us? boyet they do, they do: and are apparell'd thus. like muscovites or russians, as i guess. their purpose is to parle, to court and dance; and every one his love-feat will advance unto his several mistress, which they'll know by favours several which they did bestow. princess and will they so? the gallants shall be task'd; for, ladies, we shall every one be mask'd; and not a man of them shall have the grace, despite of suit, to see a lady's face. hold, rosaline, this favour thou shalt wear, and then the king will court thee for his dear; hold, take thou this, my sweet, and give me thine, so shall biron take me for rosaline. and change your favours too; so shall your loves woo contrary, deceived by these removes. rosaline come on, then; wear the favours most in sight. katharine but in this changing what is your intent? princess the effect of my intent is to cross theirs: they do it but in mocking merriment; and mock for mock is only my intent. their several counsels they unbosom shall to loves mistook, and so be mock'd withal upon the next occasion that we meet, with visages displayed, to talk and greet. rosaline but shall we dance, if they desire to't? princess no, to the death, we will not move a foot; nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace, but while 'tis spoke each turn away her face. boyet why, that contempt will kill the speaker's heart, and quite divorce his memory from his part. princess therefore i do it; and i make no doubt the rest will ne'er come in, if he be out there's no such sport as sport by sport o'erthrown, to make theirs ours and ours none but our own: so shall we stay, mocking intended game, and they, well mock'd, depart away with shame. [trumpets sound within] boyet the trumpet sounds: be mask'd; the maskers come. [the ladies mask] [enter blackamoors with music; moth; ferdinand, biron, longaville, and dumain, in russian habits, and masked] moth all hail, the richest beauties on the earth!- boyet beauties no richer than rich taffeta. moth a holy parcel of the fairest dames. [the ladies turn their backs to him] that ever turn'd their--backs--to mortal views! biron [aside to moth] their eyes, villain, their eyes! moth that ever turn'd their eyes to mortal views!--out- boyet true; out indeed. moth out of your favours, heavenly spirits, vouchsafe not to behold- biron [aside to moth] once to behold, rogue. moth once to behold with your sun-beamed eyes, --with your sun-beamed eyes- boyet they will not answer to that epithet; you were best call it 'daughter-beamed eyes.' moth they do not mark me, and that brings me out. biron is this your perfectness? be gone, you rogue! [exit moth] rosaline what would these strangers? know their minds, boyet: if they do speak our language, 'tis our will: that some plain man recount their purposes know what they would. boyet what would you with the princess? biron nothing but peace and gentle visitation. rosaline what would they, say they? boyet nothing but peace and gentle visitation. rosaline why, that they have; and bid them so be gone. boyet she says, you have it, and you may be gone. ferdinand say to her, we have measured many miles to tread a measure with her on this grass. boyet they say, that they have measured many a mile to tread a measure with you on this grass. rosaline it is not so. ask them how many inches is in one mile: if they have measured many, the measure then of one is easily told. boyet if to come hither you have measured miles, and many miles, the princess bids you tell how many inches doth fill up one mile. biron tell her, we measure them by weary steps. boyet she hears herself. rosaline how many weary steps, of many weary miles you have o'ergone, are number'd in the travel of one mile? biron we number nothing that we spend for you: our duty is so rich, so infinite, that we may do it still without accompt. vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face, that we, like savages, may worship it. rosaline my face is but a moon, and clouded too. ferdinand blessed are clouds, to do as such clouds do! vouchsafe, bright moon, and these thy stars, to shine, those clouds removed, upon our watery eyne. rosaline o vain petitioner! beg a greater matter; thou now request'st but moonshine in the water. ferdinand then, in our measure do but vouchsafe one change. thou bid'st me beg: this begging is not strange. rosaline play, music, then! nay, you must do it soon. [music plays] not yet! no dance! thus change i like the moon. ferdinand will you not dance? how come you thus estranged? rosaline you took the moon at full, but now she's changed. ferdinand yet still she is the moon, and i the man. the music plays; vouchsafe some motion to it. rosaline our ears vouchsafe it. ferdinand but your legs should do it. rosaline since you are strangers and come here by chance, we'll not be nice: take hands. we will not dance. ferdinand why take we hands, then? rosaline only to part friends: curtsy, sweet hearts; and so the measure ends. ferdinand more measure of this measure; be not nice. rosaline we can afford no more at such a price. ferdinand prize you yourselves: what buys your company? rosaline your absence only. ferdinand that can never be. rosaline then cannot we be bought: and so, adieu; twice to your visor, and half once to you. ferdinand if you deny to dance, let's hold more chat. rosaline in private, then. ferdinand i am best pleased with that. [they converse apart] biron white-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee. princess honey, and milk, and sugar; there is three. biron nay then, two treys, and if you grow so nice, metheglin, wort, and malmsey: well run, dice! there's half-a-dozen sweets. princess seventh sweet, adieu: since you can cog, i'll play no more with you. biron one word in secret. princess let it not be sweet. biron thou grievest my gall. princess gall! bitter. biron therefore meet. [they converse apart] dumain will you vouchsafe with me to change a word? maria name it. dumain fair lady,- maria say you so? fair lord,- take that for your fair lady. dumain please it you, as much in private, and i'll bid adieu. [they converse apart] katharine what, was your vizard made without a tongue? longaville i know the reason, lady, why you ask. katharine o for your reason! quickly, sir; i long. longaville you have a double tongue within your mask, and would afford my speechless vizard half. katharine veal, quoth the dutchman. is not 'veal' a calf? longaville a calf, fair lady! katharine no, a fair lord calf. longaville let's part the word. katharine no, i'll not be your half take all, and wean it; it may prove an ox. longaville look, how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks! will you give horns, chaste lady? do not so. katharine then die a calf, before your horns do grow. longaville one word in private with you, ere i die. katharine bleat softly then; the butcher hears you cry. [they converse apart] boyet the tongues of mocking wenches are as keen as is the razor's edge invisible, cutting a smaller hair than may be seen, above the sense of sense; so sensible seemeth their conference; their conceits have wings fleeter than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter things. rosaline not one word more, my maids; break off, break off. biron by heaven, all dry-beaten with pure scoff! ferdinand farewell, mad wenches; you have simple wits. princess twenty adieus, my frozen muscovits. [exeunt ferdinand, lords, and blackamoors] are these the breed of wits so wonder'd at? boyet tapers they are, with your sweet breaths puff'd out. rosaline well-liking wits they have; gross, gross; fat, fat. princess o poverty in wit, kingly-poor flout! will they not, think you, hang themselves tonight? or ever, but in vizards, show their faces? this pert biron was out of countenance quite. rosaline o, they were all in lamentable cases! the king was weeping-ripe for a good word. princess biron did swear himself out of all suit. maria dumain was at my service, and his sword: no point, quoth i; my servant straight was mute. katharine lord longaville said, i came o'er his heart; and trow you what he called me? princess qualm, perhaps. katharine yes, in good faith. princess go, sickness as thou art! rosaline well, better wits have worn plain statute-caps. but will you hear? the king is my love sworn. princess and quick biron hath plighted faith to me. katharine and longaville was for my service born. maria dumain is mine, as sure as bark on tree. boyet madam, and pretty mistresses, give ear: immediately they will again be here in their own shapes; for it can never be they will digest this harsh indignity. princess will they return? boyet they will, they will, god knows, and leap for joy, though they are lame with blows: therefore change favours; and, when they repair, blow like sweet roses in this summer air. princess how blow? how blow? speak to be understood. boyet fair ladies mask'd are roses in their bud; dismask'd, their damask sweet commixture shown, are angels vailing clouds, or roses blown. princess avaunt, perplexity! what shall we do, if they return in their own shapes to woo? rosaline good madam, if by me you'll be advised, let's, mock them still, as well known as disguised: let us complain to them what fools were here, disguised like muscovites, in shapeless gear; and wonder what they were and to what end their shallow shows and prologue vilely penn'd and their rough carriage so ridiculous, should be presented at our tent to us. boyet ladies, withdraw: the gallants are at hand. princess whip to our tents, as roes run o'er land. [exeunt princess, rosaline, katharine, and maria] [re-enter ferdinand, biron, longaville, and dumain, in their proper habits] ferdinand fair sir, god save you! where's the princess? boyet gone to her tent. please it your majesty command me any service to her thither? ferdinand that she vouchsafe me audience for one word. boyet i will; and so will she, i know, my lord. [exit] biron this fellow pecks up wit as pigeons pease, and utters it again when god doth please: he is wit's pedler, and retails his wares at wakes and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs; and we that sell by gross, the lord doth know, have not the grace to grace it with such show. this gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve; had he been adam, he had tempted eve; a' can carve too, and lisp: why, this is he that kiss'd his hand away in courtesy; this is the ape of form, monsieur the nice, that, when he plays at tables, chides the dice in honourable terms: nay, he can sing a mean most meanly; and in ushering mend him who can: the ladies call him sweet; the stairs, as he treads on them, kiss his feet: this is the flower that smiles on every one, to show his teeth as white as whale's bone; and consciences, that will not die in debt, pay him the due of honey-tongued boyet. ferdinand a blister on his sweet tongue, with my heart, that put armado's page out of his part! biron see where it comes! behavior, what wert thou till this madman show'd thee? and what art thou now? [re-enter the princess, ushered by boyet, rosaline, maria, and katharine] ferdinand all hail, sweet madam, and fair time of day! princess 'fair' in 'all hail' is foul, as i conceive. ferdinand construe my speeches better, if you may. princess then wish me better; i will give you leave. ferdinand we came to visit you, and purpose now to lead you to our court; vouchsafe it then. princess this field shall hold me; and so hold your vow: nor god, nor i, delights in perjured men. ferdinand rebuke me not for that which you provoke: the virtue of your eye must break my oath. princess you nickname virtue; vice you should have spoke; for virtue's office never breaks men's troth. now by my maiden honour, yet as pure as the unsullied lily, i protest, a world of torments though i should endure, i would not yield to be your house's guest; so much i hate a breaking cause to be of heavenly oaths, vow'd with integrity. ferdinand o, you have lived in desolation here, unseen, unvisited, much to our shame. princess not so, my lord; it is not so, i swear; we have had pastimes here and pleasant game: a mess of russians left us but of late. ferdinand how, madam! russians! princess ay, in truth, my lord; trim gallants, full of courtship and of state. rosaline madam, speak true. it is not so, my lord: my lady, to the manner of the days, in courtesy gives undeserving praise. we four indeed confronted were with four in russian habit: here they stay'd an hour, and talk'd apace; and in that hour, my lord, they did not bless us with one happy word. i dare not call them fools; but this i think, when they are thirsty, fools would fain have drink. biron this jest is dry to me. fair gentle sweet, your wit makes wise things foolish: when we greet, with eyes best seeing, heaven's fiery eye, by light we lose light: your capacity is of that nature that to your huge store wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor. rosaline this proves you wise and rich, for in my eye,- biron i am a fool, and full of poverty. rosaline but that you take what doth to you belong, it were a fault to snatch words from my tongue. biron o, i am yours, and all that i possess! rosaline all the fool mine? biron i cannot give you less. rosaline which of the vizards was it that you wore? biron where? when? what vizard? why demand you this? rosaline there, then, that vizard; that superfluous case that hid the worse and show'd the better face. ferdinand we are descried; they'll mock us now downright. dumain let us confess and turn it to a jest. princess amazed, my lord? why looks your highness sad? rosaline help, hold his brows! he'll swoon! why look you pale? sea-sick, i think, coming from muscovy. biron thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury. can any face of brass hold longer out? here stand i lady, dart thy skill at me; bruise me with scorn, confound me with a flout; thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance; cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit; and i will wish thee never more to dance, nor never more in russian habit wait. o, never will i trust to speeches penn'd, nor to the motion of a schoolboy's tongue, nor never come in vizard to my friend, nor woo in rhyme, like a blind harper's song! taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation, figures pedantical; these summer-flies have blown me full of maggot ostentation: i do forswear them; and i here protest, by this white glove;--how white the hand, god knows!- henceforth my wooing mind shall be express'd in russet yeas and honest kersey noes: and, to begin, wench,--so god help me, la!- my love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw. rosaline sans sans, i pray you. biron yet i have a trick of the old rage: bear with me, i am sick; i'll leave it by degrees. soft, let us see: write, 'lord have mercy on us' on those three; they are infected; in their hearts it lies; they have the plague, and caught it of your eyes; these lords are visited; you are not free, for the lord's tokens on you do i see. princess no, they are free that gave these tokens to us. biron our states are forfeit: seek not to undo us. rosaline it is not so; for how can this be true, that you stand forfeit, being those that sue? biron peace! for i will not have to do with you. rosaline nor shall not, if i do as i intend. biron speak for yourselves; my wit is at an end. ferdinand teach us, sweet madam, for our rude transgression some fair excuse. princess the fairest is confession. were not you here but even now disguised? ferdinand madam, i was. princess and were you well advised? ferdinand i was, fair madam. princess when you then were here, what did you whisper in your lady's ear? ferdinand that more than all the world i did respect her. princess when she shall challenge this, you will reject her. ferdinand upon mine honour, no. princess peace, peace! forbear: your oath once broke, you force not to forswear. ferdinand despise me, when i break this oath of mine. princess i will: and therefore keep it. rosaline, what did the russian whisper in your ear? rosaline madam, he swore that he did hold me dear as precious eyesight, and did value me above this world; adding thereto moreover that he would wed me, or else die my lover. princess god give thee joy of him! the noble lord most honourably doth unhold his word. ferdinand what mean you, madam? by my life, my troth, i never swore this lady such an oath. rosaline by heaven, you did; and to confirm it plain, you gave me this: but take it, sir, again. ferdinand my faith and this the princess i did give: i knew her by this jewel on her sleeve. princess pardon me, sir, this jewel did she wear; and lord biron, i thank him, is my dear. what, will you have me, or your pearl again? biron neither of either; i remit both twain. i see the trick on't: here was a consent, knowing aforehand of our merriment, to dash it like a christmas comedy: some carry-tale, some please-man, some slight zany, some mumble-news, some trencher-knight, some dick, that smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick to make my lady laugh when she's disposed, told our intents before; which once disclosed, the ladies did change favours: and then we, following the signs, woo'd but the sign of she. now, to our perjury to add more terror, we are again forsworn, in will and error. much upon this it is: and might not you [to boyet] forestall our sport, to make us thus untrue? do not you know my lady's foot by the squier, and laugh upon the apple of her eye? and stand between her back, sir, and the fire, holding a trencher, jesting merrily? you put our page out: go, you are allow'd; die when you will, a smock shall be your shroud. you leer upon me, do you? there's an eye wounds like a leaden sword. boyet full merrily hath this brave manage, this career, been run. biron lo, he is tilting straight! peace! i have done. [enter costard] welcome, pure wit! thou partest a fair fray. costard o lord, sir, they would know whether the three worthies shall come in or no. biron what, are there but three? costard no, sir; but it is vara fine, for every one pursents three. biron and three times thrice is nine. costard not so, sir; under correction, sir; i hope it is not so. you cannot beg us, sir, i can assure you, sir we know what we know: i hope, sir, three times thrice, sir,- biron is not nine. costard under correction, sir, we know whereuntil it doth amount. biron by jove, i always took three threes for nine. costard o lord, sir, it were pity you should get your living by reckoning, sir. biron how much is it? costard o lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors, sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount: for mine own part, i am, as they say, but to parfect one man in one poor man, pompion the great, sir. biron art thou one of the worthies? costard it pleased them to think me worthy of pompion the great: for mine own part, i know not the degree of the worthy, but i am to stand for him. biron go, bid them prepare. costard we will turn it finely off, sir; we will take some care. [exit] ferdinand biron, they will shame us: let them not approach. biron we are shame-proof, my lord: and tis some policy to have one show worse than the king's and his company. ferdinand i say they shall not come. princess nay, my good lord, let me o'errule you now: that sport best pleases that doth least know how: where zeal strives to content, and the contents dies in the zeal of that which it presents: their form confounded makes most form in mirth, when great things labouring perish in their birth. biron a right description of our sport, my lord. [enter don adriano de armado] don adriano de armado anointed, i implore so much expense of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace of words. [converses apart with ferdinand, and delivers him a paper] princess doth this man serve god? biron why ask you? princess he speaks not like a man of god's making. don adriano de armado that is all one, my fair, sweet, honey monarch; for, i protest, the schoolmaster is exceeding fantastical; too, too vain, too too vain: but we will put it, as they say, to fortuna de la guerra. i wish you the peace of mind, most royal couplement! [exit] ferdinand here is like to be a good presence of worthies. he presents hector of troy; the swain, pompey the great; the parish curate, alexander; armado's page, hercules; the pedant, judas maccabaeus: and if these four worthies in their first show thrive, these four will change habits, and present the other five. biron there is five in the first show. ferdinand you are deceived; 'tis not so. biron the pedant, the braggart, the hedge-priest, the fool and the boy:- abate throw at novum, and the whole world again cannot pick out five such, take each one in his vein. ferdinand the ship is under sail, and here she comes amain. [enter costard, for pompey] costard i pompey am,- boyet you lie, you are not he. costard i pompey am,- boyet with libbard's head on knee. biron well said, old mocker: i must needs be friends with thee. costard i pompey am, pompey surnamed the big- dumain the great. costard it is, 'great,' sir:- pompey surnamed the great; that oft in field, with targe and shield, did make my foe to sweat: and travelling along this coast, i here am come by chance, and lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of france, if your ladyship would say, 'thanks, pompey,' i had done. princess great thanks, great pompey. costard 'tis not so much worth; but i hope i was perfect: i made a little fault in 'great.' biron my hat to a halfpenny, pompey proves the best worthy. [enter sir nathaniel, for alexander] sir nathaniel when in the world i lived, i was the world's commander; by east, west, north, and south, i spread my conquering might: my scutcheon plain declares that i am alisander,- boyet your nose says, no, you are not for it stands too right. biron your nose smells 'no' in this, most tender-smelling knight. princess the conqueror is dismay'd. proceed, good alexander. sir nathaniel when in the world i lived, i was the world's commander,- boyet most true, 'tis right; you were so, alisander. biron pompey the great,- costard your servant, and costard. biron take away the conqueror, take away alisander. costard [to sir nathaniel] o, sir, you have overthrown alisander the conqueror! you will be scraped out of the painted cloth for this: your lion, that holds his poll-axe sitting on a close-stool, will be given to ajax: he will be the ninth worthy. a conqueror, and afeard to speak! run away for shame, alisander. [sir nathaniel retires] there, an't shall please you; a foolish mild man; an honest man, look you, and soon dashed. he is a marvellous good neighbour, faith, and a very good bowler: but, for alisander,--alas, you see how 'tis,--a little o'erparted. but there are worthies a-coming will speak their mind in some other sort. [enter holofernes, for judas; and moth, for hercules] holofernes great hercules is presented by this imp, whose club kill'd cerberus, that three-headed canis; and when he was a babe, a child, a shrimp, thus did he strangle serpents in his manus. quoniam he seemeth in minority, ergo i come with this apology. keep some state in thy exit, and vanish. [moth retires] judas i am,- dumain a judas! holofernes not iscariot, sir. judas i am, ycliped maccabaeus. dumain judas maccabaeus clipt is plain judas. biron a kissing traitor. how art thou proved judas? holofernes judas i am,- dumain the more shame for you, judas. holofernes what mean you, sir? boyet to make judas hang himself. holofernes begin, sir; you are my elder. biron well followed: judas was hanged on an elder. holofernes i will not be put out of countenance. biron because thou hast no face. holofernes what is this? boyet a cittern-head. dumain the head of a bodkin. biron a death's face in a ring. longaville the face of an old roman coin, scarce seen. boyet the pommel of caesar's falchion. dumain the carved-bone face on a flask. biron saint george's half-cheek in a brooch. dumain ay, and in a brooch of lead. biron ay, and worn in the cap of a tooth-drawer. and now forward; for we have put thee in countenance. holofernes you have put me out of countenance. biron false; we have given thee faces. holofernes but you have out-faced them all. biron an thou wert a lion, we would do so. boyet therefore, as he is an ass, let him go. and so adieu, sweet jude! nay, why dost thou stay? dumain for the latter end of his name. biron for the ass to the jude; give it him:--jud-as, away! holofernes this is not generous, not gentle, not humble. boyet a light for monsieur judas! it grows dark, he may stumble. [holofernes retires] princess alas, poor maccabaeus, how hath he been baited! [enter don adriano de armado, for hector] biron hide thy head, achilles: here comes hector in arms. dumain though my mocks come home by me, i will now be merry. ferdinand hector was but a troyan in respect of this. boyet but is this hector? ferdinand i think hector was not so clean-timbered. longaville his leg is too big for hector's. dumain more calf, certain. boyet no; he is best endued in the small. biron this cannot be hector. dumain he's a god or a painter; for he makes faces. don adriano de armado the armipotent mars, of lances the almighty, gave hector a gift,- dumain a gilt nutmeg. biron a lemon. longaville stuck with cloves. dumain no, cloven. don adriano de armado peace!- the armipotent mars, of lances the almighty gave hector a gift, the heir of ilion; a man so breathed, that certain he would fight; yea from morn till night, out of his pavilion. i am that flower,- dumain that mint. longaville that columbine. don adriano de armado sweet lord longaville, rein thy tongue. longaville i must rather give it the rein, for it runs against hector. dumain ay, and hector's a greyhound. don adriano de armado the sweet war-man is dead and rotten; sweet chucks, beat not the bones of the buried: when he breathed, he was a man. but i will forward with my device. [to the princess] sweet royalty, bestow on me the sense of hearing. princess speak, brave hector: we are much delighted. don adriano de armado i do adore thy sweet grace's slipper. boyet [aside to dumain] loves her by the foot,- dumain [aside to boyet] he may not by the yard. don adriano de armado this hector far surmounted hannibal,- costard the party is gone, fellow hector, she is gone; she is two months on her way. don adriano de armado what meanest thou? costard faith, unless you play the honest troyan, the poor wench is cast away: she's quick; the child brags in her belly already: tis yours. don adriano de armado dost thou infamonize me among potentates? thou shalt die. costard then shall hector be whipped for jaquenetta that is quick by him and hanged for pompey that is dead by him. dumain most rare pompey! boyet renowned pompey! biron greater than great, great, great, great pompey! pompey the huge! dumain hector trembles. biron pompey is moved. more ates, more ates! stir them on! stir them on! dumain hector will challenge him. biron ay, if a' have no man's blood in's belly than will sup a flea. don adriano de armado by the north pole, i do challenge thee. costard i will not fight with a pole, like a northern man: i'll slash; i'll do it by the sword. i bepray you, let me borrow my arms again. dumain room for the incensed worthies! costard i'll do it in my shirt. dumain most resolute pompey! moth master, let me take you a buttonhole lower. do you not see pompey is uncasing for the combat? what mean you? you will lose your reputation. don adriano de armado gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me; i will not combat in my shirt. dumain you may not deny it: pompey hath made the challenge. don adriano de armado sweet bloods, i both may and will. biron what reason have you for't? don adriano de armado the naked truth of it is, i have no shirt; i go woolward for penance. boyet true, and it was enjoined him in rome for want of linen: since when, i'll be sworn, he wore none but a dishclout of jaquenetta's, and that a' wears next his heart for a favour. [enter mercade] mercade god save you, madam! princess welcome, mercade; but that thou interrupt'st our merriment. mercade i am sorry, madam; for the news i bring is heavy in my tongue. the king your father- princess dead, for my life! mercade even so; my tale is told. biron worthies, away! the scene begins to cloud. don adriano de armado for mine own part, i breathe free breath. i have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion, and i will right myself like a soldier. [exeunt worthies] ferdinand how fares your majesty? princess boyet, prepare; i will away tonight. ferdinand madam, not so; i do beseech you, stay. princess prepare, i say. i thank you, gracious lords, for all your fair endeavors; and entreat, out of a new-sad soul, that you vouchsafe in your rich wisdom to excuse or hide the liberal opposition of our spirits, if over-boldly we have borne ourselves in the converse of breath: your gentleness was guilty of it. farewell worthy lord! a heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue: excuse me so, coming too short of thanks for my great suit so easily obtain'd. ferdinand the extreme parts of time extremely forms all causes to the purpose of his speed, and often at his very loose decides that which long process could not arbitrate: and though the mourning brow of progeny forbid the smiling courtesy of love the holy suit which fain it would convince, yet, since love's argument was first on foot, let not the cloud of sorrow justle it from what it purposed; since, to wail friends lost is not by much so wholesome-profitable as to rejoice at friends but newly found. princess i understand you not: my griefs are double. biron honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief; and by these badges understand the king. for your fair sakes have we neglected time, play'd foul play with our oaths: your beauty, ladies, hath much deform'd us, fashioning our humours even to the opposed end of our intents: and what in us hath seem'd ridiculous,- as love is full of unbefitting strains, all wanton as a child, skipping and vain, form'd by the eye and therefore, like the eye, full of strange shapes, of habits and of forms, varying in subjects as the eye doth roll to every varied object in his glance: which parti-coated presence of loose love put on by us, if, in your heavenly eyes, have misbecomed our oaths and gravities, those heavenly eyes, that look into these faults, suggested us to make. therefore, ladies, our love being yours, the error that love makes is likewise yours: we to ourselves prove false, by being once false for ever to be true to those that make us both,--fair ladies, you: and even that falsehood, in itself a sin, thus purifies itself and turns to grace. princess we have received your letters full of love; your favours, the ambassadors of love; and, in our maiden council, rated them at courtship, pleasant jest and courtesy, as bombast and as lining to the time: but more devout than this in our respects have we not been; and therefore met your loves in their own fashion, like a merriment. dumain our letters, madam, show'd much more than jest. longaville so did our looks. rosaline we did not quote them so. ferdinand now, at the latest minute of the hour, grant us your loves. princess a time, methinks, too short to make a world-without-end bargain in. no, no, my lord, your grace is perjured much, full of dear guiltiness; and therefore this: if for my love, as there is no such cause, you will do aught, this shall you do for me: your oath i will not trust; but go with speed to some forlorn and naked hermitage, remote from all the pleasures of the world; there stay until the twelve celestial signs have brought about the annual reckoning. if this austere insociable life change not your offer made in heat of blood; if frosts and fasts, hard lodging and thin weeds nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love, but that it bear this trial and last love; then, at the expiration of the year, come challenge me, challenge me by these deserts, and, by this virgin palm now kissing thine i will be thine; and till that instant shut my woeful self up in a mourning house, raining the tears of lamentation for the remembrance of my father's death. if this thou do deny, let our hands part, neither entitled in the other's heart. ferdinand if this, or more than this, i would deny, to flatter up these powers of mine with rest, the sudden hand of death close up mine eye! hence ever then my heart is in thy breast. biron [and what to me, my love? and what to me? rosaline you must be purged too, your sins are rack'd, you are attaint with faults and perjury: therefore if you my favour mean to get, a twelvemonth shall you spend, and never rest, but seek the weary beds of people sick] dumain but what to me, my love? but what to me? a wife? katharine a beard, fair health, and honesty; with three-fold love i wish you all these three. dumain o, shall i say, i thank you, gentle wife? katharine not so, my lord; a twelvemonth and a day i'll mark no words that smooth-faced wooers say: come when the king doth to my lady come; then, if i have much love, i'll give you some. dumain i'll serve thee true and faithfully till then. katharine yet swear not, lest ye be forsworn again. longaville what says maria? maria at the twelvemonth's end i'll change my black gown for a faithful friend. longaville i'll stay with patience; but the time is long. maria the liker you; few taller are so young. biron studies my lady? mistress, look on me; behold the window of my heart, mine eye, what humble suit attends thy answer there: impose some service on me for thy love. rosaline oft have i heard of you, my lord biron, before i saw you; and the world's large tongue proclaims you for a man replete with mocks, full of comparisons and wounding flouts, which you on all estates will execute that lie within the mercy of your wit. to weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain, and therewithal to win me, if you please, without the which i am not to be won, you shall this twelvemonth term from day to day visit the speechless sick and still converse with groaning wretches; and your task shall be, with all the fierce endeavor of your wit to enforce the pained impotent to smile. biron to move wild laughter in the throat of death? it cannot be; it is impossible: mirth cannot move a soul in agony. rosaline why, that's the way to choke a gibing spirit, whose influence is begot of that loose grace which shallow laughing hearers give to fools: a jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it, never in the tongue of him that makes it: then, if sickly ears, deaf'd with the clamours of their own dear groans, will hear your idle scorns, continue then, and i will have you and that fault withal; but if they will not, throw away that spirit, and i shall find you empty of that fault, right joyful of your reformation. biron a twelvemonth! well; befall what will befall, i'll jest a twelvemonth in an hospital. princess [to ferdinand] ay, sweet my lord; and so i take my leave. ferdinand no, madam; we will bring you on your way. biron our wooing doth not end like an old play; jack hath not jill: these ladies' courtesy might well have made our sport a comedy. ferdinand come, sir, it wants a twelvemonth and a day, and then 'twill end. biron that's too long for a play. [re-enter don adriano de armado] don adriano de armado sweet majesty, vouchsafe me,- princess was not that hector? dumain the worthy knight of troy. don adriano de armado i will kiss thy royal finger, and take leave. i am a votary; i have vowed to jaquenetta to hold the plough for her sweet love three years. but, most esteemed greatness, will you hear the dialogue that the two learned men have compiled in praise of the owl and the cuckoo? it should have followed in the end of our show. ferdinand call them forth quickly; we will do so. don adriano de armado holla! approach. [re-enter holofernes, sir nathaniel, moth, costard, and others] this side is hiems, winter, this ver, the spring; the one maintained by the owl, the other by the cuckoo. ver, begin. [the song] spring. when daisies pied and violets blue and lady-smocks all silver-white and cuckoo-buds of yellow hue do paint the meadows with delight, the cuckoo then, on every tree, mocks married men; for thus sings he, cuckoo; cuckoo, cuckoo: o word of fear, unpleasing to a married ear! when shepherds pipe on oaten straws and merry larks are ploughmen's clocks, when turtles tread, and rooks, and daws, and maidens bleach their summer smocks the cuckoo then, on every tree, mocks married men; for thus sings he, cuckoo; cuckoo, cuckoo: o word of fear, unpleasing to a married ear! winter. when icicles hang by the wall and dick the shepherd blows his nail and tom bears logs into the hall and milk comes frozen home in pail, when blood is nipp'd and ways be foul, then nightly sings the staring owl, tu-whit; tu-who, a merry note, while greasy joan doth keel the pot. when all aloud the wind doth blow and coughing drowns the parson's saw and birds sit brooding in the snow and marian's nose looks red and raw, when roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, then nightly sings the staring owl, tu-whit; tu-who, a merry note, while greasy joan doth keel the pot. don adriano de armado the words of mercury are harsh after the songs of apollo. you that way: we this way. [exeunt] all's well that ends well dramatis personae king of france (king:) duke of florence (duke:) bertram count of rousillon. lafeu an old lord. parolles a follower of bertram. steward | | servants to the countess of rousillon. clown | a page. (page:) countess of rousillon mother to bertram. (countess:) helena a gentlewoman protected by the countess. an old widow of florence. (widow:) diana daughter to the widow. violenta | | neighbours and friends to the widow. mariana | lords, officers, soldiers, &c., french and florentine. (first lord:) (second lord:) (fourth lord:) (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) (first soldier:) (gentleman:) scene rousillon; paris; florence; marseilles. all's well that ends well act i scene i rousillon. the count's palace. [enter bertram, the countess of rousillon, helena, and lafeu, all in black] countess in delivering my son from me, i bury a second husband. bertram and i in going, madam, weep o'er my father's death anew: but i must attend his majesty's command, to whom i am now in ward, evermore in subjection. lafeu you shall find of the king a husband, madam; you, sir, a father: he that so generally is at all times good must of necessity hold his virtue to you; whose worthiness would stir it up where it wanted rather than lack it where there is such abundance. countess what hope is there of his majesty's amendment? lafeu he hath abandoned his physicians, madam; under whose practises he hath persecuted time with hope, and finds no other advantage in the process but only the losing of hope by time. countess this young gentlewoman had a father,--o, that 'had'! how sad a passage 'tis!--whose skill was almost as great as his honesty; had it stretched so far, would have made nature immortal, and death should have play for lack of work. would, for the king's sake, he were living! i think it would be the death of the king's disease. lafeu how called you the man you speak of, madam? countess he was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his great right to be so: gerard de narbon. lafeu he was excellent indeed, madam: the king very lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly: he was skilful enough to have lived still, if knowledge could be set up against mortality. bertram what is it, my good lord, the king languishes of? lafeu a fistula, my lord. bertram i heard not of it before. lafeu i would it were not notorious. was this gentlewoman the daughter of gerard de narbon? countess his sole child, my lord, and bequeathed to my overlooking. i have those hopes of her good that her education promises; her dispositions she inherits, which makes fair gifts fairer; for where an unclean mind carries virtuous qualities, there commendations go with pity; they are virtues and traitors too; in her they are the better for their simpleness; she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness. lafeu your commendations, madam, get from her tears. countess 'tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise in. the remembrance of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from her cheek. no more of this, helena; go to, no more; lest it be rather thought you affect a sorrow than have it. helena i do affect a sorrow indeed, but i have it too. lafeu moderate lamentation is the right of the dead, excessive grief the enemy to the living. countess if the living be enemy to the grief, the excess makes it soon mortal. bertram madam, i desire your holy wishes. lafeu how understand we that? countess be thou blest, bertram, and succeed thy father in manners, as in shape! thy blood and virtue contend for empire in thee, and thy goodness share with thy birthright! love all, trust a few, do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy rather in power than use, and keep thy friend under thy own life's key: be cheque'd for silence, but never tax'd for speech. what heaven more will, that thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down, fall on thy head! farewell, my lord; 'tis an unseason'd courtier; good my lord, advise him. lafeu he cannot want the best that shall attend his love. countess heaven bless him! farewell, bertram. [exit] bertram [to helena] the best wishes that can be forged in your thoughts be servants to you! be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her. lafeu farewell, pretty lady: you must hold the credit of your father. [exeunt bertram and lafeu] helena o, were that all! i think not on my father; and these great tears grace his remembrance more than those i shed for him. what was he like? i have forgot him: my imagination carries no favour in't but bertram's. i am undone: there is no living, none, if bertram be away. 'twere all one that i should love a bright particular star and think to wed it, he is so above me: in his bright radiance and collateral light must i be comforted, not in his sphere. the ambition in my love thus plagues itself: the hind that would be mated by the lion must die for love. 'twas pretty, though plague, to see him every hour; to sit and draw his arched brows, his hawking eye, his curls, in our heart's table; heart too capable of every line and trick of his sweet favour: but now he's gone, and my idolatrous fancy must sanctify his reliques. who comes here? [enter parolles] [aside] one that goes with him: i love him for his sake; and yet i know him a notorious liar, think him a great way fool, solely a coward; yet these fixed evils sit so fit in him, that they take place, when virtue's steely bones look bleak i' the cold wind: withal, full oft we see cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly. parolles save you, fair queen! helena and you, monarch! parolles no. helena and no. parolles are you meditating on virginity? helena ay. you have some stain of soldier in you: let me ask you a question. man is enemy to virginity; how may we barricado it against him? parolles keep him out. helena but he assails; and our virginity, though valiant, in the defence yet is weak: unfold to us some warlike resistance. parolles there is none: man, sitting down before you, will undermine you and blow you up. helena bless our poor virginity from underminers and blowers up! is there no military policy, how virgins might blow up men? parolles virginity being blown down, man will quicklier be blown up: marry, in blowing him down again, with the breach yourselves made, you lose your city. it is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity. loss of virginity is rational increase and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost. that you were made of is metal to make virgins. virginity by being once lost may be ten times found; by being ever kept, it is ever lost: 'tis too cold a companion; away with 't! helena i will stand for 't a little, though therefore i die a virgin. parolles there's little can be said in 't; 'tis against the rule of nature. to speak on the part of virginity, is to accuse your mothers; which is most infallible disobedience. he that hangs himself is a virgin: virginity murders itself and should be buried in highways out of all sanctified limit, as a desperate offendress against nature. virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese; consumes itself to the very paring, and so dies with feeding his own stomach. besides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of self-love, which is the most inhibited sin in the canon. keep it not; you cannot choose but loose by't: out with 't! within ten year it will make itself ten, which is a goodly increase; and the principal itself not much the worse: away with 't! helena how might one do, sir, to lose it to her own liking? parolles let me see: marry, ill, to like him that ne'er it likes. 'tis a commodity will lose the gloss with lying; the longer kept, the less worth: off with 't while 'tis vendible; answer the time of request. virginity, like an old courtier, wears her cap out of fashion: richly suited, but unsuitable: just like the brooch and the tooth-pick, which wear not now. your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your cheek; and your virginity, your old virginity, is like one of our french withered pears, it looks ill, it eats drily; marry, 'tis a withered pear; it was formerly better; marry, yet 'tis a withered pear: will you anything with it? helena not my virginity yet [ ] there shall your master have a thousand loves, a mother and a mistress and a friend, a phoenix, captain and an enemy, a guide, a goddess, and a sovereign, a counsellor, a traitress, and a dear; his humble ambition, proud humility, his jarring concord, and his discord dulcet, his faith, his sweet disaster; with a world of pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms, that blinking cupid gossips. now shall he- i know not what he shall. god send him well! the court's a learning place, and he is one- parolles what one, i' faith? helena that i wish well. 'tis pity- parolles what's pity? helena that wishing well had not a body in't, which might be felt; that we, the poorer born, whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes, might with effects of them follow our friends, and show what we alone must think, which never return us thanks. [enter page] page monsieur parolles, my lord calls for you. [exit] parolles little helen, farewell; if i can remember thee, i will think of thee at court. helena monsieur parolles, you were born under a charitable star. parolles under mars, i. helena i especially think, under mars. parolles why under mars? helena the wars have so kept you under that you must needs be born under mars. parolles when he was predominant. helena when he was retrograde, i think, rather. parolles why think you so? helena you go so much backward when you fight. parolles that's for advantage. helena so is running away, when fear proposes the safety; but the composition that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing, and i like the wear well. parolles i am so full of businesses, i cannot answer thee acutely. i will return perfect courtier; in the which, my instruction shall serve to naturalize thee, so thou wilt be capable of a courtier's counsel and understand what advice shall thrust upon thee; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness, and thine ignorance makes thee away: farewell. when thou hast leisure, say thy prayers; when thou hast none, remember thy friends; get thee a good husband, and use him as he uses thee; so, farewell. [exit] helena our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven: the fated sky gives us free scope, only doth backward pull our slow designs when we ourselves are dull. what power is it which mounts my love so high, that makes me see, and cannot feed mine eye? the mightiest space in fortune nature brings to join like likes and kiss like native things. impossible be strange attempts to those that weigh their pains in sense and do suppose what hath been cannot be: who ever strove so show her merit, that did miss her love? the king's disease--my project may deceive me, but my intents are fix'd and will not leave me. [exit] all's well that ends well act i scene ii paris. the king's palace. [flourish of cornets. enter the king of france, with letters, and divers attendants] king the florentines and senoys are by the ears; have fought with equal fortune and continue a braving war. first lord so 'tis reported, sir. king nay, 'tis most credible; we here received it a certainty, vouch'd from our cousin austria, with caution that the florentine will move us for speedy aid; wherein our dearest friend prejudicates the business and would seem to have us make denial. first lord his love and wisdom, approved so to your majesty, may plead for amplest credence. king he hath arm'd our answer, and florence is denied before he comes: yet, for our gentlemen that mean to see the tuscan service, freely have they leave to stand on either part. second lord it well may serve a nursery to our gentry, who are sick for breathing and exploit. king what's he comes here? [enter bertram, lafeu, and parolles] first lord it is the count rousillon, my good lord, young bertram. king youth, thou bear'st thy father's face; frank nature, rather curious than in haste, hath well composed thee. thy father's moral parts mayst thou inherit too! welcome to paris. bertram my thanks and duty are your majesty's. king i would i had that corporal soundness now, as when thy father and myself in friendship first tried our soldiership! he did look far into the service of the time and was discipled of the bravest: he lasted long; but on us both did haggish age steal on and wore us out of act. it much repairs me to talk of your good father. in his youth he had the wit which i can well observe to-day in our young lords; but they may jest till their own scorn return to them unnoted ere they can hide their levity in honour; so like a courtier, contempt nor bitterness were in his pride or sharpness; if they were, his equal had awaked them, and his honour, clock to itself, knew the true minute when exception bid him speak, and at this time his tongue obey'd his hand: who were below him he used as creatures of another place and bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks, making them proud of his humility, in their poor praise he humbled. such a man might be a copy to these younger times; which, follow'd well, would demonstrate them now but goers backward. bertram his good remembrance, sir, lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb; so in approof lives not his epitaph as in your royal speech. king would i were with him! he would always say- methinks i hear him now; his plausive words he scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them, to grow there and to bear,--'let me not live,'- this his good melancholy oft began, on the catastrophe and heel of pastime, when it was out,--'let me not live,' quoth he, 'after my flame lacks oil, to be the snuff of younger spirits, whose apprehensive senses all but new things disdain; whose judgments are mere fathers of their garments; whose constancies expire before their fashions.' this he wish'd; i after him do after him wish too, since i nor wax nor honey can bring home, i quickly were dissolved from my hive, to give some labourers room. second lord you are loved, sir: they that least lend it you shall lack you first. king i fill a place, i know't. how long is't, count, since the physician at your father's died? he was much famed. bertram some six months since, my lord. king if he were living, i would try him yet. lend me an arm; the rest have worn me out with several applications; nature and sickness debate it at their leisure. welcome, count; my son's no dearer. bertram thank your majesty. [exeunt. flourish] all's well that ends well act i scene iii rousillon. the count's palace. [enter countess, steward, and clown] countess i will now hear; what say you of this gentlewoman? steward madam, the care i have had to even your content, i wish might be found in the calendar of my past endeavours; for then we wound our modesty and make foul the clearness of our deservings, when of ourselves we publish them. countess what does this knave here? get you gone, sirrah: the complaints i have heard of you i do not all believe: 'tis my slowness that i do not; for i know you lack not folly to commit them, and have ability enough to make such knaveries yours. clown 'tis not unknown to you, madam, i am a poor fellow. countess well, sir. clown no, madam, 'tis not so well that i am poor, though many of the rich are damned: but, if i may have your ladyship's good will to go to the world, isbel the woman and i will do as we may. countess wilt thou needs be a beggar? clown i do beg your good will in this case. countess in what case? clown in isbel's case and mine own. service is no heritage: and i think i shall never have the blessing of god till i have issue o' my body; for they say barnes are blessings. countess tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry. clown my poor body, madam, requires it: i am driven on by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives. countess is this all your worship's reason? clown faith, madam, i have other holy reasons such as they are. countess may the world know them? clown i have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you and all flesh and blood are; and, indeed, i do marry that i may repent. countess thy marriage, sooner than thy wickedness. clown i am out o' friends, madam; and i hope to have friends for my wife's sake. countess such friends are thine enemies, knave. clown you're shallow, madam, in great friends; for the knaves come to do that for me which i am aweary of. he that ears my land spares my team and gives me leave to in the crop; if i be his cuckold, he's my drudge: he that comforts my wife is the cherisher of my flesh and blood; he that cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and blood; he that loves my flesh and blood is my friend: ergo, he that kisses my wife is my friend. if men could be contented to be what they are, there were no fear in marriage; for young charbon the puritan and old poysam the papist, howsome'er their hearts are severed in religion, their heads are both one; they may jowl horns together, like any deer i' the herd. countess wilt thou ever be a foul-mouthed and calumnious knave? clown a prophet i, madam; and i speak the truth the next way: for i the ballad will repeat, which men full true shall find; your marriage comes by destiny, your cuckoo sings by kind. countess get you gone, sir; i'll talk with you more anon. steward may it please you, madam, that he bid helen come to you: of her i am to speak. countess sirrah, tell my gentlewoman i would speak with her; helen, i mean. clown was this fair face the cause, quoth she, why the grecians sacked troy? fond done, done fond, was this king priam's joy? with that she sighed as she stood, with that she sighed as she stood, and gave this sentence then; among nine bad if one be good, among nine bad if one be good, there's yet one good in ten. countess what, one good in ten? you corrupt the song, sirrah. clown one good woman in ten, madam; which is a purifying o' the song: would god would serve the world so all the year! we'ld find no fault with the tithe-woman, if i were the parson. one in ten, quoth a'! an we might have a good woman born but one every blazing star, or at an earthquake, 'twould mend the lottery well: a man may draw his heart out, ere a' pluck one. countess you'll be gone, sir knave, and do as i command you. clown that man should be at woman's command, and yet no hurt done! though honesty be no puritan, yet it will do no hurt; it will wear the surplice of humility over the black gown of a big heart. i am going, forsooth: the business is for helen to come hither. [exit] countess well, now. steward i know, madam, you love your gentlewoman entirely. countess faith, i do: her father bequeathed her to me; and she herself, without other advantage, may lawfully make title to as much love as she finds: there is more owing her than is paid; and more shall be paid her than she'll demand. steward madam, i was very late more near her than i think she wished me: alone she was, and did communicate to herself her own words to her own ears; she thought, i dare vow for her, they touched not any stranger sense. her matter was, she loved your son: fortune, she said, was no goddess, that had put such difference betwixt their two estates; love no god, that would not extend his might, only where qualities were level; dian no queen of virgins, that would suffer her poor knight surprised, without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward. this she delivered in the most bitter touch of sorrow that e'er i heard virgin exclaim in: which i held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal; sithence, in the loss that may happen, it concerns you something to know it. countess you have discharged this honestly; keep it to yourself: many likelihoods informed me of this before, which hung so tottering in the balance that i could neither believe nor misdoubt. pray you, leave me: stall this in your bosom; and i thank you for your honest care: i will speak with you further anon. [exit steward] [enter helena] even so it was with me when i was young: if ever we are nature's, these are ours; this thorn doth to our rose of youth rightly belong; our blood to us, this to our blood is born; it is the show and seal of nature's truth, where love's strong passion is impress'd in youth: by our remembrances of days foregone, such were our faults, or then we thought them none. her eye is sick on't: i observe her now. helena what is your pleasure, madam? countess you know, helen, i am a mother to you. helena mine honourable mistress. countess nay, a mother: why not a mother? when i said 'a mother,' methought you saw a serpent: what's in 'mother,' that you start at it? i say, i am your mother; and put you in the catalogue of those that were enwombed mine: 'tis often seen adoption strives with nature and choice breeds a native slip to us from foreign seeds: you ne'er oppress'd me with a mother's groan, yet i express to you a mother's care: god's mercy, maiden! does it curd thy blood to say i am thy mother? what's the matter, that this distemper'd messenger of wet, the many-colour'd iris, rounds thine eye? why? that you are my daughter? helena that i am not. countess i say, i am your mother. helena pardon, madam; the count rousillon cannot be my brother: i am from humble, he from honour'd name; no note upon my parents, his all noble: my master, my dear lord he is; and i his servant live, and will his vassal die: he must not be my brother. countess nor i your mother? helena you are my mother, madam; would you were,- so that my lord your son were not my brother,- indeed my mother! or were you both our mothers, i care no more for than i do for heaven, so i were not his sister. can't no other, but, i your daughter, he must be my brother? countess yes, helen, you might be my daughter-in-law: god shield you mean it not! daughter and mother so strive upon your pulse. what, pale again? my fear hath catch'd your fondness: now i see the mystery of your loneliness, and find your salt tears' head: now to all sense 'tis gross you love my son; invention is ashamed, against the proclamation of thy passion, to say thou dost not: therefore tell me true; but tell me then, 'tis so; for, look thy cheeks confess it, th' one to th' other; and thine eyes see it so grossly shown in thy behaviors that in their kind they speak it: only sin and hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue, that truth should be suspected. speak, is't so? if it be so, you have wound a goodly clew; if it be not, forswear't: howe'er, i charge thee, as heaven shall work in me for thine avail, tell me truly. helena good madam, pardon me! countess do you love my son? helena your pardon, noble mistress! countess love you my son? helena do not you love him, madam? countess go not about; my love hath in't a bond, whereof the world takes note: come, come, disclose the state of your affection; for your passions have to the full appeach'd. helena then, i confess, here on my knee, before high heaven and you, that before you, and next unto high heaven, i love your son. my friends were poor, but honest; so's my love: be not offended; for it hurts not him that he is loved of me: i follow him not by any token of presumptuous suit; nor would i have him till i do deserve him; yet never know how that desert should be. i know i love in vain, strive against hope; yet in this captious and intenible sieve i still pour in the waters of my love and lack not to lose still: thus, indian-like, religious in mine error, i adore the sun, that looks upon his worshipper, but knows of him no more. my dearest madam, let not your hate encounter with my love for loving where you do: but if yourself, whose aged honour cites a virtuous youth, did ever in so true a flame of liking wish chastely and love dearly, that your dian was both herself and love: o, then, give pity to her, whose state is such that cannot choose but lend and give where she is sure to lose; that seeks not to find that her search implies, but riddle-like lives sweetly where she dies! countess had you not lately an intent,--speak truly,- to go to paris? helena madam, i had. countess wherefore? tell true. helena i will tell truth; by grace itself i swear. you know my father left me some prescriptions of rare and proved effects, such as his reading and manifest experience had collected for general sovereignty; and that he will'd me in heedfull'st reservation to bestow them, as notes whose faculties inclusive were more than they were in note: amongst the rest, there is a remedy, approved, set down, to cure the desperate languishings whereof the king is render'd lost. countess this was your motive for paris, was it? speak. helena my lord your son made me to think of this; else paris and the medicine and the king had from the conversation of my thoughts haply been absent then. countess but think you, helen, if you should tender your supposed aid, he would receive it? he and his physicians are of a mind; he, that they cannot help him, they, that they cannot help: how shall they credit a poor unlearned virgin, when the schools, embowell'd of their doctrine, have left off the danger to itself? helena there's something in't, more than my father's skill, which was the greatest of his profession, that his good receipt shall for my legacy be sanctified by the luckiest stars in heaven: and, would your honour but give me leave to try success, i'ld venture the well-lost life of mine on his grace's cure by such a day and hour. countess dost thou believe't? helena ay, madam, knowingly. countess why, helen, thou shalt have my leave and love, means and attendants and my loving greetings to those of mine in court: i'll stay at home and pray god's blessing into thy attempt: be gone to-morrow; and be sure of this, what i can help thee to thou shalt not miss. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act ii scene i paris. the king's palace. [flourish of cornets. enter the king, attended with divers young lords taking leave for the florentine war; bertram, and parolles] king farewell, young lords; these warlike principles do not throw from you: and you, my lords, farewell: share the advice betwixt you; if both gain, all the gift doth stretch itself as 'tis received, and is enough for both. first lord 'tis our hope, sir, after well enter'd soldiers, to return and find your grace in health. king no, no, it cannot be; and yet my heart will not confess he owes the malady that doth my life besiege. farewell, young lords; whether i live or die, be you the sons of worthy frenchmen: let higher italy,- those bated that inherit but the fall of the last monarchy,--see that you come not to woo honour, but to wed it; when the bravest questant shrinks, find what you seek, that fame may cry you loud: i say, farewell. second lord health, at your bidding, serve your majesty! king those girls of italy, take heed of them: they say, our french lack language to deny, if they demand: beware of being captives, before you serve. both our hearts receive your warnings. king farewell. come hither to me. [exit, attended] first lord o, my sweet lord, that you will stay behind us! parolles 'tis not his fault, the spark. second lord o, 'tis brave wars! parolles most admirable: i have seen those wars. bertram i am commanded here, and kept a coil with 'too young' and 'the next year' and ''tis too early.' parolles an thy mind stand to't, boy, steal away bravely. bertram i shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, till honour be bought up and no sword worn but one to dance with! by heaven, i'll steal away. first lord there's honour in the theft. parolles commit it, count. second lord i am your accessary; and so, farewell. bertram i grow to you, and our parting is a tortured body. first lord farewell, captain. second lord sweet monsieur parolles! parolles noble heroes, my sword and yours are kin. good sparks and lustrous, a word, good metals: you shall find in the regiment of the spinii one captain spurio, with his cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek; it was this very sword entrenched it: say to him, i live; and observe his reports for me. first lord we shall, noble captain. [exeunt lords] parolles mars dote on you for his novices! what will ye do? bertram stay: the king. [re-enter king. bertram and parolles retire] parolles [to bertram] use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords; you have restrained yourself within the list of too cold an adieu: be more expressive to them: for they wear themselves in the cap of the time, there do muster true gait, eat, speak, and move under the influence of the most received star; and though the devil lead the measure, such are to be followed: after them, and take a more dilated farewell. bertram and i will do so. parolles worthy fellows; and like to prove most sinewy sword-men. [exeunt bertram and parolles] [enter lafeu] lafeu [kneeling] pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. king i'll fee thee to stand up. lafeu then here's a man stands, that has brought his pardon. i would you had kneel'd, my lord, to ask me mercy, and that at my bidding you could so stand up. king i would i had; so i had broke thy pate, and ask'd thee mercy for't. lafeu good faith, across: but, my good lord 'tis thus; will you be cured of your infirmity? king no. lafeu o, will you eat no grapes, my royal fox? yes, but you will my noble grapes, an if my royal fox could reach them: i have seen a medicine that's able to breathe life into a stone, quicken a rock, and make you dance canary with spritely fire and motion; whose simple touch, is powerful to araise king pepin, nay, to give great charlemain a pen in's hand, and write to her a love-line. king what 'her' is this? lafeu why, doctor she: my lord, there's one arrived, if you will see her: now, by my faith and honour, if seriously i may convey my thoughts in this my light deliverance, i have spoke with one that, in her sex, her years, profession, wisdom and constancy, hath amazed me more than i dare blame my weakness: will you see her for that is her demand, and know her business? that done, laugh well at me. king now, good lafeu, bring in the admiration; that we with thee may spend our wonder too, or take off thine by wondering how thou took'st it. lafeu nay, i'll fit you, and not be all day neither. [exit] king thus he his special nothing ever prologues. [re-enter lafeu, with helena] lafeu nay, come your ways. king this haste hath wings indeed. lafeu nay, come your ways: this is his majesty; say your mind to him: a traitor you do look like; but such traitors his majesty seldom fears: i am cressid's uncle, that dare leave two together; fare you well. [exit] king now, fair one, does your business follow us? helena ay, my good lord. gerard de narbon was my father; in what he did profess, well found. king i knew him. helena the rather will i spare my praises towards him: knowing him is enough. on's bed of death many receipts he gave me: chiefly one. which, as the dearest issue of his practise, and of his old experience the oily darling, he bade me store up, as a triple eye, safer than mine own two, more dear; i have so; and hearing your high majesty is touch'd with that malignant cause wherein the honour of my dear father's gift stands chief in power, i come to tender it and my appliance with all bound humbleness. king we thank you, maiden; but may not be so credulous of cure, when our most learned doctors leave us and the congregated college have concluded that labouring art can never ransom nature from her inaidible estate; i say we must not so stain our judgment, or corrupt our hope, to prostitute our past-cure malady to empirics, or to dissever so our great self and our credit, to esteem a senseless help when help past sense we deem. helena my duty then shall pay me for my pains: i will no more enforce mine office on you. humbly entreating from your royal thoughts a modest one, to bear me back a again. king i cannot give thee less, to be call'd grateful: thou thought'st to help me; and such thanks i give as one near death to those that wish him live: but what at full i know, thou know'st no part, i knowing all my peril, thou no art. helena what i can do can do no hurt to try, since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy. he that of greatest works is finisher oft does them by the weakest minister: so holy writ in babes hath judgment shown, when judges have been babes; great floods have flown from simple sources, and great seas have dried when miracles have by the greatest been denied. oft expectation fails and most oft there where most it promises, and oft it hits where hope is coldest and despair most fits. king i must not hear thee; fare thee well, kind maid; thy pains not used must by thyself be paid: proffers not took reap thanks for their reward. helena inspired merit so by breath is barr'd: it is not so with him that all things knows as 'tis with us that square our guess by shows; but most it is presumption in us when the help of heaven we count the act of men. dear sir, to my endeavours give consent; of heaven, not me, make an experiment. i am not an impostor that proclaim myself against the level of mine aim; but know i think and think i know most sure my art is not past power nor you past cure. king are thou so confident? within what space hopest thou my cure? helena the great'st grace lending grace ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring their fiery torcher his diurnal ring, ere twice in murk and occidental damp moist hesperus hath quench'd his sleepy lamp, or four and twenty times the pilot's glass hath told the thievish minutes how they pass, what is infirm from your sound parts shall fly, health shall live free and sickness freely die. king upon thy certainty and confidence what darest thou venture? helena tax of impudence, a strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame traduced by odious ballads: my maiden's name sear'd otherwise; nay, worse--if worse--extended with vilest torture let my life be ended. king methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak his powerful sound within an organ weak: and what impossibility would slay in common sense, sense saves another way. thy life is dear; for all that life can rate worth name of life in thee hath estimate, youth, beauty, wisdom, courage, all that happiness and prime can happy call: thou this to hazard needs must intimate skill infinite or monstrous desperate. sweet practiser, thy physic i will try, that ministers thine own death if i die. helena if i break time, or flinch in property of what i spoke, unpitied let me die, and well deserved: not helping, death's my fee; but, if i help, what do you promise me? king make thy demand. helena but will you make it even? king ay, by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven. helena then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand what husband in thy power i will command: exempted be from me the arrogance to choose from forth the royal blood of france, my low and humble name to propagate with any branch or image of thy state; but such a one, thy vassal, whom i know is free for me to ask, thee to bestow. king here is my hand; the premises observed, thy will by my performance shall be served: so make the choice of thy own time, for i, thy resolved patient, on thee still rely. more should i question thee, and more i must, though more to know could not be more to trust, from whence thou camest, how tended on: but rest unquestion'd welcome and undoubted blest. give me some help here, ho! if thou proceed as high as word, my deed shall match thy meed. [flourish. exeunt] all's well that ends well act ii scene ii rousillon. the count's palace. [enter countess and clown] countess come on, sir; i shall now put you to the height of your breeding. clown i will show myself highly fed and lowly taught: i know my business is but to the court. countess to the court! why, what place make you special, when you put off that with such contempt? but to the court! clown truly, madam, if god have lent a man any manners, he may easily put it off at court: he that cannot make a leg, put off's cap, kiss his hand and say nothing, has neither leg, hands, lip, nor cap; and indeed such a fellow, to say precisely, were not for the court; but for me, i have an answer will serve all men. countess marry, that's a bountiful answer that fits all questions. clown it is like a barber's chair that fits all buttocks, the pin-buttock, the quatch-buttock, the brawn buttock, or any buttock. countess will your answer serve fit to all questions? clown as fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney, as your french crown for your taffeta punk, as tib's rush for tom's forefinger, as a pancake for shrove tuesday, a morris for may-day, as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his horn, as a scolding queen to a wrangling knave, as the nun's lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as the pudding to his skin. countess have you, i say, an answer of such fitness for all questions? clown from below your duke to beneath your constable, it will fit any question. countess it must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands. clown but a trifle neither, in good faith, if the learned should speak truth of it: here it is, and all that belongs to't. ask me if i am a courtier: it shall do you no harm to learn. countess to be young again, if we could: i will be a fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer. i pray you, sir, are you a courtier? clown o lord, sir! there's a simple putting off. more, more, a hundred of them. countess sir, i am a poor friend of yours, that loves you. clown o lord, sir! thick, thick, spare not me. countess i think, sir, you can eat none of this homely meat. clown o lord, sir! nay, put me to't, i warrant you. countess you were lately whipped, sir, as i think. clown o lord, sir! spare not me. countess do you cry, 'o lord, sir!' at your whipping, and 'spare not me?' indeed your 'o lord, sir!' is very sequent to your whipping: you would answer very well to a whipping, if you were but bound to't. clown i ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'o lord, sir!' i see things may serve long, but not serve ever. countess i play the noble housewife with the time to entertain't so merrily with a fool. clown o lord, sir! why, there't serves well again. countess an end, sir; to your business. give helen this, and urge her to a present answer back: commend me to my kinsmen and my son: this is not much. clown not much commendation to them. countess not much employment for you: you understand me? clown most fruitfully: i am there before my legs. countess haste you again. [exeunt severally] all's well that ends well act ii scene iii paris. the king's palace. [enter bertram, lafeu, and parolles] lafeu they say miracles are past; and we have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. hence is it that we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge, when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear. parolles why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times. bertram and so 'tis. lafeu to be relinquish'd of the artists,- parolles so i say. lafeu both of galen and paracelsus. parolles so i say. lafeu of all the learned and authentic fellows,- parolles right; so i say. lafeu that gave him out incurable,- parolles why, there 'tis; so say i too. lafeu not to be helped,- parolles right; as 'twere, a man assured of a- lafeu uncertain life, and sure death. parolles just, you say well; so would i have said. lafeu i may truly say, it is a novelty to the world. parolles it is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, you shall read it in--what do you call there? lafeu a showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor. parolles that's it; i would have said the very same. lafeu why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me, i speak in respect- parolles nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the brief and the tedious of it; and he's of a most facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the- lafeu very hand of heaven. parolles ay, so i say. lafeu in a most weak- [pausing] and debile minister, great power, great transcendence: which should, indeed, give us a further use to be made than alone the recovery of the king, as to be- [pausing] generally thankful. parolles i would have said it; you say well. here comes the king. [enter king, helena, and attendants. lafeu and parolles retire] lafeu lustig, as the dutchman says: i'll like a maid the better, whilst i have a tooth in my head: why, he's able to lead her a coranto. parolles mort du vinaigre! is not this helen? lafeu 'fore god, i think so. king go, call before me all the lords in court. sit, my preserver, by thy patient's side; and with this healthful hand, whose banish'd sense thou hast repeal'd, a second time receive the confirmation of my promised gift, which but attends thy naming. [enter three or four lords] fair maid, send forth thine eye: this youthful parcel of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing, o'er whom both sovereign power and father's voice i have to use: thy frank election make; thou hast power to choose, and they none to forsake. helena to each of you one fair and virtuous mistress fall, when love please! marry, to each, but one! lafeu i'ld give bay curtal and his furniture, my mouth no more were broken than these boys', and writ as little beard. king peruse them well: not one of those but had a noble father. helena gentlemen, heaven hath through me restored the king to health. all we understand it, and thank heaven for you. helena i am a simple maid, and therein wealthiest, that i protest i simply am a maid. please it your majesty, i have done already: the blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me, 'we blush that thou shouldst choose; but, be refused, let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever; we'll ne'er come there again.' king make choice; and, see, who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me. helena now, dian, from thy altar do i fly, and to imperial love, that god most high, do my sighs stream. sir, will you hear my suit? first lord and grant it. helena thanks, sir; all the rest is mute. lafeu i had rather be in this choice than throw ames-ace for my life. helena the honour, sir, that flames in your fair eyes, before i speak, too threateningly replies: love make your fortunes twenty times above her that so wishes and her humble love! second lord no better, if you please. helena my wish receive, which great love grant! and so, i take my leave. lafeu do all they deny her? an they were sons of mine, i'd have them whipped; or i would send them to the turk, to make eunuchs of. helena be not afraid that i your hand should take; i'll never do you wrong for your own sake: blessing upon your vows! and in your bed find fairer fortune, if you ever wed! lafeu these boys are boys of ice, they'll none have her: sure, they are bastards to the english; the french ne'er got 'em. helena you are too young, too happy, and too good, to make yourself a son out of my blood. fourth lord fair one, i think not so. lafeu there's one grape yet; i am sure thy father drunk wine: but if thou be'st not an ass, i am a youth of fourteen; i have known thee already. helena [to bertram] i dare not say i take you; but i give me and my service, ever whilst i live, into your guiding power. this is the man. king why, then, young bertram, take her; she's thy wife. bertram my wife, my liege! i shall beseech your highness, in such a business give me leave to use the help of mine own eyes. king know'st thou not, bertram, what she has done for me? bertram yes, my good lord; but never hope to know why i should marry her. king thou know'st she has raised me from my sickly bed. bertram but follows it, my lord, to bring me down must answer for your raising? i know her well: she had her breeding at my father's charge. a poor physician's daughter my wife! disdain rather corrupt me ever! king 'tis only title thou disdain'st in her, the which i can build up. strange is it that our bloods, of colour, weight, and heat, pour'd all together, would quite confound distinction, yet stand off in differences so mighty. if she be all that is virtuous, save what thou dislikest, a poor physician's daughter, thou dislikest of virtue for the name: but do not so: from lowest place when virtuous things proceed, the place is dignified by the doer's deed: where great additions swell's, and virtue none, it is a dropsied honour. good alone is good without a name. vileness is so: the property by what it is should go, not by the title. she is young, wise, fair; in these to nature she's immediate heir, and these breed honour: that is honour's scorn, which challenges itself as honour's born and is not like the sire: honours thrive, when rather from our acts we them derive than our foregoers: the mere word's a slave debosh'd on every tomb, on every grave a lying trophy, and as oft is dumb where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb of honour'd bones indeed. what should be said? if thou canst like this creature as a maid, i can create the rest: virtue and she is her own dower; honour and wealth from me. bertram i cannot love her, nor will strive to do't. king thou wrong'st thyself, if thou shouldst strive to choose. helena that you are well restored, my lord, i'm glad: let the rest go. king my honour's at the stake; which to defeat, i must produce my power. here, take her hand, proud scornful boy, unworthy this good gift; that dost in vile misprision shackle up my love and her desert; that canst not dream, we, poising us in her defective scale, shall weigh thee to the beam; that wilt not know, it is in us to plant thine honour where we please to have it grow. cheque thy contempt: obey our will, which travails in thy good: believe not thy disdain, but presently do thine own fortunes that obedient right which both thy duty owes and our power claims; or i will throw thee from my care for ever into the staggers and the careless lapse of youth and ignorance; both my revenge and hate loosing upon thee, in the name of justice, without all terms of pity. speak; thine answer. bertram pardon, my gracious lord; for i submit my fancy to your eyes: when i consider what great creation and what dole of honour flies where you bid it, i find that she, which late was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now the praised of the king; who, so ennobled, is as 'twere born so. king take her by the hand, and tell her she is thine: to whom i promise a counterpoise, if not to thy estate a balance more replete. bertram i take her hand. king good fortune and the favour of the king smile upon this contract; whose ceremony shall seem expedient on the now-born brief, and be perform'd to-night: the solemn feast shall more attend upon the coming space, expecting absent friends. as thou lovest her, thy love's to me religious; else, does err. [exeunt all but lafeu and parolles] lafeu [advancing] do you hear, monsieur? a word with you. parolles your pleasure, sir? lafeu your lord and master did well to make his recantation. parolles recantation! my lord! my master! lafeu ay; is it not a language i speak? parolles a most harsh one, and not to be understood without bloody succeeding. my master! lafeu are you companion to the count rousillon? parolles to any count, to all counts, to what is man. lafeu to what is count's man: count's master is of another style. parolles you are too old, sir; let it satisfy you, you are too old. lafeu i must tell thee, sirrah, i write man; to which title age cannot bring thee. parolles what i dare too well do, i dare not do. lafeu i did think thee, for two ordinaries, to be a pretty wise fellow; thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel; it might pass: yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of too great a burthen. i have now found thee; when i lose thee again, i care not: yet art thou good for nothing but taking up; and that thou't scarce worth. parolles hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon thee,- lafeu do not plunge thyself too far in anger, lest thou hasten thy trial; which if--lord have mercy on thee for a hen! so, my good window of lattice, fare thee well: thy casement i need not open, for i look through thee. give me thy hand. parolles my lord, you give me most egregious indignity. lafeu ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it. parolles i have not, my lord, deserved it. lafeu yes, good faith, every dram of it; and i will not bate thee a scruple. parolles well, i shall be wiser. lafeu even as soon as thou canst, for thou hast to pull at a smack o' the contrary. if ever thou be'st bound in thy scarf and beaten, thou shalt find what it is to be proud of thy bondage. i have a desire to hold my acquaintance with thee, or rather my knowledge, that i may say in the default, he is a man i know. parolles my lord, you do me most insupportable vexation. lafeu i would it were hell-pains for thy sake, and my poor doing eternal: for doing i am past: as i will by thee, in what motion age will give me leave. [exit] parolles well, thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off me; scurvy, old, filthy, scurvy lord! well, i must be patient; there is no fettering of authority. i'll beat him, by my life, if i can meet him with any convenience, an he were double and double a lord. i'll have no more pity of his age than i would of--i'll beat him, an if i could but meet him again. [re-enter lafeu] lafeu sirrah, your lord and master's married; there's news for you: you have a new mistress. parolles i most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make some reservation of your wrongs: he is my good lord: whom i serve above is my master. lafeu who? god? parolles ay, sir. lafeu the devil it is that's thy master. why dost thou garter up thy arms o' this fashion? dost make hose of sleeves? do other servants so? thou wert best set thy lower part where thy nose stands. by mine honour, if i were but two hours younger, i'ld beat thee: methinks, thou art a general offence, and every man should beat thee: i think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee. parolles this is hard and undeserved measure, my lord. lafeu go to, sir; you were beaten in italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate; you are a vagabond and no true traveller: you are more saucy with lords and honourable personages than the commission of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry. you are not worth another word, else i'ld call you knave. i leave you. [exit] parolles good, very good; it is so then: good, very good; let it be concealed awhile. [re-enter bertram] bertram undone, and forfeited to cares for ever! parolles what's the matter, sweet-heart? bertram although before the solemn priest i have sworn, i will not bed her. parolles what, what, sweet-heart? bertram o my parolles, they have married me! i'll to the tuscan wars, and never bed her. parolles france is a dog-hole, and it no more merits the tread of a man's foot: to the wars! bertram there's letters from my mother: what the import is, i know not yet. parolles ay, that would be known. to the wars, my boy, to the wars! he wears his honour in a box unseen, that hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, spending his manly marrow in her arms, which should sustain the bound and high curvet of mars's fiery steed. to other regions france is a stable; we that dwell in't jades; therefore, to the war! bertram it shall be so: i'll send her to my house, acquaint my mother with my hate to her, and wherefore i am fled; write to the king that which i durst not speak; his present gift shall furnish me to those italian fields, where noble fellows strike: war is no strife to the dark house and the detested wife. parolles will this capriccio hold in thee? art sure? bertram go with me to my chamber, and advise me. i'll send her straight away: to-morrow i'll to the wars, she to her single sorrow. parolles why, these balls bound; there's noise in it. 'tis hard: a young man married is a man that's marr'd: therefore away, and leave her bravely; go: the king has done you wrong: but, hush, 'tis so. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act ii scene iv paris. the king's palace. [enter helena and clown] helena my mother greets me kindly; is she well? clown she is not well; but yet she has her health: she's very merry; but yet she is not well: but thanks be given, she's very well and wants nothing i', the world; but yet she is not well. helena if she be very well, what does she ail, that she's not very well? clown truly, she's very well indeed, but for two things. helena what two things? clown one, that she's not in heaven, whither god send her quickly! the other that she's in earth, from whence god send her quickly! [enter parolles] parolles bless you, my fortunate lady! helena i hope, sir, i have your good will to have mine own good fortunes. parolles you had my prayers to lead them on; and to keep them on, have them still. o, my knave, how does my old lady? clown so that you had her wrinkles and i her money, i would she did as you say. parolles why, i say nothing. clown marry, you are the wiser man; for many a man's tongue shakes out his master's undoing: to say nothing, to do nothing, to know nothing, and to have nothing, is to be a great part of your title; which is within a very little of nothing. parolles away! thou'rt a knave. clown you should have said, sir, before a knave thou'rt a knave; that's, before me thou'rt a knave: this had been truth, sir. parolles go to, thou art a witty fool; i have found thee. clown did you find me in yourself, sir? or were you taught to find me? the search, sir, was profitable; and much fool may you find in you, even to the world's pleasure and the increase of laughter. parolles a good knave, i' faith, and well fed. madam, my lord will go away to-night; a very serious business calls on him. the great prerogative and rite of love, which, as your due, time claims, he does acknowledge; but puts it off to a compell'd restraint; whose want, and whose delay, is strew'd with sweets, which they distil now in the curbed time, to make the coming hour o'erflow with joy and pleasure drown the brim. helena what's his will else? parolles that you will take your instant leave o' the king and make this haste as your own good proceeding, strengthen'd with what apology you think may make it probable need. helena what more commands he? parolles that, having this obtain'd, you presently attend his further pleasure. helena in every thing i wait upon his will. parolles i shall report it so. helena i pray you. [exit parolles] come, sirrah. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act ii scene v paris. the king's palace. [enter lafeu and bertram] lafeu but i hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier. bertram yes, my lord, and of very valiant approof. lafeu you have it from his own deliverance. bertram and by other warranted testimony. lafeu then my dial goes not true: i took this lark for a bunting. bertram i do assure you, my lord, he is very great in knowledge and accordingly valiant. lafeu i have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour; and my state that way is dangerous, since i cannot yet find in my heart to repent. here he comes: i pray you, make us friends; i will pursue the amity. [enter parolles] parolles [to bertram] these things shall be done, sir. lafeu pray you, sir, who's his tailor? parolles sir? lafeu o, i know him well, i, sir; he, sir, 's a good workman, a very good tailor. bertram [aside to parolles] is she gone to the king? parolles she is. bertram will she away to-night? parolles as you'll have her. bertram i have writ my letters, casketed my treasure, given order for our horses; and to-night, when i should take possession of the bride, end ere i do begin. lafeu a good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner; but one that lies three thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with, should be once heard and thrice beaten. god save you, captain. bertram is there any unkindness between my lord and you, monsieur? parolles i know not how i have deserved to run into my lord's displeasure. lafeu you have made shift to run into 't, boots and spurs and all, like him that leaped into the custard; and out of it you'll run again, rather than suffer question for your residence. bertram it may be you have mistaken him, my lord. lafeu and shall do so ever, though i took him at 's prayers. fare you well, my lord; and believe this of me, there can be no kernel in this light nut; the soul of this man is his clothes. trust him not in matter of heavy consequence; i have kept of them tame, and know their natures. farewell, monsieur: i have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve at my hand; but we must do good against evil. [exit] parolles an idle lord. i swear. bertram i think so. parolles why, do you not know him? bertram yes, i do know him well, and common speech gives him a worthy pass. here comes my clog. [enter helena] helena i have, sir, as i was commanded from you, spoke with the king and have procured his leave for present parting; only he desires some private speech with you. bertram i shall obey his will. you must not marvel, helen, at my course, which holds not colour with the time, nor does the ministration and required office on my particular. prepared i was not for such a business; therefore am i found so much unsettled: this drives me to entreat you that presently you take our way for home; and rather muse than ask why i entreat you, for my respects are better than they seem and my appointments have in them a need greater than shows itself at the first view to you that know them not. this to my mother: [giving a letter] 'twill be two days ere i shall see you, so i leave you to your wisdom. helena sir, i can nothing say, but that i am your most obedient servant. bertram come, come, no more of that. helena and ever shall with true observance seek to eke out that wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd to equal my great fortune. bertram let that go: my haste is very great: farewell; hie home. helena pray, sir, your pardon. bertram well, what would you say? helena i am not worthy of the wealth i owe, nor dare i say 'tis mine, and yet it is; but, like a timorous thief, most fain would steal what law does vouch mine own. bertram what would you have? helena something; and scarce so much: nothing, indeed. i would not tell you what i would, my lord: faith yes; strangers and foes do sunder, and not kiss. bertram i pray you, stay not, but in haste to horse. helena i shall not break your bidding, good my lord. bertram where are my other men, monsieur? farewell. [exit helena] go thou toward home; where i will never come whilst i can shake my sword or hear the drum. away, and for our flight. parolles bravely, coragio! [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene i florence. the duke's palace. [flourish. enter the duke of florence attended; the two frenchmen, with a troop of soldiers. duke so that from point to point now have you heard the fundamental reasons of this war, whose great decision hath much blood let forth and more thirsts after. first lord holy seems the quarrel upon your grace's part; black and fearful on the opposer. duke therefore we marvel much our cousin france would in so just a business shut his bosom against our borrowing prayers. second lord good my lord, the reasons of our state i cannot yield, but like a common and an outward man, that the great figure of a council frames by self-unable motion: therefore dare not say what i think of it, since i have found myself in my incertain grounds to fail as often as i guess'd. duke be it his pleasure. first lord but i am sure the younger of our nature, that surfeit on their ease, will day by day come here for physic. duke welcome shall they be; and all the honours that can fly from us shall on them settle. you know your places well; when better fall, for your avails they fell: to-morrow to the field. [flourish. exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene ii rousillon. the count's palace. [enter countess and clown] countess it hath happened all as i would have had it, save that he comes not along with her. clown by my troth, i take my young lord to be a very melancholy man. countess by what observance, i pray you? clown why, he will look upon his boot and sing; mend the ruff and sing; ask questions and sing; pick his teeth and sing. i know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song. countess let me see what he writes, and when he means to come. [opening a letter] clown i have no mind to isbel since i was at court: our old ling and our isbels o' the country are nothing like your old ling and your isbels o' the court: the brains of my cupid's knocked out, and i begin to love, as an old man loves money, with no stomach. countess what have we here? clown e'en that you have there. [exit] countess [reads] i have sent you a daughter-in-law: she hath recovered the king, and undone me. i have wedded her, not bedded her; and sworn to make the 'not' eternal. you shall hear i am run away: know it before the report come. if there be breadth enough in the world, i will hold a long distance. my duty to you. your unfortunate son, bertram. this is not well, rash and unbridled boy. to fly the favours of so good a king; to pluck his indignation on thy head by the misprising of a maid too virtuous for the contempt of empire. [re-enter clown] clown o madam, yonder is heavy news within between two soldiers and my young lady! countess what is the matter? clown nay, there is some comfort in the news, some comfort; your son will not be killed so soon as i thought he would. countess why should he be killed? clown so say i, madam, if he run away, as i hear he does: the danger is in standing to't; that's the loss of men, though it be the getting of children. here they come will tell you more: for my part, i only hear your son was run away. [exit] [enter helena, and two gentlemen] first gentleman save you, good madam. helena madam, my lord is gone, for ever gone. second gentleman do not say so. countess think upon patience. pray you, gentlemen, i have felt so many quirks of joy and grief, that the first face of neither, on the start, can woman me unto't: where is my son, i pray you? second gentleman madam, he's gone to serve the duke of florence: we met him thitherward; for thence we came, and, after some dispatch in hand at court, thither we bend again. helena look on his letter, madam; here's my passport. [reads] when thou canst get the ring upon my finger which never shall come off, and show me a child begotten of thy body that i am father to, then call me husband: but in such a 'then' i write a 'never.' this is a dreadful sentence. countess brought you this letter, gentlemen? first gentleman ay, madam; and for the contents' sake are sorry for our pain. countess i prithee, lady, have a better cheer; if thou engrossest all the griefs are thine, thou robb'st me of a moiety: he was my son; but i do wash his name out of my blood, and thou art all my child. towards florence is he? second gentleman ay, madam. countess and to be a soldier? second gentleman such is his noble purpose; and believe 't, the duke will lay upon him all the honour that good convenience claims. countess return you thither? first gentleman ay, madam, with the swiftest wing of speed. helena [reads] till i have no wife i have nothing in france. 'tis bitter. countess find you that there? helena ay, madam. first gentleman 'tis but the boldness of his hand, haply, which his heart was not consenting to. countess nothing in france, until he have no wife! there's nothing here that is too good for him but only she; and she deserves a lord that twenty such rude boys might tend upon and call her hourly mistress. who was with him? first gentleman a servant only, and a gentleman which i have sometime known. countess parolles, was it not? first gentleman ay, my good lady, he. countess a very tainted fellow, and full of wickedness. my son corrupts a well-derived nature with his inducement. first gentleman indeed, good lady, the fellow has a deal of that too much, which holds him much to have. countess you're welcome, gentlemen. i will entreat you, when you see my son, to tell him that his sword can never win the honour that he loses: more i'll entreat you written to bear along. second gentleman we serve you, madam, in that and all your worthiest affairs. countess not so, but as we change our courtesies. will you draw near! [exeunt countess and gentlemen] helena 'till i have no wife, i have nothing in france.' nothing in france, until he has no wife! thou shalt have none, rousillon, none in france; then hast thou all again. poor lord! is't i that chase thee from thy country and expose those tender limbs of thine to the event of the none-sparing war? and is it i that drive thee from the sportive court, where thou wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark of smoky muskets? o you leaden messengers, that ride upon the violent speed of fire, fly with false aim; move the still-peering air, that sings with piercing; do not touch my lord. whoever shoots at him, i set him there; whoever charges on his forward breast, i am the caitiff that do hold him to't; and, though i kill him not, i am the cause his death was so effected: better 'twere i met the ravin lion when he roar'd with sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere that all the miseries which nature owes were mine at once. no, come thou home, rousillon, whence honour but of danger wins a scar, as oft it loses all: i will be gone; my being here it is that holds thee hence: shall i stay here to do't? no, no, although the air of paradise did fan the house and angels officed all: i will be gone, that pitiful rumour may report my flight, to consolate thine ear. come, night; end, day! for with the dark, poor thief, i'll steal away. [exit] all's well that ends well act iii scene iii florence. before the duke's palace. [flourish. enter the duke of florence, bertram, parolles, soldiers, drum, and trumpets] duke the general of our horse thou art; and we, great in our hope, lay our best love and credence upon thy promising fortune. bertram sir, it is a charge too heavy for my strength, but yet we'll strive to bear it for your worthy sake to the extreme edge of hazard. duke then go thou forth; and fortune play upon thy prosperous helm, as thy auspicious mistress! bertram this very day, great mars, i put myself into thy file: make me but like my thoughts, and i shall prove a lover of thy drum, hater of love. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene iv rousillon. the count's palace. [enter countess and steward] countess alas! and would you take the letter of her? might you not know she would do as she has done, by sending me a letter? read it again. steward [reads] i am saint jaques' pilgrim, thither gone: ambitious love hath so in me offended, that barefoot plod i the cold ground upon, with sainted vow my faults to have amended. write, write, that from the bloody course of war my dearest master, your dear son, may hie: bless him at home in peace, whilst i from far his name with zealous fervor sanctify: his taken labours bid him me forgive; i, his despiteful juno, sent him forth from courtly friends, with camping foes to live, where death and danger dogs the heels of worth: he is too good and fair for death and me: whom i myself embrace, to set him free. countess ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words! rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much, as letting her pass so: had i spoke with her, i could have well diverted her intents, which thus she hath prevented. steward pardon me, madam: if i had given you this at over-night, she might have been o'erta'en; and yet she writes, pursuit would be but vain. countess what angel shall bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear and loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath of greatest justice. write, write, rinaldo, to this unworthy husband of his wife; let every word weigh heavy of her worth that he does weigh too light: my greatest grief. though little he do feel it, set down sharply. dispatch the most convenient messenger: when haply he shall hear that she is gone, he will return; and hope i may that she, hearing so much, will speed her foot again, led hither by pure love: which of them both is dearest to me. i have no skill in sense to make distinction: provide this messenger: my heart is heavy and mine age is weak; grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene v florence. without the walls. a tucket afar off. [enter an old widow of florence, diana, violenta, and mariana, with other citizens] widow nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight. diana they say the french count has done most honourable service. widow it is reported that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother. [tucket] we have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets. mariana come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. well, diana, take heed of this french earl: the honour of a maid is her name; and no legacy is so rich as honesty. widow i have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion. mariana i know that knave; hang him! one parolles: a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl. beware of them, diana; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, are not the things they go under: many a maid hath been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. i hope i need not to advise you further; but i hope your own grace will keep you where you are, though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost. diana you shall not need to fear me. widow i hope so. [enter helena, disguised like a pilgrim] look, here comes a pilgrim: i know she will lie at my house; thither they send one another: i'll question her. god save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound? helena to saint jaques le grand. where do the palmers lodge, i do beseech you? widow at the saint francis here beside the port. helena is this the way? widow ay, marry, is't. [a march afar] hark you! they come this way. if you will tarry, holy pilgrim, but till the troops come by, i will conduct you where you shall be lodged; the rather, for i think i know your hostess as ample as myself. helena is it yourself? widow if you shall please so, pilgrim. helena i thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. widow you came, i think, from france? helena i did so. widow here you shall see a countryman of yours that has done worthy service. helena his name, i pray you. diana the count rousillon: know you such a one? helena but by the ear, that hears most nobly of him: his face i know not. diana whatsome'er he is, he's bravely taken here. he stole from france, as 'tis reported, for the king had married him against his liking: think you it is so? helena ay, surely, mere the truth: i know his lady. diana there is a gentleman that serves the count reports but coarsely of her. helena what's his name? diana monsieur parolles. helena o, i believe with him, in argument of praise, or to the worth of the great count himself, she is too mean to have her name repeated: all her deserving is a reserved honesty, and that i have not heard examined. diana alas, poor lady! 'tis a hard bondage to become the wife of a detesting lord. widow i warrant, good creature, wheresoe'er she is, her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her a shrewd turn, if she pleased. helena how do you mean? may be the amorous count solicits her in the unlawful purpose. widow he does indeed; and brokes with all that can in such a suit corrupt the tender honour of a maid: but she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard in honestest defence. mariana the gods forbid else! widow so, now they come: [drum and colours] [enter bertram, parolles, and the whole army] that is antonio, the duke's eldest son; that, escalus. helena which is the frenchman? diana he; that with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow. i would he loved his wife: if he were honester he were much goodlier: is't not a handsome gentleman? helena i like him well. diana 'tis pity he is not honest: yond's that same knave that leads him to these places: were i his lady, i would poison that vile rascal. helena which is he? diana that jack-an-apes with scarfs: why is he melancholy? helena perchance he's hurt i' the battle. parolles lose our drum! well. mariana he's shrewdly vexed at something: look, he has spied us. widow marry, hang you! mariana and your courtesy, for a ring-carrier! [exeunt bertram, parolles, and army] widow the troop is past. come, pilgrim, i will bring you where you shall host: of enjoin'd penitents there's four or five, to great saint jaques bound, already at my house. helena i humbly thank you: please it this matron and this gentle maid to eat with us to-night, the charge and thanking shall be for me; and, to requite you further, i will bestow some precepts of this virgin worthy the note. both we'll take your offer kindly. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene vi camp before florence. [enter bertram and the two french lords] second lord nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him have his way. first lord if your lordship find him not a hilding, hold me no more in your respect. second lord on my life, my lord, a bubble. bertram do you think i am so far deceived in him? second lord believe it, my lord, in mine own direct knowledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as my kinsman, he's a most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of no one good quality worthy your lordship's entertainment. first lord it were fit you knew him; lest, reposing too far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might at some great and trusty business in a main danger fail you. bertram i would i knew in what particular action to try him. first lord none better than to let him fetch off his drum, which you hear him so confidently undertake to do. second lord i, with a troop of florentines, will suddenly surprise him; such i will have, whom i am sure he knows not from the enemy: we will bind and hoodwink him so, that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries, when we bring him to our own tents. be but your lordship present at his examination: if he do not, for the promise of his life and in the highest compulsion of base fear, offer to betray you and deliver all the intelligence in his power against you, and that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath, never trust my judgment in any thing. first lord o, for the love of laughter, let him fetch his drum; he says he has a stratagem for't: when your lordship sees the bottom of his success in't, and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be melted, if you give him not john drum's entertainment, your inclining cannot be removed. here he comes. [enter parolles] second lord [aside to bertram] o, for the love of laughter, hinder not the honour of his design: let him fetch off his drum in any hand. bertram how now, monsieur! this drum sticks sorely in your disposition. first lord a pox on't, let it go; 'tis but a drum. parolles 'but a drum'! is't 'but a drum'? a drum so lost! there was excellent command,--to charge in with our horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own soldiers! first lord that was not to be blamed in the command of the service: it was a disaster of war that caesar himself could not have prevented, if he had been there to command. bertram well, we cannot greatly condemn our success: some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum; but it is not to be recovered. parolles it might have been recovered. bertram it might; but it is not now. parolles it is to be recovered: but that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer, i would have that drum or another, or 'hic jacet.' bertram why, if you have a stomach, to't, monsieur: if you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this instrument of honour again into his native quarter, be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on; i will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit: if you speed well in it, the duke shall both speak of it. and extend to you what further becomes his greatness, even to the utmost syllable of your worthiness. parolles by the hand of a soldier, i will undertake it. bertram but you must not now slumber in it. parolles i'll about it this evening: and i will presently pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my certainty, put myself into my mortal preparation; and by midnight look to hear further from me. bertram may i be bold to acquaint his grace you are gone about it? parolles i know not what the success will be, my lord; but the attempt i vow. bertram i know thou'rt valiant; and, to the possibility of thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee. farewell. parolles i love not many words. [exit] second lord no more than a fish loves water. is not this a strange fellow, my lord, that so confidently seems to undertake this business, which he knows is not to be done; damns himself to do and dares better be damned than to do't? first lord you do not know him, my lord, as we do: certain it is that he will steal himself into a man's favour and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries; but when you find him out, you have him ever after. bertram why, do you think he will make no deed at all of this that so seriously he does address himself unto? second lord none in the world; but return with an invention and clap upon you two or three probable lies: but we have almost embossed him; you shall see his fall to-night; for indeed he is not for your lordship's respect. first lord we'll make you some sport with the fox ere we case him. he was first smoked by the old lord lafeu: when his disguise and he is parted, tell me what a sprat you shall find him; which you shall see this very night. second lord i must go look my twigs: he shall be caught. bertram your brother he shall go along with me. second lord as't please your lordship: i'll leave you. [exit] bertram now will i lead you to the house, and show you the lass i spoke of. first lord but you say she's honest. bertram that's all the fault: i spoke with her but once and found her wondrous cold; but i sent to her, by this same coxcomb that we have i' the wind, tokens and letters which she did re-send; and this is all i have done. she's a fair creature: will you go see her? first lord with all my heart, my lord. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iii scene vii florence. the widow's house. [enter helena and widow] helena if you misdoubt me that i am not she, i know not how i shall assure you further, but i shall lose the grounds i work upon. widow though my estate be fallen, i was well born, nothing acquainted with these businesses; and would not put my reputation now in any staining act. helena nor would i wish you. first, give me trust, the count he is my husband, and what to your sworn counsel i have spoken is so from word to word; and then you cannot, by the good aid that i of you shall borrow, err in bestowing it. widow i should believe you: for you have show'd me that which well approves you're great in fortune. helena take this purse of gold, and let me buy your friendly help thus far, which i will over-pay and pay again when i have found it. the count he wooes your daughter, lays down his wanton siege before her beauty, resolved to carry her: let her in fine consent, as we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it. now his important blood will nought deny that she'll demand: a ring the county wears, that downward hath succeeded in his house from son to son, some four or five descents since the first father wore it: this ring he holds in most rich choice; yet in his idle fire, to buy his will, it would not seem too dear, howe'er repented after. widow now i see the bottom of your purpose. helena you see it lawful, then: it is no more, but that your daughter, ere she seems as won, desires this ring; appoints him an encounter; in fine, delivers me to fill the time, herself most chastely absent: after this, to marry her, i'll add three thousand crowns to what is passed already. widow i have yielded: instruct my daughter how she shall persever, that time and place with this deceit so lawful may prove coherent. every night he comes with musics of all sorts and songs composed to her unworthiness: it nothing steads us to chide him from our eaves; for he persists as if his life lay on't. helena why then to-night let us assay our plot; which, if it speed, is wicked meaning in a lawful deed and lawful meaning in a lawful act, where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact: but let's about it. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iv scene i without the florentine camp. [enter second french lord, with five or six other soldiers in ambush] second lord he can come no other way but by this hedge-corner. when you sally upon him, speak what terrible language you will: though you understand it not yourselves, no matter; for we must not seem to understand him, unless some one among us whom we must produce for an interpreter. first soldier good captain, let me be the interpreter. second lord art not acquainted with him? knows he not thy voice? first soldier no, sir, i warrant you. second lord but what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak to us again? first soldier e'en such as you speak to me. second lord he must think us some band of strangers i' the adversary's entertainment. now he hath a smack of all neighbouring languages; therefore we must every one be a man of his own fancy, not to know what we speak one to another; so we seem to know, is to know straight our purpose: choughs' language, gabble enough, and good enough. as for you, interpreter, you must seem very politic. but couch, ho! here he comes, to beguile two hours in a sleep, and then to return and swear the lies he forges. [enter parolles] parolles ten o'clock: within these three hours 'twill be time enough to go home. what shall i say i have done? it must be a very plausive invention that carries it: they begin to smoke me; and disgraces have of late knocked too often at my door. i find my tongue is too foolhardy; but my heart hath the fear of mars before it and of his creatures, not daring the reports of my tongue. second lord this is the first truth that e'er thine own tongue was guilty of. parolles what the devil should move me to undertake the recovery of this drum, being not ignorant of the impossibility, and knowing i had no such purpose? i must give myself some hurts, and say i got them in exploit: yet slight ones will not carry it; they will say, 'came you off with so little?' and great ones i dare not give. wherefore, what's the instance? tongue, i must put you into a butter-woman's mouth and buy myself another of bajazet's mule, if you prattle me into these perils. second lord is it possible he should know what he is, and be that he is? parolles i would the cutting of my garments would serve the turn, or the breaking of my spanish sword. second lord we cannot afford you so. parolles or the baring of my beard; and to say it was in stratagem. second lord 'twould not do. parolles or to drown my clothes, and say i was stripped. second lord hardly serve. parolles though i swore i leaped from the window of the citadel. second lord how deep? parolles thirty fathom. second lord three great oaths would scarce make that be believed. parolles i would i had any drum of the enemy's: i would swear i recovered it. second lord you shall hear one anon. parolles a drum now of the enemy's,- [alarum within] second lord throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo. all cargo, cargo, cargo, villiando par corbo, cargo. parolles o, ransom, ransom! do not hide mine eyes. [they seize and blindfold him] first soldier boskos thromuldo boskos. parolles i know you are the muskos' regiment: and i shall lose my life for want of language; if there be here german, or dane, low dutch, italian, or french, let him speak to me; i'll discover that which shall undo the florentine. first soldier boskos vauvado: i understand thee, and can speak thy tongue. kerely bonto, sir, betake thee to thy faith, for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom. parolles o! first soldier o, pray, pray, pray! manka revania dulche. second lord oscorbidulchos volivorco. first soldier the general is content to spare thee yet; and, hoodwink'd as thou art, will lead thee on to gather from thee: haply thou mayst inform something to save thy life. parolles o, let me live! and all the secrets of our camp i'll show, their force, their purposes; nay, i'll speak that which you will wonder at. first soldier but wilt thou faithfully? parolles if i do not, damn me. first soldier acordo linta. come on; thou art granted space. [exit, with parolles guarded. a short alarum within] second lord go, tell the count rousillon, and my brother, we have caught the woodcock, and will keep him muffled till we do hear from them. second soldier captain, i will. second lord a' will betray us all unto ourselves: inform on that. second soldier so i will, sir. second lord till then i'll keep him dark and safely lock'd. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iv scene ii florence. the widow's house. [enter bertram and diana] bertram they told me that your name was fontibell. diana no, my good lord, diana. bertram titled goddess; and worth it, with addition! but, fair soul, in your fine frame hath love no quality? if quick fire of youth light not your mind, you are no maiden, but a monument: when you are dead, you should be such a one as you are now, for you are cold and stem; and now you should be as your mother was when your sweet self was got. diana she then was honest. bertram so should you be. diana no: my mother did but duty; such, my lord, as you owe to your wife. bertram no more o' that; i prithee, do not strive against my vows: i was compell'd to her; but i love thee by love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever do thee all rights of service. diana ay, so you serve us till we serve you; but when you have our roses, you barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves and mock us with our bareness. bertram how have i sworn! diana 'tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, but the plain single vow that is vow'd true. what is not holy, that we swear not by, but take the high'st to witness: then, pray you, tell me, if i should swear by god's great attributes, i loved you dearly, would you believe my oaths, when i did love you ill? this has no holding, to swear by him whom i protest to love, that i will work against him: therefore your oaths are words and poor conditions, but unseal'd, at least in my opinion. bertram change it, change it; be not so holy-cruel: love is holy; and my integrity ne'er knew the crafts that you do charge men with. stand no more off, but give thyself unto my sick desires, who then recover: say thou art mine, and ever my love as it begins shall so persever. diana i see that men make ropes in such a scarre that we'll forsake ourselves. give me that ring. bertram i'll lend it thee, my dear; but have no power to give it from me. diana will you not, my lord? bertram it is an honour 'longing to our house, bequeathed down from many ancestors; which were the greatest obloquy i' the world in me to lose. diana mine honour's such a ring: my chastity's the jewel of our house, bequeathed down from many ancestors; which were the greatest obloquy i' the world in me to lose: thus your own proper wisdom brings in the champion honour on my part, against your vain assault. bertram here, take my ring: my house, mine honour, yea, my life, be thine, and i'll be bid by thee. diana when midnight comes, knock at my chamber-window: i'll order take my mother shall not hear. now will i charge you in the band of truth, when you have conquer'd my yet maiden bed, remain there but an hour, nor speak to me: my reasons are most strong; and you shall know them when back again this ring shall be deliver'd: and on your finger in the night i'll put another ring, that what in time proceeds may token to the future our past deeds. adieu, till then; then, fail not. you have won a wife of me, though there my hope be done. bertram a heaven on earth i have won by wooing thee. [exit] diana for which live long to thank both heaven and me! you may so in the end. my mother told me just how he would woo, as if she sat in 's heart; she says all men have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me when his wife's dead; therefore i'll lie with him when i am buried. since frenchmen are so braid, marry that will, i live and die a maid: only in this disguise i think't no sin to cozen him that would unjustly win. [exit] all's well that ends well act iv scene iii the florentine camp. [enter the two french lords and some two or three soldiers] first lord you have not given him his mother's letter? second lord i have delivered it an hour since: there is something in't that stings his nature; for on the reading it he changed almost into another man. first lord he has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady. second lord especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his bounty to sing happiness to him. i will tell you a thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you. first lord when you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and i am the grave of it. second lord he hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath given her his monumental ring, and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition. first lord now, god delay our rebellion! as we are ourselves, what things are we! second lord merely our own traitors. and as in the common course of all treasons, we still see them reveal themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends, so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his proper stream o'erflows himself. first lord is it not meant damnable in us, to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents? we shall not then have his company to-night? second lord not till after midnight; for he is dieted to his hour. first lord that approaches apace; i would gladly have him see his company anatomized, that he might take a measure of his own judgments, wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit. second lord we will not meddle with him till he come; for his presence must be the whip of the other. first lord in the mean time, what hear you of these wars? second lord i hear there is an overture of peace. first lord nay, i assure you, a peace concluded. second lord what will count rousillon do then? will he travel higher, or return again into france? first lord i perceive, by this demand, you are not altogether of his council. second lord let it be forbid, sir; so should i be a great deal of his act. first lord sir, his wife some two months since fled from his house: her pretence is a pilgrimage to saint jaques le grand; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished; and, there residing the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and now she sings in heaven. second lord how is this justified? first lord the stronger part of it by her own letters, which makes her story true, even to the point of her death: her death itself, which could not be her office to say is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place. second lord hath the count all this intelligence? first lord ay, and the particular confirmations, point from point, so to the full arming of the verity. second lord i am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this. first lord how mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses! second lord and how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears! the great dignity that his valour hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample. first lord the web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together: our virtues would be proud, if our faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair, if they were not cherished by our virtues. [enter a messenger] how now! where's your master? servant he met the duke in the street, sir, of whom he hath taken a solemn leave: his lordship will next morning for france. the duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the king. second lord they shall be no more than needful there, if they were more than they can commend. first lord they cannot be too sweet for the king's tartness. here's his lordship now. [enter bertram] how now, my lord! is't not after midnight? bertram i have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses, a month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: i have congied with the duke, done my adieu with his nearest; buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my lady mother i am returning; entertained my convoy; and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs; the last was the greatest, but that i have not ended yet. second lord if the business be of any difficulty, and this morning your departure hence, it requires haste of your lordship. bertram i mean, the business is not ended, as fearing to hear of it hereafter. but shall we have this dialogue between the fool and the soldier? come, bring forth this counterfeit module, he has deceived me, like a double-meaning prophesier. second lord bring him forth: has sat i' the stocks all night, poor gallant knave. bertram no matter: his heels have deserved it, in usurping his spurs so long. how does he carry himself? second lord i have told your lordship already, the stocks carry him. but to answer you as you would be understood; he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk: he hath confessed himself to morgan, whom he supposes to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i' the stocks: and what think you he hath confessed? bertram nothing of me, has a'? second lord his confession is taken, and it shall be read to his face: if your lordship be in't, as i believe you are, you must have the patience to hear it. [enter parolles guarded, and first soldier] bertram a plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing of me: hush, hush! first lord hoodman comes! portotartarosa first soldier he calls for the tortures: what will you say without 'em? parolles i will confess what i know without constraint: if ye pinch me like a pasty, i can say no more. first soldier bosko chimurcho. first lord boblibindo chicurmurco. first soldier you are a merciful general. our general bids you answer to what i shall ask you out of a note. parolles and truly, as i hope to live. first soldier [reads] 'first demand of him how many horse the duke is strong.' what say you to that? parolles five or six thousand; but very weak and unserviceable: the troops are all scattered, and the commanders very poor rogues, upon my reputation and credit and as i hope to live. first soldier shall i set down your answer so? parolles do: i'll take the sacrament on't, how and which way you will. bertram all's one to him. what a past-saving slave is this! first lord you're deceived, my lord: this is monsieur parolles, the gallant militarist,--that was his own phrase,--that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf, and the practise in the chape of his dagger. second lord i will never trust a man again for keeping his sword clean. nor believe he can have every thing in him by wearing his apparel neatly. first soldier well, that's set down. parolles five or six thousand horse, i said,-i will say true,--or thereabouts, set down, for i'll speak truth. first lord he's very near the truth in this. bertram but i con him no thanks for't, in the nature he delivers it. parolles poor rogues, i pray you, say. first soldier well, that's set down. parolles i humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the rogues are marvellous poor. first soldier [reads] 'demand of him, of what strength they are a-foot.' what say you to that? parolles by my troth, sir, if i were to live this present hour, i will tell true. let me see: spurio, a hundred and fifty; sebastian, so many; corambus, so many; jaques, so many; guiltian, cosmo, lodowick, and gratii, two hundred and fifty each; mine own company, chitopher, vaumond, bentii, two hundred and fifty each: so that the muster-file, rotten and sound, upon my life, amounts not to fifteen thousand poll; half of the which dare not shake snow from off their cassocks, lest they shake themselves to pieces. bertram what shall be done to him? first lord nothing, but let him have thanks. demand of him my condition, and what credit i have with the duke. first soldier well, that's set down. [reads] 'you shall demand of him, whether one captain dumain be i' the camp, a frenchman; what his reputation is with the duke; what his valour, honesty, and expertness in wars; or whether he thinks it were not possible, with well-weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to revolt.' what say you to this? what do you know of it? parolles i beseech you, let me answer to the particular of the inter'gatories: demand them singly. first soldier do you know this captain dumain? parolles i know him: a' was a botcher's 'prentice in paris, from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve's fool with child,--a dumb innocent, that could not say him nay. bertram nay, by your leave, hold your hands; though i know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls. first soldier well, is this captain in the duke of florence's camp? parolles upon my knowledge, he is, and lousy. first lord nay look not so upon me; we shall hear of your lordship anon. first soldier what is his reputation with the duke? parolles the duke knows him for no other but a poor officer of mine; and writ to me this other day to turn him out o' the band: i think i have his letter in my pocket. first soldier marry, we'll search. parolles in good sadness, i do not know; either it is there, or it is upon a file with the duke's other letters in my tent. first soldier here 'tis; here's a paper: shall i read it to you? parolles i do not know if it be it or no. bertram our interpreter does it well. first lord excellently. first soldier [reads] 'dian, the count's a fool, and full of gold,'- parolles that is not the duke's letter, sir; that is an advertisement to a proper maid in florence, one diana, to take heed of the allurement of one count rousillon, a foolish idle boy, but for all that very ruttish: i pray you, sir, put it up again. first soldier nay, i'll read it first, by your favour. parolles my meaning in't, i protest, was very honest in the behalf of the maid; for i knew the young count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity and devours up all the fry it finds. bertram damnable both-sides rogue! first soldier [reads] 'when he swears oaths, bid him drop gold, and take it; after he scores, he never pays the score: half won is match well made; match, and well make it; he ne'er pays after-debts, take it before; and say a soldier, dian, told thee this, men are to mell with, boys are not to kiss: for count of this, the count's a fool, i know it, who pays before, but not when he does owe it. thine, as he vowed to thee in thine ear, parolles.' bertram he shall be whipped through the army with this rhyme in's forehead. second lord this is your devoted friend, sir, the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier. bertram i could endure any thing before but a cat, and now he's a cat to me. first soldier i perceive, sir, by the general's looks, we shall be fain to hang you. parolles my life, sir, in any case: not that i am afraid to die; but that, my offences being many, i would repent out the remainder of nature: let me live, sir, in a dungeon, i' the stocks, or any where, so i may live. first soldier we'll see what may be done, so you confess freely; therefore, once more to this captain dumain: you have answered to his reputation with the duke and to his valour: what is his honesty? parolles he will steal, sir, an egg out of a cloister: for rapes and ravishments he parallels nessus: he professes not keeping of oaths; in breaking 'em he is stronger than hercules: he will lie, sir, with such volubility, that you would think truth were a fool: drunkenness is his best virtue, for he will be swine-drunk; and in his sleep he does little harm, save to his bed-clothes about him; but they know his conditions and lay him in straw. i have but little more to say, sir, of his honesty: he has every thing that an honest man should not have; what an honest man should have, he has nothing. first lord i begin to love him for this. bertram for this description of thine honesty? a pox upon him for me, he's more and more a cat. first soldier what say you to his expertness in war? parolles faith, sir, he has led the drum before the english tragedians; to belie him, i will not, and more of his soldiership i know not; except, in that country he had the honour to be the officer at a place there called mile-end, to instruct for the doubling of files: i would do the man what honour i can, but of this i am not certain. first lord he hath out-villained villany so far, that the rarity redeems him. bertram a pox on him, he's a cat still. first soldier his qualities being at this poor price, i need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt. parolles sir, for a quart d'ecu he will sell the fee-simple of his salvation, the inheritance of it; and cut the entail from all remainders, and a perpetual succession for it perpetually. first soldier what's his brother, the other captain dumain? second lord why does be ask him of me? first soldier what's he? parolles e'en a crow o' the same nest; not altogether so great as the first in goodness, but greater a great deal in evil: he excels his brother for a coward, yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is: in a retreat he outruns any lackey; marry, in coming on he has the cramp. first soldier if your life be saved, will you undertake to betray the florentine? parolles ay, and the captain of his horse, count rousillon. first soldier i'll whisper with the general, and know his pleasure. parolles [aside] i'll no more drumming; a plague of all drums! only to seem to deserve well, and to beguile the supposition of that lascivious young boy the count, have i run into this danger. yet who would have suspected an ambush where i was taken? first soldier there is no remedy, sir, but you must die: the general says, you that have so traitorously discovered the secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held, can serve the world for no honest use; therefore you must die. come, headsman, off with his head. parolles o lord, sir, let me live, or let me see my death! first lord that shall you, and take your leave of all your friends. [unblinding him] so, look about you: know you any here? bertram good morrow, noble captain. second lord god bless you, captain parolles. first lord god save you, noble captain. second lord captain, what greeting will you to my lord lafeu? i am for france. first lord good captain, will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to diana in behalf of the count rousillon? an i were not a very coward, i'ld compel it of you: but fare you well. [exeunt bertram and lords] first soldier you are undone, captain, all but your scarf; that has a knot on't yet parolles who cannot be crushed with a plot? first soldier if you could find out a country where but women were that had received so much shame, you might begin an impudent nation. fare ye well, sir; i am for france too: we shall speak of you there. [exit with soldiers] parolles yet am i thankful: if my heart were great, 'twould burst at this. captain i'll be no more; but i will eat and drink, and sleep as soft as captain shall: simply the thing i am shall make me live. who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass that every braggart shall be found an ass. rust, sword? cool, blushes! and, parolles, live safest in shame! being fool'd, by foolery thrive! there's place and means for every man alive. i'll after them. [exit] all's well that ends well act iv scene iv florence. the widow's house. [enter helena, widow, and diana] helena that you may well perceive i have not wrong'd you, one of the greatest in the christian world shall be my surety; 'fore whose throne 'tis needful, ere i can perfect mine intents, to kneel: time was, i did him a desired office, dear almost as his life; which gratitude through flinty tartar's bosom would peep forth, and answer, thanks: i duly am inform'd his grace is at marseilles; to which place we have convenient convoy. you must know i am supposed dead: the army breaking, my husband hies him home; where, heaven aiding, and by the leave of my good lord the king, we'll be before our welcome. widow gentle madam, you never had a servant to whose trust your business was more welcome. helena nor you, mistress, ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour to recompense your love: doubt not but heaven hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower, as it hath fated her to be my motive and helper to a husband. but, o strange men! that can such sweet use make of what they hate, when saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts defiles the pitchy night: so lust doth play with what it loathes for that which is away. but more of this hereafter. you, diana, under my poor instructions yet must suffer something in my behalf. diana let death and honesty go with your impositions, i am yours upon your will to suffer. helena yet, i pray you: but with the word the time will bring on summer, when briers shall have leaves as well as thorns, and be as sweet as sharp. we must away; our wagon is prepared, and time revives us: all's well that ends well; still the fine's the crown; whate'er the course, the end is the renown. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act iv scene v rousillon. the count's palace. [enter countess, lafeu, and clown] lafeu no, no, no, your son was misled with a snipt-taffeta fellow there, whose villanous saffron would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour: your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour, and your son here at home, more advanced by the king than by that red-tailed humble-bee i speak of. countess i would i had not known him; it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had praise for creating. if she had partaken of my flesh, and cost me the dearest groans of a mother, i could not have owed her a more rooted love. lafeu 'twas a good lady, 'twas a good lady: we may pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another herb. clown indeed, sir, she was the sweet marjoram of the salad, or rather, the herb of grace. lafeu they are not herbs, you knave; they are nose-herbs. clown i am no great nebuchadnezzar, sir; i have not much skill in grass. lafeu whether dost thou profess thyself, a knave or a fool? clown a fool, sir, at a woman's service, and a knave at a man's. lafeu your distinction? clown i would cozen the man of his wife and do his service. lafeu so you were a knave at his service, indeed. clown and i would give his wife my bauble, sir, to do her service. lafeu i will subscribe for thee, thou art both knave and fool. clown at your service. lafeu no, no, no. clown why, sir, if i cannot serve you, i can serve as great a prince as you are. lafeu who's that? a frenchman? clown faith, sir, a' has an english name; but his fisnomy is more hotter in france than there. lafeu what prince is that? clown the black prince, sir; alias, the prince of darkness; alias, the devil. lafeu hold thee, there's my purse: i give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of; serve him still. clown i am a woodland fellow, sir, that always loved a great fire; and the master i speak of ever keeps a good fire. but, sure, he is the prince of the world; let his nobility remain in's court. i am for the house with the narrow gate, which i take to be too little for pomp to enter: some that humble themselves may; but the many will be too chill and tender, and they'll be for the flowery way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire. lafeu go thy ways, i begin to be aweary of thee; and i tell thee so before, because i would not fall out with thee. go thy ways: let my horses be well looked to, without any tricks. clown if i put any tricks upon 'em, sir, they shall be jades' tricks; which are their own right by the law of nature. [exit] lafeu a shrewd knave and an unhappy. countess so he is. my lord that's gone made himself much sport out of him: by his authority he remains here, which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness; and, indeed, he has no pace, but runs where he will. lafeu i like him well; 'tis not amiss. and i was about to tell you, since i heard of the good lady's death and that my lord your son was upon his return home, i moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter; which, in the minority of them both, his majesty, out of a self-gracious remembrance, did first propose: his highness hath promised me to do it: and, to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son, there is no fitter matter. how does your ladyship like it? countess with very much content, my lord; and i wish it happily effected. lafeu his highness comes post from marseilles, of as able body as when he numbered thirty: he will be here to-morrow, or i am deceived by him that in such intelligence hath seldom failed. countess it rejoices me, that i hope i shall see him ere i die. i have letters that my son will be here to-night: i shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they meet together. lafeu madam, i was thinking with what manners i might safely be admitted. countess you need but plead your honourable privilege. lafeu lady, of that i have made a bold charter; but i thank my god it holds yet. [re-enter clown] clown o madam, yonder's my lord your son with a patch of velvet on's face: whether there be a scar under't or no, the velvet knows; but 'tis a goodly patch of velvet: his left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half, but his right cheek is worn bare. lafeu a scar nobly got, or a noble scar, is a good livery of honour; so belike is that. clown but it is your carbonadoed face. lafeu let us go see your son, i pray you: i long to talk with the young noble soldier. clown faith there's a dozen of 'em, with delicate fine hats and most courteous feathers, which bow the head and nod at every man. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act v scene i marseilles. a street. [enter helena, widow, and diana, with two attendants] helena but this exceeding posting day and night must wear your spirits low; we cannot help it: but since you have made the days and nights as one, to wear your gentle limbs in my affairs, be bold you do so grow in my requital as nothing can unroot you. in happy time; [enter a gentleman] this man may help me to his majesty's ear, if he would spend his power. god save you, sir. gentleman and you. helena sir, i have seen you in the court of france. gentleman i have been sometimes there. helena i do presume, sir, that you are not fallen from the report that goes upon your goodness; an therefore, goaded with most sharp occasions, which lay nice manners by, i put you to the use of your own virtues, for the which i shall continue thankful. gentleman what's your will? helena that it will please you to give this poor petition to the king, and aid me with that store of power you have to come into his presence. gentleman the king's not here. helena not here, sir! gentleman not, indeed: he hence removed last night and with more haste than is his use. widow lord, how we lose our pains! helena all's well that ends well yet, though time seem so adverse and means unfit. i do beseech you, whither is he gone? gentleman marry, as i take it, to rousillon; whither i am going. helena i do beseech you, sir, since you are like to see the king before me, commend the paper to his gracious hand, which i presume shall render you no blame but rather make you thank your pains for it. i will come after you with what good speed our means will make us means. gentleman this i'll do for you. helena and you shall find yourself to be well thank'd, whate'er falls more. we must to horse again. go, go, provide. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act v scene ii rousillon. before the count's palace. [enter clown, and parolles, following] parolles good monsieur lavache, give my lord lafeu this letter: i have ere now, sir, been better known to you, when i have held familiarity with fresher clothes; but i am now, sir, muddied in fortune's mood, and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure. clown truly, fortune's displeasure is but sluttish, if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of: i will henceforth eat no fish of fortune's buttering. prithee, allow the wind. parolles nay, you need not to stop your nose, sir; i spake but by a metaphor. clown indeed, sir, if your metaphor stink, i will stop my nose; or against any man's metaphor. prithee, get thee further. parolles pray you, sir, deliver me this paper. clown foh! prithee, stand away: a paper from fortune's close-stool to give to a nobleman! look, here he comes himself. [enter lafeu] here is a purr of fortune's, sir, or of fortune's cat,--but not a musk-cat,--that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure, and, as he says, is muddied withal: pray you, sir, use the carp as you may; for he looks like a poor, decayed, ingenious, foolish, rascally knave. i do pity his distress in my similes of comfort and leave him to your lordship. [exit] parolles my lord, i am a man whom fortune hath cruelly scratched. lafeu and what would you have me to do? 'tis too late to pare her nails now. wherein have you played the knave with fortune, that she should scratch you, who of herself is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long under her? there's a quart d'ecu for you: let the justices make you and fortune friends: i am for other business. parolles i beseech your honour to hear me one single word. lafeu you beg a single penny more: come, you shall ha't; save your word. parolles my name, my good lord, is parolles. lafeu you beg more than 'word,' then. cox my passion! give me your hand. how does your drum? parolles o my good lord, you were the first that found me! lafeu was i, in sooth? and i was the first that lost thee. parolles it lies in you, my lord, to bring me in some grace, for you did bring me out. lafeu out upon thee, knave! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of god and the devil? one brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out. [trumpets sound] the king's coming; i know by his trumpets. sirrah, inquire further after me; i had talk of you last night: though you are a fool and a knave, you shall eat; go to, follow. parolles i praise god for you. [exeunt] all's well that ends well act v scene iii rousillon. the count's palace. [flourish. enter king, countess, lafeu, the two french lords, with attendants] king we lost a jewel of her; and our esteem was made much poorer by it: but your son, as mad in folly, lack'd the sense to know her estimation home. countess 'tis past, my liege; and i beseech your majesty to make it natural rebellion, done i' the blaze of youth; when oil and fire, too strong for reason's force, o'erbears it and burns on. king my honour'd lady, i have forgiven and forgotten all; though my revenges were high bent upon him, and watch'd the time to shoot. lafeu this i must say, but first i beg my pardon, the young lord did to his majesty, his mother and his lady offence of mighty note; but to himself the greatest wrong of all. he lost a wife whose beauty did astonish the survey of richest eyes, whose words all ears took captive, whose dear perfection hearts that scorn'd to serve humbly call'd mistress. king praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear. well, call him hither; we are reconciled, and the first view shall kill all repetition: let him not ask our pardon; the nature of his great offence is dead, and deeper than oblivion we do bury the incensing relics of it: let him approach, a stranger, no offender; and inform him so 'tis our will he should. gentleman i shall, my liege. [exit] king what says he to your daughter? have you spoke? lafeu all that he is hath reference to your highness. king then shall we have a match. i have letters sent me that set him high in fame. [enter bertram] lafeu he looks well on't. king i am not a day of season, for thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail in me at once: but to the brightest beams distracted clouds give way; so stand thou forth; the time is fair again. bertram my high-repented blames, dear sovereign, pardon to me. king all is whole; not one word more of the consumed time. let's take the instant by the forward top; for we are old, and on our quick'st decrees the inaudible and noiseless foot of time steals ere we can effect them. you remember the daughter of this lord? bertram admiringly, my liege, at first i stuck my choice upon her, ere my heart durst make too bold a herald of my tongue where the impression of mine eye infixing, contempt his scornful perspective did lend me, which warp'd the line of every other favour; scorn'd a fair colour, or express'd it stolen; extended or contracted all proportions to a most hideous object: thence it came that she whom all men praised and whom myself, since i have lost, have loved, was in mine eye the dust that did offend it. king well excused: that thou didst love her, strikes some scores away from the great compt: but love that comes too late, like a remorseful pardon slowly carried, to the great sender turns a sour offence, crying, 'that's good that's gone.' our rash faults make trivial price of serious things we have, not knowing them until we know their grave: oft our displeasures, to ourselves unjust, destroy our friends and after weep their dust our own love waking cries to see what's done, while shame full late sleeps out the afternoon. be this sweet helen's knell, and now forget her. send forth your amorous token for fair maudlin: the main consents are had; and here we'll stay to see our widower's second marriage-day. countess which better than the first, o dear heaven, bless! or, ere they meet, in me, o nature, cesse! lafeu come on, my son, in whom my house's name must be digested, give a favour from you to sparkle in the spirits of my daughter, that she may quickly come. [bertram gives a ring] by my old beard, and every hair that's on't, helen, that's dead, was a sweet creature: such a ring as this, the last that e'er i took her at court, i saw upon her finger. bertram hers it was not. king now, pray you, let me see it; for mine eye, while i was speaking, oft was fasten'd to't. this ring was mine; and, when i gave it helen, i bade her, if her fortunes ever stood necessitied to help, that by this token i would relieve her. had you that craft, to reave her of what should stead her most? bertram my gracious sovereign, howe'er it pleases you to take it so, the ring was never hers. countess son, on my life, i have seen her wear it; and she reckon'd it at her life's rate. lafeu i am sure i saw her wear it. bertram you are deceived, my lord; she never saw it: in florence was it from a casement thrown me, wrapp'd in a paper, which contain'd the name of her that threw it: noble she was, and thought i stood engaged: but when i had subscribed to mine own fortune and inform'd her fully i could not answer in that course of honour as she had made the overture, she ceased in heavy satisfaction and would never receive the ring again. king plutus himself, that knows the tinct and multiplying medicine, hath not in nature's mystery more science than i have in this ring: 'twas mine, 'twas helen's, whoever gave it you. then, if you know that you are well acquainted with yourself, confess 'twas hers, and by what rough enforcement you got it from her: she call'd the saints to surety that she would never put it from her finger, unless she gave it to yourself in bed, where you have never come, or sent it us upon her great disaster. bertram she never saw it. king thou speak'st it falsely, as i love mine honour; and makest conjectural fears to come into me which i would fain shut out. if it should prove that thou art so inhuman,--'twill not prove so;- and yet i know not: thou didst hate her deadly, and she is dead; which nothing, but to close her eyes myself, could win me to believe, more than to see this ring. take him away. [guards seize bertram] my fore-past proofs, howe'er the matter fall, shall tax my fears of little vanity, having vainly fear'd too little. away with him! we'll sift this matter further. bertram if you shall prove this ring was ever hers, you shall as easy prove that i husbanded her bed in florence, where yet she never was. [exit, guarded] king i am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings. [enter a gentleman] gentleman gracious sovereign, whether i have been to blame or no, i know not: here's a petition from a florentine, who hath for four or five removes come short to tender it herself. i undertook it, vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech of the poor suppliant, who by this i know is here attending: her business looks in her with an importing visage; and she told me, in a sweet verbal brief, it did concern your highness with herself. king [reads] upon his many protestations to marry me when his wife was dead, i blush to say it, he won me. now is the count rousillon a widower: his vows are forfeited to me, and my honour's paid to him. he stole from florence, taking no leave, and i follow him to his country for justice: grant it me, o king! in you it best lies; otherwise a seducer flourishes, and a poor maid is undone. diana capilet. lafeu i will buy me a son-in-law in a fair, and toll for this: i'll none of him. king the heavens have thought well on thee lafeu, to bring forth this discovery. seek these suitors: go speedily and bring again the count. i am afeard the life of helen, lady, was foully snatch'd. countess now, justice on the doers! [re-enter bertram, guarded] king i wonder, sir, sith wives are monsters to you, and that you fly them as you swear them lordship, yet you desire to marry. [enter widow and diana] what woman's that? diana i am, my lord, a wretched florentine, derived from the ancient capilet: my suit, as i do understand, you know, and therefore know how far i may be pitied. widow i am her mother, sir, whose age and honour both suffer under this complaint we bring, and both shall cease, without your remedy. king come hither, count; do you know these women? bertram my lord, i neither can nor will deny but that i know them: do they charge me further? diana why do you look so strange upon your wife? bertram she's none of mine, my lord. diana if you shall marry, you give away this hand, and that is mine; you give away heaven's vows, and those are mine; you give away myself, which is known mine; for i by vow am so embodied yours, that she which marries you must marry me, either both or none. lafeu your reputation comes too short for my daughter; you are no husband for her. bertram my lord, this is a fond and desperate creature, whom sometime i have laugh'd with: let your highness lay a more noble thought upon mine honour than for to think that i would sink it here. king sir, for my thoughts, you have them ill to friend till your deeds gain them: fairer prove your honour than in my thought it lies. diana good my lord, ask him upon his oath, if he does think he had not my virginity. king what say'st thou to her? bertram she's impudent, my lord, and was a common gamester to the camp. diana he does me wrong, my lord; if i were so, he might have bought me at a common price: do not believe him. o, behold this ring, whose high respect and rich validity did lack a parallel; yet for all that he gave it to a commoner o' the camp, if i be one. countess he blushes, and 'tis it: of six preceding ancestors, that gem, conferr'd by testament to the sequent issue, hath it been owed and worn. this is his wife; that ring's a thousand proofs. king methought you said you saw one here in court could witness it. diana i did, my lord, but loath am to produce so bad an instrument: his name's parolles. lafeu i saw the man to-day, if man he be. king find him, and bring him hither. [exit an attendant] bertram what of him? he's quoted for a most perfidious slave, with all the spots o' the world tax'd and debosh'd; whose nature sickens but to speak a truth. am i or that or this for what he'll utter, that will speak any thing? king she hath that ring of yours. bertram i think she has: certain it is i liked her, and boarded her i' the wanton way of youth: she knew her distance and did angle for me, madding my eagerness with her restraint, as all impediments in fancy's course are motives of more fancy; and, in fine, her infinite cunning, with her modern grace, subdued me to her rate: she got the ring; and i had that which any inferior might at market-price have bought. diana i must be patient: you, that have turn'd off a first so noble wife, may justly diet me. i pray you yet; since you lack virtue, i will lose a husband; send for your ring, i will return it home, and give me mine again. bertram i have it not. king what ring was yours, i pray you? diana sir, much like the same upon your finger. king know you this ring? this ring was his of late. diana and this was it i gave him, being abed. king the story then goes false, you threw it him out of a casement. diana i have spoke the truth. [enter parolles] bertram my lord, i do confess the ring was hers. king you boggle shrewdly, every feather stars you. is this the man you speak of? diana ay, my lord. king tell me, sirrah, but tell me true, i charge you, not fearing the displeasure of your master, which on your just proceeding i'll keep off, by him and by this woman here what know you? parolles so please your majesty, my master hath been an honourable gentleman: tricks he hath had in him, which gentlemen have. king come, come, to the purpose: did he love this woman? parolles faith, sir, he did love her; but how? king how, i pray you? parolles he did love her, sir, as a gentleman loves a woman. king how is that? parolles he loved her, sir, and loved her not. king as thou art a knave, and no knave. what an equivocal companion is this! parolles i am a poor man, and at your majesty's command. lafeu he's a good drum, my lord, but a naughty orator. diana do you know he promised me marriage? parolles faith, i know more than i'll speak. king but wilt thou not speak all thou knowest? parolles yes, so please your majesty. i did go between them, as i said; but more than that, he loved her: for indeed he was mad for her, and talked of satan and of limbo and of furies and i know not what: yet i was in that credit with them at that time that i knew of their going to bed, and of other motions, as promising her marriage, and things which would derive me ill will to speak of; therefore i will not speak what i know. king thou hast spoken all already, unless thou canst say they are married: but thou art too fine in thy evidence; therefore stand aside. this ring, you say, was yours? diana ay, my good lord. king where did you buy it? or who gave it you? diana it was not given me, nor i did not buy it. king who lent it you? diana it was not lent me neither. king where did you find it, then? diana i found it not. king if it were yours by none of all these ways, how could you give it him? diana i never gave it him. lafeu this woman's an easy glove, my lord; she goes off and on at pleasure. king this ring was mine; i gave it his first wife. diana it might be yours or hers, for aught i know. king take her away; i do not like her now; to prison with her: and away with him. unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring, thou diest within this hour. diana i'll never tell you. king take her away. diana i'll put in bail, my liege. king i think thee now some common customer. diana by jove, if ever i knew man, 'twas you. king wherefore hast thou accused him all this while? diana because he's guilty, and he is not guilty: he knows i am no maid, and he'll swear to't; i'll swear i am a maid, and he knows not. great king, i am no strumpet, by my life; i am either maid, or else this old man's wife. king she does abuse our ears: to prison with her. diana good mother, fetch my bail. stay, royal sir: [exit widow] the jeweller that owes the ring is sent for, and he shall surety me. but for this lord, who hath abused me, as he knows himself, though yet he never harm'd me, here i quit him: he knows himself my bed he hath defiled; and at that time he got his wife with child: dead though she be, she feels her young one kick: so there's my riddle: one that's dead is quick: and now behold the meaning. [re-enter widow, with helena] king is there no exorcist beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? is't real that i see? helena no, my good lord; 'tis but the shadow of a wife you see, the name and not the thing. bertram both, both. o, pardon! helena o my good lord, when i was like this maid, i found you wondrous kind. there is your ring; and, look you, here's your letter; this it says: 'when from my finger you can get this ring and are by me with child,' &c. this is done: will you be mine, now you are doubly won? bertram if she, my liege, can make me know this clearly, i'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly. helena if it appear not plain and prove untrue, deadly divorce step between me and you! o my dear mother, do i see you living? lafeu mine eyes smell onions; i shall weep anon: [to parolles] good tom drum, lend me a handkercher: so, i thank thee: wait on me home, i'll make sport with thee: let thy courtesies alone, they are scurvy ones. king let us from point to point this story know, to make the even truth in pleasure flow. [to diana] if thou be'st yet a fresh uncropped flower, choose thou thy husband, and i'll pay thy dower; for i can guess that by thy honest aid thou keep'st a wife herself, thyself a maid. of that and all the progress, more or less, resolvedly more leisure shall express: all yet seems well; and if it end so meet, the bitter past, more welcome is the sweet. [flourish] all's well that ends well epilogue king the king's a beggar, now the play is done: all is well ended, if this suit be won, that you express content; which we will pay, with strife to please you, day exceeding day: ours be your patience then, and yours our parts; your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts. [exeunt] the winter's tale dramatis personae leontes king of sicilia. mamillius young prince of sicilia. camillo | | antigonus | | four lords of sicilia. cleomenes | | dion | polixenes king of bohemia. florizel prince of bohemia. archidamus a lord of bohemia. old shepherd reputed father of perdita. (shepherd:) clown his son. autolycus a rogue. a mariner. (mariner:) a gaoler. (gaoler:) hermione queen to leontes. perdita daughter to leontes and hermione. paulina wife to antigonus. emilia a lady attending on hermione, mopsa | | shepherdesses. dorcas | other lords and gentlemen, ladies, officers, and servants, shepherds, and shepherdesses. (first lord:) (gentleman:) (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) (third gentleman:) (first lady:) (second lady:) (officer:) (servant:) (first servant:) (second servant:) time as chorus. scene sicilia, and bohemia. the winter's tale act i scene i antechamber in leontes' palace. [enter camillo and archidamus] archidamus if you shall chance, camillo, to visit bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot, you shall see, as i have said, great difference betwixt our bohemia and your sicilia. camillo i think, this coming summer, the king of sicilia means to pay bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him. archidamus wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves; for indeed- camillo beseech you,- archidamus verily, i speak it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence--in so rare--i know not what to say. we will give you sleepy drinks, that your senses, unintelligent of our insufficience, may, though they cannot praise us, as little accuse us. camillo you pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely. archidamus believe me, i speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance. camillo sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to bohemia. they were trained together in their childhoods; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot choose but branch now. since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society, their encounters, though not personal, have been royally attorneyed with interchange of gifts, letters, loving embassies; that they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a vast, and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. the heavens continue their loves! archidamus i think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it. you have an unspeakable comfort of your young prince mamillius: it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note. camillo i very well agree with you in the hopes of him: it is a gallant child; one that indeed physics the subject, makes old hearts fresh: they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man. archidamus would they else be content to die? camillo yes; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live. archidamus if the king had no son, they would desire to live on crutches till he had one. [exeunt] the winter's tale act i scene ii a room of state in the same. [enter leontes, hermione, mamillius, polixenes, camillo, and attendants] polixenes nine changes of the watery star hath been the shepherd's note since we have left our throne without a burthen: time as long again would be find up, my brother, with our thanks; and yet we should, for perpetuity, go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher, yet standing in rich place, i multiply with one 'we thank you' many thousands moe that go before it. leontes stay your thanks a while; and pay them when you part. polixenes sir, that's to-morrow. i am question'd by my fears, of what may chance or breed upon our absence; that may blow no sneaping winds at home, to make us say 'this is put forth too truly:' besides, i have stay'd to tire your royalty. leontes we are tougher, brother, than you can put us to't. polixenes no longer stay. leontes one seven-night longer. polixenes very sooth, to-morrow. leontes we'll part the time between's then; and in that i'll no gainsaying. polixenes press me not, beseech you, so. there is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the world, so soon as yours could win me: so it should now, were there necessity in your request, although 'twere needful i denied it. my affairs do even drag me homeward: which to hinder were in your love a whip to me; my stay to you a charge and trouble: to save both, farewell, our brother. leontes tongue-tied, our queen? speak you. hermione i had thought, sir, to have held my peace until you have drawn oaths from him not to stay. you, sir, charge him too coldly. tell him, you are sure all in bohemia's well; this satisfaction the by-gone day proclaim'd: say this to him, he's beat from his best ward. leontes well said, hermione. hermione to tell, he longs to see his son, were strong: but let him say so then, and let him go; but let him swear so, and he shall not stay, we'll thwack him hence with distaffs. yet of your royal presence i'll adventure the borrow of a week. when at bohemia you take my lord, i'll give him my commission to let him there a month behind the gest prefix'd for's parting: yet, good deed, leontes, i love thee not a jar o' the clock behind what lady-she her lord. you'll stay? polixenes no, madam. hermione nay, but you will? polixenes i may not, verily. hermione verily! you put me off with limber vows; but i, though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths, should yet say 'sir, no going.' verily, you shall not go: a lady's 'verily' 's as potent as a lord's. will you go yet? force me to keep you as a prisoner, not like a guest; so you shall pay your fees when you depart, and save your thanks. how say you? my prisoner? or my guest? by your dread 'verily,' one of them you shall be. polixenes your guest, then, madam: to be your prisoner should import offending; which is for me less easy to commit than you to punish. hermione not your gaoler, then, but your kind hostess. come, i'll question you of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys: you were pretty lordings then? polixenes we were, fair queen, two lads that thought there was no more behind but such a day to-morrow as to-day, and to be boy eternal. hermione was not my lord the verier wag o' the two? polixenes we were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun, and bleat the one at the other: what we changed was innocence for innocence; we knew not the doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd that any did. had we pursued that life, and our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd with stronger blood, we should have answer'd heaven boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd hereditary ours. hermione by this we gather you have tripp'd since. polixenes o my most sacred lady! temptations have since then been born to's; for in those unfledged days was my wife a girl; your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes of my young play-fellow. hermione grace to boot! of this make no conclusion, lest you say your queen and i are devils: yet go on; the offences we have made you do we'll answer, if you first sinn'd with us and that with us you did continue fault and that you slipp'd not with any but with us. leontes is he won yet? hermione he'll stay my lord. leontes at my request he would not. hermione, my dearest, thou never spokest to better purpose. hermione never? leontes never, but once. hermione what! have i twice said well? when was't before? i prithee tell me; cram's with praise, and make's as fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongueless slaughters a thousand waiting upon that. our praises are our wages: you may ride's with one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere with spur we beat an acre. but to the goal: my last good deed was to entreat his stay: what was my first? it has an elder sister, or i mistake you: o, would her name were grace! but once before i spoke to the purpose: when? nay, let me have't; i long. leontes why, that was when three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death, ere i could make thee open thy white hand and clap thyself my love: then didst thou utter 'i am yours for ever.' hermione 'tis grace indeed. why, lo you now, i have spoke to the purpose twice: the one for ever earn'd a royal husband; the other for some while a friend. leontes [aside] too hot, too hot! to mingle friendship far is mingling bloods. i have tremor cordis on me: my heart dances; but not for joy; not joy. this entertainment may a free face put on, derive a liberty from heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom, and well become the agent; 't may, i grant; but to be paddling palms and pinching fingers, as now they are, and making practised smiles, as in a looking-glass, and then to sigh, as 'twere the mort o' the deer; o, that is entertainment my bosom likes not, nor my brows! mamillius, art thou my boy? mamillius ay, my good lord. leontes i' fecks! why, that's my bawcock. what, hast smutch'd thy nose? they say it is a copy out of mine. come, captain, we must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain: and yet the steer, the heifer and the calf are all call'd neat.--still virginalling upon his palm!--how now, you wanton calf! art thou my calf? mamillius yes, if you will, my lord. leontes thou want'st a rough pash and the shoots that i have, to be full like me: yet they say we are almost as like as eggs; women say so, that will say anything but were they false as o'er-dyed blacks, as wind, as waters, false as dice are to be wish'd by one that fixes no bourn 'twixt his and mine, yet were it true to say this boy were like me. come, sir page, look on me with your welkin eye: sweet villain! most dear'st! my collop! can thy dam?--may't be?- affection! thy intention stabs the centre: thou dost make possible things not so held, communicatest with dreams;--how can this be?- with what's unreal thou coactive art, and fellow'st nothing: then 'tis very credent thou mayst co-join with something; and thou dost, and that beyond commission, and i find it, and that to the infection of my brains and hardening of my brows. polixenes what means sicilia? hermione he something seems unsettled. polixenes how, my lord! what cheer? how is't with you, best brother? hermione you look as if you held a brow of much distraction are you moved, my lord? leontes no, in good earnest. how sometimes nature will betray its folly, its tenderness, and make itself a pastime to harder bosoms! looking on the lines of my boy's face, methoughts i did recoil twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech'd, in my green velvet coat, my dagger muzzled, lest it should bite its master, and so prove, as ornaments oft do, too dangerous: how like, methought, i then was to this kernel, this squash, this gentleman. mine honest friend, will you take eggs for money? mamillius no, my lord, i'll fight. leontes you will! why, happy man be's dole! my brother, are you so fond of your young prince as we do seem to be of ours? polixenes if at home, sir, he's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter, now my sworn friend and then mine enemy, my parasite, my soldier, statesman, all: he makes a july's day short as december, and with his varying childness cures in me thoughts that would thick my blood. leontes so stands this squire officed with me: we two will walk, my lord, and leave you to your graver steps. hermione, how thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome; let what is dear in sicily be cheap: next to thyself and my young rover, he's apparent to my heart. hermione if you would seek us, we are yours i' the garden: shall's attend you there? leontes to your own bents dispose you: you'll be found, be you beneath the sky. [aside] i am angling now, though you perceive me not how i give line. go to, go to! how she holds up the neb, the bill to him! and arms her with the boldness of a wife to her allowing husband! [exeunt polixenes, hermione, and attendants] gone already! inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and ears a fork'd one! go, play, boy, play: thy mother plays, and i play too, but so disgraced a part, whose issue will hiss me to my grave: contempt and clamour will be my knell. go, play, boy, play. there have been, or i am much deceived, cuckolds ere now; and many a man there is, even at this present, now while i speak this, holds his wife by the arm, that little thinks she has been sluiced in's absence and his pond fish'd by his next neighbour, by sir smile, his neighbour: nay, there's comfort in't whiles other men have gates and those gates open'd, as mine, against their will. should all despair that have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind would hang themselves. physic for't there is none; it is a bawdy planet, that will strike where 'tis predominant; and 'tis powerful, think it, from east, west, north and south: be it concluded, no barricado for a belly; know't; it will let in and out the enemy with bag and baggage: many thousand on's have the disease, and feel't not. how now, boy! mamillius i am like you, they say. leontes why that's some comfort. what, camillo there? camillo ay, my good lord. leontes go play, mamillius; thou'rt an honest man. [exit mamillius] camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer. camillo you had much ado to make his anchor hold: when you cast out, it still came home. leontes didst note it? camillo he would not stay at your petitions: made his business more material. leontes didst perceive it? [aside] they're here with me already, whispering, rounding 'sicilia is a so-forth:' 'tis far gone, when i shall gust it last. how came't, camillo, that he did stay? camillo at the good queen's entreaty. leontes at the queen's be't: 'good' should be pertinent but, so it is, it is not. was this taken by any understanding pate but thine? for thy conceit is soaking, will draw in more than the common blocks: not noted, is't, but of the finer natures? by some severals of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes perchance are to this business purblind? say. camillo business, my lord! i think most understand bohemia stays here longer. leontes ha! camillo stays here longer. leontes ay, but why? camillo to satisfy your highness and the entreaties of our most gracious mistress. leontes satisfy! the entreaties of your mistress! satisfy! let that suffice. i have trusted thee, camillo, with all the nearest things to my heart, as well my chamber-councils, wherein, priest-like, thou hast cleansed my bosom, i from thee departed thy penitent reform'd: but we have been deceived in thy integrity, deceived in that which seems so. camillo be it forbid, my lord! leontes to bide upon't, thou art not honest, or, if thou inclinest that way, thou art a coward, which hoxes honesty behind, restraining from course required; or else thou must be counted a servant grafted in my serious trust and therein negligent; or else a fool that seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, and takest it all for jest. camillo my gracious lord, i may be negligent, foolish and fearful; in every one of these no man is free, but that his negligence, his folly, fear, among the infinite doings of the world, sometime puts forth. in your affairs, my lord, if ever i were wilful-negligent, it was my folly; if industriously i play'd the fool, it was my negligence, not weighing well the end; if ever fearful to do a thing, where i the issue doubted, where of the execution did cry out against the non-performance, 'twas a fear which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord, are such allow'd infirmities that honesty is never free of. but, beseech your grace, be plainer with me; let me know my trespass by its own visage: if i then deny it, 'tis none of mine. leontes ha' not you seen, camillo,- but that's past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass is thicker than a cuckold's horn,--or heard,- for to a vision so apparent rumour cannot be mute,--or thought,--for cogitation resides not in that man that does not think,- my wife is slippery? if thou wilt confess, or else be impudently negative, to have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say my wife's a hobby-horse, deserves a name as rank as any flax-wench that puts to before her troth-plight: say't and justify't. camillo i would not be a stander-by to hear my sovereign mistress clouded so, without my present vengeance taken: 'shrew my heart, you never spoke what did become you less than this; which to reiterate were sin as deep as that, though true. leontes is whispering nothing? is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses? kissing with inside lip? stopping the career of laughing with a sigh?--a note infallible of breaking honesty--horsing foot on foot? skulking in corners? wishing clocks more swift? hours, minutes? noon, midnight? and all eyes blind with the pin and web but theirs, theirs only, that would unseen be wicked? is this nothing? why, then the world and all that's in't is nothing; the covering sky is nothing; bohemia nothing; my wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, if this be nothing. camillo good my lord, be cured of this diseased opinion, and betimes; for 'tis most dangerous. leontes say it be, 'tis true. camillo no, no, my lord. leontes it is; you lie, you lie: i say thou liest, camillo, and i hate thee, pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave, or else a hovering temporizer, that canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, inclining to them both: were my wife's liver infected as her life, she would not live the running of one glass. camillo who does infect her? leontes why, he that wears her like a medal, hanging about his neck, bohemia: who, if i had servants true about me, that bare eyes to see alike mine honour as their profits, their own particular thrifts, they would do that which should undo more doing: ay, and thou, his cupbearer,--whom i from meaner form have benched and reared to worship, who mayst see plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven, how i am galled,--mightst bespice a cup, to give mine enemy a lasting wink; which draught to me were cordial. camillo sir, my lord, i could do this, and that with no rash potion, but with a lingering dram that should not work maliciously like poison: but i cannot believe this crack to be in my dread mistress, so sovereignly being honourable. i have loved thee,- leontes make that thy question, and go rot! dost think i am so muddy, so unsettled, to appoint myself in this vexation, sully the purity and whiteness of my sheets, which to preserve is sleep, which being spotted is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps, give scandal to the blood o' the prince my son, who i do think is mine and love as mine, without ripe moving to't? would i do this? could man so blench? camillo i must believe you, sir: i do; and will fetch off bohemia for't; provided that, when he's removed, your highness will take again your queen as yours at first, even for your son's sake; and thereby for sealing the injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms known and allied to yours. leontes thou dost advise me even so as i mine own course have set down: i'll give no blemish to her honour, none. camillo my lord, go then; and with a countenance as clear as friendship wears at feasts, keep with bohemia and with your queen. i am his cupbearer: if from me he have wholesome beverage, account me not your servant. leontes this is all: do't and thou hast the one half of my heart; do't not, thou split'st thine own. camillo i'll do't, my lord. leontes i will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me. [exit] camillo o miserable lady! but, for me, what case stand i in? i must be the poisoner of good polixenes; and my ground to do't is the obedience to a master, one who in rebellion with himself will have all that are his so too. to do this deed, promotion follows. if i could find example of thousands that had struck anointed kings and flourish'd after, i'ld not do't; but since nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one, let villany itself forswear't. i must forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain to me a break-neck. happy star, reign now! here comes bohemia. [re-enter polixenes] polixenes this is strange: methinks my favour here begins to warp. not speak? good day, camillo. camillo hail, most royal sir! polixenes what is the news i' the court? camillo none rare, my lord. polixenes the king hath on him such a countenance as he had lost some province and a region loved as he loves himself: even now i met him with customary compliment; when he, wafting his eyes to the contrary and falling a lip of much contempt, speeds from me and so leaves me to consider what is breeding that changeth thus his manners. camillo i dare not know, my lord. polixenes how! dare not! do not. do you know, and dare not? be intelligent to me: 'tis thereabouts; for, to yourself, what you do know, you must. and cannot say, you dare not. good camillo, your changed complexions are to me a mirror which shows me mine changed too; for i must be a party in this alteration, finding myself thus alter'd with 't. camillo there is a sickness which puts some of us in distemper, but i cannot name the disease; and it is caught of you that yet are well. polixenes how! caught of me! make me not sighted like the basilisk: i have look'd on thousands, who have sped the better by my regard, but kill'd none so. camillo,- as you are certainly a gentleman, thereto clerk-like experienced, which no less adorns our gentry than our parents' noble names, in whose success we are gentle,--i beseech you, if you know aught which does behove my knowledge thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not in ignorant concealment. camillo i may not answer. polixenes a sickness caught of me, and yet i well! i must be answer'd. dost thou hear, camillo, i conjure thee, by all the parts of man which honour does acknowledge, whereof the least is not this suit of mine, that thou declare what incidency thou dost guess of harm is creeping toward me; how far off, how near; which way to be prevented, if to be; if not, how best to bear it. camillo sir, i will tell you; since i am charged in honour and by him that i think honourable: therefore mark my counsel, which must be even as swiftly follow'd as i mean to utter it, or both yourself and me cry lost, and so good night! polixenes on, good camillo. camillo i am appointed him to murder you. polixenes by whom, camillo? camillo by the king. polixenes for what? camillo he thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears, as he had seen't or been an instrument to vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen forbiddenly. polixenes o, then my best blood turn to an infected jelly and my name be yoked with his that did betray the best! turn then my freshest reputation to a savour that may strike the dullest nostril where i arrive, and my approach be shunn'd, nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection that e'er was heard or read! camillo swear his thought over by each particular star in heaven and by all their influences, you may as well forbid the sea for to obey the moon as or by oath remove or counsel shake the fabric of his folly, whose foundation is piled upon his faith and will continue the standing of his body. polixenes how should this grow? camillo i know not: but i am sure 'tis safer to avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born. if therefore you dare trust my honesty, that lies enclosed in this trunk which you shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night! your followers i will whisper to the business, and will by twos and threes at several posterns clear them o' the city. for myself, i'll put my fortunes to your service, which are here by this discovery lost. be not uncertain; for, by the honour of my parents, i have utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, i dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth, thereon his execution sworn. polixenes i do believe thee: i saw his heart in 's face. give me thy hand: be pilot to me and thy places shall still neighbour mine. my ships are ready and my people did expect my hence departure two days ago. this jealousy is for a precious creature: as she's rare, must it be great, and as his person's mighty, must it be violent, and as he does conceive he is dishonour'd by a man which ever profess'd to him, why, his revenges must in that be made more bitter. fear o'ershades me: good expedition be my friend, and comfort the gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing of his ill-ta'en suspicion! come, camillo; i will respect thee as a father if thou bear'st my life off hence: let us avoid. camillo it is in mine authority to command the keys of all the posterns: please your highness to take the urgent hour. come, sir, away. [exeunt] the winter's tale act ii scene i a room in leontes' palace. [enter hermione, mamillius, and ladies] hermione take the boy to you: he so troubles me, 'tis past enduring. first lady come, my gracious lord, shall i be your playfellow? mamillius no, i'll none of you. first lady why, my sweet lord? mamillius you'll kiss me hard and speak to me as if i were a baby still. i love you better. second lady and why so, my lord? mamillius not for because your brows are blacker; yet black brows, they say, become some women best, so that there be not too much hair there, but in a semicircle or a half-moon made with a pen. second lady who taught you this? mamillius i learnt it out of women's faces. pray now what colour are your eyebrows? first lady blue, my lord. mamillius nay, that's a mock: i have seen a lady's nose that has been blue, but not her eyebrows. first lady hark ye; the queen your mother rounds apace: we shall present our services to a fine new prince one of these days; and then you'ld wanton with us, if we would have you. second lady she is spread of late into a goodly bulk: good time encounter her! hermione what wisdom stirs amongst you? come, sir, now i am for you again: pray you, sit by us, and tell 's a tale. mamillius merry or sad shall't be? hermione as merry as you will. mamillius a sad tale's best for winter: i have one of sprites and goblins. hermione let's have that, good sir. come on, sit down: come on, and do your best to fright me with your sprites; you're powerful at it. mamillius there was a man- hermione nay, come, sit down; then on. mamillius dwelt by a churchyard: i will tell it softly; yond crickets shall not hear it. hermione come on, then, and give't me in mine ear. [enter leontes, with antigonus, lords and others] leontes was he met there? his train? camillo with him? first lord behind the tuft of pines i met them; never saw i men scour so on their way: i eyed them even to their ships. leontes how blest am i in my just censure, in my true opinion! alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed in being so blest! there may be in the cup a spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, and yet partake no venom, for his knowledge is not infected: but if one present the abhorr'd ingredient to his eye, make known how he hath drunk, he cracks his gorge, his sides, with violent hefts. i have drunk, and seen the spider. camillo was his help in this, his pander: there is a plot against my life, my crown; all's true that is mistrusted: that false villain whom i employ'd was pre-employ'd by him: he has discover'd my design, and i remain a pinch'd thing; yea, a very trick for them to play at will. how came the posterns so easily open? first lord by his great authority; which often hath no less prevail'd than so on your command. leontes i know't too well. give me the boy: i am glad you did not nurse him: though he does bear some signs of me, yet you have too much blood in him. hermione what is this? sport? leontes bear the boy hence; he shall not come about her; away with him! and let her sport herself with that she's big with; for 'tis polixenes has made thee swell thus. hermione but i'ld say he had not, and i'll be sworn you would believe my saying, howe'er you lean to the nayward. leontes you, my lords, look on her, mark her well; be but about to say 'she is a goodly lady,' and the justice of your bearts will thereto add 'tis pity she's not honest, honourable:' praise her but for this her without-door form, which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight the shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands that calumny doth use--o, i am out- that mercy does, for calumny will sear virtue itself: these shrugs, these hums and ha's, when you have said 'she's goodly,' come between ere you can say 'she's honest:' but be 't known, from him that has most cause to grieve it should be, she's an adulteress. hermione should a villain say so, the most replenish'd villain in the world, he were as much more villain: you, my lord, do but mistake. leontes you have mistook, my lady, polixenes for leontes: o thou thing! which i'll not call a creature of thy place, lest barbarism, making me the precedent, should a like language use to all degrees and mannerly distinguishment leave out betwixt the prince and beggar: i have said she's an adulteress; i have said with whom: more, she's a traitor and camillo is a federary with her, and one that knows what she should shame to know herself but with her most vile principal, that she's a bed-swerver, even as bad as those that vulgars give bold'st titles, ay, and privy to this their late escape. hermione no, by my life. privy to none of this. how will this grieve you, when you shall come to clearer knowledge, that you thus have publish'd me! gentle my lord, you scarce can right me throughly then to say you did mistake. leontes no; if i mistake in those foundations which i build upon, the centre is not big enough to bear a school-boy's top. away with her! to prison! he who shall speak for her is afar off guilty but that he speaks. hermione there's some ill planet reigns: i must be patient till the heavens look with an aspect more favourable. good my lords, i am not prone to weeping, as our sex commonly are; the want of which vain dew perchance shall dry your pities: but i have that honourable grief lodged here which burns worse than tears drown: beseech you all, my lords, with thoughts so qualified as your charities shall best instruct you, measure me; and so the king's will be perform'd! leontes shall i be heard? hermione who is't that goes with me? beseech your highness, my women may be with me; for you see my plight requires it. do not weep, good fools; there is no cause: when you shall know your mistress has deserved prison, then abound in tears as i come out: this action i now go on is for my better grace. adieu, my lord: i never wish'd to see you sorry; now i trust i shall. my women, come; you have leave. leontes go, do our bidding; hence! [exit hermione, guarded; with ladies] first lord beseech your highness, call the queen again. antigonus be certain what you do, sir, lest your justice prove violence; in the which three great ones suffer, yourself, your queen, your son. first lord for her, my lord, i dare my life lay down and will do't, sir, please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless i' the eyes of heaven and to you; i mean, in this which you accuse her. antigonus if it prove she's otherwise, i'll keep my stables where i lodge my wife; i'll go in couples with her; than when i feel and see her no farther trust her; for every inch of woman in the world, ay, every dram of woman's flesh is false, if she be. leontes hold your peaces. first lord good my lord,- antigonus it is for you we speak, not for ourselves: you are abused and by some putter-on that will be damn'd for't; would i knew the villain, i would land-damn him. be she honour-flaw'd, i have three daughters; the eldest is eleven the second and the third, nine, and some five; if this prove true, they'll pay for't: by mine honour, i'll geld 'em all; fourteen they shall not see, to bring false generations: they are co-heirs; and i had rather glib myself than they should not produce fair issue. leontes cease; no more. you smell this business with a sense as cold as is a dead man's nose: but i do see't and feel't as you feel doing thus; and see withal the instruments that feel. antigonus if it be so, we need no grave to bury honesty: there's not a grain of it the face to sweeten of the whole dungy earth. leontes what! lack i credit? first lord i had rather you did lack than i, my lord, upon this ground; and more it would content me to have her honour true than your suspicion, be blamed for't how you might. leontes why, what need we commune with you of this, but rather follow our forceful instigation? our prerogative calls not your counsels, but our natural goodness imparts this; which if you, or stupefied or seeming so in skill, cannot or will not relish a truth like us, inform yourselves we need no more of your advice: the matter, the loss, the gain, the ordering on't, is all properly ours. antigonus and i wish, my liege, you had only in your silent judgment tried it, without more overture. leontes how could that be? either thou art most ignorant by age, or thou wert born a fool. camillo's flight, added to their familiarity, which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, that lack'd sight only, nought for approbation but only seeing, all other circumstances made up to the deed, doth push on this proceeding: yet, for a greater confirmation, for in an act of this importance 'twere most piteous to be wild, i have dispatch'd in post to sacred delphos, to apollo's temple, cleomenes and dion, whom you know of stuff'd sufficiency: now from the oracle they will bring all; whose spiritual counsel had, shall stop or spur me. have i done well? first lord well done, my lord. leontes though i am satisfied and need no more than what i know, yet shall the oracle give rest to the minds of others, such as he whose ignorant credulity will not come up to the truth. so have we thought it good from our free person she should be confined, lest that the treachery of the two fled hence be left her to perform. come, follow us; we are to speak in public; for this business will raise us all. antigonus [aside] to laughter, as i take it, if the good truth were known. [exeunt] the winter's tale act ii scene ii a prison. [enter paulina, a gentleman, and attendants] paulina the keeper of the prison, call to him; let him have knowledge who i am. [exit gentleman] good lady, no court in europe is too good for thee; what dost thou then in prison? [re-enter gentleman, with the gaoler] now, good sir, you know me, do you not? gaoler for a worthy lady and one whom much i honour. paulina pray you then, conduct me to the queen. gaoler i may not, madam: to the contrary i have express commandment. paulina here's ado, to lock up honesty and honour from the access of gentle visitors! is't lawful, pray you, to see her women? any of them? emilia? gaoler so please you, madam, to put apart these your attendants, i shall bring emilia forth. paulina i pray now, call her. withdraw yourselves. [exeunt gentleman and attendants] gaoler and, madam, i must be present at your conference. paulina well, be't so, prithee. [exit gaoler] here's such ado to make no stain a stain as passes colouring. [re-enter gaoler, with emilia] dear gentlewoman, how fares our gracious lady? emilia as well as one so great and so forlorn may hold together: on her frights and griefs, which never tender lady hath born greater, she is something before her time deliver'd. paulina a boy? emilia a daughter, and a goodly babe, lusty and like to live: the queen receives much comfort in't; says 'my poor prisoner, i am innocent as you.' paulina i dare be sworn these dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, beshrew them! he must be told on't, and he shall: the office becomes a woman best; i'll take't upon me: if i prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister and never to my red-look'd anger be the trumpet any more. pray you, emilia, commend my best obedience to the queen: if she dares trust me with her little babe, i'll show't the king and undertake to be her advocate to the loud'st. we do not know how he may soften at the sight o' the child: the silence often of pure innocence persuades when speaking fails. emilia most worthy madam, your honour and your goodness is so evident that your free undertaking cannot miss a thriving issue: there is no lady living so meet for this great errand. please your ladyship to visit the next room, i'll presently acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; who but to-day hammer'd of this design, but durst not tempt a minister of honour, lest she should be denied. paulina tell her, emilia. i'll use that tongue i have: if wit flow from't as boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted i shall do good. emilia now be you blest for it! i'll to the queen: please you, come something nearer. gaoler madam, if't please the queen to send the babe, i know not what i shall incur to pass it, having no warrant. paulina you need not fear it, sir: this child was prisoner to the womb and is by law and process of great nature thence freed and enfranchised, not a party to the anger of the king nor guilty of, if any be, the trespass of the queen. gaoler i do believe it. paulina do not you fear: upon mine honour, i will stand betwixt you and danger. [exeunt] the winter's tale act ii scene iii a room in leontes' palace. [enter leontes, antigonus, lords, and servants] leontes nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness to bear the matter thus; mere weakness. if the cause were not in being,--part o' the cause, she the adulteress; for the harlot king is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank and level of my brain, plot-proof; but she i can hook to me: say that she were gone, given to the fire, a moiety of my rest might come to me again. who's there? first servant my lord? leontes how does the boy? first servant he took good rest to-night; 'tis hoped his sickness is discharged. leontes to see his nobleness! conceiving the dishonour of his mother, he straight declined, droop'd, took it deeply, fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself, threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, and downright languish'd. leave me solely: go, see how he fares. [exit servant] fie, fie! no thought of him: the thought of my revenges that way recoil upon me: in himself too mighty, and in his parties, his alliance; let him be until a time may serve: for present vengeance, take it on her. camillo and polixenes laugh at me, make their pastime at my sorrow: they should not laugh if i could reach them, nor shall she within my power. [enter paulina, with a child] first lord you must not enter. paulina nay, rather, good my lords, be second to me: fear you his tyrannous passion more, alas, than the queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, more free than he is jealous. antigonus that's enough. second servant madam, he hath not slept tonight; commanded none should come at him. paulina not so hot, good sir: i come to bring him sleep. 'tis such as you, that creep like shadows by him and do sigh at each his needless heavings, such as you nourish the cause of his awaking: i do come with words as medicinal as true, honest as either, to purge him of that humour that presses him from sleep. leontes what noise there, ho? paulina no noise, my lord; but needful conference about some gossips for your highness. leontes how! away with that audacious lady! antigonus, i charged thee that she should not come about me: i knew she would. antigonus i told her so, my lord, on your displeasure's peril and on mine, she should not visit you. leontes what, canst not rule her? paulina from all dishonesty he can: in this, unless he take the course that you have done, commit me for committing honour, trust it, he shall not rule me. antigonus la you now, you hear: when she will take the rein i let her run; but she'll not stumble. paulina good my liege, i come; and, i beseech you, hear me, who profess myself your loyal servant, your physician, your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare less appear so in comforting your evils, than such as most seem yours: i say, i come from your good queen. leontes good queen! paulina good queen, my lord, good queen; i say good queen; and would by combat make her good, so were i a man, the worst about you. leontes force her hence. paulina let him that makes but trifles of his eyes first hand me: on mine own accord i'll off; but first i'll do my errand. the good queen, for she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. [laying down the child] leontes out! a mankind witch! hence with her, out o' door: a most intelligencing bawd! paulina not so: i am as ignorant in that as you in so entitling me, and no less honest than you are mad; which is enough, i'll warrant, as this world goes, to pass for honest. leontes traitors! will you not push her out? give her the bastard. thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted by thy dame partlet here. take up the bastard; take't up, i say; give't to thy crone. paulina for ever unvenerable be thy hands, if thou takest up the princess by that forced baseness which he has put upon't! leontes he dreads his wife. paulina so i would you did; then 'twere past all doubt you'ld call your children yours. leontes a nest of traitors! antigonus i am none, by this good light. paulina nor i, nor any but one that's here, and that's himself, for he the sacred honour of himself, his queen's, his hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, whose sting is sharper than the sword's; and will not- for, as the case now stands, it is a curse he cannot be compell'd to't--once remove the root of his opinion, which is rotten as ever oak or stone was sound. leontes a callat of boundless tongue, who late hath beat her husband and now baits me! this brat is none of mine; it is the issue of polixenes: hence with it, and together with the dam commit them to the fire! paulina it is yours; and, might we lay the old proverb to your charge, so like you, 'tis the worse. behold, my lords, although the print be little, the whole matter and copy of the father, eye, nose, lip, the trick of's frown, his forehead, nay, the valley, the pretty dimples of his chin and cheek, his smiles, the very mould and frame of hand, nail, finger: and thou, good goddess nature, which hast made it so like to him that got it, if thou hast the ordering of the mind too, 'mongst all colours no yellow in't, lest she suspect, as he does, her children not her husband's! leontes a gross hag and, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, that wilt not stay her tongue. antigonus hang all the husbands that cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself hardly one subject. leontes once more, take her hence. paulina a most unworthy and unnatural lord can do no more. leontes i'll ha' thee burnt. paulina i care not: it is an heretic that makes the fire, not she which burns in't. i'll not call you tyrant; but this most cruel usage of your queen, not able to produce more accusation than your own weak-hinged fancy, something savours of tyranny and will ignoble make you, yea, scandalous to the world. leontes on your allegiance, out of the chamber with her! were i a tyrant, where were her life? she durst not call me so, if she did know me one. away with her! paulina i pray you, do not push me; i'll be gone. look to your babe, my lord; 'tis yours: jove send her a better guiding spirit! what needs these hands? you, that are thus so tender o'er his follies, will never do him good, not one of you. so, so: farewell; we are gone. [exit] leontes thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. my child? away with't! even thou, that hast a heart so tender o'er it, take it hence and see it instantly consumed with fire; even thou and none but thou. take it up straight: within this hour bring me word 'tis done, and by good testimony, or i'll seize thy life, with what thou else call'st thine. if thou refuse and wilt encounter with my wrath, say so; the bastard brains with these my proper hands shall i dash out. go, take it to the fire; for thou set'st on thy wife. antigonus i did not, sir: these lords, my noble fellows, if they please, can clear me in't. lords we can: my royal liege, he is not guilty of her coming hither. leontes you're liars all. first lord beseech your highness, give us better credit: we have always truly served you, and beseech you so to esteem of us, and on our knees we beg, as recompense of our dear services past and to come, that you do change this purpose, which being so horrible, so bloody, must lead on to some foul issue: we all kneel. leontes i am a feather for each wind that blows: shall i live on to see this bastard kneel and call me father? better burn it now than curse it then. but be it; let it live. it shall not neither. you, sir, come you hither; you that have been so tenderly officious with lady margery, your midwife there, to save this bastard's life,--for 'tis a bastard, so sure as this beard's grey, --what will you adventure to save this brat's life? antigonus any thing, my lord, that my ability may undergo and nobleness impose: at least thus much: i'll pawn the little blood which i have left to save the innocent: any thing possible. leontes it shall be possible. swear by this sword thou wilt perform my bidding. antigonus i will, my lord. leontes mark and perform it, see'st thou! for the fail of any point in't shall not only be death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued wife, whom for this time we pardon. we enjoin thee, as thou art liege-man to us, that thou carry this female bastard hence and that thou bear it to some remote and desert place quite out of our dominions, and that there thou leave it, without more mercy, to its own protection and favour of the climate. as by strange fortune it came to us, i do in justice charge thee, on thy soul's peril and thy body's torture, that thou commend it strangely to some place where chance may nurse or end it. take it up. antigonus i swear to do this, though a present death had been more merciful. come on, poor babe: some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens to be thy nurses! wolves and bears, they say casting their savageness aside have done like offices of pity. sir, be prosperous in more than this deed does require! and blessing against this cruelty fight on thy side, poor thing, condemn'd to loss! [exit with the child] leontes no, i'll not rear another's issue. [enter a servant] servant please your highness, posts from those you sent to the oracle are come an hour since: cleomenes and dion, being well arrived from delphos, are both landed, hasting to the court. first lord so please you, sir, their speed hath been beyond account. leontes twenty-three days they have been absent: 'tis good speed; foretells the great apollo suddenly will have the truth of this appear. prepare you, lords; summon a session, that we may arraign our most disloyal lady, for, as she hath been publicly accused, so shall she have a just and open trial. while she lives my heart will be a burthen to me. leave me, and think upon my bidding. [exeunt] the winter's tale act iii scene i a sea-port in sicilia. [enter cleomenes and dion] cleomenes the climate's delicate, the air most sweet, fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing the common praise it bears. dion i shall report, for most it caught me, the celestial habits, methinks i so should term them, and the reverence of the grave wearers. o, the sacrifice! how ceremonious, solemn and unearthly it was i' the offering! cleomenes but of all, the burst and the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle, kin to jove's thunder, so surprised my sense. that i was nothing. dion if the event o' the journey prove as successful to the queen,--o be't so!- as it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy, the time is worth the use on't. cleomenes great apollo turn all to the best! these proclamations, so forcing faults upon hermione, i little like. dion the violent carriage of it will clear or end the business: when the oracle, thus by apollo's great divine seal'd up, shall the contents discover, something rare even then will rush to knowledge. go: fresh horses! and gracious be the issue! [exeunt] the winter's tale act iii scene ii a court of justice. [enter leontes, lords, and officers] leontes this sessions, to our great grief we pronounce, even pushes 'gainst our heart: the party tried the daughter of a king, our wife, and one of us too much beloved. let us be clear'd of being tyrannous, since we so openly proceed in justice, which shall have due course, even to the guilt or the purgation. produce the prisoner. officer it is his highness' pleasure that the queen appear in person here in court. silence! [enter hermione guarded; paulina and ladies attending] leontes read the indictment. officer [reads] hermione, queen to the worthy leontes, king of sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with polixenes, king of bohemia, and conspiring with camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night. hermione since what i am to say must be but that which contradicts my accusation and the testimony on my part no other but what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me to say 'not guilty:' mine integrity being counted falsehood, shall, as i express it, be so received. but thus: if powers divine behold our human actions, as they do, i doubt not then but innocence shall make false accusation blush and tyranny tremble at patience. you, my lord, best know, who least will seem to do so, my past life hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, as i am now unhappy; which is more than history can pattern, though devised and play'd to take spectators. for behold me a fellow of the royal bed, which owe a moiety of the throne a great king's daughter, the mother to a hopeful prince, here standing to prate and talk for life and honour 'fore who please to come and hear. for life, i prize it as i weigh grief, which i would spare: for honour, 'tis a derivative from me to mine, and only that i stand for. i appeal to your own conscience, sir, before polixenes came to your court, how i was in your grace, how merited to be so; since he came, with what encounter so uncurrent i have strain'd to appear thus: if one jot beyond the bound of honour, or in act or will that way inclining, harden'd be the hearts of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin cry fie upon my grave! leontes i ne'er heard yet that any of these bolder vices wanted less impudence to gainsay what they did than to perform it first. hermione that's true enough; through 'tis a saying, sir, not due to me. leontes you will not own it. hermione more than mistress of which comes to me in name of fault, i must not at all acknowledge. for polixenes, with whom i am accused, i do confess i loved him as in honour he required, with such a kind of love as might become a lady like me, with a love even such, so and no other, as yourself commanded: which not to have done i think had been in me both disobedience and ingratitude to you and toward your friend, whose love had spoke, even since it could speak, from an infant, freely that it was yours. now, for conspiracy, i know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd for me to try how: all i know of it is that camillo was an honest man; and why he left your court, the gods themselves, wotting no more than i, are ignorant. leontes you knew of his departure, as you know what you have underta'en to do in's absence. hermione sir, you speak a language that i understand not: my life stands in the level of your dreams, which i'll lay down. leontes your actions are my dreams; you had a bastard by polixenes, and i but dream'd it. as you were past all shame,- those of your fact are so--so past all truth: which to deny concerns more than avails; for as thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself, no father owning it,--which is, indeed, more criminal in thee than it,--so thou shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage look for no less than death. hermione sir, spare your threats: the bug which you would fright me with i seek. to me can life be no commodity: the crown and comfort of my life, your favour, i do give lost; for i do feel it gone, but know not how it went. my second joy and first-fruits of my body, from his presence i am barr'd, like one infectious. my third comfort starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast, the innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, haled out to murder: myself on every post proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred the child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs to women of all fashion; lastly, hurried here to this place, i' the open air, before i have got strength of limit. now, my liege, tell me what blessings i have here alive, that i should fear to die? therefore proceed. but yet hear this: mistake me not; no life, i prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, which i would free, if i shall be condemn'd upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else but what your jealousies awake, i tell you 'tis rigor and not law. your honours all, i do refer me to the oracle: apollo be my judge! first lord this your request is altogether just: therefore bring forth, and in apollos name, his oracle. [exeunt certain officers] hermione the emperor of russia was my father: o that he were alive, and here beholding his daughter's trial! that he did but see the flatness of my misery, yet with eyes of pity, not revenge! [re-enter officers, with cleomenes and dion] officer you here shall swear upon this sword of justice, that you, cleomenes and dion, have been both at delphos, and from thence have brought the seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd of great apollo's priest; and that, since then, you have not dared to break the holy seal nor read the secrets in't. cleomenes | | all this we swear. dion | leontes break up the seals and read. officer [reads] hermione is chaste; polixenes blameless; camillo a true subject; leontes a jealous tyrant; his innocent babe truly begotten; and the king shall live without an heir, if that which is lost be not found. lords now blessed be the great apollo! hermione praised! leontes hast thou read truth? officer ay, my lord; even so as it is here set down. leontes there is no truth at all i' the oracle: the sessions shall proceed: this is mere falsehood. [enter servant] servant my lord the king, the king! leontes what is the business? servant o sir, i shall be hated to report it! the prince your son, with mere conceit and fear of the queen's speed, is gone. leontes how! gone! servant is dead. leontes apollo's angry; and the heavens themselves do strike at my injustice. [hermione swoons] how now there! paulina this news is mortal to the queen: look down and see what death is doing. leontes take her hence: her heart is but o'ercharged; she will recover: i have too much believed mine own suspicion: beseech you, tenderly apply to her some remedies for life. [exeunt paulina and ladies, with hermione] apollo, pardon my great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! i'll reconcile me to polixenes, new woo my queen, recall the good camillo, whom i proclaim a man of truth, of mercy; for, being transported by my jealousies to bloody thoughts and to revenge, i chose camillo for the minister to poison my friend polixenes: which had been done, but that the good mind of camillo tardied my swift command, though i with death and with reward did threaten and encourage him, not doing 't and being done: he, most humane and fill'd with honour, to my kingly guest unclasp'd my practise, quit his fortunes here, which you knew great, and to the hazard of all encertainties himself commended, no richer than his honour: how he glisters thorough my rust! and how his pity does my deeds make the blacker! [re-enter paulina] paulina woe the while! o, cut my lace, lest my heart, cracking it, break too. first lord what fit is this, good lady? paulina what studied torments, tyrant, hast for me? what wheels? racks? fires? what flaying? boiling? in leads or oils? what old or newer torture must i receive, whose every word deserves to taste of thy most worst? thy tyranny together working with thy jealousies, fancies too weak for boys, too green and idle for girls of nine, o, think what they have done and then run mad indeed, stark mad! for all thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it. that thou betray'dst polixenes,'twas nothing; that did but show thee, of a fool, inconstant and damnable ingrateful: nor was't much, thou wouldst have poison'd good camillo's honour, to have him kill a king: poor trespasses, more monstrous standing by: whereof i reckon the casting forth to crows thy baby-daughter to be or none or little; though a devil would have shed water out of fire ere done't: nor is't directly laid to thee, the death of the young prince, whose honourable thoughts, thoughts high for one so tender, cleft the heart that could conceive a gross and foolish sire blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no, laid to thy answer: but the last,--o lords, when i have said, cry 'woe!' the queen, the queen, the sweet'st, dear'st creature's dead, and vengeance for't not dropp'd down yet. first lord the higher powers forbid! paulina i say she's dead; i'll swear't. if word nor oath prevail not, go and see: if you can bring tincture or lustre in her lip, her eye, heat outwardly or breath within, i'll serve you as i would do the gods. but, o thou tyrant! do not repent these things, for they are heavier than all thy woes can stir; therefore betake thee to nothing but despair. a thousand knees ten thousand years together, naked, fasting, upon a barren mountain and still winter in storm perpetual, could not move the gods to look that way thou wert. leontes go on, go on thou canst not speak too much; i have deserved all tongues to talk their bitterest. first lord say no more: howe'er the business goes, you have made fault i' the boldness of your speech. paulina i am sorry for't: all faults i make, when i shall come to know them, i do repent. alas! i have show'd too much the rashness of a woman: he is touch'd to the noble heart. what's gone and what's past help should be past grief: do not receive affliction at my petition; i beseech you, rather let me be punish'd, that have minded you of what you should forget. now, good my liege sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman: the love i bore your queen--lo, fool again!- i'll speak of her no more, nor of your children; i'll not remember you of my own lord, who is lost too: take your patience to you, and i'll say nothing. leontes thou didst speak but well when most the truth; which i receive much better than to be pitied of thee. prithee, bring me to the dead bodies of my queen and son: one grave shall be for both: upon them shall the causes of their death appear, unto our shame perpetual. once a day i'll visit the chapel where they lie, and tears shed there shall be my recreation: so long as nature will bear up with this exercise, so long i daily vow to use it. come and lead me unto these sorrows. [exeunt] the winter's tale act iii scene iii bohemia. a desert country near the sea. [enter antigonus with a child, and a mariner] antigonus thou art perfect then, our ship hath touch'd upon the deserts of bohemia? mariner ay, my lord: and fear we have landed in ill time: the skies look grimly and threaten present blusters. in my conscience, the heavens with that we have in hand are angry and frown upon 's. antigonus their sacred wills be done! go, get aboard; look to thy bark: i'll not be long before i call upon thee. mariner make your best haste, and go not too far i' the land: 'tis like to be loud weather; besides, this place is famous for the creatures of prey that keep upon't. antigonus go thou away: i'll follow instantly. mariner i am glad at heart to be so rid o' the business. [exit] antigonus come, poor babe: i have heard, but not believed, the spirits o' the dead may walk again: if such thing be, thy mother appear'd to me last night, for ne'er was dream so like a waking. to me comes a creature, sometimes her head on one side, some another; i never saw a vessel of like sorrow, so fill'd and so becoming: in pure white robes, like very sanctity, she did approach my cabin where i lay; thrice bow'd before me, and gasping to begin some speech, her eyes became two spouts: the fury spent, anon did this break-from her: 'good antigonus, since fate, against thy better disposition, hath made thy person for the thrower-out of my poor babe, according to thine oath, places remote enough are in bohemia, there weep and leave it crying; and, for the babe is counted lost for ever, perdita, i prithee, call't. for this ungentle business put on thee by my lord, thou ne'er shalt see thy wife paulina more.' and so, with shrieks she melted into air. affrighted much, i did in time collect myself and thought this was so and no slumber. dreams are toys: yet for this once, yea, superstitiously, i will be squared by this. i do believe hermione hath suffer'd death, and that apollo would, this being indeed the issue of king polixenes, it should here be laid, either for life or death, upon the earth of its right father. blossom, speed thee well! there lie, and there thy character: there these; which may, if fortune please, both breed thee, pretty, and still rest thine. the storm begins; poor wretch, that for thy mother's fault art thus exposed to loss and what may follow! weep i cannot, but my heart bleeds; and most accursed am i to be by oath enjoin'd to this. farewell! the day frowns more and more: thou'rt like to have a lullaby too rough: i never saw the heavens so dim by day. a savage clamour! well may i get aboard! this is the chase: i am gone for ever. [exit, pursued by a bear] [enter a shepherd] shepherd i would there were no age between sixteen and three-and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest; for there is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting--hark you now! would any but these boiled brains of nineteen and two-and-twenty hunt this weather? they have scared away two of my best sheep, which i fear the wolf will sooner find than the master: if any where i have them, 'tis by the seaside, browsing of ivy. good luck, an't be thy will what have we here! mercy on 's, a barne a very pretty barne! a boy or a child, i wonder? a pretty one; a very pretty one: sure, some 'scape: though i am not bookish, yet i can read waiting-gentlewoman in the 'scape. this has been some stair-work, some trunk-work, some behind-door-work: they were warmer that got this than the poor thing is here. i'll take it up for pity: yet i'll tarry till my son come; he hallooed but even now. whoa, ho, hoa! [enter clown] clown hilloa, loa! shepherd what, art so near? if thou'lt see a thing to talk on when thou art dead and rotten, come hither. what ailest thou, man? clown i have seen two such sights, by sea and by land! but i am not to say it is a sea, for it is now the sky: betwixt the firmament and it you cannot thrust a bodkin's point. shepherd why, boy, how is it? clown i would you did but see how it chafes, how it rages, how it takes up the shore! but that's not the point. o, the most piteous cry of the poor souls! sometimes to see 'em, and not to see 'em; now the ship boring the moon with her main-mast, and anon swallowed with yest and froth, as you'ld thrust a cork into a hogshead. and then for the land-service, to see how the bear tore out his shoulder-bone; how he cried to me for help and said his name was antigonus, a nobleman. but to make an end of the ship, to see how the sea flap-dragoned it: but, first, how the poor souls roared, and the sea mocked them; and how the poor gentleman roared and the bear mocked him, both roaring louder than the sea or weather. shepherd name of mercy, when was this, boy? clown now, now: i have not winked since i saw these sights: the men are not yet cold under water, nor the bear half dined on the gentleman: he's at it now. shepherd would i had been by, to have helped the old man! clown i would you had been by the ship side, to have helped her: there your charity would have lacked footing. shepherd heavy matters! heavy matters! but look thee here, boy. now bless thyself: thou mettest with things dying, i with things newborn. here's a sight for thee; look thee, a bearing-cloth for a squire's child! look thee here; take up, take up, boy; open't. so, let's see: it was told me i should be rich by the fairies. this is some changeling: open't. what's within, boy? clown you're a made old man: if the sins of your youth are forgiven you, you're well to live. gold! all gold! shepherd this is fairy gold, boy, and 'twill prove so: up with't, keep it close: home, home, the next way. we are lucky, boy; and to be so still requires nothing but secrecy. let my sheep go: come, good boy, the next way home. clown go you the next way with your findings. i'll go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman and how much he hath eaten: they are never curst but when they are hungry: if there be any of him left, i'll bury it. shepherd that's a good deed. if thou mayest discern by that which is left of him what he is, fetch me to the sight of him. clown marry, will i; and you shall help to put him i' the ground. shepherd 'tis a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't. [exeunt] the winter's tale act iv scene i: [enter time, the chorus] time i, that please some, try all, both joy and terror of good and bad, that makes and unfolds error, now take upon me, in the name of time, to use my wings. impute it not a crime to me or my swift passage, that i slide o'er sixteen years and leave the growth untried of that wide gap, since it is in my power to o'erthrow law and in one self-born hour to plant and o'erwhelm custom. let me pass the same i am, ere ancient'st order was or what is now received: i witness to the times that brought them in; so shall i do to the freshest things now reigning and make stale the glistering of this present, as my tale now seems to it. your patience this allowing, i turn my glass and give my scene such growing as you had slept between: leontes leaving, the effects of his fond jealousies so grieving that he shuts up himself, imagine me, gentle spectators, that i now may be in fair bohemia, and remember well, i mentioned a son o' the king's, which florizel i now name to you; and with speed so pace to speak of perdita, now grown in grace equal with wondering: what of her ensues i list not prophecy; but let time's news be known when 'tis brought forth. a shepherd's daughter, and what to her adheres, which follows after, is the argument of time. of this allow, if ever you have spent time worse ere now; if never, yet that time himself doth say he wishes earnestly you never may. [exit] the winter's tale act iv scene ii bohemia. the palace of polixenes. [enter polixenes and camillo] polixenes i pray thee, good camillo, be no more importunate: 'tis a sickness denying thee any thing; a death to grant this. camillo it is fifteen years since i saw my country: though i have for the most part been aired abroad, i desire to lay my bones there. besides, the penitent king, my master, hath sent for me; to whose feeling sorrows i might be some allay, or i o'erween to think so, which is another spur to my departure. polixenes as thou lovest me, camillo, wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now: the need i have of thee thine own goodness hath made; better not to have had thee than thus to want thee: thou, having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage, must either stay to execute them thyself or take away with thee the very services thou hast done; which if i have not enough considered, as too much i cannot, to be more thankful to thee shall be my study, and my profit therein the heaping friendships. of that fatal country, sicilia, prithee speak no more; whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent, as thou callest him, and reconciled king, my brother; whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented. say to me, when sawest thou the prince florizel, my son? kings are no less unhappy, their issue not being gracious, than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues. camillo sir, it is three days since i saw the prince. what his happier affairs may be, are to me unknown: but i have missingly noted, he is of late much retired from court and is less frequent to his princely exercises than formerly he hath appeared. polixenes i have considered so much, camillo, and with some care; so far that i have eyes under my service which look upon his removedness; from whom i have this intelligence, that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd; a man, they say, that from very nothing, and beyond the imagination of his neighbours, is grown into an unspeakable estate. camillo i have heard, sir, of such a man, who hath a daughter of most rare note: the report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin from such a cottage. polixenes that's likewise part of my intelligence; but, i fear, the angle that plucks our son thither. thou shalt accompany us to the place; where we will, not appearing what we are, have some question with the shepherd; from whose simplicity i think it not uneasy to get the cause of my son's resort thither. prithee, be my present partner in this business, and lay aside the thoughts of sicilia. camillo i willingly obey your command. polixenes my best camillo! we must disguise ourselves. [exeunt] the winter's tale act iv scene iii a road near the shepherd's cottage. [enter autolycus, singing] autolycus when daffodils begin to peer, with heigh! the doxy over the dale, why, then comes in the sweet o' the year; for the red blood reigns in the winter's pale. the white sheet bleaching on the hedge, with heigh! the sweet birds, o, how they sing! doth set my pugging tooth on edge; for a quart of ale is a dish for a king. the lark, that tirra-lyra chants, with heigh! with heigh! the thrush and the jay, are summer songs for me and my aunts, while we lie tumbling in the hay. i have served prince florizel and in my time wore three-pile; but now i am out of service: but shall i go mourn for that, my dear? the pale moon shines by night: and when i wander here and there, i then do most go right. if tinkers may have leave to live, and bear the sow-skin budget, then my account i well may, give, and in the stocks avouch it. my traffic is sheets; when the kite builds, look to lesser linen. my father named me autolycus; who being, as i am, littered under mercury, was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles. with die and drab i purchased this caparison, and my revenue is the silly cheat. gallows and knock are too powerful on the highway: beating and hanging are terrors to me: for the life to come, i sleep out the thought of it. a prize! a prize! [enter clown] clown let me see: every 'leven wether tods; every tod yields pound and odd shilling; fifteen hundred shorn. what comes the wool to? autolycus [aside] if the springe hold, the cock's mine. clown i cannot do't without counters. let me see; what am i to buy for our sheep-shearing feast? three pound of sugar, five pound of currants, rice,--what will this sister of mine do with rice? but my father hath made her mistress of the feast, and she lays it on. she hath made me four and twenty nose-gays for the shearers, three-man-song-men all, and very good ones; but they are most of them means and bases; but one puritan amongst them, and he sings psalms to horn-pipes. i must have saffron to colour the warden pies; mace; dates?--none, that's out of my note; nutmegs, seven; a race or two of ginger, but that i may beg; four pound of prunes, and as many of raisins o' the sun. autolycus o that ever i was born! [grovelling on the ground] clown i' the name of me- autolycus o, help me, help me! pluck but off these rags; and then, death, death! clown alack, poor soul! thou hast need of more rags to lay on thee, rather than have these off. autolycus o sir, the loathsomeness of them offends me more than the stripes i have received, which are mighty ones and millions. clown alas, poor man! a million of beating may come to a great matter. autolycus i am robbed, sir, and beaten; my money and apparel ta'en from me, and these detestable things put upon me. clown what, by a horseman, or a footman? autolycus a footman, sweet sir, a footman. clown indeed, he should be a footman by the garments he has left with thee: if this be a horseman's coat, it hath seen very hot service. lend me thy hand, i'll help thee: come, lend me thy hand. autolycus o, good sir, tenderly, o! clown alas, poor soul! autolycus o, good sir, softly, good sir! i fear, sir, my shoulder-blade is out. clown how now! canst stand? autolycus [picking his pocket] softly, dear sir; good sir, softly. you ha' done me a charitable office. clown dost lack any money? i have a little money for thee. autolycus no, good sweet sir; no, i beseech you, sir: i have a kinsman not past three quarters of a mile hence, unto whom i was going; i shall there have money, or any thing i want: offer me no money, i pray you; that kills my heart. clown what manner of fellow was he that robbed you? autolycus a fellow, sir, that i have known to go about with troll-my-dames; i knew him once a servant of the prince: i cannot tell, good sir, for which of his virtues it was, but he was certainly whipped out of the court. clown his vices, you would say; there's no virtue whipped out of the court: they cherish it to make it stay there; and yet it will no more but abide. autolycus vices, i would say, sir. i know this man well: he hath been since an ape-bearer; then a process-server, a bailiff; then he compassed a motion of the prodigal son, and married a tinker's wife within a mile where my land and living lies; and, having flown over many knavish professions, he settled only in rogue: some call him autolycus. clown out upon him! prig, for my life, prig: he haunts wakes, fairs and bear-baitings. autolycus very true, sir; he, sir, he; that's the rogue that put me into this apparel. clown not a more cowardly rogue in all bohemia: if you had but looked big and spit at him, he'ld have run. autolycus i must confess to you, sir, i am no fighter: i am false of heart that way; and that he knew, i warrant him. clown how do you now? autolycus sweet sir, much better than i was; i can stand and walk: i will even take my leave of you, and pace softly towards my kinsman's. clown shall i bring thee on the way? autolycus no, good-faced sir; no, sweet sir. clown then fare thee well: i must go buy spices for our sheep-shearing. autolycus prosper you, sweet sir! [exit clown] your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice. i'll be with you at your sheep-shearing too: if i make not this cheat bring out another and the shearers prove sheep, let me be unrolled and my name put in the book of virtue! [sings] jog on, jog on, the foot-path way, and merrily hent the stile-a: a merry heart goes all the day, your sad tires in a mile-a. [exit] the winter's tale act iv scene iv the shepherd's cottage. [enter florizel and perdita] florizel these your unusual weeds to each part of you do give a life: no shepherdess, but flora peering in april's front. this your sheep-shearing is as a meeting of the petty gods, and you the queen on't. perdita sir, my gracious lord, to chide at your extremes it not becomes me: o, pardon, that i name them! your high self, the gracious mark o' the land, you have obscured with a swain's wearing, and me, poor lowly maid, most goddess-like prank'd up: but that our feasts in every mess have folly and the feeders digest it with a custom, i should blush to see you so attired, sworn, i think, to show myself a glass. florizel i bless the time when my good falcon made her flight across thy father's ground. perdita now jove afford you cause! to me the difference forges dread; your greatness hath not been used to fear. even now i tremble to think your father, by some accident, should pass this way as you did: o, the fates! how would he look, to see his work so noble vilely bound up? what would he say? or how should i, in these my borrow'd flaunts, behold the sternness of his presence? florizel apprehend nothing but jollity. the gods themselves, humbling their deities to love, have taken the shapes of beasts upon them: jupiter became a bull, and bellow'd; the green neptune a ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed god, golden apollo, a poor humble swain, as i seem now. their transformations were never for a piece of beauty rarer, nor in a way so chaste, since my desires run not before mine honour, nor my lusts burn hotter than my faith. perdita o, but, sir, your resolution cannot hold, when 'tis opposed, as it must be, by the power of the king: one of these two must be necessities, which then will speak, that you must change this purpose, or i my life. florizel thou dearest perdita, with these forced thoughts, i prithee, darken not the mirth o' the feast. or i'll be thine, my fair, or not my father's. for i cannot be mine own, nor any thing to any, if i be not thine. to this i am most constant, though destiny say no. be merry, gentle; strangle such thoughts as these with any thing that you behold the while. your guests are coming: lift up your countenance, as it were the day of celebration of that nuptial which we two have sworn shall come. perdita o lady fortune, stand you auspicious! florizel see, your guests approach: address yourself to entertain them sprightly, and let's be red with mirth. [enter shepherd, clown, mopsa, dorcas, and others, with polixenes and camillo disguised] shepherd fie, daughter! when my old wife lived, upon this day she was both pantler, butler, cook, both dame and servant; welcomed all, served all; would sing her song and dance her turn; now here, at upper end o' the table, now i' the middle; on his shoulder, and his; her face o' fire with labour and the thing she took to quench it, she would to each one sip. you are retired, as if you were a feasted one and not the hostess of the meeting: pray you, bid these unknown friends to's welcome; for it is a way to make us better friends, more known. come, quench your blushes and present yourself that which you are, mistress o' the feast: come on, and bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing, as your good flock shall prosper. perdita [to polixenes] sir, welcome: it is my father's will i should take on me the hostess-ship o' the day. [to camillo] you're welcome, sir. give me those flowers there, dorcas. reverend sirs, for you there's rosemary and rue; these keep seeming and savour all the winter long: grace and remembrance be to you both, and welcome to our shearing! polixenes shepherdess, a fair one are you--well you fit our ages with flowers of winter. perdita sir, the year growing ancient, not yet on summer's death, nor on the birth of trembling winter, the fairest flowers o' the season are our carnations and streak'd gillyvors, which some call nature's bastards: of that kind our rustic garden's barren; and i care not to get slips of them. polixenes wherefore, gentle maiden, do you neglect them? perdita for i have heard it said there is an art which in their piedness shares with great creating nature. polixenes say there be; yet nature is made better by no mean but nature makes that mean: so, over that art which you say adds to nature, is an art that nature makes. you see, sweet maid, we marry a gentler scion to the wildest stock, and make conceive a bark of baser kind by bud of nobler race: this is an art which does mend nature, change it rather, but the art itself is nature. perdita so it is. polixenes then make your garden rich in gillyvors, and do not call them bastards. perdita i'll not put the dibble in earth to set one slip of them; no more than were i painted i would wish this youth should say 'twere well and only therefore desire to breed by me. here's flowers for you; hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; the marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun and with him rises weeping: these are flowers of middle summer, and i think they are given to men of middle age. you're very welcome. camillo i should leave grazing, were i of your flock, and only live by gazing. perdita out, alas! you'd be so lean, that blasts of january would blow you through and through. now, my fair'st friend, i would i had some flowers o' the spring that might become your time of day; and yours, and yours, that wear upon your virgin branches yet your maidenheads growing: o proserpina, for the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fall from dis's waggon! daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of march with beauty; violets dim, but sweeter than the lids of juno's eyes or cytherea's breath; pale primroses that die unmarried, ere they can behold bight phoebus in his strength--a malady most incident to maids; bold oxlips and the crown imperial; lilies of all kinds, the flower-de-luce being one! o, these i lack, to make you garlands of, and my sweet friend, to strew him o'er and o'er! florizel what, like a corse? perdita no, like a bank for love to lie and play on; not like a corse; or if, not to be buried, but quick and in mine arms. come, take your flowers: methinks i play as i have seen them do in whitsun pastorals: sure this robe of mine does change my disposition. florizel what you do still betters what is done. when you speak, sweet. i'ld have you do it ever: when you sing, i'ld have you buy and sell so, so give alms, pray so; and, for the ordering your affairs, to sing them too: when you do dance, i wish you a wave o' the sea, that you might ever do nothing but that; move still, still so, and own no other function: each your doing, so singular in each particular, crowns what you are doing in the present deed, that all your acts are queens. perdita o doricles, your praises are too large: but that your youth, and the true blood which peepeth fairly through't, do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd, with wisdom i might fear, my doricles, you woo'd me the false way. florizel i think you have as little skill to fear as i have purpose to put you to't. but come; our dance, i pray: your hand, my perdita: so turtles pair, that never mean to part. perdita i'll swear for 'em. polixenes this is the prettiest low-born lass that ever ran on the green-sward: nothing she does or seems but smacks of something greater than herself, too noble for this place. camillo he tells her something that makes her blood look out: good sooth, she is the queen of curds and cream. clown come on, strike up! dorcas mopsa must be your mistress: marry, garlic, to mend her kissing with! mopsa now, in good time! clown not a word, a word; we stand upon our manners. come, strike up! [music. here a dance of shepherds and shepherdesses] polixenes pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is this which dances with your daughter? shepherd they call him doricles; and boasts himself to have a worthy feeding: but i have it upon his own report and i believe it; he looks like sooth. he says he loves my daughter: i think so too; for never gazed the moon upon the water as he'll stand and read as 'twere my daughter's eyes: and, to be plain. i think there is not half a kiss to choose who loves another best. polixenes she dances featly. shepherd so she does any thing; though i report it, that should be silent: if young doricles do light upon her, she shall bring him that which he not dreams of. [enter servant] servant o master, if you did but hear the pedlar at the door, you would never dance again after a tabour and pipe; no, the bagpipe could not move you: he sings several tunes faster than you'll tell money; he utters them as he had eaten ballads and all men's ears grew to his tunes. clown he could never come better; he shall come in. i love a ballad but even too well, if it be doleful matter merrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably. servant he hath songs for man or woman, of all sizes; no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves: he has the prettiest love-songs for maids; so without bawdry, which is strange; with such delicate burthens of dildos and fadings, 'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break a foul gap into the matter, he makes the maid to answer 'whoop, do me no harm, good man;' puts him off, slights him, with 'whoop, do me no harm, good man.' polixenes this is a brave fellow. clown believe me, thou talkest of an admirable conceited fellow. has he any unbraided wares? servant he hath ribbons of an the colours i' the rainbow; points more than all the lawyers in bohemia can learnedly handle, though they come to him by the gross: inkles, caddisses, cambrics, lawns: why, he sings 'em over as they were gods or goddesses; you would think a smock were a she-angel, he so chants to the sleeve-hand and the work about the square on't. clown prithee bring him in; and let him approach singing. perdita forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in 's tunes. [exit servant] clown you have of these pedlars, that have more in them than you'ld think, sister. perdita ay, good brother, or go about to think. [enter autolycus, singing] autolycus lawn as white as driven snow; cyprus black as e'er was crow; gloves as sweet as damask roses; masks for faces and for noses; bugle bracelet, necklace amber, perfume for a lady's chamber; golden quoifs and stomachers, for my lads to give their dears: pins and poking-sticks of steel, what maids lack from head to heel: come buy of me, come; come buy, come buy; buy lads, or else your lasses cry: come buy. clown if i were not in love with mopsa, thou shouldst take no money of me; but being enthralled as i am, it will also be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves. mopsa i was promised them against the feast; but they come not too late now. dorcas he hath promised you more than that, or there be liars. mopsa he hath paid you all he promised you; may be, he has paid you more, which will shame you to give him again. clown is there no manners left among maids? will they wear their plackets where they should bear their faces? is there not milking-time, when you are going to bed, or kiln-hole, to whistle off these secrets, but you must be tittle-tattling before all our guests? 'tis well they are whispering: clamour your tongues, and not a word more. mopsa i have done. come, you promised me a tawdry-lace and a pair of sweet gloves. clown have i not told thee how i was cozened by the way and lost all my money? autolycus and indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; therefore it behoves men to be wary. clown fear not thou, man, thou shalt lose nothing here. autolycus i hope so, sir; for i have about me many parcels of charge. clown what hast here? ballads? mopsa pray now, buy some: i love a ballad in print o' life, for then we are sure they are true. autolycus here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer's wife was brought to bed of twenty money-bags at a burthen and how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed. mopsa is it true, think you? autolycus very true, and but a month old. dorcas bless me from marrying a usurer! autolycus here's the midwife's name to't, one mistress tale-porter, and five or six honest wives that were present. why should i carry lies abroad? mopsa pray you now, buy it. clown come on, lay it by: and let's first see moe ballads; we'll buy the other things anon. autolycus here's another ballad of a fish, that appeared upon the coast on wednesday the four-score of april, forty thousand fathom above water, and sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a woman and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange flesh with one that loved her: the ballad is very pitiful and as true. dorcas is it true too, think you? autolycus five justices' hands at it, and witnesses more than my pack will hold. clown lay it by too: another. autolycus this is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one. mopsa let's have some merry ones. autolycus why, this is a passing merry one and goes to the tune of 'two maids wooing a man:' there's scarce a maid westward but she sings it; 'tis in request, i can tell you. mopsa we can both sing it: if thou'lt bear a part, thou shalt hear; 'tis in three parts. dorcas we had the tune on't a month ago. autolycus i can bear my part; you must know 'tis my occupation; have at it with you. [song] autolycus get you hence, for i must go where it fits not you to know. dorcas whither? mopsa o, whither? dorcas whither? mopsa it becomes thy oath full well, thou to me thy secrets tell. dorcas me too, let me go thither. mopsa or thou goest to the orange or mill. dorcas if to either, thou dost ill. autolycus neither. dorcas what, neither? autolycus neither. dorcas thou hast sworn my love to be. mopsa thou hast sworn it more to me: then whither goest? say, whither? clown we'll have this song out anon by ourselves: my father and the gentlemen are in sad talk, and we'll not trouble them. come, bring away thy pack after me. wenches, i'll buy for you both. pedlar, let's have the first choice. follow me, girls. [exit with dorcas and mopsa] autolycus and you shall pay well for 'em. [follows singing] will you buy any tape, or lace for your cape, my dainty duck, my dear-a? any silk, any thread, any toys for your head, of the new'st and finest, finest wear-a? come to the pedlar; money's a medler. that doth utter all men's ware-a. [exit] [re-enter servant] servant master, there is three carters, three shepherds, three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that have made themselves all men of hair, they call themselves saltiers, and they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols, because they are not in't; but they themselves are o' the mind, if it be not too rough for some that know little but bowling, it will please plentifully. shepherd away! we'll none on 't: here has been too much homely foolery already. i know, sir, we weary you. polixenes you weary those that refresh us: pray, let's see these four threes of herdsmen. servant one three of them, by their own report, sir, hath danced before the king; and not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by the squier. shepherd leave your prating: since these good men are pleased, let them come in; but quickly now. servant why, they stay at door, sir. [exit] [here a dance of twelve satyrs] polixenes o, father, you'll know more of that hereafter. [to camillo] is it not too far gone? 'tis time to part them. he's simple and tells much. [to florizel] how now, fair shepherd! your heart is full of something that does take your mind from feasting. sooth, when i was young and handed love as you do, i was wont to load my she with knacks: i would have ransack'd the pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it to her acceptance; you have let him go and nothing marted with him. if your lass interpretation should abuse and call this your lack of love or bounty, you were straited for a reply, at least if you make a care of happy holding her. florizel old sir, i know she prizes not such trifles as these are: the gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'd up in my heart; which i have given already, but not deliver'd. o, hear me breathe my life before this ancient sir, who, it should seem, hath sometime loved! i take thy hand, this hand, as soft as dove's down and as white as it, or ethiopian's tooth, or the fann'd snow that's bolted by the northern blasts twice o'er. polixenes what follows this? how prettily the young swain seems to wash the hand was fair before! i have put you out: but to your protestation; let me hear what you profess. florizel do, and be witness to 't. polixenes and this my neighbour too? florizel and he, and more than he, and men, the earth, the heavens, and all: that, were i crown'd the most imperial monarch, thereof most worthy, were i the fairest youth that ever made eye swerve, had force and knowledge more than was ever man's, i would not prize them without her love; for her employ them all; commend them and condemn them to her service or to their own perdition. polixenes fairly offer'd. camillo this shows a sound affection. shepherd but, my daughter, say you the like to him? perdita i cannot speak so well, nothing so well; no, nor mean better: by the pattern of mine own thoughts i cut out the purity of his. shepherd take hands, a bargain! and, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to 't: i give my daughter to him, and will make her portion equal his. florizel o, that must be i' the virtue of your daughter: one being dead, i shall have more than you can dream of yet; enough then for your wonder. but, come on, contract us 'fore these witnesses. shepherd come, your hand; and, daughter, yours. polixenes soft, swain, awhile, beseech you; have you a father? florizel i have: but what of him? polixenes knows he of this? florizel he neither does nor shall. polixenes methinks a father is at the nuptial of his son a guest that best becomes the table. pray you once more, is not your father grown incapable of reasonable affairs? is he not stupid with age and altering rheums? can he speak? hear? know man from man? dispute his own estate? lies he not bed-rid? and again does nothing but what he did being childish? florizel no, good sir; he has his health and ampler strength indeed than most have of his age. polixenes by my white beard, you offer him, if this be so, a wrong something unfilial: reason my son should choose himself a wife, but as good reason the father, all whose joy is nothing else but fair posterity, should hold some counsel in such a business. florizel i yield all this; but for some other reasons, my grave sir, which 'tis not fit you know, i not acquaint my father of this business. polixenes let him know't. florizel he shall not. polixenes prithee, let him. florizel no, he must not. shepherd let him, my son: he shall not need to grieve at knowing of thy choice. florizel come, come, he must not. mark our contract. polixenes mark your divorce, young sir, [discovering himself] whom son i dare not call; thou art too base to be acknowledged: thou a sceptre's heir, that thus affect'st a sheep-hook! thou old traitor, i am sorry that by hanging thee i can but shorten thy life one week. and thou, fresh piece of excellent witchcraft, who of force must know the royal fool thou copest with,- shepherd o, my heart! polixenes i'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers, and made more homely than thy state. for thee, fond boy, if i may ever know thou dost but sigh that thou no more shalt see this knack, as never i mean thou shalt, we'll bar thee from succession; not hold thee of our blood, no, not our kin, far than deucalion off: mark thou my words: follow us to the court. thou churl, for this time, though full of our displeasure, yet we free thee from the dead blow of it. and you, enchantment.- worthy enough a herdsman: yea, him too, that makes himself, but for our honour therein, unworthy thee,--if ever henceforth thou these rural latches to his entrance open, or hoop his body more with thy embraces, i will devise a death as cruel for thee as thou art tender to't. [exit] perdita even here undone! i was not much afeard; for once or twice i was about to speak and tell him plainly, the selfsame sun that shines upon his court hides not his visage from our cottage but looks on alike. will't please you, sir, be gone? i told you what would come of this: beseech you, of your own state take care: this dream of mine,- being now awake, i'll queen it no inch farther, but milk my ewes and weep. camillo why, how now, father! speak ere thou diest. shepherd i cannot speak, nor think nor dare to know that which i know. o sir! you have undone a man of fourscore three, that thought to fill his grave in quiet, yea, to die upon the bed my father died, to lie close by his honest bones: but now some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me where no priest shovels in dust. o cursed wretch, that knew'st this was the prince, and wouldst adventure to mingle faith with him! undone! undone! if i might die within this hour, i have lived to die when i desire. [exit] florizel why look you so upon me? i am but sorry, not afeard; delay'd, but nothing alter'd: what i was, i am; more straining on for plucking back, not following my leash unwillingly. camillo gracious my lord, you know your father's temper: at this time he will allow no speech, which i do guess you do not purpose to him; and as hardly will he endure your sight as yet, i fear: then, till the fury of his highness settle, come not before him. florizel i not purpose it. i think, camillo? camillo even he, my lord. perdita how often have i told you 'twould be thus! how often said, my dignity would last but till 'twere known! florizel it cannot fail but by the violation of my faith; and then let nature crush the sides o' the earth together and mar the seeds within! lift up thy looks: from my succession wipe me, father; i am heir to my affection. camillo be advised. florizel i am, and by my fancy: if my reason will thereto be obedient, i have reason; if not, my senses, better pleased with madness, do bid it welcome. camillo this is desperate, sir. florizel so call it: but it does fulfil my vow; i needs must think it honesty. camillo, not for bohemia, nor the pomp that may be thereat glean'd, for all the sun sees or the close earth wombs or the profound sea hides in unknown fathoms, will i break my oath to this my fair beloved: therefore, i pray you, as you have ever been my father's honour'd friend, when he shall miss me,--as, in faith, i mean not to see him any more,--cast your good counsels upon his passion; let myself and fortune tug for the time to come. this you may know and so deliver, i am put to sea with her whom here i cannot hold on shore; and most opportune to our need i have a vessel rides fast by, but not prepared for this design. what course i mean to hold shall nothing benefit your knowledge, nor concern me the reporting. camillo o my lord! i would your spirit were easier for advice, or stronger for your need. florizel hark, perdita [drawing her aside] i'll hear you by and by. camillo he's irremoveable, resolved for flight. now were i happy, if his going i could frame to serve my turn, save him from danger, do him love and honour, purchase the sight again of dear sicilia and that unhappy king, my master, whom i so much thirst to see. florizel now, good camillo; i am so fraught with curious business that i leave out ceremony. camillo sir, i think you have heard of my poor services, i' the love that i have borne your father? florizel very nobly have you deserved: it is my father's music to speak your deeds, not little of his care to have them recompensed as thought on. camillo well, my lord, if you may please to think i love the king and through him what is nearest to him, which is your gracious self, embrace but my direction: if your more ponderous and settled project may suffer alteration, on mine honour, i'll point you where you shall have such receiving as shall become your highness; where you may enjoy your mistress, from the whom, i see, there's no disjunction to be made, but by- as heavens forefend!--your ruin; marry her, and, with my best endeavours in your absence, your discontenting father strive to qualify and bring him up to liking. florizel how, camillo, may this, almost a miracle, be done? that i may call thee something more than man and after that trust to thee. camillo have you thought on a place whereto you'll go? florizel not any yet: but as the unthought-on accident is guilty to what we wildly do, so we profess ourselves to be the slaves of chance and flies of every wind that blows. camillo then list to me: this follows, if you will not change your purpose but undergo this flight, make for sicilia, and there present yourself and your fair princess, for so i see she must be, 'fore leontes: she shall be habited as it becomes the partner of your bed. methinks i see leontes opening his free arms and weeping his welcomes forth; asks thee the son forgiveness, as 'twere i' the father's person; kisses the hands of your fresh princess; o'er and o'er divides him 'twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the one he chides to hell and bids the other grow faster than thought or time. florizel worthy camillo, what colour for my visitation shall i hold up before him? camillo sent by the king your father to greet him and to give him comforts. sir, the manner of your bearing towards him, with what you as from your father shall deliver, things known betwixt us three, i'll write you down: the which shall point you forth at every sitting what you must say; that he shall not perceive but that you have your father's bosom there and speak his very heart. florizel i am bound to you: there is some sap in this. camillo a cause more promising than a wild dedication of yourselves to unpath'd waters, undream'd shores, most certain to miseries enough; no hope to help you, but as you shake off one to take another; nothing so certain as your anchors, who do their best office, if they can but stay you where you'll be loath to be: besides you know prosperity's the very bond of love, whose fresh complexion and whose heart together affliction alters. perdita one of these is true: i think affliction may subdue the cheek, but not take in the mind. camillo yea, say you so? there shall not at your father's house these seven years be born another such. florizel my good camillo, she is as forward of her breeding as she is i' the rear our birth. camillo i cannot say 'tis pity she lacks instructions, for she seems a mistress to most that teach. perdita your pardon, sir; for this i'll blush you thanks. florizel my prettiest perdita! but o, the thorns we stand upon! camillo, preserver of my father, now of me, the medicine of our house, how shall we do? we are not furnish'd like bohemia's son, nor shall appear in sicilia. camillo my lord, fear none of this: i think you know my fortunes do all lie there: it shall be so my care to have you royally appointed as if the scene you play were mine. for instance, sir, that you may know you shall not want, one word. [they talk aside] [re-enter autolycus] autolycus ha, ha! what a fool honesty is! and trust, his sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! i have sold all my trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a ribbon, glass, pomander, brooch, table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove, shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack from fasting: they throng who should buy first, as if my trinkets had been hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer: by which means i saw whose purse was best in picture; and what i saw, to my good use i remembered. my clown, who wants but something to be a reasonable man, grew so in love with the wenches' song, that he would not stir his pettitoes till he had both tune and words; which so drew the rest of the herd to me that all their other senses stuck in ears: you might have pinched a placket, it was senseless; 'twas nothing to geld a codpiece of a purse; i could have filed keys off that hung in chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's song, and admiring the nothing of it. so that in this time of lethargy i picked and cut most of their festival purses; and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub against his daughter and the king's son and scared my choughs from the chaff, i had not left a purse alive in the whole army. [camillo, florizel, and perdita come forward] camillo nay, but my letters, by this means being there so soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt. florizel and those that you'll procure from king leontes- camillo shall satisfy your father. perdita happy be you! all that you speak shows fair. camillo who have we here? [seeing autolycus] we'll make an instrument of this, omit nothing may give us aid. autolycus if they have overheard me now, why, hanging. camillo how now, good fellow! why shakest thou so? fear not, man; here's no harm intended to thee. autolycus i am a poor fellow, sir. camillo why, be so still; here's nobody will steal that from thee: yet for the outside of thy poverty we must make an exchange; therefore discase thee instantly, --thou must think there's a necessity in't,--and change garments with this gentleman: though the pennyworth on his side be the worst, yet hold thee, there's some boot. autolycus i am a poor fellow, sir. [aside] i know ye well enough. camillo nay, prithee, dispatch: the gentleman is half flayed already. autolycus are you in earnest, sir? [aside] i smell the trick on't. florizel dispatch, i prithee. autolycus indeed, i have had earnest: but i cannot with conscience take it. camillo unbuckle, unbuckle. [florizel and autolycus exchange garments] fortunate mistress,--let my prophecy come home to ye!--you must retire yourself into some covert: take your sweetheart's hat and pluck it o'er your brows, muffle your face, dismantle you, and, as you can, disliken the truth of your own seeming; that you may- for i do fear eyes over--to shipboard get undescried. perdita i see the play so lies that i must bear a part. camillo no remedy. have you done there? florizel should i now meet my father, he would not call me son. camillo nay, you shall have no hat. [giving it to perdita] come, lady, come. farewell, my friend. autolycus adieu, sir. florizel o perdita, what have we twain forgot! pray you, a word. camillo [aside] what i do next, shall be to tell the king of this escape and whither they are bound; wherein my hope is i shall so prevail to force him after: in whose company i shall review sicilia, for whose sight i have a woman's longing. florizel fortune speed us! thus we set on, camillo, to the sea-side. camillo the swifter speed the better. [exeunt florizel, perdita, and camillo] autolycus i understand the business, i hear it: to have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cut-purse; a good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for the other senses. i see this is the time that the unjust man doth thrive. what an exchange had this been without boot! what a boot is here with this exchange! sure the gods do this year connive at us, and we may do any thing extempore. the prince himself is about a piece of iniquity, stealing away from his father with his clog at his heels: if i thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal, i would not do't: i hold it the more knavery to conceal it; and therein am i constant to my profession. [re-enter clown and shepherd] aside, aside; here is more matter for a hot brain: every lane's end, every shop, church, session, hanging, yields a careful man work. clown see, see; what a man you are now! there is no other way but to tell the king she's a changeling and none of your flesh and blood. shepherd nay, but hear me. clown nay, but hear me. shepherd go to, then. clown she being none of your flesh and blood, your flesh and blood has not offended the king; and so your flesh and blood is not to be punished by him. show those things you found about her, those secret things, all but what she has with her: this being done, let the law go whistle: i warrant you. shepherd i will tell the king all, every word, yea, and his son's pranks too; who, i may say, is no honest man, neither to his father nor to me, to go about to make me the king's brother-in-law. clown indeed, brother-in-law was the farthest off you could have been to him and then your blood had been the dearer by i know how much an ounce. autolycus [aside] very wisely, puppies! shepherd well, let us to the king: there is that in this fardel will make him scratch his beard. autolycus [aside] i know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master. clown pray heartily he be at palace. autolycus [aside] though i am not naturally honest, i am so sometimes by chance: let me pocket up my pedlar's excrement. [takes off his false beard] how now, rustics! whither are you bound? shepherd to the palace, an it like your worship. autolycus your affairs there, what, with whom, the condition of that fardel, the place of your dwelling, your names, your ages, of what having, breeding, and any thing that is fitting to be known, discover. clown we are but plain fellows, sir. autolycus a lie; you are rough and hairy. let me have no lying: it becomes none but tradesmen, and they often give us soldiers the lie: but we pay them for it with stamped coin, not stabbing steel; therefore they do not give us the lie. clown your worship had like to have given us one, if you had not taken yourself with the manner. shepherd are you a courtier, an't like you, sir? autolycus whether it like me or no, i am a courtier. seest thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings? hath not my gait in it the measure of the court? receives not thy nose court-odor from me? reflect i not on thy baseness court-contempt? thinkest thou, for that i insinuate, or toaze from thee thy business, i am therefore no courtier? i am courtier cap-a-pe; and one that will either push on or pluck back thy business there: whereupon i command thee to open thy affair. shepherd my business, sir, is to the king. autolycus what advocate hast thou to him? shepherd i know not, an't like you. clown advocate's the court-word for a pheasant: say you have none. shepherd none, sir; i have no pheasant, cock nor hen. autolycus how blessed are we that are not simple men! yet nature might have made me as these are, therefore i will not disdain. clown this cannot be but a great courtier. shepherd his garments are rich, but he wears them not handsomely. clown he seems to be the more noble in being fantastical: a great man, i'll warrant; i know by the picking on's teeth. autolycus the fardel there? what's i' the fardel? wherefore that box? shepherd sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel and box, which none must know but the king; and which he shall know within this hour, if i may come to the speech of him. autolycus age, thou hast lost thy labour. shepherd why, sir? autolycus the king is not at the palace; he is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy and air himself: for, if thou beest capable of things serious, thou must know the king is full of grief. shepard so 'tis said, sir; about his son, that should have married a shepherd's daughter. autolycus if that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let him fly: the curses he shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of monster. clown think you so, sir? autolycus not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy and vengeance bitter; but those that are germane to him, though removed fifty times, shall all come under the hangman: which though it be great pity, yet it is necessary. an old sheep-whistling rogue a ram-tender, to offer to have his daughter come into grace! some say he shall be stoned; but that death is too soft for him, say i draw our throne into a sheep-cote! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy. clown has the old man e'er a son, sir, do you hear. an't like you, sir? autolycus he has a son, who shall be flayed alive; then 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of a wasp's nest; then stand till he be three quarters and a dram dead; then recovered again with aqua-vitae or some other hot infusion; then, raw as he is, and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims, shall be be set against a brick-wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon him, where he is to behold him with flies blown to death. but what talk we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to be smiled at, their offences being so capital? tell me, for you seem to be honest plain men, what you have to the king: being something gently considered, i'll bring you where he is aboard, tender your persons to his presence, whisper him in your behalfs; and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits, here is man shall do it. clown he seems to be of great authority: close with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand, and no more ado. remember 'stoned,' and 'flayed alive.' shepherd an't please you, sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that gold i have: i'll make it as much more and leave this young man in pawn till i bring it you. autolycus after i have done what i promised? shepherd ay, sir. autolycus well, give me the moiety. are you a party in this business? clown in some sort, sir: but though my case be a pitiful one, i hope i shall not be flayed out of it. autolycus o, that's the case of the shepherd's son: hang him, he'll be made an example. clown comfort, good comfort! we must to the king and show our strange sights: he must know 'tis none of your daughter nor my sister; we are gone else. sir, i will give you as much as this old man does when the business is performed, and remain, as he says, your pawn till it be brought you. autolycus i will trust you. walk before toward the sea-side; go on the right hand: i will but look upon the hedge and follow you. clown we are blest in this man, as i may say, even blest. shepherd let's before as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. [exeunt shepherd and clown] autolycus if i had a mind to be honest, i see fortune would not suffer me: she drops booties in my mouth. i am courted now with a double occasion, gold and a means to do the prince my master good; which who knows how that may turn back to my advancement? i will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him: if he think it fit to shore them again and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue for being so far officious; for i am proof against that title and what shame else belongs to't. to him will i present them: there may be matter in it. [exit] the winter's tale act v scene i a room in leontes' palace. [enter leontes, cleomenes, dion, paulina, and servants] cleomenes sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd a saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make, which you have not redeem'd; indeed, paid down more penitence than done trespass: at the last, do as the heavens have done, forget your evil; with them forgive yourself. leontes whilst i remember her and her virtues, i cannot forget my blemishes in them, and so still think of the wrong i did myself; which was so much, that heirless it hath made my kingdom and destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er man bred his hopes out of. paulina true, too true, my lord: if, one by one, you wedded all the world, or from the all that are took something good, to make a perfect woman, she you kill'd would be unparallel'd. leontes i think so. kill'd! she i kill'd! i did so: but thou strikest me sorely, to say i did; it is as bitter upon thy tongue as in my thought: now, good now, say so but seldom. cleomenes not at all, good lady: you might have spoken a thousand things that would have done the time more benefit and graced your kindness better. paulina you are one of those would have him wed again. dion if you would not so, you pity not the state, nor the remembrance of his most sovereign name; consider little what dangers, by his highness' fail of issue, may drop upon his kingdom and devour incertain lookers on. what were more holy than to rejoice the former queen is well? what holier than, for royalty's repair, for present comfort and for future good, to bless the bed of majesty again with a sweet fellow to't? paulina there is none worthy, respecting her that's gone. besides, the gods will have fulfill'd their secret purposes; for has not the divine apollo said, is't not the tenor of his oracle, that king leontes shall not have an heir till his lost child be found? which that it shall, is all as monstrous to our human reason as my antigonus to break his grave and come again to me; who, on my life, did perish with the infant. 'tis your counsel my lord should to the heavens be contrary, oppose against their wills. [to leontes] care not for issue; the crown will find an heir: great alexander left his to the worthiest; so his successor was like to be the best. leontes good paulina, who hast the memory of hermione, i know, in honour, o, that ever i had squared me to thy counsel! then, even now, i might have look'd upon my queen's full eyes, have taken treasure from her lips- paulina and left them more rich for what they yielded. leontes thou speak'st truth. no more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse, and better used, would make her sainted spirit again possess her corpse, and on this stage, where we're offenders now, appear soul-vex'd, and begin, 'why to me?' paulina had she such power, she had just cause. leontes she had; and would incense me to murder her i married. paulina i should so. were i the ghost that walk'd, i'ld bid you mark her eye, and tell me for what dull part in't you chose her; then i'ld shriek, that even your ears should rift to hear me; and the words that follow'd should be 'remember mine.' leontes stars, stars, and all eyes else dead coals! fear thou no wife; i'll have no wife, paulina. paulina will you swear never to marry but by my free leave? leontes never, paulina; so be blest my spirit! paulina then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath. cleomenes you tempt him over-much. paulina unless another, as like hermione as is her picture, affront his eye. cleomenes good madam,- paulina i have done. yet, if my lord will marry,--if you will, sir, no remedy, but you will,--give me the office to choose you a queen: she shall not be so young as was your former; but she shall be such as, walk'd your first queen's ghost, it should take joy to see her in your arms. leontes my true paulina, we shall not marry till thou bid'st us. paulina that shall be when your first queen's again in breath; never till then. [enter a gentleman] gentleman one that gives out himself prince florizel, son of polixenes, with his princess, she the fairest i have yet beheld, desires access to your high presence. leontes what with him? he comes not like to his father's greatness: his approach, so out of circumstance and sudden, tells us 'tis not a visitation framed, but forced by need and accident. what train? gentleman but few, and those but mean. leontes his princess, say you, with him? gentleman ay, the most peerless piece of earth, i think, that e'er the sun shone bright on. paulina o hermione, as every present time doth boast itself above a better gone, so must thy grave give way to what's seen now! sir, you yourself have said and writ so, but your writing now is colder than that theme, 'she had not been, nor was not to be equall'd;'--thus your verse flow'd with her beauty once: 'tis shrewdly ebb'd, to say you have seen a better. gentleman pardon, madam: the one i have almost forgot,--your pardon,- the other, when she has obtain'd your eye, will have your tongue too. this is a creature, would she begin a sect, might quench the zeal of all professors else, make proselytes of who she but bid follow. paulina how! not women? gentleman women will love her, that she is a woman more worth than any man; men, that she is the rarest of all women. leontes go, cleomenes; yourself, assisted with your honour'd friends, bring them to our embracement. still, 'tis strange [exeunt cleomenes and others] he thus should steal upon us. paulina had our prince, jewel of children, seen this hour, he had pair'd well with this lord: there was not full a month between their births. leontes prithee, no more; cease; thou know'st he dies to me again when talk'd of: sure, when i shall see this gentleman, thy speeches will bring me to consider that which may unfurnish me of reason. they are come. [re-enter cleomenes and others, with florizel and perdita] your mother was most true to wedlock, prince; for she did print your royal father off, conceiving you: were i but twenty-one, your father's image is so hit in you, his very air, that i should call you brother, as i did him, and speak of something wildly by us perform'd before. most dearly welcome! and your fair princess,--goddess!--o, alas! i lost a couple, that 'twixt heaven and earth might thus have stood begetting wonder as you, gracious couple, do: and then i lost- all mine own folly--the society, amity too, of your brave father, whom, though bearing misery, i desire my life once more to look on him. florizel by his command have i here touch'd sicilia and from him give you all greetings that a king, at friend, can send his brother: and, but infirmity which waits upon worn times hath something seized his wish'd ability, he had himself the lands and waters 'twixt your throne and his measured to look upon you; whom he loves- he bade me say so--more than all the sceptres and those that bear them living. leontes o my brother, good gentleman! the wrongs i have done thee stir afresh within me, and these thy offices, so rarely kind, are as interpreters of my behind-hand slackness. welcome hither, as is the spring to the earth. and hath he too exposed this paragon to the fearful usage, at least ungentle, of the dreadful neptune, to greet a man not worth her pains, much less the adventure of her person? florizel good my lord, she came from libya. leontes where the warlike smalus, that noble honour'd lord, is fear'd and loved? florizel most royal sir, from thence; from him, whose daughter his tears proclaim'd his, parting with her: thence, a prosperous south-wind friendly, we have cross'd, to execute the charge my father gave me for visiting your highness: my best train i have from your sicilian shores dismiss'd; who for bohemia bend, to signify not only my success in libya, sir, but my arrival and my wife's in safety here where we are. leontes the blessed gods purge all infection from our air whilst you do climate here! you have a holy father, a graceful gentleman; against whose person, so sacred as it is, i have done sin: for which the heavens, taking angry note, have left me issueless; and your father's blest, as he from heaven merits it, with you worthy his goodness. what might i have been, might i a son and daughter now have look'd on, such goodly things as you! [enter a lord] lord most noble sir, that which i shall report will bear no credit, were not the proof so nigh. please you, great sir, bohemia greets you from himself by me; desires you to attach his son, who has- his dignity and duty both cast off- fled from his father, from his hopes, and with a shepherd's daughter. leontes where's bohemia? speak. lord here in your city; i now came from him: i speak amazedly; and it becomes my marvel and my message. to your court whiles he was hastening, in the chase, it seems, of this fair couple, meets he on the way the father of this seeming lady and her brother, having both their country quitted with this young prince. florizel camillo has betray'd me; whose honour and whose honesty till now endured all weathers. lord lay't so to his charge: he's with the king your father. leontes who? camillo? lord camillo, sir; i spake with him; who now has these poor men in question. never saw i wretches so quake: they kneel, they kiss the earth; forswear themselves as often as they speak: bohemia stops his ears, and threatens them with divers deaths in death. perdita o my poor father! the heaven sets spies upon us, will not have our contract celebrated. leontes you are married? florizel we are not, sir, nor are we like to be; the stars, i see, will kiss the valleys first: the odds for high and low's alike. leontes my lord, is this the daughter of a king? florizel she is, when once she is my wife. leontes that 'once' i see by your good father's speed will come on very slowly. i am sorry, most sorry, you have broken from his liking where you were tied in duty, and as sorry your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty, that you might well enjoy her. florizel dear, look up: though fortune, visible an enemy, should chase us with my father, power no jot hath she to change our loves. beseech you, sir, remember since you owed no more to time than i do now: with thought of such affections, step forth mine advocate; at your request my father will grant precious things as trifles. leontes would he do so, i'ld beg your precious mistress, which he counts but a trifle. paulina sir, my liege, your eye hath too much youth in't: not a month 'fore your queen died, she was more worth such gazes than what you look on now. leontes i thought of her, even in these looks i made. [to florizel] but your petition is yet unanswer'd. i will to your father: your honour not o'erthrown by your desires, i am friend to them and you: upon which errand i now go toward him; therefore follow me and mark what way i make: come, good my lord. [exeunt] the winter's tale act v scene ii before leontes' palace. [enter autolycus and a gentleman] autolycus beseech you, sir, were you present at this relation? first gentleman i was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber; only this methought i heard the shepherd say, he found the child. autolycus i would most gladly know the issue of it. first gentleman i make a broken delivery of the business; but the changes i perceived in the king and camillo were very notes of admiration: they seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes; there was speech in their dumbness, language in their very gesture; they looked as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed: a notable passion of wonder appeared in them; but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing, could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow; but in the extremity of the one, it must needs be. [enter another gentleman] here comes a gentleman that haply knows more. the news, rogero? second gentleman nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled; the king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that ballad-makers cannot be able to express it. [enter a third gentleman] here comes the lady paulina's steward: he can deliver you more. how goes it now, sir? this news which is called true is so like an old tale, that the verity of it is in strong suspicion: has the king found his heir? third gentleman most true, if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance: that which you hear you'll swear you see, there is such unity in the proofs. the mantle of queen hermione's, her jewel about the neck of it, the letters of antigonus found with it which they know to be his character, the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the mother, the affection of nobleness which nature shows above her breeding, and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the king's daughter. did you see the meeting of the two kings? second gentleman no. third gentleman then have you lost a sight, which was to be seen, cannot be spoken of. there might you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears. there was casting up of eyes, holding up of hands, with countenances of such distraction that they were to be known by garment, not by favour. our king, being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter, as if that joy were now become a loss, cries 'o, thy mother, thy mother!' then asks bohemia forgiveness; then embraces his son-in-law; then again worries he his daughter with clipping her; now he thanks the old shepherd, which stands by like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings' reigns. i never heard of such another encounter, which lames report to follow it and undoes description to do it. second gentleman what, pray you, became of antigonus, that carried hence the child? third gentleman like an old tale still, which will have matter to rehearse, though credit be asleep and not an ear open. he was torn to pieces with a bear: this avouches the shepherd's son; who has not only his innocence, which seems much, to justify him, but a handkerchief and rings of his that paulina knows. first gentleman what became of his bark and his followers? third gentleman wrecked the same instant of their master's death and in the view of the shepherd: so that all the instruments which aided to expose the child were even then lost when it was found. but o, the noble combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in paulina! she had one eye declined for the loss of her husband, another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled: she lifted the princess from the earth, and so locks her in embracing, as if she would pin her to her heart that she might no more be in danger of losing. first gentleman the dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes; for by such was it acted. third gentleman one of the prettiest touches of all and that which angled for mine eyes, caught the water though not the fish, was when, at the relation of the queen's death, with the manner how she came to't bravely confessed and lamented by the king, how attentiveness wounded his daughter; till, from one sign of dolour to another, she did, with an 'alas,' i would fain say, bleed tears, for i am sure my heart wept blood. who was most marble there changed colour; some swooned, all sorrowed: if all the world could have seen 't, the woe had been universal. first gentleman are they returned to the court? third gentleman no: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, which is in the keeping of paulina,--a piece many years in doing and now newly performed by that rare italian master, julio romano, who, had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work, would beguile nature of her custom, so perfectly he is her ape: he so near to hermione hath done hermione that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of answer: thither with all greediness of affection are they gone, and there they intend to sup. second gentleman i thought she had some great matter there in hand; for she hath privately twice or thrice a day, ever since the death of hermione, visited that removed house. shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing? first gentleman who would be thence that has the benefit of access? every wink of an eye some new grace will be born: our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge. let's along. [exeunt gentlemen] autolycus now, had i not the dash of my former life in me, would preferment drop on my head. i brought the old man and his son aboard the prince: told him i heard them talk of a fardel and i know not what: but he at that time, overfond of the shepherd's daughter, so he then took her to be, who began to be much sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of weather continuing, this mystery remained undiscovered. but 'tis all one to me; for had i been the finder out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits. [enter shepherd and clown] here come those i have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune. shepherd come, boy; i am past moe children, but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born. clown you are well met, sir. you denied to fight with me this other day, because i was no gentleman born. see you these clothes? say you see them not and think me still no gentleman born: you were best say these robes are not gentlemen born: give me the lie, do, and try whether i am not now a gentleman born. autolycus i know you are now, sir, a gentleman born. clown ay, and have been so any time these four hours. shepherd and so have i, boy. clown so you have: but i was a gentleman born before my father; for the king's son took me by the hand, and called me brother; and then the two kings called my father brother; and then the prince my brother and the princess my sister called my father father; and so we wept, and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed. shepherd we may live, son, to shed many more. clown ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are. autolycus i humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the faults i have committed to your worship and to give me your good report to the prince my master. shepherd prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen. clown thou wilt amend thy life? autolycus ay, an it like your good worship. clown give me thy hand: i will swear to the prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in bohemia. shepherd you may say it, but not swear it. clown not swear it, now i am a gentleman? let boors and franklins say it, i'll swear it. shepherd how if it be false, son? clown if it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend: and i'll swear to the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunk; but i know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk: but i'll swear it, and i would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands. autolycus i will prove so, sir, to my power. clown ay, by any means prove a tall fellow: if i do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk, not being a tall fellow, trust me not. hark! the kings and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's picture. come, follow us: we'll be thy good masters. [exeunt] the winter's tale act v scene iii a chapel in paulina's house. [enter leontes, polixenes, florizel, perdita, camillo, paulina, lords, and attendants] leontes o grave and good paulina, the great comfort that i have had of thee! paulina what, sovereign sir, i did not well i meant well. all my services you have paid home: but that you have vouchsafed, with your crown'd brother and these your contracted heirs of your kingdoms, my poor house to visit, it is a surplus of your grace, which never my life may last to answer. leontes o paulina, we honour you with trouble: but we came to see the statue of our queen: your gallery have we pass'd through, not without much content in many singularities; but we saw not that which my daughter came to look upon, the statue of her mother. paulina as she lived peerless, so her dead likeness, i do well believe, excels whatever yet you look'd upon or hand of man hath done; therefore i keep it lonely, apart. but here it is: prepare to see the life as lively mock'd as ever still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well. [paulina draws a curtain, and discovers hermione standing like a statue] i like your silence, it the more shows off your wonder: but yet speak; first, you, my liege, comes it not something near? leontes her natural posture! chide me, dear stone, that i may say indeed thou art hermione; or rather, thou art she in thy not chiding, for she was as tender as infancy and grace. but yet, paulina, hermione was not so much wrinkled, nothing so aged as this seems. polixenes o, not by much. paulina so much the more our carver's excellence; which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her as she lived now. leontes as now she might have done, so much to my good comfort, as it is now piercing to my soul. o, thus she stood, even with such life of majesty, warm life, as now it coldly stands, when first i woo'd her! i am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke me for being more stone than it? o royal piece, there's magic in thy majesty, which has my evils conjured to remembrance and from thy admiring daughter took the spirits, standing like stone with thee. perdita and give me leave, and do not say 'tis superstition, that i kneel and then implore her blessing. lady, dear queen, that ended when i but began, give me that hand of yours to kiss. paulina o, patience! the statue is but newly fix'd, the colour's not dry. camillo my lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on, which sixteen winters cannot blow away, so many summers dry; scarce any joy did ever so long live; no sorrow but kill'd itself much sooner. polixenes dear my brother, let him that was the cause of this have power to take off so much grief from you as he will piece up in himself. paulina indeed, my lord, if i had thought the sight of my poor image would thus have wrought you,--for the stone is mine- i'ld not have show'd it. leontes do not draw the curtain. paulina no longer shall you gaze on't, lest your fancy may think anon it moves. leontes let be, let be. would i were dead, but that, methinks, already- what was he that did make it? see, my lord, would you not deem it breathed? and that those veins did verily bear blood? polixenes masterly done: the very life seems warm upon her lip. leontes the fixture of her eye has motion in't, as we are mock'd with art. paulina i'll draw the curtain: my lord's almost so far transported that he'll think anon it lives. leontes o sweet paulina, make me to think so twenty years together! no settled senses of the world can match the pleasure of that madness. let 't alone. paulina i am sorry, sir, i have thus far stirr'd you: but i could afflict you farther. leontes do, paulina; for this affliction has a taste as sweet as any cordial comfort. still, methinks, there is an air comes from her: what fine chisel could ever yet cut breath? let no man mock me, for i will kiss her. paulina good my lord, forbear: the ruddiness upon her lip is wet; you'll mar it if you kiss it, stain your own with oily painting. shall i draw the curtain? leontes no, not these twenty years. perdita so long could i stand by, a looker on. paulina either forbear, quit presently the chapel, or resolve you for more amazement. if you can behold it, i'll make the statue move indeed, descend and take you by the hand; but then you'll think- which i protest against--i am assisted by wicked powers. leontes what you can make her do, i am content to look on: what to speak, i am content to hear; for 'tis as easy to make her speak as move. paulina it is required you do awake your faith. then all stand still; on: those that think it is unlawful business i am about, let them depart. leontes proceed: no foot shall stir. paulina music, awake her; strike! [music] 'tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; strike all that look upon with marvel. come, i'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away, bequeath to death your numbness, for from him dear life redeems you. you perceive she stirs: [hermione comes down] start not; her actions shall be holy as you hear my spell is lawful: do not shun her until you see her die again; for then you kill her double. nay, present your hand: when she was young you woo'd her; now in age is she become the suitor? leontes o, she's warm! if this be magic, let it be an art lawful as eating. polixenes she embraces him. camillo she hangs about his neck: if she pertain to life let her speak too. polixenes ay, and make't manifest where she has lived, or how stolen from the dead. paulina that she is living, were it but told you, should be hooted at like an old tale: but it appears she lives, though yet she speak not. mark a little while. please you to interpose, fair madam: kneel and pray your mother's blessing. turn, good lady; our perdita is found. hermione you gods, look down and from your sacred vials pour your graces upon my daughter's head! tell me, mine own. where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that i, knowing by paulina that the oracle gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved myself to see the issue. paulina there's time enough for that; lest they desire upon this push to trouble your joys with like relation. go together, you precious winners all; your exultation partake to every one. i, an old turtle, will wing me to some wither'd bough and there my mate, that's never to be found again, lament till i am lost. leontes o, peace, paulina! thou shouldst a husband take by my consent, as i by thine a wife: this is a match, and made between's by vows. thou hast found mine; but how, is to be question'd; for i saw her, as i thought, dead, and have in vain said many a prayer upon her grave. i'll not seek far- for him, i partly know his mind--to find thee an honourable husband. come, camillo, and take her by the hand, whose worth and honesty is richly noted and here justified by us, a pair of kings. let's from this place. what! look upon my brother: both your pardons, that e'er i put between your holy looks my ill suspicion. this is your son-in-law, and son unto the king, who, heavens directing, is troth-plight to your daughter. good paulina, lead us from hence, where we may leisurely each one demand an answer to his part perform'd in this wide gap of time since first we were dissever'd: hastily lead away. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv dramatis personae king henry the fourth. (king henry iv:) henry, prince of wales (prince henry:) | | sons of the king john of lancaster (lancaster:) | westmoreland: sir walter blunt: thomas percy earl of worcester. (earl of worcester:) henry percy earl of northumberland. (northumberland:) henry percy surnamed hotspur, his son. (hotspur:) edmund mortimer earl of march. (mortimer:) richard scroop archbishop of york. (archbishop of york:) archibald earl of douglas. (douglas:) owen glendower: sir richard vernon (vernon:) sir john falstaff (falstaff:) sir michael a friend to the archbishop of york. poins: gadshill: peto: bardolph: francis a waiter. lady percy wife to hotspur, and sister to mortimer. lady mortimer daughter to glendower, and wife to mortimer. mistress quickly hostess of a tavern in eastcheap. (hostess:) lords, officers, sheriff, vintner, chamberlain, drawers, two carriers, travellers, attendants, and an ostler. (sheriff:) (vintner:) (chamberlain:) (first carrier:) (second carrier:) (first traveller:) (servant:) (messenger:) (ostler:) scene england. 1 king henry iv act i scene i london. the palace. [enter king henry, lord john of lancaster, the earl of westmoreland, sir walter blunt, and others] king henry iv so shaken as we are, so wan with care, find we a time for frighted peace to pant, and breathe short-winded accents of new broils to be commenced in strands afar remote. no more the thirsty entrance of this soil shall daub her lips with her own children's blood; nor more shall trenching war channel her fields, nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs of hostile paces: those opposed eyes, which, like the meteors of a troubled heaven, all of one nature, of one substance bred, did lately meet in the intestine shock and furious close of civil butchery shall now, in mutual well-beseeming ranks, march all one way and be no more opposed against acquaintance, kindred and allies: the edge of war, like an ill-sheathed knife, no more shall cut his master. therefore, friends, as far as to the sepulchre of christ, whose soldier now, under whose blessed cross we are impressed and engaged to fight, forthwith a power of english shall we levy; whose arms were moulded in their mothers' womb to chase these pagans in those holy fields over whose acres walk'd those blessed feet which fourteen hundred years ago were nail'd for our advantage on the bitter cross. but this our purpose now is twelve month old, and bootless 'tis to tell you we will go: therefore we meet not now. then let me hear of you, my gentle cousin westmoreland, what yesternight our council did decree in forwarding this dear expedience. westmoreland my liege, this haste was hot in question, and many limits of the charge set down but yesternight: when all athwart there came a post from wales loaden with heavy news; whose worst was, that the noble mortimer, leading the men of herefordshire to fight against the irregular and wild glendower, was by the rude hands of that welshman taken, a thousand of his people butchered; upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse, such beastly shameless transformation, by those welshwomen done as may not be without much shame retold or spoken of. king henry iv it seems then that the tidings of this broil brake off our business for the holy land. westmoreland this match'd with other did, my gracious lord; for more uneven and unwelcome news came from the north and thus it did import: on holy-rood day, the gallant hotspur there, young harry percy and brave archibald, that ever-valiant and approved scot, at holmedon met, where they did spend a sad and bloody hour, as by discharge of their artillery, and shape of likelihood, the news was told; for he that brought them, in the very heat and pride of their contention did take horse, uncertain of the issue any way. king henry iv here is a dear, a true industrious friend, sir walter blunt, new lighted from his horse. stain'd with the variation of each soil betwixt that holmedon and this seat of ours; and he hath brought us smooth and welcome news. the earl of douglas is discomfited: ten thousand bold scots, two and twenty knights, balk'd in their own blood did sir walter see on holmedon's plains. of prisoners, hotspur took mordake the earl of fife, and eldest son to beaten douglas; and the earl of athol, of murray, angus, and menteith: and is not this an honourable spoil? a gallant prize? ha, cousin, is it not? westmoreland in faith, it is a conquest for a prince to boast of. king henry iv yea, there thou makest me sad and makest me sin in envy that my lord northumberland should be the father to so blest a son, a son who is the theme of honour's tongue; amongst a grove, the very straightest plant; who is sweet fortune's minion and her pride: whilst i, by looking on the praise of him, see riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young harry. o that it could be proved that some night-tripping fairy had exchanged in cradle-clothes our children where they lay, and call'd mine percy, his plantagenet! then would i have his harry, and he mine. but let him from my thoughts. what think you, coz, of this young percy's pride? the prisoners, which he in this adventure hath surprised, to his own use he keeps; and sends me word, i shall have none but mordake earl of fife. westmoreland this is his uncle's teaching; this is worcester, malevolent to you in all aspects; which makes him prune himself, and bristle up the crest of youth against your dignity. king henry iv but i have sent for him to answer this; and for this cause awhile we must neglect our holy purpose to jerusalem. cousin, on wednesday next our council we will hold at windsor; so inform the lords: but come yourself with speed to us again; for more is to be said and to be done than out of anger can be uttered. westmoreland i will, my liege. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act i scene ii london. an apartment of the prince's. [enter the prince of wales and falstaff] falstaff now, hal, what time of day is it, lad? prince henry thou art so fat-witted, with drinking of old sack and unbuttoning thee after supper and sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst truly know. what a devil hast thou to do with the time of the day? unless hours were cups of sack and minutes capons and clocks the tongues of bawds and dials the signs of leaping-houses and the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in flame-coloured taffeta, i see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous to demand the time of the day. falstaff indeed, you come near me now, hal; for we that take purses go by the moon and the seven stars, and not by phoebus, he,'that wandering knight so fair.' and, i prithee, sweet wag, when thou art king, as, god save thy grace,--majesty i should say, for grace thou wilt have none,- prince henry what, none? falstaff no, by my troth, not so much as will serve to prologue to an egg and butter. prince henry well, how then? come, roundly, roundly. falstaff marry, then, sweet wag, when thou art king, let not us that are squires of the night's body be called thieves of the day's beauty: let us be diana's foresters, gentlemen of the shade, minions of the moon; and let men say we be men of good government, being governed, as the sea is, by our noble and chaste mistress the moon, under whose countenance we steal. prince henry thou sayest well, and it holds well too; for the fortune of us that are the moon's men doth ebb and flow like the sea, being governed, as the sea is, by the moon. as, for proof, now: a purse of gold most resolutely snatched on monday night and most dissolutely spent on tuesday morning; got with swearing 'lay by' and spent with crying 'bring in;' now in as low an ebb as the foot of the ladder and by and by in as high a flow as the ridge of the gallows. falstaff by the lord, thou sayest true, lad. and is not my hostess of the tavern a most sweet wench? prince henry as the honey of hybla, my old lad of the castle. and is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance? falstaff how now, how now, mad wag! what, in thy quips and thy quiddities? what a plague have i to do with a buff jerkin? prince henry why, what a pox have i to do with my hostess of the tavern? falstaff well, thou hast called her to a reckoning many a time and oft. prince henry did i ever call for thee to pay thy part? falstaff no; i'll give thee thy due, thou hast paid all there. prince henry yea, and elsewhere, so far as my coin would stretch; and where it would not, i have used my credit. falstaff yea, and so used it that were it not here apparent that thou art heir apparent--but, i prithee, sweet wag, shall there be gallows standing in england when thou art king? and resolution thus fobbed as it is with the rusty curb of old father antic the law? do not thou, when thou art king, hang a thief. prince henry no; thou shalt. falstaff shall i? o rare! by the lord, i'll be a brave judge. prince henry thou judgest false already: i mean, thou shalt have the hanging of the thieves and so become a rare hangman. falstaff well, hal, well; and in some sort it jumps with my humour as well as waiting in the court, i can tell you. prince henry for obtaining of suits? falstaff yea, for obtaining of suits, whereof the hangman hath no lean wardrobe. 'sblood, i am as melancholy as a gib cat or a lugged bear. prince henry or an old lion, or a lover's lute. falstaff yea, or the drone of a lincolnshire bagpipe. prince henry what sayest thou to a hare, or the melancholy of moor-ditch? falstaff thou hast the most unsavoury similes and art indeed the most comparative, rascalliest, sweet young prince. but, hal, i prithee, trouble me no more with vanity. i would to god thou and i knew where a commodity of good names were to be bought. an old lord of the council rated me the other day in the street about you, sir, but i marked him not; and yet he talked very wisely, but i regarded him not; and yet he talked wisely, and in the street too. prince henry thou didst well; for wisdom cries out in the streets, and no man regards it. falstaff o, thou hast damnable iteration and art indeed able to corrupt a saint. thou hast done much harm upon me, hal; god forgive thee for it! before i knew thee, hal, i knew nothing; and now am i, if a man should speak truly, little better than one of the wicked. i must give over this life, and i will give it over: by the lord, and i do not, i am a villain: i'll be damned for never a king's son in christendom. prince henry where shall we take a purse tomorrow, jack? falstaff 'zounds, where thou wilt, lad; i'll make one; an i do not, call me villain and baffle me. prince henry i see a good amendment of life in thee; from praying to purse-taking. falstaff why, hal, 'tis my vocation, hal; 'tis no sin for a man to labour in his vocation. [enter poins] poins! now shall we know if gadshill have set a match. o, if men were to be saved by merit, what hole in hell were hot enough for him? this is the most omnipotent villain that ever cried 'stand' to a true man. prince henry good morrow, ned. poins good morrow, sweet hal. what says monsieur remorse? what says sir john sack and sugar? jack! how agrees the devil and thee about thy soul, that thou soldest him on good-friday last for a cup of madeira and a cold capon's leg? prince henry sir john stands to his word, the devil shall have his bargain; for he was never yet a breaker of proverbs: he will give the devil his due. poins then art thou damned for keeping thy word with the devil. prince henry else he had been damned for cozening the devil. poins but, my lads, my lads, to-morrow morning, by four o'clock, early at gadshill! there are pilgrims going to canterbury with rich offerings, and traders riding to london with fat purses: i have vizards for you all; you have horses for yourselves: gadshill lies to-night in rochester: i have bespoke supper to-morrow night in eastcheap: we may do it as secure as sleep. if you will go, i will stuff your purses full of crowns; if you will not, tarry at home and be hanged. falstaff hear ye, yedward; if i tarry at home and go not, i'll hang you for going. poins you will, chops? falstaff hal, wilt thou make one? prince henry who, i rob? i a thief? not i, by my faith. falstaff there's neither honesty, manhood, nor good fellowship in thee, nor thou camest not of the blood royal, if thou darest not stand for ten shillings. prince henry well then, once in my days i'll be a madcap. falstaff why, that's well said. prince henry well, come what will, i'll tarry at home. falstaff by the lord, i'll be a traitor then, when thou art king. prince henry i care not. poins sir john, i prithee, leave the prince and me alone: i will lay him down such reasons for this adventure that he shall go. falstaff well, god give thee the spirit of persuasion and him the ears of profiting, that what thou speakest may move and what he hears may be believed, that the true prince may, for recreation sake, prove a false thief; for the poor abuses of the time want countenance. farewell: you shall find me in eastcheap. prince henry farewell, thou latter spring! farewell, all-hallown summer! [exit falstaff] poins now, my good sweet honey lord, ride with us to-morrow: i have a jest to execute that i cannot manage alone. falstaff, bardolph, peto and gadshill shall rob those men that we have already waylaid: yourself and i will not be there; and when they have the booty, if you and i do not rob them, cut this head off from my shoulders. prince henry how shall we part with them in setting forth? poins why, we will set forth before or after them, and appoint them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our pleasure to fail, and then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves; which they shall have no sooner achieved, but we'll set upon them. prince henry yea, but 'tis like that they will know us by our horses, by our habits and by every other appointment, to be ourselves. poins tut! our horses they shall not see: i'll tie them in the wood; our vizards we will change after we leave them: and, sirrah, i have cases of buckram for the nonce, to immask our noted outward garments. prince henry yea, but i doubt they will be too hard for us. poins well, for two of them, i know them to be as true-bred cowards as ever turned back; and for the third, if he fight longer than he sees reason, i'll forswear arms. the virtue of this jest will be, the incomprehensible lies that this same fat rogue will tell us when we meet at supper: how thirty, at least, he fought with; what wards, what blows, what extremities he endured; and in the reproof of this lies the jest. prince henry well, i'll go with thee: provide us all things necessary and meet me to-morrow night in eastcheap; there i'll sup. farewell. poins farewell, my lord. [exit poins] prince henry i know you all, and will awhile uphold the unyoked humour of your idleness: yet herein will i imitate the sun, who doth permit the base contagious clouds to smother up his beauty from the world, that, when he please again to be himself, being wanted, he may be more wonder'd at, by breaking through the foul and ugly mists of vapours that did seem to strangle him. if all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work; but when they seldom come, they wish'd for come, and nothing pleaseth but rare accidents. so, when this loose behavior i throw off and pay the debt i never promised, by how much better than my word i am, by so much shall i falsify men's hopes; and like bright metal on a sullen ground, my reformation, glittering o'er my fault, shall show more goodly and attract more eyes than that which hath no foil to set it off. i'll so offend, to make offence a skill; redeeming time when men think least i will. [exit] 1 king henry iv act i scene iii london. the palace. [enter the king, northumberland, worcester, hotspur, sir walter blunt, with others] king henry iv my blood hath been too cold and temperate, unapt to stir at these indignities, and you have found me; for accordingly you tread upon my patience: but be sure i will from henceforth rather be myself, mighty and to be fear'd, than my condition; which hath been smooth as oil, soft as young down, and therefore lost that title of respect which the proud soul ne'er pays but to the proud. earl of worcester our house, my sovereign liege, little deserves the scourge of greatness to be used on it; and that same greatness too which our own hands have holp to make so portly. northumberland my lord.- king henry iv worcester, get thee gone; for i do see danger and disobedience in thine eye: o, sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory, and majesty might never yet endure the moody frontier of a servant brow. you have good leave to leave us: when we need your use and counsel, we shall send for you. [exit worcester] you were about to speak. [to north] northumberland yea, my good lord. those prisoners in your highness' name demanded, which harry percy here at holmedon took, were, as he says, not with such strength denied as is deliver'd to your majesty: either envy, therefore, or misprison is guilty of this fault and not my son. hotspur my liege, i did deny no prisoners. but i remember, when the fight was done, when i was dry with rage and extreme toil, breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword, came there a certain lord, neat, and trimly dress'd, fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin new reap'd show'd like a stubble-land at harvest-home; he was perfumed like a milliner; and 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held a pouncet-box, which ever and anon he gave his nose and took't away again; who therewith angry, when it next came there, took it in snuff; and still he smiled and talk'd, and as the soldiers bore dead bodies by, he call'd them untaught knaves, unmannerly, to bring a slovenly unhandsome corse betwixt the wind and his nobility. with many holiday and lady terms he question'd me; amongst the rest, demanded my prisoners in your majesty's behalf. i then, all smarting with my wounds being cold, to be so pester'd with a popinjay, out of my grief and my impatience, answer'd neglectingly i know not what, he should or he should not; for he made me mad to see him shine so brisk and smell so sweet and talk so like a waiting-gentlewoman of guns and drums and wounds,--god save the mark!- and telling me the sovereign'st thing on earth was parmaceti for an inward bruise; and that it was great pity, so it was, this villanous salt-petre should be digg'd out of the bowels of the harmless earth, which many a good tall fellow had destroy'd so cowardly; and but for these vile guns, he would himself have been a soldier. this bald unjointed chat of his, my lord, i answer'd indirectly, as i said; and i beseech you, let not his report come current for an accusation betwixt my love and your high majesty. sir walter blunt the circumstance consider'd, good my lord, whate'er lord harry percy then had said to such a person and in such a place, at such a time, with all the rest retold, may reasonably die and never rise to do him wrong or any way impeach what then he said, so he unsay it now. king henry iv why, yet he doth deny his prisoners, but with proviso and exception, that we at our own charge shall ransom straight his brother-in-law, the foolish mortimer; who, on my soul, hath wilfully betray'd the lives of those that he did lead to fight against that great magician, damn'd glendower, whose daughter, as we hear, the earl of march hath lately married. shall our coffers, then, be emptied to redeem a traitor home? shall we but treason? and indent with fears, when they have lost and forfeited themselves? no, on the barren mountains let him starve; for i shall never hold that man my friend whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost to ransom home revolted mortimer. hotspur revolted mortimer! he never did fall off, my sovereign liege, but by the chance of war; to prove that true needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds, those mouthed wounds, which valiantly he took when on the gentle severn's sedgy bank, in single opposition, hand to hand, he did confound the best part of an hour in changing hardiment with great glendower: three times they breathed and three times did they drink, upon agreement, of swift severn's flood; who then, affrighted with their bloody looks, ran fearfully among the trembling reeds, and hid his crisp head in the hollow bank, bloodstained with these valiant combatants. never did base and rotten policy colour her working with such deadly wounds; nor could the noble mortimer receive so many, and all willingly: then let not him be slander'd with revolt. king henry iv thou dost belie him, percy, thou dost belie him; he never did encounter with glendower: i tell thee, he durst as well have met the devil alone as owen glendower for an enemy. art thou not ashamed? but, sirrah, henceforth let me not hear you speak of mortimer: send me your prisoners with the speediest means, or you shall hear in such a kind from me as will displease you. my lord northumberland, we licence your departure with your son. send us your prisoners, or you will hear of it. [exeunt king henry, blunt, and train] hotspur an if the devil come and roar for them, i will not send them: i will after straight and tell him so; for i will ease my heart, albeit i make a hazard of my head. northumberland what, drunk with choler? stay and pause awhile: here comes your uncle. [re-enter worcester] hotspur speak of mortimer! 'zounds, i will speak of him; and let my soul want mercy, if i do not join with him: yea, on his part i'll empty all these veins, and shed my dear blood drop by drop in the dust, but i will lift the down-trod mortimer as high in the air as this unthankful king, as this ingrate and canker'd bolingbroke. northumberland brother, the king hath made your nephew mad. earl of worcester who struck this heat up after i was gone? hotspur he will, forsooth, have all my prisoners; and when i urged the ransom once again of my wife's brother, then his cheek look'd pale, and on my face he turn'd an eye of death, trembling even at the name of mortimer. earl of worcester i cannot blame him: was not he proclaim'd by richard that dead is the next of blood? northumberland he was; i heard the proclamation: and then it was when the unhappy king, --whose wrongs in us god pardon!--did set forth upon his irish expedition; from whence he intercepted did return to be deposed and shortly murdered. earl of worcester and for whose death we in the world's wide mouth live scandalized and foully spoken of. hotspur but soft, i pray you; did king richard then proclaim my brother edmund mortimer heir to the crown? northumberland he did; myself did hear it. hotspur nay, then i cannot blame his cousin king, that wished him on the barren mountains starve. but shall it be that you, that set the crown upon the head of this forgetful man and for his sake wear the detested blot of murderous subornation, shall it be, that you a world of curses undergo, being the agents, or base second means, the cords, the ladder, or the hangman rather? o, pardon me that i descend so low, to show the line and the predicament wherein you range under this subtle king; shall it for shame be spoken in these days, or fill up chronicles in time to come, that men of your nobility and power did gage them both in an unjust behalf, as both of you--god pardon it!--have done, to put down richard, that sweet lovely rose, an plant this thorn, this canker, bolingbroke? and shall it in more shame be further spoken, that you are fool'd, discarded and shook off by him for whom these shames ye underwent? no; yet time serves wherein you may redeem your banish'd honours and restore yourselves into the good thoughts of the world again, revenge the jeering and disdain'd contempt of this proud king, who studies day and night to answer all the debt he owes to you even with the bloody payment of your deaths: therefore, i say- earl of worcester peace, cousin, say no more: and now i will unclasp a secret book, and to your quick-conceiving discontents i'll read you matter deep and dangerous, as full of peril and adventurous spirit as to o'er-walk a current roaring loud on the unsteadfast footing of a spear. hotspur if he fall in, good night! or sink or swim: send danger from the east unto the west, so honour cross it from the north to south, and let them grapple: o, the blood more stirs to rouse a lion than to start a hare! northumberland imagination of some great exploit drives him beyond the bounds of patience. hotspur by heaven, methinks it were an easy leap, to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon, or dive into the bottom of the deep, where fathom-line could never touch the ground, and pluck up drowned honour by the locks; so he that doth redeem her thence might wear without corrival, all her dignities: but out upon this half-faced fellowship! earl of worcester he apprehends a world of figures here, but not the form of what he should attend. good cousin, give me audience for a while. hotspur i cry you mercy. earl of worcester those same noble scots that are your prisoners,- hotspur i'll keep them all; by god, he shall not have a scot of them; no, if a scot would save his soul, he shall not: i'll keep them, by this hand. earl of worcester you start away and lend no ear unto my purposes. those prisoners you shall keep. hotspur nay, i will; that's flat: he said he would not ransom mortimer; forbad my tongue to speak of mortimer; but i will find him when he lies asleep, and in his ear i'll holla 'mortimer!' nay, i'll have a starling shall be taught to speak nothing but 'mortimer,' and give it him to keep his anger still in motion. earl of worcester hear you, cousin; a word. hotspur all studies here i solemnly defy, save how to gall and pinch this bolingbroke: and that same sword-and-buckler prince of wales, but that i think his father loves him not and would be glad he met with some mischance, i would have him poison'd with a pot of ale. earl of worcester farewell, kinsman: i'll talk to you when you are better temper'd to attend. northumberland why, what a wasp-stung and impatient fool art thou to break into this woman's mood, tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own! hotspur why, look you, i am whipp'd and scourged with rods, nettled and stung with pismires, when i hear of this vile politician, bolingbroke. in richard's time,--what do you call the place?- a plague upon it, it is in gloucestershire; 'twas where the madcap duke his uncle kept, his uncle york; where i first bow'd my knee unto this king of smiles, this bolingbroke,- 'sblood!- when you and he came back from ravenspurgh. northumberland at berkley castle. hotspur you say true: why, what a candy deal of courtesy this fawning greyhound then did proffer me! look,'when his infant fortune came to age,' and 'gentle harry percy,' and 'kind cousin;' o, the devil take such cozeners! god forgive me! good uncle, tell your tale; i have done. earl of worcester nay, if you have not, to it again; we will stay your leisure. hotspur i have done, i' faith. earl of worcester then once more to your scottish prisoners. deliver them up without their ransom straight, and make the douglas' son your only mean for powers in scotland; which, for divers reasons which i shall send you written, be assured, will easily be granted. you, my lord, [to northumberland] your son in scotland being thus employ'd, shall secretly into the bosom creep of that same noble prelate, well beloved, the archbishop. hotspur of york, is it not? earl of worcester true; who bears hard his brother's death at bristol, the lord scroop. i speak not this in estimation, as what i think might be, but what i know is ruminated, plotted and set down, and only stays but to behold the face of that occasion that shall bring it on. hotspur i smell it: upon my life, it will do well. northumberland before the game is afoot, thou still let'st slip. hotspur why, it cannot choose but be a noble plot; and then the power of scotland and of york, to join with mortimer, ha? earl of worcester and so they shall. hotspur in faith, it is exceedingly well aim'd. earl of worcester and 'tis no little reason bids us speed, to save our heads by raising of a head; for, bear ourselves as even as we can, the king will always think him in our debt, and think we think ourselves unsatisfied, till he hath found a time to pay us home: and see already how he doth begin to make us strangers to his looks of love. hotspur he does, he does: we'll be revenged on him. earl of worcester cousin, farewell: no further go in this than i by letters shall direct your course. when time is ripe, which will be suddenly, i'll steal to glendower and lord mortimer; where you and douglas and our powers at once, as i will fashion it, shall happily meet, to bear our fortunes in our own strong arms, which now we hold at much uncertainty. northumberland farewell, good brother: we shall thrive, i trust. hotspur uncle, adieu: o, let the hours be short till fields and blows and groans applaud our sport! [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act ii scene i rochester. an inn yard. [enter a carrier with a lantern in his hand] first carrier heigh-ho! an it be not four by the day, i'll be hanged: charles' wain is over the new chimney, and yet our horse not packed. what, ostler! ostler [within] anon, anon. first carrier i prithee, tom, beat cut's saddle, put a few flocks in the point; poor jade, is wrung in the withers out of all cess. [enter another carrier] second carrier peas and beans are as dank here as a dog, and that is the next way to give poor jades the bots: this house is turned upside down since robin ostler died. first carrier poor fellow, never joyed since the price of oats rose; it was the death of him. second carrier i think this be the most villanous house in all london road for fleas: i am stung like a tench. first carrier like a tench! by the mass, there is ne'er a king christen could be better bit than i have been since the first cock. second carrier why, they will allow us ne'er a jordan, and then we leak in your chimney; and your chamber-lie breeds fleas like a loach. first carrier what, ostler! come away and be hanged! second carrier i have a gammon of bacon and two razors of ginger, to be delivered as far as charing-cross. first carrier god's body! the turkeys in my pannier are quite starved. what, ostler! a plague on thee! hast thou never an eye in thy head? canst not hear? an 'twere not as good deed as drink, to break the pate on thee, i am a very villain. come, and be hanged! hast thou no faith in thee? [enter gadshill] gadshill good morrow, carriers. what's o'clock? first carrier i think it be two o'clock. gadshill i pray thee lend me thy lantern, to see my gelding in the stable. first carrier nay, by god, soft; i know a trick worth two of that, i' faith. gadshill i pray thee, lend me thine. second carrier ay, when? can'st tell? lend me thy lantern, quoth he? marry, i'll see thee hanged first. gadshill sirrah carrier, what time do you mean to come to london? second carrier time enough to go to bed with a candle, i warrant thee. come, neighbour mugs, we'll call up the gentleman: they will along with company, for they have great charge. [exeunt carriers] gadshill what, ho! chamberlain! chamberlain [within] at hand, quoth pick-purse. gadshill that's even as fair as--at hand, quoth the chamberlain; for thou variest no more from picking of purses than giving direction doth from labouring; thou layest the plot how. [enter chamberlain] chamberlain good morrow, master gadshill. it holds current that i told you yesternight: there's a franklin in the wild of kent hath brought three hundred marks with him in gold: i heard him tell it to one of his company last night at supper; a kind of auditor; one that hath abundance of charge too, god knows what. they are up already, and call for eggs and butter; they will away presently. gadshill sirrah, if they meet not with saint nicholas' clerks, i'll give thee this neck. chamberlain no, i'll none of it: i pray thee keep that for the hangman; for i know thou worshippest st. nicholas as truly as a man of falsehood may. gadshill what talkest thou to me of the hangman? if i hang, i'll make a fat pair of gallows; for if i hang, old sir john hangs with me, and thou knowest he is no starveling. tut! there are other trojans that thou dreamest not of, the which for sport sake are content to do the profession some grace; that would, if matters should be looked into, for their own credit sake, make all whole. i am joined with no foot-land rakers, no long-staff sixpenny strikers, none of these mad mustachio purple-hued malt-worms; but with nobility and tranquillity, burgomasters and great oneyers, such as can hold in, such as will strike sooner than speak, and speak sooner than drink, and drink sooner than pray: and yet, zounds, i lie; for they pray continually to their saint, the commonwealth; or rather, not pray to her, but prey on her, for they ride up and down on her and make her their boots. chamberlain what, the commonwealth their boots? will she hold out water in foul way? gadshill she will, she will; justice hath liquored her. we steal as in a castle, cocksure; we have the receipt of fern-seed, we walk invisible. chamberlain nay, by my faith, i think you are more beholding to the night than to fern-seed for your walking invisible. gadshill give me thy hand: thou shalt have a share in our purchase, as i am a true man. chamberlain nay, rather let me have it, as you are a false thief. gadshill go to; 'homo' is a common name to all men. bid the ostler bring my gelding out of the stable. farewell, you muddy knave. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act ii scene ii the highway, near gadshill. [enter prince henry and poins] poins come, shelter, shelter: i have removed falstaff's horse, and he frets like a gummed velvet. prince henry stand close. [enter falstaff] falstaff poins! poins, and be hanged! poins! prince henry peace, ye fat-kidneyed rascal! what a brawling dost thou keep! falstaff where's poins, hal? prince henry he is walked up to the top of the hill: i'll go seek him. falstaff i am accursed to rob in that thief's company: the rascal hath removed my horse, and tied him i know not where. if i travel but four foot by the squier further afoot, i shall break my wind. well, i doubt not but to die a fair death for all this, if i 'scape hanging for killing that rogue. i have forsworn his company hourly any time this two and twenty years, and yet i am bewitched with the rogue's company. if the rascal hath not given me medicines to make me love him, i'll be hanged; it could not be else: i have drunk medicines. poins! hal! a plague upon you both! bardolph! peto! i'll starve ere i'll rob a foot further. an 'twere not as good a deed as drink, to turn true man and to leave these rogues, i am the veriest varlet that ever chewed with a tooth. eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten miles afoot with me; and the stony-hearted villains know it well enough: a plague upon it when thieves cannot be true one to another! [they whistle] whew! a plague upon you all! give me my horse, you rogues; give me my horse, and be hanged! prince henry peace, ye fat-guts! lie down; lay thine ear close to the ground and list if thou canst hear the tread of travellers. falstaff have you any levers to lift me up again, being down? 'sblood, i'll not bear mine own flesh so far afoot again for all the coin in thy father's exchequer. what a plague mean ye to colt me thus? prince henry thou liest; thou art not colted, thou art uncolted. falstaff i prithee, good prince hal, help me to my horse, good king's son. prince henry out, ye rogue! shall i be your ostler? falstaff go, hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent garters! if i be ta'en, i'll peach for this. an i have not ballads made on you all and sung to filthy tunes, let a cup of sack be my poison: when a jest is so forward, and afoot too! i hate it. [enter gadshill, bardolph and peto] gadshill stand. falstaff so i do, against my will. poins o, 'tis our setter: i know his voice. bardolph, what news? bardolph case ye, case ye; on with your vizards: there 's money of the king's coming down the hill; 'tis going to the king's exchequer. falstaff you lie, ye rogue; 'tis going to the king's tavern. gadshill there's enough to make us all. falstaff to be hanged. prince henry sirs, you four shall front them in the narrow lane; ned poins and i will walk lower: if they 'scape from your encounter, then they light on us. peto how many be there of them? gadshill some eight or ten. falstaff 'zounds, will they not rob us? prince henry what, a coward, sir john paunch? falstaff indeed, i am not john of gaunt, your grandfather; but yet no coward, hal. prince henry well, we leave that to the proof. poins sirrah jack, thy horse stands behind the hedge: when thou needest him, there thou shalt find him. farewell, and stand fast. falstaff now cannot i strike him, if i should be hanged. prince henry ned, where are our disguises? poins here, hard by: stand close. [exeunt prince henry and poins] falstaff now, my masters, happy man be his dole, say i: every man to his business. [enter the travellers] first traveller come, neighbour: the boy shall lead our horses down the hill; we'll walk afoot awhile, and ease our legs. thieves stand! travellers jesus bless us! falstaff strike; down with them; cut the villains' throats: ah! whoreson caterpillars! bacon-fed knaves! they hate us youth: down with them: fleece them. travellers o, we are undone, both we and ours for ever! falstaff hang ye, gorbellied knaves, are ye undone? no, ye fat chuffs: i would your store were here! on, bacons, on! what, ye knaves! young men must live. you are grand-jurors, are ye? we'll jure ye, 'faith. [here they rob them and bind them. exeunt] [re-enter prince henry and poins] prince henry the thieves have bound the true men. now could thou and i rob the thieves and go merrily to london, it would be argument for a week, laughter for a month and a good jest for ever. poins stand close; i hear them coming. [enter the thieves again] falstaff come, my masters, let us share, and then to horse before day. an the prince and poins be not two arrant cowards, there's no equity stirring: there's no more valour in that poins than in a wild-duck. prince henry your money! poins villains! [as they are sharing, the prince and poins set upon them; they all run away; and falstaff, after a blow or two, runs away too, leaving the booty behind them] prince henry got with much ease. now merrily to horse: the thieves are all scatter'd and possess'd with fear so strongly that they dare not meet each other; each takes his fellow for an officer. away, good ned. falstaff sweats to death, and lards the lean earth as he walks along: were 't not for laughing, i should pity him. poins how the rogue roar'd! [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act ii scene iii warkworth castle [enter hotspur, solus, reading a letter] hotspur 'but for mine own part, my lord, i could be well contented to be there, in respect of the love i bear your house.' he could be contented: why is he not, then? in respect of the love he bears our house: he shows in this, he loves his own barn better than he loves our house. let me see some more. 'the purpose you undertake is dangerous;'--why, that's certain: 'tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink; but i tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety. 'the purpose you undertake is dangerous; the friends you have named uncertain; the time itself unsorted; and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so great an opposition.' say you so, say you so? i say unto you again, you are a shallow cowardly hind, and you lie. what a lack-brain is this! by the lord, our plot is a good plot as ever was laid; our friends true and constant: a good plot, good friends, and full of expectation; an excellent plot, very good friends. what a frosty-spirited rogue is this! why, my lord of york commends the plot and the general course of action. 'zounds, an i were now by this rascal, i could brain him with his lady's fan. is there not my father, my uncle and myself? lord edmund mortimer, my lord of york and owen glendower? is there not besides the douglas? have i not all their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month? and are they not some of them set forward already? what a pagan rascal is this! an infidel! ha! you shall see now in very sincerity of fear and cold heart, will he to the king and lay open all our proceedings. o, i could divide myself and go to buffets, for moving such a dish of skim milk with so honourable an action! hang him! let him tell the king: we are prepared. i will set forward to-night. [enter lady percy] how now, kate! i must leave you within these two hours. lady percy o, my good lord, why are you thus alone? for what offence have i this fortnight been a banish'd woman from my harry's bed? tell me, sweet lord, what is't that takes from thee thy stomach, pleasure and thy golden sleep? why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth, and start so often when thou sit'st alone? why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks; and given my treasures and my rights of thee to thick-eyed musing and cursed melancholy? in thy faint slumbers i by thee have watch'd, and heard thee murmur tales of iron wars; speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed; cry 'courage! to the field!' and thou hast talk'd of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents, of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets, of basilisks, of cannon, culverin, of prisoners' ransom and of soldiers slain, and all the currents of a heady fight. thy spirit within thee hath been so at war and thus hath so bestirr'd thee in thy sleep, that beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow like bubbles in a late-disturbed stream; and in thy face strange motions have appear'd, such as we see when men restrain their breath on some great sudden hest. o, what portents are these? some heavy business hath my lord in hand, and i must know it, else he loves me not. hotspur what, ho! [enter servant] is gilliams with the packet gone? servant he is, my lord, an hour ago. hotspur hath butler brought those horses from the sheriff? servant one horse, my lord, he brought even now. hotspur what horse? a roan, a crop-ear, is it not? servant it is, my lord. hotspur that roan shall by my throne. well, i will back him straight: o esperance! bid butler lead him forth into the park. [exit servant] lady percy but hear you, my lord. hotspur what say'st thou, my lady? lady percy what is it carries you away? hotspur why, my horse, my love, my horse. lady percy out, you mad-headed ape! a weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are toss'd with. in faith, i'll know your business, harry, that i will. i fear my brother mortimer doth stir about his title, and hath sent for you to line his enterprise: but if you go,- hotspur so far afoot, i shall be weary, love. lady percy come, come, you paraquito, answer me directly unto this question that i ask: in faith, i'll break thy little finger, harry, an if thou wilt not tell me all things true. hotspur away, away, you trifler! love! i love thee not, i care not for thee, kate: this is no world to play with mammets and to tilt with lips: we must have bloody noses and crack'd crowns, and pass them current too. god's me, my horse! what say'st thou, kate? what would'st thou have with me? lady percy do you not love me? do you not, indeed? well, do not then; for since you love me not, i will not love myself. do you not love me? nay, tell me if you speak in jest or no. hotspur come, wilt thou see me ride? and when i am on horseback, i will swear i love thee infinitely. but hark you, kate; i must not have you henceforth question me whither i go, nor reason whereabout: whither i must, i must; and, to conclude, this evening must i leave you, gentle kate. i know you wise, but yet no farther wise than harry percy's wife: constant you are, but yet a woman: and for secrecy, no lady closer; for i well believe thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know; and so far will i trust thee, gentle kate. lady percy how! so far? hotspur not an inch further. but hark you, kate: whither i go, thither shall you go too; to-day will i set forth, to-morrow you. will this content you, kate? lady percy it must of force. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act ii scene iv the boar's-head tavern, eastcheap. [enter prince henry and poins] prince henry ned, prithee, come out of that fat room, and lend me thy hand to laugh a little. poins where hast been, hal? prince henry with three or four loggerheads amongst three or four score hogsheads. i have sounded the very base-string of humility. sirrah, i am sworn brother to a leash of drawers; and can call them all by their christen names, as tom, dick, and francis. they take it already upon their salvation, that though i be but the prince of wales, yet i am king of courtesy; and tell me flatly i am no proud jack, like falstaff, but a corinthian, a lad of mettle, a good boy, by the lord, so they call me, and when i am king of england, i shall command all the good lads in eastcheap. they call drinking deep, dyeing scarlet; and when you breathe in your watering, they cry 'hem!' and bid you play it off. to conclude, i am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour, that i can drink with any tinker in his own language during my life. i tell thee, ned, thou hast lost much honour, that thou wert not with me in this sweet action. but, sweet ned,--to sweeten which name of ned, i give thee this pennyworth of sugar, clapped even now into my hand by an under-skinker, one that never spake other english in his life than 'eight shillings and sixpence' and 'you are welcome,' with this shrill addition, 'anon, anon, sir! score a pint of bastard in the half-moon,' or so. but, ned, to drive away the time till falstaff come, i prithee, do thou stand in some by-room, while i question my puny drawer to what end he gave me the sugar; and do thou never leave calling 'francis,' that his tale to me may be nothing but 'anon.' step aside, and i'll show thee a precedent. poins francis! prince henry thou art perfect. poins francis! [exit poins] [enter francis] francis anon, anon, sir. look down into the pomgarnet, ralph. prince henry come hither, francis. francis my lord? prince henry how long hast thou to serve, francis? francis forsooth, five years, and as much as to- poins [within] francis! francis anon, anon, sir. prince henry five year! by'r lady, a long lease for the clinking of pewter. but, francis, darest thou be so valiant as to play the coward with thy indenture and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it? francis o lord, sir, i'll be sworn upon all the books in england, i could find in my heart. poins [within] francis! francis anon, sir. prince henry how old art thou, francis? francis let me see--about michaelmas next i shall be- poins [within] francis! francis anon, sir. pray stay a little, my lord. prince henry nay, but hark you, francis: for the sugar thou gavest me,'twas a pennyworth, wast't not? francis o lord, i would it had been two! prince henry i will give thee for it a thousand pound: ask me when thou wilt, and thou shalt have it. poins [within] francis! francis anon, anon. prince henry anon, francis? no, francis; but to-morrow, francis; or, francis, o' thursday; or indeed, francis, when thou wilt. but, francis! francis my lord? prince henry wilt thou rob this leathern jerkin, crystal-button, not-pated, agate-ring, puke-stocking, caddis-garter, smooth-tongue, spanish-pouch,- francis o lord, sir, who do you mean? prince henry why, then, your brown bastard is your only drink; for look you, francis, your white canvas doublet will sully: in barbary, sir, it cannot come to so much. francis what, sir? poins [within] francis! prince henry away, you rogue! dost thou not hear them call? [here they both call him; the drawer stands amazed, not knowing which way to go] [enter vintner] vintner what, standest thou still, and hearest such a calling? look to the guests within. [exit francis] my lord, old sir john, with half-a-dozen more, are at the door: shall i let them in? prince henry let them alone awhile, and then open the door. [exit vintner] poins! [re-enter poins] poins anon, anon, sir. prince henry sirrah, falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at the door: shall we be merry? poins as merry as crickets, my lad. but hark ye; what cunning match have you made with this jest of the drawer? come, what's the issue? prince henry i am now of all humours that have showed themselves humours since the old days of goodman adam to the pupil age of this present twelve o'clock at midnight. [re-enter francis] what's o'clock, francis? francis anon, anon, sir. [exit] prince henry that ever this fellow should have fewer words than a parrot, and yet the son of a woman! his industry is upstairs and downstairs; his eloquence the parcel of a reckoning. i am not yet of percy's mind, the hotspur of the north; he that kills me some six or seven dozen of scots at a breakfast, washes his hands, and says to his wife 'fie upon this quiet life! i want work.' 'o my sweet harry,' says she, 'how many hast thou killed to-day?' 'give my roan horse a drench,' says he; and answers 'some fourteen,' an hour after; 'a trifle, a trifle.' i prithee, call in falstaff: i'll play percy, and that damned brawn shall play dame mortimer his wife. 'rivo!' says the drunkard. call in ribs, call in tallow. [enter falstaff, gadshill, bardolph, and peto; francis following with wine] poins welcome, jack: where hast thou been? falstaff a plague of all cowards, i say, and a vengeance too! marry, and amen! give me a cup of sack, boy. ere i lead this life long, i'll sew nether stocks and mend them and foot them too. a plague of all cowards! give me a cup of sack, rogue. is there no virtue extant? [he drinks] prince henry didst thou never see titan kiss a dish of butter? pitiful-hearted titan, that melted at the sweet tale of the sun's! if thou didst, then behold that compound. falstaff you rogue, here's lime in this sack too: there is nothing but roguery to be found in villanous man: yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in it. a villanous coward! go thy ways, old jack; die when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood, be not forgot upon the face of the earth, then am i a shotten herring. there live not three good men unhanged in england; and one of them is fat and grows old: god help the while! a bad world, i say. i would i were a weaver; i could sing psalms or any thing. a plague of all cowards, i say still. prince henry how now, wool-sack! what mutter you? falstaff a king's son! if i do not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a dagger of lath, and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a flock of wild-geese, i'll never wear hair on my face more. you prince of wales! prince henry why, you whoreson round man, what's the matter? falstaff are not you a coward? answer me to that: and poins there? poins 'zounds, ye fat paunch, an ye call me coward, by the lord, i'll stab thee. falstaff i call thee coward! i'll see thee damned ere i call thee coward: but i would give a thousand pound i could run as fast as thou canst. you are straight enough in the shoulders, you care not who sees your back: call you that backing of your friends? a plague upon such backing! give me them that will face me. give me a cup of sack: i am a rogue, if i drunk to-day. prince henry o villain! thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunkest last. falstaff all's one for that. [he drinks] a plague of all cowards, still say i. prince henry what's the matter? falstaff what's the matter! there be four of us here have ta'en a thousand pound this day morning. prince henry where is it, jack? where is it? falstaff where is it! taken from us it is: a hundred upon poor four of us. prince henry what, a hundred, man? falstaff i am a rogue, if i were not at half-sword with a dozen of them two hours together. i have 'scaped by miracle. i am eight times thrust through the doublet, four through the hose; my buckler cut through and through; my sword hacked like a hand-saw--ecce signum! i never dealt better since i was a man: all would not do. a plague of all cowards! let them speak: if they speak more or less than truth, they are villains and the sons of darkness. prince henry speak, sirs; how was it? gadshill we four set upon some dozen- falstaff sixteen at least, my lord. gadshill and bound them. peto no, no, they were not bound. falstaff you rogue, they were bound, every man of them; or i am a jew else, an ebrew jew. gadshill as we were sharing, some six or seven fresh men set upon us- falstaff and unbound the rest, and then come in the other. prince henry what, fought you with them all? falstaff all! i know not what you call all; but if i fought not with fifty of them, i am a bunch of radish: if there were not two or three and fifty upon poor old jack, then am i no two-legged creature. prince henry pray god you have not murdered some of them. falstaff nay, that's past praying for: i have peppered two of them; two i am sure i have paid, two rogues in buckram suits. i tell thee what, hal, if i tell thee a lie, spit in my face, call me horse. thou knowest my old ward; here i lay and thus i bore my point. four rogues in buckram let drive at me- prince henry what, four? thou saidst but two even now. falstaff four, hal; i told thee four. poins ay, ay, he said four. falstaff these four came all a-front, and mainly thrust at me. i made me no more ado but took all their seven points in my target, thus. prince henry seven? why, there were but four even now. falstaff in buckram? poins ay, four, in buckram suits. falstaff seven, by these hilts, or i am a villain else. prince henry prithee, let him alone; we shall have more anon. falstaff dost thou hear me, hal? prince henry ay, and mark thee too, jack. falstaff do so, for it is worth the listening to. these nine in buckram that i told thee of- prince henry so, two more already. falstaff their points being broken,- poins down fell their hose. falstaff began to give me ground: but i followed me close, came in foot and hand; and with a thought seven of the eleven i paid. prince henry o monstrous! eleven buckram men grown out of two! falstaff but, as the devil would have it, three misbegotten knaves in kendal green came at my back and let drive at me; for it was so dark, hal, that thou couldst not see thy hand. prince henry these lies are like their father that begets them; gross as a mountain, open, palpable. why, thou clay-brained guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson, obscene, grease tallow-catch,- falstaff what, art thou mad? art thou mad? is not the truth the truth? prince henry why, how couldst thou know these men in kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand? come, tell us your reason: what sayest thou to this? poins come, your reason, jack, your reason. falstaff what, upon compulsion? 'zounds, an i were at the strappado, or all the racks in the world, i would not tell you on compulsion. give you a reason on compulsion! if reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, i would give no man a reason upon compulsion, i. prince henry i'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this horseback-breaker, this huge hill of flesh,- falstaff 'sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stock-fish! o for breath to utter what is like thee! you tailor's-yard, you sheath, you bowcase; you vile standing-tuck,- prince henry well, breathe awhile, and then to it again: and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but this. poins mark, jack. prince henry we two saw you four set on four and bound them, and were masters of their wealth. mark now, how a plain tale shall put you down. then did we two set on you four; and, with a word, out-faced you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you here in the house: and, falstaff, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy and still run and roared, as ever i heard bull-calf. what a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in fight! what trick, what device, what starting-hole, canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame? poins come, let's hear, jack; what trick hast thou now? falstaff by the lord, i knew ye as well as he that made ye. why, hear you, my masters: was it for me to kill the heir-apparent? should i turn upon the true prince? why, thou knowest i am as valiant as hercules: but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince. instinct is a great matter; i was now a coward on instinct. i shall think the better of myself and thee during my life; i for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. but, by the lord, lads, i am glad you have the money. hostess, clap to the doors: watch to-night, pray to-morrow. gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to you! what, shall we be merry? shall we have a play extempore? prince henry content; and the argument shall be thy running away. falstaff ah, no more of that, hal, an thou lovest me! [enter hostess] hostess o jesu, my lord the prince! prince henry how now, my lady the hostess! what sayest thou to me? hostess marry, my lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you: he says he comes from your father. prince henry give him as much as will make him a royal man, and send him back again to my mother. falstaff what manner of man is he? hostess an old man. falstaff what doth gravity out of his bed at midnight? shall i give him his answer? prince henry prithee, do, jack. falstaff 'faith, and i'll send him packing. [exit falstaff] prince henry now, sirs: by'r lady, you fought fair; so did you, peto; so did you, bardolph: you are lions too, you ran away upon instinct, you will not touch the true prince; no, fie! bardolph 'faith, i ran when i saw others run. prince henry 'faith, tell me now in earnest, how came falstaff's sword so hacked? peto why, he hacked it with his dagger, and said he would swear truth out of england but he would make you believe it was done in fight, and persuaded us to do the like. bardolph yea, and to tickle our noses with spear-grass to make them bleed, and then to beslubber our garments with it and swear it was the blood of true men. i did that i did not this seven year before, i blushed to hear his monstrous devices. prince henry o villain, thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years ago, and wert taken with the manner, and ever since thou hast blushed extempore. thou hadst fire and sword on thy side, and yet thou rannest away: what instinct hadst thou for it? bardolph my lord, do you see these meteors? do you behold these exhalations? prince henry i do. bardolph what think you they portend? prince henry hot livers and cold purses. bardolph choler, my lord, if rightly taken. prince henry no, if rightly taken, halter. [re-enter falstaff] here comes lean jack, here comes bare-bone. how now, my sweet creature of bombast! how long is't ago, jack, since thou sawest thine own knee? falstaff my own knee! when i was about thy years, hal, i was not an eagle's talon in the waist; i could have crept into any alderman's thumb-ring: a plague of sighing and grief! it blows a man up like a bladder. there's villanous news abroad: here was sir john bracy from your father; you must to the court in the morning. that same mad fellow of the north, percy, and he of wales, that gave amamon the bastinado and made lucifer cuckold and swore the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a welsh hook--what a plague call you him? poins o, glendower. falstaff owen, owen, the same; and his son-in-law mortimer, and old northumberland, and that sprightly scot of scots, douglas, that runs o' horseback up a hill perpendicular,- prince henry he that rides at high speed and with his pistol kills a sparrow flying. falstaff you have hit it. prince henry so did he never the sparrow. falstaff well, that rascal hath good mettle in him; he will not run. prince henry why, what a rascal art thou then, to praise him so for running! falstaff o' horseback, ye cuckoo; but afoot he will not budge a foot. prince henry yes, jack, upon instinct. falstaff i grant ye, upon instinct. well, he is there too, and one mordake, and a thousand blue-caps more: worcester is stolen away to-night; thy father's beard is turned white with the news: you may buy land now as cheap as stinking mackerel. prince henry why, then, it is like, if there come a hot june and this civil buffeting hold, we shall buy maidenheads as they buy hob-nails, by the hundreds. falstaff by the mass, lad, thou sayest true; it is like we shall have good trading that way. but tell me, hal, art not thou horrible afeard? thou being heir-apparent, could the world pick thee out three such enemies again as that fiend douglas, that spirit percy, and that devil glendower? art thou not horribly afraid? doth not thy blood thrill at it? prince henry not a whit, i' faith; i lack some of thy instinct. falstaff well, thou wert be horribly chid tomorrow when thou comest to thy father: if thou love me, practise an answer. prince henry do thou stand for my father, and examine me upon the particulars of my life. falstaff shall i? content: this chair shall be my state, this dagger my sceptre, and this cushion my crown. prince henry thy state is taken for a joined-stool, thy golden sceptre for a leaden dagger, and thy precious rich crown for a pitiful bald crown! falstaff well, an the fire of grace be not quite out of thee, now shalt thou be moved. give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look red, that it may be thought i have wept; for i must speak in passion, and i will do it in king cambyses' vein. prince henry well, here is my leg. falstaff and here is my speech. stand aside, nobility. hostess o jesu, this is excellent sport, i' faith! falstaff weep not, sweet queen; for trickling tears are vain. hostess o, the father, how he holds his countenance! falstaff for god's sake, lords, convey my tristful queen; for tears do stop the flood-gates of her eyes. hostess o jesu, he doth it as like one of these harlotry players as ever i see! falstaff peace, good pint-pot; peace, good tickle-brain. harry, i do not only marvel where thou spendest thy time, but also how thou art accompanied: for though the camomile, the more it is trodden on the faster it grows, yet youth, the more it is wasted the sooner it wears. that thou art my son, i have partly thy mother's word, partly my own opinion, but chiefly a villanous trick of thine eye and a foolish-hanging of thy nether lip, that doth warrant me. if then thou be son to me, here lies the point; why, being son to me, art thou so pointed at? shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries? a question not to be asked. shall the sun of england prove a thief and take purses? a question to be asked. there is a thing, harry, which thou hast often heard of and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch: this pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou keepest: for, harry, now i do not speak to thee in drink but in tears, not in pleasure but in passion, not in words only, but in woes also: and yet there is a virtuous man whom i have often noted in thy company, but i know not his name. prince henry what manner of man, an it like your majesty? falstaff a goodly portly man, i' faith, and a corpulent; of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye and a most noble carriage; and, as i think, his age some fifty, or, by'r lady, inclining to three score; and now i remember me, his name is falstaff: if that man should be lewdly given, he deceiveth me; for, harry, i see virtue in his looks. if then the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, then, peremptorily i speak it, there is virtue in that falstaff: him keep with, the rest banish. and tell me now, thou naughty varlet, tell me, where hast thou been this month? prince henry dost thou speak like a king? do thou stand for me, and i'll play my father. falstaff depose me? if thou dost it half so gravely, so majestically, both in word and matter, hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker or a poulter's hare. prince henry well, here i am set. falstaff and here i stand: judge, my masters. prince henry now, harry, whence come you? falstaff my noble lord, from eastcheap. prince henry the complaints i hear of thee are grievous. falstaff 'sblood, my lord, they are false: nay, i'll tickle ye for a young prince, i' faith. prince henry swearest thou, ungracious boy? henceforth ne'er look on me. thou art violently carried away from grace: there is a devil haunts thee in the likeness of an old fat man; a tun of man is thy companion. why dost thou converse with that trunk of humours, that bolting-hutch of beastliness, that swollen parcel of dropsies, that huge bombard of sack, that stuffed cloak-bag of guts, that roasted manningtree ox with the pudding in his belly, that reverend vice, that grey iniquity, that father ruffian, that vanity in years? wherein is he good, but to taste sack and drink it? wherein neat and cleanly, but to carve a capon and eat it? wherein cunning, but in craft? wherein crafty, but in villany? wherein villanous, but in all things? wherein worthy, but in nothing? falstaff i would your grace would take me with you: whom means your grace? prince henry that villanous abominable misleader of youth, falstaff, that old white-bearded satan. falstaff my lord, the man i know. prince henry i know thou dost. falstaff but to say i know more harm in him than in myself, were to say more than i know. that he is old, the more the pity, his white hairs do witness it; but that he is, saving your reverence, a whoremaster, that i utterly deny. if sack and sugar be a fault, god help the wicked! if to be old and merry be a sin, then many an old host that i know is damned: if to be fat be to be hated, then pharaoh's lean kine are to be loved. no, my good lord; banish peto, banish bardolph, banish poins: but for sweet jack falstaff, kind jack falstaff, true jack falstaff, valiant jack falstaff, and therefore more valiant, being, as he is, old jack falstaff, banish not him thy harry's company, banish not him thy harry's company: banish plump jack, and banish all the world. prince henry i do, i will. [a knocking heard] [exeunt hostess, francis, and bardolph] [re-enter bardolph, running] bardolph o, my lord, my lord! the sheriff with a most monstrous watch is at the door. falstaff out, ye rogue! play out the play: i have much to say in the behalf of that falstaff. [re-enter the hostess] hostess o jesu, my lord, my lord! prince henry heigh, heigh! the devil rides upon a fiddlestick: what's the matter? hostess the sheriff and all the watch are at the door: they are come to search the house. shall i let them in? falstaff dost thou hear, hal? never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit: thou art essentially mad, without seeming so. prince henry and thou a natural coward, without instinct. falstaff i deny your major: if you will deny the sheriff, so; if not, let him enter: if i become not a cart as well as another man, a plague on my bringing up! i hope i shall as soon be strangled with a halter as another. prince henry go, hide thee behind the arras: the rest walk up above. now, my masters, for a true face and good conscience. falstaff both which i have had: but their date is out, and therefore i'll hide me. prince henry call in the sheriff. [exeunt all except prince henry and peto] [enter sheriff and the carrier] now, master sheriff, what is your will with me? sheriff first, pardon me, my lord. a hue and cry hath follow'd certain men unto this house. prince henry what men? sheriff one of them is well known, my gracious lord, a gross fat man. carrier as fat as butter. prince henry the man, i do assure you, is not here; for i myself at this time have employ'd him. and, sheriff, i will engage my word to thee that i will, by to-morrow dinner-time, send him to answer thee, or any man, for any thing he shall be charged withal: and so let me entreat you leave the house. sheriff i will, my lord. there are two gentlemen have in this robbery lost three hundred marks. prince henry it may be so: if he have robb'd these men, he shall be answerable; and so farewell. sheriff good night, my noble lord. prince henry i think it is good morrow, is it not? sheriff indeed, my lord, i think it be two o'clock. [exeunt sheriff and carrier] prince henry this oily rascal is known as well as paul's. go, call him forth. peto falstaff!--fast asleep behind the arras, and snorting like a horse. prince henry hark, how hard he fetches breath. search his pockets. [he searcheth his pockets, and findeth certain papers] what hast thou found? peto nothing but papers, my lord. prince henry let's see what they be: read them. peto [reads] item, a capon,. . 2s. 2d. item, sauce,. . . 4d. item, sack, two gallons, 5s. 8d. item, anchovies and sack after supper, 2s. 6d. item, bread, ob. prince henry o monstrous! but one half-penny-worth of bread to this intolerable deal of sack! what there is else, keep close; we'll read it at more advantage: there let him sleep till day. i'll to the court in the morning. we must all to the wars, and thy place shall be honourable. i'll procure this fat rogue a charge of foot; and i know his death will be a march of twelve-score. the money shall be paid back again with advantage. be with me betimes in the morning; and so, good morrow, peto. [exeunt] peto good morrow, good my lord. 1 king henry iv act iii scene i bangor. the archdeacon's house. [enter hotspur, worcester, mortimer, and glendower] mortimer these promises are fair, the parties sure, and our induction full of prosperous hope. hotspur lord mortimer, and cousin glendower, will you sit down? and uncle worcester: a plague upon it! i have forgot the map. glendower no, here it is. sit, cousin percy; sit, good cousin hotspur, for by that name as oft as lancaster doth speak of you, his cheek looks pale and with a rising sigh he wisheth you in heaven. hotspur and you in hell, as oft as he hears owen glendower spoke of. glendower i cannot blame him: at my nativity the front of heaven was full of fiery shapes, of burning cressets; and at my birth the frame and huge foundation of the earth shaked like a coward. hotspur why, so it would have done at the same season, if your mother's cat had but kittened, though yourself had never been born. glendower i say the earth did shake when i was born. hotspur and i say the earth was not of my mind, if you suppose as fearing you it shook. glendower the heavens were all on fire, the earth did tremble. hotspur o, then the earth shook to see the heavens on fire, and not in fear of your nativity. diseased nature oftentimes breaks forth in strange eruptions; oft the teeming earth is with a kind of colic pinch'd and vex'd by the imprisoning of unruly wind within her womb; which, for enlargement striving, shakes the old beldam earth and topples down steeples and moss-grown towers. at your birth our grandam earth, having this distemperature, in passion shook. glendower cousin, of many men i do not bear these crossings. give me leave to tell you once again that at my birth the front of heaven was full of fiery shapes, the goats ran from the mountains, and the herds were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields. these signs have mark'd me extraordinary; and all the courses of my life do show i am not in the roll of common men. where is he living, clipp'd in with the sea that chides the banks of england, scotland, wales, which calls me pupil, or hath read to me? and bring him out that is but woman's son can trace me in the tedious ways of art and hold me pace in deep experiments. hotspur i think there's no man speaks better welsh. i'll to dinner. mortimer peace, cousin percy; you will make him mad. glendower i can call spirits from the vasty deep. hotspur why, so can i, or so can any man; but will they come when you do call for them? glendower why, i can teach you, cousin, to command the devil. hotspur and i can teach thee, coz, to shame the devil by telling truth: tell truth and shame the devil. if thou have power to raise him, bring him hither, and i'll be sworn i have power to shame him hence. o, while you live, tell truth and shame the devil! mortimer come, come, no more of this unprofitable chat. glendower three times hath henry bolingbroke made head against my power; thrice from the banks of wye and sandy-bottom'd severn have i sent him bootless home and weather-beaten back. hotspur home without boots, and in foul weather too! how 'scapes he agues, in the devil's name? glendower come, here's the map: shall we divide our right according to our threefold order ta'en? mortimer the archdeacon hath divided it into three limits very equally: england, from trent and severn hitherto, by south and east is to my part assign'd: all westward, wales beyond the severn shore, and all the fertile land within that bound, to owen glendower: and, dear coz, to you the remnant northward, lying off from trent. and our indentures tripartite are drawn; which being sealed interchangeably, a business that this night may execute, to-morrow, cousin percy, you and i and my good lord of worcester will set forth to meet your father and the scottish power, as is appointed us, at shrewsbury. my father glendower is not ready yet, not shall we need his help these fourteen days. within that space you may have drawn together your tenants, friends and neighbouring gentlemen. glendower a shorter time shall send me to you, lords: and in my conduct shall your ladies come; from whom you now must steal and take no leave, for there will be a world of water shed upon the parting of your wives and you. hotspur methinks my moiety, north from burton here, in quantity equals not one of yours: see how this river comes me cranking in, and cuts me from the best of all my land a huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle out. i'll have the current in this place damm'd up; and here the smug and silver trent shall run in a new channel, fair and evenly; it shall not wind with such a deep indent, to rob me of so rich a bottom here. glendower not wind? it shall, it must; you see it doth. mortimer yea, but mark how he bears his course, and runs me up with like advantage on the other side; gelding the opposed continent as much as on the other side it takes from you. earl of worcester yea, but a little charge will trench him here and on this north side win this cape of land; and then he runs straight and even. hotspur i'll have it so: a little charge will do it. glendower i'll not have it alter'd. hotspur will not you? glendower no, nor you shall not. hotspur who shall say me nay? glendower why, that will i. hotspur let me not understand you, then; speak it in welsh. glendower i can speak english, lord, as well as you; for i was train'd up in the english court; where, being but young, i framed to the harp many an english ditty lovely well and gave the tongue a helpful ornament, a virtue that was never seen in you. hotspur marry, and i am glad of it with all my heart: i had rather be a kitten and cry mew than one of these same metre ballad-mongers; i had rather hear a brazen canstick turn'd, or a dry wheel grate on the axle-tree; and that would set my teeth nothing on edge, nothing so much as mincing poetry: 'tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag. glendower come, you shall have trent turn'd. hotspur i do not care: i'll give thrice so much land to any well-deserving friend; but in the way of bargain, mark ye me, i'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair. are the indentures drawn? shall we be gone? glendower the moon shines fair; you may away by night: i'll haste the writer and withal break with your wives of your departure hence: i am afraid my daughter will run mad, so much she doteth on her mortimer. [exit glendower] mortimer fie, cousin percy! how you cross my father! hotspur i cannot choose: sometime he angers me with telling me of the mouldwarp and the ant, of the dreamer merlin and his prophecies, and of a dragon and a finless fish, a clip-wing'd griffin and a moulten raven, a couching lion and a ramping cat, and such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff as puts me from my faith. i tell you what; he held me last night at least nine hours in reckoning up the several devils' names that were his lackeys: i cried 'hum,' and 'well, go to,' but mark'd him not a word. o, he is as tedious as a tired horse, a railing wife; worse than a smoky house: i had rather live with cheese and garlic in a windmill, far, than feed on cates and have him talk to me in any summer-house in christendom. mortimer in faith, he is a worthy gentleman, exceedingly well read, and profited in strange concealments, valiant as a lion and as wondrous affable and as bountiful as mines of india. shall i tell you, cousin? he holds your temper in a high respect and curbs himself even of his natural scope when you come 'cross his humour; faith, he does: i warrant you, that man is not alive might so have tempted him as you have done, without the taste of danger and reproof: but do not use it oft, let me entreat you. earl of worcester in faith, my lord, you are too wilful-blame; and since your coming hither have done enough to put him quite beside his patience. you must needs learn, lord, to amend this fault: though sometimes it show greatness, courage, blood,- and that's the dearest grace it renders you,- yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage, defect of manners, want of government, pride, haughtiness, opinion and disdain: the least of which haunting a nobleman loseth men's hearts and leaves behind a stain upon the beauty of all parts besides, beguiling them of commendation. hotspur well, i am school'd: good manners be your speed! here come our wives, and let us take our leave. [re-enter glendower with the ladies] mortimer this is the deadly spite that angers me; my wife can speak no english, i no welsh. glendower my daughter weeps: she will not part with you; she'll be a soldier too, she'll to the wars. mortimer good father, tell her that she and my aunt percy shall follow in your conduct speedily. [glendower speaks to her in welsh, and she answers him in the same] glendower she is desperate here; a peevish self-wind harlotry, one that no persuasion can do good upon. [the lady speaks in welsh] mortimer i understand thy looks: that pretty welsh which thou pour'st down from these swelling heavens i am too perfect in; and, but for shame, in such a parley should i answer thee. [the lady speaks again in welsh] i understand thy kisses and thou mine, and that's a feeling disputation: but i will never be a truant, love, till i have learned thy language; for thy tongue makes welsh as sweet as ditties highly penn'd, sung by a fair queen in a summer's bower, with ravishing division, to her lute. glendower nay, if you melt, then will she run mad. [the lady speaks again in welsh] mortimer o, i am ignorance itself in this! glendower she bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down and rest your gentle head upon her lap, and she will sing the song that pleaseth you and on your eyelids crown the god of sleep. charming your blood with pleasing heaviness, making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep as is the difference betwixt day and night the hour before the heavenly-harness'd team begins his golden progress in the east. mortimer with all my heart i'll sit and hear her sing: by that time will our book, i think, be drawn glendower do so; and those musicians that shall play to you hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence, and straight they shall be here: sit, and attend. hotspur come, kate, thou art perfect in lying down: come, quick, quick, that i may lay my head in thy lap. lady percy go, ye giddy goose. [the music plays] hotspur now i perceive the devil understands welsh; and 'tis no marvel he is so humorous. by'r lady, he is a good musician. lady percy then should you be nothing but musical for you are altogether governed by humours. lie still, ye thief, and hear the lady sing in welsh. hotspur i had rather hear lady, my brach, howl in irish. lady percy wouldst thou have thy head broken? hotspur no. lady percy then be still. hotspur neither;'tis a woman's fault. lady percy now god help thee! hotspur to the welsh lady's bed. lady percy what's that? hotspur peace! she sings. [here the lady sings a welsh song] hotspur come, kate, i'll have your song too. lady percy not mine, in good sooth. hotspur not yours, in good sooth! heart! you swear like a comfit-maker's wife. 'not you, in good sooth,' and 'as true as i live,' and 'as god shall mend me,' and 'as sure as day,' and givest such sarcenet surety for thy oaths, as if thou never walk'st further than finsbury. swear me, kate, like a lady as thou art, a good mouth-filling oath, and leave 'in sooth,' and such protest of pepper-gingerbread, to velvet-guards and sunday-citizens. come, sing. lady percy i will not sing. hotspur 'tis the next way to turn tailor, or be red-breast teacher. an the indentures be drawn, i'll away within these two hours; and so, come in when ye will. [exit] glendower come, come, lord mortimer; you are as slow as hot lord percy is on fire to go. by this our book is drawn; we'll but seal, and then to horse immediately. mortimer with all my heart. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act iii scene ii london. the palace. [enter king henry iv, prince henry, and others] king henry iv lords, give us leave; the prince of wales and i must have some private conference; but be near at hand, for we shall presently have need of you. [exeunt lords] i know not whether god will have it so, for some displeasing service i have done, that, in his secret doom, out of my blood he'll breed revengement and a scourge for me; but thou dost in thy passages of life make me believe that thou art only mark'd for the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven to punish my mistreadings. tell me else, could such inordinate and low desires, such poor, such bare, such lewd, such mean attempts, such barren pleasures, rude society, as thou art match'd withal and grafted to, accompany the greatness of thy blood and hold their level with thy princely heart? prince henry so please your majesty, i would i could quit all offences with as clear excuse as well as i am doubtless i can purge myself of many i am charged withal: yet such extenuation let me beg, as, in reproof of many tales devised, which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear, by smiling pick-thanks and base news-mongers, i may, for some things true, wherein my youth hath faulty wander'd and irregular, find pardon on my true submission. king henry iv god pardon thee! yet let me wonder, harry, at thy affections, which do hold a wing quite from the flight of all thy ancestors. thy place in council thou hast rudely lost. which by thy younger brother is supplied, and art almost an alien to the hearts of all the court and princes of my blood: the hope and expectation of thy time is ruin'd, and the soul of every man prophetically doth forethink thy fall. had i so lavish of my presence been, so common-hackney'd in the eyes of men, so stale and cheap to vulgar company, opinion, that did help me to the crown, had still kept loyal to possession and left me in reputeless banishment, a fellow of no mark nor likelihood. by being seldom seen, i could not stir but like a comet i was wonder'd at; that men would tell their children 'this is he;' others would say 'where, which is bolingbroke?' and then i stole all courtesy from heaven, and dress'd myself in such humility that i did pluck allegiance from men's hearts, loud shouts and salutations from their mouths, even in the presence of the crowned king. thus did i keep my person fresh and new; my presence, like a robe pontifical, ne'er seen but wonder'd at: and so my state, seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feast and won by rareness such solemnity. the skipping king, he ambled up and down with shallow jesters and rash bavin wits, soon kindled and soon burnt; carded his state, mingled his royalty with capering fools, had his great name profaned with their scorns and gave his countenance, against his name, to laugh at gibing boys and stand the push of every beardless vain comparative, grew a companion to the common streets, enfeoff'd himself to popularity; that, being daily swallow'd by men's eyes, they surfeited with honey and began to loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a little more than a little is by much too much. so when he had occasion to be seen, he was but as the cuckoo is in june, heard, not regarded; seen, but with such eyes as, sick and blunted with community, afford no extraordinary gaze, such as is bent on sun-like majesty when it shines seldom in admiring eyes; but rather drowzed and hung their eyelids down, slept in his face and render'd such aspect as cloudy men use to their adversaries, being with his presence glutted, gorged and full. and in that very line, harry, standest thou; for thou has lost thy princely privilege with vile participation: not an eye but is a-weary of thy common sight, save mine, which hath desired to see thee more; which now doth that i would not have it do, make blind itself with foolish tenderness. prince henry i shall hereafter, my thrice gracious lord, be more myself. king henry iv for all the world as thou art to this hour was richard then when i from france set foot at ravenspurgh, and even as i was then is percy now. now, by my sceptre and my soul to boot, he hath more worthy interest to the state than thou the shadow of succession; for of no right, nor colour like to right, he doth fill fields with harness in the realm, turns head against the lion's armed jaws, and, being no more in debt to years than thou, leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on to bloody battles and to bruising arms. what never-dying honour hath he got against renowned douglas! whose high deeds, whose hot incursions and great name in arms holds from all soldiers chief majority and military title capital through all the kingdoms that acknowledge christ: thrice hath this hotspur, mars in swathling clothes, this infant warrior, in his enterprises discomfited great douglas, ta'en him once, enlarged him and made a friend of him, to fill the mouth of deep defiance up and shake the peace and safety of our throne. and what say you to this? percy, northumberland, the archbishop's grace of york, douglas, mortimer, capitulate against us and are up. but wherefore do i tell these news to thee? why, harry, do i tell thee of my foes, which art my near'st and dearest enemy? thou that art like enough, through vassal fear, base inclination and the start of spleen to fight against me under percy's pay, to dog his heels and curtsy at his frowns, to show how much thou art degenerate. prince henry do not think so; you shall not find it so: and god forgive them that so much have sway'd your majesty's good thoughts away from me! i will redeem all this on percy's head and in the closing of some glorious day be bold to tell you that i am your son; when i will wear a garment all of blood and stain my favours in a bloody mask, which, wash'd away, shall scour my shame with it: and that shall be the day, whene'er it lights, that this same child of honour and renown, this gallant hotspur, this all-praised knight, and your unthought-of harry chance to meet. for every honour sitting on his helm, would they were multitudes, and on my head my shames redoubled! for the time will come, that i shall make this northern youth exchange his glorious deeds for my indignities. percy is but my factor, good my lord, to engross up glorious deeds on my behalf; and i will call him to so strict account, that he shall render every glory up, yea, even the slightest worship of his time, or i will tear the reckoning from his heart. this, in the name of god, i promise here: the which if he be pleased i shall perform, i do beseech your majesty may salve the long-grown wounds of my intemperance: if not, the end of life cancels all bands; and i will die a hundred thousand deaths ere break the smallest parcel of this vow. king henry iv a hundred thousand rebels die in this: thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein. [enter blunt] how now, good blunt? thy looks are full of speed. sir walter blunt so hath the business that i come to speak of. lord mortimer of scotland hath sent word that douglas and the english rebels met the eleventh of this month at shrewsbury a mighty and a fearful head they are, if promises be kept on every hand, as ever offer'd foul play in the state. king henry iv the earl of westmoreland set forth to-day; with him my son, lord john of lancaster; for this advertisement is five days old: on wednesday next, harry, you shall set forward; on thursday we ourselves will march: our meeting is bridgenorth: and, harry, you shall march through gloucestershire; by which account, our business valued, some twelve days hence our general forces at bridgenorth shall meet. our hands are full of business: let's away; advantage feeds him fat, while men delay. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act iii scene iii eastcheap. the boar's-head tavern. [enter falstaff and bardolph] falstaff bardolph, am i not fallen away vilely since this last action? do i not bate? do i not dwindle? why my skin hangs about me like an like an old lady's loose gown; i am withered like an old apple-john. well, i'll repent, and that suddenly, while i am in some liking; i shall be out of heart shortly, and then i shall have no strength to repent. an i have not forgotten what the inside of a church is made of, i am a peppercorn, a brewer's horse: the inside of a church! company, villanous company, hath been the spoil of me. bardolph sir john, you are so fretful, you cannot live long. falstaff why, there is it: come sing me a bawdy song; make me merry. i was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that i borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now i live out of all order, out of all compass. bardolph why, you are so fat, sir john, that you must needs be out of all compass, out of all reasonable compass, sir john. falstaff do thou amend thy face, and i'll amend my life: thou art our admiral, thou bearest the lantern in the poop, but 'tis in the nose of thee; thou art the knight of the burning lamp. bardolph why, sir john, my face does you no harm. falstaff no, i'll be sworn; i make as good use of it as many a man doth of a death's-head or a memento mori: i never see thy face but i think upon hell-fire and dives that lived in purple; for there he is in his robes, burning, burning. if thou wert any way given to virtue, i would swear by thy face; my oath should be 'by this fire, that's god's angel:' but thou art altogether given over; and wert indeed, but for the light in thy face, the son of utter darkness. when thou rannest up gadshill in the night to catch my horse, if i did not think thou hadst been an ignis fatuus or a ball of wildfire, there's no purchase in money. o, thou art a perpetual triumph, an everlasting bonfire-light! thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches, walking with thee in the night betwixt tavern and tavern: but the sack that thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the dearest chandler's in europe. i have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years; god reward me for it! bardolph 'sblood, i would my face were in your belly! falstaff god-a-mercy! so should i be sure to be heart-burned. [enter hostess] how now, dame partlet the hen! have you inquired yet who picked my pocket? hostess why, sir john, what do you think, sir john? do you think i keep thieves in my house? i have searched, i have inquired, so has my husband, man by man, boy by boy, servant by servant: the tithe of a hair was never lost in my house before. falstaff ye lie, hostess: bardolph was shaved and lost many a hair; and i'll be sworn my pocket was picked. go to, you are a woman, go. hostess who, i? no; i defy thee: god's light, i was never called so in mine own house before. falstaff go to, i know you well enough. hostess no, sir john; you do not know me, sir john. i know you, sir john: you owe me money, sir john; and now you pick a quarrel to beguile me of it: i bought you a dozen of shirts to your back. falstaff dowlas, filthy dowlas: i have given them away to bakers' wives, and they have made bolters of them. hostess now, as i am a true woman, holland of eight shillings an ell. you owe money here besides, sir john, for your diet and by-drinkings, and money lent you, four and twenty pound. falstaff he had his part of it; let him pay. hostess he? alas, he is poor; he hath nothing. falstaff how! poor? look upon his face; what call you rich? let them coin his nose, let them coin his cheeks: ill not pay a denier. what, will you make a younker of me? shall i not take mine case in mine inn but i shall have my pocket picked? i have lost a seal-ring of my grandfather's worth forty mark. hostess o jesu, i have heard the prince tell him, i know not how oft, that ring was copper! falstaff how! the prince is a jack, a sneak-cup: 'sblood, an he were here, i would cudgel him like a dog, if he would say so. [enter prince henry and peto, marching, and falstaff meets them playing on his truncheon like a life] how now, lad! is the wind in that door, i' faith? must we all march? bardolph yea, two and two, newgate fashion. hostess my lord, i pray you, hear me. prince henry what sayest thou, mistress quickly? how doth thy husband? i love him well; he is an honest man. hostess good my lord, hear me. falstaff prithee, let her alone, and list to me. prince henry what sayest thou, jack? falstaff the other night i fell asleep here behind the arras and had my pocket picked: this house is turned bawdy-house; they pick pockets. prince henry what didst thou lose, jack? falstaff wilt thou believe me, hal? three or four bonds of forty pound apiece, and a seal-ring of my grandfather's. prince henry a trifle, some eight-penny matter. hostess so i told him, my lord; and i said i heard your grace say so: and, my lord, he speaks most vilely of you, like a foul-mouthed man as he is; and said he would cudgel you. prince henry what! he did not? hostess there's neither faith, truth, nor womanhood in me else. falstaff there's no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune; nor no more truth in thee than in a drawn fox; and for womanhood, maid marian may be the deputy's wife of the ward to thee. go, you thing, go hostess say, what thing? what thing? falstaff what thing! why, a thing to thank god on. hostess i am no thing to thank god on, i would thou shouldst know it; i am an honest man's wife: and, setting thy knighthood aside, thou art a knave to call me so. falstaff setting thy womanhood aside, thou art a beast to say otherwise. hostess say, what beast, thou knave, thou? falstaff what beast! why, an otter. prince henry an otter, sir john! why an otter? falstaff why, she's neither fish nor flesh; a man knows not where to have her. hostess thou art an unjust man in saying so: thou or any man knows where to have me, thou knave, thou! prince henry thou sayest true, hostess; and he slanders thee most grossly. hostess so he doth you, my lord; and said this other day you ought him a thousand pound. prince henry sirrah, do i owe you a thousand pound? falstaff a thousand pound, ha! a million: thy love is worth a million: thou owest me thy love. hostess nay, my lord, he called you jack, and said he would cudgel you. falstaff did i, bardolph? bardolph indeed, sir john, you said so. falstaff yea, if he said my ring was copper. prince henry i say 'tis copper: darest thou be as good as thy word now? falstaff why, hal, thou knowest, as thou art but man, i dare: but as thou art prince, i fear thee as i fear the roaring of a lion's whelp. prince henry and why not as the lion? falstaff the king is to be feared as the lion: dost thou think i'll fear thee as i fear thy father? nay, an i do, i pray god my girdle break. prince henry o, if it should, how would thy guts fall about thy knees! but, sirrah, there's no room for faith, truth, nor honesty in this bosom of thine; it is all filled up with guts and midriff. charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket! why, thou whoreson, impudent, embossed rascal, if there were anything in thy pocket but tavern-reckonings, memorandums of bawdy-houses, and one poor penny-worth of sugar-candy to make thee long-winded, if thy pocket were enriched with any other injuries but these, i am a villain: and yet you will stand to if; you will not pocket up wrong: art thou not ashamed? falstaff dost thou hear, hal? thou knowest in the state of innocency adam fell; and what should poor jack falstaff do in the days of villany? thou seest i have more flesh than another man, and therefore more frailty. you confess then, you picked my pocket? prince henry it appears so by the story. falstaff hostess, i forgive thee: go, make ready breakfast; love thy husband, look to thy servants, cherish thy guests: thou shalt find me tractable to any honest reason: thou seest i am pacified still. nay, prithee, be gone. [exit hostess] now hal, to the news at court: for the robbery, lad, how is that answered? prince henry o, my sweet beef, i must still be good angel to thee: the money is paid back again. falstaff o, i do not like that paying back; 'tis a double labour. prince henry i am good friends with my father and may do any thing. falstaff rob me the exchequer the first thing thou doest, and do it with unwashed hands too. bardolph do, my lord. prince henry i have procured thee, jack, a charge of foot. falstaff i would it had been of horse. where shall i find one that can steal well? o for a fine thief, of the age of two and twenty or thereabouts! i am heinously unprovided. well, god be thanked for these rebels, they offend none but the virtuous: i laud them, i praise them. prince henry bardolph! bardolph my lord? prince henry go bear this letter to lord john of lancaster, to my brother john; this to my lord of westmoreland. [exit bardolph] go, peto, to horse, to horse; for thou and i have thirty miles to ride yet ere dinner time. [exit peto] jack, meet me to-morrow in the temple hall at two o'clock in the afternoon. there shalt thou know thy charge; and there receive money and order for their furniture. the land is burning; percy stands on high; and either we or they must lower lie. [exit prince henry] falstaff rare words! brave world! hostess, my breakfast, come! o, i could wish this tavern were my drum! [exit] 1 king henry iv act iv scene i the rebel camp near shrewsbury. [enter hotspur, worcester, and douglas] hotspur well said, my noble scot: if speaking truth in this fine age were not thought flattery, such attribution should the douglas have, as not a soldier of this season's stamp should go so general current through the world. by god, i cannot flatter; i do defy the tongues of soothers; but a braver place in my heart's love hath no man than yourself: nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord. earl of douglas thou art the king of honour: no man so potent breathes upon the ground but i will beard him. hotspur do so, and 'tis well. [enter a messenger with letters] what letters hast thou there?--i can but thank you. messenger these letters come from your father. hotspur letters from him! why comes he not himself? messenger he cannot come, my lord; he is grievous sick. hotspur 'zounds! how has he the leisure to be sick in such a rustling time? who leads his power? under whose government come they along? messenger his letters bear his mind, not i, my lord. earl of worcester i prithee, tell me, doth he keep his bed? messenger he did, my lord, four days ere i set forth; and at the time of my departure thence he was much fear'd by his physicians. earl of worcester i would the state of time had first been whole ere he by sickness had been visited: his health was never better worth than now. hotspur sick now! droop now! this sickness doth infect the very life-blood of our enterprise; 'tis catching hither, even to our camp. he writes me here, that inward sickness- and that his friends by deputation could not so soon be drawn, nor did he think it meet to lay so dangerous and dear a trust on any soul removed but on his own. yet doth he give us bold advertisement, that with our small conjunction we should on, to see how fortune is disposed to us; for, as he writes, there is no quailing now. because the king is certainly possess'd of all our purposes. what say you to it? earl of worcester your father's sickness is a maim to us. hotspur a perilous gash, a very limb lopp'd off: and yet, in faith, it is not; his present want seems more than we shall find it: were it good to set the exact wealth of all our states all at one cast? to set so rich a main on the nice hazard of one doubtful hour? it were not good; for therein should we read the very bottom and the soul of hope, the very list, the very utmost bound of all our fortunes. earl of douglas 'faith, and so we should; where now remains a sweet reversion: we may boldly spend upon the hope of what is to come in: a comfort of retirement lives in this. hotspur a rendezvous, a home to fly unto. if that the devil and mischance look big upon the maidenhead of our affairs. earl of worcester but yet i would your father had been here. the quality and hair of our attempt brooks no division: it will be thought by some, that know not why he is away, that wisdom, loyalty and mere dislike of our proceedings kept the earl from hence: and think how such an apprehension may turn the tide of fearful faction and breed a kind of question in our cause; for well you know we of the offering side must keep aloof from strict arbitrement, and stop all sight-holes, every loop from whence the eye of reason may pry in upon us: this absence of your father's draws a curtain, that shows the ignorant a kind of fear before not dreamt of. hotspur you strain too far. i rather of his absence make this use: it lends a lustre and more great opinion, a larger dare to our great enterprise, than if the earl were here; for men must think, if we without his help can make a head to push against a kingdom, with his help we shall o'erturn it topsy-turvy down. yet all goes well, yet all our joints are whole. earl of douglas as heart can think: there is not such a word spoke of in scotland as this term of fear. [enter sir richard vernon] hotspur my cousin vernon, welcome, by my soul. vernon pray god my news be worth a welcome, lord. the earl of westmoreland, seven thousand strong, is marching hitherwards; with him prince john. hotspur no harm: what more? vernon and further, i have learn'd, the king himself in person is set forth, or hitherwards intended speedily, with strong and mighty preparation. hotspur he shall be welcome too. where is his son, the nimble-footed madcap prince of wales, and his comrades, that daff'd the world aside, and bid it pass? vernon all furnish'd, all in arms; all plumed like estridges that with the wind baited like eagles having lately bathed; glittering in golden coats, like images; as full of spirit as the month of may, and gorgeous as the sun at midsummer; wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls. i saw young harry, with his beaver on, his cuisses on his thighs, gallantly arm'd rise from the ground like feather'd mercury, and vaulted with such ease into his seat, as if an angel dropp'd down from the clouds, to turn and wind a fiery pegasus and witch the world with noble horsemanship. hotspur no more, no more: worse than the sun in march, this praise doth nourish agues. let them come: they come like sacrifices in their trim, and to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war all hot and bleeding will we offer them: the mailed mars shall on his altar sit up to the ears in blood. i am on fire to hear this rich reprisal is so nigh and yet not ours. come, let me taste my horse, who is to bear me like a thunderbolt against the bosom of the prince of wales: harry to harry shall, hot horse to horse, meet and ne'er part till one drop down a corse. o that glendower were come! vernon there is more news: i learn'd in worcester, as i rode along, he cannot draw his power this fourteen days. earl of douglas that's the worst tidings that i hear of yet. worcester ay, by my faith, that bears a frosty sound. hotspur what may the king's whole battle reach unto? vernon to thirty thousand. hotspur forty let it be: my father and glendower being both away, the powers of us may serve so great a day come, let us take a muster speedily: doomsday is near; die all, die merrily. earl of douglas talk not of dying: i am out of fear of death or death's hand for this one-half year. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act iv scene ii a public road near coventry. [enter falstaff and bardolph] falstaff bardolph, get thee before to coventry; fill me a bottle of sack: our soldiers shall march through; we'll to sutton co'fil' tonight. bardolph will you give me money, captain? falstaff lay out, lay out. bardolph this bottle makes an angel. falstaff an if it do, take it for thy labour; and if it make twenty, take them all; i'll answer the coinage. bid my lieutenant peto meet me at town's end. bardolph i will, captain: farewell. [exit] falstaff if i be not ashamed of my soldiers, i am a soused gurnet. i have misused the king's press damnably. i have got, in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers, three hundred and odd pounds. i press me none but good house-holders, yeoman's sons; inquire me out contracted bachelors, such as had been asked twice on the banns; such a commodity of warm slaves, as had as lieve hear the devil as a drum; such as fear the report of a caliver worse than a struck fowl or a hurt wild-duck. i pressed me none but such toasts-and-butter, with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins' heads, and they have bought out their services; and now my whole charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of companies, slaves as ragged as lazarus in the painted cloth, where the glutton's dogs licked his sores; and such as indeed were never soldiers, but discarded unjust serving-men, younger sons to younger brothers, revolted tapsters and ostlers trade-fallen, the cankers of a calm world and a long peace, ten times more dishonourable ragged than an old faced ancient: and such have i, to fill up the rooms of them that have bought out their services, that you would think that i had a hundred and fifty tattered prodigals lately come from swine-keeping, from eating draff and husks. a mad fellow met me on the way and told me i had unloaded all the gibbets and pressed the dead bodies. no eye hath seen such scarecrows. i'll not march through coventry with them, that's flat: nay, and the villains march wide betwixt the legs, as if they had gyves on; for indeed i had the most of them out of prison. there's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and the half shirt is two napkins tacked together and thrown over the shoulders like an herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the truth, stolen from my host at saint alban's, or the red-nose innkeeper of daventry. but that's all one; they'll find linen enough on every hedge. [enter the prince and westmoreland] prince henry how now, blown jack! how now, quilt! falstaff what, hal! how now, mad wag! what a devil dost thou in warwickshire? my good lord of westmoreland, i cry you mercy: i thought your honour had already been at shrewsbury. westmoreland faith, sir john,'tis more than time that i were there, and you too; but my powers are there already. the king, i can tell you, looks for us all: we must away all night. falstaff tut, never fear me: i am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream. prince henry i think, to steal cream indeed, for thy theft hath already made thee butter. but tell me, jack, whose fellows are these that come after? falstaff mine, hal, mine. prince henry i did never see such pitiful rascals. falstaff tut, tut; good enough to toss; food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit as well as better: tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. westmoreland ay, but, sir john, methinks they are exceeding poor and bare, too beggarly. falstaff 'faith, for their poverty, i know not where they had that; and for their bareness, i am sure they never learned that of me. prince henry no i'll be sworn; unless you call three fingers on the ribs bare. but, sirrah, make haste: percy is already in the field. falstaff what, is the king encamped? westmoreland he is, sir john: i fear we shall stay too long. falstaff well, to the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast fits a dull fighter and a keen guest. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act iv scene iii the rebel camp near shrewsbury. [enter hotspur, worcester, douglas, and vernon] hotspur we'll fight with him to-night. earl of worcester it may not be. earl of douglas you give him then the advantage. vernon not a whit. hotspur why say you so? looks he not for supply? vernon so do we. hotspur his is certain, ours is doubtful. earl of worcester good cousin, be advised; stir not tonight. vernon do not, my lord. earl of douglas you do not counsel well: you speak it out of fear and cold heart. vernon do me no slander, douglas: by my life, and i dare well maintain it with my life, if well-respected honour bid me on, i hold as little counsel with weak fear as you, my lord, or any scot that this day lives: let it be seen to-morrow in the battle which of us fears. earl of douglas yea, or to-night. vernon content. hotspur to-night, say i. vernon come, come it nay not be. i wonder much, being men of such great leading as you are, that you foresee not what impediments drag back our expedition: certain horse of my cousin vernon's are not yet come up: your uncle worcester's horse came but today; and now their pride and mettle is asleep, their courage with hard labour tame and dull, that not a horse is half the half of himself. hotspur so are the horses of the enemy in general, journey-bated and brought low: the better part of ours are full of rest. earl of worcester the number of the king exceedeth ours: for god's sake. cousin, stay till all come in. [the trumpet sounds a parley] [enter sir walter blunt] sir walter blunt i come with gracious offers from the king, if you vouchsafe me hearing and respect. hotspur welcome, sir walter blunt; and would to god you were of our determination! some of us love you well; and even those some envy your great deservings and good name, because you are not of our quality, but stand against us like an enemy. sir walter blunt and god defend but still i should stand so, so long as out of limit and true rule you stand against anointed majesty. but to my charge. the king hath sent to know the nature of your griefs, and whereupon you conjure from the breast of civil peace such bold hostility, teaching his duteous land audacious cruelty. if that the king have any way your good deserts forgot, which he confesseth to be manifold, he bids you name your griefs; and with all speed you shall have your desires with interest and pardon absolute for yourself and these herein misled by your suggestion. hotspur the king is kind; and well we know the king knows at what time to promise, when to pay. my father and my uncle and myself did give him that same royalty he wears; and when he was not six and twenty strong, sick in the world's regard, wretched and low, a poor unminded outlaw sneaking home, my father gave him welcome to the shore; and when he heard him swear and vow to god he came but to be duke of lancaster, to sue his livery and beg his peace, with tears of innocency and terms of zeal, my father, in kind heart and pity moved, swore him assistance and perform'd it too. now when the lords and barons of the realm perceived northumberland did lean to him, the more and less came in with cap and knee; met him in boroughs, cities, villages, attended him on bridges, stood in lanes, laid gifts before him, proffer'd him their oaths, gave him their heirs, as pages follow'd him even at the heels in golden multitudes. he presently, as greatness knows itself, steps me a little higher than his vow made to my father, while his blood was poor, upon the naked shore at ravenspurgh; and now, forsooth, takes on him to reform some certain edicts and some strait decrees that lie too heavy on the commonwealth, cries out upon abuses, seems to weep over his country's wrongs; and by this face, this seeming brow of justice, did he win the hearts of all that he did angle for; proceeded further; cut me off the heads of all the favourites that the absent king in deputation left behind him here, when he was personal in the irish war. sir walter blunt tut, i came not to hear this. hotspur then to the point. in short time after, he deposed the king; soon after that, deprived him of his life; and in the neck of that, task'd the whole state: to make that worse, suffer'd his kinsman march, who is, if every owner were well placed, indeed his king, to be engaged in wales, there without ransom to lie forfeited; disgraced me in my happy victories, sought to entrap me by intelligence; rated mine uncle from the council-board; in rage dismiss'd my father from the court; broke oath on oath, committed wrong on wrong, and in conclusion drove us to seek out this head of safety; and withal to pry into his title, the which we find too indirect for long continuance. sir walter blunt shall i return this answer to the king? hotspur not so, sir walter: we'll withdraw awhile. go to the king; and let there be impawn'd some surety for a safe return again, and in the morning early shall my uncle bring him our purposes: and so farewell. sir walter blunt i would you would accept of grace and love. hotspur and may be so we shall. sir walter blunt pray god you do. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act iv scene iv york. the archbishop's palace. [enter the archbishop of york and sir michael] archbishop of york hie, good sir michael; bear this sealed brief with winged haste to the lord marshal; this to my cousin scroop, and all the rest to whom they are directed. if you knew how much they do to import, you would make haste. sir michael my good lord, i guess their tenor. archbishop of york like enough you do. to-morrow, good sir michael, is a day wherein the fortune of ten thousand men must bide the touch; for, sir, at shrewsbury, as i am truly given to understand, the king with mighty and quick-raised power meets with lord harry: and, i fear, sir michael, what with the sickness of northumberland, whose power was in the first proportion, and what with owen glendower's absence thence, who with them was a rated sinew too and comes not in, o'er-ruled by prophecies, i fear the power of percy is too weak to wage an instant trial with the king. sir michael why, my good lord, you need not fear; there is douglas and lord mortimer. archbishop of york no, mortimer is not there. sir michael but there is mordake, vernon, lord harry percy, and there is my lord of worcester and a head of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen. archbishop of york and so there is: but yet the king hath drawn the special head of all the land together: the prince of wales, lord john of lancaster, the noble westmoreland and warlike blunt; and moe corrivals and dear men of estimation and command in arms. sir michael doubt not, my lord, they shall be well opposed. archbishop of york i hope no less, yet needful 'tis to fear; and, to prevent the worst, sir michael, speed: for if lord percy thrive not, ere the king dismiss his power, he means to visit us, for he hath heard of our confederacy, and 'tis but wisdom to make strong against him: therefore make haste. i must go write again to other friends; and so farewell, sir michael. [exeunt] 1 king henry iv act v scene i king henry iv's camp near shrewsbury. [enter king henry, prince henry, lord john of lancaster, earl of westmoreland, sir walter blunt, and falstaff] king henry iv how bloodily the sun begins to peer above yon busky hill! the day looks pale at his distemperature. prince henry the southern wind doth play the trumpet to his purposes, and by his hollow whistling in the leaves foretells a tempest and a blustering day. king henry iv then with the losers let it sympathize, for nothing can seem foul to those that win. [the trumpet sounds] [enter worcester and vernon] how now, my lord of worcester! 'tis not well that you and i should meet upon such terms as now we meet. you have deceived our trust, and made us doff our easy robes of peace, to crush our old limbs in ungentle steel: this is not well, my lord, this is not well. what say you to it? will you again unknit this curlish knot of all-abhorred war? and move in that obedient orb again where you did give a fair and natural light, and be no more an exhaled meteor, a prodigy of fear and a portent of broached mischief to the unborn times? earl of worcester hear me, my liege: for mine own part, i could be well content to entertain the lag-end of my life with quiet hours; for i do protest, i have not sought the day of this dislike. king henry iv you have not sought it! how comes it, then? falstaff rebellion lay in his way, and he found it. prince henry peace, chewet, peace! earl of worcester it pleased your majesty to turn your looks of favour from myself and all our house; and yet i must remember you, my lord, we were the first and dearest of your friends. for you my staff of office did i break in richard's time; and posted day and night to meet you on the way, and kiss your hand, when yet you were in place and in account nothing so strong and fortunate as i. it was myself, my brother and his son, that brought you home and boldly did outdare the dangers of the time. you swore to us, and you did swear that oath at doncaster, that you did nothing purpose 'gainst the state; nor claim no further than your new-fall'n right, the seat of gaunt, dukedom of lancaster: to this we swore our aid. but in short space it rain'd down fortune showering on your head; and such a flood of greatness fell on you, what with our help, what with the absent king, what with the injuries of a wanton time, the seeming sufferances that you had borne, and the contrarious winds that held the king so long in his unlucky irish wars that all in england did repute him dead: and from this swarm of fair advantages you took occasion to be quickly woo'd to gripe the general sway into your hand; forget your oath to us at doncaster; and being fed by us you used us so as that ungentle hull, the cuckoo's bird, useth the sparrow; did oppress our nest; grew by our feeding to so great a bulk that even our love durst not come near your sight for fear of swallowing; but with nimble wing we were enforced, for safety sake, to fly out of sight and raise this present head; whereby we stand opposed by such means as you yourself have forged against yourself by unkind usage, dangerous countenance, and violation of all faith and troth sworn to us in your younger enterprise. king henry iv these things indeed you have articulate, proclaim'd at market-crosses, read in churches, to face the garment of rebellion with some fine colour that may please the eye of fickle changelings and poor discontents, which gape and rub the elbow at the news of hurlyburly innovation: and never yet did insurrection want such water-colours to impaint his cause; nor moody beggars, starving for a time of pellmell havoc and confusion. prince henry in both your armies there is many a soul shall pay full dearly for this encounter, if once they join in trial. tell your nephew, the prince of wales doth join with all the world in praise of henry percy: by my hopes, this present enterprise set off his head, i do not think a braver gentleman, more active-valiant or more valiant-young, more daring or more bold, is now alive to grace this latter age with noble deeds. for my part, i may speak it to my shame, i have a truant been to chivalry; and so i hear he doth account me too; yet this before my father's majesty- i am content that he shall take the odds of his great name and estimation, and will, to save the blood on either side, try fortune with him in a single fight. king henry iv and, prince of wales, so dare we venture thee, albeit considerations infinite do make against it. no, good worcester, no, we love our people well; even those we love that are misled upon your cousin's part; and, will they take the offer of our grace, both he and they and you, every man shall be my friend again and i'll be his: so tell your cousin, and bring me word what he will do: but if he will not yield, rebuke and dread correction wait on us and they shall do their office. so, be gone; we will not now be troubled with reply: we offer fair; take it advisedly. [exeunt worcester and vernon] prince henry it will not be accepted, on my life: the douglas and the hotspur both together are confident against the world in arms. king henry iv hence, therefore, every leader to his charge; for, on their answer, will we set on them: and god befriend us, as our cause is just! [exeunt all but prince henry and falstaff] falstaff hal, if thou see me down in the battle and bestride me, so; 'tis a point of friendship. prince henry nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship. say thy prayers, and farewell. falstaff i would 'twere bed-time, hal, and all well. prince henry why, thou owest god a death. [exit prince henry] falstaff 'tis not due yet; i would be loath to pay him before his day. what need i be so forward with him that calls not on me? well, 'tis no matter; honour pricks me on. yea, but how if honour prick me off when i come on? how then? can honour set to a leg? no: or an arm? no: or take away the grief of a wound? no. honour hath no skill in surgery, then? no. what is honour? a word. what is in that word honour? what is that honour? air. a trim reckoning! who hath it? he that died o' wednesday. doth he feel it? no. doth he hear it? no. 'tis insensible, then. yea, to the dead. but will it not live with the living? no. why? detraction will not suffer it. therefore i'll none of it. honour is a mere scutcheon: and so ends my catechism. [exit] 1 king henry iv act v scene ii the rebel camp. [enter worcester and vernon] earl of worcester o, no, my nephew must not know, sir richard, the liberal and kind offer of the king. vernon 'twere best he did. earl of worcester then are we all undone. it is not possible, it cannot be, the king should keep his word in loving us; he will suspect us still and find a time to punish this offence in other faults: suspicion all our lives shall be stuck full of eyes; for treason is but trusted like the fox, who, ne'er so tame, so cherish'd and lock'd up, will have a wild trick of his ancestors. look how we can, or sad or merrily, interpretation will misquote our looks, and we shall feed like oxen at a stall, the better cherish'd, still the nearer death. my nephew's trespass may be well forgot; it hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood, and an adopted name of privilege, a hair-brain'd hotspur, govern'd by a spleen: all his offences live upon my head and on his father's; we did train him on, and, his corruption being ta'en from us, we, as the spring of all, shall pay for all. therefore, good cousin, let not harry know, in any case, the offer of the king. vernon deliver what you will; i'll say 'tis so. here comes your cousin. [enter hotspur and douglas] hotspur my uncle is return'd: deliver up my lord of westmoreland. uncle, what news? earl of worcester the king will bid you battle presently. earl of douglas defy him by the lord of westmoreland. hotspur lord douglas, go you and tell him so. earl of douglas marry, and shall, and very willingly. [exit] earl of worcester there is no seeming mercy in the king. hotspur did you beg any? god forbid! earl of worcester i told him gently of our grievances, of his oath-breaking; which he mended thus, by now forswearing that he is forsworn: he calls us rebels, traitors; and will scourge with haughty arms this hateful name in us. [re-enter the earl of douglas] earl of douglas arm, gentlemen; to arms! for i have thrown a brave defiance in king henry's teeth, and westmoreland, that was engaged, did bear it; which cannot choose but bring him quickly on. earl of worcester the prince of wales stepp'd forth before the king, and, nephew, challenged you to single fight. hotspur o, would the quarrel lay upon our heads, and that no man might draw short breath today but i and harry monmouth! tell me, tell me, how show'd his tasking? seem'd it in contempt? vernon no, by my soul; i never in my life did hear a challenge urged more modestly, unless a brother should a brother dare to gentle exercise and proof of arms. he gave you all the duties of a man; trimm'd up your praises with a princely tongue, spoke to your deservings like a chronicle, making you ever better than his praise by still dispraising praise valued in you; and, which became him like a prince indeed, he made a blushing cital of himself; and chid his truant youth with such a grace as if he master'd there a double spirit. of teaching and of learning instantly. there did he pause: but let me tell the world, if he outlive the envy of this day, england did never owe so sweet a hope, so much misconstrued in his wantonness. hotspur cousin, i think thou art enamoured on his follies: never did i hear of any prince so wild a libertine. but be he as he will, yet once ere night i will embrace him with a soldier's arm, that he shall shrink under my courtesy. arm, arm with speed: and, fellows, soldiers, friends, better consider what you have to do than i, that have not well the gift of tongue, can lift your blood up with persuasion. [enter a messenger] messenger my lord, here are letters for you. hotspur i cannot read them now. o gentlemen, the time of life is short! to spend that shortness basely were too long, if life did ride upon a dial's point, still ending at the arrival of an hour. an if we live, we live to tread on kings; if die, brave death, when princes die with us! now, for our consciences, the arms are fair, when the intent of bearing them is just. [enter another messenger] messenger my lord, prepare; the king comes on apace. hotspur i thank him, that he cuts me from my tale, for i profess not talking; only this- let each man do his best: and here draw i a sword, whose temper i intend to stain with the best blood that i can meet withal in the adventure of this perilous day. now, esperance! percy! and set on. sound all the lofty instruments of war, and by that music let us all embrace; for, heaven to earth, some of us never shall a second time do such a courtesy. [the trumpets sound. they embrace, and exeunt] 1 king henry iv act v scene iii plain between the camps. [king henry enters with his power. alarum to the battle. then enter douglas and sir walter blunt] sir walter blunt what is thy name, that in the battle thus thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek upon my head? earl of douglas know then, my name is douglas; and i do haunt thee in the battle thus because some tell me that thou art a king. sir walter blunt they tell thee true. earl of douglas the lord of stafford dear to-day hath bought thy likeness, for instead of thee, king harry, this sword hath ended him: so shall it thee, unless thou yield thee as my prisoner. sir walter blunt i was not born a yielder, thou proud scot; and thou shalt find a king that will revenge lord stafford's death. [they fight. douglas kills sir walter blunt. enter hotspur] hotspur o douglas, hadst thou fought at holmedon thus, never had triumph'd upon a scot. earl of douglas all's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king. hotspur where? earl of douglas here. hotspur this, douglas? no: i know this face full well: a gallant knight he was, his name was blunt; semblably furnish'd like the king himself. earl of douglas a fool go with thy soul, whither it goes! a borrow'd title hast thou bought too dear: why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king? hotspur the king hath many marching in his coats. earl of douglas now, by my sword, i will kill all his coats; i'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece, until i meet the king. hotspur up, and away! our soldiers stand full fairly for the day. [exeunt] [alarum. enter falstaff, solus] falstaff though i could 'scape shot-free at london, i fear the shot here; here's no scoring but upon the pate. soft! who are you? sir walter blunt: there's honour for you! here's no vanity! i am as hot as moulten lead, and as heavy too: god keep lead out of me! i need no more weight than mine own bowels. i have led my ragamuffins where they are peppered: there's not three of my hundred and fifty left alive; and they are for the town's end, to beg during life. but who comes here? [enter prince henry] prince henry what, stand'st thou idle here? lend me thy sword: many a nobleman lies stark and stiff under the hoofs of vaunting enemies, whose deaths are yet unrevenged: i prithee, lend me thy sword. falstaff o hal, i prithee, give me leave to breathe awhile. turk gregory never did such deeds in arms as i have done this day. i have paid percy, i have made him sure. prince henry he is, indeed; and living to kill thee. i prithee, lend me thy sword. falstaff nay, before god, hal, if percy be alive, thou get'st not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt. prince henry give it to me: what, is it in the case? falstaff ay, hal; 'tis hot, 'tis hot; there's that will sack a city. [prince henry draws it out, and finds it to be a bottle of sack] prince henry what, is it a time to jest and dally now? [he throws the bottle at him. exit] falstaff well, if percy be alive, i'll pierce him. if he do come in my way, so: if he do not, if i come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. i like not such grinning honour as sir walter hath: give me life: which if i can save, so; if not, honour comes unlooked for, and there's an end. [exit falstaff] 1 king henry iv act v scene iv another part of the field. [alarum. excursions. enter prince henry, lord john of lancaster, and earl of westmoreland] king henry iv i prithee, harry, withdraw thyself; thou bleed'st too much. lord john of lancaster, go you with him. lancaster not i, my lord, unless i did bleed too. prince henry i beseech your majesty, make up, lest your retirement do amaze your friends. king henry iv i will do so. my lord of westmoreland, lead him to his tent. westmoreland come, my lord, i'll lead you to your tent. prince henry lead me, my lord? i do not need your help: and god forbid a shallow scratch should drive the prince of wales from such a field as this, where stain'd nobility lies trodden on, and rebels' arms triumph in massacres! lancaster we breathe too long: come, cousin westmoreland, our duty this way lies; for god's sake come. [exeunt lancaster and westmoreland] prince henry by god, thou hast deceived me, lancaster; i did not think thee lord of such a spirit: before, i loved thee as a brother, john; but now, i do respect thee as my soul. king henry iv i saw him hold lord percy at the point with lustier maintenance than i did look for of such an ungrown warrior. prince henry o, this boy lends mettle to us all! [exit] [enter douglas] earl of douglas another king! they grow like hydra's heads: i am the douglas, fatal to all those that wear those colours on them: what art thou, that counterfeit'st the person of a king? king henry iv the king himself; who, douglas, grieves at heart so many of his shadows thou hast met and not the very king. i have two boys seek percy and thyself about the field: but, seeing thou fall'st on me so luckily, i will assay thee: so, defend thyself. earl of douglas i fear thou art another counterfeit; and yet, in faith, thou bear'st thee like a king: but mine i am sure thou art, whoe'er thou be, and thus i win thee. [they fight. king henry being in danger, prince henry enters] prince henry hold up thy head, vile scot, or thou art like never to hold it up again! the spirits of valiant shirley, stafford, blunt, are in my arms: it is the prince of wales that threatens thee; who never promiseth but he means to pay. [they fight: douglas flies] cheerly, my lord how fares your grace? sir nicholas gawsey hath for succor sent, and so hath clifton: i'll to clifton straight. king henry iv stay, and breathe awhile: thou hast redeem'd thy lost opinion, and show'd thou makest some tender of my life, in this fair rescue thou hast brought to me. prince henry o god! they did me too much injury that ever said i hearken'd for your death. if it were so, i might have let alone the insulting hand of douglas over you, which would have been as speedy in your end as all the poisonous potions in the world and saved the treacherous labour of your son. king henry iv make up to clifton: i'll to sir nicholas gawsey. [exit] [enter hotspur] hotspur if i mistake not, thou art harry monmouth. prince henry thou speak'st as if i would deny my name. hotspur my name is harry percy. prince henry why, then i see a very valiant rebel of the name. i am the prince of wales; and think not, percy, to share with me in glory any more: two stars keep not their motion in one sphere; nor can one england brook a double reign, of harry percy and the prince of wales. hotspur nor shall it, harry; for the hour is come to end the one of us; and would to god thy name in arms were now as great as mine! prince henry i'll make it greater ere i part from thee; and all the budding honours on thy crest i'll crop, to make a garland for my head. hotspur i can no longer brook thy vanities. [they fight] [enter falstaff] falstaff well said, hal! to it hal! nay, you shall find no boy's play here, i can tell you. [re-enter douglas; he fights with falstaff, who falls down as if he were dead, and exit douglas. hotspur is wounded, and falls] hotspur o, harry, thou hast robb'd me of my youth! i better brook the loss of brittle life than those proud titles thou hast won of me; they wound my thoughts worse than sword my flesh: but thought's the slave of life, and life time's fool; and time, that takes survey of all the world, must have a stop. o, i could prophesy, but that the earthy and cold hand of death lies on my tongue: no, percy, thou art dust and food for- [dies] prince henry for worms, brave percy: fare thee well, great heart! ill-weaved ambition, how much art thou shrunk! when that this body did contain a spirit, a kingdom for it was too small a bound; but now two paces of the vilest earth is room enough: this earth that bears thee dead bears not alive so stout a gentleman. if thou wert sensible of courtesy, i should not make so dear a show of zeal: but let my favours hide thy mangled face; and, even in thy behalf, i'll thank myself for doing these fair rites of tenderness. adieu, and take thy praise with thee to heaven! thy ignominy sleep with thee in the grave, but not remember'd in thy epitaph! [he spieth falstaff on the ground] what, old acquaintance! could not all this flesh keep in a little life? poor jack, farewell! i could have better spared a better man: o, i should have a heavy miss of thee, if i were much in love with vanity! death hath not struck so fat a deer to-day, though many dearer, in this bloody fray. embowell'd will i see thee by and by: till then in blood by noble percy lie. [exit prince henry] falstaff [rising up] embowelled! if thou embowel me to-day, i'll give you leave to powder me and eat me too to-morrow. 'sblood,'twas time to counterfeit, or that hot termagant scot had paid me scot and lot too. counterfeit? i lie, i am no counterfeit: to die, is to be a counterfeit; for he is but the counterfeit of a man who hath not the life of a man: but to counterfeit dying, when a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit, but the true and perfect image of life indeed. the better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part i have saved my life.'zounds, i am afraid of this gunpowder percy, though he be dead: how, if he should counterfeit too and rise? by my faith, i am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit. therefore i'll make him sure; yea, and i'll swear i killed him. why may not he rise as well as i? nothing confutes me but eyes, and nobody sees me. therefore, sirrah, [stabbing him] with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with me. [takes up hotspur on his back] [re-enter prince henry and lord john of lancaster] prince henry come, brother john; full bravely hast thou flesh'd thy maiden sword. lancaster but, soft! whom have we here? did you not tell me this fat man was dead? prince henry i did; i saw him dead, breathless and bleeding on the ground. art thou alive? or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight? i prithee, speak; we will not trust our eyes without our ears: thou art not what thou seem'st. falstaff no, that's certain; i am not a double man: but if i be not jack falstaff, then am i a jack. there is percy: [throwing the body down] if your father will do me any honour, so; if not, let him kill the next percy himself. i look to be either earl or duke, i can assure you. prince henry why, percy i killed myself and saw thee dead. falstaff didst thou? lord, lord, how this world is given to lying! i grant you i was down and out of breath; and so was he: but we rose both at an instant and fought a long hour by shrewsbury clock. if i may be believed, so; if not, let them that should reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads. i'll take it upon my death, i gave him this wound in the thigh: if the man were alive and would deny it, 'zounds, i would make him eat a piece of my sword. lancaster this is the strangest tale that ever i heard. prince henry this is the strangest fellow, brother john. come, bring your luggage nobly on your back: for my part, if a lie may do thee grace, i'll gild it with the happiest terms i have. [a retreat is sounded] the trumpet sounds retreat; the day is ours. come, brother, let us to the highest of the field, to see what friends are living, who are dead. [exeunt prince henry and lancaster] falstaff i'll follow, as they say, for reward. he that rewards me, god reward him! if i do grow great, i'll grow less; for i'll purge, and leave sack, and live cleanly as a nobleman should do. [exit] 1 king henry iv act v scene v another part of the field. [the trumpets sound. enter king henry iv, prince henry, lord john lancaster, earl of westmoreland, with worcester and vernon prisoners] king henry iv thus ever did rebellion find rebuke. ill-spirited worcester! did not we send grace, pardon and terms of love to all of you? and wouldst thou turn our offers contrary? misuse the tenor of thy kinsman's trust? three knights upon our party slain to-day, a noble earl and many a creature else had been alive this hour, if like a christian thou hadst truly borne betwixt our armies true intelligence. earl of worcester what i have done my safety urged me to; and i embrace this fortune patiently, since not to be avoided it falls on me. king henry iv bear worcester to the death and vernon too: other offenders we will pause upon. [exeunt worcester and vernon, guarded] how goes the field? prince henry the noble scot, lord douglas, when he saw the fortune of the day quite turn'd from him, the noble percy slain, and all his men upon the foot of fear, fled with the rest; and falling from a hill, he was so bruised that the pursuers took him. at my tent the douglas is; and i beseech your grace i may dispose of him. king henry iv with all my heart. prince henry then, brother john of lancaster, to you this honourable bounty shall belong: go to the douglas, and deliver him up to his pleasure, ransomless and free: his valour shown upon our crests to-day hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds even in the bosom of our adversaries. lancaster i thank your grace for this high courtesy, which i shall give away immediately. king henry iv then this remains, that we divide our power. you, son john, and my cousin westmoreland towards york shall bend you with your dearest speed, to meet northumberland and the prelate scroop, who, as we hear, are busily in arms: myself and you, son harry, will towards wales, to fight with glendower and the earl of march. rebellion in this land shall lose his sway, meeting the cheque of such another day: and since this business so fair is done, let us not leave till all our own be won. [exeunt] king henry v dramatis personae king henry the fifth. (king henry v) duke of gloucester (gloucester:) | | brothers to the king. duke of bedford (bedford:) | duke of exeter uncle to the king. (exeter:) duke of york cousin to the king. (york:) earl of salisbury (salisbury:) earl of westmoreland (westmoreland:) earl of warwick (warwick:) bishop of canterbury (canterbury:) bishop of ely (ely:) earl of cambridge (cambridge:) lord scroop (scroop:) sir thomas grey (grey:) sir thomas erpingham (erpingham:) | | gower | | fluellen | officers in king henry's army. | macmorris | | jamy | bates | | court | soldiers in the same. | williams | pistol: nym: bardolph: boy a herald. charles the sixth king of france. (king of france:) (french king:) lewis the dauphin. (dauphin:) duke of burgundy (burgundy:) duke of orleans (orleans:) duke of bourbon (bourbon:) the constable of france. (constable:) rambures | | french lords. grandpre | governor of harfleur. montjoy a french herald. ambassadors to the king of england. isabel queen of france. (queen isabel:) katharine daughter to charles and isabel. alice a lady attending on her. hostess of a tavern in eastcheap formerly mistress quickly, and now married to pistol. lords, ladies, officers, soldiers, citizens, messengers, and attendants. chorus. (hostess:) (first ambassador:) (messenger:) (french soldier:) scene england; afterwards france. king henry v prologue [enter chorus] chorus o for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention, a kingdom for a stage, princes to act and monarchs to behold the swelling scene! then should the warlike harry, like himself, assume the port of mars; and at his heels, leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire crouch for employment. but pardon, and gentles all, the flat unraised spirits that have dared on this unworthy scaffold to bring forth so great an object: can this cockpit hold the vasty fields of france? or may we cram within this wooden o the very casques that did affright the air at agincourt? o, pardon! since a crooked figure may attest in little place a million; and let us, ciphers to this great accompt, on your imaginary forces work. suppose within the girdle of these walls are now confined two mighty monarchies, whose high upreared and abutting fronts the perilous narrow ocean parts asunder: piece out our imperfections with your thoughts; into a thousand parts divide on man, and make imaginary puissance; think when we talk of horses, that you see them printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth; for 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings, carry them here and there; jumping o'er times, turning the accomplishment of many years into an hour-glass: for the which supply, admit me chorus to this history; who prologue-like your humble patience pray, gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play. [exit] king henry v act i scene i london. an ante-chamber in the king's palace. [enter the archbishop of canterbury, and the bishop of ely] canterbury my lord, i'll tell you; that self bill is urged, which in the eleventh year of the last king's reign was like, and had indeed against us pass'd, but that the scambling and unquiet time did push it out of farther question. ely but how, my lord, shall we resist it now? canterbury it must be thought on. if it pass against us, we lose the better half of our possession: for all the temporal lands which men devout by testament have given to the church would they strip from us; being valued thus: as much as would maintain, to the king's honour, full fifteen earls and fifteen hundred knights, six thousand and two hundred good esquires; and, to relief of lazars and weak age, of indigent faint souls past corporal toil. a hundred almshouses right well supplied; and to the coffers of the king beside, a thousand pounds by the year: thus runs the bill. ely this would drink deep. canterbury 'twould drink the cup and all. ely but what prevention? canterbury the king is full of grace and fair regard. ely and a true lover of the holy church. canterbury the courses of his youth promised it not. the breath no sooner left his father's body, but that his wildness, mortified in him, seem'd to die too; yea, at that very moment consideration, like an angel, came and whipp'd the offending adam out of him, leaving his body as a paradise, to envelop and contain celestial spirits. never was such a sudden scholar made; never came reformation in a flood, with such a heady currance, scouring faults nor never hydra-headed wilfulness so soon did lose his seat and all at once as in this king. ely we are blessed in the change. canterbury hear him but reason in divinity, and all-admiring with an inward wish you would desire the king were made a prelate: hear him debate of commonwealth affairs, you would say it hath been all in all his study: list his discourse of war, and you shall hear a fearful battle render'd you in music: turn him to any cause of policy, the gordian knot of it he will unloose, familiar as his garter: that, when he speaks, the air, a charter'd libertine, is still, and the mute wonder lurketh in men's ears, to steal his sweet and honey'd sentences; so that the art and practic part of life must be the mistress to this theoric: which is a wonder how his grace should glean it, since his addiction was to courses vain, his companies unletter'd, rude and shallow, his hours fill'd up with riots, banquets, sports, and never noted in him any study, any retirement, any sequestration from open haunts and popularity. ely the strawberry grows underneath the nettle and wholesome berries thrive and ripen best neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality: and so the prince obscured his contemplation under the veil of wildness; which, no doubt, grew like the summer grass, fastest by night, unseen, yet crescive in his faculty. canterbury it must be so; for miracles are ceased; and therefore we must needs admit the means how things are perfected. ely but, my good lord, how now for mitigation of this bill urged by the commons? doth his majesty incline to it, or no? canterbury he seems indifferent, or rather swaying more upon our part than cherishing the exhibiters against us; for i have made an offer to his majesty, upon our spiritual convocation and in regard of causes now in hand, which i have open'd to his grace at large, as touching france, to give a greater sum than ever at one time the clergy yet did to his predecessors part withal. ely how did this offer seem received, my lord? canterbury with good acceptance of his majesty; save that there was not time enough to hear, as i perceived his grace would fain have done, the severals and unhidden passages of his true titles to some certain dukedoms and generally to the crown and seat of france derived from edward, his great-grandfather. ely what was the impediment that broke this off? canterbury the french ambassador upon that instant craved audience; and the hour, i think, is come to give him hearing: is it four o'clock? ely it is. canterbury then go we in, to know his embassy; which i could with a ready guess declare, before the frenchman speak a word of it. ely i'll wait upon you, and i long to hear it. [exeunt] king henry v act i scene ii the same. the presence chamber. [enter king henry v, gloucester, bedford, exeter, warwick, westmoreland, and attendants] king henry v where is my gracious lord of canterbury? exeter not here in presence. king henry v send for him, good uncle. westmoreland shall we call in the ambassador, my liege? king henry v not yet, my cousin: we would be resolved, before we hear him, of some things of weight that task our thoughts, concerning us and france. [enter the archbishop of canterbury, and the bishop of ely] canterbury god and his angels guard your sacred throne and make you long become it! king henry v sure, we thank you. my learned lord, we pray you to proceed and justly and religiously unfold why the law salique that they have in france or should, or should not, bar us in our claim: and god forbid, my dear and faithful lord, that you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading, or nicely charge your understanding soul with opening titles miscreate, whose right suits not in native colours with the truth; for god doth know how many now in health shall drop their blood in approbation of what your reverence shall incite us to. therefore take heed how you impawn our person, how you awake our sleeping sword of war: we charge you, in the name of god, take heed; for never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood; whose guiltless drops are every one a woe, a sore complaint 'gainst him whose wrong gives edge unto the swords that make such waste in brief mortality. under this conjuration, speak, my lord; for we will hear, note and believe in heart that what you speak is in your conscience wash'd as pure as sin with baptism. canterbury then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers, that owe yourselves, your lives and services to this imperial throne. there is no bar to make against your highness' claim to france but this, which they produce from pharamond, 'in terram salicam mulieres ne succedant:' 'no woman shall succeed in salique land:' which salique land the french unjustly gloze to be the realm of france, and pharamond the founder of this law and female bar. yet their own authors faithfully affirm that the land salique is in germany, between the floods of sala and of elbe; where charles the great, having subdued the saxons, there left behind and settled certain french; who, holding in disdain the german women for some dishonest manners of their life, establish'd then this law; to wit, no female should be inheritrix in salique land: which salique, as i said, 'twixt elbe and sala, is at this day in germany call'd meisen. then doth it well appear that salique law was not devised for the realm of france: nor did the french possess the salique land until four hundred one and twenty years after defunction of king pharamond, idly supposed the founder of this law; who died within the year of our redemption four hundred twenty-six; and charles the great subdued the saxons, and did seat the french beyond the river sala, in the year eight hundred five. besides, their writers say, king pepin, which deposed childeric, did, as heir general, being descended of blithild, which was daughter to king clothair, make claim and title to the crown of france. hugh capet also, who usurped the crown of charles the duke of lorraine, sole heir male of the true line and stock of charles the great, to find his title with some shows of truth, 'through, in pure truth, it was corrupt and naught, convey'd himself as heir to the lady lingare, daughter to charlemain, who was the son to lewis the emperor, and lewis the son of charles the great. also king lewis the tenth, who was sole heir to the usurper capet, could not keep quiet in his conscience, wearing the crown of france, till satisfied that fair queen isabel, his grandmother, was lineal of the lady ermengare, daughter to charles the foresaid duke of lorraine: by the which marriage the line of charles the great was re-united to the crown of france. so that, as clear as is the summer's sun. king pepin's title and hugh capet's claim, king lewis his satisfaction, all appear to hold in right and title of the female: so do the kings of france unto this day; howbeit they would hold up this salique law to bar your highness claiming from the female, and rather choose to hide them in a net than amply to imbar their crooked titles usurp'd from you and your progenitors. king henry v may i with right and conscience make this claim? canterbury the sin upon my head, dread sovereign! for in the book of numbers is it writ, when the man dies, let the inheritance descend unto the daughter. gracious lord, stand for your own; unwind your bloody flag; look back into your mighty ancestors: go, my dread lord, to your great-grandsire's tomb, from whom you claim; invoke his warlike spirit, and your great-uncle's, edward the black prince, who on the french ground play'd a tragedy, making defeat on the full power of france, whiles his most mighty father on a hill stood smiling to behold his lion's whelp forage in blood of french nobility. o noble english. that could entertain with half their forces the full pride of france and let another half stand laughing by, all out of work and cold for action! ely awake remembrance of these valiant dead and with your puissant arm renew their feats: you are their heir; you sit upon their throne; the blood and courage that renowned them runs in your veins; and my thrice-puissant liege is in the very may-morn of his youth, ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises. exeter your brother kings and monarchs of the earth do all expect that you should rouse yourself, as did the former lions of your blood. westmoreland they know your grace hath cause and means and might; so hath your highness; never king of england had nobles richer and more loyal subjects, whose hearts have left their bodies here in england and lie pavilion'd in the fields of france. canterbury o, let their bodies follow, my dear liege, with blood and sword and fire to win your right; in aid whereof we of the spiritualty will raise your highness such a mighty sum as never did the clergy at one time bring in to any of your ancestors. king henry v we must not only arm to invade the french, but lay down our proportions to defend against the scot, who will make road upon us with all advantages. canterbury they of those marches, gracious sovereign, shall be a wall sufficient to defend our inland from the pilfering borderers. king henry v we do not mean the coursing snatchers only, but fear the main intendment of the scot, who hath been still a giddy neighbour to us; for you shall read that my great-grandfather never went with his forces into france but that the scot on his unfurnish'd kingdom came pouring, like the tide into a breach, with ample and brim fulness of his force, galling the gleaned land with hot assays, girding with grievous siege castles and towns; that england, being empty of defence, hath shook and trembled at the ill neighbourhood. canterbury she hath been then more fear'd than harm'd, my liege; for hear her but exampled by herself: when all her chivalry hath been in france and she a mourning widow of her nobles, she hath herself not only well defended but taken and impounded as a stray the king of scots; whom she did send to france, to fill king edward's fame with prisoner kings and make her chronicle as rich with praise as is the ooze and bottom of the sea with sunken wreck and sunless treasuries. westmoreland but there's a saying very old and true, 'if that you will france win, then with scotland first begin:' for once the eagle england being in prey, to her unguarded nest the weasel scot comes sneaking and so sucks her princely eggs, playing the mouse in absence of the cat, to tear and havoc more than she can eat. exeter it follows then the cat must stay at home: yet that is but a crush'd necessity, since we have locks to safeguard necessaries, and pretty traps to catch the petty thieves. while that the armed hand doth fight abroad, the advised head defends itself at home; for government, though high and low and lower, put into parts, doth keep in one consent, congreeing in a full and natural close, like music. canterbury therefore doth heaven divide the state of man in divers functions, setting endeavour in continual motion; to which is fixed, as an aim or butt, obedience: for so work the honey-bees, creatures that by a rule in nature teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom. they have a king and officers of sorts; where some, like magistrates, correct at home, others, like merchants, venture trade abroad, others, like soldiers, armed in their stings, make boot upon the summer's velvet buds, which pillage they with merry march bring home to the tent-royal of their emperor; who, busied in his majesty, surveys the singing masons building roofs of gold, the civil citizens kneading up the honey, the poor mechanic porters crowding in their heavy burdens at his narrow gate, the sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, delivering o'er to executors pale the lazy yawning drone. i this infer, that many things, having full reference to one consent, may work contrariously: as many arrows, loosed several ways, come to one mark; as many ways meet in one town; as many fresh streams meet in one salt sea; as many lines close in the dial's centre; so may a thousand actions, once afoot. end in one purpose, and be all well borne without defeat. therefore to france, my liege. divide your happy england into four; whereof take you one quarter into france, and you withal shall make all gallia shake. if we, with thrice such powers left at home, cannot defend our own doors from the dog, let us be worried and our nation lose the name of hardiness and policy. king henry v call in the messengers sent from the dauphin. [exeunt some attendants] now are we well resolved; and, by god's help, and yours, the noble sinews of our power, france being ours, we'll bend it to our awe, or break it all to pieces: or there we'll sit, ruling in large and ample empery o'er france and all her almost kingly dukedoms, or lay these bones in an unworthy urn, tombless, with no remembrance over them: either our history shall with full mouth speak freely of our acts, or else our grave, like turkish mute, shall have a tongueless mouth, not worshipp'd with a waxen epitaph. [enter ambassadors of france] now are we well prepared to know the pleasure of our fair cousin dauphin; for we hear your greeting is from him, not from the king. first ambassador may't please your majesty to give us leave freely to render what we have in charge; or shall we sparingly show you far off the dauphin's meaning and our embassy? king henry v we are no tyrant, but a christian king; unto whose grace our passion is as subject as are our wretches fetter'd in our prisons: therefore with frank and with uncurbed plainness tell us the dauphin's mind. first ambassador thus, then, in few. your highness, lately sending into france, did claim some certain dukedoms, in the right of your great predecessor, king edward the third. in answer of which claim, the prince our master says that you savour too much of your youth, and bids you be advised there's nought in france that can be with a nimble galliard won; you cannot revel into dukedoms there. he therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit, this tun of treasure; and, in lieu of this, desires you let the dukedoms that you claim hear no more of you. this the dauphin speaks. king henry v what treasure, uncle? exeter tennis-balls, my liege. king henry v we are glad the dauphin is so pleasant with us; his present and your pains we thank you for: when we have march'd our rackets to these balls, we will, in france, by god's grace, play a set shall strike his father's crown into the hazard. tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler that all the courts of france will be disturb'd with chaces. and we understand him well, how he comes o'er us with our wilder days, not measuring what use we made of them. we never valued this poor seat of england; and therefore, living hence, did give ourself to barbarous licence; as 'tis ever common that men are merriest when they are from home. but tell the dauphin i will keep my state, be like a king and show my sail of greatness when i do rouse me in my throne of france: for that i have laid by my majesty and plodded like a man for working-days, but i will rise there with so full a glory that i will dazzle all the eyes of france, yea, strike the dauphin blind to look on us. and tell the pleasant prince this mock of his hath turn'd his balls to gun-stones; and his soul shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance that shall fly with them: for many a thousand widows shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands; mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down; and some are yet ungotten and unborn that shall have cause to curse the dauphin's scorn. but this lies all within the will of god, to whom i do appeal; and in whose name tell you the dauphin i am coming on, to venge me as i may and to put forth my rightful hand in a well-hallow'd cause. so get you hence in peace; and tell the dauphin his jest will savour but of shallow wit, when thousands weep more than did laugh at it. convey them with safe conduct. fare you well. [exeunt ambassadors] exeter this was a merry message. king henry v we hope to make the sender blush at it. therefore, my lords, omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition; for we have now no thought in us but france, save those to god, that run before our business. therefore let our proportions for these wars be soon collected and all things thought upon that may with reasonable swiftness add more feathers to our wings; for, god before, we'll chide this dauphin at his father's door. therefore let every man now task his thought, that this fair action may on foot be brought. [exeunt. flourish] king henry v act ii prologue [enter chorus] chorus now all the youth of england are on fire, and silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies: now thrive the armourers, and honour's thought reigns solely in the breast of every man: they sell the pasture now to buy the horse, following the mirror of all christian kings, with winged heels, as english mercuries. for now sits expectation in the air, and hides a sword from hilts unto the point with crowns imperial, crowns and coronets, promised to harry and his followers. the french, advised by good intelligence of this most dreadful preparation, shake in their fear and with pale policy seek to divert the english purposes. o england! model to thy inward greatness, like little body with a mighty heart, what mightst thou do, that honour would thee do, were all thy children kind and natural! but see thy fault! france hath in thee found out a nest of hollow bosoms, which he fills with treacherous crowns; and three corrupted men, one, richard earl of cambridge, and the second, henry lord scroop of masham, and the third, sir thomas grey, knight, of northumberland, have, for the gilt of france,--o guilt indeed! confirm'd conspiracy with fearful france; and by their hands this grace of kings must die, if hell and treason hold their promises, ere he take ship for france, and in southampton. linger your patience on; and we'll digest the abuse of distance; force a play: the sum is paid; the traitors are agreed; the king is set from london; and the scene is now transported, gentles, to southampton; there is the playhouse now, there must you sit: and thence to france shall we convey you safe, and bring you back, charming the narrow seas to give you gentle pass; for, if we may, we'll not offend one stomach with our play. but, till the king come forth, and not till then, unto southampton do we shift our scene. [exit] king henry v act ii scene i london. a street. [enter corporal nym and lieutenant bardolph] bardolph well met, corporal nym. nym good morrow, lieutenant bardolph. bardolph what, are ancient pistol and you friends yet? nym for my part, i care not: i say little; but when time shall serve, there shall be smiles; but that shall be as it may. i dare not fight; but i will wink and hold out mine iron: it is a simple one; but what though? it will toast cheese, and it will endure cold as another man's sword will: and there's an end. bardolph i will bestow a breakfast to make you friends; and we'll be all three sworn brothers to france: let it be so, good corporal nym. nym faith, i will live so long as i may, that's the certain of it; and when i cannot live any longer, i will do as i may: that is my rest, that is the rendezvous of it. bardolph it is certain, corporal, that he is married to nell quickly: and certainly she did you wrong; for you were troth-plight to her. nym i cannot tell: things must be as they may: men may sleep, and they may have their throats about them at that time; and some say knives have edges. it must be as it may: though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. there must be conclusions. well, i cannot tell. [enter pistol and hostess] bardolph here comes ancient pistol and his wife: good corporal, be patient here. how now, mine host pistol! pistol base tike, call'st thou me host? now, by this hand, i swear, i scorn the term; nor shall my nell keep lodgers. hostess no, by my troth, not long; for we cannot lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen that live honestly by the prick of their needles, but it will be thought we keep a bawdy house straight. [nym and pistol draw] o well a day, lady, if he be not drawn now! we shall see wilful adultery and murder committed. bardolph good lieutenant! good corporal! offer nothing here. nym pish! pistol pish for thee, iceland dog! thou prick-ear'd cur of iceland! hostess good corporal nym, show thy valour, and put up your sword. nym will you shog off? i would have you solus. pistol 'solus,' egregious dog? o viper vile! the 'solus' in thy most mervailous face; the 'solus' in thy teeth, and in thy throat, and in thy hateful lungs, yea, in thy maw, perdy, and, which is worse, within thy nasty mouth! i do retort the 'solus' in thy bowels; for i can take, and pistol's cock is up, and flashing fire will follow. nym i am not barbason; you cannot conjure me. i have an humour to knock you indifferently well. if you grow foul with me, pistol, i will scour you with my rapier, as i may, in fair terms: if you would walk off, i would prick your guts a little, in good terms, as i may: and that's the humour of it. pistol o braggart vile and damned furious wight! the grave doth gape, and doting death is near; therefore exhale. bardolph hear me, hear me what i say: he that strikes the first stroke, i'll run him up to the hilts, as i am a soldier. [draws] pistol an oath of mickle might; and fury shall abate. give me thy fist, thy fore-foot to me give: thy spirits are most tall. nym i will cut thy throat, one time or other, in fair terms: that is the humour of it. pistol 'couple a gorge!' that is the word. i thee defy again. o hound of crete, think'st thou my spouse to get? no; to the spital go, and from the powdering tub of infamy fetch forth the lazar kite of cressid's kind, doll tearsheet she by name, and her espouse: i have, and i will hold, the quondam quickly for the only she; and--pauca, there's enough. go to. [enter the boy] boy mine host pistol, you must come to my master, and you, hostess: he is very sick, and would to bed. good bardolph, put thy face between his sheets, and do the office of a warming-pan. faith, he's very ill. bardolph away, you rogue! hostess by my troth, he'll yield the crow a pudding one of these days. the king has killed his heart. good husband, come home presently. [exeunt hostess and boy] bardolph come, shall i make you two friends? we must to france together: why the devil should we keep knives to cut one another's throats? pistol let floods o'erswell, and fiends for food howl on! nym you'll pay me the eight shillings i won of you at betting? pistol base is the slave that pays. nym that now i will have: that's the humour of it. pistol as manhood shall compound: push home. [they draw] bardolph by this sword, he that makes the first thrust, i'll kill him; by this sword, i will. pistol sword is an oath, and oaths must have their course. bardolph corporal nym, an thou wilt be friends, be friends: an thou wilt not, why, then, be enemies with me too. prithee, put up. nym i shall have my eight shillings i won of you at betting? pistol a noble shalt thou have, and present pay; and liquor likewise will i give to thee, and friendship shall combine, and brotherhood: i'll live by nym, and nym shall live by me; is not this just? for i shall sutler be unto the camp, and profits will accrue. give me thy hand. nym i shall have my noble? pistol in cash most justly paid. nym well, then, that's the humour of't. [re-enter hostess] hostess as ever you came of women, come in quickly to sir john. ah, poor heart! he is so shaked of a burning quotidian tertian, that it is most lamentable to behold. sweet men, come to him. nym the king hath run bad humours on the knight; that's the even of it. pistol nym, thou hast spoke the right; his heart is fracted and corroborate. nym the king is a good king: but it must be as it may; he passes some humours and careers. pistol let us condole the knight; for, lambkins we will live. king henry v act ii scene ii southampton. a council-chamber. [enter exeter, bedford, and westmoreland] bedford 'fore god, his grace is bold, to trust these traitors. exeter they shall be apprehended by and by. westmoreland how smooth and even they do bear themselves! as if allegiance in their bosoms sat, crowned with faith and constant loyalty. bedford the king hath note of all that they intend, by interception which they dream not of. exeter nay, but the man that was his bedfellow, whom he hath dull'd and cloy'd with gracious favours, that he should, for a foreign purse, so sell his sovereign's life to death and treachery. [trumpets sound. enter king henry v, scroop, cambridge, grey, and attendants] king henry v now sits the wind fair, and we will aboard. my lord of cambridge, and my kind lord of masham, and you, my gentle knight, give me your thoughts: think you not that the powers we bear with us will cut their passage through the force of france, doing the execution and the act for which we have in head assembled them? scroop no doubt, my liege, if each man do his best. king henry v i doubt not that; since we are well persuaded we carry not a heart with us from hence that grows not in a fair consent with ours, nor leave not one behind that doth not wish success and conquest to attend on us. cambridge never was monarch better fear'd and loved than is your majesty: there's not, i think, a subject that sits in heart-grief and uneasiness under the sweet shade of your government. grey true: those that were your father's enemies have steep'd their galls in honey and do serve you with hearts create of duty and of zeal. king henry v we therefore have great cause of thankfulness; and shall forget the office of our hand, sooner than quittance of desert and merit according to the weight and worthiness. scroop so service shall with steeled sinews toil, and labour shall refresh itself with hope, to do your grace incessant services. king henry v we judge no less. uncle of exeter, enlarge the man committed yesterday, that rail'd against our person: we consider it was excess of wine that set him on; and on his more advice we pardon him. scroop that's mercy, but too much security: let him be punish'd, sovereign, lest example breed, by his sufferance, more of such a kind. king henry v o, let us yet be merciful. cambridge so may your highness, and yet punish too. grey sir, you show great mercy, if you give him life, after the taste of much correction. king henry v alas, your too much love and care of me are heavy orisons 'gainst this poor wretch! if little faults, proceeding on distemper, shall not be wink'd at, how shall we stretch our eye when capital crimes, chew'd, swallow'd and digested, appear before us? we'll yet enlarge that man, though cambridge, scroop and grey, in their dear care and tender preservation of our person, would have him punished. and now to our french causes: who are the late commissioners? cambridge i one, my lord: your highness bade me ask for it to-day. scroop so did you me, my liege. grey and i, my royal sovereign. king henry v then, richard earl of cambridge, there is yours; there yours, lord scroop of masham; and, sir knight, grey of northumberland, this same is yours: read them; and know, i know your worthiness. my lord of westmoreland, and uncle exeter, we will aboard to night. why, how now, gentlemen! what see you in those papers that you lose so much complexion? look ye, how they change! their cheeks are paper. why, what read you there that hath so cowarded and chased your blood out of appearance? cambridge i do confess my fault; and do submit me to your highness' mercy. grey | | to which we all appeal. scroop | king henry v the mercy that was quick in us but late, by your own counsel is suppress'd and kill'd: you must not dare, for shame, to talk of mercy; for your own reasons turn into your bosoms, as dogs upon their masters, worrying you. see you, my princes, and my noble peers, these english monsters! my lord of cambridge here, you know how apt our love was to accord to furnish him with all appertinents belonging to his honour; and this man hath, for a few light crowns, lightly conspired, and sworn unto the practises of france, to kill us here in hampton: to the which this knight, no less for bounty bound to us than cambridge is, hath likewise sworn. but, o, what shall i say to thee, lord scroop? thou cruel, ingrateful, savage and inhuman creature! thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels, that knew'st the very bottom of my soul, that almost mightst have coin'd me into gold, wouldst thou have practised on me for thy use, may it be possible, that foreign hire could out of thee extract one spark of evil that might annoy my finger? 'tis so strange, that, though the truth of it stands off as gross as black and white, my eye will scarcely see it. treason and murder ever kept together, as two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose, working so grossly in a natural cause, that admiration did not whoop at them: but thou, 'gainst all proportion, didst bring in wonder to wait on treason and on murder: and whatsoever cunning fiend it was that wrought upon thee so preposterously hath got the voice in hell for excellence: all other devils that suggest by treasons do botch and bungle up damnation with patches, colours, and with forms being fetch'd from glistering semblances of piety; but he that temper'd thee bade thee stand up, gave thee no instance why thou shouldst do treason, unless to dub thee with the name of traitor. if that same demon that hath gull'd thee thus should with his lion gait walk the whole world, he might return to vasty tartar back, and tell the legions 'i can never win a soul so easy as that englishman's.' o, how hast thou with 'jealousy infected the sweetness of affiance! show men dutiful? why, so didst thou: seem they grave and learned? why, so didst thou: come they of noble family? why, so didst thou: seem they religious? why, so didst thou: or are they spare in diet, free from gross passion or of mirth or anger, constant in spirit, not swerving with the blood, garnish'd and deck'd in modest complement, not working with the eye without the ear, and but in purged judgment trusting neither? such and so finely bolted didst thou seem: and thus thy fall hath left a kind of blot, to mark the full-fraught man and best indued with some suspicion. i will weep for thee; for this revolt of thine, methinks, is like another fall of man. their faults are open: arrest them to the answer of the law; and god acquit them of their practises! exeter i arrest thee of high treason, by the name of richard earl of cambridge. i arrest thee of high treason, by the name of henry lord scroop of masham. i arrest thee of high treason, by the name of thomas grey, knight, of northumberland. scroop our purposes god justly hath discover'd; and i repent my fault more than my death; which i beseech your highness to forgive, although my body pay the price of it. cambridge for me, the gold of france did not seduce; although i did admit it as a motive the sooner to effect what i intended: but god be thanked for prevention; which i in sufferance heartily will rejoice, beseeching god and you to pardon me. grey never did faithful subject more rejoice at the discovery of most dangerous treason than i do at this hour joy o'er myself. prevented from a damned enterprise: my fault, but not my body, pardon, sovereign. king henry v god quit you in his mercy! hear your sentence. you have conspired against our royal person, join'd with an enemy proclaim'd and from his coffers received the golden earnest of our death; wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter, his princes and his peers to servitude, his subjects to oppression and contempt and his whole kingdom into desolation. touching our person seek we no revenge; but we our kingdom's safety must so tender, whose ruin you have sought, that to her laws we do deliver you. get you therefore hence, poor miserable wretches, to your death: the taste whereof, god of his mercy give you patience to endure, and true repentance of all your dear offences! bear them hence. [exeunt cambridge, scroop and grey, guarded] now, lords, for france; the enterprise whereof shall be to you, as us, like glorious. we doubt not of a fair and lucky war, since god so graciously hath brought to light this dangerous treason lurking in our way to hinder our beginnings. we doubt not now but every rub is smoothed on our way. then forth, dear countrymen: let us deliver our puissance into the hand of god, putting it straight in expedition. cheerly to sea; the signs of war advance: no king of england, if not king of france. [exeunt] king henry v act ii scene iii london. before a tavern. [enter pistol, hostess, nym, bardolph, and boy] hostess prithee, honey-sweet husband, let me bring thee to staines. pistol no; for my manly heart doth yearn. bardolph, be blithe: nym, rouse thy vaunting veins: boy, bristle thy courage up; for falstaff he is dead, and we must yearn therefore. bardolph would i were with him, wheresome'er he is, either in heaven or in hell! hostess nay, sure, he's not in hell: he's in arthur's bosom, if ever man went to arthur's bosom. a' made a finer end and went away an it had been any christom child; a' parted even just between twelve and one, even at the turning o' the tide: for after i saw him fumble with the sheets and play with flowers and smile upon his fingers' ends, i knew there was but one way; for his nose was as sharp as a pen, and a' babbled of green fields. 'how now, sir john!' quoth i 'what, man! be o' good cheer.' so a' cried out 'god, god, god!' three or four times. now i, to comfort him, bid him a' should not think of god; i hoped there was no need to trouble himself with any such thoughts yet. so a' bade me lay more clothes on his feet: i put my hand into the bed and felt them, and they were as cold as any stone; then i felt to his knees, and they were as cold as any stone, and so upward and upward, and all was as cold as any stone. nym they say he cried out of sack. hostess ay, that a' did. bardolph and of women. hostess nay, that a' did not. boy yes, that a' did; and said they were devils incarnate. hostess a' could never abide carnation; 'twas a colour he never liked. boy a' said once, the devil would have him about women. hostess a' did in some sort, indeed, handle women; but then he was rheumatic, and talked of the whore of babylon. boy do you not remember, a' saw a flea stick upon bardolph's nose, and a' said it was a black soul burning in hell-fire? bardolph well, the fuel is gone that maintained that fire: that's all the riches i got in his service. nym shall we shog? the king will be gone from southampton. pistol come, let's away. my love, give me thy lips. look to my chattels and my movables: let senses rule; the word is 'pitch and pay:' trust none; for oaths are straws, men's faiths are wafer-cakes, and hold-fast is the only dog, my duck: therefore, caveto be thy counsellor. go, clear thy crystals. yoke-fellows in arms, let us to france; like horse-leeches, my boys, to suck, to suck, the very blood to suck! boy and that's but unwholesome food they say. pistol touch her soft mouth, and march. bardolph farewell, hostess. [kissing her] nym i cannot kiss, that is the humour of it; but, adieu. pistol let housewifery appear: keep close, i thee command. hostess farewell; adieu. [exeunt] king henry v act ii scene iv france. the king's palace. [flourish. enter the french king, the dauphin, the dukes of berri and bretagne, the constable, and others] king of france thus comes the english with full power upon us; and more than carefully it us concerns to answer royally in our defences. therefore the dukes of berri and of bretagne, of brabant and of orleans, shall make forth, and you, prince dauphin, with all swift dispatch, to line and new repair our towns of war with men of courage and with means defendant; for england his approaches makes as fierce as waters to the sucking of a gulf. it fits us then to be as provident as fear may teach us out of late examples left by the fatal and neglected english upon our fields. dauphin my most redoubted father, it is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe; for peace itself should not so dull a kingdom, though war nor no known quarrel were in question, but that defences, musters, preparations, should be maintain'd, assembled and collected, as were a war in expectation. therefore, i say 'tis meet we all go forth to view the sick and feeble parts of france: and let us do it with no show of fear; no, with no more than if we heard that england were busied with a whitsun morris-dance: for, my good liege, she is so idly king'd, her sceptre so fantastically borne by a vain, giddy, shallow, humorous youth, that fear attends her not. constable o peace, prince dauphin! you are too much mistaken in this king: question your grace the late ambassadors, with what great state he heard their embassy, how well supplied with noble counsellors, how modest in exception, and withal how terrible in constant resolution, and you shall find his vanities forespent were but the outside of the roman brutus, covering discretion with a coat of folly; as gardeners do with ordure hide those roots that shall first spring and be most delicate. dauphin well, 'tis not so, my lord high constable; but though we think it so, it is no matter: in cases of defence 'tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems: so the proportions of defence are fill'd; which of a weak or niggardly projection doth, like a miser, spoil his coat with scanting a little cloth. king of france think we king harry strong; and, princes, look you strongly arm to meet him. the kindred of him hath been flesh'd upon us; and he is bred out of that bloody strain that haunted us in our familiar paths: witness our too much memorable shame when cressy battle fatally was struck, and all our princes captiv'd by the hand of that black name, edward, black prince of wales; whiles that his mountain sire, on mountain standing, up in the air, crown'd with the golden sun, saw his heroical seed, and smiled to see him, mangle the work of nature and deface the patterns that by god and by french fathers had twenty years been made. this is a stem of that victorious stock; and let us fear the native mightiness and fate of him. [enter a messenger] messenger ambassadors from harry king of england do crave admittance to your majesty. king of france we'll give them present audience. go, and bring them. [exeunt messenger and certain lords] you see this chase is hotly follow'd, friends. dauphin turn head, and stop pursuit; for coward dogs most spend their mouths when what they seem to threaten runs far before them. good my sovereign, take up the english short, and let them know of what a monarchy you are the head: self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting. [re-enter lords, with exeter and train] king of france from our brother england? exeter from him; and thus he greets your majesty. he wills you, in the name of god almighty, that you divest yourself, and lay apart the borrow'd glories that by gift of heaven, by law of nature and of nations, 'long to him and to his heirs; namely, the crown and all wide-stretched honours that pertain by custom and the ordinance of times unto the crown of france. that you may know 'tis no sinister nor no awkward claim, pick'd from the worm-holes of long-vanish'd days, nor from the dust of old oblivion raked, he sends you this most memorable line, in every branch truly demonstrative; willing to overlook this pedigree: and when you find him evenly derived from his most famed of famous ancestors, edward the third, he bids you then resign your crown and kingdom, indirectly held from him the native and true challenger. king of france or else what follows? exeter bloody constraint; for if you hide the crown even in your hearts, there will he rake for it: therefore in fierce tempest is he coming, in thunder and in earthquake, like a jove, that, if requiring fail, he will compel; and bids you, in the bowels of the lord, deliver up the crown, and to take mercy on the poor souls for whom this hungry war opens his vasty jaws; and on your head turning the widows' tears, the orphans' cries the dead men's blood, the pining maidens groans, for husbands, fathers and betrothed lovers, that shall be swallow'd in this controversy. this is his claim, his threatening and my message; unless the dauphin be in presence here, to whom expressly i bring greeting too. king of france for us, we will consider of this further: to-morrow shall you bear our full intent back to our brother england. dauphin for the dauphin, i stand here for him: what to him from england? exeter scorn and defiance; slight regard, contempt, and any thing that may not misbecome the mighty sender, doth he prize you at. thus says my king; an' if your father's highness do not, in grant of all demands at large, sweeten the bitter mock you sent his majesty, he'll call you to so hot an answer of it, that caves and womby vaultages of france shall chide your trespass and return your mock in second accent of his ordnance. dauphin say, if my father render fair return, it is against my will; for i desire nothing but odds with england: to that end, as matching to his youth and vanity, i did present him with the paris balls. exeter he'll make your paris louvre shake for it, were it the mistress-court of mighty europe: and, be assured, you'll find a difference, as we his subjects have in wonder found, between the promise of his greener days and these he masters now: now he weighs time even to the utmost grain: that you shall read in your own losses, if he stay in france. king of france to-morrow shall you know our mind at full. exeter dispatch us with all speed, lest that our king come here himself to question our delay; for he is footed in this land already. king of france you shall be soon dispatch's with fair conditions: a night is but small breath and little pause to answer matters of this consequence. [flourish. exeunt] king henry v act iii prologue. [enter chorus] chorus thus with imagined wing our swift scene flies in motion of no less celerity than that of thought. suppose that you have seen the well-appointed king at hampton pier embark his royalty; and his brave fleet with silken streamers the young phoebus fanning: play with your fancies, and in them behold upon the hempen tackle ship-boys climbing; hear the shrill whistle which doth order give to sounds confused; behold the threaden sails, borne with the invisible and creeping wind, draw the huge bottoms through the furrow'd sea, breasting the lofty surge: o, do but think you stand upon the ravage and behold a city on the inconstant billows dancing; for so appears this fleet majestical, holding due course to harfleur. follow, follow: grapple your minds to sternage of this navy, and leave your england, as dead midnight still, guarded with grandsires, babies and old women, either past or not arrived to pith and puissance; for who is he, whose chin is but enrich'd with one appearing hair, that will not follow these cull'd and choice-drawn cavaliers to france? work, work your thoughts, and therein see a siege; behold the ordnance on their carriages, with fatal mouths gaping on girded harfleur. suppose the ambassador from the french comes back; tells harry that the king doth offer him katharine his daughter, and with her, to dowry, some petty and unprofitable dukedoms. the offer likes not: and the nimble gunner with linstock now the devilish cannon touches, [alarum, and chambers go off] and down goes all before them. still be kind, and eke out our performance with your mind. [exit] king henry v act iii scene i france. before harfleur. [alarum. enter king henry, exeter, bedford, gloucester, and soldiers, with scaling-ladders] king henry v once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our english dead. in peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility: but when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; then lend the eye a terrible aspect; let pry through the portage of the head like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it as fearfully as doth a galled rock o'erhang and jutty his confounded base, swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit to his full height. on, on, you noblest english. whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof! fathers that, like so many alexanders, have in these parts from morn till even fought and sheathed their swords for lack of argument: dishonour not your mothers; now attest that those whom you call'd fathers did beget you. be copy now to men of grosser blood, and teach them how to war. and you, good yeoman, whose limbs were made in england, show us here the mettle of your pasture; let us swear that you are worth your breeding; which i doubt not; for there is none of you so mean and base, that hath not noble lustre in your eyes. i see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. the game's afoot: follow your spirit, and upon this charge cry 'god for harry, england, and saint george!' [exeunt. alarum, and chambers go off] king henry v act iii scene ii the same. [enter nym, bardolph, pistol, and boy] bardolph on, on, on, on, on! to the breach, to the breach! nym pray thee, corporal, stay: the knocks are too hot; and, for mine own part, i have not a case of lives: the humour of it is too hot, that is the very plain-song of it. pistol the plain-song is most just: for humours do abound: knocks go and come; god's vassals drop and die; and sword and shield, in bloody field, doth win immortal fame. boy would i were in an alehouse in london! i would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety. pistol and i: if wishes would prevail with me, my purpose should not fail with me, but thither would i hie. boy as duly, but not as truly, as bird doth sing on bough. [enter fluellen] fluellen up to the breach, you dogs! avaunt, you cullions! [driving them forward] pistol be merciful, great duke, to men of mould. abate thy rage, abate thy manly rage, abate thy rage, great duke! good bawcock, bate thy rage; use lenity, sweet chuck! nym these be good humours! your honour wins bad humours. [exeunt all but boy] boy as young as i am, i have observed these three swashers. i am boy to them all three: but all they three, though they would serve me, could not be man to me; for indeed three such antics do not amount to a man. for bardolph, he is white-livered and red-faced; by the means whereof a' faces it out, but fights not. for pistol, he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword; by the means whereof a' breaks words, and keeps whole weapons. for nym, he hath heard that men of few words are the best men; and therefore he scorns to say his prayers, lest a' should be thought a coward: but his few bad words are matched with as few good deeds; for a' never broke any man's head but his own, and that was against a post when he was drunk. they will steal any thing, and call it purchase. bardolph stole a lute-case, bore it twelve leagues, and sold it for three half pence. nym and bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and in calais they stole a fire-shovel: i knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals. they would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood, if i should take from another's pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. i must leave them, and seek some better service: their villany goes against my weak stomach, and therefore i must cast it up. [exit] [re-enter fluellen, gower following] gower captain fluellen, you must come presently to the mines; the duke of gloucester would speak with you. fluellen to the mines! tell you the duke, it is not so good to come to the mines; for, look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war: the concavities of it is not sufficient; for, look you, the athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digt himself four yard under the countermines: by cheshu, i think a' will plough up all, if there is not better directions. gower the duke of gloucester, to whom the order of the siege is given, is altogether directed by an irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i' faith. fluellen it is captain macmorris, is it not? gower i think it be. fluellen by cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world: i will verify as much in his beard: be has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the roman disciplines, than is a puppy-dog. [enter macmorris and captain jamy] gower here a' comes; and the scots captain, captain jamy, with him. fluellen captain jamy is a marvellous falourous gentleman, that is certain; and of great expedition and knowledge in th' aunchient wars, upon my particular knowledge of his directions: by cheshu, he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the romans. jamy i say gud-day, captain fluellen. fluellen god-den to your worship, good captain james. gower how now, captain macmorris! have you quit the mines? have the pioneers given o'er? macmorris by chrish, la! tish ill done: the work ish give over, the trompet sound the retreat. by my hand, i swear, and my father's soul, the work ish ill done; it ish give over: i would have blowed up the town, so chrish save me, la! in an hour: o, tish ill done, tish ill done; by my hand, tish ill done! fluellen captain macmorris, i beseech you now, will you voutsafe me, look you, a few disputations with you, as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war, the roman wars, in the way of argument, look you, and friendly communication; partly to satisfy my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction, look you, of my mind, as touching the direction of the military discipline; that is the point. jamy it sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath: and i sall quit you with gud leve, as i may pick occasion; that sall i, marry. macmorris it is no time to discourse, so chrish save me: the day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the king, and the dukes: it is no time to discourse. the town is beseeched, and the trumpet call us to the breach; and we talk, and, be chrish, do nothing: 'tis shame for us all: so god sa' me, 'tis shame to stand still; it is shame, by my hand: and there is throats to be cut, and works to be done; and there ish nothing done, so chrish sa' me, la! jamy by the mess, ere theise eyes of mine take themselves to slomber, ay'll de gud service, or ay'll lig i' the grund for it; ay, or go to death; and ay'll pay 't as valourously as i may, that sall i suerly do, that is the breff and the long. marry, i wad full fain hear some question 'tween you tway. fluellen captain macmorris, i think, look you, under your correction, there is not many of your nation- macmorris of my nation! what ish my nation? ish a villain, and a bastard, and a knave, and a rascal. what ish my nation? who talks of my nation? fluellen look you, if you take the matter otherwise than is meant, captain macmorris, peradventure i shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion you ought to use me, look you: being as good a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of war, and in the derivation of my birth, and in other particularities. macmorris i do not know you so good a man as myself: so chrish save me, i will cut off your head. gower gentlemen both, you will mistake each other. jamy a! that's a foul fault. [a parley sounded] gower the town sounds a parley. fluellen captain macmorris, when there is more better opportunity to be required, look you, i will be so bold as to tell you i know the disciplines of war; and there is an end. [exeunt] king henry v act iii scene iii the same. before the gates. [the governor and some citizens on the walls; the english forces below. enter king henry and his train] king henry v how yet resolves the governor of the town? this is the latest parle we will admit; therefore to our best mercy give yourselves; or like to men proud of destruction defy us to our worst: for, as i am a soldier, a name that in my thoughts becomes me best, if i begin the battery once again, i will not leave the half-achieved harfleur till in her ashes she lie buried. the gates of mercy shall be all shut up, and the flesh'd soldier, rough and hard of heart, in liberty of bloody hand shall range with conscience wide as hell, mowing like grass your fresh-fair virgins and your flowering infants. what is it then to me, if impious war, array'd in flames like to the prince of fiends, do, with his smirch'd complexion, all fell feats enlink'd to waste and desolation? what is't to me, when you yourselves are cause, if your pure maidens fall into the hand of hot and forcing violation? what rein can hold licentious wickedness when down the hill he holds his fierce career? we may as bootless spend our vain command upon the enraged soldiers in their spoil as send precepts to the leviathan to come ashore. therefore, you men of harfleur, take pity of your town and of your people, whiles yet my soldiers are in my command; whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace o'erblows the filthy and contagious clouds of heady murder, spoil and villany. if not, why, in a moment look to see the blind and bloody soldier with foul hand defile the locks of your shrill-shrieking daughters; your fathers taken by the silver beards, and their most reverend heads dash'd to the walls, your naked infants spitted upon pikes, whiles the mad mothers with their howls confused do break the clouds, as did the wives of jewry at herod's bloody-hunting slaughtermen. what say you? will you yield, and this avoid, or, guilty in defence, be thus destroy'd? governor our expectation hath this day an end: the dauphin, whom of succors we entreated, returns us that his powers are yet not ready to raise so great a siege. therefore, great king, we yield our town and lives to thy soft mercy. enter our gates; dispose of us and ours; for we no longer are defensible. king henry v open your gates. come, uncle exeter, go you and enter harfleur; there remain, and fortify it strongly 'gainst the french: use mercy to them all. for us, dear uncle, the winter coming on and sickness growing upon our soldiers, we will retire to calais. to-night in harfleur we will be your guest; to-morrow for the march are we addrest. [flourish. the king and his train enter the town] king henry v act iii scene iv the french king's palace. [enter katharine and alice] katharine alice, tu as ete en angleterre, et tu parles bien le langage. alice un peu, madame. katharine je te prie, m'enseignez: il faut que j'apprenne a parler. comment appelez-vous la main en anglois? alice la main? elle est appelee de hand. katharine de hand. et les doigts? alice les doigts? ma foi, j'oublie les doigts; mais je me souviendrai. les doigts? je pense qu'ils sont appeles de fingres; oui, de fingres. katharine la main, de hand; les doigts, de fingres. je pense que je suis le bon ecolier; j'ai gagne deux mots d'anglois vitement. comment appelez-vous les ongles? alice les ongles? nous les appelons de nails. katharine de nails. ecoutez; dites-moi, si je parle bien: de hand, de fingres, et de nails. alice c'est bien dit, madame; il est fort bon anglois. katharine dites-moi l'anglois pour le bras. alice de arm, madame. katharine et le coude? alice de elbow. katharine de elbow. je m'en fais la repetition de tous les mots que vous m'avez appris des a present. alice il est trop difficile, madame, comme je pense. katharine excusez-moi, alice; ecoutez: de hand, de fingres, de nails, de arma, de bilbow. alice de elbow, madame. katharine o seigneur dieu, je m'en oublie! de elbow. comment appelez-vous le col? alice de neck, madame. katharine de nick. et le menton? alice de chin. katharine de sin. le col, de nick; de menton, de sin. alice oui. sauf votre honneur, en verite, vous prononcez les mots aussi droit que les natifs d'angleterre. katharine je ne doute point d'apprendre, par la grace de dieu, et en peu de temps. alice n'avez vous pas deja oublie ce que je vous ai enseigne? katharine non, je reciterai a vous promptement: de hand, de fingres, de mails- alice de nails, madame. katharine de nails, de arm, de ilbow. alice sauf votre honneur, de elbow. katharine ainsi dis-je; de elbow, de nick, et de sin. comment appelez-vous le pied et la robe? alice de foot, madame; et de coun. katharine de foot et de coun! o seigneur dieu! ce sont mots de son mauvais, corruptible, gros, et impudique, et non pour les dames d'honneur d'user: je ne voudrais prononcer ces mots devant les seigneurs de france pour tout le monde. foh! le foot et le coun! neanmoins, je reciterai une autre fois ma lecon ensemble: de hand, de fingres, de nails, de arm, de elbow, de nick, de sin, de foot, de coun. alice excellent, madame! katharine c'est assez pour une fois: allons-nous a diner. [exeunt] king henry v act iii scene v the same. [enter the king of france, the dauphin, the duke of bourbon, the constable of france, and others] king of france 'tis certain he hath pass'd the river somme. constable and if he be not fought withal, my lord, let us not live in france; let us quit all and give our vineyards to a barbarous people. dauphin o dieu vivant! shall a few sprays of us, the emptying of our fathers' luxury, our scions, put in wild and savage stock, spirt up so suddenly into the clouds, and overlook their grafters? bourbon normans, but bastard normans, norman bastards! mort de ma vie! if they march along unfought withal, but i will sell my dukedom, to buy a slobbery and a dirty farm in that nook-shotten isle of albion. constable dieu de batailles! where have they this mettle? is not their climate foggy, raw and dull, on whom, as in despite, the sun looks pale, killing their fruit with frowns? can sodden water, a drench for sur-rein'd jades, their barley-broth, decoct their cold blood to such valiant heat? and shall our quick blood, spirited with wine, seem frosty? o, for honour of our land, let us not hang like roping icicles upon our houses' thatch, whiles a more frosty people sweat drops of gallant youth in our rich fields! poor we may call them in their native lords. dauphin by faith and honour, our madams mock at us, and plainly say our mettle is bred out and they will give their bodies to the lust of english youth to new-store france with bastard warriors. bourbon they bid us to the english dancing-schools, and teach lavoltas high and swift corantos; saying our grace is only in our heels, and that we are most lofty runaways. king of france where is montjoy the herald? speed him hence: let him greet england with our sharp defiance. up, princes! and, with spirit of honour edged more sharper than your swords, hie to the field: charles delabreth, high constable of france; you dukes of orleans, bourbon, and of berri, alencon, brabant, bar, and burgundy; jaques chatillon, rambures, vaudemont, beaumont, grandpre, roussi, and fauconberg, foix, lestrale, bouciqualt, and charolois; high dukes, great princes, barons, lords and knights, for your great seats now quit you of great shames. bar harry england, that sweeps through our land with pennons painted in the blood of harfleur: rush on his host, as doth the melted snow upon the valleys, whose low vassal seat the alps doth spit and void his rheum upon: go down upon him, you have power enough, and in a captive chariot into rouen bring him our prisoner. constable this becomes the great. sorry am i his numbers are so few, his soldiers sick and famish'd in their march, for i am sure, when he shall see our army, he'll drop his heart into the sink of fear and for achievement offer us his ransom. king of france therefore, lord constable, haste on montjoy. and let him say to england that we send to know what willing ransom he will give. prince dauphin, you shall stay with us in rouen. dauphin not so, i do beseech your majesty. king of france be patient, for you shall remain with us. now forth, lord constable and princes all, and quickly bring us word of england's fall. [exeunt] king henry v act iii scene vi the english camp in picardy. [enter gower and fluellen, meeting] gower how now, captain fluellen! come you from the bridge? fluellen i assure you, there is very excellent services committed at the bridge. gower is the duke of exeter safe? fluellen the duke of exeter is as magnanimous as agamemnon; and a man that i love and honour with my soul, and my heart, and my duty, and my life, and my living, and my uttermost power: he is not-god be praised and blessed!--any hurt in the world; but keeps the bridge most valiantly, with excellent discipline. there is an aunchient lieutenant there at the pridge, i think in my very conscience he is as valiant a man as mark antony; and he is a man of no estimation in the world; but did see him do as gallant service. gower what do you call him? fluellen he is called aunchient pistol. gower i know him not. [enter pistol] fluellen here is the man. pistol captain, i thee beseech to do me favours: the duke of exeter doth love thee well. fluellen ay, i praise god; and i have merited some love at his hands. pistol bardolph, a soldier, firm and sound of heart, and of buxom valour, hath, by cruel fate, and giddy fortune's furious fickle wheel, that goddess blind, that stands upon the rolling restless stone- fluellen by your patience, aunchient pistol. fortune is painted blind, with a muffler afore her eyes, to signify to you that fortune is blind; and she is painted also with a wheel, to signify to you, which is the moral of it, that she is turning, and inconstant, and mutability, and variation: and her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical stone, which rolls, and rolls, and rolls: in good truth, the poet makes a most excellent description of it: fortune is an excellent moral. pistol fortune is bardolph's foe, and frowns on him; for he hath stolen a pax, and hanged must a' be: a damned death! let gallows gape for dog; let man go free and let not hemp his wind-pipe suffocate: but exeter hath given the doom of death for pax of little price. therefore, go speak: the duke will hear thy voice: and let not bardolph's vital thread be cut with edge of penny cord and vile reproach: speak, captain, for his life, and i will thee requite. fluellen aunchient pistol, i do partly understand your meaning. pistol why then, rejoice therefore. fluellen certainly, aunchient, it is not a thing to rejoice at: for if, look you, he were my brother, i would desire the duke to use his good pleasure, and put him to execution; for discipline ought to be used. pistol die and be damn'd! and figo for thy friendship! fluellen it is well. pistol the fig of spain! [exit] fluellen very good. gower why, this is an arrant counterfeit rascal; i remember him now; a bawd, a cutpurse. fluellen i'll assure you, a' uttered as brave words at the bridge as you shall see in a summer's day. but it is very well; what he has spoke to me, that is well, i warrant you, when time is serve. gower why, 'tis a gull, a fool, a rogue, that now and then goes to the wars, to grace himself at his return into london under the form of a soldier. and such fellows are perfect in the great commanders' names: and they will learn you by rote where services were done; at such and such a sconce, at such a breach, at such a convoy; who came off bravely, who was shot, who disgraced, what terms the enemy stood on; and this they con perfectly in the phrase of war, which they trick up with new-tuned oaths: and what a beard of the general's cut and a horrid suit of the camp will do among foaming bottles and ale-washed wits, is wonderful to be thought on. but you must learn to know such slanders of the age, or else you may be marvellously mistook. fluellen i tell you what, captain gower; i do perceive he is not the man that he would gladly make show to the world he is: if i find a hole in his coat, i will tell him my mind. [drum heard] hark you, the king is coming, and i must speak with him from the pridge. [drum and colours. enter king henry, gloucester, and soldiers] god pless your majesty! king henry v how now, fluellen! camest thou from the bridge? fluellen ay, so please your majesty. the duke of exeter has very gallantly maintained the pridge: the french is gone off, look you; and there is gallant and most prave passages; marry, th' athversary was have possession of the pridge; but he is enforced to retire, and the duke of exeter is master of the pridge: i can tell your majesty, the duke is a prave man. king henry v what men have you lost, fluellen? fluellen the perdition of th' athversary hath been very great, reasonable great: marry, for my part, i think the duke hath lost never a man, but one that is like to be executed for robbing a church, one bardolph, if your majesty know the man: his face is all bubukles, and whelks, and knobs, and flames o' fire: and his lips blows at his nose, and it is like a coal of fire, sometimes plue and sometimes red; but his nose is executed and his fire's out. king henry v we would have all such offenders so cut off: and we give express charge, that in our marches through the country, there be nothing compelled from the villages, nothing taken but paid for, none of the french upbraided or abused in disdainful language; for when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner. [tucket. enter montjoy] montjoy you know me by my habit. king henry v well then i know thee: what shall i know of thee? montjoy my master's mind. king henry v unfold it. montjoy thus says my king: say thou to harry of england: though we seemed dead, we did but sleep: advantage is a better soldier than rashness. tell him we could have rebuked him at harfleur, but that we thought not good to bruise an injury till it were full ripe: now we speak upon our cue, and our voice is imperial: england shall repent his folly, see his weakness, and admire our sufferance. bid him therefore consider of his ransom; which must proportion the losses we have borne, the subjects we have lost, the disgrace we have digested; which in weight to re-answer, his pettiness would bow under. for our losses, his exchequer is too poor; for the effusion of our blood, the muster of his kingdom too faint a number; and for our disgrace, his own person, kneeling at our feet, but a weak and worthless satisfaction. to this add defiance: and tell him, for conclusion, he hath betrayed his followers, whose condemnation is pronounced. so far my king and master; so much my office. king henry v what is thy name? i know thy quality. montjoy montjoy. king henry v thou dost thy office fairly. turn thee back. and tell thy king i do not seek him now; but could be willing to march on to calais without impeachment: for, to say the sooth, though 'tis no wisdom to confess so much unto an enemy of craft and vantage, my people are with sickness much enfeebled, my numbers lessened, and those few i have almost no better than so many french; who when they were in health, i tell thee, herald, i thought upon one pair of english legs did march three frenchmen. yet, forgive me, god, that i do brag thus! this your air of france hath blown that vice in me: i must repent. go therefore, tell thy master here i am; my ransom is this frail and worthless trunk, my army but a weak and sickly guard; yet, god before, tell him we will come on, though france himself and such another neighbour stand in our way. there's for thy labour, montjoy. go bid thy master well advise himself: if we may pass, we will; if we be hinder'd, we shall your tawny ground with your red blood discolour: and so montjoy, fare you well. the sum of all our answer is but this: we would not seek a battle, as we are; nor, as we are, we say we will not shun it: so tell your master. montjoy i shall deliver so. thanks to your highness. [exit] gloucester i hope they will not come upon us now. king henry v we are in god's hand, brother, not in theirs. march to the bridge; it now draws toward night: beyond the river we'll encamp ourselves, and on to-morrow, bid them march away. [exeunt] king henry v act iii scene vii the french camp, near agincourt: [enter the constable of france, the lord rambures, orleans, dauphin, with others] constable tut! i have the best armour of the world. would it were day! orleans you have an excellent armour; but let my horse have his due. constable it is the best horse of europe. orleans will it never be morning? dauphin my lord of orleans, and my lord high constable, you talk of horse and armour? orleans you are as well provided of both as any prince in the world. dauphin what a long night is this! i will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns. ca, ha! he bounds from the earth, as if his entrails were hairs; le cheval volant, the pegasus, chez les narines de feu! when i bestride him, i soar, i am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of hermes. orleans he's of the colour of the nutmeg. dauphin and of the heat of the ginger. it is a beast for perseus: he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him: he is indeed a horse; and all other jades you may call beasts. constable indeed, my lord, it is a most absolute and excellent horse. dauphin it is the prince of palfreys; his neigh is like the bidding of a monarch and his countenance enforces homage. orleans no more, cousin. dauphin nay, the man hath no wit that cannot, from the rising of the lark to the lodging of the lamb, vary deserved praise on my palfrey: it is a theme as fluent as the sea: turn the sands into eloquent tongues, and my horse is argument for them all: 'tis a subject for a sovereign to reason on, and for a sovereign's sovereign to ride on; and for the world, familiar to us and unknown to lay apart their particular functions and wonder at him. i once writ a sonnet in his praise and began thus: 'wonder of nature,'- orleans i have heard a sonnet begin so to one's mistress. dauphin then did they imitate that which i composed to my courser, for my horse is my mistress. orleans your mistress bears well. dauphin me well; which is the prescript praise and perfection of a good and particular mistress. constable nay, for methought yesterday your mistress shrewdly shook your back. dauphin so perhaps did yours. constable mine was not bridled. dauphin o then belike she was old and gentle; and you rode, like a kern of ireland, your french hose off, and in your straight strossers. constable you have good judgment in horsemanship. dauphin be warned by me, then: they that ride so and ride not warily, fall into foul bogs. i had rather have my horse to my mistress. constable i had as lief have my mistress a jade. dauphin i tell thee, constable, my mistress wears his own hair. constable i could make as true a boast as that, if i had a sow to my mistress. dauphin 'le chien est retourne a son propre vomissement, et la truie lavee au bourbier;' thou makest use of any thing. constable yet do i not use my horse for my mistress, or any such proverb so little kin to the purpose. rambures my lord constable, the armour that i saw in your tent to-night, are those stars or suns upon it? constable stars, my lord. dauphin some of them will fall to-morrow, i hope. constable and yet my sky shall not want. dauphin that may be, for you bear a many superfluously, and 'twere more honour some were away. constable even as your horse bears your praises; who would trot as well, were some of your brags dismounted. dauphin would i were able to load him with his desert! will it never be day? i will trot to-morrow a mile, and my way shall be paved with english faces. constable i will not say so, for fear i should be faced out of my way: but i would it were morning; for i would fain be about the ears of the english. rambures who will go to hazard with me for twenty prisoners? constable you must first go yourself to hazard, ere you have them. dauphin 'tis midnight; i'll go arm myself. [exit] orleans the dauphin longs for morning. rambures he longs to eat the english. constable i think he will eat all he kills. orleans by the white hand of my lady, he's a gallant prince. constable swear by her foot, that she may tread out the oath. orleans he is simply the most active gentleman of france. constable doing is activity; and he will still be doing. orleans he never did harm, that i heard of. constable nor will do none to-morrow: he will keep that good name still. orleans i know him to be valiant. constable i was told that by one that knows him better than you. orleans what's he? constable marry, he told me so himself; and he said he cared not who knew it orleans he needs not; it is no hidden virtue in him. constable by my faith, sir, but it is; never any body saw it but his lackey: 'tis a hooded valour; and when it appears, it will bate. orleans ill will never said well. constable i will cap that proverb with 'there is flattery in friendship.' orleans and i will take up that with 'give the devil his due.' constable well placed: there stands your friend for the devil: have at the very eye of that proverb with 'a pox of the devil.' orleans you are the better at proverbs, by how much 'a fool's bolt is soon shot.' constable you have shot over. orleans 'tis not the first time you were overshot. [enter a messenger] messenger my lord high constable, the english lie within fifteen hundred paces of your tents. constable who hath measured the ground? messenger the lord grandpre. constable a valiant and most expert gentleman. would it were day! alas, poor harry of england! he longs not for the dawning as we do. orleans what a wretched and peevish fellow is this king of england, to mope with his fat-brained followers so far out of his knowledge! constable if the english had any apprehension, they would run away. orleans that they lack; for if their heads had any intellectual armour, they could never wear such heavy head-pieces. rambures that island of england breeds very valiant creatures; their mastiffs are of unmatchable courage. orleans foolish curs, that run winking into the mouth of a russian bear and have their heads crushed like rotten apples! you may as well say, that's a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion. constable just, just; and the men do sympathize with the mastiffs in robustious and rough coming on, leaving their wits with their wives: and then give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils. orleans ay, but these english are shrewdly out of beef. constable then shall we find to-morrow they have only stomachs to eat and none to fight. now is it time to arm: come, shall we about it? orleans it is now two o'clock: but, let me see, by ten we shall have each a hundred englishmen. [exeunt] king henry v act iv prologue. [enter chorus] chorus now entertain conjecture of a time when creeping murmur and the poring dark fills the wide vessel of the universe. from camp to camp through the foul womb of night the hum of either army stilly sounds, that the fixed sentinels almost receive the secret whispers of each other's watch: fire answers fire, and through their paly flames each battle sees the other's umber'd face; steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents the armourers, accomplishing the knights, with busy hammers closing rivets up, give dreadful note of preparation: the country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll, and the third hour of drowsy morning name. proud of their numbers and secure in soul, the confident and over-lusty french do the low-rated english play at dice; and chide the cripple tardy-gaited night who, like a foul and ugly witch, doth limp so tediously away. the poor condemned english, like sacrifices, by their watchful fires sit patiently and inly ruminate the morning's danger, and their gesture sad investing lank-lean; cheeks and war-worn coats presenteth them unto the gazing moon so many horrid ghosts. o now, who will behold the royal captain of this ruin'd band walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent, let him cry 'praise and glory on his head!' for forth he goes and visits all his host. bids them good morrow with a modest smile and calls them brothers, friends and countrymen. upon his royal face there is no note how dread an army hath enrounded him; nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour unto the weary and all-watched night, but freshly looks and over-bears attaint with cheerful semblance and sweet majesty; that every wretch, pining and pale before, beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks: a largess universal like the sun his liberal eye doth give to every one, thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all, behold, as may unworthiness define, a little touch of harry in the night. and so our scene must to the battle fly; where--o for pity!--we shall much disgrace with four or five most vile and ragged foils, right ill-disposed in brawl ridiculous, the name of agincourt. yet sit and see, minding true things by what their mockeries be. [exit] king henry v act iv scene i the english camp at agincourt. [enter king henry, bedford, and gloucester] king henry v gloucester, 'tis true that we are in great danger; the greater therefore should our courage be. good morrow, brother bedford. god almighty! there is some soul of goodness in things evil, would men observingly distil it out. for our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers, which is both healthful and good husbandry: besides, they are our outward consciences, and preachers to us all, admonishing that we should dress us fairly for our end. thus may we gather honey from the weed, and make a moral of the devil himself. [enter erpingham] good morrow, old sir thomas erpingham: a good soft pillow for that good white head were better than a churlish turf of france. erpingham not so, my liege: this lodging likes me better, since i may say 'now lie i like a king.' king henry v 'tis good for men to love their present pains upon example; so the spirit is eased: and when the mind is quicken'd, out of doubt, the organs, though defunct and dead before, break up their drowsy grave and newly move, with casted slough and fresh legerity. lend me thy cloak, sir thomas. brothers both, commend me to the princes in our camp; do my good morrow to them, and anon desire them an to my pavilion. gloucester we shall, my liege. erpingham shall i attend your grace? king henry v no, my good knight; go with my brothers to my lords of england: i and my bosom must debate awhile, and then i would no other company. erpingham the lord in heaven bless thee, noble harry! [exeunt all but king henry] king henry v god-a-mercy, old heart! thou speak'st cheerfully. [enter pistol] pistol qui va la? king henry v a friend. pistol discuss unto me; art thou officer? or art thou base, common and popular? king henry v i am a gentleman of a company. pistol trail'st thou the puissant pike? king henry v even so. what are you? pistol as good a gentleman as the emperor. king henry v then you are a better than the king. pistol the king's a bawcock, and a heart of gold, a lad of life, an imp of fame; of parents good, of fist most valiant. i kiss his dirty shoe, and from heart-string i love the lovely bully. what is thy name? king henry v harry le roy. pistol le roy! a cornish name: art thou of cornish crew? king henry v no, i am a welshman. pistol know'st thou fluellen? king henry v yes. pistol tell him, i'll knock his leek about his pate upon saint davy's day. king henry v do not you wear your dagger in your cap that day, lest he knock that about yours. pistol art thou his friend? king henry v and his kinsman too. pistol the figo for thee, then! king henry v i thank you: god be with you! pistol my name is pistol call'd. [exit] king henry v it sorts well with your fierceness. [enter fluellen and gower] gower captain fluellen! fluellen so! in the name of jesu christ, speak lower. it is the greatest admiration of the universal world, when the true and aunchient prerogatifes and laws of the wars is not kept: if you would take the pains but to examine the wars of pompey the great, you shall find, i warrant you, that there is no tiddle toddle nor pibble pabble in pompey's camp; i warrant you, you shall find the ceremonies of the wars, and the cares of it, and the forms of it, and the sobriety of it, and the modesty of it, to be otherwise. gower why, the enemy is loud; you hear him all night. fluellen if the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb? in your own conscience, now? gower i will speak lower. fluellen i pray you and beseech you that you will. [exeunt gower and fluellen] king henry v though it appear a little out of fashion, there is much care and valour in this welshman. [enter three soldiers, john bates, alexander court, and michael williams] court brother john bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder? bates i think it be: but we have no great cause to desire the approach of day. williams we see yonder the beginning of the day, but i think we shall never see the end of it. who goes there? king henry v a friend. williams under what captain serve you? king henry v under sir thomas erpingham. williams a good old commander and a most kind gentleman: i pray you, what thinks he of our estate? king henry v even as men wrecked upon a sand, that look to be washed off the next tide. bates he hath not told his thought to the king? king henry v no; nor it is not meet he should. for, though i speak it to you, i think the king is but a man, as i am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me: the element shows to him as it doth to me; all his senses have but human conditions: his ceremonies laid by, in his nakedness he appears but a man; and though his affections are higher mounted than ours, yet, when they stoop, they stoop with the like wing. therefore when he sees reason of fears, as we do, his fears, out of doubt, be of the same relish as ours are: yet, in reason, no man should possess him with any appearance of fear, lest he, by showing it, should dishearten his army. bates he may show what outward courage he will; but i believe, as cold a night as 'tis, he could wish himself in thames up to the neck; and so i would he were, and i by him, at all adventures, so we were quit here. king henry v by my troth, i will speak my conscience of the king: i think he would not wish himself any where but where he is. bates then i would he were here alone; so should he be sure to be ransomed, and a many poor men's lives saved. king henry v i dare say you love him not so ill, to wish him here alone, howsoever you speak this to feel other men's minds: methinks i could not die any where so contented as in the king's company; his cause being just and his quarrel honourable. williams that's more than we know. bates ay, or more than we should seek after; for we know enough, if we know we are the kings subjects: if his cause be wrong, our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us. williams but if the cause be not good, the king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make, when all those legs and arms and heads, chopped off in battle, shall join together at the latter day and cry all 'we died at such a place;' some swearing, some crying for a surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind them, some upon the debts they owe, some upon their children rawly left. i am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle; for how can they charitably dispose of any thing, when blood is their argument? now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it; whom to disobey were against all proportion of subjection. king henry v so, if a son that is by his father sent about merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon the sea, the imputation of his wickedness by your rule, should be imposed upon his father that sent him: or if a servant, under his master's command transporting a sum of money, be assailed by robbers and die in many irreconciled iniquities, you may call the business of the master the author of the servant's damnation: but this is not so: the king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers, the father of his son, nor the master of his servant; for they purpose not their death, when they purpose their services. besides, there is no king, be his cause never so spotless, if it come to the arbitrement of swords, can try it out with all unspotted soldiers: some peradventure have on them the guilt of premeditated and contrived murder; some, of beguiling virgins with the broken seals of perjury; some, making the wars their bulwark, that have before gored the gentle bosom of peace with pillage and robbery. now, if these men have defeated the law and outrun native punishment, though they can outstrip men, they have no wings to fly from god: war is his beadle, war is vengeance; so that here men are punished for before-breach of the king's laws in now the king's quarrel: where they feared the death, they have borne life away; and where they would be safe, they perish: then if they die unprovided, no more is the king guilty of their damnation than he was before guilty of those impieties for the which they are now visited. every subject's duty is the king's; but every subject's soul is his own. therefore should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his bed, wash every mote out of his conscience: and dying so, death is to him advantage; or not dying, the time was blessedly lost wherein such preparation was gained: and in him that escapes, it were not sin to think that, making god so free an offer, he let him outlive that day to see his greatness and to teach others how they should prepare. williams 'tis certain, every man that dies ill, the ill upon his own head, the king is not to answer it. bates but i do not desire he should answer for me; and yet i determine to fight lustily for him. king henry v i myself heard the king say he would not be ransomed. williams ay, he said so, to make us fight cheerfully: but when our throats are cut, he may be ransomed, and we ne'er the wiser. king henry v if i live to see it, i will never trust his word after. williams you pay him then. that's a perilous shot out of an elder-gun, that a poor and private displeasure can do against a monarch! you may as well go about to turn the sun to ice with fanning in his face with a peacock's feather. you'll never trust his word after! come, 'tis a foolish saying. king henry v your reproof is something too round: i should be angry with you, if the time were convenient. williams let it be a quarrel between us, if you live. king henry v i embrace it. williams how shall i know thee again? king henry v give me any gage of thine, and i will wear it in my bonnet: then, if ever thou darest acknowledge it, i will make it my quarrel. williams here's my glove: give me another of thine. king henry v there. williams this will i also wear in my cap: if ever thou come to me and say, after to-morrow, 'this is my glove,' by this hand, i will take thee a box on the ear. king henry v if ever i live to see it, i will challenge it. williams thou darest as well be hanged. king henry v well. i will do it, though i take thee in the king's company. williams keep thy word: fare thee well. bates be friends, you english fools, be friends: we have french quarrels enow, if you could tell how to reckon. king henry v indeed, the french may lay twenty french crowns to one, they will beat us; for they bear them on their shoulders: but it is no english treason to cut french crowns, and to-morrow the king himself will be a clipper. [exeunt soldiers] upon the king! let us our lives, our souls, our debts, our careful wives, our children and our sins lay on the king! we must bear all. o hard condition, twin-born with greatness, subject to the breath of every fool, whose sense no more can feel but his own wringing! what infinite heart's-ease must kings neglect, that private men enjoy! and what have kings, that privates have not too, save ceremony, save general ceremony? and what art thou, thou idle ceremony? what kind of god art thou, that suffer'st more of mortal griefs than do thy worshippers? what are thy rents? what are thy comings in? o ceremony, show me but thy worth! what is thy soul of adoration? art thou aught else but place, degree and form, creating awe and fear in other men? wherein thou art less happy being fear'd than they in fearing. what drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet, but poison'd flattery? o, be sick, great greatness, and bid thy ceremony give thee cure! think'st thou the fiery fever will go out with titles blown from adulation? will it give place to flexure and low bending? canst thou, when thou command'st the beggar's knee, command the health of it? no, thou proud dream, that play'st so subtly with a king's repose; i am a king that find thee, and i know 'tis not the balm, the sceptre and the ball, the sword, the mace, the crown imperial, the intertissued robe of gold and pearl, the farced title running 'fore the king, the throne he sits on, nor the tide of pomp that beats upon the high shore of this world, no, not all these, thrice-gorgeous ceremony, not all these, laid in bed majestical, can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave, who with a body fill'd and vacant mind gets him to rest, cramm'd with distressful bread; never sees horrid night, the child of hell, but, like a lackey, from the rise to set sweats in the eye of phoebus and all night sleeps in elysium; next day after dawn, doth rise and help hyperion to his horse, and follows so the ever-running year, with profitable labour, to his grave: and, but for ceremony, such a wretch, winding up days with toil and nights with sleep, had the fore-hand and vantage of a king. the slave, a member of the country's peace, enjoys it; but in gross brain little wots what watch the king keeps to maintain the peace, whose hours the peasant best advantages. [enter erpingham] erpingham my lord, your nobles, jealous of your absence, seek through your camp to find you. king henry v good old knight, collect them all together at my tent: i'll be before thee. erpingham i shall do't, my lord. [exit] king henry v o god of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts; possess them not with fear; take from them now the sense of reckoning, if the opposed numbers pluck their hearts from them. not to-day, o lord, o, not to-day, think not upon the fault my father made in compassing the crown! i richard's body have interred anew; and on it have bestow'd more contrite tears than from it issued forced drops of blood: five hundred poor i have in yearly pay, who twice a-day their wither'd hands hold up toward heaven, to pardon blood; and i have built two chantries, where the sad and solemn priests sing still for richard's soul. more will i do; though all that i can do is nothing worth, since that my penitence comes after all, imploring pardon. [enter gloucester] gloucester my liege! king henry v my brother gloucester's voice? ay; i know thy errand, i will go with thee: the day, my friends and all things stay for me. [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene ii the french camp. [enter the dauphin, orleans, rambures, and others] orleans the sun doth gild our armour; up, my lords! dauphin montez a cheval! my horse! varlet! laquais! ha! orleans o brave spirit! dauphin via! les eaux et la terre. orleans rien puis? l'air et la feu. dauphin ciel, cousin orleans. [enter constable] now, my lord constable! constable hark, how our steeds for present service neigh! dauphin mount them, and make incision in their hides, that their hot blood may spin in english eyes, and dout them with superfluous courage, ha! rambures what, will you have them weep our horses' blood? how shall we, then, behold their natural tears? [enter messenger] messenger the english are embattled, you french peers. constable to horse, you gallant princes! straight to horse! do but behold yon poor and starved band, and your fair show shall suck away their souls, leaving them but the shales and husks of men. there is not work enough for all our hands; scarce blood enough in all their sickly veins to give each naked curtle-axe a stain, that our french gallants shall to-day draw out, and sheathe for lack of sport: let us but blow on them, the vapour of our valour will o'erturn them. 'tis positive 'gainst all exceptions, lords, that our superfluous lackeys and our peasants, who in unnecessary action swarm about our squares of battle, were enow to purge this field of such a hilding foe, though we upon this mountain's basis by took stand for idle speculation: but that our honours must not. what's to say? a very little little let us do. and all is done. then let the trumpets sound the tucket sonance and the note to mount; for our approach shall so much dare the field that england shall couch down in fear and yield. [enter grandpre] grandpre why do you stay so long, my lords of france? yon island carrions, desperate of their bones, ill-favouredly become the morning field: their ragged curtains poorly are let loose, and our air shakes them passing scornfully: big mars seems bankrupt in their beggar'd host and faintly through a rusty beaver peeps: the horsemen sit like fixed candlesticks, with torch-staves in their hand; and their poor jades lob down their heads, dropping the hides and hips, the gum down-roping from their pale-dead eyes and in their pale dull mouths the gimmal bit lies foul with chew'd grass, still and motionless; and their executors, the knavish crows, fly o'er them, all impatient for their hour. description cannot suit itself in words to demonstrate the life of such a battle in life so lifeless as it shows itself. constable they have said their prayers, and they stay for death. dauphin shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits and give their fasting horses provender, and after fight with them? constable i stay but for my guidon: to the field! i will the banner from a trumpet take, and use it for my haste. come, come, away! the sun is high, and we outwear the day. [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene iii the english camp. [enter gloucester, bedford, exeter, erpingham, with all his host: salisbury and westmoreland] gloucester where is the king? bedford the king himself is rode to view their battle. westmoreland of fighting men they have full three score thousand. exeter there's five to one; besides, they all are fresh. salisbury god's arm strike with us! 'tis a fearful odds. god be wi' you, princes all; i'll to my charge: if we no more meet till we meet in heaven, then, joyfully, my noble lord of bedford, my dear lord gloucester, and my good lord exeter, and my kind kinsman, warriors all, adieu! bedford farewell, good salisbury; and good luck go with thee! exeter farewell, kind lord; fight valiantly to-day: and yet i do thee wrong to mind thee of it, for thou art framed of the firm truth of valour. [exit salisbury] bedford he is full of valour as of kindness; princely in both. [enter the king] westmoreland o that we now had here but one ten thousand of those men in england that do no work to-day! king henry v what's he that wishes so? my cousin westmoreland? no, my fair cousin: if we are mark'd to die, we are enow to do our country loss; and if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour. god's will! i pray thee, wish not one man more. by jove, i am not covetous for gold, nor care i who doth feed upon my cost; it yearns me not if men my garments wear; such outward things dwell not in my desires: but if it be a sin to covet honour, i am the most offending soul alive. no, faith, my coz, wish not a man from england: god's peace! i would not lose so great an honour as one man more, methinks, would share from me for the best hope i have. o, do not wish one more! rather proclaim it, westmoreland, through my host, that he which hath no stomach to this fight, let him depart; his passport shall be made and crowns for convoy put into his purse: we would not die in that man's company that fears his fellowship to die with us. this day is called the feast of crispian: he that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, and rouse him at the name of crispian. he that shall live this day, and see old age, will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, and say 'to-morrow is saint crispian:' then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. and say 'these wounds i had on crispin's day.' old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, but he'll remember with advantages what feats he did that day: then shall our names. familiar in his mouth as household words harry the king, bedford and exeter, warwick and talbot, salisbury and gloucester, be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd. this story shall the good man teach his son; and crispin crispian shall ne'er go by, from this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remember'd; we few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition: and gentlemen in england now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon saint crispin's day. [re-enter salisbury] salisbury my sovereign lord, bestow yourself with speed: the french are bravely in their battles set, and will with all expedience charge on us. king henry v all things are ready, if our minds be so. westmoreland perish the man whose mind is backward now! king henry v thou dost not wish more help from england, coz? westmoreland god's will! my liege, would you and i alone, without more help, could fight this royal battle! king henry v why, now thou hast unwish'd five thousand men; which likes me better than to wish us one. you know your places: god be with you all! [tucket. enter montjoy] montjoy once more i come to know of thee, king harry, if for thy ransom thou wilt now compound, before thy most assured overthrow: for certainly thou art so near the gulf, thou needs must be englutted. besides, in mercy, the constable desires thee thou wilt mind thy followers of repentance; that their souls may make a peaceful and a sweet retire from off these fields, where, wretches, their poor bodies must lie and fester. king henry v who hath sent thee now? montjoy the constable of france. king henry v i pray thee, bear my former answer back: bid them achieve me and then sell my bones. good god! why should they mock poor fellows thus? the man that once did sell the lion's skin while the beast lived, was killed with hunting him. a many of our bodies shall no doubt find native graves; upon the which, i trust, shall witness live in brass of this day's work: and those that leave their valiant bones in france, dying like men, though buried in your dunghills, they shall be famed; for there the sun shall greet them, and draw their honours reeking up to heaven; leaving their earthly parts to choke your clime, the smell whereof shall breed a plague in france. mark then abounding valour in our english, that being dead, like to the bullet's grazing, break out into a second course of mischief, killing in relapse of mortality. let me speak proudly: tell the constable we are but warriors for the working-day; our gayness and our gilt are all besmirch'd with rainy marching in the painful field; there's not a piece of feather in our host- good argument, i hope, we will not fly- and time hath worn us into slovenry: but, by the mass, our hearts are in the trim; and my poor soldiers tell me, yet ere night they'll be in fresher robes, or they will pluck the gay new coats o'er the french soldiers' heads and turn them out of service. if they do this,- as, if god please, they shall,--my ransom then will soon be levied. herald, save thou thy labour; come thou no more for ransom, gentle herald: they shall have none, i swear, but these my joints; which if they have as i will leave 'em them, shall yield them little, tell the constable. montjoy i shall, king harry. and so fare thee well: thou never shalt hear herald any more. [exit] king henry v i fear thou'lt once more come again for ransom. [enter york] york my lord, most humbly on my knee i beg the leading of the vaward. king henry v take it, brave york. now, soldiers, march away: and how thou pleasest, god, dispose the day! [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene iv the field of battle. [alarum. excursions. enter pistol, french soldier, and boy] pistol yield, cur! french soldier je pense que vous etes gentilhomme de bonne qualite. pistol qualtitie calmie custure me! art thou a gentleman? what is thy name? discuss. french soldier o seigneur dieu! pistol o, signieur dew should be a gentleman: perpend my words, o signieur dew, and mark; o signieur dew, thou diest on point of fox, except, o signieur, thou do give to me egregious ransom. french soldier o, prenez misericorde! ayez pitie de moi! pistol moy shall not serve; i will have forty moys; or i will fetch thy rim out at thy throat in drops of crimson blood. french soldier est-il impossible d'echapper la force de ton bras? pistol brass, cur! thou damned and luxurious mountain goat, offer'st me brass? french soldier o pardonnez moi! pistol say'st thou me so? is that a ton of moys? come hither, boy: ask me this slave in french what is his name. boy ecoutez: comment etes-vous appele? french soldier monsieur le fer. boy he says his name is master fer. pistol master fer! i'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him: discuss the same in french unto him. boy i do not know the french for fer, and ferret, and firk. pistol bid him prepare; for i will cut his throat. french soldier que dit-il, monsieur? boy il me commande de vous dire que vous faites vous pret; car ce soldat ici est dispose tout a cette heure de couper votre gorge. pistol owy, cuppele gorge, permafoy, peasant, unless thou give me crowns, brave crowns; or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword. french soldier o, je vous supplie, pour l'amour de dieu, me pardonner! je suis gentilhomme de bonne maison: gardez ma vie, et je vous donnerai deux cents ecus. pistol what are his words? boy he prays you to save his life: he is a gentleman of a good house; and for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns. pistol tell him my fury shall abate, and i the crowns will take. french soldier petit monsieur, que dit-il? boy encore qu'il est contre son jurement de pardonner aucun prisonnier, neanmoins, pour les ecus que vous l'avez promis, il est content de vous donner la liberte, le franchisement. french soldier sur mes genoux je vous donne mille remercimens; et je m'estime heureux que je suis tombe entre les mains d'un chevalier, je pense, le plus brave, vaillant, et tres distingue seigneur d'angleterre. pistol expound unto me, boy. boy he gives you, upon his knees, a thousand thanks; and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous, and thrice-worthy signieur of england. pistol as i suck blood, i will some mercy show. follow me! boy suivez-vous le grand capitaine. [exeunt pistol, and french soldier] i did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true 'the empty vessel makes the greatest sound.' bardolph and nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil i' the old play, that every one may pare his nails with a wooden dagger; and they are both hanged; and so would this be, if he durst steal any thing adventurously. i must stay with the lackeys, with the luggage of our camp: the french might have a good prey of us, if he knew of it; for there is none to guard it but boys. [exit] king henry v act iv scene v another part of the field. [enter constable, orleans, bourbon, dauphin, and rambures] constable o diable! orleans o seigneur! le jour est perdu, tout est perdu! dauphin mort de ma vie! all is confounded, all! reproach and everlasting shame sits mocking in our plumes. o merchante fortune! do not run away. [a short alarum] constable why, all our ranks are broke. dauphin o perdurable shame! let's stab ourselves. be these the wretches that we play'd at dice for? orleans is this the king we sent to for his ransom? bourbon shame and eternal shame, nothing but shame! let us die in honour: once more back again; and he that will not follow bourbon now, let him go hence, and with his cap in hand, like a base pander, hold the chamber-door whilst by a slave, no gentler than my dog, his fairest daughter is contaminated. constable disorder, that hath spoil'd us, friend us now! let us on heaps go offer up our lives. orleans we are enow yet living in the field to smother up the english in our throngs, if any order might be thought upon. bourbon the devil take order now! i'll to the throng: let life be short; else shame will be too long. [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene vi another part of the field. [alarums. enter king henry and forces, exeter, and others] king henry v well have we done, thrice valiant countrymen: but all's not done; yet keep the french the field. exeter the duke of york commends him to your majesty. king henry v lives he, good uncle? thrice within this hour i saw him down; thrice up again and fighting; from helmet to the spur all blood he was. exeter in which array, brave soldier, doth he lie, larding the plain; and by his bloody side, yoke-fellow to his honour-owing wounds, the noble earl of suffolk also lies. suffolk first died: and york, all haggled over, comes to him, where in gore he lay insteep'd, and takes him by the beard; kisses the gashes that bloodily did spawn upon his face; and cries aloud 'tarry, dear cousin suffolk! my soul shall thine keep company to heaven; tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast, as in this glorious and well-foughten field we kept together in our chivalry!' upon these words i came and cheer'd him up: he smiled me in the face, raught me his hand, and, with a feeble gripe, says 'dear my lord, commend my service to me sovereign.' so did he turn and over suffolk's neck he threw his wounded arm and kiss'd his lips; and so espoused to death, with blood he seal'd a testament of noble-ending love. the pretty and sweet manner of it forced those waters from me which i would have stopp'd; but i had not so much of man in me, and all my mother came into mine eyes and gave me up to tears. king henry v i blame you not; for, hearing this, i must perforce compound with mistful eyes, or they will issue too. [alarum] but, hark! what new alarum is this same? the french have reinforced their scatter'd men: then every soldier kill his prisoners: give the word through. [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene vii another part of the field. [enter fluellen and gower] fluellen kill the poys and the luggage! 'tis expressly against the law of arms: 'tis as arrant a piece of knavery, mark you now, as can be offer't; in your conscience, now, is it not? gower 'tis certain there's not a boy left alive; and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha' done this slaughter: besides, they have burned and carried away all that was in the king's tent; wherefore the king, most worthily, hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner's throat. o, 'tis a gallant king! fluellen ay, he was porn at monmouth, captain gower. what call you the town's name where alexander the pig was born! gower alexander the great. fluellen why, i pray you, is not pig great? the pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous, are all one reckonings, save the phrase is a little variations. gower i think alexander the great was born in macedon; his father was called philip of macedon, as i take it. fluellen i think it is in macedon where alexander is porn. i tell you, captain, if you look in the maps of the 'orld, i warrant you sall find, in the comparisons between macedon and monmouth, that the situations, look you, is both alike. there is a river in macedon; and there is also moreover a river at monmouth: it is called wye at monmouth; but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river; but 'tis all one, 'tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both. if you mark alexander's life well, harry of monmouth's life is come after it indifferent well; for there is figures in all things. alexander, god knows, and you know, in his rages, and his furies, and his wraths, and his cholers, and his moods, and his displeasures, and his indignations, and also being a little intoxicates in his prains, did, in his ales and his angers, look you, kill his best friend, cleitus. gower our king is not like him in that: he never killed any of his friends. fluellen it is not well done, mark you now take the tales out of my mouth, ere it is made and finished. i speak but in the figures and comparisons of it: as alexander killed his friend cleitus, being in his ales and his cups; so also harry monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet: he was full of jests, and gipes, and knaveries, and mocks; i have forgot his name. gower sir john falstaff. fluellen that is he: i'll tell you there is good men porn at monmouth. gower here comes his majesty. [alarum. enter king henry, and forces; warwick, gloucester, exeter, and others] king henry v i was not angry since i came to france until this instant. take a trumpet, herald; ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill: if they will fight with us, bid them come down, or void the field; they do offend our sight: if they'll do neither, we will come to them, and make them skirr away, as swift as stones enforced from the old assyrian slings: besides, we'll cut the throats of those we have, and not a man of them that we shall take shall taste our mercy. go and tell them so. [enter montjoy] exeter here comes the herald of the french, my liege. gloucester his eyes are humbler than they used to be. king henry v how now! what means this, herald? know'st thou not that i have fined these bones of mine for ransom? comest thou again for ransom? montjoy no, great king: i come to thee for charitable licence, that we may wander o'er this bloody field to look our dead, and then to bury them; to sort our nobles from our common men. for many of our princes--woe the while!- lie drown'd and soak'd in mercenary blood; so do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs in blood of princes; and their wounded steeds fret fetlock deep in gore and with wild rage yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters, killing them twice. o, give us leave, great king, to view the field in safety and dispose of their dead bodies! king henry v i tell thee truly, herald, i know not if the day be ours or no; for yet a many of your horsemen peer and gallop o'er the field. montjoy the day is yours. king henry v praised be god, and not our strength, for it! what is this castle call'd that stands hard by? montjoy they call it agincourt. king henry v then call we this the field of agincourt, fought on the day of crispin crispianus. fluellen your grandfather of famous memory, an't please your majesty, and your great-uncle edward the plack prince of wales, as i have read in the chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here in france. king henry v they did, fluellen. fluellen your majesty says very true: if your majesties is remembered of it, the welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their monmouth caps; which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable badge of the service; and i do believe your majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon saint tavy's day. king henry v i wear it for a memorable honour; for i am welsh, you know, good countryman. fluellen all the water in wye cannot wash your majesty's welsh plood out of your pody, i can tell you that: god pless it and preserve it, as long as it pleases his grace, and his majesty too! king henry v thanks, good my countryman. fluellen by jeshu, i am your majesty's countryman, i care not who know it; i will confess it to all the 'orld: i need not to be ashamed of your majesty, praised be god, so long as your majesty is an honest man. king henry v god keep me so! our heralds go with him: bring me just notice of the numbers dead on both our parts. call yonder fellow hither. [points to williams. exeunt heralds with montjoy] exeter soldier, you must come to the king. king henry v soldier, why wearest thou that glove in thy cap? williams an't please your majesty, 'tis the gage of one that i should fight withal, if he be alive. king henry v an englishman? williams an't please your majesty, a rascal that swaggered with me last night; who, if alive and ever dare to challenge this glove, i have sworn to take him a box o' th' ear: or if i can see my glove in his cap, which he swore, as he was a soldier, he would wear if alive, i will strike it out soundly. king henry v what think you, captain fluellen? is it fit this soldier keep his oath? fluellen he is a craven and a villain else, an't please your majesty, in my conscience. king henry v it may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort, quite from the answer of his degree. fluellen though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as lucifer and belzebub himself, it is necessary, look your grace, that he keep his vow and his oath: if he be perjured, see you now, his reputation is as arrant a villain and a jacksauce, as ever his black shoe trod upon god's ground and his earth, in my conscience, la! king henry v then keep thy vow, sirrah, when thou meetest the fellow. williams so i will, my liege, as i live. king henry v who servest thou under? williams under captain gower, my liege. fluellen gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars. king henry v call him hither to me, soldier. williams i will, my liege. [exit] king henry v here, fluellen; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap: when alencon and myself were down together, i plucked this glove from his helm: if any man challenge this, he is a friend to alencon, and an enemy to our person; if thou encounter any such, apprehend him, an thou dost me love. fluellen your grace doo's me as great honours as can be desired in the hearts of his subjects: i would fain see the man, that has but two legs, that shall find himself aggrieved at this glove; that is all; but i would fain see it once, an please god of his grace that i might see. king henry v knowest thou gower? fluellen he is my dear friend, an please you. king henry v pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent. fluellen i will fetch him. [exit] king henry v my lord of warwick, and my brother gloucester, follow fluellen closely at the heels: the glove which i have given him for a favour may haply purchase him a box o' th' ear; it is the soldier's; i by bargain should wear it myself. follow, good cousin warwick: if that the soldier strike him, as i judge by his blunt bearing he will keep his word, some sudden mischief may arise of it; for i do know fluellen valiant and, touched with choler, hot as gunpowder, and quickly will return an injury: follow and see there be no harm between them. go you with me, uncle of exeter. [exeunt] king henry v act iv scene viii before king henry's pavilion. [enter gower and williams] williams i warrant it is to knight you, captain. [enter fluellen] fluellen god's will and his pleasure, captain, i beseech you now, come apace to the king: there is more good toward you peradventure than is in your knowledge to dream of. williams sir, know you this glove? fluellen know the glove! i know the glove is glove. williams i know this; and thus i challenge it. [strikes him] fluellen 'sblood! an arrant traitor as any is in the universal world, or in france, or in england! gower how now, sir! you villain! williams do you think i'll be forsworn? fluellen stand away, captain gower; i will give treason his payment into ploughs, i warrant you. williams i am no traitor. fluellen that's a lie in thy throat. i charge you in his majesty's name, apprehend him: he's a friend of the duke alencon's. [enter warwick and gloucester] warwick how now, how now! what's the matter? fluellen my lord of warwick, here is--praised be god for it! --a most contagious treason come to light, look you, as you shall desire in a summer's day. here is his majesty. [enter king henry and exeter] king henry v how now! what's the matter? fluellen my liege, here is a villain and a traitor, that, look your grace, has struck the glove which your majesty is take out of the helmet of alencon. williams my liege, this was my glove; here is the fellow of it; and he that i gave it to in change promised to wear it in his cap: i promised to strike him, if he did: i met this man with my glove in his cap, and i have been as good as my word. fluellen your majesty hear now, saving your majesty's manhood, what an arrant, rascally, beggarly, lousy knave it is: i hope your majesty is pear me testimony and witness, and will avouchment, that this is the glove of alencon, that your majesty is give me; in your conscience, now? king henry v give me thy glove, soldier: look, here is the fellow of it. 'twas i, indeed, thou promised'st to strike; and thou hast given me most bitter terms. fluellen an please your majesty, let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law in the world. king henry v how canst thou make me satisfaction? williams all offences, my lord, come from the heart: never came any from mine that might offend your majesty. king henry v it was ourself thou didst abuse. williams your majesty came not like yourself: you appeared to me but as a common man; witness the night, your garments, your lowliness; and what your highness suffered under that shape, i beseech you take it for your own fault and not mine: for had you been as i took you for, i made no offence; therefore, i beseech your highness, pardon me. king henry v here, uncle exeter, fill this glove with crowns, and give it to this fellow. keep it, fellow; and wear it for an honour in thy cap till i do challenge it. give him the crowns: and, captain, you must needs be friends with him. fluellen by this day and this light, the fellow has mettle enough in his belly. hold, there is twelve pence for you; and i pray you to serve got, and keep you out of prawls, and prabbles' and quarrels, and dissensions, and, i warrant you, it is the better for you. williams i will none of your money. fluellen it is with a good will; i can tell you, it will serve you to mend your shoes: come, wherefore should you be so pashful? your shoes is not so good: 'tis a good silling, i warrant you, or i will change it. [enter an english herald] king henry v now, herald, are the dead number'd? herald here is the number of the slaughter'd french. king henry v what prisoners of good sort are taken, uncle? exeter charles duke of orleans, nephew to the king; john duke of bourbon, and lord bouciqualt: of other lords and barons, knights and squires, full fifteen hundred, besides common men. king henry v this note doth tell me of ten thousand french that in the field lie slain: of princes, in this number, and nobles bearing banners, there lie dead one hundred twenty six: added to these, of knights, esquires, and gallant gentlemen, eight thousand and four hundred; of the which, five hundred were but yesterday dubb'd knights: so that, in these ten thousand they have lost, there are but sixteen hundred mercenaries; the rest are princes, barons, lords, knights, squires, and gentlemen of blood and quality. the names of those their nobles that lie dead: charles delabreth, high constable of france; jaques of chatillon, admiral of france; the master of the cross-bows, lord rambures; great master of france, the brave sir guichard dolphin, john duke of alencon, anthony duke of brabant, the brother of the duke of burgundy, and edward duke of bar: of lusty earls, grandpre and roussi, fauconberg and foix, beaumont and marle, vaudemont and lestrale. here was a royal fellowship of death! where is the number of our english dead? [herald shews him another paper] edward the duke of york, the earl of suffolk, sir richard ketly, davy gam, esquire: none else of name; and of all other men but five and twenty. o god, thy arm was here; and not to us, but to thy arm alone, ascribe we all! when, without stratagem, but in plain shock and even play of battle, was ever known so great and little loss on one part and on the other? take it, god, for it is none but thine! exeter 'tis wonderful! king henry v come, go we in procession to the village. and be it death proclaimed through our host to boast of this or take the praise from god which is his only. fluellen is it not lawful, an please your majesty, to tell how many is killed? king henry v yes, captain; but with this acknowledgement, that god fought for us. fluellen yes, my conscience, he did us great good. king henry v do we all holy rites; let there be sung 'non nobis' and 'te deum;' the dead with charity enclosed in clay: and then to calais; and to england then: where ne'er from france arrived more happy men. [exeunt] king henry v act v prologue. [enter chorus] chorus vouchsafe to those that have not read the story, that i may prompt them: and of such as have, i humbly pray them to admit the excuse of time, of numbers and due course of things, which cannot in their huge and proper life be here presented. now we bear the king toward calais: grant him there; there seen, heave him away upon your winged thoughts athwart the sea. behold, the english beach pales in the flood with men, with wives and boys, whose shouts and claps out-voice the deep mouth'd sea, which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king seems to prepare his way: so let him land, and solemnly see him set on to london. so swift a pace hath thought that even now you may imagine him upon blackheath; where that his lords desire him to have borne his bruised helmet and his bended sword before him through the city: he forbids it, being free from vainness and self-glorious pride; giving full trophy, signal and ostent quite from himself to god. but now behold, in the quick forge and working-house of thought, how london doth pour out her citizens! the mayor and all his brethren in best sort, like to the senators of the antique rome, with the plebeians swarming at their heels, go forth and fetch their conquering caesar in: as, by a lower but loving likelihood, were now the general of our gracious empress, as in good time he may, from ireland coming, bringing rebellion broached on his sword, how many would the peaceful city quit, to welcome him! much more, and much more cause, did they this harry. now in london place him; as yet the lamentation of the french invites the king of england's stay at home; the emperor's coming in behalf of france, to order peace between them; and omit all the occurrences, whatever chanced, till harry's back-return again to france: there must we bring him; and myself have play'd the interim, by remembering you 'tis past. then brook abridgment, and your eyes advance, after your thoughts, straight back again to france. [exit] king henry v act v scene i france. the english camp. [enter fluellen and gower] gower nay, that's right; but why wear you your leek today? saint davy's day is past. fluellen there is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things: i will tell you, asse my friend, captain gower: the rascally, scald, beggarly, lousy, pragging knave, pistol, which you and yourself and all the world know to be no petter than a fellow, look you now, of no merits, he is come to me and prings me pread and salt yesterday, look you, and bid me eat my leek: it was in place where i could not breed no contention with him; but i will be so bold as to wear it in my cap till i see him once again, and then i will tell him a little piece of my desires. [enter pistol] gower why, here he comes, swelling like a turkey-cock. fluellen 'tis no matter for his swellings nor his turkey-cocks. god pless you, aunchient pistol! you scurvy, lousy knave, god pless you! pistol ha! art thou bedlam? dost thou thirst, base trojan, to have me fold up parca's fatal web? hence! i am qualmish at the smell of leek. fluellen i peseech you heartily, scurvy, lousy knave, at my desires, and my requests, and my petitions, to eat, look you, this leek: because, look you, you do not love it, nor your affections and your appetites and your digestions doo's not agree with it, i would desire you to eat it. pistol not for cadwallader and all his goats. fluellen there is one goat for you. [strikes him] will you be so good, scauld knave, as eat it? pistol base trojan, thou shalt die. fluellen you say very true, scauld knave, when god's will is: i will desire you to live in the mean time, and eat your victuals: come, there is sauce for it. [strikes him] you called me yesterday mountain-squire; but i will make you to-day a squire of low degree. i pray you, fall to: if you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek. gower enough, captain: you have astonished him. fluellen i say, i will make him eat some part of my leek, or i will peat his pate four days. bite, i pray you; it is good for your green wound and your ploody coxcomb. pistol must i bite? fluellen yes, certainly, and out of doubt and out of question too, and ambiguities. pistol by this leek, i will most horribly revenge: i eat and eat, i swear- fluellen eat, i pray you: will you have some more sauce to your leek? there is not enough leek to swear by. pistol quiet thy cudgel; thou dost see i eat. fluellen much good do you, scauld knave, heartily. nay, pray you, throw none away; the skin is good for your broken coxcomb. when you take occasions to see leeks hereafter, i pray you, mock at 'em; that is all. pistol good. fluellen ay, leeks is good: hold you, there is a groat to heal your pate. pistol me a groat! fluellen yes, verily and in truth, you shall take it; or i have another leek in my pocket, which you shall eat. pistol i take thy groat in earnest of revenge. fluellen if i owe you any thing, i will pay you in cudgels: you shall be a woodmonger, and buy nothing of me but cudgels. god b' wi' you, and keep you, and heal your pate. [exit] pistol all hell shall stir for this. gower go, go; you are a counterfeit cowardly knave. will you mock at an ancient tradition, begun upon an honourable respect, and worn as a memorable trophy of predeceased valour and dare not avouch in your deeds any of your words? i have seen you gleeking and galling at this gentleman twice or thrice. you thought, because he could not speak english in the native garb, he could not therefore handle an english cudgel: you find it otherwise; and henceforth let a welsh correction teach you a good english condition. fare ye well. [exit] pistol doth fortune play the huswife with me now? news have i, that my nell is dead i' the spital of malady of france; and there my rendezvous is quite cut off. old i do wax; and from my weary limbs honour is cudgelled. well, bawd i'll turn, and something lean to cutpurse of quick hand. to england will i steal, and there i'll steal: and patches will i get unto these cudgell'd scars, and swear i got them in the gallia wars. [exit] king henry v act v scene ii france. a royal palace. [enter, at one door king henry, exeter, bedford, gloucester, warwick, westmoreland, and other lords; at another, the french king, queen isabel, the princess katharine, alice and other ladies; the duke of burgundy, and his train] king henry v peace to this meeting, wherefore we are met! unto our brother france, and to our sister, health and fair time of day; joy and good wishes to our most fair and princely cousin katharine; and, as a branch and member of this royalty, by whom this great assembly is contrived, we do salute you, duke of burgundy; and, princes french, and peers, health to you all! king of france right joyous are we to behold your face, most worthy brother england; fairly met: so are you, princes english, every one. queen isabel so happy be the issue, brother england, of this good day and of this gracious meeting, as we are now glad to behold your eyes; your eyes, which hitherto have borne in them against the french, that met them in their bent, the fatal balls of murdering basilisks: the venom of such looks, we fairly hope, have lost their quality, and that this day shall change all griefs and quarrels into love. king henry v to cry amen to that, thus we appear. queen isabel you english princes all, i do salute you. burgundy my duty to you both, on equal love, great kings of france and england! that i have labour'd, with all my wits, my pains and strong endeavours, to bring your most imperial majesties unto this bar and royal interview, your mightiness on both parts best can witness. since then my office hath so far prevail'd that, face to face and royal eye to eye, you have congreeted, let it not disgrace me, if i demand, before this royal view, what rub or what impediment there is, why that the naked, poor and mangled peace, dear nurse of arts and joyful births, should not in this best garden of the world our fertile france, put up her lovely visage? alas, she hath from france too long been chased, and all her husbandry doth lie on heaps, corrupting in its own fertility. her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart, unpruned dies; her hedges even-pleach'd, like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair, put forth disorder'd twigs; her fallow leas the darnel, hemlock and rank fumitory doth root upon, while that the coulter rusts that should deracinate such savagery; the even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth the freckled cowslip, burnet and green clover, wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank, conceives by idleness and nothing teems but hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs, losing both beauty and utility. and as our vineyards, fallows, meads and hedges, defective in their natures, grow to wildness, even so our houses and ourselves and children have lost, or do not learn for want of time, the sciences that should become our country; but grow like savages,--as soldiers will that nothing do but meditate on blood,- to swearing and stern looks, diffused attire and every thing that seems unnatural. which to reduce into our former favour you are assembled: and my speech entreats that i may know the let, why gentle peace should not expel these inconveniences and bless us with her former qualities. king henry v if, duke of burgundy, you would the peace, whose want gives growth to the imperfections which you have cited, you must buy that peace with full accord to all our just demands; whose tenors and particular effects you have enscheduled briefly in your hands. burgundy the king hath heard them; to the which as yet there is no answer made. king henry v well then the peace, which you before so urged, lies in his answer. king of france i have but with a cursorary eye o'erglanced the articles: pleaseth your grace to appoint some of your council presently to sit with us once more, with better heed to re-survey them, we will suddenly pass our accept and peremptory answer. king henry v brother, we shall. go, uncle exeter, and brother clarence, and you, brother gloucester, warwick and huntingdon, go with the king; and take with you free power to ratify, augment, or alter, as your wisdoms best shall see advantageable for our dignity, any thing in or out of our demands, and we'll consign thereto. will you, fair sister, go with the princes, or stay here with us? queen isabel our gracious brother, i will go with them: haply a woman's voice may do some good, when articles too nicely urged be stood on. king henry v yet leave our cousin katharine here with us: she is our capital demand, comprised within the fore-rank of our articles. queen isabel she hath good leave. [exeunt all except henry, katharine, and alice] king henry v fair katharine, and most fair, will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms such as will enter at a lady's ear and plead his love-suit to her gentle heart? katharine your majesty shall mock at me; i cannot speak your england. king henry v o fair katharine, if you will love me soundly with your french heart, i will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your english tongue. do you like me, kate? katharine pardonnez-moi, i cannot tell vat is 'like me.' king henry v an angel is like you, kate, and you are like an angel. katharine que dit-il? que je suis semblable a les anges? alice oui, vraiment, sauf votre grace, ainsi dit-il. king henry v i said so, dear katharine; and i must not blush to affirm it. katharine o bon dieu! les langues des hommes sont pleines de tromperies. king henry v what says she, fair one? that the tongues of men are full of deceits? alice oui, dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits: dat is de princess. king henry v the princess is the better englishwoman. i' faith, kate, my wooing is fit for thy understanding: i am glad thou canst speak no better english; for, if thou couldst, thou wouldst find me such a plain king that thou wouldst think i had sold my farm to buy my crown. i know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say 'i love you:' then if you urge me farther than to say 'do you in faith?' i wear out my suit. give me your answer; i' faith, do: and so clap hands and a bargain: how say you, lady? katharine sauf votre honneur, me understand vell. king henry v marry, if you would put me to verses or to dance for your sake, kate, why you undid me: for the one, i have neither words nor measure, and for the other, i have no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure in strength. if i could win a lady at leap-frog, or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back, under the correction of bragging be it spoken. i should quickly leap into a wife. or if i might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favours, i could lay on like a butcher and sit like a jack-an-apes, never off. but, before god, kate, i cannot look greenly nor gasp out my eloquence, nor i have no cunning in protestation; only downright oaths, which i never use till urged, nor never break for urging. if thou canst love a fellow of this temper, kate, whose face is not worth sun-burning, that never looks in his glass for love of any thing he sees there, let thine eye be thy cook. i speak to thee plain soldier: if thou canst love me for this, take me: if not, to say to thee that i shall die, is true; but for thy love, by the lord, no; yet i love thee too. and while thou livest, dear kate, take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy; for he perforce must do thee right, because he hath not the gift to woo in other places: for these fellows of infinite tongue, that can rhyme themselves into ladies' favours, they do always reason themselves out again. what! a speaker is but a prater; a rhyme is but a ballad. a good leg will fall; a straight back will stoop; a black beard will turn white; a curled pate will grow bald; a fair face will wither; a full eye will wax hollow: but a good heart, kate, is the sun and the moon; or, rather, the sun, and not the moon; for it shines bright and never changes, but keeps his course truly. if thou would have such a one, take me; and take me, take a soldier; take a soldier, take a king. and what sayest thou then to my love? speak, my fair, and fairly, i pray thee. katharine is it possible dat i sould love de enemy of france? king henry v no; it is not possible you should love the enemy of france, kate: but, in loving me, you should love the friend of france; for i love france so well that i will not part with a village of it; i will have it all mine: and, kate, when france is mine and i am yours, then yours is france and you are mine. katharine i cannot tell vat is dat. king henry v no, kate? i will tell thee in french; which i am sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married wife about her husband's neck, hardly to be shook off. je quand sur le possession de france, et quand vous avez le possession de moi,--let me see, what then? saint denis be my speed!--donc votre est france et vous etes mienne. it is as easy for me, kate, to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more french: i shall never move thee in french, unless it be to laugh at me. katharine sauf votre honneur, le francois que vous parlez, il est meilleur que l'anglois lequel je parle. king henry v no, faith, is't not, kate: but thy speaking of my tongue, and i thine, most truly-falsely, must needs be granted to be much at one. but, kate, dost thou understand thus much english, canst thou love me? katharine i cannot tell. king henry v can any of your neighbours tell, kate? i'll ask them. come, i know thou lovest me: and at night, when you come into your closet, you'll question this gentlewoman about me; and i know, kate, you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart: but, good kate, mock me mercifully; the rather, gentle princess, because i love thee cruelly. if ever thou beest mine, kate, as i have a saving faith within me tells me thou shalt, i get thee with scambling, and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder: shall not thou and i, between saint denis and saint george, compound a boy, half french, half english, that shall go to constantinople and take the turk by the beard? shall we not? what sayest thou, my fair flower-de-luce? katharine i do not know dat king henry v no; 'tis hereafter to know, but now to promise: do but now promise, kate, you will endeavour for your french part of such a boy; and for my english moiety take the word of a king and a bachelor. how answer you, la plus belle katharine du monde, mon tres cher et devin deesse? katharine your majestee ave fausse french enough to deceive de most sage demoiselle dat is en france. king henry v now, fie upon my false french! by mine honour, in true english, i love thee, kate: by which honour i dare not swear thou lovest me; yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my visage. now, beshrew my father's ambition! he was thinking of civil wars when he got me: therefore was i created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that, when i come to woo ladies, i fright them. but, in faith, kate, the elder i wax, the better i shall appear: my comfort is, that old age, that ill layer up of beauty, can do no more, spoil upon my face: thou hast me, if thou hast me, at the worst; and thou shalt wear me, if thou wear me, better and better: and therefore tell me, most fair katharine, will you have me? put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress; take me by the hand, and say 'harry of england i am thine:' which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but i will tell thee aloud 'england is thine, ireland is thine, france is thine, and harry plantagenet is thine;' who though i speak it before his face, if he be not fellow with the best king, thou shalt find the best king of good fellows. come, your answer in broken music; for thy voice is music and thy english broken; therefore, queen of all, katharine, break thy mind to me in broken english; wilt thou have me? katharine dat is as it sall please de roi mon pere. king henry v nay, it will please him well, kate it shall please him, kate. katharine den it sall also content me. king henry v upon that i kiss your hand, and i call you my queen. katharine laissez, mon seigneur, laissez, laissez: ma foi, je ne veux point que vous abaissiez votre grandeur en baisant la main d'une de votre seigeurie indigne serviteur; excusez-moi, je vous supplie, mon tres-puissant seigneur. king henry v then i will kiss your lips, kate. katharine les dames et demoiselles pour etre baisees devant leur noces, il n'est pas la coutume de france. king henry v madam my interpreter, what says she? alice dat it is not be de fashion pour les ladies of france,--i cannot tell vat is baiser en anglish. king henry v to kiss. alice your majesty entendre bettre que moi. king henry v it is not a fashion for the maids in france to kiss before they are married, would she say? alice oui, vraiment. king henry v o kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. dear kate, you and i cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion: we are the makers of manners, kate; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all find-faults; as i will do yours, for upholding the nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss: therefore, patiently and yielding. [kissing her] you have witchcraft in your lips, kate: there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the french council; and they should sooner persuade harry of england than a general petition of monarchs. here comes your father. [re-enter the french king and his queen, burgundy, and other lords] burgundy god save your majesty! my royal cousin, teach you our princess english? king henry v i would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly i love her; and that is good english. burgundy is she not apt? king henry v our tongue is rough, coz, and my condition is not smooth; so that, having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me, i cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her, that he will appear in his true likeness. burgundy pardon the frankness of my mirth, if i answer you for that. if you would conjure in her, you must make a circle; if conjure up love in her in his true likeness, he must appear naked and blind. can you blame her then, being a maid yet rosed over with the virgin crimson of modesty, if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in her naked seeing self? it were, my lord, a hard condition for a maid to consign to. king henry v yet they do wink and yield, as love is blind and enforces. burgundy they are then excused, my lord, when they see not what they do. king henry v then, good my lord, teach your cousin to consent winking. burgundy i will wink on her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know my meaning: for maids, well summered and warm kept, are like flies at bartholomew-tide, blind, though they have their eyes; and then they will endure handling, which before would not abide looking on. king henry v this moral ties me over to time and a hot summer; and so i shall catch the fly, your cousin, in the latter end and she must be blind too. burgundy as love is, my lord, before it loves. king henry v it is so: and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who cannot see many a fair french city for one fair french maid that stands in my way. french king yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turned into a maid; for they are all girdled with maiden walls that war hath never entered. king henry v shall kate be my wife? french king so please you. king henry v i am content; so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her: so the maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my will. french king we have consented to all terms of reason. king henry v is't so, my lords of england? westmoreland the king hath granted every article: his daughter first, and then in sequel all, according to their firm proposed natures. exeter only he hath not yet subscribed this: where your majesty demands, that the king of france, having any occasion to write for matter of grant, shall name your highness in this form and with this addition in french, notre trescher fils henri, roi d'angleterre, heritier de france; and thus in latin, praeclarissimus filius noster henricus, rex angliae, et haeres franciae. french king nor this i have not, brother, so denied, but your request shall make me let it pass. king henry v i pray you then, in love and dear alliance, let that one article rank with the rest; and thereupon give me your daughter. french king take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up issue to me; that the contending kingdoms of france and england, whose very shores look pale with envy of each other's happiness, may cease their hatred, and this dear conjunction plant neighbourhood and christian-like accord in their sweet bosoms, that never war advance his bleeding sword 'twixt england and fair france. all amen! king henry v now, welcome, kate: and bear me witness all, that here i kiss her as my sovereign queen. [flourish] queen isabel god, the best maker of all marriages, combine your hearts in one, your realms in one! as man and wife, being two, are one in love, so be there 'twixt your kingdoms such a spousal, that never may ill office, or fell jealousy, which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage, thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms, to make divorce of their incorporate league; that english may as french, french englishmen, receive each other. god speak this amen! all amen! king henry v prepare we for our marriage--on which day, my lord of burgundy, we'll take your oath, and all the peers', for surety of our leagues. then shall i swear to kate, and you to me; and may our oaths well kept and prosperous be! [sennet. exeunt] king henry v epilogue [enter chorus] chorus thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, our bending author hath pursued the story, in little room confining mighty men, mangling by starts the full course of their glory. small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of england: fortune made his sword; by which the world's best garden be achieved, and of it left his son imperial lord. henry the sixth, in infant bands crown'd king of france and england, did this king succeed; whose state so many had the managing, that they lost france and made his england bleed: which oft our stage hath shown; and, for their sake, in your fair minds let this acceptance take. [exit] 2 king henry iv dramatis personae rumour the presenter. king henry the fourth. (king henry iv:) prince henry | of wales (prince henry:) | afterwards king henry v. | | thomas, duke of | sons of king henry. clarence (clarence:) | | prince humphrey | of gloucester (gloucester:) | earl of warwick (warwick:) earl of westmoreland (westmoreland:) earl of surrey: gower: harcourt: blunt: lord chief-justice of the king's bench: (lord chief-justice:) a servant of the chief-justice. earl of northumberland (northumberland:) scroop, archbishop of york (archbishop of york:) lord mowbray (mowbray:) lord hastings (hastings:) lord bardolph: sir john colevile (colevile:) travers | | retainers of northumberland. morton | sir john falstaff (falstaff:) his page. (page:) bardolph: pistol: poins: peto: shallow | | country justices. silence | davy servant to shallow. mouldy | | shadow | | wart | recruits. | feeble | | bullcalf | fang | | sheriff's officers. snare | lady northumberland: lady percy: mistress quickly hostess of a tavern in eastcheap. doll tearsheet: lords and attendants; porter, drawers, beadles, grooms, &c. (first messenger:) (porter:) (first drawer:) (second drawer:) (first beadle:) (first groom:) (second groom:) a dancer, speaker of the epilogue. scene england. 2 king henry iv induction [warkworth. before the castle] [enter rumour, painted full of tongues] rumour open your ears; for which of you will stop the vent of hearing when loud rumour speaks? i, from the orient to the drooping west, making the wind my post-horse, still unfold the acts commenced on this ball of earth: upon my tongues continual slanders ride, the which in every language i pronounce, stuffing the ears of men with false reports. i speak of peace, while covert enmity under the smile of safety wounds the world: and who but rumour, who but only i, make fearful musters and prepared defence, whiles the big year, swoln with some other grief, is thought with child by the stern tyrant war, and no such matter? rumour is a pipe blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures and of so easy and so plain a stop that the blunt monster with uncounted heads, the still-discordant wavering multitude, can play upon it. but what need i thus my well-known body to anatomize among my household? why is rumour here? i run before king harry's victory; who in a bloody field by shrewsbury hath beaten down young hotspur and his troops, quenching the flame of bold rebellion even with the rebel's blood. but what mean i to speak so true at first? my office is to noise abroad that harry monmouth fell under the wrath of noble hotspur's sword, and that the king before the douglas' rage stoop'd his anointed head as low as death. this have i rumour'd through the peasant towns between that royal field of shrewsbury and this worm-eaten hold of ragged stone, where hotspur's father, old northumberland, lies crafty-sick: the posts come tiring on, and not a man of them brings other news than they have learn'd of me: from rumour's tongues they bring smooth comforts false, worse than true wrongs. [exit] 2 king henry iv act i scene i the same. [enter lord bardolph] lord bardolph who keeps the gate here, ho? [the porter opens the gate] where is the earl? porter what shall i say you are? lord bardolph tell thou the earl that the lord bardolph doth attend him here. porter his lordship is walk'd forth into the orchard; please it your honour, knock but at the gate, and he himself wilt answer. [enter northumberland] lord bardolph here comes the earl. [exit porter] northumberland what news, lord bardolph? every minute now should be the father of some stratagem: the times are wild: contention, like a horse full of high feeding, madly hath broke loose and bears down all before him. lord bardolph noble earl, i bring you certain news from shrewsbury. northumberland good, an god will! lord bardolph as good as heart can wish: the king is almost wounded to the death; and, in the fortune of my lord your son, prince harry slain outright; and both the blunts kill'd by the hand of douglas; young prince john and westmoreland and stafford fled the field; and harry monmouth's brawn, the hulk sir john, is prisoner to your son: o, such a day, so fought, so follow'd and so fairly won, came not till now to dignify the times, since caesar's fortunes! northumberland how is this derived? saw you the field? came you from shrewsbury? lord bardolph i spake with one, my lord, that came from thence, a gentleman well bred and of good name, that freely render'd me these news for true. northumberland here comes my servant travers, whom i sent on tuesday last to listen after news. [enter travers] lord bardolph my lord, i over-rode him on the way; and he is furnish'd with no certainties more than he haply may retail from me. northumberland now, travers, what good tidings comes with you? travers my lord, sir john umfrevile turn'd me back with joyful tidings; and, being better horsed, out-rode me. after him came spurring hard a gentleman, almost forspent with speed, that stopp'd by me to breathe his bloodied horse. he ask'd the way to chester; and of him i did demand what news from shrewsbury: he told me that rebellion had bad luck and that young harry percy's spur was cold. with that, he gave his able horse the head, and bending forward struck his armed heels against the panting sides of his poor jade up to the rowel-head, and starting so he seem'd in running to devour the way, staying no longer question. northumberland ha! again: said he young harry percy's spur was cold? of hotspur coldspur? that rebellion had met ill luck? lord bardolph my lord, i'll tell you what; if my young lord your son have not the day, upon mine honour, for a silken point i'll give my barony: never talk of it. northumberland why should that gentleman that rode by travers give then such instances of loss? lord bardolph who, he? he was some hilding fellow that had stolen the horse he rode on, and, upon my life, spoke at a venture. look, here comes more news. [enter morton] northumberland yea, this man's brow, like to a title-leaf, foretells the nature of a tragic volume: so looks the strand whereon the imperious flood hath left a witness'd usurpation. say, morton, didst thou come from shrewsbury? morton i ran from shrewsbury, my noble lord; where hateful death put on his ugliest mask to fright our party. northumberland how doth my son and brother? thou tremblest; and the whiteness in thy cheek is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand. even such a man, so faint, so spiritless, so dull, so dead in look, so woe-begone, drew priam's curtain in the dead of night, and would have told him half his troy was burnt; but priam found the fire ere he his tongue, and i my percy's death ere thou report'st it. this thou wouldst say, 'your son did thus and thus; your brother thus: so fought the noble douglas:' stopping my greedy ear with their bold deeds: but in the end, to stop my ear indeed, thou hast a sigh to blow away this praise, ending with 'brother, son, and all are dead.' morton douglas is living, and your brother, yet; but, for my lord your son- northumberland why, he is dead. see what a ready tongue suspicion hath! he that but fears the thing he would not know hath by instinct knowledge from others' eyes that what he fear'd is chanced. yet speak, morton; tell thou an earl his divination lies, and i will take it as a sweet disgrace and make thee rich for doing me such wrong. morton you are too great to be by me gainsaid: your spirit is too true, your fears too certain. northumberland yet, for all this, say not that percy's dead. i see a strange confession in thine eye: thou shakest thy head and hold'st it fear or sin to speak a truth. if he be slain, say so; the tongue offends not that reports his death: and he doth sin that doth belie the dead, not he which says the dead is not alive. yet the first bringer of unwelcome news hath but a losing office, and his tongue sounds ever after as a sullen bell, remember'd tolling a departing friend. lord bardolph i cannot think, my lord, your son is dead. morton i am sorry i should force you to believe that which i would to god i had not seen; but these mine eyes saw him in bloody state, rendering faint quittance, wearied and out-breathed, to harry monmouth; whose swift wrath beat down the never-daunted percy to the earth, from whence with life he never more sprung up. in few, his death, whose spirit lent a fire even to the dullest peasant in his camp, being bruited once, took fire and heat away from the best temper'd courage in his troops; for from his metal was his party steel'd; which once in him abated, all the rest turn'd on themselves, like dull and heavy lead: and as the thing that's heavy in itself, upon enforcement flies with greatest speed, so did our men, heavy in hotspur's loss, lend to this weight such lightness with their fear that arrows fled not swifter toward their aim than did our soldiers, aiming at their safety, fly from the field. then was the noble worcester too soon ta'en prisoner; and that furious scot, the bloody douglas, whose well-labouring sword had three times slain the appearance of the king, 'gan vail his stomach and did grace the shame of those that turn'd their backs, and in his flight, stumbling in fear, was took. the sum of all is that the king hath won, and hath sent out a speedy power to encounter you, my lord, under the conduct of young lancaster and westmoreland. this is the news at full. northumberland for this i shall have time enough to mourn. in poison there is physic; and these news, having been well, that would have made me sick, being sick, have in some measure made me well: and as the wretch, whose fever-weaken'd joints, like strengthless hinges, buckle under life, impatient of his fit, breaks like a fire out of his keeper's arms, even so my limbs, weaken'd with grief, being now enraged with grief, are thrice themselves. hence, therefore, thou nice crutch! a scaly gauntlet now with joints of steel must glove this hand: and hence, thou sickly quoif! thou art a guard too wanton for the head which princes, flesh'd with conquest, aim to hit. now bind my brows with iron; and approach the ragged'st hour that time and spite dare bring to frown upon the enraged northumberland! let heaven kiss earth! now let not nature's hand keep the wild flood confined! let order die! and let this world no longer be a stage to feed contention in a lingering act; but let one spirit of the first-born cain reign in all bosoms, that, each heart being set on bloody courses, the rude scene may end, and darkness be the burier of the dead! travers this strained passion doth you wrong, my lord. lord bardolph sweet earl, divorce not wisdom from your honour. morton the lives of all your loving complices lean on your health; the which, if you give o'er to stormy passion, must perforce decay. you cast the event of war, my noble lord, and summ'd the account of chance, before you said 'let us make head.' it was your presurmise, that, in the dole of blows, your son might drop: you knew he walk'd o'er perils, on an edge, more likely to fall in than to get o'er; you were advised his flesh was capable of wounds and scars and that his forward spirit would lift him where most trade of danger ranged: yet did you say 'go forth;' and none of this, though strongly apprehended, could restrain the stiff-borne action: what hath then befallen, or what hath this bold enterprise brought forth, more than that being which was like to be? lord bardolph we all that are engaged to this loss knew that we ventured on such dangerous seas that if we wrought our life 'twas ten to one; and yet we ventured, for the gain proposed choked the respect of likely peril fear'd; and since we are o'erset, venture again. come, we will all put forth, body and goods. morton 'tis more than time: and, my most noble lord, i hear for certain, and do speak the truth, the gentle archbishop of york is up with well-appointed powers: he is a man who with a double surety binds his followers. my lord your son had only but the corpse, but shadows and the shows of men, to fight; for that same word, rebellion, did divide the action of their bodies from their souls; and they did fight with queasiness, constrain'd, as men drink potions, that their weapons only seem'd on our side; but, for their spirits and souls, this word, rebellion, it had froze them up, as fish are in a pond. but now the bishop turns insurrection to religion: supposed sincere and holy in his thoughts, he's followed both with body and with mind; and doth enlarge his rising with the blood of fair king richard, scraped from pomfret stones; derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause; tells them he doth bestride a bleeding land, gasping for life under great bolingbroke; and more and less do flock to follow him. northumberland i knew of this before; but, to speak truth, this present grief had wiped it from my mind. go in with me; and counsel every man the aptest way for safety and revenge: get posts and letters, and make friends with speed: never so few, and never yet more need. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act i scene ii london. a street. [enter falstaff, with his page bearing his sword and buckler] falstaff sirrah, you giant, what says the doctor to my water? page he said, sir, the water itself was a good healthy water; but, for the party that owed it, he might have more diseases than he knew for. falstaff men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me: the brain of this foolish-compounded clay, man, is not able to invent anything that tends to laughter, more than i invent or is invented on me: i am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men. i do here walk before thee like a sow that hath overwhelmed all her litter but one. if the prince put thee into my service for any other reason than to set me off, why then i have no judgment. thou whoreson mandrake, thou art fitter to be worn in my cap than to wait at my heels. i was never manned with an agate till now: but i will inset you neither in gold nor silver, but in vile apparel, and send you back again to your master, for a jewel,- the juvenal, the prince your master, whose chin is not yet fledged. i will sooner have a beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one on his cheek; and yet he will not stick to say his face is a face-royal: god may finish it when he will, 'tis not a hair amiss yet: he may keep it still at a face-royal, for a barber shall never earn sixpence out of it; and yet he'll be crowing as if he had writ man ever since his father was a bachelor. he may keep his own grace, but he's almost out of mine, i can assure him. what said master dombledon about the satin for my short cloak and my slops? page he said, sir, you should procure him better assurance than bardolph: he would not take his band and yours; he liked not the security. falstaff let him be damned, like the glutton! pray god his tongue be hotter! a whoreson achitophel! a rascally yea-forsooth knave! to bear a gentleman in hand, and then stand upon security! the whoreson smooth-pates do now wear nothing but high shoes, and bunches of keys at their girdles; and if a man is through with them in honest taking up, then they must stand upon security. i had as lief they would put ratsbane in my mouth as offer to stop it with security. i looked a' should have sent me two and twenty yards of satin, as i am a true knight, and he sends me security. well, he may sleep in security; for he hath the horn of abundance, and the lightness of his wife shines through it: and yet cannot he see, though he have his own lanthorn to light him. where's bardolph? page he's gone into smithfield to buy your worship a horse. falstaff i bought him in paul's, and he'll buy me a horse in smithfield: an i could get me but a wife in the stews, i were manned, horsed, and wived. [enter the lord chief-justice and servant] page sir, here comes the nobleman that committed the prince for striking him about bardolph. falstaff wait, close; i will not see him. lord chief-justice what's he that goes there? servant falstaff, an't please your lordship. lord chief-justice he that was in question for the robbery? servant he, my lord: but he hath since done good service at shrewsbury; and, as i hear, is now going with some charge to the lord john of lancaster. lord chief-justice what, to york? call him back again. servant sir john falstaff! falstaff boy, tell him i am deaf. page you must speak louder; my master is deaf. lord chief-justice i am sure he is, to the hearing of any thing good. go, pluck him by the elbow; i must speak with him. servant sir john! falstaff what! a young knave, and begging! is there not wars? is there not employment? doth not the king lack subjects? do not the rebels need soldiers? though it be a shame to be on any side but one, it is worse shame to beg than to be on the worst side, were it worse than the name of rebellion can tell how to make it. servant you mistake me, sir. falstaff why, sir, did i say you were an honest man? setting my knighthood and my soldiership aside, i had lied in my throat, if i had said so. servant i pray you, sir, then set your knighthood and our soldiership aside; and give me leave to tell you, you lie in your throat, if you say i am any other than an honest man. falstaff i give thee leave to tell me so! i lay aside that which grows to me! if thou gettest any leave of me, hang me; if thou takest leave, thou wert better be hanged. you hunt counter: hence! avaunt! servant sir, my lord would speak with you. lord chief-justice sir john falstaff, a word with you. falstaff my good lord! god give your lordship good time of day. i am glad to see your lordship abroad: i heard say your lordship was sick: i hope your lordship goes abroad by advice. your lordship, though not clean past your youth, hath yet some smack of age in you, some relish of the saltness of time; and i must humbly beseech your lordship to have a reverent care of your health. lord chief-justice sir john, i sent for you before your expedition to shrewsbury. falstaff an't please your lordship, i hear his majesty is returned with some discomfort from wales. lord chief-justice i talk not of his majesty: you would not come when i sent for you. falstaff and i hear, moreover, his highness is fallen into this same whoreson apoplexy. lord chief-justice well, god mend him! i pray you, let me speak with you. falstaff this apoplexy is, as i take it, a kind of lethargy, an't please your lordship; a kind of sleeping in the blood, a whoreson tingling. lord chief-justice what tell you me of it? be it as it is. falstaff it hath its original from much grief, from study and perturbation of the brain: i have read the cause of his effects in galen: it is a kind of deafness. lord chief-justice i think you are fallen into the disease; for you hear not what i say to you. falstaff very well, my lord, very well: rather, an't please you, it is the disease of not listening, the malady of not marking, that i am troubled withal. lord chief-justice to punish you by the heels would amend the attention of your ears; and i care not if i do become your physician. falstaff i am as poor as job, my lord, but not so patient: your lordship may minister the potion of imprisonment to me in respect of poverty; but how should i be your patient to follow your prescriptions, the wise may make some dram of a scruple, or indeed a scruple itself. lord chief-justice i sent for you, when there were matters against you for your life, to come speak with me. falstaff as i was then advised by my learned counsel in the laws of this land-service, i did not come. lord chief-justice well, the truth is, sir john, you live in great infamy. falstaff he that buckles him in my belt cannot live in less. lord chief-justice your means are very slender, and your waste is great. falstaff i would it were otherwise; i would my means were greater, and my waist slenderer. lord chief-justice you have misled the youthful prince. falstaff the young prince hath misled me: i am the fellow with the great belly, and he my dog. lord chief-justice well, i am loath to gall a new-healed wound: your day's service at shrewsbury hath a little gilded over your night's exploit on gad's-hill: you may thank the unquiet time for your quiet o'er-posting that action. falstaff my lord? lord chief-justice but since all is well, keep it so: wake not a sleeping wolf. falstaff to wake a wolf is as bad as to smell a fox. lord chief-justice what! you are as a candle, the better part burnt out. falstaff a wassail candle, my lord, all tallow: if i did say of wax, my growth would approve the truth. lord chief-justice there is not a white hair on your face but should have his effect of gravity. falstaff his effect of gravy, gravy, gravy. lord chief-justice you follow the young prince up and down, like his ill angel. falstaff not so, my lord; your ill angel is light; but i hope he that looks upon me will take me without weighing: and yet, in some respects, i grant, i cannot go: i cannot tell. virtue is of so little regard in these costermonger times that true valour is turned bear-herd: pregnancy is made a tapster, and hath his quick wit wasted in giving reckonings: all the other gifts appertinent to man, as the malice of this age shapes them, are not worth a gooseberry. you that are old consider not the capacities of us that are young; you do measure the heat of our livers with the bitterness of your galls: and we that are in the vaward of our youth, i must confess, are wags too. lord chief-justice do you set down your name in the scroll of youth, that are written down old with all the characters of age? have you not a moist eye? a dry hand? a yellow cheek? a white beard? a decreasing leg? an increasing belly? is not your voice broken? your wind short? your chin double? your wit single? and every part about you blasted with antiquity? and will you yet call yourself young? fie, fie, fie, sir john! falstaff my lord, i was born about three of the clock in the afternoon, with a white head and something a round belly. for my voice, i have lost it with halloing and singing of anthems. to approve my youth further, i will not: the truth is, i am only old in judgment and understanding; and he that will caper with me for a thousand marks, let him lend me the money, and have at him! for the box of the ear that the prince gave you, he gave it like a rude prince, and you took it like a sensible lord. i have chequed him for it, and the young lion repents; marry, not in ashes and sackcloth, but in new silk and old sack. lord chief-justice well, god send the prince a better companion! falstaff god send the companion a better prince! i cannot rid my hands of him. lord chief-justice well, the king hath severed you and prince harry: i hear you are going with lord john of lancaster against the archbishop and the earl of northumberland. falstaff yea; i thank your pretty sweet wit for it. but look you pray, all you that kiss my lady peace at home, that our armies join not in a hot day; for, by the lord, i take but two shirts out with me, and i mean not to sweat extraordinarily: if it be a hot day, and i brandish any thing but a bottle, i would i might never spit white again. there is not a dangerous action can peep out his head but i am thrust upon it: well, i cannot last ever: but it was alway yet the trick of our english nation, if they have a good thing, to make it too common. if ye will needs say i am an old man, you should give me rest. i would to god my name were not so terrible to the enemy as it is: i were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion. lord chief-justice well, be honest, be honest; and god bless your expedition! falstaff will your lordship lend me a thousand pound to furnish me forth? lord chief-justice not a penny, not a penny; you are too impatient to bear crosses. fare you well: commend me to my cousin westmoreland. [exeunt chief-justice and servant] falstaff if i do, fillip me with a three-man beetle. a man can no more separate age and covetousness than a' can part young limbs and lechery: but the gout galls the one, and the pox pinches the other; and so both the degrees prevent my curses. boy! page sir? falstaff what money is in my purse? page seven groats and two pence. falstaff i can get no remedy against this consumption of the purse: borrowing only lingers and lingers it out, but the disease is incurable. go bear this letter to my lord of lancaster; this to the prince; this to the earl of westmoreland; and this to old mistress ursula, whom i have weekly sworn to marry since i perceived the first white hair on my chin. about it: you know where to find me. [exit page] a pox of this gout! or, a gout of this pox! for the one or the other plays the rogue with my great toe. 'tis no matter if i do halt; i have the wars for my colour, and my pension shall seem the more reasonable. a good wit will make use of any thing: i will turn diseases to commodity. [exit] 2 king henry iv act i scene iii york. the archbishop's palace. [enter the archbishop of york, the lords hastings, mowbray, and bardolph] archbishop of york thus have you heard our cause and known our means; and, my most noble friends, i pray you all, speak plainly your opinions of our hopes: and first, lord marshal, what say you to it? mowbray i well allow the occasion of our arms; but gladly would be better satisfied how in our means we should advance ourselves to look with forehead bold and big enough upon the power and puissance of the king. hastings our present musters grow upon the file to five and twenty thousand men of choice; and our supplies live largely in the hope of great northumberland, whose bosom burns with an incensed fire of injuries. lord bardolph the question then, lord hastings, standeth thus; whether our present five and twenty thousand may hold up head without northumberland? hastings with him, we may. lord bardolph yea, marry, there's the point: but if without him we be thought too feeble, my judgment is, we should not step too far till we had his assistance by the hand; for in a theme so bloody-faced as this conjecture, expectation, and surmise of aids incertain should not be admitted. archbishop of york 'tis very true, lord bardolph; for indeed it was young hotspur's case at shrewsbury. lord bardolph it was, my lord; who lined himself with hope, eating the air on promise of supply, flattering himself in project of a power much smaller than the smallest of his thoughts: and so, with great imagination proper to madmen, led his powers to death and winking leap'd into destruction. hastings but, by your leave, it never yet did hurt to lay down likelihoods and forms of hope. lord bardolph yes, if this present quality of war, indeed the instant action: a cause on foot lives so in hope as in an early spring we see the appearing buds; which to prove fruit, hope gives not so much warrant as despair that frosts will bite them. when we mean to build, we first survey the plot, then draw the model; and when we see the figure of the house, then must we rate the cost of the erection; which if we find outweighs ability, what do we then but draw anew the model in fewer offices, or at last desist to build at all? much more, in this great work, which is almost to pluck a kingdom down and set another up, should we survey the plot of situation and the model, consent upon a sure foundation, question surveyors, know our own estate, how able such a work to undergo, to weigh against his opposite; or else we fortify in paper and in figures, using the names of men instead of men: like one that draws the model of a house beyond his power to build it; who, half through, gives o'er and leaves his part-created cost a naked subject to the weeping clouds and waste for churlish winter's tyranny. hastings grant that our hopes, yet likely of fair birth, should be still-born, and that we now possess'd the utmost man of expectation, i think we are a body strong enough, even as we are, to equal with the king. lord bardolph what, is the king but five and twenty thousand? hastings to us no more; nay, not so much, lord bardolph. for his divisions, as the times do brawl, are in three heads: one power against the french, and one against glendower; perforce a third must take up us: so is the unfirm king in three divided; and his coffers sound with hollow poverty and emptiness. archbishop of york that he should draw his several strengths together and come against us in full puissance, need not be dreaded. hastings if he should do so, he leaves his back unarm'd, the french and welsh baying him at the heels: never fear that. lord bardolph who is it like should lead his forces hither? hastings the duke of lancaster and westmoreland; against the welsh, himself and harry monmouth: but who is substituted 'gainst the french, i have no certain notice. archbishop of york let us on, and publish the occasion of our arms. the commonwealth is sick of their own choice; their over-greedy love hath surfeited: an habitation giddy and unsure hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart. o thou fond many, with what loud applause didst thou beat heaven with blessing bolingbroke, before he was what thou wouldst have him be! and being now trimm'd in thine own desires, thou, beastly feeder, art so full of him, that thou provokest thyself to cast him up. so, so, thou common dog, didst thou disgorge thy glutton bosom of the royal richard; and now thou wouldst eat thy dead vomit up, and howl'st to find it. what trust is in these times? they that, when richard lived, would have him die, are now become enamour'd on his grave: thou, that threw'st dust upon his goodly head when through proud london he came sighing on after the admired heels of bolingbroke, criest now 'o earth, yield us that king again, and take thou this!' o thoughts of men accursed! past and to come seems best; things present worst. mowbray shall we go draw our numbers and set on? hastings we are time's subjects, and time bids be gone. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act ii scene i london. a street. [enter mistress quickly, fang and his boy with her, and snare following. mistress quickly master fang, have you entered the action? fang it is entered. mistress quickly where's your yeoman? is't a lusty yeoman? will a' stand to 't? fang sirrah, where's snare? mistress quickly o lord, ay! good master snare. snare here, here. fang snare, we must arrest sir john falstaff. mistress quickly yea, good master snare; i have entered him and all. snare it may chance cost some of us our lives, for he will stab. mistress quickly alas the day! take heed of him; he stabbed me in mine own house, and that most beastly: in good faith, he cares not what mischief he does. if his weapon be out: he will foin like any devil; he will spare neither man, woman, nor child. fang if i can close with him, i care not for his thrust. mistress quickly no, nor i neither: i'll be at your elbow. fang an i but fist him once; an a' come but within my vice,- mistress quickly i am undone by his going; i warrant you, he's an infinitive thing upon my score. good master fang, hold him sure: good master snare, let him not 'scape. a' comes continuantly to pie-corner--saving your manhoods--to buy a saddle; and he is indited to dinner to the lubber's-head in lumbert street, to master smooth's the silkman: i pray ye, since my exion is entered and my case so openly known to the world, let him be brought in to his answer. a hundred mark is a long one for a poor lone woman to bear: and i have borne, and borne, and borne, and have been fubbed off, and fubbed off, and fubbed off, from this day to that day, that it is a shame to be thought on. there is no honesty in such dealing; unless a woman should be made an ass and a beast, to bear every knave's wrong. yonder he comes; and that errant malmsey-nose knave, bardolph, with him. do your offices, do your offices: master fang and master snare, do me, do me, do me your offices. [enter falstaff, page, and bardolph] falstaff how now! whose mare's dead? what's the matter? fang sir john, i arrest you at the suit of mistress quickly. falstaff away, varlets! draw, bardolph: cut me off the villain's head: throw the quean in the channel. mistress quickly throw me in the channel! i'll throw thee in the channel. wilt thou? wilt thou? thou bastardly rogue! murder, murder! ah, thou honeysuckle villain! wilt thou kill god's officers and the king's? ah, thou honey-seed rogue! thou art a honey-seed, a man-queller, and a woman-queller. falstaff keep them off, bardolph. fang a rescue! a rescue! mistress quickly good people, bring a rescue or two. thou wo't, wo't thou? thou wo't, wo't ta? do, do, thou rogue! do, thou hemp-seed! falstaff away, you scullion! you rampallion! you fustilarian! i'll tickle your catastrophe. [enter the lord chief-justice, and his men] lord chief-justice what is the matter? keep the peace here, ho! mistress quickly good my lord, be good to me. i beseech you, stand to me. lord chief-justice how now, sir john! what are you brawling here? doth this become your place, your time and business? you should have been well on your way to york. stand from him, fellow: wherefore hang'st upon him? mistress quickly o most worshipful lord, an't please your grace, i am a poor widow of eastcheap, and he is arrested at my suit. lord chief-justice for what sum? mistress quickly it is more than for some, my lord; it is for all, all i have. he hath eaten me out of house and home; he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his: but i will have some of it out again, or i will ride thee o' nights like the mare. falstaff i think i am as like to ride the mare, if i have any vantage of ground to get up. lord chief-justice how comes this, sir john? fie! what man of good temper would endure this tempest of exclamation? are you not ashamed to enforce a poor widow to so rough a course to come by her own? falstaff what is the gross sum that i owe thee? mistress quickly marry, if thou wert an honest man, thyself and the money too. thou didst swear to me upon a parcel-gilt goblet, sitting in my dolphin-chamber, at the round table, by a sea-coal fire, upon wednesday in wheeson week, when the prince broke thy head for liking his father to a singing-man of windsor, thou didst swear to me then, as i was washing thy wound, to marry me and make me my lady thy wife. canst thou deny it? did not goodwife keech, the butcher's wife, come in then and call me gossip quickly? coming in to borrow a mess of vinegar; telling us she had a good dish of prawns; whereby thou didst desire to eat some; whereby i told thee they were ill for a green wound? and didst thou not, when she was gone down stairs, desire me to be no more so familiarity with such poor people; saying that ere long they should call me madam? and didst thou not kiss me and bid me fetch thee thirty shillings? i put thee now to thy book-oath: deny it, if thou canst. falstaff my lord, this is a poor mad soul; and she says up and down the town that the eldest son is like you: she hath been in good case, and the truth is, poverty hath distracted her. but for these foolish officers, i beseech you i may have redress against them. lord chief-justice sir john, sir john, i am well acquainted with your manner of wrenching the true cause the false way. it is not a confident brow, nor the throng of words that come with such more than impudent sauciness from you, can thrust me from a level consideration: you have, as it appears to me, practised upon the easy-yielding spirit of this woman, and made her serve your uses both in purse and in person. mistress quickly yea, in truth, my lord. lord chief-justice pray thee, peace. pay her the debt you owe her, and unpay the villany you have done her: the one you may do with sterling money, and the other with current repentance. falstaff my lord, i will not undergo this sneap without reply. you call honourable boldness impudent sauciness: if a man will make courtesy and say nothing, he is virtuous: no, my lord, my humble duty remembered, i will not be your suitor. i say to you, i do desire deliverance from these officers, being upon hasty employment in the king's affairs. lord chief-justice you speak as having power to do wrong: but answer in the effect of your reputation, and satisfy this poor woman. falstaff come hither, hostess. [enter gower] lord chief-justice now, master gower, what news? gower the king, my lord, and harry prince of wales are near at hand: the rest the paper tells. falstaff as i am a gentleman. mistress quickly faith, you said so before. falstaff as i am a gentleman. come, no more words of it. mistress quickly by this heavenly ground i tread on, i must be fain to pawn both my plate and the tapestry of my dining-chambers. falstaff glasses, glasses is the only drinking: and for thy walls, a pretty slight drollery, or the story of the prodigal, or the german hunting in water-work, is worth a thousand of these bed-hangings and these fly-bitten tapestries. let it be ten pound, if thou canst. come, an 'twere not for thy humours, there's not a better wench in england. go, wash thy face, and draw the action. come, thou must not be in this humour with me; dost not know me? come, come, i know thou wast set on to this. mistress quickly pray thee, sir john, let it be but twenty nobles: i' faith, i am loath to pawn my plate, so god save me, la! falstaff let it alone; i'll make other shift: you'll be a fool still. mistress quickly well, you shall have it, though i pawn my gown. i hope you'll come to supper. you'll pay me all together? falstaff will i live? [to bardolph] go, with her, with her; hook on, hook on. mistress quickly will you have doll tearsheet meet you at supper? falstaff no more words; let's have her. [exeunt mistress quickly, bardolph, officers and boy] lord chief-justice i have heard better news. falstaff what's the news, my lord? lord chief-justice where lay the king last night? gower at basingstoke, my lord. falstaff i hope, my lord, all's well: what is the news, my lord? lord chief-justice come all his forces back? gower no; fifteen hundred foot, five hundred horse, are marched up to my lord of lancaster, against northumberland and the archbishop. falstaff comes the king back from wales, my noble lord? lord chief-justice you shall have letters of me presently: come, go along with me, good master gower. falstaff my lord! lord chief-justice what's the matter? falstaff master gower, shall i entreat you with me to dinner? gower i must wait upon my good lord here; i thank you, good sir john. lord chief-justice sir john, you loiter here too long, being you are to take soldiers up in counties as you go. falstaff will you sup with me, master gower? lord chief-justice what foolish master taught you these manners, sir john? falstaff master gower, if they become me not, he was a fool that taught them me. this is the right fencing grace, my lord; tap for tap, and so part fair. lord chief-justice now the lord lighten thee! thou art a great fool. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act ii scene ii london. another street. [enter prince henry and poins] prince henry before god, i am exceeding weary. poins is't come to that? i had thought weariness durst not have attached one of so high blood. prince henry faith, it does me; though it discolours the complexion of my greatness to acknowledge it. doth it not show vilely in me to desire small beer? poins why, a prince should not be so loosely studied as to remember so weak a composition. prince henry belike then my appetite was not princely got; for, by my troth, i do now remember the poor creature, small beer. but, indeed, these humble considerations make me out of love with my greatness. what a disgrace is it to me to remember thy name! or to know thy face to-morrow! or to take note how many pair of silk stockings thou hast, viz. these, and those that were thy peach-coloured ones! or to bear the inventory of thy shirts, as, one for superfluity, and another for use! but that the tennis-court-keeper knows better than i; for it is a low ebb of linen with thee when thou keepest not racket there; as thou hast not done a great while, because the rest of thy low countries have made a shift to eat up thy holland: and god knows, whether those that bawl out the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom: but the midwives say the children are not in the fault; whereupon the world increases, and kindreds are mightily strengthened. poins how ill it follows, after you have laboured so hard, you should talk so idly! tell me, how many good young princes would do so, their fathers being so sick as yours at this time is? prince henry shall i tell thee one thing, poins? poins yes, faith; and let it be an excellent good thing. prince henry it shall serve among wits of no higher breeding than thine. poins go to; i stand the push of your one thing that you will tell. prince henry marry, i tell thee, it is not meet that i should be sad, now my father is sick: albeit i could tell thee, as to one it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call my friend, i could be sad, and sad indeed too. poins very hardly upon such a subject. prince henry by this hand thou thinkest me as far in the devil's book as thou and falstaff for obduracy and persistency: let the end try the man. but i tell thee, my heart bleeds inwardly that my father is so sick: and keeping such vile company as thou art hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrow. poins the reason? prince henry what wouldst thou think of me, if i should weep? poins i would think thee a most princely hypocrite. prince henry it would be every man's thought; and thou art a blessed fellow to think as every man thinks: never a man's thought in the world keeps the road-way better than thine: every man would think me an hypocrite indeed. and what accites your most worshipful thought to think so? poins why, because you have been so lewd and so much engraffed to falstaff. prince henry and to thee. poins by this light, i am well spoke on; i can hear it with my own ears: the worst that they can say of me is that i am a second brother and that i am a proper fellow of my hands; and those two things, i confess, i cannot help. by the mass, here comes bardolph. [enter bardolph and page] prince henry and the boy that i gave falstaff: a' had him from me christian; and look, if the fat villain have not transformed him ape. bardolph god save your grace! prince henry and yours, most noble bardolph! bardolph come, you virtuous ass, you bashful fool, must you be blushing? wherefore blush you now? what a maidenly man-at-arms are you become! is't such a matter to get a pottle-pot's maidenhead? page a' calls me e'en now, my lord, through a red lattice, and i could discern no part of his face from the window: at last i spied his eyes, and methought he had made two holes in the ale-wife's new petticoat and so peeped through. prince henry has not the boy profited? bardolph away, you whoreson upright rabbit, away! page away, you rascally althaea's dream, away! prince henry instruct us, boy; what dream, boy? page marry, my lord, althaea dreamed she was delivered of a fire-brand; and therefore i call him her dream. prince henry a crown's worth of good interpretation: there 'tis, boy. poins o, that this good blossom could be kept from cankers! well, there is sixpence to preserve thee. bardolph an you do not make him hanged among you, the gallows shall have wrong. prince henry and how doth thy master, bardolph? bardolph well, my lord. he heard of your grace's coming to town: there's a letter for you. poins delivered with good respect. and how doth the martlemas, your master? bardolph in bodily health, sir. poins marry, the immortal part needs a physician; but that moves not him: though that be sick, it dies not. prince henry i do allow this wen to be as familiar with me as my dog; and he holds his place; for look you how be writes. poins [reads] 'john falstaff, knight,'--every man must know that, as oft as he has occasion to name himself: even like those that are kin to the king; for they never prick their finger but they say, 'there's some of the king's blood spilt.' 'how comes that?' says he, that takes upon him not to conceive. the answer is as ready as a borrower's cap, 'i am the king's poor cousin, sir.' prince henry nay, they will be kin to us, or they will fetch it from japhet. but to the letter. poins [reads] 'sir john falstaff, knight, to the son of the king, nearest his father, harry prince of wales, greeting.' why, this is a certificate. prince henry peace! poins [reads] 'i will imitate the honourable romans in brevity:' he sure means brevity in breath, short-winded. 'i commend me to thee, i commend thee, and i leave thee. be not too familiar with poins; for he misuses thy favours so much, that he swears thou art to marry his sister nell. repent at idle times as thou mayest; and so, farewell. thine, by yea and no, which is as much as to say, as thou usest him, jack falstaff with my familiars, john with my brothers and sisters, and sir john with all europe.' my lord, i'll steep this letter in sack and make him eat it. prince henry that's to make him eat twenty of his words. but do you use me thus, ned? must i marry your sister? poins god send the wench no worse fortune! but i never said so. prince henry well, thus we play the fools with the time, and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us. is your master here in london? bardolph yea, my lord. prince henry where sups he? doth the old boar feed in the old frank? bardolph at the old place, my lord, in eastcheap. prince henry what company? page ephesians, my lord, of the old church. prince henry sup any women with him? page none, my lord, but old mistress quickly and mistress doll tearsheet. prince henry what pagan may that be? page a proper gentlewoman, sir, and a kinswoman of my master's. prince henry even such kin as the parish heifers are to the town bull. shall we steal upon them, ned, at supper? poins i am your shadow, my lord; i'll follow you. prince henry sirrah, you boy, and bardolph, no word to your master that i am yet come to town: there's for your silence. bardolph i have no tongue, sir. page and for mine, sir, i will govern it. prince henry fare you well; go. [exeunt bardolph and page] this doll tearsheet should be some road. poins i warrant you, as common as the way between saint alban's and london. prince henry how might we see falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colours, and not ourselves be seen? poins put on two leathern jerkins and aprons, and wait upon him at his table as drawers. prince henry from a god to a bull? a heavy decension! it was jove's case. from a prince to a prentice? a low transformation! that shall be mine; for in every thing the purpose must weigh with the folly. follow me, ned. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act ii scene iii warkworth. before the castle. [enter northumberland, lady northumberland, and lady percy] northumberland i pray thee, loving wife, and gentle daughter, give even way unto my rough affairs: put not you on the visage of the times and be like them to percy troublesome. lady northumberland i have given over, i will speak no more: do what you will; your wisdom be your guide. northumberland alas, sweet wife, my honour is at pawn; and, but my going, nothing can redeem it. lady percy o yet, for god's sake, go not to these wars! the time was, father, that you broke your word, when you were more endeared to it than now; when your own percy, when my heart's dear harry, threw many a northward look to see his father bring up his powers; but he did long in vain. who then persuaded you to stay at home? there were two honours lost, yours and your son's. for yours, the god of heaven brighten it! for his, it stuck upon him as the sun in the grey vault of heaven, and by his light did all the chivalry of england move to do brave acts: he was indeed the glass wherein the noble youth did dress themselves: he had no legs that practised not his gait; and speaking thick, which nature made his blemish, became the accents of the valiant; for those that could speak low and tardily would turn their own perfection to abuse, to seem like him: so that in speech, in gait, in diet, in affections of delight, in military rules, humours of blood, he was the mark and glass, copy and book, that fashion'd others. and him, o wondrous him! o miracle of men! him did you leave, second to none, unseconded by you, to look upon the hideous god of war in disadvantage; to abide a field where nothing but the sound of hotspur's name did seem defensible: so you left him. never, o never, do his ghost the wrong to hold your honour more precise and nice with others than with him! let them alone: the marshal and the archbishop are strong: had my sweet harry had but half their numbers, to-day might i, hanging on hotspur's neck, have talk'd of monmouth's grave. northumberland beshrew your heart, fair daughter, you do draw my spirits from me with new lamenting ancient oversights. but i must go and meet with danger there, or it will seek me in another place and find me worse provided. lady northumberland o, fly to scotland, till that the nobles and the armed commons have of their puissance made a little taste. lady percy if they get ground and vantage of the king, then join you with them, like a rib of steel, to make strength stronger; but, for all our loves, first let them try themselves. so did your son; he was so suffer'd: so came i a widow; and never shall have length of life enough to rain upon remembrance with mine eyes, that it may grow and sprout as high as heaven, for recordation to my noble husband. northumberland come, come, go in with me. 'tis with my mind as with the tide swell'd up unto his height, that makes a still-stand, running neither way: fain would i go to meet the archbishop, but many thousand reasons hold me back. i will resolve for scotland: there am i, till time and vantage crave my company. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act ii scene iv london. the boar's-head tavern in eastcheap. [enter two drawers] first drawer what the devil hast thou brought there? apple-johns? thou knowest sir john cannot endure an apple-john. second drawer mass, thou sayest true. the prince once set a dish of apple-johns before him, and told him there were five more sir johns, and, putting off his hat, said 'i will now take my leave of these six dry, round, old, withered knights.' it angered him to the heart: but he hath forgot that. first drawer why, then, cover, and set them down: and see if thou canst find out sneak's noise; mistress tearsheet would fain hear some music. dispatch: the room where they supped is too hot; they'll come in straight. second drawer sirrah, here will be the prince and master poins anon; and they will put on two of our jerkins and aprons; and sir john must not know of it: bardolph hath brought word. first drawer by the mass, here will be old utis: it will be an excellent stratagem. second drawer i'll see if i can find out sneak. [exit] [enter mistress quickly and doll tearsheet] mistress quickly i' faith, sweetheart, methinks now you are in an excellent good temperality: your pulsidge beats as extraordinarily as heart would desire; and your colour, i warrant you, is as red as any rose, in good truth, la! but, i' faith, you have drunk too much canaries; and that's a marvellous searching wine, and it perfumes the blood ere one can say 'what's this?' how do you now? doll tearsheet better than i was: hem! mistress quickly why, that's well said; a good heart's worth gold. lo, here comes sir john. [enter falstaff] falstaff [singing] 'when arthur first in court,' --empty the jordan. [exit first drawer] [singing] --'and was a worthy king.' how now, mistress doll! mistress quickly sick of a calm; yea, good faith. falstaff so is all her sect; an they be once in a calm, they are sick. doll tearsheet you muddy rascal, is that all the comfort you give me? falstaff you make fat rascals, mistress doll. doll tearsheet i make them! gluttony and diseases make them; i make them not. falstaff if the cook help to make the gluttony, you help to make the diseases, doll: we catch of you, doll, we catch of you; grant that, my poor virtue grant that. doll tearsheet yea, joy, our chains and our jewels. falstaff 'your broaches, pearls, and ouches:' for to serve bravely is to come halting off, you know: to come off the breach with his pike bent bravely, and to surgery bravely; to venture upon the charged chambers bravely,- doll tearsheet hang yourself, you muddy conger, hang yourself! mistress quickly by my troth, this is the old fashion; you two never meet but you fall to some discord: you are both, i' good truth, as rheumatic as two dry toasts; you cannot one bear with another's confirmities. what the good-year! one must bear, and that must be you: you are the weaker vessel, as they say, the emptier vessel. doll tearsheet can a weak empty vessel bear such a huge full hogshead? there's a whole merchant's venture of bourdeaux stuff in him; you have not seen a hulk better stuffed in the hold. come, i'll be friends with thee, jack: thou art going to the wars; and whether i shall ever see thee again or no, there is nobody cares. [re-enter first drawer] first drawer sir, ancient pistol's below, and would speak with you. doll tearsheet hang him, swaggering rascal! let him not come hither: it is the foul-mouthed'st rogue in england. mistress quickly if he swagger, let him not come here: no, by my faith; i must live among my neighbours: i'll no swaggerers: i am in good name and fame with the very best: shut the door; there comes no swaggerers here: i have not lived all this while, to have swaggering now: shut the door, i pray you. falstaff dost thou hear, hostess? mistress quickly pray ye, pacify yourself, sir john: there comes no swaggerers here. falstaff dost thou hear? it is mine ancient. mistress quickly tilly-fally, sir john, ne'er tell me: your ancient swaggerer comes not in my doors. i was before master tisick, the debuty, t'other day; and, as he said to me, 'twas no longer ago than wednesday last, 'i' good faith, neighbour quickly,' says he; master dumbe, our minister, was by then; 'neighbour quickly,' says he, 'receive those that are civil; for,' said he, 'you are in an ill name:' now a' said so, i can tell whereupon; 'for,' says he, 'you are an honest woman, and well thought on; therefore take heed what guests you receive: receive,' says he, 'no swaggering companions.' there comes none here: you would bless you to hear what he said: no, i'll no swaggerers. falstaff he's no swaggerer, hostess; a tame cheater, i' faith; you may stroke him as gently as a puppy greyhound: he'll not swagger with a barbary hen, if her feathers turn back in any show of resistance. call him up, drawer. [exit first drawer] mistress quickly cheater, call you him? i will bar no honest man my house, nor no cheater: but i do not love swaggering, by my troth; i am the worse, when one says swagger: feel, masters, how i shake; look you, i warrant you. doll tearsheet so you do, hostess. mistress quickly do i? yea, in very truth, do i, an 'twere an aspen leaf: i cannot abide swaggerers. [enter pistol, bardolph, and page] pistol god save you, sir john! falstaff welcome, ancient pistol. here, pistol, i charge you with a cup of sack: do you discharge upon mine hostess. pistol i will discharge upon her, sir john, with two bullets. falstaff she is pistol-proof, sir; you shall hardly offend her. mistress quickly come, i'll drink no proofs nor no bullets: i'll drink no more than will do me good, for no man's pleasure, i. pistol then to you, mistress dorothy; i will charge you. doll tearsheet charge me! i scorn you, scurvy companion. what! you poor, base, rascally, cheating, lack-linen mate! away, you mouldy rogue, away! i am meat for your master. pistol i know you, mistress dorothy. doll tearsheet away, you cut-purse rascal! you filthy bung, away! by this wine, i'll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps, an you play the saucy cuttle with me. away, you bottle-ale rascal! you basket-hilt stale juggler, you! since when, i pray you, sir? god's light, with two points on your shoulder? much! pistol god let me not live, but i will murder your ruff for this. falstaff no more, pistol; i would not have you go off here: discharge yourself of our company, pistol. mistress quickly no, good captain pistol; not here, sweet captain. doll tearsheet captain! thou abominable damned cheater, art thou not ashamed to be called captain? an captains were of my mind, they would truncheon you out, for taking their names upon you before you have earned them. you a captain! you slave, for what? for tearing a poor whore's ruff in a bawdy-house? he a captain! hang him, rogue! he lives upon mouldy stewed prunes and dried cakes. a captain! god's light, these villains will make the word as odious as the word 'occupy;' which was an excellent good word before it was ill sorted: therefore captains had need look to 't. bardolph pray thee, go down, good ancient. falstaff hark thee hither, mistress doll. pistol not i i tell thee what, corporal bardolph, i could tear her: i'll be revenged of her. page pray thee, go down. pistol i'll see her damned first; to pluto's damned lake, by this hand, to the infernal deep, with erebus and tortures vile also. hold hook and line, say i. down, down, dogs! down, faitors! have we not hiren here? mistress quickly good captain peesel, be quiet; 'tis very late, i' faith: i beseek you now, aggravate your choler. pistol these be good humours, indeed! shall pack-horses and hollow pamper'd jades of asia, which cannot go but thirty mile a-day, compare with caesars, and with cannibals, and trojan greeks? nay, rather damn them with king cerberus; and let the welkin roar. shall we fall foul for toys? mistress quickly by my troth, captain, these are very bitter words. bardolph be gone, good ancient: this will grow to abrawl anon. pistol die men like dogs! give crowns like pins! have we not heren here? mistress quickly o' my word, captain, there's none such here. what the good-year! do you think i would deny her? for god's sake, be quiet. pistol then feed, and be fat, my fair calipolis. come, give's some sack. 'si fortune me tormente, sperato me contento.' fear we broadsides? no, let the fiend give fire: give me some sack: and, sweetheart, lie thou there. [laying down his sword] come we to full points here; and are etceteras nothing? falstaff pistol, i would be quiet. pistol sweet knight, i kiss thy neaf: what! we have seen the seven stars. doll tearsheet for god's sake, thrust him down stairs: i cannot endure such a fustian rascal. pistol thrust him down stairs! know we not galloway nags? falstaff quoit him down, bardolph, like a shove-groat shilling: nay, an a' do nothing but speak nothing, a' shall be nothing here. bardolph come, get you down stairs. pistol what! shall we have incision? shall we imbrue? [snatching up his sword] then death rock me asleep, abridge my doleful days! why, then, let grievous, ghastly, gaping wounds untwine the sisters three! come, atropos, i say! mistress quickly here's goodly stuff toward! falstaff give me my rapier, boy. doll tearsheet i pray thee, jack, i pray thee, do not draw. falstaff get you down stairs. [drawing, and driving pistol out] mistress quickly here's a goodly tumult! i'll forswear keeping house, afore i'll be in these tirrits and frights. so; murder, i warrant now. alas, alas! put up your naked weapons, put up your naked weapons. [exeunt pistol and bardolph] doll tearsheet i pray thee, jack, be quiet; the rascal's gone. ah, you whoreson little valiant villain, you! mistress quickly he you not hurt i' the groin? methought a' made a shrewd thrust at your belly. [re-enter bardolph] falstaff have you turned him out o' doors? bardolph yea, sir. the rascal's drunk: you have hurt him, sir, i' the shoulder. falstaff a rascal! to brave me! doll tearsheet ah, you sweet little rogue, you! alas, poor ape, how thou sweatest! come, let me wipe thy face; come on, you whoreson chops: ah, rogue! i'faith, i love thee: thou art as valorous as hector of troy, worth five of agamemnon, and ten times better than the nine worthies: ah, villain! falstaff a rascally slave! i will toss the rogue in a blanket. doll tearsheet do, an thou darest for thy heart: an thou dost, i'll canvass thee between a pair of sheets. [enter music] page the music is come, sir. falstaff let them play. play, sirs. sit on my knee, doll. a rascal bragging slave! the rogue fled from me like quicksilver. doll tearsheet i' faith, and thou followedst him like a church. thou whoreson little tidy bartholomew boar-pig, when wilt thou leave fighting o' days and foining o' nights, and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven? [enter, behind, prince henry and poins, disguised] falstaff peace, good doll! do not speak like a death's-head; do not bid me remember mine end. doll tearsheet sirrah, what humour's the prince of? falstaff a good shallow young fellow: a' would have made a good pantler, a' would ha' chipp'd bread well. doll tearsheet they say poins has a good wit. falstaff he a good wit? hang him, baboon! his wit's as thick as tewksbury mustard; there's no more conceit in him than is in a mallet. doll tearsheet why does the prince love him so, then? falstaff because their legs are both of a bigness, and a' plays at quoits well, and eats conger and fennel, and drinks off candles' ends for flap-dragons, and rides the wild-mare with the boys, and jumps upon joined-stools, and swears with a good grace, and wears his boots very smooth, like unto the sign of the leg, and breeds no bate with telling of discreet stories; and such other gambol faculties a' has, that show a weak mind and an able body, for the which the prince admits him: for the prince himself is such another; the weight of a hair will turn the scales between their avoirdupois. prince henry would not this nave of a wheel have his ears cut off? poins let's beat him before his whore. prince henry look, whether the withered elder hath not his poll clawed like a parrot. poins is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance? falstaff kiss me, doll. prince henry saturn and venus this year in conjunction! what says the almanac to that? poins and look, whether the fiery trigon, his man, be not lisping to his master's old tables, his note-book, his counsel-keeper. falstaff thou dost give me flattering busses. doll tearsheet by my troth, i kiss thee with a most constant heart. falstaff i am old, i am old. doll tearsheet i love thee better than i love e'er a scurvy young boy of them all. falstaff what stuff wilt have a kirtle of? i shall receive money o' thursday: shalt have a cap to-morrow. a merry song, come: it grows late; we'll to bed. thou'lt forget me when i am gone. doll tearsheet by my troth, thou'lt set me a-weeping, an thou sayest so: prove that ever i dress myself handsome till thy return: well, harken at the end. falstaff some sack, francis. prince henry | | anon, anon, sir. poins | [coming forward] falstaff ha! a bastard son of the king's? and art not thou poins his brother? prince henry why, thou globe of sinful continents! what a life dost thou lead! falstaff a better than thou: i am a gentleman; thou art a drawer. prince henry very true, sir; and i come to draw you out by the ears. mistress quickly o, the lord preserve thy good grace! by my troth, welcome to london. now, the lord bless that sweet face of thine! o, jesu, are you come from wales? falstaff thou whoreson mad compound of majesty, by this light flesh and corrupt blood, thou art welcome. doll tearsheet how, you fat fool! i scorn you. poins my lord, he will drive you out of your revenge and turn all to a merriment, if you take not the heat. prince henry you whoreson candle-mine, you, how vilely did you speak of me even now before this honest, virtuous, civil gentlewoman! mistress quickly god's blessing of your good heart! and so she is, by my troth. falstaff didst thou hear me? prince henry yea, and you knew me, as you did when you ran away by gad's-hill: you knew i was at your back, and spoke it on purpose to try my patience. falstaff no, no, no; not so; i did not think thou wast within hearing. prince henry i shall drive you then to confess the wilful abuse; and then i know how to handle you. falstaff no abuse, hal, o' mine honour, no abuse. prince henry not to dispraise me, and call me pantier and bread-chipper and i know not what? falstaff no abuse, hal. poins no abuse? falstaff no abuse, ned, i' the world; honest ned, none. i dispraised him before the wicked, that the wicked might not fall in love with him; in which doing, i have done the part of a careful friend and a true subject, and thy father is to give me thanks for it. no abuse, hal: none, ned, none: no, faith, boys, none. prince henry see now, whether pure fear and entire cowardice doth not make thee wrong this virtuous gentlewoman to close with us? is she of the wicked? is thine hostess here of the wicked? or is thy boy of the wicked? or honest bardolph, whose zeal burns in his nose, of the wicked? poins answer, thou dead elm, answer. falstaff the fiend hath pricked down bardolph irrecoverable; and his face is lucifer's privy-kitchen, where he doth nothing but roast malt-worms. for the boy, there is a good angel about him; but the devil outbids him too. prince henry for the women? falstaff for one of them, she is in hell already, and burns poor souls. for the other, i owe her money, and whether she be damned for that, i know not. mistress quickly no, i warrant you. falstaff no, i think thou art not; i think thou art quit for that. marry, there is another indictment upon thee, for suffering flesh to be eaten in thy house, contrary to the law; for the which i think thou wilt howl. mistress quickly all victuallers do so; what's a joint of mutton or two in a whole lent? prince henry you, gentlewoman, doll tearsheet what says your grace? falstaff his grace says that which his flesh rebels against. [knocking within] mistress quickly who knocks so loud at door? look to the door there, francis. [enter peto] prince henry peto, how now! what news? peto the king your father is at westminster: and there are twenty weak and wearied posts come from the north: and, as i came along, i met and overtook a dozen captains, bare-headed, sweating, knocking at the taverns, and asking every one for sir john falstaff. prince henry by heaven, poins, i feel me much to blame, so idly to profane the precious time, when tempest of commotion, like the south borne with black vapour, doth begin to melt and drop upon our bare unarmed heads. give me my sword and cloak. falstaff, good night. [exeunt prince henry, poins, peto and bardolph] falstaff now comes in the sweetest morsel of the night, and we must hence and leave it unpicked. [knocking within] more knocking at the door! [re-enter bardolph] how now! what's the matter? bardolph you must away to court, sir, presently; a dozen captains stay at door for you. falstaff [to the page] pay the musicians, sirrah. farewell, hostess; farewell, doll. you see, my good wenches, how men of merit are sought after: the undeserver may sleep, when the man of action is called on. farewell good wenches: if i be not sent away post, i will see you again ere i go. doll tearsheet i cannot speak; if my heart be not read to burst,- well, sweet jack, have a care of thyself. falstaff farewell, farewell. [exeunt falstaff and bardolph] mistress quickly well, fare thee well: i have known thee these twenty-nine years, come peascod-time; but an honester and truer-hearted man,--well, fare thee well. bardolph [within] mistress tearsheet! mistress quickly what's the matter? bardolph [within] good mistress tearsheet, come to my master. mistress quickly o, run, doll, run; run, good doll: come. [she comes blubbered] yea, will you come, doll? [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act iii scene i westminster. the palace. [enter king henry iv in his nightgown, with a page] king henry iv go call the earls of surrey and of warwick; but, ere they come, bid them o'er-read these letters, and well consider of them; make good speed. [exit page] how many thousand of my poorest subjects are at this hour asleep! o sleep, o gentle sleep, nature's soft nurse, how have i frighted thee, that thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down and steep my senses in forgetfulness? why rather, sleep, liest thou in smoky cribs, upon uneasy pallets stretching thee and hush'd with buzzing night-flies to thy slumber, than in the perfumed chambers of the great, under the canopies of costly state, and lull'd with sound of sweetest melody? o thou dull god, why liest thou with the vile in loathsome beds, and leavest the kingly couch a watch-case or a common 'larum-bell? wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast seal up the ship-boy's eyes, and rock his brains in cradle of the rude imperious surge and in the visitation of the winds, who take the ruffian billows by the top, curling their monstrous heads and hanging them with deafening clamour in the slippery clouds, that, with the hurly, death itself awakes? canst thou, o partial sleep, give thy repose to the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude, and in the calmest and most stillest night, with all appliances and means to boot, deny it to a king? then happy low, lie down! uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. [enter warwick and surrey] warwick many good morrows to your majesty! king henry iv is it good morrow, lords? warwick 'tis one o'clock, and past. king henry iv why, then, good morrow to you all, my lords. have you read o'er the letters that i sent you? warwick we have, my liege. king henry iv then you perceive the body of our kingdom how foul it is; what rank diseases grow and with what danger, near the heart of it. warwick it is but as a body yet distemper'd; which to his former strength may be restored with good advice and little medicine: my lord northumberland will soon be cool'd. king henry iv o god! that one might read the book of fate, and see the revolution of the times make mountains level, and the continent, weary of solid firmness, melt itself into the sea! and, other times, to see the beachy girdle of the ocean too wide for neptune's hips; how chances mock, and changes fill the cup of alteration with divers liquors! o, if this were seen, the happiest youth, viewing his progress through, what perils past, what crosses to ensue, would shut the book, and sit him down and die. 'tis not 'ten years gone since richard and northumberland, great friends, did feast together, and in two years after were they at wars: it is but eight years since this percy was the man nearest my soul, who like a brother toil'd in my affairs and laid his love and life under my foot, yea, for my sake, even to the eyes of richard gave him defiance. but which of you was by- you, cousin nevil, as i may remember- [to warwick] when richard, with his eye brimful of tears, then cheque'd and rated by northumberland, did speak these words, now proved a prophecy? 'northumberland, thou ladder by the which my cousin bolingbroke ascends my throne;' though then, god knows, i had no such intent, but that necessity so bow'd the state that i and greatness were compell'd to kiss: 'the time shall come,' thus did he follow it, 'the time will come, that foul sin, gathering head, shall break into corruption:' so went on, foretelling this same time's condition and the division of our amity. warwick there is a history in all men's lives, figuring the nature of the times deceased; the which observed, a man may prophesy, with a near aim, of the main chance of things as yet not come to life, which in their seeds and weak beginnings lie intreasured. such things become the hatch and brood of time; and by the necessary form of this king richard might create a perfect guess that great northumberland, then false to him, would of that seed grow to a greater falseness; which should not find a ground to root upon, unless on you. king henry iv are these things then necessities? then let us meet them like necessities: and that same word even now cries out on us: they say the bishop and northumberland are fifty thousand strong. warwick it cannot be, my lord; rumour doth double, like the voice and echo, the numbers of the fear'd. please it your grace to go to bed. upon my soul, my lord, the powers that you already have sent forth shall bring this prize in very easily. to comfort you the more, i have received a certain instance that glendower is dead. your majesty hath been this fortnight ill, and these unseason'd hours perforce must add unto your sickness. king henry iv i will take your counsel: and were these inward wars once out of hand, we would, dear lords, unto the holy land. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act iii scene ii gloucestershire. before shallow's house. [enter shallow and silence, meeting; mouldy, shadow, wart, feeble, bullcalf, a servant or two with them] shallow come on, come on, come on, sir; give me your hand, sir, give me your hand, sir: an early stirrer, by the rood! and how doth my good cousin silence? silence good morrow, good cousin shallow. shallow and how doth my cousin, your bedfellow? and your fairest daughter and mine, my god-daughter ellen? silence alas, a black ousel, cousin shallow! shallow by yea and nay, sir, i dare say my cousin william is become a good scholar: he is at oxford still, is he not? silence indeed, sir, to my cost. shallow a' must, then, to the inns o' court shortly. i was once of clement's inn, where i think they will talk of mad shallow yet. silence you were called 'lusty shallow' then, cousin. shallow by the mass, i was called any thing; and i would have done any thing indeed too, and roundly too. there was i, and little john doit of staffordshire, and black george barnes, and francis pickbone, and will squele, a cotswold man; you had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the inns o' court again: and i may say to you, we knew where the bona-robas were and had the best of them all at commandment. then was jack falstaff, now sir john, a boy, and page to thomas mowbray, duke of norfolk. silence this sir john, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers? shallow the same sir john, the very same. i see him break skogan's head at the court-gate, when a' was a crack not thus high: and the very same day did i fight with one sampson stockfish, a fruiterer, behind gray's inn. jesu, jesu, the mad days that i have spent! and to see how many of my old acquaintance are dead! silence we shall all follow, cousin. shadow certain, 'tis certain; very sure, very sure: death, as the psalmist saith, is certain to all; all shall die. how a good yoke of bullocks at stamford fair? silence by my troth, i was not there. shallow death is certain. is old double of your town living yet? silence dead, sir. shallow jesu, jesu, dead! a' drew a good bow; and dead! a' shot a fine shoot: john a gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on his head. dead! a' would have clapped i' the clout at twelve score; and carried you a forehand shaft a fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a man's heart good to see. how a score of ewes now? silence thereafter as they be: a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds. shallow and is old double dead? silence here come two of sir john falstaff's men, as i think. [enter bardolph and one with him] bardolph good morrow, honest gentlemen: i beseech you, which is justice shallow? shallow i am robert shallow, sir; a poor esquire of this county, and one of the king's justices of the peace: what is your good pleasure with me? bardolph my captain, sir, commends him to you; my captain, sir john falstaff, a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant leader. shallow he greets me well, sir. i knew him a good backsword man. how doth the good knight? may i ask how my lady his wife doth? bardolph sir, pardon; a soldier is better accommodated than with a wife. shallow it is well said, in faith, sir; and it is well said indeed too. better accommodated! it is good; yea, indeed, is it: good phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable. accommodated! it comes of 'accommodo' very good; a good phrase. bardolph pardon me, sir; i have heard the word. phrase call you it? by this good day, i know not the phrase; but i will maintain the word with my sword to be a soldier-like word, and a word of exceeding good command, by heaven. accommodated; that is, when a man is, as they say, accommodated; or when a man is, being, whereby a' may be thought to be accommodated; which is an excellent thing. shallow it is very just. [enter falstaff] look, here comes good sir john. give me your good hand, give me your worship's good hand: by my troth, you like well and bear your years very well: welcome, good sir john. falstaff i am glad to see you well, good master robert shallow: master surecard, as i think? shallow no, sir john; it is my cousin silence, in commission with me. falstaff good master silence, it well befits you should be of the peace. silence your good-worship is welcome. falstaff fie! this is hot weather, gentlemen. have you provided me here half a dozen sufficient men? shallow marry, have we, sir. will you sit? falstaff let me see them, i beseech you. shallow where's the roll? where's the roll? where's the roll? let me see, let me see, let me see. so, so: yea, marry, sir: ralph mouldy! let them appear as i call; let them do so, let them do so. let me see; where is mouldy? mouldy here, an't please you. shallow what think you, sir john? a good-limbed fellow; young, strong, and of good friends. falstaff is thy name mouldy? mouldy yea, an't please you. falstaff 'tis the more time thou wert used. shallow ha, ha, ha! most excellent, i' faith! things that are mouldy lack use: very singular good! in faith, well said, sir john, very well said. falstaff prick him. mouldy i was pricked well enough before, an you could have let me alone: my old dame will be undone now for one to do her husbandry and her drudgery: you need not to have pricked me; there are other men fitter to go out than i. falstaff go to: peace, mouldy; you shall go. mouldy, it is time you were spent. mouldy spent! shallow peace, fellow, peace; stand aside: know you where you are? for the other, sir john: let me see: simon shadow! falstaff yea, marry, let me have him to sit under: he's like to be a cold soldier. shallow where's shadow? shadow here, sir. falstaff shadow, whose son art thou? shadow my mother's son, sir. falstaff thy mother's son! like enough, and thy father's shadow: so the son of the female is the shadow of the male: it is often so, indeed; but much of the father's substance! shallow do you like him, sir john? falstaff shadow will serve for summer; prick him, for we have a number of shadows to fill up the muster-book. shallow thomas wart! falstaff where's he? wart here, sir. falstaff is thy name wart? wart yea, sir. falstaff thou art a very ragged wart. shallow shall i prick him down, sir john? falstaff it were superfluous; for his apparel is built upon his back and the whole frame stands upon pins: prick him no more. shallow ha, ha, ha! you can do it, sir; you can do it: i commend you well. francis feeble! feeble here, sir. falstaff what trade art thou, feeble? feeble a woman's tailor, sir. shallow shall i prick him, sir? falstaff you may: but if he had been a man's tailor, he'ld ha' pricked you. wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy's battle as thou hast done in a woman's petticoat? feeble i will do my good will, sir; you can have no more. falstaff well said, good woman's tailor! well said, courageous feeble! thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most magnanimous mouse. prick the woman's tailor: well, master shallow; deep, master shallow. feeble i would wart might have gone, sir. falstaff i would thou wert a man's tailor, that thou mightst mend him and make him fit to go. i cannot put him to a private soldier that is the leader of so many thousands: let that suffice, most forcible feeble. feeble it shall suffice, sir. falstaff i am bound to thee, reverend feeble. who is next? shallow peter bullcalf o' the green! falstaff yea, marry, let's see bullcalf. bullcalf here, sir. falstaff 'fore god, a likely fellow! come, prick me bullcalf till he roar again. bullcalf o lord! good my lord captain,- falstaff what, dost thou roar before thou art pricked? bullcalf o lord, sir! i am a diseased man. falstaff what disease hast thou? bullcalf a whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which i caught with ringing in the king's affairs upon his coronation-day, sir. falstaff come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown; we wilt have away thy cold; and i will take such order that my friends shall ring for thee. is here all? shallow here is two more called than your number, you must have but four here, sir: and so, i pray you, go in with me to dinner. falstaff come, i will go drink with you, but i cannot tarry dinner. i am glad to see you, by my troth, master shallow. shallow o, sir john, do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in saint george's field? falstaff no more of that, good master shallow, no more of that. shallow ha! 'twas a merry night. and is jane nightwork alive? falstaff she lives, master shallow. shallow she never could away with me. falstaff never, never; she would always say she could not abide master shallow. shallow by the mass, i could anger her to the heart. she was then a bona-roba. doth she hold her own well? falstaff old, old, master shallow. shallow nay, she must be old; she cannot choose but be old; certain she's old; and had robin nightwork by old nightwork before i came to clement's inn. silence that's fifty-five year ago. shallow ha, cousin silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight and i have seen! ha, sir john, said i well? falstaff we have heard the chimes at midnight, master shallow. shallow that we have, that we have, that we have; in faith, sir john, we have: our watch-word was 'hem boys!' come, let's to dinner; come, let's to dinner: jesus, the days that we have seen! come, come. [exeunt falstaff and justices] bullcalf good master corporate bardolph, stand my friend; and here's four harry ten shillings in french crowns for you. in very truth, sir, i had as lief be hanged, sir, as go: and yet, for mine own part, sir, i do not care; but rather, because i am unwilling, and, for mine own part, have a desire to stay with my friends; else, sir, i did not care, for mine own part, so much. bardolph go to; stand aside. mouldy and, good master corporal captain, for my old dame's sake, stand my friend: she has nobody to do any thing about her when i am gone; and she is old, and cannot help herself: you shall have forty, sir. bardolph go to; stand aside. feeble by my troth, i care not; a man can die but once: we owe god a death: i'll ne'er bear a base mind: an't be my destiny, so; an't be not, so: no man is too good to serve's prince; and let it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the next. bardolph well said; thou'rt a good fellow. feeble faith, i'll bear no base mind. [re-enter falstaff and the justices] falstaff come, sir, which men shall i have? shallow four of which you please. bardolph sir, a word with you: i have three pound to free mouldy and bullcalf. falstaff go to; well. shallow come, sir john, which four will you have? falstaff do you choose for me. shallow marry, then, mouldy, bullcalf, feeble and shadow. falstaff mouldy and bullcalf: for you, mouldy, stay at home till you are past service: and for your part, bullcalf, grow till you come unto it: i will none of you. shallow sir john, sir john, do not yourself wrong: they are your likeliest men, and i would have you served with the best. falstaff will you tell me, master shallow, how to choose a man? care i for the limb, the thewes, the stature, bulk, and big assemblance of a man! give me the spirit, master shallow. here's wart; you see what a ragged appearance it is; a' shall charge you and discharge you with the motion of a pewterer's hammer, come off and on swifter than he that gibbets on the brewer's bucket. and this same half-faced fellow, shadow; give me this man: he presents no mark to the enemy; the foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife. and for a retreat; how swiftly will this feeble the woman's tailor run off! o, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones. put me a caliver into wart's hand, bardolph. bardolph hold, wart, traverse; thus, thus, thus. falstaff come, manage me your caliver. so: very well: go to: very good, exceeding good. o, give me always a little, lean, old, chapt, bald shot. well said, i' faith, wart; thou'rt a good scab: hold, there's a tester for thee. shallow he is not his craft's master; he doth not do it right. i remember at mile-end green, when i lay at clement's inn--i was then sir dagonet in arthur's show,--there was a little quiver fellow, and a' would manage you his piece thus; and a' would about and about, and come you in and come you in: 'rah, tah, tah,' would a' say; 'bounce' would a' say; and away again would a' go, and again would a' come: i shall ne'er see such a fellow. falstaff these fellows will do well, master shallow. god keep you, master silence: i will not use many words with you. fare you well, gentlemen both: i thank you: i must a dozen mile to-night. bardolph, give the soldiers coats. shallow sir john, the lord bless you! god prosper your affairs! god send us peace! at your return visit our house; let our old acquaintance be renewed; peradventure i will with ye to the court. falstaff 'fore god, i would you would, master shallow. shallow go to; i have spoke at a word. god keep you. falstaff fare you well, gentle gentlemen. [exeunt justices] on, bardolph; lead the men away. [exeunt bardolph, recruits, &c] as i return, i will fetch off these justices: i do see the bottom of justice shallow. lord, lord, how subject we old men are to this vice of lying! this same starved justice hath done nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth, and the feats he hath done about turnbull street: and every third word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the turk's tribute. i do remember him at clement's inn like a man made after supper of a cheese-paring: when a' was naked, he was, for all the world, like a forked radish, with a head fantastically carved upon it with a knife: a' was so forlorn, that his dimensions to any thick sight were invincible: a' was the very genius of famine; yet lecherous as a monkey, and the whores called him mandrake: a' came ever in the rearward of the fashion, and sung those tunes to the overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle, and swear they were his fancies or his good-nights. and now is this vice's dagger become a squire, and talks as familiarly of john a gaunt as if he had been sworn brother to him; and i'll be sworn a' ne'er saw him but once in the tilt-yard; and then he burst his head for crowding among the marshal's men. i saw it, and told john a gaunt he beat his own name; for you might have thrust him and all his apparel into an eel-skin; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion for him, a court: and now has he land and beefs. well, i'll be acquainted with him, if i return; and it shall go hard but i will make him a philosopher's two stones to me: if the young dace be a bait for the old pike, i see no reason in the law of nature but i may snap at him. let time shape, and there an end. [exit] 2 king henry iv act iv scene i yorkshire. gaultree forest. [enter the archbishop of york, mowbray, lord hastings, and others] archbishop of york what is this forest call'd? hastings 'tis gaultree forest, an't shall please your grace. archbishop of york here stand, my lords; and send discoverers forth to know the numbers of our enemies. hastings we have sent forth already. archbishop of york 'tis well done. my friends and brethren in these great affairs, i must acquaint you that i have received new-dated letters from northumberland; their cold intent, tenor and substance, thus: here doth he wish his person, with such powers as might hold sortance with his quality, the which he could not levy; whereupon he is retired, to ripe his growing fortunes, to scotland: and concludes in hearty prayers that your attempts may overlive the hazard and fearful melting of their opposite. mowbray thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground and dash themselves to pieces. [enter a messenger] hastings now, what news? messenger west of this forest, scarcely off a mile, in goodly form comes on the enemy; and, by the ground they hide, i judge their number upon or near the rate of thirty thousand. mowbray the just proportion that we gave them out let us sway on and face them in the field. archbishop of york what well-appointed leader fronts us here? [enter westmoreland] mowbray i think it is my lord of westmoreland. westmoreland health and fair greeting from our general, the prince, lord john and duke of lancaster. archbishop of york say on, my lord of westmoreland, in peace: what doth concern your coming? westmoreland then, my lord, unto your grace do i in chief address the substance of my speech. if that rebellion came like itself, in base and abject routs, led on by bloody youth, guarded with rags, and countenanced by boys and beggary, i say, if damn'd commotion so appear'd, in his true, native and most proper shape, you, reverend father, and these noble lords had not been here, to dress the ugly form of base and bloody insurrection with your fair honours. you, lord archbishop, whose see is by a civil peace maintained, whose beard the silver hand of peace hath touch'd, whose learning and good letters peace hath tutor'd, whose white investments figure innocence, the dove and very blessed spirit of peace, wherefore do you so ill translate ourself out of the speech of peace that bears such grace, into the harsh and boisterous tongue of war; turning your books to graves, your ink to blood, your pens to lances and your tongue divine to a trumpet and a point of war? archbishop of york wherefore do i this? so the question stands. briefly to this end: we are all diseased, and with our surfeiting and wanton hours have brought ourselves into a burning fever, and we must bleed for it; of which disease our late king, richard, being infected, died. but, my most noble lord of westmoreland, i take not on me here as a physician, nor do i as an enemy to peace troop in the throngs of military men; but rather show awhile like fearful war, to diet rank minds sick of happiness and purge the obstructions which begin to stop our very veins of life. hear me more plainly. i have in equal balance justly weigh'd what wrongs our arms may do, what wrongs we suffer, and find our griefs heavier than our offences. we see which way the stream of time doth run, and are enforced from our most quiet there by the rough torrent of occasion; and have the summary of all our griefs, when time shall serve, to show in articles; which long ere this we offer'd to the king, and might by no suit gain our audience: when we are wrong'd and would unfold our griefs, we are denied access unto his person even by those men that most have done us wrong. the dangers of the days but newly gone, whose memory is written on the earth with yet appearing blood, and the examples of every minute's instance, present now, hath put us in these ill-beseeming arms, not to break peace or any branch of it, but to establish here a peace indeed, concurring both in name and quality. westmoreland when ever yet was your appeal denied? wherein have you been galled by the king? what peer hath been suborn'd to grate on you, that you should seal this lawless bloody book of forged rebellion with a seal divine and consecrate commotion's bitter edge? archbishop of york my brother general, the commonwealth, to brother born an household cruelty, i make my quarrel in particular. westmoreland there is no need of any such redress; or if there were, it not belongs to you. mowbray why not to him in part, and to us all that feel the bruises of the days before, and suffer the condition of these times to lay a heavy and unequal hand upon our honours? westmoreland o, my good lord mowbray, construe the times to their necessities, and you shall say indeed, it is the time, and not the king, that doth you injuries. yet for your part, it not appears to me either from the king or in the present time that you should have an inch of any ground to build a grief on: were you not restored to all the duke of norfolk's signories, your noble and right well remember'd father's? mowbray what thing, in honour, had my father lost, that need to be revived and breathed in me? the king that loved him, as the state stood then, was force perforce compell'd to banish him: and then that harry bolingbroke and he, being mounted and both roused in their seats, their neighing coursers daring of the spur, their armed staves in charge, their beavers down, their eyes of fire sparking through sights of steel and the loud trumpet blowing them together, then, then, when there was nothing could have stay'd my father from the breast of bolingbroke, o when the king did throw his warder down, his own life hung upon the staff he threw; then threw he down himself and all their lives that by indictment and by dint of sword have since miscarried under bolingbroke. westmoreland you speak, lord mowbray, now you know not what. the earl of hereford was reputed then in england the most valiant gentlemen: who knows on whom fortune would then have smiled? but if your father had been victor there, he ne'er had borne it out of coventry: for all the country in a general voice cried hate upon him; and all their prayers and love were set on hereford, whom they doted on and bless'd and graced indeed, more than the king. but this is mere digression from my purpose. here come i from our princely general to know your griefs; to tell you from his grace that he will give you audience; and wherein it shall appear that your demands are just, you shall enjoy them, every thing set off that might so much as think you enemies. mowbray but he hath forced us to compel this offer; and it proceeds from policy, not love. westmoreland mowbray, you overween to take it so; this offer comes from mercy, not from fear: for, lo! within a ken our army lies, upon mine honour, all too confident to give admittance to a thought of fear. our battle is more full of names than yours, our men more perfect in the use of arms, our armour all as strong, our cause the best; then reason will our heart should be as good say you not then our offer is compell'd. mowbray well, by my will we shall admit no parley. westmoreland that argues but the shame of your offence: a rotten case abides no handling. hastings hath the prince john a full commission, in very ample virtue of his father, to hear and absolutely to determine of what conditions we shall stand upon? westmoreland that is intended in the general's name: i muse you make so slight a question. archbishop of york then take, my lord of westmoreland, this schedule, for this contains our general grievances: each several article herein redress'd, all members of our cause, both here and hence, that are insinew'd to this action, acquitted by a true substantial form and present execution of our wills to us and to our purposes confined, we come within our awful banks again and knit our powers to the arm of peace. westmoreland this will i show the general. please you, lords, in sight of both our battles we may meet; and either end in peace, which god so frame! or to the place of difference call the swords which must decide it. archbishop of york my lord, we will do so. [exit westmoreland] mowbray there is a thing within my bosom tells me that no conditions of our peace can stand. hastings fear you not that: if we can make our peace upon such large terms and so absolute as our conditions shall consist upon, our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains. mowbray yea, but our valuation shall be such that every slight and false-derived cause, yea, every idle, nice and wanton reason shall to the king taste of this action; that, were our royal faiths martyrs in love, we shall be winnow'd with so rough a wind that even our corn shall seem as light as chaff and good from bad find no partition. archbishop of york no, no, my lord. note this; the king is weary of dainty and such picking grievances: for he hath found to end one doubt by death revives two greater in the heirs of life, and therefore will he wipe his tables clean and keep no tell-tale to his memory that may repeat and history his loss to new remembrance; for full well he knows he cannot so precisely weed this land as his misdoubts present occasion: his foes are so enrooted with his friends that, plucking to unfix an enemy, he doth unfasten so and shake a friend: so that this land, like an offensive wife that hath enraged him on to offer strokes, as he is striking, holds his infant up and hangs resolved correction in the arm that was uprear'd to execution. hastings besides, the king hath wasted all his rods on late offenders, that he now doth lack the very instruments of chastisement: so that his power, like to a fangless lion, may offer, but not hold. archbishop of york 'tis very true: and therefore be assured, my good lord marshal, if we do now make our atonement well, our peace will, like a broken limb united, grow stronger for the breaking. mowbray be it so. here is return'd my lord of westmoreland. [re-enter westmoreland] westmoreland the prince is here at hand: pleaseth your lordship to meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies. mowbray your grace of york, in god's name then, set forward. archbishop of york before, and greet his grace: my lord, we come. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act iv scene ii another part of the forest. [enter, from one side, mowbray, attended; afterwards the archbishop of york, hastings, and others: from the other side, prince john of lancaster, and westmoreland; officers, and others with them] lancaster you are well encounter'd here, my cousin mowbray: good day to you, gentle lord archbishop; and so to you, lord hastings, and to all. my lord of york, it better show'd with you when that your flock, assembled by the bell, encircled you to hear with reverence your exposition on the holy text than now to see you here an iron man, cheering a rout of rebels with your drum, turning the word to sword and life to death. that man that sits within a monarch's heart, and ripens in the sunshine of his favour, would he abuse the countenance of the king, alack, what mischiefs might he set abrooch in shadow of such greatness! with you, lord bishop, it is even so. who hath not heard it spoken how deep you were within the books of god? to us the speaker in his parliament; to us the imagined voice of god himself; the very opener and intelligencer between the grace, the sanctities of heaven and our dull workings. o, who shall believe but you misuse the reverence of your place, employ the countenance and grace of heaven, as a false favourite doth his prince's name, in deeds dishonourable? you have ta'en up, under the counterfeited zeal of god, the subjects of his substitute, my father, and both against the peace of heaven and him have here up-swarm'd them. archbishop of york good my lord of lancaster, i am not here against your father's peace; but, as i told my lord of westmoreland, the time misorder'd doth, in common sense, crowd us and crush us to this monstrous form, to hold our safety up. i sent your grace the parcels and particulars of our grief, the which hath been with scorn shoved from the court, whereon this hydra son of war is born; whose dangerous eyes may well be charm'd asleep with grant of our most just and right desires, and true obedience, of this madness cured, stoop tamely to the foot of majesty. mowbray if not, we ready are to try our fortunes to the last man. hastings and though we here fall down, we have supplies to second our attempt: if they miscarry, theirs shall second them; and so success of mischief shall be born and heir from heir shall hold this quarrel up whiles england shall have generation. lancaster you are too shallow, hastings, much too shallow, to sound the bottom of the after-times. westmoreland pleaseth your grace to answer them directly how far forth you do like their articles. lancaster i like them all, and do allow them well, and swear here, by the honour of my blood, my father's purposes have been mistook, and some about him have too lavishly wrested his meaning and authority. my lord, these griefs shall be with speed redress'd; upon my soul, they shall. if this may please you, discharge your powers unto their several counties, as we will ours: and here between the armies let's drink together friendly and embrace, that all their eyes may bear those tokens home of our restored love and amity. archbishop of york i take your princely word for these redresses. lancaster i give it you, and will maintain my word: and thereupon i drink unto your grace. hastings go, captain, and deliver to the army this news of peace: let them have pay, and part: i know it will well please them. hie thee, captain. [exit officer] archbishop of york to you, my noble lord of westmoreland. westmoreland i pledge your grace; and, if you knew what pains i have bestow'd to breed this present peace, you would drink freely: but my love to ye shall show itself more openly hereafter. archbishop of york i do not doubt you. westmoreland i am glad of it. health to my lord and gentle cousin, mowbray. mowbray you wish me health in very happy season; for i am, on the sudden, something ill. archbishop of york against ill chances men are ever merry; but heaviness foreruns the good event. westmoreland therefore be merry, coz; since sudden sorrow serves to say thus, 'some good thing comes to-morrow.' archbishop of york believe me, i am passing light in spirit. mowbray so much the worse, if your own rule be true. [shouts within] lancaster the word of peace is render'd: hark, how they shout! mowbray this had been cheerful after victory. archbishop of york a peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser. lancaster go, my lord, and let our army be discharged too. [exit westmoreland] and, good my lord, so please you, let our trains march, by us, that we may peruse the men we should have coped withal. archbishop of york go, good lord hastings, and, ere they be dismissed, let them march by. [exit hastings] lancaster i trust, lords, we shall lie to-night together. [re-enter westmoreland] now, cousin, wherefore stands our army still? westmoreland the leaders, having charge from you to stand, will not go off until they hear you speak. lancaster they know their duties. [re-enter hastings] hastings my lord, our army is dispersed already; like youthful steers unyoked, they take their courses east, west, north, south; or, like a school broke up, each hurries toward his home and sporting-place. westmoreland good tidings, my lord hastings; for the which i do arrest thee, traitor, of high treason: and you, lord archbishop, and you, lord mowbray, of capitol treason i attach you both. mowbray is this proceeding just and honourable? westmoreland is your assembly so? archbishop of york will you thus break your faith? lancaster i pawn'd thee none: i promised you redress of these same grievances whereof you did complain; which, by mine honour, i will perform with a most christian care. but for you, rebels, look to taste the due meet for rebellion and such acts as yours. most shallowly did you these arms commence, fondly brought here and foolishly sent hence. strike up our drums, pursue the scatter'd stray: god, and not we, hath safely fought to-day. some guard these traitors to the block of death, treason's true bed and yielder up of breath. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act iv scene iii another part of the forest. [alarum. excursions. enter falstaff and colevile, meeting] falstaff what's your name, sir? of what condition are you, and of what place, i pray? colevile i am a knight, sir, and my name is colevile of the dale. falstaff well, then, colevile is your name, a knight is your degree, and your place the dale: colevile shall be still your name, a traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep enough; so shall you be still colevile of the dale. colevile are not you sir john falstaff? falstaff as good a man as he, sir, whoe'er i am. do ye yield, sir? or shall i sweat for you? if i do sweat, they are the drops of thy lovers, and they weep for thy death: therefore rouse up fear and trembling, and do observance to my mercy. colevile i think you are sir john falstaff, and in that thought yield me. falstaff i have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. an i had but a belly of any indifference, i were simply the most active fellow in europe: my womb, my womb, my womb, undoes me. here comes our general. [enter prince john of lancaster, westmoreland, blunt, and others] lancaster the heat is past; follow no further now: call in the powers, good cousin westmoreland. [exit westmoreland] now, falstaff, where have you been all this while? when every thing is ended, then you come: these tardy tricks of yours will, on my life, one time or other break some gallows' back. falstaff i would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus: i never knew yet but rebuke and cheque was the reward of valour. do you think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? have i, in my poor and old motion, the expedition of thought? i have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility; i have foundered nine score and odd posts: and here, travel-tainted as i am, have in my pure and immaculate valour, taken sir john colevile of the dale, a most furious knight and valorous enemy. but what of that? he saw me, and yielded; that i may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of rome, 'i came, saw, and overcame.' lancaster it was more of his courtesy than your deserving. falstaff i know not: here he is, and here i yield him: and i beseech your grace, let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds; or, by the lord, i will have it in a particular ballad else, with mine own picture on the top on't, colevile kissing my foot: to the which course if i be enforced, if you do not all show like gilt twopences to me, and i in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element, which show like pins' heads to her, believe not the word of the noble: therefore let me have right, and let desert mount. lancaster thine's too heavy to mount. falstaff let it shine, then. lancaster thine's too thick to shine. falstaff let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and call it what you will. lancaster is thy name colevile? colevile it is, my lord. lancaster a famous rebel art thou, colevile. falstaff and a famous true subject took him. colevile i am, my lord, but as my betters are that led me hither: had they been ruled by me, you should have won them dearer than you have. falstaff i know not how they sold themselves: but thou, like a kind fellow, gavest thyself away gratis; and i thank thee for thee. [re-enter westmoreland] lancaster now, have you left pursuit? westmoreland retreat is made and execution stay'd. lancaster send colevile with his confederates to york, to present execution: blunt, lead him hence; and see you guard him sure. [exeunt blunt and others with colevile] and now dispatch we toward the court, my lords: i hear the king my father is sore sick: our news shall go before us to his majesty, which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort him, and we with sober speed will follow you. falstaff my lord, i beseech you, give me leave to go through gloucestershire: and, when you come to court, stand my good lord, pray, in your good report. lancaster fare you well, falstaff: i, in my condition, shall better speak of you than you deserve. [exeunt all but falstaff] falstaff i would you had but the wit: 'twere better than your dukedom. good faith, this same young sober blooded boy doth not love me; nor a man cannot make him laugh; but that's no marvel, he drinks no wine. there's never none of these demure boys come to any proof; for thin drink doth so over-cool their blood, and making many fish-meals, that they fall into a kind of male green-sickness; and then when they marry, they get wenches: they are generally fools and cowards; which some of us should be too, but for inflammation. a good sherris sack hath a two-fold operation in it. it ascends me into the brain; dries me there all the foolish and dull and curdy vapours which environ it; makes it apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble fiery and delectable shapes, which, delivered o'er to the voice, the tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. the second property of your excellent sherris is, the warming of the blood; which, before cold and settled, left the liver white and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice; but the sherris warms it and makes it course from the inwards to the parts extreme: it illumineth the face, which as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little kingdom, man, to arm; and then the vital commoners and inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain, the heart, who, great and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of courage; and this valour comes of sherris. so that skill in the weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work; and learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil, till sack commences it and sets it in act and use. hereof comes it that prince harry is valiant; for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father, he hath, like lean, sterile and bare land, manured, husbanded and tilled with excellent endeavour of drinking good and good store of fertile sherris, that he is become very hot and valiant. if i had a thousand sons, the first humane principle i would teach them should be, to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack. [enter bardolph] how now bardolph? bardolph the army is discharged all and gone. falstaff let them go. i'll through gloucestershire; and there will i visit master robert shallow, esquire: i have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb, and shortly will i seal with him. come away. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act iv scene iv westminster. the jerusalem chamber. [enter king henry iv, the princes thomas of clarence and humphrey of gloucester, warwick, and others] king henry iv now, lords, if god doth give successful end to this debate that bleedeth at our doors, we will our youth lead on to higher fields and draw no swords but what are sanctified. our navy is address'd, our power collected, our substitutes in absence well invested, and every thing lies level to our wish: only, we want a little personal strength; and pause us, till these rebels, now afoot, come underneath the yoke of government. warwick both which we doubt not but your majesty shall soon enjoy. king henry iv humphrey, my son of gloucester, where is the prince your brother? gloucester i think he's gone to hunt, my lord, at windsor. king henry iv and how accompanied? gloucester i do not know, my lord. king henry iv is not his brother, thomas of clarence, with him? gloucester no, my good lord; he is in presence here. clarence what would my lord and father? king henry iv nothing but well to thee, thomas of clarence. how chance thou art not with the prince thy brother? he loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, thomas; thou hast a better place in his affection than all thy brothers: cherish it, my boy, and noble offices thou mayst effect of mediation, after i am dead, between his greatness and thy other brethren: therefore omit him not; blunt not his love, nor lose the good advantage of his grace by seeming cold or careless of his will; for he is gracious, if he be observed: he hath a tear for pity and a hand open as day for melting charity: yet notwithstanding, being incensed, he's flint, as humorous as winter and as sudden as flaws congealed in the spring of day. his temper, therefore, must be well observed: chide him for faults, and do it reverently, when thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth; but, being moody, give him line and scope, till that his passions, like a whale on ground, confound themselves with working. learn this, thomas, and thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends, a hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in, that the united vessel of their blood, mingled with venom of suggestion- as, force perforce, the age will pour it in- shall never leak, though it do work as strong as aconitum or rash gunpowder. clarence i shall observe him with all care and love. king henry iv why art thou not at windsor with him, thomas? clarence he is not there to-day; he dines in london. king henry iv and how accompanied? canst thou tell that? clarence with poins, and other his continual followers. king henry iv most subject is the fattest soil to weeds; and he, the noble image of my youth, is overspread with them: therefore my grief stretches itself beyond the hour of death: the blood weeps from my heart when i do shape in forms imaginary the unguided days and rotten times that you shall look upon when i am sleeping with my ancestors. for when his headstrong riot hath no curb, when rage and hot blood are his counsellors, when means and lavish manners meet together, o, with what wings shall his affections fly towards fronting peril and opposed decay! warwick my gracious lord, you look beyond him quite: the prince but studies his companions like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language, 'tis needful that the most immodest word be look'd upon and learn'd; which once attain'd, your highness knows, comes to no further use but to be known and hated. so, like gross terms, the prince will in the perfectness of time cast off his followers; and their memory shall as a pattern or a measure live, by which his grace must mete the lives of others, turning past evils to advantages. king henry iv 'tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb in the dead carrion. [enter westmoreland] who's here? westmoreland? westmoreland health to my sovereign, and new happiness added to that that i am to deliver! prince john your son doth kiss your grace's hand: mowbray, the bishop scroop, hastings and all are brought to the correction of your law; there is not now a rebel's sword unsheath'd but peace puts forth her olive every where. the manner how this action hath been borne here at more leisure may your highness read, with every course in his particular. king henry iv o westmoreland, thou art a summer bird, which ever in the haunch of winter sings the lifting up of day. [enter harcourt] look, here's more news. harcourt from enemies heaven keep your majesty; and, when they stand against you, may they fall as those that i am come to tell you of! the earl northumberland and the lord bardolph, with a great power of english and of scots are by the sheriff of yorkshire overthrown: the manner and true order of the fight this packet, please it you, contains at large. king henry iv and wherefore should these good news make me sick? will fortune never come with both hands full, but write her fair words still in foulest letters? she either gives a stomach and no food; such are the poor, in health; or else a feast and takes away the stomach; such are the rich, that have abundance and enjoy it not. i should rejoice now at this happy news; and now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy: o me! come near me; now i am much ill. gloucester comfort, your majesty! clarence o my royal father! westmoreland my sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up. warwick be patient, princes; you do know, these fits are with his highness very ordinary. stand from him. give him air; he'll straight be well. clarence no, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs: the incessant care and labour of his mind hath wrought the mure that should confine it in so thin that life looks through and will break out. gloucester the people fear me; for they do observe unfather'd heirs and loathly births of nature: the seasons change their manners, as the year had found some months asleep and leap'd them over. clarence the river hath thrice flow'd, no ebb between; and the old folk, time's doting chronicles, say it did so a little time before that our great-grandsire, edward, sick'd and died. warwick speak lower, princes, for the king recovers. gloucester this apoplexy will certain be his end. king henry iv i pray you, take me up, and bear me hence into some other chamber: softly, pray. 2 king henry iv act iv scene v another chamber. [king henry iv lying on a bed: clarence, gloucester, warwick, and others in attendance] king henry iv let there be no noise made, my gentle friends; unless some dull and favourable hand will whisper music to my weary spirit. warwick call for the music in the other room. king henry iv set me the crown upon my pillow here. clarence his eye is hollow, and he changes much. warwick less noise, less noise! [enter prince henry] prince henry who saw the duke of clarence? clarence i am here, brother, full of heaviness. prince henry how now! rain within doors, and none abroad! how doth the king? gloucester exceeding ill. prince henry heard he the good news yet? tell it him. gloucester he alter'd much upon the hearing it. prince henry if he be sick with joy, he'll recover without physic. warwick not so much noise, my lords: sweet prince, speak low; the king your father is disposed to sleep. clarence let us withdraw into the other room. warwick will't please your grace to go along with us? prince henry no; i will sit and watch here by the king. [exeunt all but prince henry] why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow, being so troublesome a bedfellow? o polish'd perturbation! golden care! that keep'st the ports of slumber open wide to many a watchful night! sleep with it now! yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet as he whose brow with homely biggen bound snores out the watch of night. o majesty! when thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit like a rich armour worn in heat of day, that scalds with safety. by his gates of breath there lies a downy feather which stirs not: did he suspire, that light and weightless down perforce must move. my gracious lord! my father! this sleep is sound indeed, this is a sleep that from this golden rigol hath divorced so many english kings. thy due from me is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood, which nature, love, and filial tenderness, shall, o dear father, pay thee plenteously: my due from thee is this imperial crown, which, as immediate as thy place and blood, derives itself to me. lo, here it sits, which god shall guard: and put the world's whole strength into one giant arm, it shall not force this lineal honour from me: this from thee will i to mine leave, as 'tis left to me. [exit] king henry iv warwick! gloucester! clarence! [re-enter warwick, gloucester, clarence, and the rest] clarence doth the king call? warwick what would your majesty? how fares your grace? king henry iv why did you leave me here alone, my lords? clarence we left the prince my brother here, my liege, who undertook to sit and watch by you. king henry iv the prince of wales! where is he? let me see him: he is not here. warwick this door is open; he is gone this way. gloucester he came not through the chamber where we stay'd. king henry iv where is the crown? who took it from my pillow? warwick when we withdrew, my liege, we left it here. king henry iv the prince hath ta'en it hence: go, seek him out. is he so hasty that he doth suppose my sleep my death? find him, my lord of warwick; chide him hither. [exit warwick] this part of his conjoins with my disease, and helps to end me. see, sons, what things you are! how quickly nature falls into revolt when gold becomes her object! for this the foolish over-careful fathers have broke their sleep with thoughts, their brains with care, their bones with industry; for this they have engrossed and piled up the canker'd heaps of strange-achieved gold; for this they have been thoughtful to invest their sons with arts and martial exercises: when, like the bee, culling from every flower the virtuous sweets, our thighs pack'd with wax, our mouths with honey, we bring it to the hive, and, like the bees, are murdered for our pains. this bitter taste yield his engrossments to the ending father. [re-enter warwick] now, where is he that will not stay so long till his friend sickness hath determined me? warwick my lord, i found the prince in the next room, washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks, with such a deep demeanor in great sorrow that tyranny, which never quaff'd but blood, would, by beholding him, have wash'd his knife with gentle eye-drops. he is coming hither. king henry iv but wherefore did he take away the crown? [re-enter prince henry] lo, where he comes. come hither to me, harry. depart the chamber, leave us here alone. [exeunt warwick and the rest] prince henry i never thought to hear you speak again. king henry iv thy wish was father, harry, to that thought: i stay too long by thee, i weary thee. dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair that thou wilt needs invest thee with my honours before thy hour be ripe? o foolish youth! thou seek'st the greatness that will o'erwhelm thee. stay but a little; for my cloud of dignity is held from falling with so weak a wind that it will quickly drop: my day is dim. thou hast stolen that which after some few hours were thine without offence; and at my death thou hast seal'd up my expectation: thy life did manifest thou lovedst me not, and thou wilt have me die assured of it. thou hidest a thousand daggers in thy thoughts, which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart, to stab at half an hour of my life. what! canst thou not forbear me half an hour? then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself, and bid the merry bells ring to thine ear that thou art crowned, not that i am dead. let all the tears that should bedew my hearse be drops of balm to sanctify thy head: only compound me with forgotten dust give that which gave thee life unto the worms. pluck down my officers, break my decrees; for now a time is come to mock at form: harry the fifth is crown'd: up, vanity! down, royal state! all you sage counsellors, hence! and to the english court assemble now, from every region, apes of idleness! now, neighbour confines, purge you of your scum: have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance, revel the night, rob, murder, and commit the oldest sins the newest kind of ways? be happy, he will trouble you no more; england shall double gild his treble guilt, england shall give him office, honour, might; for the fifth harry from curb'd licence plucks the muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog shall flesh his tooth on every innocent. o my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows! when that my care could not withhold thy riots, what wilt thou do when riot is thy care? o, thou wilt be a wilderness again, peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants! prince henry o, pardon me, my liege! but for my tears, the moist impediments unto my speech, i had forestall'd this dear and deep rebuke ere you with grief had spoke and i had heard the course of it so far. there is your crown; and he that wears the crown immortally long guard it yours! if i affect it more than as your honour and as your renown, let me no more from this obedience rise, which my most inward true and duteous spirit teacheth, this prostrate and exterior bending. god witness with me, when i here came in, and found no course of breath within your majesty, how cold it struck my heart! if i do feign, o, let me in my present wildness die and never live to show the incredulous world the noble change that i have purposed! coming to look on you, thinking you dead, and dead almost, my liege, to think you were, i spake unto this crown as having sense, and thus upbraided it: 'the care on thee depending hath fed upon the body of my father; therefore, thou best of gold art worst of gold: other, less fine in carat, is more precious, preserving life in medicine potable; but thou, most fine, most honour'd: most renown'd, hast eat thy bearer up.' thus, my most royal liege, accusing it, i put it on my head, to try with it, as with an enemy that had before my face murder'd my father, the quarrel of a true inheritor. but if it did infect my blood with joy, or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride; if any rebel or vain spirit of mine did with the least affection of a welcome give entertainment to the might of it, let god for ever keep it from my head and make me as the poorest vassal is that doth with awe and terror kneel to it! king henry iv o my son, god put it in thy mind to take it hence, that thou mightst win the more thy father's love, pleading so wisely in excuse of it! come hither, harry, sit thou by my bed; and hear, i think, the very latest counsel that ever i shall breathe. god knows, my son, by what by-paths and indirect crook'd ways i met this crown; and i myself know well how troublesome it sat upon my head. to thee it shall descend with bitter quiet, better opinion, better confirmation; for all the soil of the achievement goes with me into the earth. it seem'd in me but as an honour snatch'd with boisterous hand, and i had many living to upbraid my gain of it by their assistances; which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed, wounding supposed peace: all these bold fears thou see'st with peril i have answered; for all my reign hath been but as a scene acting that argument: and now my death changes the mode; for what in me was purchased, falls upon thee in a more fairer sort; so thou the garland wear'st successively. yet, though thou stand'st more sure than i could do, thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green; and all my friends, which thou must make thy friends, have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out; by whose fell working i was first advanced and by whose power i well might lodge a fear to be again displaced: which to avoid, i cut them off; and had a purpose now to lead out many to the holy land, lest rest and lying still might make them look too near unto my state. therefore, my harry, be it thy course to busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out, may waste the memory of the former days. more would i, but my lungs are wasted so that strength of speech is utterly denied me. how i came by the crown, o god forgive; and grant it may with thee in true peace live! prince henry my gracious liege, you won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me; then plain and right must my possession be: which i with more than with a common pain 'gainst all the world will rightfully maintain. [enter lord john of lancaster] king henry iv look, look, here comes my john of lancaster. lancaster health, peace, and happiness to my royal father! king henry iv thou bring'st me happiness and peace, son john; but health, alack, with youthful wings is flown from this bare wither'd trunk: upon thy sight my worldly business makes a period. where is my lord of warwick? prince henry my lord of warwick! [enter warwick, and others] king henry iv doth any name particular belong unto the lodging where i first did swoon? warwick 'tis call'd jerusalem, my noble lord. king henry iv laud be to god! even there my life must end. it hath been prophesied to me many years, i should not die but in jerusalem; which vainly i supposed the holy land: but bear me to that chamber; there i'll lie; in that jerusalem shall harry die. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act v scene i gloucestershire. shallow's house. [enter shallow, falstaff, bardolph, and page] shallow by cock and pie, sir, you shall not away to-night. what, davy, i say! falstaff you must excuse me, master robert shallow. shallow i will not excuse you; you shall not be excused; excuses shall not be admitted; there is no excuse shall serve; you shall not be excused. why, davy! [enter davy] davy here, sir. shallow davy, davy, davy, davy, let me see, davy; let me see, davy; let me see: yea, marry, william cook, bid him come hither. sir john, you shall not be excused. davy marry, sir, thus; those precepts cannot be served: and, again, sir, shall we sow the headland with wheat? shallow with red wheat, davy. but for william cook: are there no young pigeons? davy yes, sir. here is now the smith's note for shoeing and plough-irons. shallow let it be cast and paid. sir john, you shall not be excused. davy now, sir, a new link to the bucket must need be had: and, sir, do you mean to stop any of william's wages, about the sack he lost the other day at hinckley fair? shallow a' shall answer it. some pigeons, davy, a couple of short-legged hens, a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell william cook. davy doth the man of war stay all night, sir? shallow yea, davy. i will use him well: a friend i' the court is better than a penny in purse. use his men well, davy; for they are arrant knaves, and will backbite. davy no worse than they are backbitten, sir; for they have marvellous foul linen. shallow well conceited, davy: about thy business, davy. davy i beseech you, sir, to countenance william visor of woncot against clement perkes of the hill. shallow there is many complaints, davy, against that visor: that visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge. davy i grant your worship that he is a knave, sir; but yet, god forbid, sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his friend's request. an honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. i have served your worship truly, sir, this eight years; and if i cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man, i have but a very little credit with your worship. the knave is mine honest friend, sir; therefore, i beseech your worship, let him be countenanced. shallow go to; i say he shall have no wrong. look about, davy. [exit davy] where are you, sir john? come, come, come, off with your boots. give me your hand, master bardolph. bardolph i am glad to see your worship. shallow i thank thee with all my heart, kind master bardolph: and welcome, my tall fellow. [to the page] come, sir john. falstaff i'll follow you, good master robert shallow. [exit shallow] bardolph, look to our horses. [exeunt bardolph and page] if i were sawed into quantities, i should make four dozen of such bearded hermits' staves as master shallow. it is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his men's spirits and his: they, by observing of him, do bear themselves like foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turned into a justice-like serving-man: their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society that they flock together in consent, like so many wild-geese. if i had a suit to master shallow, i would humour his men with the imputation of being near their master: if to his men, i would curry with master shallow that no man could better command his servants. it is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught, as men take diseases, one of another: therefore let men take heed of their company. i will devise matter enough out of this shallow to keep prince harry in continual laughter the wearing out of six fashions, which is four terms, or two actions, and a' shall laugh without intervallums. o, it is much that a lie with a slight oath and a jest with a sad brow will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders! o, you shall see him laugh till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up! shallow [within] sir john! falstaff i come, master shallow; i come, master shallow. [exit] 2 king henry iv act v scene ii westminster. the palace. [enter warwick and the lord chief-justice, meeting] warwick how now, my lord chief-justice! whither away? lord chief-justice how doth the king? warwick exceeding well; his cares are now all ended. lord chief-justice i hope, not dead. warwick he's walk'd the way of nature; and to our purposes he lives no more. lord chief-justice i would his majesty had call'd me with him: the service that i truly did his life hath left me open to all injuries. warwick indeed i think the young king loves you not. lord chief-justice i know he doth not, and do arm myself to welcome the condition of the time, which cannot look more hideously upon me than i have drawn it in my fantasy. [enter lancaster, clarence, gloucester, westmoreland, and others] warwick here come the heavy issue of dead harry: o that the living harry had the temper of him, the worst of these three gentlemen! how many nobles then should hold their places that must strike sail to spirits of vile sort! lord chief-justice o god, i fear all will be overturn'd! lancaster good morrow, cousin warwick, good morrow. gloucester | | good morrow, cousin. clarence | lancaster we meet like men that had forgot to speak. warwick we do remember; but our argument is all too heavy to admit much talk. lancaster well, peace be with him that hath made us heavy. lord chief-justice peace be with us, lest we be heavier! gloucester o, good my lord, you have lost a friend indeed; and i dare swear you borrow not that face of seeming sorrow, it is sure your own. lancaster though no man be assured what grace to find, you stand in coldest expectation: i am the sorrier; would 'twere otherwise. clarence well, you must now speak sir john falstaff fair; which swims against your stream of quality. lord chief-justice sweet princes, what i did, i did in honour, led by the impartial conduct of my soul: and never shall you see that i will beg a ragged and forestall'd remission. if truth and upright innocency fail me, i'll to the king my master that is dead, and tell him who hath sent me after him. warwick here comes the prince. [enter king henry v, attended] lord chief-justice good morrow; and god save your majesty! king henry v this new and gorgeous garment, majesty, sits not so easy on me as you think. brothers, you mix your sadness with some fear: this is the english, not the turkish court; not amurath an amurath succeeds, but harry harry. yet be sad, good brothers, for, by my faith, it very well becomes you: sorrow so royally in you appears that i will deeply put the fashion on and wear it in my heart: why then, be sad; but entertain no more of it, good brothers, than a joint burden laid upon us all. for me, by heaven, i bid you be assured, i'll be your father and your brother too; let me but bear your love, i 'll bear your cares: yet weep that harry's dead; and so will i; but harry lives, that shall convert those tears by number into hours of happiness. princes we hope no other from your majesty. king henry v you all look strangely on me: and you most; you are, i think, assured i love you not. lord chief-justice i am assured, if i be measured rightly, your majesty hath no just cause to hate me. king henry v no! how might a prince of my great hopes forget so great indignities you laid upon me? what! rate, rebuke, and roughly send to prison the immediate heir of england! was this easy? may this be wash'd in lethe, and forgotten? lord chief-justice i then did use the person of your father; the image of his power lay then in me: and, in the administration of his law, whiles i was busy for the commonwealth, your highness pleased to forget my place, the majesty and power of law and justice, the image of the king whom i presented, and struck me in my very seat of judgment; whereon, as an offender to your father, i gave bold way to my authority and did commit you. if the deed were ill, be you contented, wearing now the garland, to have a son set your decrees at nought, to pluck down justice from your awful bench, to trip the course of law and blunt the sword that guards the peace and safety of your person; nay, more, to spurn at your most royal image and mock your workings in a second body. question your royal thoughts, make the case yours; be now the father and propose a son, hear your own dignity so much profaned, see your most dreadful laws so loosely slighted, behold yourself so by a son disdain'd; and then imagine me taking your part and in your power soft silencing your son: after this cold considerance, sentence me; and, as you are a king, speak in your state what i have done that misbecame my place, my person, or my liege's sovereignty. king henry v you are right, justice, and you weigh this well; therefore still bear the balance and the sword: and i do wish your honours may increase, till you do live to see a son of mine offend you and obey you, as i did. so shall i live to speak my father's words: 'happy am i, that have a man so bold, that dares do justice on my proper son; and not less happy, having such a son, that would deliver up his greatness so into the hands of justice.' you did commit me: for which, i do commit into your hand the unstained sword that you have used to bear; with this remembrance, that you use the same with the like bold, just and impartial spirit as you have done 'gainst me. there is my hand. you shall be as a father to my youth: my voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear, and i will stoop and humble my intents to your well-practised wise directions. and, princes all, believe me, i beseech you; my father is gone wild into his grave, for in his tomb lie my affections; and with his spirit sadly i survive, to mock the expectation of the world, to frustrate prophecies and to raze out rotten opinion, who hath writ me down after my seeming. the tide of blood in me hath proudly flow'd in vanity till now: now doth it turn and ebb back to the sea, where it shall mingle with the state of floods and flow henceforth in formal majesty. now call we our high court of parliament: and let us choose such limbs of noble counsel, that the great body of our state may go in equal rank with the best govern'd nation; that war, or peace, or both at once, may be as things acquainted and familiar to us; in which you, father, shall have foremost hand. our coronation done, we will accite, as i before remember'd, all our state: and, god consigning to my good intents, no prince nor peer shall have just cause to say, god shorten harry's happy life one day! [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act v scene iii gloucestershire. shallow's orchard. [enter falstaff, shallow, silence, davy, bardolph, and the page] shallow nay, you shall see my orchard, where, in an arbour, we will eat a last year's pippin of my own graffing, with a dish of caraways, and so forth: come, cousin silence: and then to bed. falstaff 'fore god, you have here a goodly dwelling and a rich. shallow barren, barren, barren; beggars all, beggars all, sir john: marry, good air. spread, davy; spread, davy; well said, davy. falstaff this davy serves you for good uses; he is your serving-man and your husband. shallow a good varlet, a good varlet, a very good varlet, sir john: by the mass, i have drunk too much sack at supper: a good varlet. now sit down, now sit down: come, cousin. silence ah, sirrah! quoth-a, we shall do nothing but eat, and make good cheer, [singing] and praise god for the merry year; when flesh is cheap and females dear, and lusty lads roam here and there so merrily, and ever among so merrily. falstaff there's a merry heart! good master silence, i'll give you a health for that anon. shallow give master bardolph some wine, davy. davy sweet sir, sit; i'll be with you anon. most sweet sir, sit. master page, good master page, sit. proface! what you want in meat, we'll have in drink: but you must bear; the heart's all. [exit] shallow be merry, master bardolph; and, my little soldier there, be merry. silence be merry, be merry, my wife has all; [singing] for women are shrews, both short and tall: 'tis merry in hall when beards wag all, and welcome merry shrove-tide. be merry, be merry. falstaff i did not think master silence had been a man of this mettle. silence who, i? i have been merry twice and once ere now. [re-enter davy] davy there's a dish of leather-coats for you. [to bardolph] shallow davy! davy your worship! i'll be with you straight. [to bardolph] a cup of wine, sir? silence a cup of wine that's brisk and fine, [singing] and drink unto the leman mine; and a merry heart lives long-a. falstaff well said, master silence. silence an we shall be merry, now comes in the sweet o' the night. falstaff health and long life to you, master silence. silence fill the cup, and let it come; [singing] i'll pledge you a mile to the bottom. shallow honest bardolph, welcome: if thou wantest any thing, and wilt not call, beshrew thy heart. welcome, my little tiny thief. [to the page] and welcome indeed too. i'll drink to master bardolph, and to all the cavaleros about london. davy i hove to see london once ere i die. bardolph an i might see you there, davy,- shallow by the mass, you'll crack a quart together, ha! will you not, master bardolph? bardolph yea, sir, in a pottle-pot. shallow by god's liggens, i thank thee: the knave will stick by thee, i can assure thee that. a' will not out; he is true bred. bardolph and i'll stick by him, sir. shallow why, there spoke a king. lack nothing: be merry. [knocking within] look who's at door there, ho! who knocks? [exit davy] falstaff why, now you have done me right. [to silence, seeing him take off a bumper] silence [singing] do me right, and dub me knight: samingo. is't not so? falstaff 'tis so. silence is't so? why then, say an old man can do somewhat. [re-enter davy] davy an't please your worship, there's one pistol come from the court with news. falstaff from the court! let him come in. [enter pistol] how now, pistol! pistol sir john, god save you! falstaff what wind blew you hither, pistol? pistol not the ill wind which blows no man to good. sweet knight, thou art now one of the greatest men in this realm. silence by'r lady, i think a' be, but goodman puff of barson. pistol puff! puff in thy teeth, most recreant coward base! sir john, i am thy pistol and thy friend, and helter-skelter have i rode to thee, and tidings do i bring and lucky joys and golden times and happy news of price. falstaff i pray thee now, deliver them like a man of this world. pistol a foutre for the world and worldlings base! i speak of africa and golden joys. falstaff o base assyrian knight, what is thy news? let king cophetua know the truth thereof. silence and robin hood, scarlet, and john. [singing] pistol shall dunghill curs confront the helicons? and shall good news be baffled? then, pistol, lay thy head in furies' lap. silence honest gentleman, i know not your breeding. pistol why then, lament therefore. shallow give me pardon, sir: if, sir, you come with news from the court, i take it there's but two ways, either to utter them, or to conceal them. i am, sir, under the king, in some authority. pistol under which king, besonian? speak, or die. shallow under king harry. pistol harry the fourth? or fifth? shallow harry the fourth. pistol a foutre for thine office! sir john, thy tender lambkin now is king; harry the fifth's the man. i speak the truth: when pistol lies, do this; and fig me, like the bragging spaniard. falstaff what, is the old king dead? pistol as nail in door: the things i speak are just. falstaff away, bardolph! saddle my horse. master robert shallow, choose what office thou wilt in the land, 'tis thine. pistol, i will double-charge thee with dignities. bardolph o joyful day! i would not take a knighthood for my fortune. pistol what! i do bring good news. falstaff carry master silence to bed. master shallow, my lord shallow,--be what thou wilt; i am fortune's steward--get on thy boots: we'll ride all night. o sweet pistol! away, bardolph! [exit bardolph] come, pistol, utter more to me; and withal devise something to do thyself good. boot, boot, master shallow: i know the young king is sick for me. let us take any man's horses; the laws of england are at my commandment. blessed are they that have been my friends; and woe to my lord chief-justice! pistol let vultures vile seize on his lungs also! 'where is the life that late i led?' say they: why, here it is; welcome these pleasant days! [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act v scene iv london. a street. [enter beadles, dragging in hostess quickly and doll tearsheet] mistress quickly no, thou arrant knave; i would to god that i might die, that i might have thee hanged: thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint. first beadle the constables have delivered her over to me; and she shall have whipping-cheer enough, i warrant her: there hath been a man or two lately killed about her. doll tearsheet nut-hook, nut-hook, you lie. come on; i 'll tell thee what, thou damned tripe-visaged rascal, an the child i now go with do miscarry, thou wert better thou hadst struck thy mother, thou paper-faced villain. mistress quickly o the lord, that sir john were come! he would make this a bloody day to somebody. but i pray god the fruit of her womb miscarry! first beadle if it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions again; you have but eleven now. come, i charge you both go with me; for the man is dead that you and pistol beat amongst you. doll tearsheet i'll tell you what, you thin man in a censer, i will have you as soundly swinged for this,--you blue-bottle rogue, you filthy famished correctioner, if you be not swinged, i'll forswear half-kirtles. first beadle come, come, you she knight-errant, come. mistress quickly o god, that right should thus overcome might! well, of sufferance comes ease. doll tearsheet come, you rogue, come; bring me to a justice. mistress quickly ay, come, you starved blood-hound. doll tearsheet goodman death, goodman bones! mistress quickly thou atomy, thou! doll tearsheet come, you thin thing; come you rascal. first beadle very well. [exeunt] 2 king henry iv act v scene v a public place near westminster abbey. [enter two grooms, strewing rushes] first groom more rushes, more rushes. second groom the trumpets have sounded twice. first groom 'twill be two o'clock ere they come from the coronation: dispatch, dispatch. [exeunt] [enter falstaff, shallow, pistol, bardolph, and page] falstaff stand here by me, master robert shallow; i will make the king do you grace: i will leer upon him as a' comes by; and do but mark the countenance that he will give me. pistol god bless thy lungs, good knight. falstaff come here, pistol; stand behind me. o, if i had had time to have made new liveries, i would have bestowed the thousand pound i borrowed of you. but 'tis no matter; this poor show doth better: this doth infer the zeal i had to see him. shallow it doth so. falstaff it shows my earnestness of affection,- shallow it doth so. falstaff my devotion,- shallow it doth, it doth, it doth. falstaff as it were, to ride day and night; and not to deliberate, not to remember, not to have patience to shift me,- shallow it is best, certain. falstaff but to stand stained with travel, and sweating with desire to see him; thinking of nothing else, putting all affairs else in oblivion, as if there were nothing else to be done but to see him. pistol 'tis 'semper idem,' for 'obsque hoc nihil est:' 'tis all in every part. shallow 'tis so, indeed. pistol my knight, i will inflame thy noble liver, and make thee rage. thy doll, and helen of thy noble thoughts, is in base durance and contagious prison; haled thither by most mechanical and dirty hand: rouse up revenge from ebon den with fell alecto's snake, for doll is in. pistol speaks nought but truth. falstaff i will deliver her. [shouts within, and the trumpets sound] pistol there roar'd the sea, and trumpet-clangor sounds. [enter king henry v and his train, the lord chief justice among them] falstaff god save thy grace, king hal! my royal hal! pistol the heavens thee guard and keep, most royal imp of fame! falstaff god save thee, my sweet boy! king henry iv my lord chief-justice, speak to that vain man. lord chief-justice have you your wits? know you what 'tis to speak? falstaff my king! my jove! i speak to thee, my heart! king henry iv i know thee not, old man: fall to thy prayers; how ill white hairs become a fool and jester! i have long dream'd of such a kind of man, so surfeit-swell'd, so old and so profane; but, being awaked, i do despise my dream. make less thy body hence, and more thy grace; leave gormandizing; know the grave doth gape for thee thrice wider than for other men. reply not to me with a fool-born jest: presume not that i am the thing i was; for god doth know, so shall the world perceive, that i have turn'd away my former self; so will i those that kept me company. when thou dost hear i am as i have been, approach me, and thou shalt be as thou wast, the tutor and the feeder of my riots: till then, i banish thee, on pain of death, as i have done the rest of my misleaders, not to come near our person by ten mile. for competence of life i will allow you, that lack of means enforce you not to evil: and, as we hear you do reform yourselves, we will, according to your strengths and qualities, give you advancement. be it your charge, my lord, to see perform'd the tenor of our word. set on. [exeunt king henry v, &c] falstaff master shallow, i owe you a thousand pound. shallow yea, marry, sir john; which i beseech you to let me have home with me. falstaff that can hardly be, master shallow. do not you grieve at this; i shall be sent for in private to him: look you, he must seem thus to the world: fear not your advancements; i will be the man yet that shall make you great. shallow i cannot well perceive how, unless you should give me your doublet and stuff me out with straw. i beseech you, good sir john, let me have five hundred of my thousand. falstaff sir, i will be as good as my word: this that you heard was but a colour. shallow a colour that i fear you will die in, sir john. falstaff fear no colours: go with me to dinner: come, lieutenant pistol; come, bardolph: i shall be sent for soon at night. [re-enter prince john of lancaster, the lord chief-justice; officers with them] lord chief-justice go, carry sir john falstaff to the fleet: take all his company along with him. falstaff my lord, my lord,- lord chief-justice i cannot now speak: i will hear you soon. take them away. pistol si fortune me tormenta, spero contenta. [exeunt all but prince john and the lord chief-justice] lancaster i like this fair proceeding of the king's: he hath intent his wonted followers shall all be very well provided for; but all are banish'd till their conversations appear more wise and modest to the world. lord chief-justice and so they are. lancaster the king hath call'd his parliament, my lord. lord chief-justice he hath. lancaster i will lay odds that, ere this year expire, we bear our civil swords and native fire as far as france: i beard a bird so sing, whose music, to my thinking, pleased the king. come, will you hence? [exeunt] 2 king henry iv epilogue [spoken by a dancer] first my fear; then my courtesy; last my speech. my fear is, your displeasure; my courtesy, my duty; and my speech, to beg your pardons. if you look for a good speech now, you undo me: for what i have to say is of mine own making; and what indeed i should say will, i doubt, prove mine own marring. but to the purpose, and so to the venture. be it known to you, as it is very well, i was lately here in the end of a displeasing play, to pray your patience for it and to promise you a better. i meant indeed to pay you with this; which, if like an ill venture it come unluckily home, i break, and you, my gentle creditors, lose. here i promised you i would be and here i commit my body to your mercies: bate me some and i will pay you some and, as most debtors do, promise you infinitely. if my tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me, will you command me to use my legs? and yet that were but light payment, to dance out of your debt. but a good conscience will make any possible satisfaction, and so would i. all the gentlewomen here have forgiven me: if the gentlemen will not, then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentlewomen, which was never seen before in such an assembly. one word more, i beseech you. if you be not too much cloyed with fat meat, our humble author will continue the story, with sir john in it, and make you merry with fair katharine of france: where, for any thing i know, falstaff shall die of a sweat, unless already a' be killed with your hard opinions; for oldcastle died a martyr, and this is not the man. my tongue is weary; when my legs are too, i will bid you good night: and so kneel down before you; but, indeed, to pray for the queen. othello dramatis personae duke of venice: brabantio a senator. other senators. (senator:) (first senator:) (second senator:) gratiano brother to brabantio. lodovico kinsman to brabantio. othello a noble moor in the service of the venetian state. cassio his lieutenant. iago his ancient. roderigo a venetian gentleman. montano othello's predecessor in the government of cyprus. clown, servant to othello. (clown:) desdemona daughter to brabantio and wife to othello. emilia wife to iago. bianca mistress to cassio. sailor, messenger, herald, officers, gentlemen, musicians, and attendants. (sailor:) (first officer:) (messenger:) (gentleman:) (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) (third gentleman:) (first musician:) scene venice: a sea-port in cyprus. othello act i scene i venice. a street. [enter roderigo and iago] roderigo tush! never tell me; i take it much unkindly that thou, iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. iago 'sblood, but you will not hear me: if ever i did dream of such a matter, abhor me. roderigo thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. iago despise me, if i do not. three great ones of the city, in personal suit to make me his lieutenant, off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man, i know my price, i am worth no worse a place: but he; as loving his own pride and purposes, evades them, with a bombast circumstance horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; and, in conclusion, nonsuits my mediators; for, 'certes,' says he, 'i have already chose my officer.' and what was he? forsooth, a great arithmetician, one michael cassio, a florentine, a fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, wherein the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise, is all his soldiership. but he, sir, had the election: and i, of whom his eyes had seen the proof at rhodes, at cyprus and on other grounds christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd by debitor and creditor: this counter-caster, he, in good time, must his lieutenant be, and i--god bless the mark!--his moorship's ancient. roderigo by heaven, i rather would have been his hangman. iago why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old gradation, where each second stood heir to the first. now, sir, be judge yourself, whether i in any just term am affined to love the moor. roderigo i would not follow him then. iago o, sir, content you; i follow him to serve my turn upon him: we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly follow'd. you shall mark many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, that, doting on his own obsequious bondage, wears out his time, much like his master's ass, for nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd: whip me such honest knaves. others there are who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty, keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, and, throwing but shows of service on their lords, do well thrive by them and when they have lined their coats do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; and such a one do i profess myself. for, sir, it is as sure as you are roderigo, were i the moor, i would not be iago: in following him, i follow but myself; heaven is my judge, not i for love and duty, but seeming so, for my peculiar end: for when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act and figure of my heart in compliment extern, 'tis not long after but i will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at: i am not what i am. roderigo what a full fortune does the thicklips owe if he can carry't thus! iago call up her father, rouse him: make after him, poison his delight, proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen, and, though he in a fertile climate dwell, plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy, yet throw such changes of vexation on't, as it may lose some colour. roderigo here is her father's house; i'll call aloud. iago do, with like timorous accent and dire yell as when, by night and negligence, the fire is spied in populous cities. roderigo what, ho, brabantio! signior brabantio, ho! iago awake! what, ho, brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! look to your house, your daughter and your bags! thieves! thieves! [brabantio appears above, at a window] brabantio what is the reason of this terrible summons? what is the matter there? roderigo signior, is all your family within? iago are your doors lock'd? brabantio why, wherefore ask you this? iago 'zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; even now, now, very now, an old black ram is topping your white ewe. arise, arise; awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: arise, i say. brabantio what, have you lost your wits? roderigo most reverend signior, do you know my voice? brabantio not i what are you? roderigo my name is roderigo. brabantio the worser welcome: i have charged thee not to haunt about my doors: in honest plainness thou hast heard me say my daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, being full of supper and distempering draughts, upon malicious bravery, dost thou come to start my quiet. roderigo sir, sir, sir,- brabantio but thou must needs be sure my spirit and my place have in them power to make this bitter to thee. roderigo patience, good sir. brabantio what tell'st thou me of robbing? this is venice; my house is not a grange. roderigo most grave brabantio, in simple and pure soul i come to you. iago 'zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve god, if the devil bid you. because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughter covered with a barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans. brabantio what profane wretch art thou? iago i am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the moor are now making the beast with two backs. brabantio thou art a villain. iago you are--a senator. brabantio this thou shalt answer; i know thee, roderigo. roderigo sir, i will answer any thing. but, i beseech you, if't be your pleasure and most wise consent, as partly i find it is, that your fair daughter, at this odd-even and dull watch o' the night, transported, with no worse nor better guard but with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, to the gross clasps of a lascivious moor- if this be known to you and your allowance, we then have done you bold and saucy wrongs; but if you know not this, my manners tell me we have your wrong rebuke. do not believe that, from the sense of all civility, i thus would play and trifle with your reverence: your daughter, if you have not given her leave, i say again, hath made a gross revolt; tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes in an extravagant and wheeling stranger of here and every where. straight satisfy yourself: if she be in her chamber or your house, let loose on me the justice of the state for thus deluding you. brabantio strike on the tinder, ho! give me a taper! call up all my people! this accident is not unlike my dream: belief of it oppresses me already. light, i say! light! [exit above] iago farewell; for i must leave you: it seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place, to be produced--as, if i stay, i shall- against the moor: for, i do know, the state, however this may gall him with some cheque, cannot with safety cast him, for he's embark'd with such loud reason to the cyprus wars, which even now stand in act, that, for their souls, another of his fathom they have none, to lead their business: in which regard, though i do hate him as i do hell-pains. yet, for necessity of present life, i must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign. that you shall surely find him, lead to the sagittary the raised search; and there will i be with him. so, farewell. [exit] [enter, below, brabantio, and servants with torches] brabantio it is too true an evil: gone she is; and what's to come of my despised time is nought but bitterness. now, roderigo, where didst thou see her? o unhappy girl! with the moor, say'st thou? who would be a father! how didst thou know 'twas she? o she deceives me past thought! what said she to you? get more tapers: raise all my kindred. are they married, think you? roderigo truly, i think they are. brabantio o heaven! how got she out? o treason of the blood! fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds by what you see them act. is there not charms by which the property of youth and maidhood may be abused? have you not read, roderigo, of some such thing? roderigo yes, sir, i have indeed. brabantio call up my brother. o, would you had had her! some one way, some another. do you know where we may apprehend her and the moor? roderigo i think i can discover him, if you please, to get good guard and go along with me. brabantio pray you, lead on. at every house i'll call; i may command at most. get weapons, ho! and raise some special officers of night. on, good roderigo: i'll deserve your pains. [exeunt] othello act i scene ii another street. [enter othello, iago, and attendants with torches] iago though in the trade of war i have slain men, yet do i hold it very stuff o' the conscience to do no contrived murder: i lack iniquity sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times i had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. othello 'tis better as it is. iago nay, but he prated, and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honour that, with the little godliness i have, i did full hard forbear him. but, i pray you, sir, are you fast married? be assured of this, that the magnifico is much beloved, and hath in his effect a voice potential as double as the duke's: he will divorce you; or put upon you what restraint and grievance the law, with all his might to enforce it on, will give him cable. othello let him do his spite: my services which i have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints. 'tis yet to know,- which, when i know that boasting is an honour, i shall promulgate--i fetch my life and being from men of royal siege, and my demerits may speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune as this that i have reach'd: for know, iago, but that i love the gentle desdemona, i would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea's worth. but, look! what lights come yond? iago those are the raised father and his friends: you were best go in. othello not i i must be found: my parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly. is it they? iago by janus, i think no. [enter cassio, and certain officers with torches] othello the servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. the goodness of the night upon you, friends! what is the news? cassio the duke does greet you, general, and he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, even on the instant. othello what is the matter, think you? cassio something from cyprus as i may divine: it is a business of some heat: the galleys have sent a dozen sequent messengers this very night at one another's heels, and many of the consuls, raised and met, are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for; when, being not at your lodging to be found, the senate hath sent about three several guests to search you out. othello 'tis well i am found by you. i will but spend a word here in the house, and go with you. [exit] cassio ancient, what makes he here? iago 'faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: if it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. cassio i do not understand. iago he's married. cassio to who? [re-enter othello] iago marry, to--come, captain, will you go? othello have with you. cassio here comes another troop to seek for you. iago it is brabantio. general, be advised; he comes to bad intent. [enter brabantio, roderigo, and officers with torches and weapons] othello holla! stand there! roderigo signior, it is the moor. brabantio down with him, thief! [they draw on both sides] iago you, roderigo! come, sir, i am for you. othello keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. good signior, you shall more command with years than with your weapons. brabantio o thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; for i'll refer me to all things of sense, if she in chains of magic were not bound, whether a maid so tender, fair and happy, so opposite to marriage that she shunned the wealthy curled darlings of our nation, would ever have, to incur a general mock, run from her guardage to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight. judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense that thou hast practised on her with foul charms, abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals that weaken motion: i'll have't disputed on; 'tis probable and palpable to thinking. i therefore apprehend and do attach thee for an abuser of the world, a practiser of arts inhibited and out of warrant. lay hold upon him: if he do resist, subdue him at his peril. othello hold your hands, both you of my inclining, and the rest: were it my cue to fight, i should have known it without a prompter. where will you that i go to answer this your charge? brabantio to prison, till fit time of law and course of direct session call thee to answer. othello what if i do obey? how may the duke be therewith satisfied, whose messengers are here about my side, upon some present business of the state to bring me to him? first officer 'tis true, most worthy signior; the duke's in council and your noble self, i am sure, is sent for. brabantio how! the duke in council! in this time of the night! bring him away: mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself, or any of my brothers of the state, cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own; for if such actions may have passage free, bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. [exeunt] othello act i scene iii a council-chamber. [the duke and senators sitting at a table; officers attending] duke of venice there is no composition in these news that gives them credit. first senator indeed, they are disproportion'd; my letters say a hundred and seven galleys. duke of venice and mine, a hundred and forty. second senator and mine, two hundred: but though they jump not on a just account,- as in these cases, where the aim reports, 'tis oft with difference--yet do they all confirm a turkish fleet, and bearing up to cyprus. duke of venice nay, it is possible enough to judgment: i do not so secure me in the error, but the main article i do approve in fearful sense. sailor [within] what, ho! what, ho! what, ho! first officer a messenger from the galleys. [enter a sailor] duke of venice now, what's the business? sailor the turkish preparation makes for rhodes; so was i bid report here to the state by signior angelo. duke of venice how say you by this change? first senator this cannot be, by no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant, to keep us in false gaze. when we consider the importancy of cyprus to the turk, and let ourselves again but understand, that as it more concerns the turk than rhodes, so may he with more facile question bear it, for that it stands not in such warlike brace, but altogether lacks the abilities that rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this, we must not think the turk is so unskilful to leave that latest which concerns him first, neglecting an attempt of ease and gain, to wake and wage a danger profitless. duke of venice nay, in all confidence, he's not for rhodes. first officer here is more news. [enter a messenger] messenger the ottomites, reverend and gracious, steering with due course towards the isle of rhodes, have there injointed them with an after fleet. first senator ay, so i thought. how many, as you guess? messenger of thirty sail: and now they do restem their backward course, bearing with frank appearance their purposes toward cyprus. signior montano, your trusty and most valiant servitor, with his free duty recommends you thus, and prays you to believe him. duke of venice 'tis certain, then, for cyprus. marcus luccicos, is not he in town? first senator he's now in florence. duke of venice write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch. first senator here comes brabantio and the valiant moor. [enter brabantio, othello, iago, roderigo, and officers] duke of venice valiant othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy ottoman. [to brabantio] i did not see you; welcome, gentle signior; we lack'd your counsel and your help tonight. brabantio so did i yours. good your grace, pardon me; neither my place nor aught i heard of business hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general care take hold on me, for my particular grief is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature that it engluts and swallows other sorrows and it is still itself. duke of venice why, what's the matter? brabantio my daughter! o, my daughter! duke of venice | dead? senator | brabantio ay, to me; she is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted by spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; for nature so preposterously to err, being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, sans witchcraft could not. duke of venice whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself and you of her, the bloody book of law you shall yourself read in the bitter letter after your own sense, yea, though our proper son stood in your action. brabantio humbly i thank your grace. here is the man, this moor, whom now, it seems, your special mandate for the state-affairs hath hither brought. duke of venice | | we are very sorry for't. senator | duke of venice [to othello] what, in your own part, can you say to this? brabantio nothing, but this is so. othello most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, my very noble and approved good masters, that i have ta'en away this old man's daughter, it is most true; true, i have married her: the very head and front of my offending hath this extent, no more. rude am i in my speech, and little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace: for since these arms of mine had seven years' pith, till now some nine moons wasted, they have used their dearest action in the tented field, and little of this great world can i speak, more than pertains to feats of broil and battle, and therefore little shall i grace my cause in speaking for myself. yet, by your gracious patience, i will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, what conjuration and what mighty magic, for such proceeding i am charged withal, i won his daughter. brabantio a maiden never bold; of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion blush'd at herself; and she, in spite of nature, of years, of country, credit, every thing, to fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! it is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect that will confess perfection so could err against all rules of nature, and must be driven to find out practises of cunning hell, why this should be. i therefore vouch again that with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood, or with some dram conjured to this effect, he wrought upon her. duke of venice to vouch this, is no proof, without more wider and more overt test than these thin habits and poor likelihoods of modern seeming do prefer against him. first senator but, othello, speak: did you by indirect and forced courses subdue and poison this young maid's affections? or came it by request and such fair question as soul to soul affordeth? othello i do beseech you, send for the lady to the sagittary, and let her speak of me before her father: if you do find me foul in her report, the trust, the office i do hold of you, not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my life. duke of venice fetch desdemona hither. othello ancient, conduct them: you best know the place. [exeunt iago and attendants] and, till she come, as truly as to heaven i do confess the vices of my blood, so justly to your grave ears i'll present how i did thrive in this fair lady's love, and she in mine. duke of venice say it, othello. othello her father loved me; oft invited me; still question'd me the story of my life, from year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, that i have passed. i ran it through, even from my boyish days, to the very moment that he bade me tell it; wherein i spake of most disastrous chances, of moving accidents by flood and field of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach, of being taken by the insolent foe and sold to slavery, of my redemption thence and portance in my travels' history: wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven it was my hint to speak,--such was the process; and of the cannibals that each other eat, the anthropophagi and men whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders. this to hear would desdemona seriously incline: but still the house-affairs would draw her thence: which ever as she could with haste dispatch, she'ld come again, and with a greedy ear devour up my discourse: which i observing, took once a pliant hour, and found good means to draw from her a prayer of earnest heart that i would all my pilgrimage dilate, whereof by parcels she had something heard, but not intentively: i did consent, and often did beguile her of her tears, when i did speak of some distressful stroke that my youth suffer'd. my story being done, she gave me for my pains a world of sighs: she swore, in faith, twas strange, 'twas passing strange, 'twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful: she wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd that heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me, and bade me, if i had a friend that loved her, i should but teach him how to tell my story. and that would woo her. upon this hint i spake: she loved me for the dangers i had pass'd, and i loved her that she did pity them. this only is the witchcraft i have used: here comes the lady; let her witness it. [enter desdemona, iago, and attendants] duke of venice i think this tale would win my daughter too. good brabantio, take up this mangled matter at the best: men do their broken weapons rather use than their bare hands. brabantio i pray you, hear her speak: if she confess that she was half the wooer, destruction on my head, if my bad blame light on the man! come hither, gentle mistress: do you perceive in all this noble company where most you owe obedience? desdemona my noble father, i do perceive here a divided duty: to you i am bound for life and education; my life and education both do learn me how to respect you; you are the lord of duty; i am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother show'd to you, preferring you before her father, so much i challenge that i may profess due to the moor my lord. brabantio god be wi' you! i have done. please it your grace, on to the state-affairs: i had rather to adopt a child than get it. come hither, moor: i here do give thee that with all my heart which, but thou hast already, with all my heart i would keep from thee. for your sake, jewel, i am glad at soul i have no other child: for thy escape would teach me tyranny, to hang clogs on them. i have done, my lord. duke of venice let me speak like yourself, and lay a sentence, which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers into your favour. when remedies are past, the griefs are ended by seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended. to mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on. what cannot be preserved when fortune takes patience her injury a mockery makes. the robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief; he robs himself that spends a bootless grief. brabantio so let the turk of cyprus us beguile; we lose it not, so long as we can smile. he bears the sentence well that nothing bears but the free comfort which from thence he hears, but he bears both the sentence and the sorrow that, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow. these sentences, to sugar, or to gall, being strong on both sides, are equivocal: but words are words; i never yet did hear that the bruised heart was pierced through the ear. i humbly beseech you, proceed to the affairs of state. duke of venice the turk with a most mighty preparation makes for cyprus. othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you; and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition. othello the tyrant custom, most grave senators, hath made the flinty and steel couch of war my thrice-driven bed of down: i do agnise a natural and prompt alacrity i find in hardness, and do undertake these present wars against the ottomites. most humbly therefore bending to your state, i crave fit disposition for my wife. due reference of place and exhibition, with such accommodation and besort as levels with her breeding. duke of venice if you please, be't at her father's. brabantio i'll not have it so. othello nor i. desdemona nor i; i would not there reside, to put my father in impatient thoughts by being in his eye. most gracious duke, to my unfolding lend your prosperous ear; and let me find a charter in your voice, to assist my simpleness. duke of venice what would you, desdemona? desdemona that i did love the moor to live with him, my downright violence and storm of fortunes may trumpet to the world: my heart's subdued even to the very quality of my lord: i saw othello's visage in his mind, and to his honour and his valiant parts did i my soul and fortunes consecrate. so that, dear lords, if i be left behind, a moth of peace, and he go to the war, the rites for which i love him are bereft me, and i a heavy interim shall support by his dear absence. let me go with him. othello let her have your voices. vouch with me, heaven, i therefore beg it not, to please the palate of my appetite, nor to comply with heat--the young affects in me defunct--and proper satisfaction. but to be free and bounteous to her mind: and heaven defend your good souls, that you think i will your serious and great business scant for she is with me: no, when light-wing'd toys of feather'd cupid seal with wanton dullness my speculative and officed instruments, that my disports corrupt and taint my business, let housewives make a skillet of my helm, and all indign and base adversities make head against my estimation! duke of venice be it as you shall privately determine, either for her stay or going: the affair cries haste, and speed must answer it. first senator you must away to-night. othello with all my heart. duke of venice at nine i' the morning here we'll meet again. othello, leave some officer behind, and he shall our commission bring to you; with such things else of quality and respect as doth import you. othello so please your grace, my ancient; a man he is of honest and trust: to his conveyance i assign my wife, with what else needful your good grace shall think to be sent after me. duke of venice let it be so. good night to every one. [to brabantio] and, noble signior, if virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black. first senator adieu, brave moor, use desdemona well. brabantio look to her, moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee. [exeunt duke of venice, senators, officers, &c] othello my life upon her faith! honest iago, my desdemona must i leave to thee: i prithee, let thy wife attend on her: and bring them after in the best advantage. come, desdemona: i have but an hour of love, of worldly matters and direction, to spend with thee: we must obey the time. [exeunt othello and desdemona] roderigo iago,- iago what say'st thou, noble heart? roderigo what will i do, thinkest thou? iago why, go to bed, and sleep. roderigo i will incontinently drown myself. iago if thou dost, i shall never love thee after. why, thou silly gentleman! roderigo it is silliness to live when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician. iago o villainous! i have looked upon the world for four times seven years; and since i could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, i never found man that knew how to love himself. ere i would say, i would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, i would change my humanity with a baboon. roderigo what should i do? i confess it is my shame to be so fond; but it is not in my virtue to amend it. iago virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. if the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions: but we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts, whereof i take this that you call love to be a sect or scion. roderigo it cannot be. iago it is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. come, be a man. drown thyself! drown cats and blind puppies. i have professed me thy friend and i confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness; i could never better stead thee than now. put money in thy purse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favour with an usurped beard; i say, put money in thy purse. it cannot be that desdemona should long continue her love to the moor,-put money in thy purse,--nor he his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration:--put but money in thy purse. these moors are changeable in their wills: fill thy purse with money:--the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. she must change for youth: when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice: she must have change, she must: therefore put money in thy purse. if thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. make all the money thou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a supersubtle venetian not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. a pox of drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her. roderigo wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if i depend on the issue? iago thou art sure of me:--go, make money:--i have told thee often, and i re-tell thee again and again, i hate the moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason. let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. there are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. traverse! go, provide thy money. we will have more of this to-morrow. adieu. roderigo where shall we meet i' the morning? iago at my lodging. roderigo i'll be with thee betimes. iago go to; farewell. do you hear, roderigo? roderigo what say you? iago no more of drowning, do you hear? roderigo i am changed: i'll go sell all my land. [exit] iago thus do i ever make my fool my purse: for i mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, if i would time expend with such a snipe. but for my sport and profit. i hate the moor: and it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets he has done my office: i know not if't be true; but i, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety. he holds me well; the better shall my purpose work on him. cassio's a proper man: let me see now: to get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery--how, how? let's see:- after some time, to abuse othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife. he hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make women false. the moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are. i have't. it is engender'd. hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. [exit] othello act ii scene i a sea-port in cyprus. an open place near the quay. [enter montano and two gentlemen] montano what from the cape can you discern at sea? first gentleman nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood; i cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, descry a sail. montano methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land; a fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements: if it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea, what ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, can hold the mortise? what shall we hear of this? second gentleman a segregation of the turkish fleet: for do but stand upon the foaming shore, the chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds; the wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane, seems to cast water on the burning bear, and quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole: i never did like molestation view on the enchafed flood. montano if that the turkish fleet be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd: it is impossible they bear it out. [enter a third gentleman] third gentleman news, lads! our wars are done. the desperate tempest hath so bang'd the turks, that their designment halts: a noble ship of venice hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance on most part of their fleet. montano how! is this true? third gentleman the ship is here put in, a veronesa; michael cassio, lieutenant to the warlike moor othello, is come on shore: the moor himself at sea, and is in full commission here for cyprus. montano i am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor. third gentleman but this same cassio, though he speak of comfort touching the turkish loss, yet he looks sadly, and prays the moor be safe; for they were parted with foul and violent tempest. montano pray heavens he be; for i have served him, and the man commands like a full soldier. let's to the seaside, ho! as well to see the vessel that's come in as to throw out our eyes for brave othello, even till we make the main and the aerial blue an indistinct regard. third gentleman come, let's do so: for every minute is expectancy of more arrivance. [enter cassio] cassio thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle, that so approve the moor! o, let the heavens give him defence against the elements, for i have lost us him on a dangerous sea. montano is he well shipp'd? cassio his bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot of very expert and approved allowance; therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, stand in bold cure. [a cry within 'a sail, a sail, a sail!'] [enter a fourth gentleman] cassio what noise? fourth gentleman the town is empty; on the brow o' the sea stand ranks of people, and they cry 'a sail!' cassio my hopes do shape him for the governor. [guns heard] second gentlemen they do discharge their shot of courtesy: our friends at least. cassio i pray you, sir, go forth, and give us truth who 'tis that is arrived. second gentleman i shall. [exit] montano but, good lieutenant, is your general wived? cassio most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid that paragons description and wild fame; one that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, and in the essential vesture of creation does tire the ingener. [re-enter second gentleman] how now! who has put in? second gentleman 'tis one iago, ancient to the general. cassio has had most favourable and happy speed: tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, the gutter'd rocks and congregated sands- traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,- as having sense of beauty, do omit their mortal natures, letting go safely by the divine desdemona. montano what is she? cassio she that i spake of, our great captain's captain, left in the conduct of the bold iago, whose footing here anticipates our thoughts a se'nnight's speed. great jove, othello guard, and swell his sail with thine own powerful breath, that he may bless this bay with his tall ship, make love's quick pants in desdemona's arms, give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits and bring all cyprus comfort! [enter desdemona, emilia, iago, roderigo, and attendants] o, behold, the riches of the ship is come on shore! ye men of cyprus, let her have your knees. hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven, before, behind thee, and on every hand, enwheel thee round! desdemona i thank you, valiant cassio. what tidings can you tell me of my lord? cassio he is not yet arrived: nor know i aught but that he's well and will be shortly here. desdemona o, but i fear--how lost you company? cassio the great contention of the sea and skies parted our fellowship--but, hark! a sail. [within 'a sail, a sail!' guns heard] second gentleman they give their greeting to the citadel; this likewise is a friend. cassio see for the news. [exit gentleman] good ancient, you are welcome. [to emilia] welcome, mistress. let it not gall your patience, good iago, that i extend my manners; 'tis my breeding that gives me this bold show of courtesy. [kissing her] iago sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you'll have enough. desdemona alas, she has no speech. iago in faith, too much; i find it still, when i have list to sleep: marry, before your ladyship, i grant, she puts her tongue a little in her heart, and chides with thinking. emilia you have little cause to say so. iago come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors, bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, saints m your injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds. desdemona o, fie upon thee, slanderer! iago nay, it is true, or else i am a turk: you rise to play and go to bed to work. emilia you shall not write my praise. iago no, let me not. desdemona what wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me? iago o gentle lady, do not put me to't; for i am nothing, if not critical. desdemona come on assay. there's one gone to the harbour? iago ay, madam. desdemona i am not merry; but i do beguile the thing i am, by seeming otherwise. come, how wouldst thou praise me? iago i am about it; but indeed my invention comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize; it plucks out brains and all: but my muse labours, and thus she is deliver'd. if she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, the one's for use, the other useth it. desdemona well praised! how if she be black and witty? iago if she be black, and thereto have a wit, she'll find a white that shall her blackness fit. desdemona worse and worse. emilia how if fair and foolish? iago she never yet was foolish that was fair; for even her folly help'd her to an heir. desdemona these are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' the alehouse. what miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish? iago there's none so foul and foolish thereunto, but does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. desdemona o heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best. but what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself? iago she that was ever fair and never proud, had tongue at will and yet was never loud, never lack'd gold and yet went never gay, fled from her wish and yet said 'now i may,' she that being anger'd, her revenge being nigh, bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly, she that in wisdom never was so frail to change the cod's head for the salmon's tail; she that could think and ne'er disclose her mind, see suitors following and not look behind, she was a wight, if ever such wight were,- desdemona to do what? iago to suckle fools and chronicle small beer. desdemona o most lame and impotent conclusion! do not learn of him, emilia, though he be thy husband. how say you, cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor? cassio he speaks home, madam: you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar. iago [aside] he takes her by the palm: ay, well said, whisper: with as little a web as this will i ensnare as great a fly as cassio. ay, smile upon her, do; i will gyve thee in thine own courtship. you say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. very good; well kissed! an excellent courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. yet again your fingers to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake! [trumpet within] the moor! i know his trumpet. cassio 'tis truly so. desdemona let's meet him and receive him. cassio lo, where he comes! [enter othello and attendants] othello o my fair warrior! desdemona my dear othello! othello it gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. o my soul's joy! if after every tempest come such calms, may the winds blow till they have waken'd death! and let the labouring bark climb hills of seas olympus-high and duck again as low as hell's from heaven! if it were now to die, 'twere now to be most happy; for, i fear, my soul hath her content so absolute that not another comfort like to this succeeds in unknown fate. desdemona the heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase, even as our days do grow! othello amen to that, sweet powers! i cannot speak enough of this content; it stops me here; it is too much of joy: and this, and this, the greatest discords be [kissing her] that e'er our hearts shall make! iago [aside] o, you are well tuned now! but i'll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as i am. othello come, let us to the castle. news, friends; our wars are done, the turks are drown'd. how does my old acquaintance of this isle? honey, you shall be well desired in cyprus; i have found great love amongst them. o my sweet, i prattle out of fashion, and i dote in mine own comforts. i prithee, good iago, go to the bay and disembark my coffers: bring thou the master to the citadel; he is a good one, and his worthiness does challenge much respect. come, desdemona, once more, well met at cyprus. [exeunt othello, desdemona, and attendants] iago do thou meet me presently at the harbour. come hither. if thou be'st valiant,-as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them--list me. the lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard:--first, i must tell thee this--desdemona is directly in love with him. roderigo with him! why, 'tis not possible. iago lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. mark me with what violence she first loved the moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies: and will she love him still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? when the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which the moor is defective in: now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the moor; very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. now, sir, this granted,--as it is a most pregnant and unforced position--who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection? why, none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself; a devilish knave. besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after: a pestilent complete knave; and the woman hath found him already. roderigo i cannot believe that in her; she's full of most blessed condition. iago blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the moor. blessed pudding! didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that? roderigo yes, that i did; but that was but courtesy. iago lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. they met so near with their lips that their breaths embraced together. villanous thoughts, roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion, pish! but, sir, be you ruled by me: i have brought you from venice. watch you to-night; for the command, i'll lay't upon you. cassio knows you not. i'll not be far from you: do you find some occasion to anger cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister. roderigo well. iago sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for even out of that will i cause these of cyprus to mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of cassio. so shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means i shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity. roderigo i will do this, if i can bring it to any opportunity. iago i warrant thee. meet me by and by at the citadel: i must fetch his necessaries ashore. farewell. roderigo adieu. [exit] iago that cassio loves her, i do well believe it; that she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit: the moor, howbeit that i endure him not, is of a constant, loving, noble nature, and i dare think he'll prove to desdemona a most dear husband. now, i do love her too; not out of absolute lust, though peradventure i stand accountant for as great a sin, but partly led to diet my revenge, for that i do suspect the lusty moor hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; and nothing can or shall content my soul till i am even'd with him, wife for wife, or failing so, yet that i put the moor at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure. which thing to do, if this poor trash of venice, whom i trash for his quick hunting, stand the putting on, i'll have our michael cassio on the hip, abuse him to the moor in the rank garb- for i fear cassio with my night-cap too- make the moor thank me, love me and reward me. for making him egregiously an ass and practising upon his peace and quiet even to madness. 'tis here, but yet confused: knavery's plain face is never seen tin used. [exit] othello act ii scene ii a street. [enter a herald with a proclamation; people following] herald it is othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him: for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. so much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. all offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. heaven bless the isle of cyprus and our noble general othello! [exeunt] othello act ii scene iii a hall in the castle. [enter othello, desdemona, cassio, and attendants] othello good michael, look you to the guard to-night: let's teach ourselves that honourable stop, not to outsport discretion. cassio iago hath direction what to do; but, notwithstanding, with my personal eye will i look to't. othello iago is most honest. michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest let me have speech with you. [to desdemona] come, my dear love, the purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; that profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. good night. [exeunt othello, desdemona, and attendants] [enter iago] cassio welcome, iago; we must to the watch. iago not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock. our general cast us thus early for the love of his desdemona; who let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is sport for jove. cassio she's a most exquisite lady. iago and, i'll warrant her, fun of game. cassio indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature. iago what an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of provocation. cassio an inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest. iago and when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? cassio she is indeed perfection. iago well, happiness to their sheets! come, lieutenant, i have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black othello. cassio not to-night, good iago: i have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: i could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. iago o, they are our friends; but one cup: i'll drink for you. cassio i have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation it makes here: i am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more. iago what, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants desire it. cassio where are they? iago here at the door; i pray you, call them in. cassio i'll do't; but it dislikes me. [exit] iago if i can fasten but one cup upon him, with that which he hath drunk to-night already, he'll be as full of quarrel and offence as my young mistress' dog. now, my sick fool roderigo, whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out, to desdemona hath to-night caroused potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch: three lads of cyprus, noble swelling spirits, that hold their honours in a wary distance, the very elements of this warlike isle, have i to-night fluster'd with flowing cups, and they watch too. now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards, am i to put our cassio in some action that may offend the isle.--but here they come: if consequence do but approve my dream, my boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. [re-enter cassio; with him montano and gentlemen; servants following with wine] cassio 'fore god, they have given me a rouse already. montano good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as i am a soldier. iago some wine, ho! [sings] and let me the canakin clink, clink; and let me the canakin clink a soldier's a man; a life's but a span; why, then, let a soldier drink. some wine, boys! cassio 'fore god, an excellent song. iago i learned it in england, where, indeed, they are most potent in potting: your dane, your german, and your swag-bellied hollander--drink, ho!--are nothing to your english. cassio is your englishman so expert in his drinking? iago why, he drinks you, with facility, your dane dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your almain; he gives your hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle can be filled. cassio to the health of our general! montano i am for it, lieutenant; and i'll do you justice. iago o sweet england! king stephen was a worthy peer, his breeches cost him but a crown; he held them sixpence all too dear, with that he call'd the tailor lown. he was a wight of high renown, and thou art but of low degree: 'tis pride that pulls the country down; then take thine auld cloak about thee. some wine, ho! cassio why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. iago will you hear't again? cassio no; for i hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. well, god's above all; and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved. iago it's true, good lieutenant. cassio for mine own part,--no offence to the general, nor any man of quality,--i hope to be saved. iago and so do i too, lieutenant. cassio ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. let's have no more of this; let's to our affairs.--forgive us our sins!--gentlemen, let's look to our business. do not think, gentlemen. i am drunk: this is my ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left: i am not drunk now; i can stand well enough, and speak well enough. all excellent well. cassio why, very well then; you must not think then that i am drunk. [exit] montano to the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. iago you see this fellow that is gone before; he is a soldier fit to stand by caesar and give direction: and do but see his vice; 'tis to his virtue a just equinox, the one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him. i fear the trust othello puts him in. on some odd time of his infirmity, will shake this island. montano but is he often thus? iago 'tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: he'll watch the horologe a double set, if drink rock not his cradle. montano it were well the general were put in mind of it. perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature prizes the virtue that appears in cassio, and looks not on his evils: is not this true? [enter roderigo] iago [aside to him] how now, roderigo! i pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [exit roderigo] montano and 'tis great pity that the noble moor should hazard such a place as his own second with one of an ingraft infirmity: it were an honest action to say so to the moor. iago not i, for this fair island: i do love cassio well; and would do much to cure him of this evil--but, hark! what noise? [cry within: 'help! help!'] [re-enter cassio, driving in roderigo] cassio you rogue! you rascal! montano what's the matter, lieutenant? cassio a knave teach me my duty! i'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. roderigo beat me! cassio dost thou prate, rogue? [striking roderigo] montano nay, good lieutenant; [staying him] i pray you, sir, hold your hand. cassio let me go, sir, or i'll knock you o'er the mazzard. montano come, come, you're drunk. cassio drunk! [they fight] iago [aside to roderigo] away, i say; go out, and cry a mutiny. [exit roderigo] nay, good lieutenant,--alas, gentlemen;- help, ho!--lieutenant,--sir,--montano,--sir; help, masters!--here's a goodly watch indeed! [bell rings] who's that which rings the bell?--diablo, ho! the town will rise: god's will, lieutenant, hold! you will be shamed for ever. [re-enter othello and attendants] othello what is the matter here? montano 'zounds, i bleed still; i am hurt to the death. [faints] othello hold, for your lives! iago hold, ho! lieutenant,--sir--montano,--gentlemen,- have you forgot all sense of place and duty? hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame! othello why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this? are we turn'd turks, and to ourselves do that which heaven hath forbid the ottomites? for christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl: he that stirs next to carve for his own rage holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion. silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle from her propriety. what is the matter, masters? honest iago, that look'st dead with grieving, speak, who began this? on thy love, i charge thee. iago i do not know: friends all but now, even now, in quarter, and in terms like bride and groom devesting them for bed; and then, but now- as if some planet had unwitted men- swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, in opposition bloody. i cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds; and would in action glorious i had lost those legs that brought me to a part of it! othello how comes it, michael, you are thus forgot? cassio i pray you, pardon me; i cannot speak. othello worthy montano, you were wont be civil; the gravity and stillness of your youth the world hath noted, and your name is great in mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter, that you unlace your reputation thus and spend your rich opinion for the name of a night-brawler? give me answer to it. montano worthy othello, i am hurt to danger: your officer, iago, can inform you,- while i spare speech, which something now offends me,- of all that i do know: nor know i aught by me that's said or done amiss this night; unless self-charity be sometimes a vice, and to defend ourselves it be a sin when violence assails us. othello now, by heaven, my blood begins my safer guides to rule; and passion, having my best judgment collied, assays to lead the way: if i once stir, or do but lift this arm, the best of you shall sink in my rebuke. give me to know how this foul rout began, who set it on; and he that is approved in this offence, though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth, shall lose me. what! in a town of war, yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear, to manage private and domestic quarrel, in night, and on the court and guard of safety! 'tis monstrous. iago, who began't? montano if partially affined, or leagued in office, thou dost deliver more or less than truth, thou art no soldier. iago touch me not so near: i had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to michael cassio; yet, i persuade myself, to speak the truth shall nothing wrong him. thus it is, general. montano and myself being in speech, there comes a fellow crying out for help: and cassio following him with determined sword, to execute upon him. sir, this gentleman steps in to cassio, and entreats his pause: myself the crying fellow did pursue, lest by his clamour--as it so fell out- the town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot, outran my purpose; and i return'd the rather for that i heard the clink and fall of swords, and cassio high in oath; which till to-night i ne'er might say before. when i came back- for this was brief--i found them close together, at blow and thrust; even as again they were when you yourself did part them. more of this matter cannot i report: but men are men; the best sometimes forget: though cassio did some little wrong to him, as men in rage strike those that wish them best, yet surely cassio, i believe, received from him that fled some strange indignity, which patience could not pass. othello i know, iago, thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to cassio. cassio, i love thee but never more be officer of mine. [re-enter desdemona, attended] look, if my gentle love be not raised up! i'll make thee an example. desdemona what's the matter? othello all's well now, sweeting; come away to bed. sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon: lead him off. [to montano, who is led off] iago, look with care about the town, and silence those whom this vile brawl distracted. come, desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life to have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. [exeunt all but iago and cassio] iago what, are you hurt, lieutenant? cassio ay, past all surgery. iago marry, heaven forbid! cassio reputation, reputation, reputation! o, i have lost my reputation! i have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. my reputation, iago, my reputation! iago as i am an honest man, i thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. reputation is an idle and most false imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving: you have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. what, man! there are ways to recover the general again: you are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue to him again, and he's yours. cassio i will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one's own shadow? o thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil! iago what was he that you followed with your sword? what had he done to you? cassio i know not. iago is't possible? cassio i remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. o god, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts! iago why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus recovered? cassio it hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself. iago come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, i could heartily wish this had not befallen; but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good. cassio i will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me i am a drunkard! had i as many mouths as hydra, such an answer would stop them all. to be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! o strange! every inordinate cup is unblessed and the ingredient is a devil. iago come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used: exclaim no more against it. and, good lieutenant, i think you think i love you. cassio i have well approved it, sir. i drunk! iago you or any man living may be drunk! at a time, man. i'll tell you what you shall do. our general's wife is now the general: may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again: she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested: this broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before. cassio you advise me well. iago i protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. cassio i think it freely; and betimes in the morning i will beseech the virtuous desdemona to undertake for me: i am desperate of my fortunes if they cheque me here. iago you are in the right. good night, lieutenant; i must to the watch. cassio: good night, honest iago. [exit] iago and what's he then that says i play the villain? when this advice is free i give and honest, probal to thinking and indeed the course to win the moor again? for 'tis most easy the inclining desdemona to subdue in any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful as the free elements. and then for her to win the moor--were't to renounce his baptism, all seals and symbols of redeemed sin, his soul is so enfetter'd to her love, that she may make, unmake, do what she list, even as her appetite shall play the god with his weak function. how am i then a villain to counsel cassio to this parallel course, directly to his good? divinity of hell! when devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, as i do now: for whiles this honest fool plies desdemona to repair his fortunes and she for him pleads strongly to the moor, i'll pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repeals him for her body's lust; and by how much she strives to do him good, she shall undo her credit with the moor. so will i turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all. [re-enter roderigo] how now, roderigo! roderigo i do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. my money is almost spent; i have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and i think the issue will be, i shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to venice. iago how poor are they that have not patience! what wound did ever heal but by degrees? thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft; and wit depends on dilatory time. does't not go well? cassio hath beaten thee. and thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd cassio: though other things grow fair against the sun, yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe: content thyself awhile. by the mass, 'tis morning; pleasure and action make the hours seem short. retire thee; go where thou art billeted: away, i say; thou shalt know more hereafter: nay, get thee gone. [exit roderigo] two things are to be done: my wife must move for cassio to her mistress; i'll set her on; myself the while to draw the moor apart, and bring him jump when he may cassio find soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way dull not device by coldness and delay. [exit] othello act iii scene i before the castle. [enter cassio and some musicians] cassio masters, play here; i will content your pains; something that's brief; and bid 'good morrow, general.' [music] [enter clown] clown why masters, have your instruments been in naples, that they speak i' the nose thus? first musician how, sir, how! clown are these, i pray you, wind-instruments? first musician ay, marry, are they, sir. clown o, thereby hangs a tail. first musician whereby hangs a tale, sir? clown marry. sir, by many a wind-instrument that i know. but, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it. first musician well, sir, we will not. clown if you have any music that may not be heard, to't again: but, as they say to hear music the general does not greatly care. first musician we have none such, sir. clown then put up your pipes in your bag, for i'll away: go; vanish into air; away! [exeunt musicians] cassio dost thou hear, my honest friend? clown no, i hear not your honest friend; i hear you. cassio prithee, keep up thy quillets. there's a poor piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife be stirring, tell her there's one cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this? clown she is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, i shall seem to notify unto her. cassio do, good my friend. [exit clown] [enter iago] in happy time, iago. iago you have not been a-bed, then? cassio why, no; the day had broke before we parted. i have made bold, iago, to send in to your wife: my suit to her is, that she will to virtuous desdemona procure me some access. iago i'll send her to you presently; and i'll devise a mean to draw the moor out of the way, that your converse and business may be more free. cassio i humbly thank you for't. [exit iago] i never knew a florentine more kind and honest. [enter emilia] emilia good morrow, good lieutenant: i am sorry for your displeasure; but all will sure be well. the general and his wife are talking of it; and she speaks for you stoutly: the moor replies, that he you hurt is of great fame in cyprus, and great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom he might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you and needs no other suitor but his likings to take the safest occasion by the front to bring you in again. cassio yet, i beseech you, if you think fit, or that it may be done, give me advantage of some brief discourse with desdemona alone. emilia pray you, come in; i will bestow you where you shall have time to speak your bosom freely. cassio i am much bound to you. [exeunt] othello act iii scene ii a room in the castle. [enter othello, iago, and gentlemen] othello these letters give, iago, to the pilot; and by him do my duties to the senate: that done, i will be walking on the works; repair there to me. iago well, my good lord, i'll do't. othello this fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't? gentleman we'll wait upon your lordship. [exeunt] othello act iii scene iii the garden of the castle. [enter desdemona, cassio, and emilia] desdemona be thou assured, good cassio, i will do all my abilities in thy behalf. emilia good madam, do: i warrant it grieves my husband, as if the case were his. desdemona o, that's an honest fellow. do not doubt, cassio, but i will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were. cassio bounteous madam, whatever shall become of michael cassio, he's never any thing but your true servant. desdemona i know't; i thank you. you do love my lord: you have known him long; and be you well assured he shall in strangeness stand no further off than in a polite distance. cassio ay, but, lady, that policy may either last so long, or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, or breed itself so out of circumstance, that, i being absent and my place supplied, my general will forget my love and service. desdemona do not doubt that; before emilia here i give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee, if i do vow a friendship, i'll perform it to the last article: my lord shall never rest; i'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience; his bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; i'll intermingle every thing he does with cassio's suit: therefore be merry, cassio; for thy solicitor shall rather die than give thy cause away. emilia madam, here comes my lord. cassio madam, i'll take my leave. desdemona why, stay, and hear me speak. cassio madam, not now: i am very ill at ease, unfit for mine own purposes. desdemona well, do your discretion. [exit cassio] [enter othello and iago] iago ha! i like not that. othello what dost thou say? iago nothing, my lord: or if--i know not what. othello was not that cassio parted from my wife? iago cassio, my lord! no, sure, i cannot think it, that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming. othello i do believe 'twas he. desdemona how now, my lord! i have been talking with a suitor here, a man that languishes in your displeasure. othello who is't you mean? desdemona why, your lieutenant, cassio. good my lord, if i have any grace or power to move you, his present reconciliation take; for if he be not one that truly loves you, that errs in ignorance and not in cunning, i have no judgment in an honest face: i prithee, call him back. othello went he hence now? desdemona ay, sooth; so humbled that he hath left part of his grief with me, to suffer with him. good love, call him back. othello not now, sweet desdemona; some other time. desdemona but shall't be shortly? othello the sooner, sweet, for you. desdemona shall't be to-night at supper? othello no, not to-night. desdemona to-morrow dinner, then? othello i shall not dine at home; i meet the captains at the citadel. desdemona why, then, to-morrow night; or tuesday morn; on tuesday noon, or night; on wednesday morn: i prithee, name the time, but let it not exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent; and yet his trespass, in our common reason- save that, they say, the wars must make examples out of their best--is not almost a fault to incur a private cheque. when shall he come? tell me, othello: i wonder in my soul, what you would ask me, that i should deny, or stand so mammering on. what! michael cassio, that came a-wooing with you, and so many a time, when i have spoke of you dispraisingly, hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do to bring him in! trust me, i could do much,- othello prithee, no more: let him come when he will; i will deny thee nothing. desdemona why, this is not a boon; 'tis as i should entreat you wear your gloves, or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm, or sue to you to do a peculiar profit to your own person: nay, when i have a suit wherein i mean to touch your love indeed, it shall be full of poise and difficult weight and fearful to be granted. othello i will deny thee nothing: whereon, i do beseech thee, grant me this, to leave me but a little to myself. desdemona shall i deny you? no: farewell, my lord. othello farewell, my desdemona: i'll come to thee straight. desdemona emilia, come. be as your fancies teach you; whate'er you be, i am obedient. [exeunt desdemona and emilia] othello excellent wretch! perdition catch my soul, but i do love thee! and when i love thee not, chaos is come again. iago my noble lord- othello what dost thou say, iago? iago did michael cassio, when you woo'd my lady, know of your love? othello he did, from first to last: why dost thou ask? iago but for a satisfaction of my thought; no further harm. othello why of thy thought, iago? iago i did not think he had been acquainted with her. othello o, yes; and went between us very oft. iago indeed! othello indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that? is he not honest? iago honest, my lord! othello honest! ay, honest. iago my lord, for aught i know. othello what dost thou think? iago think, my lord! othello think, my lord! by heaven, he echoes me, as if there were some monster in his thought too hideous to be shown. thou dost mean something: i heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that, when cassio left my wife: what didst not like? and when i told thee he was of my counsel in my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'indeed!' and didst contract and purse thy brow together, as if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me, show me thy thought. iago my lord, you know i love you. othello i think thou dost; and, for i know thou'rt full of love and honesty, and weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath, therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: for such things in a false disloyal knave are tricks of custom, but in a man that's just they are close delations, working from the heart that passion cannot rule. iago for michael cassio, i dare be sworn i think that he is honest. othello i think so too. iago men should be what they seem; or those that be not, would they might seem none! othello certain, men should be what they seem. iago why, then, i think cassio's an honest man. othello nay, yet there's more in this: i prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts the worst of words. iago good my lord, pardon me: though i am bound to every act of duty, i am not bound to that all slaves are free to. utter my thoughts? why, say they are vile and false; as where's that palace whereinto foul things sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure, but some uncleanly apprehensions keep leets and law-days and in session sit with meditations lawful? othello thou dost conspire against thy friend, iago, if thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear a stranger to thy thoughts. iago i do beseech you- though i perchance am vicious in my guess, as, i confess, it is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy shapes faults that are not--that your wisdom yet, from one that so imperfectly conceits, would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble out of his scattering and unsure observance. it were not for your quiet nor your good, nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, to let you know my thoughts. othello what dost thou mean? iago good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls: who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed. othello by heaven, i'll know thy thoughts. iago you cannot, if my heart were in your hand; nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. othello ha! iago o, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; but, o, what damned minutes tells he o'er who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves! othello o misery! iago poor and content is rich and rich enough, but riches fineless is as poor as winter to him that ever fears he shall be poor. good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend from jealousy! othello why, why is this? think'st thou i'ld make a lie of jealousy, to follow still the changes of the moon with fresh suspicions? no; to be once in doubt is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat, when i shall turn the business of my soul to such exsufflicate and blown surmises, matching thy inference. 'tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well; where virtue is, these are more virtuous: nor from mine own weak merits will i draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt; for she had eyes, and chose me. no, iago; i'll see before i doubt; when i doubt, prove; and on the proof, there is no more but this,- away at once with love or jealousy! iago i am glad of it; for now i shall have reason to show the love and duty that i bear you with franker spirit: therefore, as i am bound, receive it from me. i speak not yet of proof. look to your wife; observe her well with cassio; wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure: i would not have your free and noble nature, out of self-bounty, be abused; look to't: i know our country disposition well; in venice they do let heaven see the pranks they dare not show their husbands; their best conscience is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown. othello dost thou say so? iago she did deceive her father, marrying you; and when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most. othello and so she did. iago why, go to then; she that, so young, could give out such a seeming, to seal her father's eyes up close as oak he thought 'twas witchcraft--but i am much to blame; i humbly do beseech you of your pardon for too much loving you. othello i am bound to thee for ever. iago i see this hath a little dash'd your spirits. othello not a jot, not a jot. iago i' faith, i fear it has. i hope you will consider what is spoke comes from my love. but i do see you're moved: i am to pray you not to strain my speech to grosser issues nor to larger reach than to suspicion. othello i will not. iago should you do so, my lord, my speech should fall into such vile success as my thoughts aim not at. cassio's my worthy friend- my lord, i see you're moved. othello no, not much moved: i do not think but desdemona's honest. iago long live she so! and long live you to think so! othello and yet, how nature erring from itself,- iago ay, there's the point: as--to be bold with you- not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, whereto we see in all things nature tends- foh! one may smell in such a will most rank, foul disproportion thoughts unnatural. but pardon me; i do not in position distinctly speak of her; though i may fear her will, recoiling to her better judgment, may fall to match you with her country forms and happily repent. othello farewell, farewell: if more thou dost perceive, let me know more; set on thy wife to observe: leave me, iago: iago [going] my lord, i take my leave. othello why did i marry? this honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. iago [returning] my lord, i would i might entreat your honour to scan this thing no further; leave it to time: though it be fit that cassio have his place, for sure, he fills it up with great ability, yet, if you please to hold him off awhile, you shall by that perceive him and his means: note, if your lady strain his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity; much will be seen in that. in the mean time, let me be thought too busy in my fears- as worthy cause i have to fear i am- and hold her free, i do beseech your honour. othello fear not my government. iago i once more take my leave. [exit] othello this fellow's of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, of human dealings. if i do prove her haggard, though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings, i'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind, to pray at fortune. haply, for i am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have, or for i am declined into the vale of years,--yet that's not much- she's gone. i am abused; and my relief must be to loathe her. o curse of marriage, that we can call these delicate creatures ours, and not their appetites! i had rather be a toad, and live upon the vapour of a dungeon, than keep a corner in the thing i love for others' uses. yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; prerogatived are they less than the base; 'tis destiny unshunnable, like death: even then this forked plague is fated to us when we do quicken. desdemona comes: [re-enter desdemona and emilia] if she be false, o, then heaven mocks itself! i'll not believe't. desdemona how now, my dear othello! your dinner, and the generous islanders by you invited, do attend your presence. othello i am to blame. desdemona why do you speak so faintly? are you not well? othello i have a pain upon my forehead here. desdemona 'faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again: let me but bind it hard, within this hour it will be well. othello your napkin is too little: [he puts the handkerchief from him; and it drops] let it alone. come, i'll go in with you. desdemona i am very sorry that you are not well. [exeunt othello and desdemona] emilia i am glad i have found this napkin: this was her first remembrance from the moor: my wayward husband hath a hundred times woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token, for he conjured her she should ever keep it, that she reserves it evermore about her to kiss and talk to. i'll have the work ta'en out, and give't iago: what he will do with it heaven knows, not i; i nothing but to please his fantasy. [re-enter iago] iago how now! what do you here alone? emilia do not you chide; i have a thing for you. iago a thing for me? it is a common thing- emilia ha! iago to have a foolish wife. emilia o, is that all? what will you give me now for the same handkerchief? iago what handkerchief? emilia what handkerchief? why, that the moor first gave to desdemona; that which so often you did bid me steal. iago hast stol'n it from her? emilia no, 'faith; she let it drop by negligence. and, to the advantage, i, being here, took't up. look, here it is. iago a good wench; give it me. emilia what will you do with 't, that you have been so earnest to have me filch it? iago [snatching it] why, what's that to you? emilia if it be not for some purpose of import, give't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad when she shall lack it. iago be not acknown on 't; i have use for it. go, leave me. [exit emilia] i will in cassio's lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it. trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ: this may do something. the moor already changes with my poison: dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons. which at the first are scarce found to distaste, but with a little act upon the blood. burn like the mines of sulphur. i did say so: look, where he comes! [re-enter othello] not poppy, nor mandragora, nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep which thou owedst yesterday. othello ha! ha! false to me? iago why, how now, general! no more of that. othello avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack: i swear 'tis better to be much abused than but to know't a little. iago how now, my lord! othello what sense had i of her stol'n hours of lust? i saw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me: i slept the next night well, was free and merry; i found not cassio's kisses on her lips: he that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n, let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all. iago i am sorry to hear this. othello i had been happy, if the general camp, pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body, so i had nothing known. o, now, for ever farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars, that make ambition virtue! o, farewell! farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, the spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, the royal banner, and all quality, pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war! and, o you mortal engines, whose rude throats the immortal jove's dead clamours counterfeit, farewell! othello's occupation's gone! iago is't possible, my lord? othello villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, be sure of it; give me the ocular proof: or by the worth of man's eternal soul, thou hadst been better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath! iago is't come to this? othello make me to see't; or, at the least, so prove it, that the probation bear no hinge nor loop to hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life! iago my noble lord,- othello if thou dost slander her and torture me, never pray more; abandon all remorse; on horror's head horrors accumulate; do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed; for nothing canst thou to damnation add greater than that. iago o grace! o heaven forgive me! are you a man? have you a soul or sense? god be wi' you; take mine office. o wretched fool. that livest to make thine honesty a vice! o monstrous world! take note, take note, o world, to be direct and honest is not safe. i thank you for this profit; and from hence i'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence. othello nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest. iago i should be wise, for honesty's a fool and loses that it works for. othello by the world, i think my wife be honest and think she is not; i think that thou art just and think thou art not. i'll have some proof. her name, that was as fresh as dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face. if there be cords, or knives, poison, or fire, or suffocating streams, i'll not endure it. would i were satisfied! iago i see, sir, you are eaten up with passion: i do repent me that i put it to you. you would be satisfied? othello would! nay, i will. iago and may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord? would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on- behold her topp'd? othello death and damnation! o! iago it were a tedious difficulty, i think, to bring them to that prospect: damn them then, if ever mortal eyes do see them bolster more than their own! what then? how then? what shall i say? where's satisfaction? it is impossible you should see this, were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, as salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross as ignorance made drunk. but yet, i say, if imputation and strong circumstances, which lead directly to the door of truth, will give you satisfaction, you may have't. othello give me a living reason she's disloyal. iago i do not like the office: but, sith i am enter'd in this cause so far, prick'd to't by foolish honesty and love, i will go on. i lay with cassio lately; and, being troubled with a raging tooth, i could not sleep. there are a kind of men so loose of soul, that in their sleeps will mutter their affairs: one of this kind is cassio: in sleep i heard him say 'sweet desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves;' and then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, cry 'o sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard, as if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots that grew upon my lips: then laid his leg over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then cried 'cursed fate that gave thee to the moor!' othello o monstrous! monstrous! iago nay, this was but his dream. othello but this denoted a foregone conclusion: 'tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream. iago and this may help to thicken other proofs that do demonstrate thinly. othello i'll tear her all to pieces. iago nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done; she may be honest yet. tell me but this, have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand? othello i gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift. iago i know not that; but such a handkerchief- i am sure it was your wife's--did i to-day see cassio wipe his beard with. othello if it be that- iago if it be that, or any that was hers, it speaks against her with the other proofs. othello o, that the slave had forty thousand lives! one is too poor, too weak for my revenge. now do i see 'tis true. look here, iago; all my fond love thus do i blow to heaven. 'tis gone. arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! yield up, o love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for 'tis of aspics' tongues! iago yet be content. othello o, blood, blood, blood! iago patience, i say; your mind perhaps may change. othello never, iago: like to the pontic sea, whose icy current and compulsive course ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on to the propontic and the hellespont, even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love, till that a capable and wide revenge swallow them up. now, by yond marble heaven, [kneels] in the due reverence of a sacred vow i here engage my words. iago do not rise yet. [kneels] witness, you ever-burning lights above, you elements that clip us round about, witness that here iago doth give up the execution of his wit, hands, heart, to wrong'd othello's service! let him command, and to obey shall be in me remorse, what bloody business ever. [they rise] othello i greet thy love, not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous, and will upon the instant put thee to't: within these three days let me hear thee say that cassio's not alive. iago my friend is dead; 'tis done at your request: but let her live. othello damn her, lewd minx! o, damn her! come, go with me apart; i will withdraw, to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. now art thou my lieutenant. iago i am your own for ever. [exeunt] othello act iii scene iv before the castle. [enter desdemona, emilia, and clown] desdemona do you know, sirrah, where lieutenant cassio lies? clown i dare not say he lies any where. desdemona why, man? clown he's a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies, is stabbing. desdemona go to: where lodges he? clown to tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where i lie. desdemona can any thing be made of this? clown i know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a lodging and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat. desdemona can you inquire him out, and be edified by report? clown i will catechise the world for him; that is, make questions, and by them answer. desdemona seek him, bid him come hither: tell him i have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well. clown to do this is within the compass of man's wit: and therefore i will attempt the doing it. [exit] desdemona where should i lose that handkerchief, emilia? emilia i know not, madam. desdemona believe me, i had rather have lost my purse full of crusadoes: and, but my noble moor is true of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are, it were enough to put him to ill thinking. emilia is he not jealous? desdemona who, he? i think the sun where he was born drew all such humours from him. emilia look, where he comes. desdemona i will not leave him now till cassio be call'd to him. [enter othello] how is't with you, my lord othello well, my good lady. [aside] o, hardness to dissemble!- how do you, desdemona? desdemona well, my good lord. othello give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady. desdemona it yet hath felt no age nor known no sorrow. othello this argues fruitfulness and liberal heart: hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires a sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer, much castigation, exercise devout; for here's a young and sweating devil here, that commonly rebels. 'tis a good hand, a frank one. desdemona you may, indeed, say so; for 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. othello a liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands; but our new heraldry is hands, not hearts. desdemona i cannot speak of this. come now, your promise. othello what promise, chuck? desdemona i have sent to bid cassio come speak with you. othello i have a salt and sorry rheum offends me; lend me thy handkerchief. desdemona here, my lord. othello that which i gave you. desdemona i have it not about me. othello not? desdemona no, indeed, my lord. othello that is a fault. that handkerchief did an egyptian to my mother give; she was a charmer, and could almost read the thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it, 'twould make her amiable and subdue my father entirely to her love, but if she lost it or made gift of it, my father's eye should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt after new fancies: she, dying, gave it me; and bid me, when my fate would have me wive, to give it her. i did so: and take heed on't; make it a darling like your precious eye; to lose't or give't away were such perdition as nothing else could match. desdemona is't possible? othello 'tis true: there's magic in the web of it: a sibyl, that had number'd in the world the sun to course two hundred compasses, in her prophetic fury sew'd the work; the worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk; and it was dyed in mummy which the skilful conserved of maidens' hearts. desdemona indeed! is't true? othello most veritable; therefore look to't well. desdemona then would to god that i had never seen't! othello ha! wherefore? desdemona why do you speak so startingly and rash? othello is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way? desdemona heaven bless us! othello say you? desdemona it is not lost; but what an if it were? othello how! desdemona i say, it is not lost. othello fetch't, let me see't. desdemona why, so i can, sir, but i will not now. this is a trick to put me from my suit: pray you, let cassio be received again. othello fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives. desdemona come, come; you'll never meet a more sufficient man. othello the handkerchief! desdemona i pray, talk me of cassio. othello the handkerchief! desdemona a man that all his time hath founded his good fortunes on your love, shared dangers with you,- othello the handkerchief! desdemona in sooth, you are to blame. othello away! [exit] emilia is not this man jealous? desdemona i ne'er saw this before. sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: i am most unhappy in the loss of it. emilia 'tis not a year or two shows us a man: they are all but stomachs, and we all but food; to eat us hungerly, and when they are full, they belch us. look you, cassio and my husband! [enter cassio and iago] iago there is no other way; 'tis she must do't: and, lo, the happiness! go, and importune her. desdemona how now, good cassio! what's the news with you? cassio madam, my former suit: i do beseech you that by your virtuous means i may again exist, and be a member of his love whom i with all the office of my heart entirely honour: i would not be delay'd. if my offence be of such mortal kind that nor my service past, nor present sorrows, nor purposed merit in futurity, can ransom me into his love again, but to know so must be my benefit; so shall i clothe me in a forced content, and shut myself up in some other course, to fortune's alms. desdemona alas, thrice-gentle cassio! my advocation is not now in tune; my lord is not my lord; nor should i know him, were he in favour as in humour alter'd. so help me every spirit sanctified, as i have spoken for you all my best and stood within the blank of his displeasure for my free speech! you must awhile be patient: what i can do i will; and more i will than for myself i dare: let that suffice you. iago is my lord angry? emilia he went hence but now, and certainly in strange unquietness. iago can he be angry? i have seen the cannon, when it hath blown his ranks into the air, and, like the devil, from his very arm puff'd his own brother:--and can he be angry? something of moment then: i will go meet him: there's matter in't indeed, if he be angry. desdemona i prithee, do so. [exit iago] something, sure, of state, either from venice, or some unhatch'd practise made demonstrable here in cyprus to him, hath puddled his clear spirit: and in such cases men's natures wrangle with inferior things, though great ones are their object. 'tis even so; for let our finger ache, and it indues our other healthful members even to that sense of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods, nor of them look for such observances as fit the bridal. beshrew me much, emilia, i was, unhandsome warrior as i am, arraigning his unkindness with my soul; but now i find i had suborn'd the witness, and he's indicted falsely. emilia pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think, and no conception nor no jealous toy concerning you. desdemona alas the day! i never gave him cause. emilia but jealous souls will not be answer'd so; they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster begot upon itself, born on itself. desdemona heaven keep that monster from othello's mind! emilia lady, amen. desdemona i will go seek him. cassio, walk hereabout: if i do find him fit, i'll move your suit and seek to effect it to my uttermost. cassio i humbly thank your ladyship. [exeunt desdemona and emilia] [enter bianca] bianca save you, friend cassio! cassio what make you from home? how is it with you, my most fair bianca? i' faith, sweet love, i was coming to your house. bianca and i was going to your lodging, cassio. what, keep a week away? seven days and nights? eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, more tedious than the dial eight score times? o weary reckoning! cassio pardon me, bianca: i have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd: but i shall, in a more continuate time, strike off this score of absence. sweet bianca, [giving her desdemona's handkerchief] take me this work out. bianca o cassio, whence came this? this is some token from a newer friend: to the felt absence now i feel a cause: is't come to this? well, well. cassio go to, woman! throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, from whence you have them. you are jealous now that this is from some mistress, some remembrance: no, in good troth, bianca. bianca why, whose is it? cassio i know not, sweet: i found it in my chamber. i like the work well: ere it be demanded- as like enough it will--i'ld have it copied: take it, and do't; and leave me for this time. bianca leave you! wherefore? cassio i do attend here on the general; and think it no addition, nor my wish, to have him see me woman'd. bianca why, i pray you? cassio not that i love you not. bianca but that you do not love me. i pray you, bring me on the way a little, and say if i shall see you soon at night. cassio 'tis but a little way that i can bring you; for i attend here: but i'll see you soon. bianca 'tis very good; i must be circumstanced. [exeunt] othello act iv scene i cyprus. before the castle. [enter othello and iago] iago will you think so? othello think so, iago! iago what, to kiss in private? othello an unauthorized kiss. iago or to be naked with her friend in bed an hour or more, not meaning any harm? othello naked in bed, iago, and not mean harm! it is hypocrisy against the devil: they that mean virtuously, and yet do so, the devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. iago so they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip: but if i give my wife a handkerchief,- othello what then? iago why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, she may, i think, bestow't on any man. othello she is protectress of her honour too: may she give that? iago her honour is an essence that's not seen; they have it very oft that have it not: but, for the handkerchief,- othello by heaven, i would most gladly have forgot it. thou said'st, it comes o'er my memory, as doth the raven o'er the infected house, boding to all--he had my handkerchief. iago ay, what of that? othello that's not so good now. iago what, if i had said i had seen him do you wrong? or heard him say,--as knaves be such abroad, who having, by their own importunate suit, or voluntary dotage of some mistress, convinced or supplied them, cannot choose but they must blab- othello hath he said any thing? iago he hath, my lord; but be you well assured, no more than he'll unswear. othello what hath he said? iago 'faith, that he did--i know not what he did. othello what? what? iago lie- othello with her? iago with her, on her; what you will. othello lie with her! lie on her! we say lie on her, when they belie her. lie with her! that's fulsome. --handkerchief--confessions--handkerchief!--to confess, and be hanged for his labour;--first, to be hanged, and then to confess.--i tremble at it. nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. it is not words that shake me thus. pish! noses, ears, and lips. --is't possible?--confess--handkerchief!--o devil!- [falls in a trance] iago work on, my medicine, work! thus credulous fools are caught; and many worthy and chaste dames even thus, all guiltless, meet reproach. what, ho! my lord! my lord, i say! othello! [enter cassio] how now, cassio! cassio what's the matter? iago my lord is fall'n into an epilepsy: this is his second fit; he had one yesterday. cassio rub him about the temples. iago no, forbear; the lethargy must have his quiet course: if not, he foams at mouth and by and by breaks out to savage madness. look he stirs: do you withdraw yourself a little while, he will recover straight: when he is gone, i would on great occasion speak with you. [exit cassio] how is it, general? have you not hurt your head? othello dost thou mock me? iago i mock you! no, by heaven. would you would bear your fortune like a man! othello a horned man's a monster and a beast. iago there's many a beast then in a populous city, and many a civil monster. othello did he confess it? iago good sir, be a man; think every bearded fellow that's but yoked may draw with you: there's millions now alive that nightly lie in those unproper beds which they dare swear peculiar: your case is better. o, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock, to lip a wanton in a secure couch, and to suppose her chaste! no, let me know; and knowing what i am, i know what she shall be. othello o, thou art wise; 'tis certain. iago stand you awhile apart; confine yourself but in a patient list. whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief- a passion most unsuiting such a man- cassio came hither: i shifted him away, and laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy, bade him anon return and here speak with me; the which he promised. do but encave yourself, and mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns, that dwell in every region of his face; for i will make him tell the tale anew, where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when he hath, and is again to cope your wife: i say, but mark his gesture. marry, patience; or i shall say you are all in all in spleen, and nothing of a man. othello dost thou hear, iago? i will be found most cunning in my patience; but--dost thou hear?--most bloody. iago that's not amiss; but yet keep time in all. will you withdraw? [othello retires] now will i question cassio of bianca, a housewife that by selling her desires buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature that dotes on cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague to beguile many and be beguiled by one: he, when he hears of her, cannot refrain from the excess of laughter. here he comes: [re-enter cassio] as he shall smile, othello shall go mad; and his unbookish jealousy must construe poor cassio's smiles, gestures and light behavior, quite in the wrong. how do you now, lieutenant? cassio the worser that you give me the addition whose want even kills me. iago ply desdemona well, and you are sure on't. [speaking lower] now, if this suit lay in bianco's power, how quickly should you speed! cassio alas, poor caitiff! othello look, how he laughs already! iago i never knew woman love man so. cassio alas, poor rogue! i think, i' faith, she loves me. othello now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out. iago do you hear, cassio? othello now he importunes him to tell it o'er: go to; well said, well said. iago she gives it out that you shall marry hey: do you intend it? cassio ha, ha, ha! othello do you triumph, roman? do you triumph? cassio i marry her! what? a customer! prithee, bear some charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome. ha, ha, ha! othello so, so, so, so: they laugh that win. iago 'faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her. cassio prithee, say true. iago i am a very villain else. othello have you scored me? well. cassio this is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded i will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise. othello iago beckons me; now he begins the story. cassio she was here even now; she haunts me in every place. i was the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain venetians; and thither comes the bauble, and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck- othello crying 'o dear cassio!' as it were: his gesture imports it. cassio so hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales, and pulls me: ha, ha, ha! othello now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. o, i see that nose of yours, but not that dog i shall throw it to. cassio well, i must leave her company. iago before me! look, where she comes. cassio 'tis such another fitchew! marry a perfumed one. [enter bianca] what do you mean by this haunting of me? bianca let the devil and his dam haunt you! what did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now? i was a fine fool to take it. i must take out the work?--a likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! this is some minx's token, and i must take out the work? there; give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, i'll take out no work on't. cassio how now, my sweet bianca! how now! how now! othello by heaven, that should be my handkerchief! bianca an you'll come to supper to-night, you may; an you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [exit] iago after her, after her. cassio 'faith, i must; she'll rail in the street else. iago will you sup there? cassio 'faith, i intend so. iago well, i may chance to see you; for i would very fain speak with you. cassio prithee, come; will you? iago go to; say no more. [exit cassio] othello [advancing] how shall i murder him, iago? iago did you perceive how he laughed at his vice? othello o iago! iago and did you see the handkerchief? othello was that mine? iago yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore. othello i would have him nine years a-killing. a fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! iago nay, you must forget that. othello ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; i strike it, and it hurts my hand. o, the world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side and command him tasks. iago nay, that's not your way. othello hang her! i do but say what she is: so delicate with her needle: an admirable musician: o! she will sing the savageness out of a bear: of so high and plenteous wit and invention:- iago she's the worse for all this. othello o, a thousand thousand times: and then, of so gentle a condition! iago ay, too gentle. othello nay, that's certain: but yet the pity of it, iago! o iago, the pity of it, iago! iago if you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody. othello i will chop her into messes: cuckold me! iago o, 'tis foul in her. othello with mine officer! iago that's fouler. othello get me some poison, iago; this night: i'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again: this night, iago. iago do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. othello good, good: the justice of it pleases: very good. iago and for cassio, let me be his undertaker: you shall hear more by midnight. othello excellent good. [a trumpet within] what trumpet is that same? iago something from venice, sure. 'tis lodovico come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him. [enter lodovico, desdemona, and attendants] lodovico save you, worthy general! othello with all my heart, sir. lodovico the duke and senators of venice greet you. [gives him a letter] othello i kiss the instrument of their pleasures. [opens the letter, and reads] desdemona and what's the news, good cousin lodovico? iago i am very glad to see you, signior welcome to cyprus. lodovico i thank you. how does lieutenant cassio? iago lives, sir. desdemona cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord an unkind breach: but you shall make all well. othello are you sure of that? desdemona my lord? othello [reads] 'this fail you not to do, as you will--' lodovico he did not call; he's busy in the paper. is there division 'twixt my lord and cassio? desdemona a most unhappy one: i would do much to atone them, for the love i bear to cassio. othello fire and brimstone! desdemona my lord? othello are you wise? desdemona what, is he angry? lodovico may be the letter moved him; for, as i think, they do command him home, deputing cassio in his government. desdemona trust me, i am glad on't. othello indeed! desdemona my lord? othello i am glad to see you mad. desdemona why, sweet othello,- othello [striking her] devil! desdemona i have not deserved this. lodovico my lord, this would not be believed in venice, though i should swear i saw't: 'tis very much: make her amends; she weeps. othello o devil, devil! if that the earth could teem with woman's tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. out of my sight! desdemona i will not stay to offend you. [going] lodovico truly, an obedient lady: i do beseech your lordship, call her back. othello mistress! desdemona my lord? othello what would you with her, sir? lodovico who, i, my lord? othello ay; you did wish that i would make her turn: sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, and turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; and she's obedient, as you say, obedient, very obedient. proceed you in your tears. concerning this, sir,--o well-painted passion!- i am commanded home. get you away; i'll send for you anon. sir, i obey the mandate, and will return to venice. hence, avaunt! [exit desdemona] cassio shall have my place. and, sir, tonight, i do entreat that we may sup together: you are welcome, sir, to cyprus.--goats and monkeys! [exit] lodovico is this the noble moor whom our full senate call all in all sufficient? is this the nature whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue the shot of accident, nor dart of chance, could neither graze nor pierce? iago he is much changed. lodovico are his wits safe? is he not light of brain? iago he's that he is: i may not breathe my censure what he might be: if what he might he is not, i would to heaven he were! lodovico what, strike his wife! iago 'faith, that was not so well; yet would i knew that stroke would prove the worst! lodovico is it his use? or did the letters work upon his blood, and new-create this fault? iago alas, alas! it is not honesty in me to speak what i have seen and known. you shall observe him, and his own courses will denote him so that i may save my speech: do but go after, and mark how he continues. lodovico i am sorry that i am deceived in him. [exeunt] othello act iv scene ii a room in the castle. [enter othello and emilia] othello you have seen nothing then? emilia nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. othello yes, you have seen cassio and she together. emilia but then i saw no harm, and then i heard each syllable that breath made up between them. othello what, did they never whisper? emilia never, my lord. othello nor send you out o' the way? emilia never. othello to fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? emilia never, my lord. othello that's strange. emilia i durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, lay down my soul at stake: if you think other, remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. if any wretch have put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! for, if she be not honest, chaste, and true, there's no man happy; the purest of their wives is foul as slander. othello bid her come hither: go. [exit emilia] she says enough; yet she's a simple bawd that cannot say as much. this is a subtle whore, a closet lock and key of villanous secrets and yet she'll kneel and pray; i have seen her do't. [enter desdemona with emilia] desdemona my lord, what is your will? othello pray, chuck, come hither. desdemona what is your pleasure? othello let me see your eyes; look in my face. desdemona what horrible fancy's this? othello [to emilia] some of your function, mistress; leave procreants alone and shut the door; cough, or cry 'hem,' if any body come: your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch. [exit emilia] desdemona upon my knees, what doth your speech import? i understand a fury in your words. but not the words. othello why, what art thou? desdemona your wife, my lord; your true and loyal wife. othello come, swear it, damn thyself lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damn'd: swear thou art honest. desdemona heaven doth truly know it. othello heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell. desdemona to whom, my lord? with whom? how am i false? othello o desdemona! away! away! away! desdemona alas the heavy day! why do you weep? am i the motive of these tears, my lord? if haply you my father do suspect an instrument of this your calling back, lay not your blame on me: if you have lost him, why, i have lost him too. othello had it pleased heaven to try me with affliction; had they rain'd all kinds of sores and shames on my bare head. steep'd me in poverty to the very lips, given to captivity me and my utmost hopes, i should have found in some place of my soul a drop of patience: but, alas, to make me a fixed figure for the time of scorn to point his slow unmoving finger at! yet could i bear that too; well, very well: but there, where i have garner'd up my heart, where either i must live, or bear no life; the fountain from the which my current runs, or else dries up; to be discarded thence! or keep it as a cistern for foul toads to knot and gender in! turn thy complexion there, patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin,- ay, there, look grim as hell! desdemona i hope my noble lord esteems me honest. othello o, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles, that quicken even with blowing. o thou weed, who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet that the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been born! desdemona alas, what ignorant sin have i committed? othello was this fair paper, this most goodly book, made to write 'whore' upon? what committed! committed! o thou public commoner! i should make very forges of my cheeks, that would to cinders burn up modesty, did i but speak thy deeds. what committed! heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks, the bawdy wind that kisses all it meets is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth, and will not hear it. what committed! impudent strumpet! desdemona by heaven, you do me wrong. othello are you not a strumpet? desdemona no, as i am a christian: if to preserve this vessel for my lord from any other foul unlawful touch be not to be a strumpet, i am none. othello what, not a whore? desdemona no, as i shall be saved. othello is't possible? desdemona o, heaven forgive us! othello i cry you mercy, then: i took you for that cunning whore of venice that married with othello. [raising his voice] you, mistress, that have the office opposite to saint peter, and keep the gate of hell! [re-enter emilia] you, you, ay, you! we have done our course; there's money for your pains: i pray you, turn the key and keep our counsel. [exit] emilia alas, what does this gentleman conceive? how do you, madam? how do you, my good lady? desdemona 'faith, half asleep. emilia good madam, what's the matter with my lord? desdemona with who? emilia why, with my lord, madam. desdemona who is thy lord? emilia he that is yours, sweet lady. desdemona i have none: do not talk to me, emilia; i cannot weep; nor answer have i none, but what should go by water. prithee, tonight lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember; and call thy husband hither. emilia here's a change indeed! [exit] desdemona 'tis meet i should be used so, very meet. how have i been behaved, that he might stick the small'st opinion on my least misuse? [re-enter emilia with iago] iago what is your pleasure, madam? how is't with you? desdemona i cannot tell. those that do teach young babes do it with gentle means and easy tasks: he might have chid me so; for, in good faith, i am a child to chiding. iago what's the matter, lady? emilia alas, iago, my lord hath so bewhored her. thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, as true hearts cannot bear. desdemona am i that name, iago? iago what name, fair lady? desdemona such as she says my lord did say i was. emilia he call'd her whore: a beggar in his drink could not have laid such terms upon his callat. iago why did he so? desdemona i do not know; i am sure i am none such. iago do not weep, do not weep. alas the day! emilia hath she forsook so many noble matches, her father and her country and her friends, to be call'd whore? would it not make one weep? desdemona it is my wretched fortune. iago beshrew him for't! how comes this trick upon him? desdemona nay, heaven doth know. emilia i will be hang'd, if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander; i'll be hang'd else. iago fie, there is no such man; it is impossible. desdemona if any such there be, heaven pardon him! emilia a halter pardon him! and hell gnaw his bones! why should he call her whore? who keeps her company? what place? what time? what form? what likelihood? the moor's abused by some most villanous knave, some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow. o heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold, and put in every honest hand a whip to lash the rascals naked through the world even from the east to the west! iago speak within door. emilia o, fie upon them! some such squire he was that turn'd your wit the seamy side without, and made you to suspect me with the moor. iago you are a fool; go to. desdemona o good iago, what shall i do to win my lord again? good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven, i know not how i lost him. here i kneel: if e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love, either in discourse of thought or actual deed, or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense, delighted them in any other form; or that i do not yet, and ever did. and ever will--though he do shake me off to beggarly divorcement--love him dearly, comfort forswear me! unkindness may do much; and his unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love. i cannot say 'whore:' it does abhor me now i speak the word; to do the act that might the addition earn not the world's mass of vanity could make me. iago i pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour: the business of the state does him offence, and he does chide with you. desdemona if 'twere no other- iago 'tis but so, i warrant. [trumpets within] hark, how these instruments summon to supper! the messengers of venice stay the meat; go in, and weep not; all things shall be well. [exeunt desdemona and emilia] [enter roderigo] how now, roderigo! roderigo i do not find that thou dealest justly with me. iago what in the contrary? roderigo every day thou daffest me with some device, iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. i will indeed no longer endure it, nor am i yet persuaded to put up in peace what already i have foolishly suffered. iago will you hear me, roderigo? roderigo 'faith, i have heard too much, for your words and performances are no kin together. iago you charge me most unjustly. roderigo with nought but truth. i have wasted myself out of my means. the jewels you have had from me to deliver to desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist: you have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but i find none. iago well; go to; very well. roderigo very well! go to! i cannot go to, man; nor 'tis not very well: nay, i think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it. iago very well. roderigo i tell you 'tis not very well. i will make myself known to desdemona: if she will return me my jewels, i will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself i will seek satisfaction of you. iago you have said now. roderigo ay, and said nothing but what i protest intendment of doing. iago why, now i see there's mettle in thee, and even from this instant to build on thee a better opinion than ever before. give me thy hand, roderigo: thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but yet, i protest, i have dealt most directly in thy affair. roderigo it hath not appeared. iago i grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. but, roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which i have greater reason to believe now than ever, i mean purpose, courage and valour, this night show it: if thou the next night following enjoy not desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life. roderigo well, what is it? is it within reason and compass? iago sir, there is especial commission come from venice to depute cassio in othello's place. roderigo is that true? why, then othello and desdemona return again to venice. iago o, no; he goes into mauritania and takes away with him the fair desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident: wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of cassio. roderigo how do you mean, removing of him? iago why, by making him uncapable of othello's place; knocking out his brains. roderigo and that you would have me to do? iago ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. he sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will i go to him: he knows not yet of his horrorable fortune. if you will watch his going thence, which i will fashion to fall out between twelve and one, you may take him at your pleasure: i will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me; i will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. it is now high suppertime, and the night grows to waste: about it. roderigo i will hear further reason for this. iago and you shall be satisfied. [exeunt] othello act iv scene iii another room in the castle. [enter othello, lodovico, desdemona, emilia and attendants] lodovico i do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further. othello o, pardon me: 'twill do me good to walk. lodovico madam, good night; i humbly thank your ladyship. desdemona your honour is most welcome. othello will you walk, sir? o,--desdemona,- desdemona my lord? othello get you to bed on the instant; i will be returned forthwith: dismiss your attendant there: look it be done. desdemona i will, my lord. [exeunt othello, lodovico, and attendants] emilia how goes it now? he looks gentler than he did. desdemona he says he will return incontinent: he hath commanded me to go to bed, and bade me to dismiss you. emilia dismiss me! desdemona it was his bidding: therefore, good emilia,. give me my nightly wearing, and adieu: we must not now displease him. emilia i would you had never seen him! desdemona so would not i my love doth so approve him, that even his stubbornness, his cheques, his frowns- prithee, unpin me,--have grace and favour in them. emilia i have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed. desdemona all's one. good faith, how foolish are our minds! if i do die before thee prithee, shroud me in one of those same sheets. emilia come, come you talk. desdemona my mother had a maid call'd barbara: she was in love, and he she loved proved mad and did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;' an old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune, and she died singing it: that song to-night will not go from my mind; i have much to do, but to go hang my head all at one side, and sing it like poor barbara. prithee, dispatch. emilia shall i go fetch your night-gown? desdemona no, unpin me here. this lodovico is a proper man. emilia a very handsome man. desdemona he speaks well. emilia i know a lady in venice would have walked barefoot to palestine for a touch of his nether lip. desdemona [singing] the poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, sing all a green willow: her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, sing willow, willow, willow: the fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans; sing willow, willow, willow; her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones; lay by these:- [singing] sing willow, willow, willow; prithee, hie thee; he'll come anon:- [singing] sing all a green willow must be my garland. let nobody blame him; his scorn i approve, nay, that's not next.--hark! who is't that knocks? emilia it's the wind. desdemona [singing] i call'd my love false love; but what said he then? sing willow, willow, willow: if i court moe women, you'll couch with moe men! so, get thee gone; good night ate eyes do itch; doth that bode weeping? emilia 'tis neither here nor there. desdemona i have heard it said so. o, these men, these men! dost thou in conscience think,--tell me, emilia,- that there be women do abuse their husbands in such gross kind? emilia there be some such, no question. desdemona wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? emilia why, would not you? desdemona no, by this heavenly light! emilia nor i neither by this heavenly light; i might do't as well i' the dark. desdemona wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? emilia the world's a huge thing: it is a great price. for a small vice. desdemona in troth, i think thou wouldst not. emilia in troth, i think i should; and undo't when i had done. marry, i would not do such a thing for a joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition; but for the whole world,--why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? i should venture purgatory for't. desdemona beshrew me, if i would do such a wrong for the whole world. emilia why the wrong is but a wrong i' the world: and having the world for your labour, tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. desdemona i do not think there is any such woman. emilia yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would store the world they played for. but i do think it is their husbands' faults if wives do fall: say that they slack their duties, and pour our treasures into foreign laps, or else break out in peevish jealousies, throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us, or scant our former having in despite; why, we have galls, and though we have some grace, yet have we some revenge. let husbands know their wives have sense like them: they see and smell and have their palates both for sweet and sour, as husbands have. what is it that they do when they change us for others? is it sport? i think it is: and doth affection breed it? i think it doth: is't frailty that thus errs? it is so too: and have not we affections, desires for sport, and frailty, as men have? then let them use us well: else let them know, the ills we do, their ills instruct us so. desdemona good night, good night: heaven me such uses send, not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend! [exeunt] othello act v scene i cyprus. a street. [enter iago and roderigo] iago here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come: wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home: quick, quick; fear nothing; i'll be at thy elbow: it makes us, or it mars us; think on that, and fix most firm thy resolution. roderigo be near at hand; i may miscarry in't. iago here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand. [retires] roderigo i have no great devotion to the deed; and yet he hath given me satisfying reasons: 'tis but a man gone. forth, my sword: he dies. iago i have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense, and he grows angry. now, whether he kill cassio, or cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain: live roderigo, he calls me to a restitution large of gold and jewels that i bobb'd from him, as gifts to desdemona; it must not be: if cassio do remain, he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly; and, besides, the moor may unfold me to him; there stand i in much peril: no, he must die. but so: i hear him coming. [enter cassio] roderigo i know his gait, 'tis he.--villain, thou diest! [makes a pass at cassio] cassio that thrust had been mine enemy indeed, but that my coat is better than thou know'st i will make proof of thine. [draws, and wounds roderigo] roderigo o, i am slain! [iago from behind wounds cassio in the leg, and exit] cassio i am maim'd for ever. help, ho! murder! murder! [falls] [enter othello] othello the voice of cassio: iago keeps his word. roderigo o, villain that i am! othello it is even so. cassio o, help, ho! light! a surgeon! othello 'tis he:--o brave iago, honest and just, that hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! thou teachest me. minion, your dear lies dead, and your unblest fate hies: strumpet, i come. forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted. [exit] [enter lodovico and gratiano] cassio what, ho! no watch? no passage? murder! murder! gratiano 'tis some mischance; the cry is very direful. cassio o, help! lodovico hark! roderigo o wretched villain! lodovico two or three groan: it is a heavy night: these may be counterfeits: let's think't unsafe to come in to the cry without more help. roderigo nobody come? then shall i bleed to death. lodovico hark! [re-enter iago, with a light] gratiano here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons. iago who's there? whose noise is this that ones on murder? lodovico we do not know. iago did not you hear a cry? cassio here, here! for heaven's sake, help me! iago what's the matter? gratiano this is othello's ancient, as i take it. lodovico the same indeed; a very valiant fellow. iago what are you here that cry so grievously? cassio iago? o, i am spoil'd, undone by villains! give me some help. iago o me, lieutenant! what villains have done this? cassio i think that one of them is hereabout, and cannot make away. iago o treacherous villains! what are you there? come in, and give some help. [to lodovico and gratiano] roderigo o, help me here! cassio that's one of them. iago o murderous slave! o villain! [stabs roderigo] roderigo o damn'd iago! o inhuman dog! iago kill men i' the dark!--where be these bloody thieves?- how silent is this town!--ho! murder! murder!- what may you be? are you of good or evil? lodovico as you shall prove us, praise us. iago signior lodovico? lodovico he, sir. iago i cry you mercy. here's cassio hurt by villains. gratiano cassio! iago how is't, brother! cassio my leg is cut in two. iago marry, heaven forbid! light, gentlemen; i'll bind it with my shirt. [enter bianca] bianca what is the matter, ho? who is't that cried? iago who is't that cried! bianca o my dear cassio! my sweet cassio! o cassio, cassio, cassio! iago o notable strumpet! cassio, may you suspect who they should be that have thus many led you? cassio no. gratiano i am to find you thus: i have been to seek you. iago lend me a garter. so. o, for a chair, to bear him easily hence! bianca alas, he faints! o cassio, cassio, cassio! iago gentlemen all, i do suspect this trash to be a party in this injury. patience awhile, good cassio. come, come; lend me a light. know we this face or no? alas my friend and my dear countryman roderigo! no:--yes, sure: o heaven! roderigo. gratiano what, of venice? iago even he, sir; did you know him? gratiano know him! ay. iago signior gratiano? i cry you gentle pardon; these bloody accidents must excuse my manners, that so neglected you. gratiano i am glad to see you. iago how do you, cassio? o, a chair, a chair! gratiano roderigo! iago he, he 'tis he. [a chair brought in] o, that's well said; the chair! gratiano some good man bear him carefully from hence; i'll fetch the general's surgeon. [to bianca] for you, mistress, save you your labour. he that lies slain here, cassio, was my dear friend: what malice was between you? cassio none in the world; nor do i know the man. iago [to bianca] what, look you pale? o, bear him out o' the air. [cassio and roderigo are borne off] stay you, good gentlemen. look you pale, mistress? do you perceive the gastness of her eye? nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon. behold her well; i pray you, look upon her: do you see, gentlemen? nay, guiltiness will speak, though tongues were out of use. [enter emilia] emilia 'las, what's the matter? what's the matter, husband? iago cassio hath here been set on in the dark by roderigo and fellows that are scaped: he's almost slain, and roderigo dead. emilia alas, good gentleman! alas, good cassio! iago this is the fruit of whoring. prithee, emilia, go know of cassio where he supp'd to-night. [to bianca] what, do you shake at that? bianca he supp'd at my house; but i therefore shake not. iago o, did he so? i charge you, go with me. emilia fie, fie upon thee, strumpet! bianca i am no strumpet; but of life as honest as you that thus abuse me. emilia as i! foh! fie upon thee! iago kind gentlemen, let's go see poor cassio dress'd. come, mistress, you must tell's another tale. emilia run you to the citadel, and tell my lord and lady what hath happ'd. will you go on? i pray. [aside] this is the night that either makes me or fordoes me quite. [exeunt] othello act v scene ii a bedchamber in the castle: desdemona in bed asleep; a light burning. [enter othello] othello it is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,- let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!- it is the cause. yet i'll not shed her blood; nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, and smooth as monumental alabaster. yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. put out the light, and then put out the light: if i quench thee, thou flaming minister, i can again thy former light restore, should i repent me: but once put out thy light, thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, i know not where is that promethean heat that can thy light relume. when i have pluck'd the rose, i cannot give it vital growth again. it must needs wither: i'll smell it on the tree. [kissing her] ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade justice to break her sword! one more, one more. be thus when thou art dead, and i will kill thee, and love thee after. one more, and this the last: so sweet was ne'er so fatal. i must weep, but they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly; it strikes where it doth love. she wakes. desdemona who's there? othello? othello ay. desdemona. desdemona will you come to bed, my lord? othello have you pray'd to-night, desdemona? desdemona ay, my lord. othello if you bethink yourself of any crime unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace, solicit for it straight. desdemona alas, my lord, what do you mean by that? othello well, do it, and be brief; i will walk by: i would not kill thy unprepared spirit; no; heaven forfend! i would not kill thy soul. desdemona talk you of killing? othello ay, i do. desdemona then heaven have mercy on me! othello amen, with all my heart! desdemona if you say so, i hope you will not kill me. othello hum! desdemona and yet i fear you; for you are fatal then when your eyes roll so: why i should fear i know not, since guiltiness i know not; but yet i feel i fear. othello think on thy sins. desdemona they are loves i bear to you. othello ay, and for that thou diest. desdemona that death's unnatural that kills for loving. alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? some bloody passion shakes your very frame: these are portents; but yet i hope, i hope, they do not point on me. othello peace, and be still! desdemona i will so. what's the matter? othello that handkerchief which i so loved and gave thee thou gavest to cassio. desdemona no, by my life and soul! send for the man, and ask him. othello sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed. desdemona ay, but not yet to die. othello yes, presently: therefore confess thee freely of thy sin; for to deny each article with oath cannot remove nor choke the strong conception that i do groan withal. thou art to die. desdemona then lord have mercy on me! othello i say, amen. desdemona and have you mercy too! i never did offend you in my life; never loved cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as i might love: i never gave him token. othello by heaven, i saw my handkerchief in's hand. o perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart, and makest me call what i intend to do a murder, which i thought a sacrifice: i saw the handkerchief. desdemona he found it then; i never gave it him: send for him hither; let him confess a truth. othello he hath confess'd. desdemona what, my lord? othello that he hath used thee. desdemona how? unlawfully? othello ay. desdemona he will not say so. othello no, his mouth is stopp'd; honest iago hath ta'en order for't. desdemona o! my fear interprets: what, is he dead? othello had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all. desdemona alas! he is betray'd and i undone. othello out, strumpet! weep'st thou for him to my face? desdemona o, banish me, my lord, but kill me not! othello down, strumpet! desdemona kill me to-morrow: let me live to-night! othello nay, if you strive- desdemona but half an hour! othello being done, there is no pause. desdemona but while i say one prayer! othello it is too late. [he stifles her] emilia [within] my lord, my lord! what, ho! my lord, my lord! othello what noise is this? not dead? not yet quite dead? i that am cruel am yet merciful; i would not have thee linger in thy pain: so, so. emilia [within] what, ho! my lord, my lord! othello who's there? emilia [within] o, good my lord, i would speak a word with you! othello yes: 'tis emilia. by and by. she's dead. 'tis like she comes to speak of cassio's death.- the noise was here. ha! no more moving? still as the grave. shall she come in? were't good?- i think she stirs again:--no. what's best to do? if she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife: my wife! my wife! what wife? i have no wife. o insupportable! o heavy hour! methinks it should be now a huge eclipse of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe should yawn at alteration. emilia [within] i do beseech you that i may speak with you, o, good my lord! othello i had forgot thee: o, come in, emilia; soft; by and by. let me the curtains draw. where art thou? [unlocks the door] [enter emilia] what's the matter with thee now? emilia o, my good lord, yonder's foul murders done! othello what, now? emilia but now, my lord. othello it is the very error of the moon; she comes more nearer earth than she was wont, and makes men mad. emilia cassio, my lord, hath kill'd a young venetian call'd roderigo. othello roderigo kill'd! and cassio kill'd! emilia no, cassio is not kill'd. othello not cassio kill'd! then murder's out of tune, and sweet revenge grows harsh. desdemona o, falsely, falsely murder'd! emilia alas, what cry is that? othello that! what? emilia out, and alas! that was my lady's voice. help! help, ho! help! o lady, speak again! sweet desdemona! o sweet mistress, speak! desdemona a guiltless death i die. emilia o, who hath done this deed? desdemona nobody; i myself. farewell commend me to my kind lord: o, farewell! [dies] othello why, how should she be murder'd? emilia alas, who knows? othello you heard her say herself, it was not i. emilia she said so: i must needs report the truth. othello she's, like a liar, gone to burning hell: 'twas i that kill'd her. emilia o, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil! othello she turn'd to folly, and she was a whore. emilia thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. othello she was false as water. emilia thou art rash as fire, to say that she was false: o, she was heavenly true! othello cassio did top her; ask thy husband else. o, i were damn'd beneath all depth in hell, but that i did proceed upon just grounds to this extremity. thy husband knew it all. emilia my husband! othello thy husband. emilia that she was false to wedlock? othello ay, with cassio. nay, had she been true, if heaven would make me such another world of one entire and perfect chrysolite, i'ld not have sold her for it. emilia my husband! othello ay, 'twas he that told me first: an honest man he is, and hates the slime that sticks on filthy deeds. emilia my husband! othello what needs this iteration, woman? i say thy husband. emilia o mistress, villany hath made mocks with love, my husband say that she was false! othello he, woman; i say thy husband: dost understand the word? my friend, thy husband, honest, honest iago. emilia if he say so, may his pernicious soul rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart: she was too fond of her most filthy bargain. othello ha! emilia do thy worst: this deed of thine is no more worthy heaven than thou wast worthy her. othello peace, you were best. emilia thou hast not half that power to do me harm as i have to be hurt. o gull! o dolt! as ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed- i care not for thy sword; i'll make thee known, though i lost twenty lives.--help! help, ho! help! the moor hath kill'd my mistress! murder! murder! [enter montano, gratiano, iago, and others] montano what is the matter? how now, general! emilia o, are you come, iago? you have done well, that men must lay their murders on your neck. gratiano what is the matter? emilia disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man: he says thou told'st him that his wife was false: i know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain: speak, for my heart is full. iago i told him what i thought, and told no more than what he found himself was apt and true. emilia but did you ever tell him she was false? iago i did. emilia you told a lie, an odious, damned lie; upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie. she false with cassio!--did you say with cassio? iago with cassio, mistress. go to, charm your tongue. emilia i will not charm my tongue; i am bound to speak: my mistress here lies murder'd in her bed,- all o heavens forfend! emilia and your reports have set the murder on. othello nay, stare not, masters: it is true, indeed. gratiano 'tis a strange truth. montano o monstrous act! emilia villany, villany, villany! i think upon't, i think: i smell't: o villany!- i thought so then:--i'll kill myself for grief:- o villany, villany! iago what, are you mad? i charge you, get you home. emilia good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak: 'tis proper i obey him, but not now. perchance, iago, i will ne'er go home. othello o! o! o! [he falls on the bed] emilia nay, lay thee down and roar; for thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent that e'er did lift up eye. othello [rising] o, she was foul! i scarce did know you, uncle: there lies your niece, whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd: i know this act shows horrible and grim. gratiano poor desdemona! i am glad thy father's dead: thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief shore his old thread in twain: did he live now, this sight would make him do a desperate turn, yea, curse his better angel from his side, and fall to reprobation. othello 'tis pitiful; but yet iago knows that she with cassio hath the act of shame a thousand times committed; cassio confess'd it: and she did gratify his amorous works with that recognizance and pledge of love which i first gave her; i saw it in his hand: it was a handkerchief, an antique token my father gave my mother. emilia o heaven! o heavenly powers! iago come, hold your peace. emilia 'twill out, 'twill out: i peace! no, i will speak as liberal as the north: let heaven and men and devils, let them all, all, all, cry shame against me, yet i'll speak. iago be wise, and get you home. emilia i will not. [iago offers to stab emilia] gratiano fie! your sword upon a woman? emilia o thou dull moor! that handkerchief thou speak'st of i found by fortune and did give my husband; for often, with a solemn earnestness, more than indeed belong'd to such a trifle, he begg'd of me to steal it. iago villanous whore! emilia she give it cassio! no, alas! i found it, and i did give't my husband. iago filth, thou liest! emilia by heaven, i do not, i do not, gentlemen. o murderous coxcomb! what should such a fool do with so good a woman? othello are there no stones in heaven but what serve for the thunder?--precious villain! [he runs at iago iago, from behind, stabs emilia, and exit] gratiano the woman falls; sure, he hath kill'd his wife. emilia ay, ay: o, lay me by my mistress' side. gratiano he's gone, but his wife's kill'd. montano 'tis a notorious villain. take you this weapon, which i have here recover'd from the moor: come, guard the door without; let him not pass, but kill him rather. i'll after that same villain, for 'tis a damned slave. [exeunt montano and gratiano] othello i am not valiant neither, but ever puny whipster gets my sword: but why should honour outlive honesty? let it go all. emilia what did thy song bode, lady? hark, canst thou hear me? i will play the swan. and die in music. [singing] willow, willow, willow,- moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel moor; so come my soul to bliss, as i speak true; so speaking as i think, i die, i die. [dies] othello i have another weapon in this chamber; it is a sword of spain, the ice-brook's temper:- o, here it is. uncle, i must come forth. gratiano [within] if thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear: thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. othello look in upon me then and speak with me, or, naked as i am, i will assault thee. [re-enter gratiano] gratiano what is the matter? othello behold, i have a weapon; a better never did itself sustain upon a soldier's thigh: i have seen the day, that, with this little arm and this good sword, i have made my way through more impediments than twenty times your stop: but, o vain boast! who can control his fate? 'tis not so now. be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd; here is my journey's end, here is my butt, and very sea-mark of my utmost sail. do you go back dismay'd? 'tis a lost fear; man but a rush against othello's breast, and he retires. where should othello go? now, how dost thou look now? o ill-starr'd wench! pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt, this look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven, and fiends will snatch at it. cold, cold, my girl! even like thy chastity. o cursed slave! whip me, ye devils, from the possession of this heavenly sight! blow me about in winds! roast me in sulphur! wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! o desdemona! desdemona! dead! oh! oh! oh! [enter lodovico. montano, cassio carried in a chair, and officers with iago, prisoner] lodovico where is this rash and most unfortunate man? othello that's he that was othello: here i am. lodovico where is that viper? bring the villain forth. othello i look down towards his feet; but that's a fable. if that thou best a devil, i cannot kill thee. [wounds iago] lodovico wrench his sword from him. iago i bleed, sir; but not kill'd. othello i am not sorry neither: i'ld have thee live; for, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die. lodovico o thou othello, thou wert once so good, fall'n in the practise of a damned slave, what shall be said to thee? othello why, any thing: an honourable murderer, if you will; for nought i did in hate, but all in honour. lodovico this wretch hath part confess'd his villany: did you and he consent in cassio's death? othello ay. cassio dear general, i never gave you cause. othello i do believe it, and i ask your pardon. will you, i pray, demand that demi-devil why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body? iago demand me nothing: what you know, you know: from this time forth i never will speak word. lodovico what, not to pray? gratiano torments will ope your lips. othello well, thou dost best. lodovico sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n, which, as i think, you know not. here is a letter found in the pocket of the slain roderigo; and here another: the one of them imports the death of cassio to be undertook by roderigo. othello o villain! cassio most heathenish and most gross! lodovico now here's another discontented paper, found in his pocket too; and this, it seems, roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain; but that belike iago in the interim came in and satisfied him. othello o the pernicious caitiff! how came you, cassio, by that handkerchief that was my wife's? cassio i found it in my chamber: and he himself confess'd but even now that there he dropp'd it for a special purpose which wrought to his desire. othello o fool! fool! fool! cassio there is besides in roderigo's letter, how he upbraids iago, that he made him brave me upon the watch; whereon it came that i was cast: and even but now he spake, after long seeming dead, iago hurt him, iago set him on. lodovico you must forsake this room, and go with us: your power and your command is taken off, and cassio rules in cyprus. for this slave, if there be any cunning cruelty that can torment him much and hold him long, it shall be his. you shall close prisoner rest, till that the nature of your fault be known to the venetian state. come, bring him away. othello soft you; a word or two before you go. i have done the state some service, and they know't. no more of that. i pray you, in your letters, when you shall these unlucky deeds relate, speak of me as i am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well; of one not easily jealous, but being wrought perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand, like the base indian, threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes, albeit unused to the melting mood, drop tears as fast as the arabian trees their medicinal gum. set you down this; and say besides, that in aleppo once, where a malignant and a turban'd turk beat a venetian and traduced the state, i took by the throat the circumcised dog, and smote him, thus. [stabs himself] lodovico o bloody period! gratiano all that's spoke is marr'd. othello i kiss'd thee ere i kill'd thee: no way but this; killing myself, to die upon a kiss. [falls on the bed, and dies] cassio this did i fear, but thought he had no weapon; for he was great of heart. lodovico [to iago] o spartan dog, more fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea! look on the tragic loading of this bed; this is thy work: the object poisons sight; let it be hid. gratiano, keep the house, and seize upon the fortunes of the moor, for they succeed on you. to you, lord governor, remains the censure of this hellish villain; the time, the place, the torture: o, enforce it! myself will straight aboard: and to the state this heavy act with heavy heart relate. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra dramatis personae mark antony | | octavius caesar | triumvirs. | m. aemilius | lepidus (lepidus:) | sextus pompeius (pompey:) domitius enobarbus | | ventidius | | eros | | scarus | friends to antony. | dercetas | | demetrius | | philo | mecaenas | | agrippa | | dolabella | | proculeius | friends to caesar. | thyreus | | gallus | | menas | menecrates | | friends to pompey. varrius | taurus lieutenant-general to caesar. canidius lieutenant-general to antony. silius an officer in ventidius's army. euphronius an ambassador from antony to caesar. alexas | | mardian a eunuch. | | attendants on cleopatra. seleucus | | diomedes | a soothsayer. (soothsayer:) a clown. (clown:) cleopatra queen of egypt. octavia sister to caesar and wife to antony. charmian | | attendants on cleopatra. iras | officers, soldiers, messengers, and other attendants. (first officer:) (second officer:) (third officer:) (messenger:) (second messenger:) (first servant:) (second servant:) (egyptian:) (guard:) (first guard:) (second guard:) (attendant:) (first attendant:) (second attendant:) scene in several parts of the roman empire. antony and cleopatra act i scene i alexandria. a room in cleopatra's palace. [enter demetrius and philo] philo nay, but this dotage of our general's o'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes, that o'er the files and musters of the war have glow'd like plated mars, now bend, now turn, the office and devotion of their view upon a tawny front: his captain's heart, which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst the buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, and is become the bellows and the fan to cool a gipsy's lust. [flourish. enter antony, cleopatra, her ladies, the train, with eunuchs fanning her] look, where they come: take but good note, and you shall see in him. the triple pillar of the world transform'd into a strumpet's fool: behold and see. cleopatra if it be love indeed, tell me how much. mark antony there's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd. cleopatra i'll set a bourn how far to be beloved. mark antony then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth. [enter an attendant] attendant news, my good lord, from rome. mark antony grates me: the sum. cleopatra nay, hear them, antony: fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows if the scarce-bearded caesar have not sent his powerful mandate to you, 'do this, or this; take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that; perform 't, or else we damn thee.' mark antony how, my love! cleopatra perchance! nay, and most like: you must not stay here longer, your dismission is come from caesar; therefore hear it, antony. where's fulvia's process? caesar's i would say? both? call in the messengers. as i am egypt's queen, thou blushest, antony; and that blood of thine is caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame when shrill-tongued fulvia scolds. the messengers! mark antony let rome in tiber melt, and the wide arch of the ranged empire fall! here is my space. kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life is to do thus; when such a mutual pair [embracing] and such a twain can do't, in which i bind, on pain of punishment, the world to weet we stand up peerless. cleopatra excellent falsehood! why did he marry fulvia, and not love her? i'll seem the fool i am not; antony will be himself. mark antony but stirr'd by cleopatra. now, for the love of love and her soft hours, let's not confound the time with conference harsh: there's not a minute of our lives should stretch without some pleasure now. what sport tonight? cleopatra hear the ambassadors. mark antony fie, wrangling queen! whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh, to weep; whose every passion fully strives to make itself, in thee, fair and admired! no messenger, but thine; and all alone to-night we'll wander through the streets and note the qualities of people. come, my queen; last night you did desire it: speak not to us. [exeunt mark antony and cleopatra with their train] demetrius is caesar with antonius prized so slight? philo sir, sometimes, when he is not antony, he comes too short of that great property which still should go with antony. demetrius i am full sorry that he approves the common liar, who thus speaks of him at rome: but i will hope of better deeds to-morrow. rest you happy! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act i scene ii the same. another room. [enter charmian, iras, alexas, and a soothsayer] charmian lord alexas, sweet alexas, most any thing alexas, almost most absolute alexas, where's the soothsayer that you praised so to the queen? o, that i knew this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns with garlands! alexas soothsayer! soothsayer your will? charmian is this the man? is't you, sir, that know things? soothsayer in nature's infinite book of secrecy a little i can read. alexas show him your hand. [enter domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough cleopatra's health to drink. charmian good sir, give me good fortune. soothsayer i make not, but foresee. charmian pray, then, foresee me one. soothsayer you shall be yet far fairer than you are. charmian he means in flesh. iras no, you shall paint when you are old. charmian wrinkles forbid! alexas vex not his prescience; be attentive. charmian hush! soothsayer you shall be more beloving than beloved. charmian i had rather heat my liver with drinking. alexas nay, hear him. charmian good now, some excellent fortune! let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all: let me have a child at fifty, to whom herod of jewry may do homage: find me to marry me with octavius caesar, and companion me with my mistress. soothsayer you shall outlive the lady whom you serve. charmian o excellent! i love long life better than figs. soothsayer you have seen and proved a fairer former fortune than that which is to approach. charmian then belike my children shall have no names: prithee, how many boys and wenches must i have? soothsayer if every of your wishes had a womb. and fertile every wish, a million. charmian out, fool! i forgive thee for a witch. alexas you think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes. charmian nay, come, tell iras hers. alexas we'll know all our fortunes. domitius enobarbus mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall be--drunk to bed. iras there's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else. charmian e'en as the o'erflowing nilus presageth famine. iras go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay. charmian nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication, i cannot scratch mine ear. prithee, tell her but a worky-day fortune. soothsayer your fortunes are alike. iras but how, but how? give me particulars. soothsayer i have said. iras am i not an inch of fortune better than she? charmian well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than i, where would you choose it? iras not in my husband's nose. charmian our worser thoughts heavens mend! alexas,--come, his fortune, his fortune! o, let him marry a woman that cannot go, sweet isis, i beseech thee! and let her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! good isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight; good isis, i beseech thee! iras amen. dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people! for, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear isis, keep decorum, and fortune him accordingly! charmian amen. alexas lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but they'ld do't! domitius enobarbus hush! here comes antony. charmian not he; the queen. [enter cleopatra] cleopatra saw you my lord? domitius enobarbus no, lady. cleopatra was he not here? charmian no, madam. cleopatra he was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden a roman thought hath struck him. enobarbus! domitius enobarbus madam? cleopatra seek him, and bring him hither. where's alexas? alexas here, at your service. my lord approaches. cleopatra we will not look upon him: go with us. [exeunt] [enter mark antony with a messenger and attendants] messenger fulvia thy wife first came into the field. mark antony against my brother lucius? messenger ay: but soon that war had end, and the time's state made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst caesar; whose better issue in the war, from italy, upon the first encounter, drave them. mark antony well, what worst? messenger the nature of bad news infects the teller. mark antony when it concerns the fool or coward. on: things that are past are done with me. 'tis thus: who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, i hear him as he flatter'd. messenger labienus- this is stiff news--hath, with his parthian force, extended asia from euphrates; his conquering banner shook from syria to lydia and to ionia; whilst- mark antony antony, thou wouldst say,- messenger o, my lord! mark antony speak to me home, mince not the general tongue: name cleopatra as she is call'd in rome; rail thou in fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults with such full licence as both truth and malice have power to utter. o, then we bring forth weeds, when our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us is as our earing. fare thee well awhile. messenger at your noble pleasure. [exit] mark antony from sicyon, ho, the news! speak there! first attendant the man from sicyon,--is there such an one? second attendant he stays upon your will. mark antony let him appear. these strong egyptian fetters i must break, or lose myself in dotage. [enter another messenger] what are you? second messenger fulvia thy wife is dead. mark antony where died she? second messenger in sicyon: her length of sickness, with what else more serious importeth thee to know, this bears. [gives a letter] mark antony forbear me. [exit second messenger] there's a great spirit gone! thus did i desire it: what our contempt doth often hurl from us, we wish it ours again; the present pleasure, by revolution lowering, does become the opposite of itself: she's good, being gone; the hand could pluck her back that shoved her on. i must from this enchanting queen break off: ten thousand harms, more than the ills i know, my idleness doth hatch. how now! enobarbus! [re-enter domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus what's your pleasure, sir? mark antony i must with haste from hence. domitius enobarbus why, then, we kill all our women: we see how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they suffer our departure, death's the word. mark antony i must be gone. domitius enobarbus under a compelling occasion, let women die; it were pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between them and a great cause, they should be esteemed nothing. cleopatra, catching but the least noise of this, dies instantly; i have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment: i do think there is mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying. mark antony she is cunning past man's thought. [exit alexas] domitius enobarbus alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as jove. mark antony would i had never seen her. domitius enobarbus o, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work; which not to have been blest withal would have discredited your travel. mark antony fulvia is dead. domitius enobarbus sir? mark antony fulvia is dead. domitius enobarbus fulvia! mark antony dead. domitius enobarbus why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. when it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. if there were no more women but fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow. mark antony the business she hath broached in the state cannot endure my absence. domitius enobarbus and the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. mark antony no more light answers. let our officers have notice what we purpose. i shall break the cause of our expedience to the queen, and get her leave to part. for not alone the death of fulvia, with more urgent touches, do strongly speak to us; but the letters too of many our contriving friends in rome petition us at home: sextus pompeius hath given the dare to caesar, and commands the empire of the sea: our slippery people, whose love is never link'd to the deserver till his deserts are past, begin to throw pompey the great and all his dignities upon his son; who, high in name and power, higher than both in blood and life, stands up for the main soldier: whose quality, going on, the sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding, which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life, and not a serpent's poison. say, our pleasure, to such whose place is under us, requires our quick remove from hence. domitius enobarbus i shall do't. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act i scene iii the same. another room. [enter cleopatra, charmian, iras, and alexas] cleopatra where is he? charmian i did not see him since. cleopatra see where he is, who's with him, what he does: i did not send you: if you find him sad, say i am dancing; if in mirth, report that i am sudden sick: quick, and return. [exit alexas] charmian madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, you do not hold the method to enforce the like from him. cleopatra what should i do, i do not? charmian in each thing give him way, cross him nothing. cleopatra thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him. charmian tempt him not so too far; i wish, forbear: in time we hate that which we often fear. but here comes antony. [enter mark antony] cleopatra i am sick and sullen. mark antony i am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,- cleopatra help me away, dear charmian; i shall fall: it cannot be thus long, the sides of nature will not sustain it. mark antony now, my dearest queen,- cleopatra pray you, stand further from me. mark antony what's the matter? cleopatra i know, by that same eye, there's some good news. what says the married woman? you may go: would she had never given you leave to come! let her not say 'tis i that keep you here: i have no power upon you; hers you are. mark antony the gods best know,- cleopatra o, never was there queen so mightily betray'd! yet at the first i saw the treasons planted. mark antony cleopatra,- cleopatra why should i think you can be mine and true, though you in swearing shake the throned gods, who have been false to fulvia? riotous madness, to be entangled with those mouth-made vows, which break themselves in swearing! mark antony most sweet queen,- cleopatra nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, but bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying, then was the time for words: no going then; eternity was in our lips and eyes, bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, but was a race of heaven: they are so still, or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, art turn'd the greatest liar. mark antony how now, lady! cleopatra i would i had thy inches; thou shouldst know there were a heart in egypt. mark antony hear me, queen: the strong necessity of time commands our services awhile; but my full heart remains in use with you. our italy shines o'er with civil swords: sextus pompeius makes his approaches to the port of rome: equality of two domestic powers breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength, are newly grown to love: the condemn'd pompey, rich in his father's honour, creeps apace, into the hearts of such as have not thrived upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; and quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge by any desperate change: my more particular, and that which most with you should safe my going, is fulvia's death. cleopatra though age from folly could not give me freedom, it does from childishness: can fulvia die? mark antony she's dead, my queen: look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read the garboils she awaked; at the last, best: see when and where she died. cleopatra o most false love! where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill with sorrowful water? now i see, i see, in fulvia's death, how mine received shall be. mark antony quarrel no more, but be prepared to know the purposes i bear; which are, or cease, as you shall give the advice. by the fire that quickens nilus' slime, i go from hence thy soldier, servant; making peace or war as thou affect'st. cleopatra cut my lace, charmian, come; but let it be: i am quickly ill, and well, so antony loves. mark antony my precious queen, forbear; and give true evidence to his love, which stands an honourable trial. cleopatra so fulvia told me. i prithee, turn aside and weep for her, then bid adieu to me, and say the tears belong to egypt: good now, play one scene of excellent dissembling; and let it look life perfect honour. mark antony you'll heat my blood: no more. cleopatra you can do better yet; but this is meetly. mark antony now, by my sword,- cleopatra and target. still he mends; but this is not the best. look, prithee, charmian, how this herculean roman does become the carriage of his chafe. mark antony i'll leave you, lady. cleopatra courteous lord, one word. sir, you and i must part, but that's not it: sir, you and i have loved, but there's not it; that you know well: something it is i would, o, my oblivion is a very antony, and i am all forgotten. mark antony but that your royalty holds idleness your subject, i should take you for idleness itself. cleopatra 'tis sweating labour to bear such idleness so near the heart as cleopatra this. but, sir, forgive me; since my becomings kill me, when they do not eye well to you: your honour calls you hence; therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly. and all the gods go with you! upon your sword sit laurel victory! and smooth success be strew'd before your feet! mark antony let us go. come; our separation so abides, and flies, that thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, and i, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. away! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act i scene iv rome. octavius caesar's house. [enter octavius caesar, reading a letter, lepidus, and their train] octavius caesar you may see, lepidus, and henceforth know, it is not caesar's natural vice to hate our great competitor: from alexandria this is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes the lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like than cleopatra; nor the queen of ptolemy more womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there a man who is the abstract of all faults that all men follow. lepidus i must not think there are evils enow to darken all his goodness: his faults in him seem as the spots of heaven, more fiery by night's blackness; hereditary, rather than purchased; what he cannot change, than what he chooses. octavius caesar you are too indulgent. let us grant, it is not amiss to tumble on the bed of ptolemy; to give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit and keep the turn of tippling with a slave; to reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet with knaves that smell of sweat: say this becomes him,- as his composure must be rare indeed whom these things cannot blemish,--yet must antony no way excuse his soils, when we do bear so great weight in his lightness. if he fill'd his vacancy with his voluptuousness, full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones, call on him for't: but to confound such time, that drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud as his own state and ours,--'tis to be chid as we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge, pawn their experience to their present pleasure, and so rebel to judgment. [enter a messenger] lepidus here's more news. messenger thy biddings have been done; and every hour, most noble caesar, shalt thou have report how 'tis abroad. pompey is strong at sea; and it appears he is beloved of those that only have fear'd caesar: to the ports the discontents repair, and men's reports give him much wrong'd. octavius caesar i should have known no less. it hath been taught us from the primal state, that he which is was wish'd until he were; and the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love, comes dear'd by being lack'd. this common body, like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, to rot itself with motion. messenger caesar, i bring thee word, menecrates and menas, famous pirates, make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound with keels of every kind: many hot inroads they make in italy; the borders maritime lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt: no vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon taken as seen; for pompey's name strikes more than could his war resisted. octavius caesar antony, leave thy lascivious wassails. when thou once wast beaten from modena, where thou slew'st hirtius and pansa, consuls, at thy heel did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against, though daintily brought up, with patience more than savages could suffer: thou didst drink the stale of horses, and the gilded puddle which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign the roughest berry on the rudest hedge; yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets, the barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the alps it is reported thou didst eat strange flesh, which some did die to look on: and all this- it wounds thine honour that i speak it now- was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek so much as lank'd not. lepidus 'tis pity of him. octavius caesar let his shames quickly drive him to rome: 'tis time we twain did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end assemble we immediate council: pompey thrives in our idleness. lepidus to-morrow, caesar, i shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly both what by sea and land i can be able to front this present time. octavius caesar till which encounter, it is my business too. farewell. lepidus farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime of stirs abroad, i shall beseech you, sir, to let me be partaker. octavius caesar doubt not, sir; i knew it for my bond. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act i scene v alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter cleopatra, charmian, iras, and mardian] cleopatra charmian! charmian madam? cleopatra ha, ha! give me to drink mandragora. charmian why, madam? cleopatra that i might sleep out this great gap of time my antony is away. charmian you think of him too much. cleopatra o, 'tis treason! charmian madam, i trust, not so. cleopatra thou, eunuch mardian! mardian what's your highness' pleasure? cleopatra not now to hear thee sing; i take no pleasure in aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee, that, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts may not fly forth of egypt. hast thou affections? mardian yes, gracious madam. cleopatra indeed! mardian not in deed, madam; for i can do nothing but what indeed is honest to be done: yet have i fierce affections, and think what venus did with mars. cleopatra o charmian, where think'st thou he is now? stands he, or sits he? or does he walk? or is he on his horse? o happy horse, to bear the weight of antony! do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest? the demi-atlas of this earth, the arm and burgonet of men. he's speaking now, or murmuring 'where's my serpent of old nile?' for so he calls me: now i feed myself with most delicious poison. think on me, that am with phoebus' amorous pinches black, and wrinkled deep in time? broad-fronted caesar, when thou wast here above the ground, i was a morsel for a monarch: and great pompey would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow; there would he anchor his aspect and die with looking on his life. [enter alexas, from octavius caesar] alexas sovereign of egypt, hail! cleopatra how much unlike art thou mark antony! yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath with his tinct gilded thee. how goes it with my brave mark antony? alexas last thing he did, dear queen, he kiss'd,--the last of many doubled kisses,- this orient pearl. his speech sticks in my heart. cleopatra mine ear must pluck it thence. alexas 'good friend,' quoth he, 'say, the firm roman to great egypt sends this treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, to mend the petty present, i will piece her opulent throne with kingdoms; all the east, say thou, shall call her mistress.' so he nodded, and soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed, who neigh'd so high, that what i would have spoke was beastly dumb'd by him. cleopatra what, was he sad or merry? alexas like to the time o' the year between the extremes of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry. cleopatra o well-divided disposition! note him, note him good charmian, 'tis the man; but note him: he was not sad, for he would shine on those that make their looks by his; he was not merry, which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay in egypt with his joy; but between both: o heavenly mingle! be'st thou sad or merry, the violence of either thee becomes, so does it no man else. met'st thou my posts? alexas ay, madam, twenty several messengers: why do you send so thick? cleopatra who's born that day when i forget to send to antony, shall die a beggar. ink and paper, charmian. welcome, my good alexas. did i, charmian, ever love caesar so? charmian o that brave caesar! cleopatra be choked with such another emphasis! say, the brave antony. charmian the valiant caesar! cleopatra by isis, i will give thee bloody teeth, if thou with caesar paragon again my man of men. charmian by your most gracious pardon, i sing but after you. cleopatra my salad days, when i was green in judgment: cold in blood, to say as i said then! but, come, away; get me ink and paper: he shall have every day a several greeting, or i'll unpeople egypt. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene i messina. pompey's house. [enter pompey, menecrates, and menas, in warlike manner] pompey if the great gods be just, they shall assist the deeds of justest men. menecrates know, worthy pompey, that what they do delay, they not deny. pompey whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays the thing we sue for. menecrates we, ignorant of ourselves, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny us for our good; so find we profit by losing of our prayers. pompey i shall do well: the people love me, and the sea is mine; my powers are crescent, and my auguring hope says it will come to the full. mark antony in egypt sits at dinner, and will make no wars without doors: caesar gets money where he loses hearts: lepidus flatters both, of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves, nor either cares for him. menas caesar and lepidus are in the field: a mighty strength they carry. pompey where have you this? 'tis false. menas from silvius, sir. pompey he dreams: i know they are in rome together, looking for antony. but all the charms of love, salt cleopatra, soften thy waned lip! let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both! tie up the libertine in a field of feasts, keep his brain fuming; epicurean cooks sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite; that sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour even till a lethe'd dulness! [enter varrius] how now, varrius! varrius this is most certain that i shall deliver: mark antony is every hour in rome expected: since he went from egypt 'tis a space for further travel. pompey i could have given less matter a better ear. menas, i did not think this amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm for such a petty war: his soldiership is twice the other twain: but let us rear the higher our opinion, that our stirring can from the lap of egypt's widow pluck the ne'er-lust-wearied antony. menas i cannot hope caesar and antony shall well greet together: his wife that's dead did trespasses to caesar; his brother warr'd upon him; although, i think, not moved by antony. pompey i know not, menas, how lesser enmities may give way to greater. were't not that we stand up against them all, 'twere pregnant they should square between themselves; for they have entertained cause enough to draw their swords: but how the fear of us may cement their divisions and bind up the petty difference, we yet not know. be't as our gods will have't! it only stands our lives upon to use our strongest hands. come, menas. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene ii rome. the house of lepidus. [enter domitius enobarbus and lepidus] lepidus good enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed, and shall become you well, to entreat your captain to soft and gentle speech. domitius enobarbus i shall entreat him to answer like himself: if caesar move him, let antony look over caesar's head and speak as loud as mars. by jupiter, were i the wearer of antonius' beard, i would not shave't to-day. lepidus 'tis not a time for private stomaching. domitius enobarbus every time serves for the matter that is then born in't. lepidus but small to greater matters must give way. domitius enobarbus not if the small come first. lepidus your speech is passion: but, pray you, stir no embers up. here comes the noble antony. [enter mark antony and ventidius] domitius enobarbus and yonder, caesar. [enter octavius caesar, mecaenas, and agrippa] mark antony if we compose well here, to parthia: hark, ventidius. octavius caesar i do not know, mecaenas; ask agrippa. lepidus noble friends, that which combined us was most great, and let not a leaner action rend us. what's amiss, may it be gently heard: when we debate our trivial difference loud, we do commit murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners, the rather, for i earnestly beseech, touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, nor curstness grow to the matter. mark antony 'tis spoken well. were we before our armies, and to fight. i should do thus. [flourish] octavius caesar welcome to rome. mark antony thank you. octavius caesar sit. mark antony sit, sir. octavius caesar nay, then. mark antony i learn, you take things ill which are not so, or being, concern you not. octavius caesar i must be laugh'd at, if, or for nothing or a little, i should say myself offended, and with you chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at, that i should once name you derogately, when to sound your name it not concern'd me. mark antony my being in egypt, caesar, what was't to you? octavius caesar no more than my residing here at rome might be to you in egypt: yet, if you there did practise on my state, your being in egypt might be my question. mark antony how intend you, practised? octavius caesar you may be pleased to catch at mine intent by what did here befal me. your wife and brother made wars upon me; and their contestation was theme for you, you were the word of war. mark antony you do mistake your business; my brother never did urge me in his act: i did inquire it; and have my learning from some true reports, that drew their swords with you. did he not rather discredit my authority with yours; and make the wars alike against my stomach, having alike your cause? of this my letters before did satisfy you. if you'll patch a quarrel, as matter whole you have not to make it with, it must not be with this. octavius caesar you praise yourself by laying defects of judgment to me; but you patch'd up your excuses. mark antony not so, not so; i know you could not lack, i am certain on't, very necessity of this thought, that i, your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, could not with graceful eyes attend those wars which fronted mine own peace. as for my wife, i would you had her spirit in such another: the third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle you may pace easy, but not such a wife. domitius enobarbus would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women! mark antony so much uncurbable, her garboils, caesar made out of her impatience, which not wanted shrewdness of policy too, i grieving grant did you too much disquiet: for that you must but say, i could not help it. octavius caesar i wrote to you when rioting in alexandria; you did pocket up my letters, and with taunts did gibe my missive out of audience. mark antony sir, he fell upon me ere admitted: then three kings i had newly feasted, and did want of what i was i' the morning: but next day i told him of myself; which was as much as to have ask'd him pardon. let this fellow be nothing of our strife; if we contend, out of our question wipe him. octavius caesar you have broken the article of your oath; which you shall never have tongue to charge me with. lepidus soft, caesar! mark antony no, lepidus, let him speak: the honour is sacred which he talks on now, supposing that i lack'd it. but, on, caesar; the article of my oath. octavius caesar to lend me arms and aid when i required them; the which you both denied. mark antony neglected, rather; and then when poison'd hours had bound me up from mine own knowledge. as nearly as i may, i'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power work without it. truth is, that fulvia, to have me out of egypt, made wars here; for which myself, the ignorant motive, do so far ask pardon as befits mine honour to stoop in such a case. lepidus 'tis noble spoken. mecaenas if it might please you, to enforce no further the griefs between ye: to forget them quite were to remember that the present need speaks to atone you. lepidus worthily spoken, mecaenas. domitius enobarbus or, if you borrow one another's love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do. mark antony thou art a soldier only: speak no more. domitius enobarbus that truth should be silent i had almost forgot. mark antony you wrong this presence; therefore speak no more. domitius enobarbus go to, then; your considerate stone. octavius caesar i do not much dislike the matter, but the manner of his speech; for't cannot be we shall remain in friendship, our conditions so differing in their acts. yet if i knew what hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge o' the world i would pursue it. agrippa give me leave, caesar,- octavius caesar speak, agrippa. agrippa thou hast a sister by the mother's side, admired octavia: great mark antony is now a widower. octavius caesar say not so, agrippa: if cleopatra heard you, your reproof were well deserved of rashness. mark antony i am not married, caesar: let me hear agrippa further speak. agrippa to hold you in perpetual amity, to make you brothers, and to knit your hearts with an unslipping knot, take antony octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims no worse a husband than the best of men; whose virtue and whose general graces speak that which none else can utter. by this marriage, all little jealousies, which now seem great, and all great fears, which now import their dangers, would then be nothing: truths would be tales, where now half tales be truths: her love to both would, each to other and all loves to both, draw after her. pardon what i have spoke; for 'tis a studied, not a present thought, by duty ruminated. mark antony will caesar speak? octavius caesar not till he hears how antony is touch'd with what is spoke already. mark antony what power is in agrippa, if i would say, 'agrippa, be it so,' to make this good? octavius caesar the power of caesar, and his power unto octavia. mark antony may i never to this good purpose, that so fairly shows, dream of impediment! let me have thy hand: further this act of grace: and from this hour the heart of brothers govern in our loves and sway our great designs! octavius caesar there is my hand. a sister i bequeath you, whom no brother did ever love so dearly: let her live to join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never fly off our loves again! lepidus happily, amen! mark antony i did not think to draw my sword 'gainst pompey; for he hath laid strange courtesies and great of late upon me: i must thank him only, lest my remembrance suffer ill report; at heel of that, defy him. lepidus time calls upon's: of us must pompey presently be sought, or else he seeks out us. mark antony where lies he? octavius caesar about the mount misenum. mark antony what is his strength by land? octavius caesar great and increasing: but by sea he is an absolute master. mark antony so is the fame. would we had spoke together! haste we for it: yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we the business we have talk'd of. octavius caesar with most gladness: and do invite you to my sister's view, whither straight i'll lead you. mark antony let us, lepidus, not lack your company. lepidus noble antony, not sickness should detain me. [flourish. exeunt octavius caesar, mark antony, and lepidus] mecaenas welcome from egypt, sir. domitius enobarbus half the heart of caesar, worthy mecaenas! my honourable friend, agrippa! agrippa good enobarbus! mecaenas we have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. you stayed well by 't in egypt. domitius enobarbus ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. mecaenas eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; is this true? domitius enobarbus this was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting. mecaenas she's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her. domitius enobarbus when she first met mark antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of cydnus. agrippa there she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her. domitius enobarbus i will tell you. the barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold; purple the sails, and so perfumed that the winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made the water which they beat to follow faster, as amorous of their strokes. for her own person, it beggar'd all description: she did lie in her pavilion--cloth-of-gold of tissue- o'er-picturing that venus where we see the fancy outwork nature: on each side her stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling cupids, with divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem to glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, and what they undid did. agrippa o, rare for antony! domitius enobarbus her gentlewomen, like the nereides, so many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes, and made their bends adornings: at the helm a seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, that yarely frame the office. from the barge a strange invisible perfume hits the sense of the adjacent wharfs. the city cast her people out upon her; and antony, enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone, whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, had gone to gaze on cleopatra too, and made a gap in nature. agrippa rare egyptian! domitius enobarbus upon her landing, antony sent to her, invited her to supper: she replied, it should be better he became her guest; which she entreated: our courteous antony, whom ne'er the word of 'no' woman heard speak, being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast, and for his ordinary pays his heart for what his eyes eat only. agrippa royal wench! she made great caesar lay his sword to bed: he plough'd her, and she cropp'd. domitius enobarbus i saw her once hop forty paces through the public street; and having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, that she did make defect perfection, and, breathless, power breathe forth. mecaenas now antony must leave her utterly. domitius enobarbus never; he will not: age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety: other women cloy the appetites they feed: but she makes hungry where most she satisfies; for vilest things become themselves in her: that the holy priests bless her when she is riggish. mecaenas if beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle the heart of antony, octavia is a blessed lottery to him. agrippa let us go. good enobarbus, make yourself my guest whilst you abide here. domitius enobarbus humbly, sir, i thank you. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene iii the same. octavius caesar's house. [enter mark antony, octavius caesar, octavia between them, and attendants] mark antony the world and my great office will sometimes divide me from your bosom. octavia all which time before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers to them for you. mark antony good night, sir. my octavia, read not my blemishes in the world's report: i have not kept my square; but that to come shall all be done by the rule. good night, dear lady. good night, sir. octavius caesar good night. [exeunt octavius caesar and octavia] [enter soothsayer] mark antony now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in egypt? soothsayer would i had never come from thence, nor you thither! mark antony if you can, your reason? soothsayer i see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet hie you to egypt again. mark antony say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher, caesar's or mine? soothsayer caesar's. therefore, o antony, stay not by his side: thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is noble, courageous high, unmatchable, where caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore make space enough between you. mark antony speak this no more. soothsayer to none but thee; no more, but when to thee. if thou dost play with him at any game, thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck, he beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens, when he shines by: i say again, thy spirit is all afraid to govern thee near him; but, he away, 'tis noble. mark antony get thee gone: say to ventidius i would speak with him: [exit soothsayer] he shall to parthia. be it art or hap, he hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; and in our sports my better cunning faints under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds; his cocks do win the battle still of mine, when it is all to nought; and his quails ever beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. i will to egypt: and though i make this marriage for my peace, i' the east my pleasure lies. [enter ventidius] o, come, ventidius, you must to parthia: your commission's ready; follow me, and receive't. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene iv the same. a street. [enter lepidus, mecaenas, and agrippa] lepidus trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten your generals after. agrippa sir, mark antony will e'en but kiss octavia, and we'll follow. lepidus till i shall see you in your soldier's dress, which will become you both, farewell. mecaenas we shall, as i conceive the journey, be at the mount before you, lepidus. lepidus your way is shorter; my purposes do draw me much about: you'll win two days upon me. mecaenas | | sir, good success! agrippa | lepidus farewell. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene v alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter cleopatra, charmian, iras, and alexas] cleopatra give me some music; music, moody food of us that trade in love. attendants the music, ho! [enter mardian] cleopatra let it alone; let's to billiards: come, charmian. charmian my arm is sore; best play with mardian. cleopatra as well a woman with an eunuch play'd as with a woman. come, you'll play with me, sir? mardian as well as i can, madam. cleopatra and when good will is show'd, though't come too short, the actor may plead pardon. i'll none now: give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there, my music playing far off, i will betray tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce their slimy jaws; and, as i draw them up, i'll think them every one an antony, and say 'ah, ha! you're caught.' charmian 'twas merry when you wager'd on your angling; when your diver did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he with fervency drew up. cleopatra that time,--o times!- i laugh'd him out of patience; and that night i laugh'd him into patience; and next morn, ere the ninth hour, i drunk him to his bed; then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst i wore his sword philippan. [enter a messenger] o, from italy ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, that long time have been barren. messenger madam, madam,- cleopatra antonius dead!--if thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free, if thou so yield him, there is gold, and here my bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings have lipp'd, and trembled kissing. messenger first, madam, he is well. cleopatra why, there's more gold. but, sirrah, mark, we use to say the dead are well: bring it to that, the gold i give thee will i melt and pour down thy ill-uttering throat. messenger good madam, hear me. cleopatra well, go to, i will; but there's no goodness in thy face: if antony be free and healthful,--so tart a favour to trumpet such good tidings! if not well, thou shouldst come like a fury crown'd with snakes, not like a formal man. messenger will't please you hear me? cleopatra i have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st: yet if thou say antony lives, is well, or friends with caesar, or not captive to him, i'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail rich pearls upon thee. messenger madam, he's well. cleopatra well said. messenger and friends with caesar. cleopatra thou'rt an honest man. messenger caesar and he are greater friends than ever. cleopatra make thee a fortune from me. messenger but yet, madam,- cleopatra i do not like 'but yet,' it does allay the good precedence; fie upon 'but yet'! 'but yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth some monstrous malefactor. prithee, friend, pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, the good and bad together: he's friends with caesar: in state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free. messenger free, madam! no; i made no such report: he's bound unto octavia. cleopatra for what good turn? messenger for the best turn i' the bed. cleopatra i am pale, charmian. messenger madam, he's married to octavia. cleopatra the most infectious pestilence upon thee! [strikes him down] messenger good madam, patience. cleopatra what say you? hence, [strikes him again] horrible villain! or i'll spurn thine eyes like balls before me; i'll unhair thy head: [she hales him up and down] thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, smarting in lingering pickle. messenger gracious madam, i that do bring the news made not the match. cleopatra say 'tis not so, a province i will give thee, and make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; and i will boot thee with what gift beside thy modesty can beg. messenger he's married, madam. cleopatra rogue, thou hast lived too long. [draws a knife] messenger nay, then i'll run. what mean you, madam? i have made no fault. [exit] charmian good madam, keep yourself within yourself: the man is innocent. cleopatra some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. melt egypt into nile! and kindly creatures turn all to serpents! call the slave again: though i am mad, i will not bite him: call. charmian he is afeard to come. cleopatra i will not hurt him. [exit charmian] these hands do lack nobility, that they strike a meaner than myself; since i myself have given myself the cause. [re-enter charmian and messenger] come hither, sir. though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news: give to a gracious message. an host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell themselves when they be felt. messenger i have done my duty. cleopatra is he married? i cannot hate thee worser than i do, if thou again say 'yes.' messenger he's married, madam. cleopatra the gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still? messenger should i lie, madam? cleopatra o, i would thou didst, so half my egypt were submerged and made a cistern for scaled snakes! go, get thee hence: hadst thou narcissus in thy face, to me thou wouldst appear most ugly. he is married? messenger i crave your highness' pardon. cleopatra he is married? messenger take no offence that i would not offend you: to punish me for what you make me do. seems much unequal: he's married to octavia. cleopatra o, that his fault should make a knave of thee, that art not what thou'rt sure of! get thee hence: the merchandise which thou hast brought from rome are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand, and be undone by 'em! [exit messenger] charmian good your highness, patience. cleopatra in praising antony, i have dispraised caesar. charmian many times, madam. cleopatra i am paid for't now. lead me from hence: i faint: o iras, charmian! 'tis no matter. go to the fellow, good alexas; bid him report the feature of octavia, her years, her inclination, let him not leave out the colour of her hair: bring me word quickly. [exit alexas] let him for ever go:--let him not--charmian, though he be painted one way like a gorgon, the other way's a mars. bid you alexas [to mardian] bring me word how tall she is. pity me, charmian, but do not speak to me. lead me to my chamber. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene vi near misenum. [flourish. enter pompey and menas at one door, with drum and trumpet: at another, octavius caesar, mark antony, lepidus, domitius enobarbus, mecaenas, with soldiers marching] pompey your hostages i have, so have you mine; and we shall talk before we fight. octavius caesar most meet that first we come to words; and therefore have we our written purposes before us sent; which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know if 'twill tie up thy discontented sword, and carry back to sicily much tall youth that else must perish here. pompey to you all three, the senators alone of this great world, chief factors for the gods, i do not know wherefore my father should revengers want, having a son and friends; since julius caesar, who at philippi the good brutus ghosted, there saw you labouring for him. what was't that moved pale cassius to conspire; and what made the all-honour'd, honest roman, brutus, with the arm'd rest, courtiers and beauteous freedom, to drench the capitol; but that they would have one man but a man? and that is it hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen the anger'd ocean foams; with which i meant to scourge the ingratitude that despiteful rome cast on my noble father. octavius caesar take your time. mark antony thou canst not fear us, pompey, with thy sails; we'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st how much we do o'er-count thee. pompey at land, indeed, thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house: but, since the cuckoo builds not for himself, remain in't as thou mayst. lepidus be pleased to tell us- for this is from the present--how you take the offers we have sent you. octavius caesar there's the point. mark antony which do not be entreated to, but weigh what it is worth embraced. octavius caesar and what may follow, to try a larger fortune. pompey you have made me offer of sicily, sardinia; and i must rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send measures of wheat to rome; this 'greed upon to part with unhack'd edges, and bear back our targes undinted. octavius caesar | | mark antony | that's our offer. | lepidus | pompey know, then, i came before you here a man prepared to take this offer: but mark antony put me to some impatience: though i lose the praise of it by telling, you must know, when caesar and your brother were at blows, your mother came to sicily and did find her welcome friendly. mark antony i have heard it, pompey; and am well studied for a liberal thanks which i do owe you. pompey let me have your hand: i did not think, sir, to have met you here. mark antony the beds i' the east are soft; and thanks to you, that call'd me timelier than my purpose hither; for i have gain'd by 't. octavius caesar since i saw you last, there is a change upon you. pompey well, i know not what counts harsh fortune casts upon my face; but in my bosom shall she never come, to make my heart her vassal. lepidus well met here. pompey i hope so, lepidus. thus we are agreed: i crave our composition may be written, and seal'd between us. octavius caesar that's the next to do. pompey we'll feast each other ere we part; and let's draw lots who shall begin. mark antony that will i, pompey. pompey no, antony, take the lot: but, first or last, your fine egyptian cookery shall have the fame. i have heard that julius caesar grew fat with feasting there. mark antony you have heard much. pompey i have fair meanings, sir. mark antony and fair words to them. pompey then so much have i heard: and i have heard, apollodorus carried- domitius enobarbus no more of that: he did so. pompey what, i pray you? domitius enobarbus a certain queen to caesar in a mattress. pompey i know thee now: how farest thou, soldier? domitius enobarbus well; and well am like to do; for, i perceive, four feasts are toward. pompey let me shake thy hand; i never hated thee: i have seen thee fight, when i have envied thy behavior. domitius enobarbus sir, i never loved you much; but i ha' praised ye, when you have well deserved ten times as much as i have said you did. pompey enjoy thy plainness, it nothing ill becomes thee. aboard my galley i invite you all: will you lead, lords? octavius caesar | | mark antony | show us the way, sir. | lepidus | pompey come. [exeunt all but menas and enobarbus] menas [aside] thy father, pompey, would ne'er have made this treaty.--you and i have known, sir. domitius enobarbus at sea, i think. menas we have, sir. domitius enobarbus you have done well by water. menas and you by land. domitius enobarbus i will praise any man that will praise me; though it cannot be denied what i have done by land. menas nor what i have done by water. domitius enobarbus yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea. menas and you by land. domitius enobarbus there i deny my land service. but give me your hand, menas: if our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing. menas all men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are. domitius enobarbus but there is never a fair woman has a true face. menas no slander; they steal hearts. domitius enobarbus we came hither to fight with you. menas for my part, i am sorry it is turned to a drinking. pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune. domitius enobarbus if he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again. menas you've said, sir. we looked not for mark antony here: pray you, is he married to cleopatra? domitius enobarbus caesar's sister is called octavia. menas true, sir; she was the wife of caius marcellus. domitius enobarbus but she is now the wife of marcus antonius. menas pray ye, sir? domitius enobarbus 'tis true. menas then is caesar and he for ever knit together. domitius enobarbus if i were bound to divine of this unity, i would not prophesy so. menas i think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties. domitius enobarbus i think so too. but you shall find, the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity: octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation. menas who would not have his wife so? domitius enobarbus not he that himself is not so; which is mark antony. he will to his egyptian dish again: then shall the sighs of octavia blow the fire up in caesar; and, as i said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. antony will use his affection where it is: he married but his occasion here. menas and thus it may be. come, sir, will you aboard? i have a health for you. domitius enobarbus i shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in egypt. menas come, let's away. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act ii scene vii on board pompey's galley, off misenum. [music plays. enter two or three servants with a banquet] first servant here they'll be, man. some o' their plants are ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world will blow them down. second servant lepidus is high-coloured. first servant they have made him drink alms-drink. second servant as they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out 'no more;' reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink. first servant but it raises the greater war between him and his discretion. second servant why, this is to have a name in great men's fellowship: i had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan i could not heave. first servant to be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. [a sennet sounded. enter octavius caesar, mark antony, lepidus, pompey, agrippa, mecaenas, domitius enobarbus, menas, with other captains] mark antony [to octavius caesar] thus do they, sir: they take the flow o' the nile by certain scales i' the pyramid; they know, by the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth or foison follow: the higher nilus swells, the more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, and shortly comes to harvest. lepidus you've strange serpents there. mark antony ay, lepidus. lepidus your serpent of egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun: so is your crocodile. mark antony they are so. pompey sit,--and some wine! a health to lepidus! lepidus i am not so well as i should be, but i'll ne'er out. domitius enobarbus not till you have slept; i fear me you'll be in till then. lepidus nay, certainly, i have heard the ptolemies' pyramises are very goodly things; without contradiction, i have heard that. menas [aside to pompey] pompey, a word. pompey [aside to menas] say in mine ear: what is't? menas [aside to pompey] forsake thy seat, i do beseech thee, captain, and hear me speak a word. pompey [aside to menas] forbear me till anon. this wine for lepidus! lepidus what manner o' thing is your crocodile? mark antony it is shaped, sir, like itself; and it is as broad as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates. lepidus what colour is it of? mark antony of it own colour too. lepidus 'tis a strange serpent. mark antony 'tis so. and the tears of it are wet. octavius caesar will this description satisfy him? mark antony with the health that pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure. pompey [aside to menas] go hang, sir, hang! tell me of that? away! do as i bid you. where's this cup i call'd for? menas [aside to pompey] if for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me, rise from thy stool. pompey [aside to menas] i think thou'rt mad. the matter? [rises, and walks aside] menas i have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes. pompey thou hast served me with much faith. what's else to say? be jolly, lords. mark antony these quick-sands, lepidus, keep off them, for you sink. menas wilt thou be lord of all the world? pompey what say'st thou? menas wilt thou be lord of the whole world? that's twice. pompey how should that be? menas but entertain it, and, though thou think me poor, i am the man will give thee all the world. pompey hast thou drunk well? menas now, pompey, i have kept me from the cup. thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly jove: whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips, is thine, if thou wilt ha't. pompey show me which way. menas these three world-sharers, these competitors, are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable; and, when we are put off, fall to their throats: all there is thine. pompey ah, this thou shouldst have done, and not have spoke on't! in me 'tis villany; in thee't had been good service. thou must know, 'tis not my profit that does lead mine honour; mine honour, it. repent that e'er thy tongue hath so betray'd thine act: being done unknown, i should have found it afterwards well done; but must condemn it now. desist, and drink. menas [aside] for this, i'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more. who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offer'd, shall never find it more. pompey this health to lepidus! mark antony bear him ashore. i'll pledge it for him, pompey. domitius enobarbus here's to thee, menas! menas enobarbus, welcome! pompey fill till the cup be hid. domitius enobarbus there's a strong fellow, menas. [pointing to the attendant who carries off lepidus] menas why? domitius enobarbus a' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st not? menas the third part, then, is drunk: would it were all, that it might go on wheels! domitius enobarbus drink thou; increase the reels. menas come. pompey this is not yet an alexandrian feast. mark antony it ripens towards it. strike the vessels, ho? here is to caesar! octavius caesar i could well forbear't. it's monstrous labour, when i wash my brain, and it grows fouler. mark antony be a child o' the time. octavius caesar possess it, i'll make answer: but i had rather fast from all four days than drink so much in one. domitius enobarbus ha, my brave emperor! [to mark antony] shall we dance now the egyptian bacchanals, and celebrate our drink? pompey let's ha't, good soldier. mark antony come, let's all take hands, till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense in soft and delicate lethe. domitius enobarbus all take hands. make battery to our ears with the loud music: the while i'll place you: then the boy shall sing; the holding every man shall bear as loud as his strong sides can volley. [music plays. domitius enobarbus places them hand in hand] the song. come, thou monarch of the vine, plumpy bacchus with pink eyne! in thy fats our cares be drown'd, with thy grapes our hairs be crown'd: cup us, till the world go round, cup us, till the world go round! octavius caesar what would you more? pompey, good night. good brother, let me request you off: our graver business frowns at this levity. gentle lords, let's part; you see we have burnt our cheeks: strong enobarb is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost antick'd us all. what needs more words? good night. good antony, your hand. pompey i'll try you on the shore. mark antony and shall, sir; give's your hand. pompey o antony, you have my father's house,--but, what? we are friends. come, down into the boat. domitius enobarbus take heed you fall not. [exeunt all but domitius enobarbus and menas] menas, i'll not on shore. menas no, to my cabin. these drums! these trumpets, flutes! what! let neptune hear we bid a loud farewell to these great fellows: sound and be hang'd, sound out! [sound a flourish, with drums] domitius enobarbus ho! says a' there's my cap. menas ho! noble captain, come. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene i a plain in syria. [enter ventidius as it were in triumph, with silius, and other romans, officers, and soldiers; the dead body of pacorus borne before him] ventidius now, darting parthia, art thou struck; and now pleased fortune does of marcus crassus' death make me revenger. bear the king's son's body before our army. thy pacorus, orodes, pays this for marcus crassus. silius noble ventidius, whilst yet with parthian blood thy sword is warm, the fugitive parthians follow; spur through media, mesopotamia, and the shelters whither the routed fly: so thy grand captain antony shall set thee on triumphant chariots and put garlands on thy head. ventidius o silius, silius, i have done enough; a lower place, note well, may make too great an act: for learn this, silius; better to leave undone, than by our deed acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away. caesar and antony have ever won more in their officer than person: sossius, one of my place in syria, his lieutenant, for quick accumulation of renown, which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour. who does i' the wars more than his captain can becomes his captain's captain: and ambition, the soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss, than gain which darkens him. i could do more to do antonius good, but 'twould offend him; and in his offence should my performance perish. silius thou hast, ventidius, that without the which a soldier, and his sword, grants scarce distinction. thou wilt write to antony! ventidius i'll humbly signify what in his name, that magical word of war, we have effected; how, with his banners and his well-paid ranks, the ne'er-yet-beaten horse of parthia we have jaded out o' the field. silius where is he now? ventidius he purposeth to athens: whither, with what haste the weight we must convey with's will permit, we shall appear before him. on there; pass along! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene ii rome. an ante-chamber in octavius caesar's house. [enter agrippa at one door, domitius enobarbus at another] agrippa what, are the brothers parted? domitius enobarbus they have dispatch'd with pompey, he is gone; the other three are sealing. octavia weeps to part from rome; caesar is sad; and lepidus, since pompey's feast, as menas says, is troubled with the green sickness. agrippa 'tis a noble lepidus. domitius enobarbus a very fine one: o, how he loves caesar! agrippa nay, but how dearly he adores mark antony! domitius enobarbus caesar? why, he's the jupiter of men. agrippa what's antony? the god of jupiter. domitius enobarbus spake you of caesar? how! the non-pareil! agrippa o antony! o thou arabian bird! domitius enobarbus would you praise caesar, say 'caesar:' go no further. agrippa indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises. domitius enobarbus but he loves caesar best; yet he loves antony: ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho! his love to antony. but as for caesar, kneel down, kneel down, and wonder. agrippa both he loves. domitius enobarbus they are his shards, and he their beetle. [trumpets within] so; this is to horse. adieu, noble agrippa. agrippa good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell. [enter octavius caesar, mark antony, lepidus, and octavia] mark antony no further, sir. octavius caesar you take from me a great part of myself; use me well in 't. sister, prove such a wife as my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band shall pass on thy approof. most noble antony, let not the piece of virtue, which is set betwixt us as the cement of our love, to keep it builded, be the ram to batter the fortress of it; for better might we have loved without this mean, if on both parts this be not cherish'd. mark antony make me not offended in your distrust. octavius caesar i have said. mark antony you shall not find, though you be therein curious, the least cause for what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you, and make the hearts of romans serve your ends! we will here part. octavius caesar farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well: the elements be kind to thee, and make thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well. octavia my noble brother! mark antony the april 's in her eyes: it is love's spring, and these the showers to bring it on. be cheerful. octavia sir, look well to my husband's house; and- octavius caesar what, octavia? octavia i'll tell you in your ear. mark antony her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's down-feather, that stands upon the swell at full of tide, and neither way inclines. domitius enobarbus [aside to agrippa] will caesar weep? agrippa [aside to domitius enobarbus] he has a cloud in 's face. domitius enobarbus [aside to agrippa] he were the worse for that, were he a horse; so is he, being a man. agrippa [aside to domitius enobarbus] why, enobarbus, when antony found julius caesar dead, he cried almost to roaring; and he wept when at philippi he found brutus slain. domitius enobarbus [aside to agrippa] that year, indeed, he was troubled with a rheum; what willingly he did confound he wail'd, believe't, till i wept too. octavius caesar no, sweet octavia, you shall hear from me still; the time shall not out-go my thinking on you. mark antony come, sir, come; i'll wrestle with you in my strength of love: look, here i have you; thus i let you go, and give you to the gods. octavius caesar adieu; be happy! lepidus let all the number of the stars give light to thy fair way! octavius caesar farewell, farewell! [kisses octavia] mark antony farewell! [trumpets sound. exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene iii alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter cleopatra, charmian, iras, and alexas] cleopatra where is the fellow? alexas half afeard to come. cleopatra go to, go to. [enter the messenger as before] come hither, sir. alexas good majesty, herod of jewry dare not look upon you but when you are well pleased. cleopatra that herod's head i'll have: but how, when antony is gone through whom i might command it? come thou near. messenger most gracious majesty,- cleopatra didst thou behold octavia? messenger ay, dread queen. cleopatra where? messenger madam, in rome; i look'd her in the face, and saw her led between her brother and mark antony. cleopatra is she as tall as me? messenger she is not, madam. cleopatra didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low? messenger madam, i heard her speak; she is low-voiced. cleopatra that's not so good: he cannot like her long. charmian like her! o isis! 'tis impossible. cleopatra i think so, charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish! what majesty is in her gait? remember, if e'er thou look'dst on majesty. messenger she creeps: her motion and her station are as one; she shows a body rather than a life, a statue than a breather. cleopatra is this certain? messenger or i have no observance. charmian three in egypt cannot make better note. cleopatra he's very knowing; i do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet: the fellow has good judgment. charmian excellent. cleopatra guess at her years, i prithee. messenger madam, she was a widow,- cleopatra widow! charmian, hark. messenger and i do think she's thirty. cleopatra bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round? messenger round even to faultiness. cleopatra for the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. her hair, what colour? messenger brown, madam: and her forehead as low as she would wish it. cleopatra there's gold for thee. thou must not take my former sharpness ill: i will employ thee back again; i find thee most fit for business: go make thee ready; our letters are prepared. [exit messenger] charmian a proper man. cleopatra indeed, he is so: i repent me much that so i harried him. why, methinks, by him, this creature's no such thing. charmian nothing, madam. cleopatra the man hath seen some majesty, and should know. charmian hath he seen majesty? isis else defend, and serving you so long! cleopatra i have one thing more to ask him yet, good charmian: but 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me where i will write. all may be well enough. charmian i warrant you, madam. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene iv athens. a room in mark antony's house. [enter mark antony and octavia] mark antony nay, nay, octavia, not only that,- that were excusable, that, and thousands more of semblable import,--but he hath waged new wars 'gainst pompey; made his will, and read it to public ear: spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not but pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly he vented them; most narrow measure lent me: when the best hint was given him, he not took't, or did it from his teeth. octavia o my good lord, believe not all; or, if you must believe, stomach not all. a more unhappy lady, if this division chance, ne'er stood between, praying for both parts: the good gods me presently, when i shall pray, 'o bless my lord and husband!' undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, 'o, bless my brother!' husband win, win brother, prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway 'twixt these extremes at all. mark antony gentle octavia, let your best love draw to that point, which seeks best to preserve it: if i lose mine honour, i lose myself: better i were not yours than yours so branchless. but, as you requested, yourself shall go between 's: the mean time, lady, i'll raise the preparation of a war shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste; so your desires are yours. octavia thanks to my lord. the jove of power make me most weak, most weak, your reconciler! wars 'twixt you twain would be as if the world should cleave, and that slain men should solder up the rift. mark antony when it appears to you where this begins, turn your displeasure that way: for our faults can never be so equal, that your love can equally move with them. provide your going; choose your own company, and command what cost your heart has mind to. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene v the same. another room. [enter domitius enobarbus and eros, meeting] domitius enobarbus how now, friend eros! eros there's strange news come, sir. domitius enobarbus what, man? eros caesar and lepidus have made wars upon pompey. domitius enobarbus this is old: what is the success? eros caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst pompey, presently denied him rivality; would not let him partake in the glory of the action: and not resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him: so the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine. domitius enobarbus then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more; and throw between them all the food thou hast, they'll grind the one the other. where's antony? eros he's walking in the garden--thus; and spurns the rush that lies before him; cries, 'fool lepidus!' and threats the throat of that his officer that murder'd pompey. domitius enobarbus our great navy's rigg'd. eros for italy and caesar. more, domitius; my lord desires you presently: my news i might have told hereafter. domitius enobarbus 'twill be naught: but let it be. bring me to antony. eros come, sir. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene vi rome. octavius caesar's house. [enter octavius caesar, agrippa, and mecaenas] octavius caesar contemning rome, he has done all this, and more, in alexandria: here's the manner of 't: i' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat caesarion, whom they call my father's son, and all the unlawful issue that their lust since then hath made between them. unto her he gave the stablishment of egypt; made her of lower syria, cyprus, lydia, absolute queen. mecaenas this in the public eye? octavius caesar i' the common show-place, where they exercise. his sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings: great media, parthia, and armenia. he gave to alexander; to ptolemy he assign'd syria, cilicia, and phoenicia: she in the habiliments of the goddess isis that day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, as 'tis reported, so. mecaenas let rome be thus inform'd. agrippa who, queasy with his insolence already, will their good thoughts call from him. octavius caesar the people know it; and have now received his accusations. agrippa who does he accuse? octavius caesar caesar: and that, having in sicily sextus pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him his part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets that lepidus of the triumvirate should be deposed; and, being, that we detain all his revenue. agrippa sir, this should be answer'd. octavius caesar 'tis done already, and the messenger gone. i have told him, lepidus was grown too cruel; that he his high authority abused, and did deserve his change: for what i have conquer'd, i grant him part; but then, in his armenia, and other of his conquer'd kingdoms, i demand the like. mecaenas he'll never yield to that. octavius caesar nor must not then be yielded to in this. [enter octavia with her train] octavia hail, caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear caesar! octavius caesar that ever i should call thee castaway! octavia you have not call'd me so, nor have you cause. octavius caesar why have you stol'n upon us thus! you come not like caesar's sister: the wife of antony should have an army for an usher, and the neighs of horse to tell of her approach long ere she did appear; the trees by the way should have borne men; and expectation fainted, longing for what it had not; nay, the dust should have ascended to the roof of heaven, raised by your populous troops: but you are come a market-maid to rome; and have prevented the ostentation of our love, which, left unshown, is often left unloved; we should have met you by sea and land; supplying every stage with an augmented greeting. octavia good my lord, to come thus was i not constrain'd, but did on my free will. my lord, mark antony, hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted my grieved ear withal; whereon, i begg'd his pardon for return. octavius caesar which soon he granted, being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him. octavia do not say so, my lord. octavius caesar i have eyes upon him, and his affairs come to me on the wind. where is he now? octavia my lord, in athens. octavius caesar no, my most wronged sister; cleopatra hath nodded him to her. he hath given his empire up to a whore; who now are levying the kings o' the earth for war; he hath assembled bocchus, the king of libya; archelaus, of cappadocia; philadelphos, king of paphlagonia; the thracian king, adallas; king malchus of arabia; king of pont; herod of jewry; mithridates, king of comagene; polemon and amyntas, the kings of mede and lycaonia, with a more larger list of sceptres. octavia ay me, most wretched, that have my heart parted betwixt two friends that do afflict each other! octavius caesar welcome hither: your letters did withhold our breaking forth; till we perceived, both how you were wrong led, and we in negligent danger. cheer your heart; be you not troubled with the time, which drives o'er your content these strong necessities; but let determined things to destiny hold unbewail'd their way. welcome to rome; nothing more dear to me. you are abused beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods, to do you justice, make them ministers of us and those that love you. best of comfort; and ever welcome to us. agrippa welcome, lady. mecaenas welcome, dear madam. each heart in rome does love and pity you: only the adulterous antony, most large in his abominations, turns you off; and gives his potent regiment to a trull, that noises it against us. octavia is it so, sir? octavius caesar most certain. sister, welcome: pray you, be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene vii near actium. mark antony's camp. [enter cleopatra and domitius enobarbus] cleopatra i will be even with thee, doubt it not. domitius enobarbus but why, why, why? cleopatra thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, and say'st it is not fit. domitius enobarbus well, is it, is it? cleopatra if not denounced against us, why should not we be there in person? domitius enobarbus [aside] well, i could reply: if we should serve with horse and mares together, the horse were merely lost; the mares would bear a soldier and his horse. cleopatra what is't you say? domitius enobarbus your presence needs must puzzle antony; take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time, what should not then be spared. he is already traduced for levity; and 'tis said in rome that photinus an eunuch and your maids manage this war. cleopatra sink rome, and their tongues rot that speak against us! a charge we bear i' the war, and, as the president of my kingdom, will appear there for a man. speak not against it: i will not stay behind. domitius enobarbus nay, i have done. here comes the emperor. [enter mark antony and canidius] mark antony is it not strange, canidius, that from tarentum and brundusium he could so quickly cut the ionian sea, and take in toryne? you have heard on't, sweet? cleopatra celerity is never more admired than by the negligent. mark antony a good rebuke, which might have well becomed the best of men, to taunt at slackness. canidius, we will fight with him by sea. cleopatra by sea! what else? canidius why will my lord do so? mark antony for that he dares us to't. domitius enobarbus so hath my lord dared him to single fight. canidius ay, and to wage this battle at pharsalia. where caesar fought with pompey: but these offers, which serve not for his vantage, be shakes off; and so should you. domitius enobarbus your ships are not well mann'd; your mariners are muleters, reapers, people ingross'd by swift impress; in caesar's fleet are those that often have 'gainst pompey fought: their ships are yare; yours, heavy: no disgrace shall fall you for refusing him at sea, being prepared for land. mark antony by sea, by sea. domitius enobarbus most worthy sir, you therein throw away the absolute soldiership you have by land; distract your army, which doth most consist of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted your own renowned knowledge; quite forego the way which promises assurance; and give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, from firm security. mark antony i'll fight at sea. cleopatra i have sixty sails, caesar none better. mark antony our overplus of shipping will we burn; and, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of actium beat the approaching caesar. but if we fail, we then can do't at land. [enter a messenger] thy business? messenger the news is true, my lord; he is descried; caesar has taken toryne. mark antony can he be there in person? 'tis impossible; strange that power should be. canidius, our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, and our twelve thousand horse. we'll to our ship: away, my thetis! [enter a soldier] how now, worthy soldier? soldier o noble emperor, do not fight by sea; trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt this sword and these my wounds? let the egyptians and the phoenicians go a-ducking; we have used to conquer, standing on the earth, and fighting foot to foot. mark antony well, well: away! [exeunt mark antony, queen cleopatra, and domitius enobarbus] soldier by hercules, i think i am i' the right. canidius soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows not in the power on't: so our leader's led, and we are women's men. soldier you keep by land the legions and the horse whole, do you not? canidius marcus octavius, marcus justeius, publicola, and caelius, are for sea: but we keep whole by land. this speed of caesar's carries beyond belief. soldier while he was yet in rome, his power went out in such distractions as beguiled all spies. canidius who's his lieutenant, hear you? soldier they say, one taurus. canidius well i know the man. [enter a messenger] messenger the emperor calls canidius. canidius with news the time's with labour, and throes forth, each minute, some. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene viii a plain near actium. [enter octavius caesar, and taurus, with his army, marching] octavius caesar taurus! taurus my lord? octavius caesar strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle, till we have done at sea. do not exceed the prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies upon this jump. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene ix another part of the plain. [enter mark antony and domitius enobarbus] mark antony set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill, in eye of caesar's battle; from which place we may the number of the ships behold, and so proceed accordingly. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene x another part of the plain. [canidius marcheth with his land army one way over the stage; and taurus, the lieutenant of octavius caesar, the other way. after their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight] [alarum. enter domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus naught, naught all, naught! i can behold no longer: the antoniad, the egyptian admiral, with all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder: to see't mine eyes are blasted. [enter scarus] scarus gods and goddesses, all the whole synod of them! domitius enobarbus what's thy passion! scarus the greater cantle of the world is lost with very ignorance; we have kiss'd away kingdoms and provinces. domitius enobarbus how appears the fight? scarus on our side like the token'd pestilence, where death is sure. yon ribaudred nag of egypt,- whom leprosy o'ertake!--i' the midst o' the fight, when vantage like a pair of twins appear'd, both as the same, or rather ours the elder, the breese upon her, like a cow in june, hoists sails and flies. domitius enobarbus that i beheld: mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not endure a further view. scarus she once being loof'd, the noble ruin of her magic, antony, claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard, leaving the fight in height, flies after her: i never saw an action of such shame; experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before did violate so itself. domitius enobarbus alack, alack! [enter canidius] canidius our fortune on the sea is out of breath, and sinks most lamentably. had our general been what he knew himself, it had gone well: o, he has given example for our flight, most grossly, by his own! domitius enobarbus ay, are you thereabouts? why, then, good night indeed. canidius toward peloponnesus are they fled. scarus 'tis easy to't; and there i will attend what further comes. canidius to caesar will i render my legions and my horse: six kings already show me the way of yielding. domitius enobarbus i'll yet follow the wounded chance of antony, though my reason sits in the wind against me. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene xi alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter mark antony with attendants] mark antony hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't; it is ashamed to bear me! friends, come hither: i am so lated in the world, that i have lost my way for ever: i have a ship laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, and make your peace with caesar. all fly! not we. mark antony i have fled myself; and have instructed cowards to run and show their shoulders. friends, be gone; i have myself resolved upon a course which has no need of you; be gone: my treasure's in the harbour, take it. o, i follow'd that i blush to look upon: my very hairs do mutiny; for the white reprove the brown for rashness, and they them for fear and doting. friends, be gone: you shall have letters from me to some friends that will sweep your way for you. pray you, look not sad, nor make replies of loathness: take the hint which my despair proclaims; let that be left which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway: i will possess you of that ship and treasure. leave me, i pray, a little: pray you now: nay, do so; for, indeed, i have lost command, therefore i pray you: i'll see you by and by. [sits down] [enter cleopatra led by charmian and iras; eros following] eros nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him. iras do, most dear queen. charmian do! why: what else? cleopatra let me sit down. o juno! mark antony no, no, no, no, no. eros see you here, sir? mark antony o fie, fie, fie! charmian madam! iras madam, o good empress! eros sir, sir,- mark antony yes, my lord, yes; he at philippi kept his sword e'en like a dancer; while i struck the lean and wrinkled cassius; and 'twas i that the mad brutus ended: he alone dealt on lieutenantry, and no practise had in the brave squares of war: yet now--no matter. cleopatra ah, stand by. eros the queen, my lord, the queen. iras go to him, madam, speak to him: he is unqualitied with very shame. cleopatra well then, sustain him: o! eros most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches: her head's declined, and death will seize her, but your comfort makes the rescue. mark antony i have offended reputation, a most unnoble swerving. eros sir, the queen. mark antony o, whither hast thou led me, egypt? see, how i convey my shame out of thine eyes by looking back what i have left behind 'stroy'd in dishonour. cleopatra o my lord, my lord, forgive my fearful sails! i little thought you would have follow'd. mark antony egypt, thou knew'st too well my heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, and thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that thy beck might from the bidding of the gods command me. cleopatra o, my pardon! mark antony now i must to the young man send humble treaties, dodge and palter in the shifts of lowness; who with half the bulk o' the world play'd as i pleased, making and marring fortunes. you did know how much you were my conqueror; and that my sword, made weak by my affection, would obey it on all cause. cleopatra pardon, pardon! mark antony fall not a tear, i say; one of them rates all that is won and lost: give me a kiss; even this repays me. we sent our schoolmaster; is he come back? love, i am full of lead. some wine, within there, and our viands! fortune knows we scorn her most when most she offers blows. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene xii egypt. octavius caesar's camp. [enter octavius caesar, dolabella, thyreus, with others] octavius caesar let him appear that's come from antony. know you him? dolabella caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster: an argument that he is pluck'd, when hither he sends so poor a pinion off his wing, which had superfluous kings for messengers not many moons gone by. [enter euphronius, ambassador from mark antony] octavius caesar approach, and speak. euphronius such as i am, i come from antony: i was of late as petty to his ends as is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf to his grand sea. octavius caesar be't so: declare thine office. euphronius lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and requires to live in egypt: which not granted, he lessens his requests; and to thee sues to let him breathe between the heavens and earth, a private man in athens: this for him. next, cleopatra does confess thy greatness; submits her to thy might; and of thee craves the circle of the ptolemies for her heirs, now hazarded to thy grace. octavius caesar for antony, i have no ears to his request. the queen of audience nor desire shall fail, so she from egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, or take his life there: this if she perform, she shall not sue unheard. so to them both. euphronius fortune pursue thee! octavius caesar bring him through the bands. [exit euphronius] [to thyreus] to try eloquence, now 'tis time: dispatch; from antony win cleopatra: promise, and in our name, what she requires; add more, from thine invention, offers: women are not in their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure the ne'er touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, thyreus; make thine own edict for thy pains, which we will answer as a law. thyreus caesar, i go. octavius caesar observe how antony becomes his flaw, and what thou think'st his very action speaks in every power that moves. thyreus caesar, i shall. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iii scene xiii alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter cleopatra, domitius enobarbus, charmian, and iras] cleopatra what shall we do, enobarbus? domitius enobarbus think, and die. cleopatra is antony or we in fault for this? domitius enobarbus antony only, that would make his will lord of his reason. what though you fled from that great face of war, whose several ranges frighted each other? why should he follow? the itch of his affection should not then have nick'd his captainship; at such a point, when half to half the world opposed, he being the meered question: 'twas a shame no less than was his loss, to course your flying flags, and leave his navy gazing. cleopatra prithee, peace. [enter mark antony with euphronius, the ambassador] mark antony is that his answer? euphronius ay, my lord. mark antony the queen shall then have courtesy, so she will yield us up. euphronius he says so. mark antony let her know't. to the boy caesar send this grizzled head, and he will fill thy wishes to the brim with principalities. cleopatra that head, my lord? mark antony to him again: tell him he wears the rose of youth upon him; from which the world should note something particular: his coin, ships, legions, may be a coward's; whose ministers would prevail under the service of a child as soon as i' the command of caesar: i dare him therefore to lay his gay comparisons apart, and answer me declined, sword against sword, ourselves alone. i'll write it: follow me. [exeunt mark antony and euphronius] domitius enobarbus [aside] yes, like enough, high-battled caesar will unstate his happiness, and be staged to the show, against a sworder! i see men's judgments are a parcel of their fortunes; and things outward do draw the inward quality after them, to suffer all alike. that he should dream, knowing all measures, the full caesar will answer his emptiness! caesar, thou hast subdued his judgment too. [enter an attendant] attendant a messenger from caesar. cleopatra what, no more ceremony? see, my women! against the blown rose may they stop their nose that kneel'd unto the buds. admit him, sir. [exit attendant] domitius enobarbus [aside] mine honesty and i begin to square. the loyalty well held to fools does make our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure to follow with allegiance a fall'n lord does conquer him that did his master conquer and earns a place i' the story. [enter thyreus] cleopatra caesar's will? thyreus hear it apart. cleopatra none but friends: say boldly. thyreus so, haply, are they friends to antony. domitius enobarbus he needs as many, sir, as caesar has; or needs not us. if caesar please, our master will leap to be his friend: for us, you know, whose he is we are, and that is, caesar's. thyreus so. thus then, thou most renown'd: caesar entreats, not to consider in what case thou stand'st, further than he is caesar. cleopatra go on: right royal. thyreus he knows that you embrace not antony as you did love, but as you fear'd him. cleopatra o! thyreus the scars upon your honour, therefore, he does pity, as constrained blemishes, not as deserved. cleopatra he is a god, and knows what is most right: mine honour was not yielded, but conquer'd merely. domitius enobarbus [aside] to be sure of that, i will ask antony. sir, sir, thou art so leaky, that we must leave thee to thy sinking, for thy dearest quit thee. [exit] thyreus shall i say to caesar what you require of him? for he partly begs to be desired to give. it much would please him, that of his fortunes you should make a staff to lean upon: but it would warm his spirits, to hear from me you had left antony, and put yourself under his shrowd, the universal landlord. cleopatra what's your name? thyreus my name is thyreus. cleopatra most kind messenger, say to great caesar this: in deputation i kiss his conquering hand: tell him, i am prompt to lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel: tell him from his all-obeying breath i hear the doom of egypt. thyreus 'tis your noblest course. wisdom and fortune combating together, if that the former dare but what it can, no chance may shake it. give me grace to lay my duty on your hand. cleopatra your caesar's father oft, when he hath mused of taking kingdoms in, bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place, as it rain'd kisses. [re-enter mark antony and domitius enobarbus] mark antony favours, by jove that thunders! what art thou, fellow? thyreus one that but performs the bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest to have command obey'd. domitius enobarbus [aside] you will be whipp'd. mark antony approach, there! ah, you kite! now, gods and devils! authority melts from me: of late, when i cried 'ho!' like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth, and cry 'your will?' have you no ears? i am antony yet. [enter attendants] take hence this jack, and whip him. domitius enobarbus [aside] 'tis better playing with a lion's whelp than with an old one dying. mark antony moon and stars! whip him. were't twenty of the greatest tributaries that do acknowledge caesar, should i find them so saucy with the hand of she here,--what's her name, since she was cleopatra? whip him, fellows, till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face, and whine aloud for mercy: take him hence. thyreus mark antony! mark antony tug him away: being whipp'd, bring him again: this jack of caesar's shall bear us an errand to him. [exeunt attendants with thyreus] you were half blasted ere i knew you: ha! have i my pillow left unpress'd in rome, forborne the getting of a lawful race, and by a gem of women, to be abused by one that looks on feeders? cleopatra good my lord,- mark antony you have been a boggler ever: but when we in our viciousness grow hard- o misery on't!--the wise gods seel our eyes; in our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us adore our errors; laugh at's, while we strut to our confusion. cleopatra o, is't come to this? mark antony i found you as a morsel cold upon dead caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment of cneius pompey's; besides what hotter hours, unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have luxuriously pick'd out: for, i am sure, though you can guess what temperance should be, you know not what it is. cleopatra wherefore is this? mark antony to let a fellow that will take rewards and say 'god quit you!' be familiar with my playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal and plighter of high hearts! o, that i were upon the hill of basan, to outroar the horned herd! for i have savage cause; and to proclaim it civilly, were like a halter'd neck which does the hangman thank for being yare about him. [re-enter attendants with thyreus] is he whipp'd? first attendant soundly, my lord. mark antony cried he? and begg'd a' pardon? first attendant he did ask favour. mark antony if that thy father live, let him repent thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry to follow caesar in his triumph, since thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth the white hand of a lady fever thee, shake thou to look on 't. get thee back to caesar, tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say he makes me angry with him; for he seems proud and disdainful, harping on what i am, not what he knew i was: he makes me angry; and at this time most easy 'tis to do't, when my good stars, that were my former guides, have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires into the abysm of hell. if he mislike my speech and what is done, tell him he has hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom he may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture, as he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou: hence with thy stripes, begone! [exit thyreus] cleopatra have you done yet? mark antony alack, our terrene moon is now eclipsed; and it portends alone the fall of antony! cleopatra i must stay his time. mark antony to flatter caesar, would you mingle eyes with one that ties his points? cleopatra not know me yet? mark antony cold-hearted toward me? cleopatra ah, dear, if i be so, from my cold heart let heaven engender hail, and poison it in the source; and the first stone drop in my neck: as it determines, so dissolve my life! the next caesarion smite! till by degrees the memory of my womb, together with my brave egyptians all, by the discandying of this pelleted storm, lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of nile have buried them for prey! mark antony i am satisfied. caesar sits down in alexandria; where i will oppose his fate. our force by land hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sea-like. where hast thou been, my heart? dost thou hear, lady? if from the field i shall return once more to kiss these lips, i will appear in blood; i and my sword will earn our chronicle: there's hope in't yet. cleopatra that's my brave lord! mark antony i will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed, and fight maliciously: for when mine hours were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives of me for jests; but now i'll set my teeth, and send to darkness all that stop me. come, let's have one other gaudy night: call to me all my sad captains; fill our bowls once more; let's mock the midnight bell. cleopatra it is my birth-day: i had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord is antony again, i will be cleopatra. mark antony we will yet do well. cleopatra call all his noble captains to my lord. mark antony do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night i'll force the wine peep through their scars. come on, my queen; there's sap in't yet. the next time i do fight, i'll make death love me; for i will contend even with his pestilent scythe. [exeunt all but domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus now he'll outstare the lightning. to be furious, is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood the dove will peck the estridge; and i see still, a diminution in our captain's brain restores his heart: when valour preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with. i will seek some way to leave him. [exit] antony and cleopatra act iv scene i before alexandria. octavius caesar's camp. [enter octavius caesar, agrippa, and mecaenas, with his army; octavius caesar reading a letter] octavius caesar he calls me boy; and chides, as he had power to beat me out of egypt; my messenger he hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat, caesar to antony: let the old ruffian know i have many other ways to die; meantime laugh at his challenge. mecaenas caesar must think, when one so great begins to rage, he's hunted even to falling. give him no breath, but now make boot of his distraction: never anger made good guard for itself. octavius caesar let our best heads know, that to-morrow the last of many battles we mean to fight: within our files there are, of those that served mark antony but late, enough to fetch him in. see it done: and feast the army; we have store to do't, and they have earn'd the waste. poor antony! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene ii alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter mark antony, cleopatra, domitius enobarbus, charmian, iras, alexas, with others] mark antony he will not fight with me, domitius. domitius enobarbus no. mark antony why should he not? domitius enobarbus he thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, he is twenty men to one. mark antony to-morrow, soldier, by sea and land i'll fight: or i will live, or bathe my dying honour in the blood shall make it live again. woo't thou fight well? domitius enobarbus i'll strike, and cry 'take all.' mark antony well said; come on. call forth my household servants: let's to-night be bounteous at our meal. [enter three or four servitors] give me thy hand, thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;- thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well, and kings have been your fellows. cleopatra [aside to domitius enobarbus] what means this? domitius enobarbus [aside to cleopatra] 'tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots out of the mind. mark antony and thou art honest too. i wish i could be made so many men, and all of you clapp'd up together in an antony, that i might do you service so good as you have done. all the gods forbid! mark antony well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night: scant not my cups; and make as much of me as when mine empire was your fellow too, and suffer'd my command. cleopatra [aside to domitius enobarbus] what does he mean? domitius enobarbus [aside to cleopatra] to make his followers weep. mark antony tend me to-night; may be it is the period of your duty: haply you shall not see me more; or if, a mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow you'll serve another master. i look on you as one that takes his leave. mine honest friends, i turn you not away; but, like a master married to your good service, stay till death: tend me to-night two hours, i ask no more, and the gods yield you for't! domitius enobarbus what mean you, sir, to give them this discomfort? look, they weep; and i, an ass, am onion-eyed: for shame, transform us not to women. mark antony ho, ho, ho! now the witch take me, if i meant it thus! grace grow where those drops fall! my hearty friends, you take me in too dolorous a sense; for i spake to you for your comfort; did desire you to burn this night with torches: know, my hearts, i hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you where rather i'll expect victorious life than death and honour. let's to supper, come, and drown consideration. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene iii the same. before the palace. [enter two soldiers to their guard] first soldier brother, good night: to-morrow is the day. second soldier it will determine one way: fare you well. heard you of nothing strange about the streets? first soldier nothing. what news? second soldier belike 'tis but a rumour. good night to you. first soldier well, sir, good night. [enter two other soldiers] second soldier soldiers, have careful watch. third soldier and you. good night, good night. [they place themselves in every corner of the stage] fourth soldier here we: and if to-morrow our navy thrive, i have an absolute hope our landmen will stand up. third soldier 'tis a brave army, and full of purpose. [music of the hautboys as under the stage] fourth soldier peace! what noise? first soldier list, list! second soldier hark! first soldier music i' the air. third soldier under the earth. fourth soldier it signs well, does it not? third soldier no. first soldier peace, i say! what should this mean? second soldier 'tis the god hercules, whom antony loved, now leaves him. first soldier walk; let's see if other watchmen do hear what we do? [they advance to another post] second soldier how now, masters! all [speaking together] how now! how now! do you hear this? first soldier ay; is't not strange? third soldier do you hear, masters? do you hear? first soldier follow the noise so far as we have quarter; let's see how it will give off. all content. 'tis strange. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene iv the same. a room in the palace. [enter mark antony and cleopatra, charmian, and others attending] mark antony eros! mine armour, eros! cleopatra sleep a little. mark antony no, my chuck. eros, come; mine armour, eros! [enter eros with armour] come good fellow, put mine iron on: if fortune be not ours to-day, it is because we brave her: come. cleopatra nay, i'll help too. what's this for? mark antony ah, let be, let be! thou art the armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this. cleopatra sooth, la, i'll help: thus it must be. mark antony well, well; we shall thrive now. seest thou, my good fellow? go put on thy defences. eros briefly, sir. cleopatra is not this buckled well? mark antony rarely, rarely: he that unbuckles this, till we do please to daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm. thou fumblest, eros; and my queen's a squire more tight at this than thou: dispatch. o love, that thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st the royal occupation! thou shouldst see a workman in't. [enter an armed soldier] good morrow to thee; welcome: thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge: to business that we love we rise betime, and go to't with delight. soldier a thousand, sir, early though't be, have on their riveted trim, and at the port expect you. [shout. trumpets flourish] [enter captains and soldiers] captain the morn is fair. good morrow, general. all good morrow, general. mark antony 'tis well blown, lads: this morning, like the spirit of a youth that means to be of note, begins betimes. so, so; come, give me that: this way; well said. fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me: this is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable [kisses her] and worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand on more mechanic compliment; i'll leave thee now, like a man of steel. you that will fight, follow me close; i'll bring you to't. adieu. [exeunt mark antony, eros, captains, and soldiers] charmian please you, retire to your chamber. cleopatra lead me. he goes forth gallantly. that he and caesar might determine this great war in single fight! then antony,--but now--well, on. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene v alexandria. mark antony's camp. [trumpets sound. enter mark antony and eros; a soldier meeting them] soldier the gods make this a happy day to antony! mark antony would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd to make me fight at land! soldier hadst thou done so, the kings that have revolted, and the soldier that has this morning left thee, would have still follow'd thy heels. mark antony who's gone this morning? soldier who! one ever near thee: call for enobarbus, he shall not hear thee; or from caesar's camp say 'i am none of thine.' mark antony what say'st thou? soldier sir, he is with caesar. eros sir, his chests and treasure he has not with him. mark antony is he gone? soldier most certain. mark antony go, eros, send his treasure after; do it; detain no jot, i charge thee: write to him- i will subscribe--gentle adieus and greetings; say that i wish he never find more cause to change a master. o, my fortunes have corrupted honest men! dispatch.--enobarbus! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene vi alexandria. octavius caesar's camp. [flourish. enter octavius caesar, agrippa, with domitius enobarbus, and others] octavius caesar go forth, agrippa, and begin the fight: our will is antony be took alive; make it so known. agrippa caesar, i shall. [exit] octavius caesar the time of universal peace is near: prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world shall bear the olive freely. [enter a messenger] messenger antony is come into the field. octavius caesar go charge agrippa plant those that have revolted in the van, that antony may seem to spend his fury upon himself. [exeunt all but domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus alexas did revolt; and went to jewry on affairs of antony; there did persuade great herod to incline himself to caesar, and leave his master antony: for this pains caesar hath hang'd him. canidius and the rest that fell away have entertainment, but no honourable trust. i have done ill; of which i do accuse myself so sorely, that i will joy no more. [enter a soldier of caesar's] soldier enobarbus, antony hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with his bounty overplus: the messenger came on my guard; and at thy tent is now unloading of his mules. domitius enobarbus i give it you. soldier mock not, enobarbus. i tell you true: best you safed the bringer out of the host; i must attend mine office, or would have done't myself. your emperor continues still a jove. [exit] domitius enobarbus i am alone the villain of the earth, and feel i am so most. o antony, thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid my better service, when my turpitude thou dost so crown with gold! this blows my heart: if swift thought break it not, a swifter mean shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, i feel. i fight against thee! no: i will go seek some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits my latter part of life. [exit] antony and cleopatra act iv scene vii field of battle between the camps. [alarum. drums and trumpets. enter agrippa and others] agrippa retire, we have engaged ourselves too far: caesar himself has work, and our oppression exceeds what we expected. [exeunt] [alarums. enter mark antony and scarus wounded] scarus o my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! had we done so at first, we had droven them home with clouts about their heads. mark antony thou bleed'st apace. scarus i had a wound here that was like a t, but now 'tis made an h. mark antony they do retire. scarus we'll beat 'em into bench-holes: i have yet room for six scotches more. [enter eros] eros they are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves for a fair victory. scarus let us score their backs, and snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind: 'tis sport to maul a runner. mark antony i will reward thee once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold for thy good valour. come thee on. scarus i'll halt after. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene viii under the walls of alexandria. [alarum. enter mark antony, in a march; scarus, with others] mark antony we have beat him to his camp: run one before, and let the queen know of our gests. to-morrow, before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood that has to-day escaped. i thank you all; for doughty-handed are you, and have fought not as you served the cause, but as 't had been each man's like mine; you have shown all hectors. enter the city, clip your wives, your friends, tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss the honour'd gashes whole. [to scarus] give me thy hand [enter cleopatra, attended] to this great fairy i'll commend thy acts, make her thanks bless thee. [to cleopatra] o thou day o' the world, chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all, through proof of harness to my heart, and there ride on the pants triumphing! cleopatra lord of lords! o infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from the world's great snare uncaught? mark antony my nightingale, we have beat them to their beds. what, girl! though grey do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we a brain that nourishes our nerves, and can get goal for goal of youth. behold this man; commend unto his lips thy favouring hand: kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day as if a god, in hate of mankind, had destroy'd in such a shape. cleopatra i'll give thee, friend, an armour all of gold; it was a king's. mark antony he has deserved it, were it carbuncled like holy phoebus' car. give me thy hand: through alexandria make a jolly march; bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: had our great palace the capacity to camp this host, we all would sup together, and drink carouses to the next day's fate, which promises royal peril. trumpeters, with brazen din blast you the city's ear; make mingle with rattling tabourines; that heaven and earth may strike their sounds together, applauding our approach. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene ix octavius caesar's camp. [sentinels at their post] first soldier if we be not relieved within this hour, we must return to the court of guard: the night is shiny; and they say we shall embattle by the second hour i' the morn. second soldier this last day was a shrewd one to's. [enter domitius enobarbus] domitius enobarbus o, bear me witness, night,- third soldier what man is this? second soldier stand close, and list him. domitius enobarbus be witness to me, o thou blessed moon, when men revolted shall upon record bear hateful memory, poor enobarbus did before thy face repent! first soldier enobarbus! third soldier peace! hark further. domitius enobarbus o sovereign mistress of true melancholy, the poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, that life, a very rebel to my will, may hang no longer on me: throw my heart against the flint and hardness of my fault: which, being dried with grief, will break to powder, and finish all foul thoughts. o antony, nobler than my revolt is infamous, forgive me in thine own particular; but let the world rank me in register a master-leaver and a fugitive: o antony! o antony! [dies] second soldier let's speak to him. first soldier let's hear him, for the things he speaks may concern caesar. third soldier let's do so. but he sleeps. first soldier swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his was never yet for sleep. second soldier go we to him. third soldier awake, sir, awake; speak to us. second soldier hear you, sir? first soldier the hand of death hath raught him. [drums afar off] hark! the drums demurely wake the sleepers. let us bear him to the court of guard; he is of note: our hour is fully out. third soldier come on, then; he may recover yet. [exeunt with the body] antony and cleopatra act iv scene x between the two camps. [enter mark antony and scarus, with their army] mark antony their preparation is to-day by sea; we please them not by land. scarus for both, my lord. mark antony i would they'ld fight i' the fire or i' the air; we'ld fight there too. but this it is; our foot upon the hills adjoining to the city shall stay with us: order for sea is given; they have put forth the haven [ ] where their appointment we may best discover, and look on their endeavour. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene xi another part of the same. [enter octavius caesar, and his army] octavius caesar but being charged, we will be still by land, which, as i take't, we shall; for his best force is forth to man his galleys. to the vales, and hold our best advantage. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene xii another part of the same. [enter mark antony and scarus] mark antony yet they are not join'd: where yond pine does stand, i shall discover all: i'll bring thee word straight, how 'tis like to go. [exit] scarus swallows have built in cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly, and dare not speak their knowledge. antony is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts, his fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear, of what he has, and has not. [alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight] [re-enter mark antony] mark antony all is lost; this foul egyptian hath betrayed me: my fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder they cast their caps up and carouse together like friends long lost. triple-turn'd whore! 'tis thou hast sold me to this novice; and my heart makes only wars on thee. bid them all fly; for when i am revenged upon my charm, i have done all. bid them all fly; begone. [exit scarus] o sun, thy uprise shall i see no more: fortune and antony part here; even here do we shake hands. all come to this? the hearts that spaniel'd me at heels, to whom i gave their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets on blossoming caesar; and this pine is bark'd, that overtopp'd them all. betray'd i am: o this false soul of egypt! this grave charm,- whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home; whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,- like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose, beguiled me to the very heart of loss. what, eros, eros! [enter cleopatra] ah, thou spell! avaunt! cleopatra why is my lord enraged against his love? mark antony vanish, or i shall give thee thy deserving, and blemish caesar's triumph. let him take thee, and hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians: follow his chariot, like the greatest spot of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown for poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let patient octavia plough thy visage up with her prepared nails. [exit cleopatra] 'tis well thou'rt gone, if it be well to live; but better 'twere thou fell'st into my fury, for one death might have prevented many. eros, ho! the shirt of nessus is upon me: teach me, alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage: let me lodge lichas on the horns o' the moon; and with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club, subdue my worthiest self. the witch shall die: to the young roman boy she hath sold me, and i fall under this plot; she dies for't. eros, ho! [exit] antony and cleopatra act iv scene xiii alexandria. cleopatra's palace. [enter cleopatra, charmian, iras, and mardian] cleopatra help me, my women! o, he is more mad than telamon for his shield; the boar of thessaly was never so emboss'd. charmian to the monument! there lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. the soul and body rive not more in parting than greatness going off. cleopatra to the monument! mardian, go tell him i have slain myself; say, that the last i spoke was 'antony,' and word it, prithee, piteously: hence, mardian, and bring me how he takes my death. to the monument! [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act iv scene xiv the same. another room. [enter mark antony and eros] mark antony eros, thou yet behold'st me? eros ay, noble lord. mark antony sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish; a vapour sometime like a bear or lion, a tower'd citadel, a pendent rock, a forked mountain, or blue promontory with trees upon't, that nod unto the world, and mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen these signs; they are black vesper's pageants. eros ay, my lord, mark antony that which is now a horse, even with a thought the rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, as water is in water. eros it does, my lord. mark antony my good knave eros, now thy captain is even such a body: here i am antony: yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. i made these wars for egypt: and the queen,- whose heart i thought i had, for she had mine; which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't a million more, now lost,--she, eros, has pack'd cards with caesar, and false-play'd my glory unto an enemy's triumph. nay, weep not, gentle eros; there is left us ourselves to end ourselves. [enter mardian] o! thy vile lady! she has robb'd me of my sword. mardian no, antony; my mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled with thine entirely. mark antony hence, saucy eunuch; peace! she hath betray'd me and shall die the death. mardian death of one person can be paid but once, and that she has discharged: what thou wouldst do is done unto thy hand: the last she spake was 'antony! most noble antony!' then in the midst a tearing groan did break the name of antony; it was divided between her heart and lips: she render'd life, thy name so buried in her. mark antony dead, then? mardian dead. mark antony unarm, eros; the long day's task is done, and we must sleep. [to mardian] that thou depart'st hence safe, does pay thy labour richly; go. [exit mardian] off, pluck off: the seven-fold shield of ajax cannot keep the battery from my heart. o, cleave, my sides! heart, once be stronger than thy continent, crack thy frail case! apace, eros, apace. no more a soldier: bruised pieces, go; you have been nobly borne. from me awhile. [exit eros] i will o'ertake thee, cleopatra, and weep for my pardon. so it must be, for now all length is torture: since the torch is out, lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour mars what it does; yea, very force entangles itself with strength: seal then, and all is done. eros!--i come, my queen:--eros!--stay for me: where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand, and with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze: dido and her aeneas shall want troops, and all the haunt be ours. come, eros, eros! [re-enter eros] eros what would my lord? mark antony since cleopatra died, i have lived in such dishonour, that the gods detest my baseness. i, that with my sword quarter'd the world, and o'er green neptune's back with ships made cities, condemn myself to lack the courage of a woman; less noble mind than she which by her death our caesar tells 'i am conqueror of myself.' thou art sworn, eros, that, when the exigent should come, which now is come indeed, when i should see behind me the inevitable prosecution of disgrace and horror, that, on my command, thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come: thou strikest not me, 'tis caesar thou defeat'st. put colour in thy cheek. eros the gods withhold me! shall i do that which all the parthian darts, though enemy, lost aim, and could not? mark antony eros, wouldst thou be window'd in great rome and see thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down his corrigible neck, his face subdued to penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat of fortunate caesar, drawn before him, branded his baseness that ensued? eros i would not see't. mark antony come, then; for with a wound i must be cured. draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn most useful for thy country. eros o, sir, pardon me! mark antony when i did make thee free, sworest thou not then to do this when i bade thee? do it at once; or thy precedent services are all but accidents unpurposed. draw, and come. eros turn from me, then, that noble countenance, wherein the worship of the whole world lies. mark antony lo thee! [turning from him] eros my sword is drawn. mark antony then let it do at once the thing why thou hast drawn it. eros my dear master, my captain, and my emperor, let me say, before i strike this bloody stroke, farewell. mark antony 'tis said, man; and farewell. eros farewell, great chief. shall i strike now? mark antony now, eros. eros why, there then: thus i do escape the sorrow of antony's death. [kills himself] mark antony thrice-nobler than myself! thou teachest me, o valiant eros, what i should, and thou couldst not. my queen and eros have by their brave instruction got upon me a nobleness in record: but i will be a bridegroom in my death, and run into't as to a lover's bed. come, then; and, eros, thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus [falling on his sword] i learn'd of thee. how! not dead? not dead? the guard, ho! o, dispatch me! [enter dercetas and guard] first guard what's the noise? mark antony i have done my work in, friends: o, make an end of what i have begun. second guard the star is fall'n. first guard and time is at his period. all alas, and woe! mark antony let him that loves me strike me dead. first guard not i. second guard nor i. third guard nor any one. [exeunt guard] dercetas thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. this sword but shown to caesar, with this tidings, shall enter me with him. [enter diomedes] diomedes where's antony? dercetas there, diomed there. diomedes lives he? wilt thou not answer, man? [exit dercetas] mark antony art thou there, diomed? draw thy sword, and give me sufficing strokes for death. diomedes most absolute lord, my mistress cleopatra sent me to thee. mark antony when did she send thee? diomedes now, my lord. mark antony where is she? diomedes lock'd in her monument. she had a prophesying fear of what hath come to pass: for when she saw- which never shall be found--you did suspect she had disposed with caesar, and that your rage would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead; but, fearing since how it might work, hath sent me to proclaim the truth; and i am come, i dread, too late. mark antony too late, good diomed: call my guard, i prithee. diomedes what, ho, the emperor's guard! the guard, what, ho! come, your lord calls! [enter four or five of the guard of mark antony] mark antony bear me, good friends, where cleopatra bides; 'tis the last service that i shall command you. first guard woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear all your true followers out. all most heavy day! mark antony nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate to grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome which comes to punish us, and we punish it seeming to bear it lightly. take me up: i have led you oft: carry me now, good friends, and have my thanks for all. [exeunt, bearing mark antony] antony and cleopatra act iv scene xv the same. a monument. [enter cleopatra and her maids aloft, with charmian and iras] cleopatra o charmian, i will never go from hence. charmian be comforted, dear madam. cleopatra no, i will not: all strange and terrible events are welcome, but comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, proportion'd to our cause, must be as great as that which makes it. [enter, below, diomedes] how now! is he dead? diomedes his death's upon him, but not dead. look out o' the other side your monument; his guard have brought him thither. [enter, below, mark antony, borne by the guard] cleopatra o sun, burn the great sphere thou movest in! darkling stand the varying shore o' the world. o antony, antony, antony! help, charmian, help, iras, help; help, friends below; let's draw him hither. mark antony peace! not caesar's valour hath o'erthrown antony, but antony's hath triumph'd on itself. cleopatra so it should be, that none but antony should conquer antony; but woe 'tis so! mark antony i am dying, egypt, dying; only i here importune death awhile, until of many thousand kisses the poor last i lay up thy lips. cleopatra i dare not, dear,- dear my lord, pardon,--i dare not, lest i be taken: not the imperious show of the full-fortuned caesar ever shall be brooch'd with me; if knife, drugs, serpents, have edge, sting, or operation, i am safe: your wife octavia, with her modest eyes and still conclusion, shall acquire no honour demuring upon me. but come, come, antony,- help me, my women,--we must draw thee up: assist, good friends. mark antony o, quick, or i am gone. cleopatra here's sport indeed! how heavy weighs my lord! our strength is all gone into heaviness, that makes the weight: had i great juno's power, the strong-wing'd mercury should fetch thee up, and set thee by jove's side. yet come a little,- wishes were ever fools,--o, come, come, come; [they heave mark antony aloft to cleopatra] and welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived: quicken with kissing: had my lips that power, thus would i wear them out. all a heavy sight! mark antony i am dying, egypt, dying: give me some wine, and let me speak a little. cleopatra no, let me speak; and let me rail so high, that the false housewife fortune break her wheel, provoked by my offence. mark antony one word, sweet queen: of caesar seek your honour, with your safety. o! cleopatra they do not go together. mark antony gentle, hear me: none about caesar trust but proculeius. cleopatra my resolution and my hands i'll trust; none about caesar. mark antony the miserable change now at my end lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts in feeding them with those my former fortunes wherein i lived, the greatest prince o' the world, the noblest; and do now not basely die, not cowardly put off my helmet to my countryman,--a roman by a roman valiantly vanquish'd. now my spirit is going; i can no more. cleopatra noblest of men, woo't die? hast thou no care of me? shall i abide in this dull world, which in thy absence is no better than a sty? o, see, my women, [mark antony dies] the crown o' the earth doth melt. my lord! o, wither'd is the garland of the war, the soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls are level now with men; the odds is gone, and there is nothing left remarkable beneath the visiting moon. [faints] charmian o, quietness, lady! iras she is dead too, our sovereign. charmian lady! iras madam! charmian o madam, madam, madam! iras royal egypt, empress! charmian peace, peace, iras! cleopatra no more, but e'en a woman, and commanded by such poor passion as the maid that milks and does the meanest chares. it were for me to throw my sceptre at the injurious gods; to tell them that this world did equal theirs till they had stol'n our jewel. all's but naught; patience is scottish, and impatience does become a dog that's mad: then is it sin to rush into the secret house of death, ere death dare come to us? how do you, women? what, what! good cheer! why, how now, charmian! my noble girls! ah, women, women, look, our lamp is spent, it's out! good sirs, take heart: we'll bury him; and then, what's brave, what's noble, let's do it after the high roman fashion, and make death proud to take us. come, away: this case of that huge spirit now is cold: ah, women, women! come; we have no friend but resolution, and the briefest end. [exeunt; those above bearing off mark antony's body] antony and cleopatra act v scene i alexandria. octavius caesar's camp. [enter octavius caesar, agrippa, dolabella, mecaenas, gallus, proculeius, and others, his council of war] octavius caesar go to him, dolabella, bid him yield; being so frustrate, tell him he mocks the pauses that he makes. dolabella caesar, i shall. [exit] [enter dercetas, with the sword of mark antony] octavius caesar wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest appear thus to us? dercetas i am call'd dercetas; mark antony i served, who best was worthy best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke, he was my master; and i wore my life to spend upon his haters. if thou please to take me to thee, as i was to him i'll be to caesar; if thou pleasest not, i yield thee up my life. octavius caesar what is't thou say'st? dercetas i say, o caesar, antony is dead. octavius caesar the breaking of so great a thing should make a greater crack: the round world should have shook lions into civil streets, and citizens to their dens: the death of antony is not a single doom; in the name lay a moiety of the world. dercetas he is dead, caesar: not by a public minister of justice, nor by a hired knife; but that self hand, which writ his honour in the acts it did, hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it, splitted the heart. this is his sword; i robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd with his most noble blood. octavius caesar look you sad, friends? the gods rebuke me, but it is tidings to wash the eyes of kings. agrippa and strange it is, that nature must compel us to lament our most persisted deeds. mecaenas his taints and honours waged equal with him. agrippa a rarer spirit never did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us some faults to make us men. caesar is touch'd. mecaenas when such a spacious mirror's set before him, he needs must see himself. octavius caesar o antony! i have follow'd thee to this; but we do lance diseases in our bodies: i must perforce have shown to thee such a declining day, or look on thine; we could not stall together in the whole world: but yet let me lament, with tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts, that thou, my brother, my competitor in top of all design, my mate in empire, friend and companion in the front of war, the arm of mine own body, and the heart where mine his thoughts did kindle,--that our stars, unreconciliable, should divide our equalness to this. hear me, good friends- but i will tell you at some meeter season: [enter an egyptian] the business of this man looks out of him; we'll hear him what he says. whence are you? egyptian a poor egyptian yet. the queen my mistress, confined in all she has, her monument, of thy intents desires instruction, that she preparedly may frame herself to the way she's forced to. octavius caesar bid her have good heart: she soon shall know of us, by some of ours, how honourable and how kindly we determine for her; for caesar cannot live to be ungentle. egyptian so the gods preserve thee! [exit] octavius caesar come hither, proculeius. go and say, we purpose her no shame: give her what comforts the quality of her passion shall require, lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke she do defeat us; for her life in rome would be eternal in our triumph: go, and with your speediest bring us what she says, and how you find of her. proculeius caesar, i shall. [exit] octavius caesar gallus, go you along. [exit gallus] where's dolabella, to second proculeius? all dolabella! octavius caesar let him alone, for i remember now how he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready. go with me to my tent; where you shall see how hardly i was drawn into this war; how calm and gentle i proceeded still in all my writings: go with me, and see what i can show in this. [exeunt] antony and cleopatra act v scene ii alexandria. a room in the monument. [enter cleopatra, charmian, and iras] cleopatra my desolation does begin to make a better life. 'tis paltry to be caesar; not being fortune, he's but fortune's knave, a minister of her will: and it is great to do that thing that ends all other deeds; which shackles accidents and bolts up change; which sleeps, and never palates more the dug, the beggar's nurse and caesar's. [enter, to the gates of the monument, proculeius, gallus and soldiers] proculeius caesar sends greeting to the queen of egypt; and bids thee study on what fair demands thou mean'st to have him grant thee. cleopatra what's thy name? proculeius my name is proculeius. cleopatra antony did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but i do not greatly care to be deceived, that have no use for trusting. if your master would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him, that majesty, to keep decorum, must no less beg than a kingdom: if he please to give me conquer'd egypt for my son, he gives me so much of mine own, as i will kneel to him with thanks. proculeius be of good cheer; you're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing: make your full reference freely to my lord, who is so full of grace, that it flows over on all that need: let me report to him your sweet dependency; and you shall find a conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness, where he for grace is kneel'd to. cleopatra pray you, tell him i am his fortune's vassal, and i send him the greatness he has got. i hourly learn a doctrine of obedience; and would gladly look him i' the face. proculeius this i'll report, dear lady. have comfort, for i know your plight is pitied of him that caused it. gallus you see how easily she may be surprised: [here proculeius and two of the guard ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind cleopatra. some of the guard unbar and open the gates] [to proculeius and the guard] guard her till caesar come. [exit] iras royal queen! charmian o cleopatra! thou art taken, queen: cleopatra quick, quick, good hands. [drawing a dagger] proculeius hold, worthy lady, hold: [seizes and disarms her] do not yourself such wrong, who are in this relieved, but not betray'd. cleopatra what, of death too, that rids our dogs of languish? proculeius cleopatra, do not abuse my master's bounty by the undoing of yourself: let the world see his nobleness well acted, which your death will never let come forth. cleopatra where art thou, death? come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen worthy many babes and beggars! proculeius o, temperance, lady! cleopatra sir, i will eat no meat, i'll not drink, sir; if idle talk will once be necessary, i'll not sleep neither: this mortal house i'll ruin, do caesar what he can. know, sir, that i will not wait pinion'd at your master's court; nor once be chastised with the sober eye of dull octavia. shall they hoist me up and show me to the shouting varletry of censuring rome? rather a ditch in egypt be gentle grave unto me! rather on nilus' mud lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies blow me into abhorring! rather make my country's high pyramides my gibbet, and hang me up in chains! proculeius you do extend these thoughts of horror further than you shall find cause in caesar. [enter dolabella] dolabella proculeius, what thou hast done thy master caesar knows, and he hath sent for thee: for the queen, i'll take her to my guard. proculeius so, dolabella, it shall content me best: be gentle to her. [to cleopatra] to caesar i will speak what you shall please, if you'll employ me to him. cleopatra say, i would die. [exeunt proculeius and soldiers] dolabella most noble empress, you have heard of me? cleopatra i cannot tell. dolabella assuredly you know me. cleopatra no matter, sir, what i have heard or known. you laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; is't not your trick? dolabella i understand not, madam. cleopatra i dream'd there was an emperor antony: o, such another sleep, that i might see but such another man! dolabella if it might please ye,- cleopatra his face was as the heavens; and therein stuck a sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted the little o, the earth. dolabella most sovereign creature,- cleopatra his legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm crested the world: his voice was propertied as all the tuned spheres, and that to friends; but when he meant to quail and shake the orb, he was as rattling thunder. for his bounty, there was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas that grew the more by reaping: his delights were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above the element they lived in: in his livery walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were as plates dropp'd from his pocket. dolabella cleopatra! cleopatra think you there was, or might be, such a man as this i dream'd of? dolabella gentle madam, no. cleopatra you lie, up to the hearing of the gods. but, if there be, or ever were, one such, it's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff to vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine and antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, condemning shadows quite. dolabella hear me, good madam. your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it as answering to the weight: would i might never o'ertake pursued success, but i do feel, by the rebound of yours, a grief that smites my very heart at root. cleopatra i thank you, sir, know you what caesar means to do with me? dolabella i am loath to tell you what i would you knew. cleopatra nay, pray you, sir,- dolabella though he be honourable,- cleopatra he'll lead me, then, in triumph? dolabella madam, he will; i know't. [flourish, and shout within, 'make way there: octavius caesar!'] [enter octavius caesar, gallus, proculeius, mecaenas, seleucus, and others of his train] octavius caesar which is the queen of egypt? dolabella it is the emperor, madam. [cleopatra kneels] octavius caesar arise, you shall not kneel: i pray you, rise; rise, egypt. cleopatra sir, the gods will have it thus; my master and my lord i must obey. octavius caesar take to you no hard thoughts: the record of what injuries you did us, though written in our flesh, we shall remember as things but done by chance. cleopatra sole sir o' the world, i cannot project mine own cause so well to make it clear; but do confess i have been laden with like frailties which before have often shamed our sex. octavius caesar cleopatra, know, we will extenuate rather than enforce: if you apply yourself to our intents, which towards you are most gentle, you shall find a benefit in this change; but if you seek to lay on me a cruelty, by taking antony's course, you shall bereave yourself of my good purposes, and put your children to that destruction which i'll guard them from, if thereon you rely. i'll take my leave. cleopatra and may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we, your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall hang in what place you please. here, my good lord. octavius caesar you shall advise me in all for cleopatra. cleopatra this is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, i am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued; not petty things admitted. where's seleucus? seleucus here, madam. cleopatra this is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord, upon his peril, that i have reserved to myself nothing. speak the truth, seleucus. seleucus madam, i had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril, speak that which is not. cleopatra what have i kept back? seleucus enough to purchase what you have made known. octavius caesar nay, blush not, cleopatra; i approve your wisdom in the deed. cleopatra see, caesar! o, behold, how pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; and, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. the ingratitude of this seleucus does even make me wild: o slave, of no more trust than love that's hired! what, goest thou back? thou shalt go back, i warrant thee; but i'll catch thine eyes, though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog! o rarely base! octavius caesar good queen, let us entreat you. cleopatra o caesar, what a wounding shame is this, that thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, doing the honour of thy lordliness to one so meek, that mine own servant should parcel the sum of my disgraces by addition of his envy! say, good caesar, that i some lady trifles have reserved, immoment toys, things of such dignity as we greet modern friends withal; and say, some nobler token i have kept apart for livia and octavia, to induce their mediation; must i be unfolded with one that i have bred? the gods! it smites me beneath the fall i have. [to seleucus] prithee, go hence; or i shall show the cinders of my spirits through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man, thou wouldst have mercy on me. octavius caesar forbear, seleucus. [exit seleucus] cleopatra be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought for things that others do; and, when we fall, we answer others' merits in our name, are therefore to be pitied. octavius caesar cleopatra, not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged, put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours, bestow it at your pleasure; and believe, caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you of things that merchants sold. therefore be cheer'd; make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen; for we intend so to dispose you as yourself shall give us counsel. feed, and sleep: our care and pity is so much upon you, that we remain your friend; and so, adieu. cleopatra my master, and my lord! octavius caesar not so. adieu. [flourish. exeunt octavius caesar and his train] cleopatra he words me, girls, he words me, that i should not be noble to myself: but, hark thee, charmian. [whispers charmian] iras finish, good lady; the bright day is done, and we are for the dark. cleopatra hie thee again: i have spoke already, and it is provided; go put it to the haste. charmian madam, i will. [re-enter dolabella] dolabella where is the queen? charmian behold, sir. [exit] cleopatra dolabella! dolabella madam, as thereto sworn by your command, which my love makes religion to obey, i tell you this: caesar through syria intends his journey; and within three days you with your children will he send before: make your best use of this: i have perform'd your pleasure and my promise. cleopatra dolabella, i shall remain your debtor. dolabella i your servant, adieu, good queen; i must attend on caesar. cleopatra farewell, and thanks. [exit dolabella] now, iras, what think'st thou? thou, an egyptian puppet, shalt be shown in rome, as well as i mechanic slaves with greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded, and forced to drink their vapour. iras the gods forbid! cleopatra nay, 'tis most certain, iras: saucy lictors will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians extemporally will stage us, and present our alexandrian revels; antony shall be brought drunken forth, and i shall see some squeaking cleopatra boy my greatness i' the posture of a whore. iras o the good gods! cleopatra nay, that's certain. iras i'll never see 't; for, i am sure, my nails are stronger than mine eyes. cleopatra why, that's the way to fool their preparation, and to conquer their most absurd intents. [re-enter charmian] now, charmian! show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch my best attires: i am again for cydnus, to meet mark antony: sirrah iras, go. now, noble charmian, we'll dispatch indeed; and, when thou hast done this chare, i'll give thee leave to play till doomsday. bring our crown and all. wherefore's this noise? [exit iras. a noise within] [enter a guardsman] guard here is a rural fellow that will not be denied your highness presence: he brings you figs. cleopatra let him come in. [exit guardsman] what poor an instrument may do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. my resolution's placed, and i have nothing of woman in me: now from head to foot i am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon no planet is of mine. [re-enter guardsman, with clown bringing in a basket] guard this is the man. cleopatra avoid, and leave him. [exit guardsman] hast thou the pretty worm of nilus there, that kills and pains not? clown truly, i have him: but i would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or never recover. cleopatra rememberest thou any that have died on't? clown very many, men and women too. i heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm; but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: but this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm. cleopatra get thee hence; farewell. clown i wish you all joy of the worm. [setting down his basket] cleopatra farewell. clown you must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. cleopatra ay, ay; farewell. clown look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in worm. cleopatra take thou no care; it shall be heeded. clown very good. give it nothing, i pray you, for it is not worth the feeding. cleopatra will it eat me? clown you must not think i am so simple but i know the devil himself will not eat a woman: i know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. but, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five. cleopatra well, get thee gone; farewell. clown yes, forsooth: i wish you joy o' the worm. [exit] [re-enter iras with a robe, crown, &c] cleopatra give me my robe, put on my crown; i have immortal longings in me: now no more the juice of egypt's grape shall moist this lip: yare, yare, good iras; quick. methinks i hear antony call; i see him rouse himself to praise my noble act; i hear him mock the luck of caesar, which the gods give men to excuse their after wrath: husband, i come: now to that name my courage prove my title! i am fire and air; my other elements i give to baser life. so; have you done? come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. farewell, kind charmian; iras, long farewell. [kisses them. iras falls and dies] have i the aspic in my lips? dost fall? if thou and nature can so gently part, the stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, which hurts, and is desired. dost thou lie still? if thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world it is not worth leave-taking. charmian dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that i may say, the gods themselves do weep! cleopatra this proves me base: if she first meet the curled antony, he'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss which is my heaven to have. come, thou mortal wretch, [to an asp, which she applies to her breast] with thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate of life at once untie: poor venomous fool be angry, and dispatch. o, couldst thou speak, that i might hear thee call great caesar ass unpolicied! charmian o eastern star! cleopatra peace, peace! dost thou not see my baby at my breast, that sucks the nurse asleep? charmian o, break! o, break! cleopatra as sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,- o antony!--nay, i will take thee too. [applying another asp to her arm] what should i stay- [dies] charmian in this vile world? so, fare thee well. now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies a lass unparallel'd. downy windows, close; and golden phoebus never be beheld of eyes again so royal! your crown's awry; i'll mend it, and then play. [enter the guard, rushing in] first guard where is the queen? charmian speak softly, wake her not. first guard caesar hath sent- charmian too slow a messenger. [applies an asp] o, come apace, dispatch! i partly feel thee. first guard approach, ho! all's not well: caesar's beguiled. second guard there's dolabella sent from caesar; call him. first guard what work is here! charmian, is this well done? charmian it is well done, and fitting for a princess descended of so many royal kings. ah, soldier! [dies] [re-enter dolabella] dolabella how goes it here? second guard all dead. dolabella caesar, thy thoughts touch their effects in this: thyself art coming to see perform'd the dreaded act which thou so sought'st to hinder. [within 'a way there, a way for caesar!'] [re-enter octavius caesar and all his train marching] dolabella o sir, you are too sure an augurer; that you did fear is done. octavius caesar bravest at the last, she levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, took her own way. the manner of their deaths? i do not see them bleed. dolabella who was last with them? first guard a simple countryman, that brought her figs: this was his basket. octavius caesar poison'd, then. first guard o caesar, this charmian lived but now; she stood and spake: i found her trimming up the diadem on her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood and on the sudden dropp'd. octavius caesar o noble weakness! if they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear by external swelling: but she looks like sleep, as she would catch another antony in her strong toil of grace. dolabella here, on her breast, there is a vent of blood and something blown: the like is on her arm. first guard this is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves upon the caves of nile. octavius caesar most probable that so she died; for her physician tells me she hath pursued conclusions infinite of easy ways to die. take up her bed; and bear her women from the monument: she shall be buried by her antony: no grave upon the earth shall clip in it a pair so famous. high events as these strike those that make them; and their story is no less in pity than his glory which brought them to be lamented. our army shall in solemn show attend this funeral; and then to rome. come, dolabella, see high order in this great solemnity. [exeunt] troilus and cressida dramatis personae priam king of troy. hector | | troilus | | paris | his sons. | deiphobus | | helenus | margarelon a bastard son of priam. aeneas | | trojan commanders. antenor | calchas a trojan priest, taking part with the greeks. pandarus uncle to cressida. agamemnon the grecian general. menelaus his brother. achilles | | ajax | | ulysses | | grecian princes. nestor | | diomedes | | patroclus | thersites a deformed and scurrilous grecian. alexander servant to cressida. servant to troilus. (boy:) servant to paris. servant to diomedes. (servant:) helen wife to menelaus. andromache wife to hector. cassandra daughter to priam, a prophetess. cressida daughter to calchas. trojan and greek soldiers, and attendants. scene troy, and the grecian camp before it. troilus and cressida prologue in troy, there lies the scene. from isles of greece the princes orgulous, their high blood chafed, have to the port of athens sent their ships, fraught with the ministers and instruments of cruel war: sixty and nine, that wore their crownets regal, from the athenian bay put forth toward phrygia; and their vow is made to ransack troy, within whose strong immures the ravish'd helen, menelaus' queen, with wanton paris sleeps; and that's the quarrel. to tenedos they come; and the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge their warlike fraughtage: now on dardan plains the fresh and yet unbruised greeks do pitch their brave pavilions: priam's six-gated city, dardan, and tymbria, helias, chetas, troien, and antenorides, with massy staples and corresponsive and fulfilling bolts, sperr up the sons of troy. now expectation, tickling skittish spirits, on one and other side, trojan and greek, sets all on hazard: and hither am i come a prologue arm'd, but not in confidence of author's pen or actor's voice, but suited in like conditions as our argument, to tell you, fair beholders, that our play leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils, beginning in the middle, starting thence away to what may be digested in a play. like or find fault; do as your pleasures are: now good or bad, 'tis but the chance of war. troilus and cressida act i scene i troy. before priam's palace. [enter troilus armed, and pandarus] troilus call here my varlet; i'll unarm again: why should i war without the walls of troy, that find such cruel battle here within? each trojan that is master of his heart, let him to field; troilus, alas! hath none. pandarus will this gear ne'er be mended? troilus the greeks are strong and skilful to their strength, fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant; but i am weaker than a woman's tear, tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance, less valiant than the virgin in the night and skilless as unpractised infancy. pandarus well, i have told you enough of this: for my part, i'll not meddle nor make no further. he that will have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the grinding. troilus have i not tarried? pandarus ay, the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting. troilus have i not tarried? pandarus ay, the bolting, but you must tarry the leavening. troilus still have i tarried. pandarus ay, to the leavening; but here's yet in the word 'hereafter' the kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of the oven and the baking; nay, you must stay the cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips. troilus patience herself, what goddess e'er she be, doth lesser blench at sufferance than i do. at priam's royal table do i sit; and when fair cressid comes into my thoughts,- so, traitor! 'when she comes!' when is she thence? pandarus well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever i saw her look, or any woman else. troilus i was about to tell thee:--when my heart, as wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain, lest hector or my father should perceive me, i have, as when the sun doth light a storm, buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile: but sorrow, that is couch'd in seeming gladness, is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness. pandarus an her hair were not somewhat darker than helen's- well, go to--there were no more comparison between the women: but, for my part, she is my kinswoman; i would not, as they term it, praise her: but i would somebody had heard her talk yesterday, as i did. i will not dispraise your sister cassandra's wit, but- troilus o pandarus! i tell thee, pandarus,- when i do tell thee, there my hopes lie drown'd, reply not in how many fathoms deep they lie indrench'd. i tell thee i am mad in cressid's love: thou answer'st 'she is fair;' pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice, handlest in thy discourse, o, that her hand, in whose comparison all whites are ink, writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure the cygnet's down is harsh and spirit of sense hard as the palm of ploughman: this thou tell'st me, as true thou tell'st me, when i say i love her; but, saying thus, instead of oil and balm, thou lay'st in every gash that love hath given me the knife that made it. pandarus i speak no more than truth. troilus thou dost not speak so much. pandarus faith, i'll not meddle in't. let her be as she is: if she be fair, 'tis the better for her; an she be not, she has the mends in her own hands. troilus good pandarus, how now, pandarus! pandarus i have had my labour for my travail; ill-thought on of her and ill-thought on of you; gone between and between, but small thanks for my labour. troilus what, art thou angry, pandarus? what, with me? pandarus because she's kin to me, therefore she's not so fair as helen: an she were not kin to me, she would be as fair on friday as helen is on sunday. but what care i? i care not an she were a black-a-moor; 'tis all one to me. troilus say i she is not fair? pandarus i do not care whether you do or no. she's a fool to stay behind her father; let her to the greeks; and so i'll tell her the next time i see her: for my part, i'll meddle nor make no more i' the matter. troilus pandarus,- pandarus not i. troilus sweet pandarus,- pandarus pray you, speak no more to me: i will leave all as i found it, and there an end. [exit pandarus. an alarum] troilus peace, you ungracious clamours! peace, rude sounds! fools on both sides! helen must needs be fair, when with your blood you daily paint her thus. i cannot fight upon this argument; it is too starved a subject for my sword. but pandarus,--o gods, how do you plague me! i cannot come to cressid but by pandar; and he's as tetchy to be woo'd to woo. as she is stubborn-chaste against all suit. tell me, apollo, for thy daphne's love, what cressid is, what pandar, and what we? her bed is india; there she lies, a pearl: between our ilium and where she resides, let it be call'd the wild and wandering flood, ourself the merchant, and this sailing pandar our doubtful hope, our convoy and our bark. [alarum. enter aeneas] aeneas how now, prince troilus! wherefore not afield? troilus because not there: this woman's answer sorts, for womanish it is to be from thence. what news, aeneas, from the field to-day? aeneas that paris is returned home and hurt. troilus by whom, aeneas? aeneas troilus, by menelaus. troilus let paris bleed; 'tis but a scar to scorn; paris is gored with menelaus' horn. [alarum] aeneas hark, what good sport is out of town to-day! troilus better at home, if 'would i might' were 'may.' but to the sport abroad: are you bound thither? aeneas in all swift haste. troilus come, go we then together. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act i scene ii the same. a street. [enter cressida and alexander] cressida who were those went by? alexander queen hecuba and helen. cressida and whither go they? alexander up to the eastern tower, whose height commands as subject all the vale, to see the battle. hector, whose patience is, as a virtue, fix'd, to-day was moved: he chid andromache and struck his armourer, and, like as there were husbandry in war, before the sun rose he was harness'd light, and to the field goes he; where every flower did, as a prophet, weep what it foresaw in hector's wrath. cressida what was his cause of anger? alexander the noise goes, this: there is among the greeks a lord of trojan blood, nephew to hector; they call him ajax. cressida good; and what of him? alexander they say he is a very man per se, and stands alone. cressida so do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or have no legs. alexander this man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushed into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair: he hath the joints of every thing, but everything so out of joint that he is a gouty briareus, many hands and no use, or purblind argus, all eyes and no sight. cressida but how should this man, that makes me smile, make hector angry? alexander they say he yesterday coped hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept hector fasting and waking. cressida who comes here? alexander madam, your uncle pandarus. [enter pandarus] cressida hector's a gallant man. alexander as may be in the world, lady. pandarus what's that? what's that? cressida good morrow, uncle pandarus. pandarus good morrow, cousin cressid: what do you talk of? good morrow, alexander. how do you, cousin? when were you at ilium? cressida this morning, uncle. pandarus what were you talking of when i came? was hector armed and gone ere ye came to ilium? helen was not up, was she? cressida hector was gone, but helen was not up. pandarus even so: hector was stirring early. cressida that were we talking of, and of his anger. pandarus was he angry? cressida so he says here. pandarus true, he was so: i know the cause too: he'll lay about him to-day, i can tell them that: and there's troilus will not come far behind him: let them take heed of troilus, i can tell them that too. cressida what, is he angry too? pandarus who, troilus? troilus is the better man of the two. cressida o jupiter! there's no comparison. pandarus what, not between troilus and hector? do you know a man if you see him? cressida ay, if i ever saw him before and knew him. pandarus well, i say troilus is troilus. cressida then you say as i say; for, i am sure, he is not hector. pandarus no, nor hector is not troilus in some degrees. cressida 'tis just to each of them; he is himself. pandarus himself! alas, poor troilus! i would he were. cressida so he is. pandarus condition, i had gone barefoot to india. cressida he is not hector. pandarus himself! no, he's not himself: would a' were himself! well, the gods are above; time must friend or end: well, troilus, well: i would my heart were in her body. no, hector is not a better man than troilus. cressida excuse me. pandarus he is elder. cressida pardon me, pardon me. pandarus th' other's not come to't; you shall tell me another tale, when th' other's come to't. hector shall not have his wit this year. cressida he shall not need it, if he have his own. pandarus nor his qualities. cressida no matter. pandarus nor his beauty. cressida 'twould not become him; his own's better. pandarus you have no judgment, niece: helen herself swore th' other day, that troilus, for a brown favour--for so 'tis, i must confess,- not brown neither,- cressida no, but brown. pandarus 'faith, to say truth, brown and not brown. cressida to say the truth, true and not true. pandarus she praised his complexion above paris. cressida why, paris hath colour enough. pandarus so he has. cressida then troilus should have too much: if she praised him above, his complexion is higher than his; he having colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming a praise for a good complexion. i had as lief helen's golden tongue had commended troilus for a copper nose. pandarus i swear to you. i think helen loves him better than paris. cressida then she's a merry greek indeed. pandarus nay, i am sure she does. she came to him th' other day into the compassed window,--and, you know, he has not past three or four hairs on his chin,- cressida indeed, a tapster's arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total. pandarus why, he is very young: and yet will he, within three pound, lift as much as his brother hector. cressida is he so young a man and so old a lifter? pandarus but to prove to you that helen loves him: she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin- cressida juno have mercy! how came it cloven? pandarus why, you know 'tis dimpled: i think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all phrygia. cressida o, he smiles valiantly. pandarus does he not? cressida o yes, an 'twere a cloud in autumn. pandarus why, go to, then: but to prove to you that helen loves troilus,- cressida troilus will stand to the proof, if you'll prove it so. pandarus troilus! why, he esteems her no more than i esteem an addle egg. cressida if you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i' the shell. pandarus i cannot choose but laugh, to think how she tickled his chin: indeed, she has a marvellous white hand, i must needs confess,- cressida without the rack. pandarus and she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin. cressida alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer. pandarus but there was such laughing! queen hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. cressida with mill-stones. pandarus and cassandra laughed. cressida but there was more temperate fire under the pot of her eyes: did her eyes run o'er too? pandarus and hector laughed. cressida at what was all this laughing? pandarus marry, at the white hair that helen spied on troilus' chin. cressida an't had been a green hair, i should have laughed too. pandarus they laughed not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer. cressida what was his answer? pandarus quoth she, 'here's but two and fifty hairs on your chin, and one of them is white. cressida this is her question. pandarus that's true; make no question of that. 'two and fifty hairs' quoth he, 'and one white: that white hair is my father, and all the rest are his sons.' 'jupiter!' quoth she, 'which of these hairs is paris, my husband? 'the forked one,' quoth he, 'pluck't out, and give it him.' but there was such laughing! and helen so blushed, an paris so chafed, and all the rest so laughed, that it passed. cressida so let it now; for it has been while going by. pandarus well, cousin. i told you a thing yesterday; think on't. cressida so i do. pandarus i'll be sworn 'tis true; he will weep you, an 'twere a man born in april. cressida and i'll spring up in his tears, an 'twere a nettle against may. [a retreat sounded] pandarus hark! they are coming from the field: shall we stand up here, and see them as they pass toward ilium? good niece, do, sweet niece cressida. cressida at your pleasure. pandarus here, here, here's an excellent place; here we may see most bravely: i'll tell you them all by their names as they pass by; but mark troilus above the rest. cressida speak not so loud. [aeneas passes] pandarus that's aeneas: is not that a brave man? he's one of the flowers of troy, i can tell you: but mark troilus; you shall see anon. [antenor passes] cressida who's that? pandarus that's antenor: he has a shrewd wit, i can tell you; and he's a man good enough, he's one o' the soundest judgments in whosoever, and a proper man of person. when comes troilus? i'll show you troilus anon: if he see me, you shall see him nod at me. cressida will he give you the nod? pandarus you shall see. cressida if he do, the rich shall have more. [hector passes] pandarus that's hector, that, that, look you, that; there's a fellow! go thy way, hector! there's a brave man, niece. o brave hector! look how he looks! there's a countenance! is't not a brave man? cressida o, a brave man! pandarus is a' not? it does a man's heart good. look you what hacks are on his helmet! look you yonder, do you see? look you there: there's no jesting; there's laying on, take't off who will, as they say: there be hacks! cressida be those with swords? pandarus swords! any thing, he cares not; an the devil come to him, it's all one: by god's lid, it does one's heart good. yonder comes paris, yonder comes paris. [paris passes] look ye yonder, niece; is't not a gallant man too, is't not? why, this is brave now. who said he came hurt home to-day? he's not hurt: why, this will do helen's heart good now, ha! would i could see troilus now! you shall see troilus anon. [helenus passes] cressida who's that? pandarus that's helenus. i marvel where troilus is. that's helenus. i think he went not forth to-day. that's helenus. cressida can helenus fight, uncle? pandarus helenus? no. yes, he'll fight indifferent well. i marvel where troilus is. hark! do you not hear the people cry 'troilus'? helenus is a priest. cressida what sneaking fellow comes yonder? [troilus passes] pandarus where? yonder? that's deiphobus. 'tis troilus! there's a man, niece! hem! brave troilus! the prince of chivalry! cressida peace, for shame, peace! pandarus mark him; note him. o brave troilus! look well upon him, niece: look you how his sword is bloodied, and his helm more hacked than hector's, and how he looks, and how he goes! o admirable youth! he ne'er saw three and twenty. go thy way, troilus, go thy way! had i a sister were a grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take his choice. o admirable man! paris? paris is dirt to him; and, i warrant, helen, to change, would give an eye to boot. cressida here come more. [forces pass] pandarus asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and bran! porridge after meat! i could live and die i' the eyes of troilus. ne'er look, ne'er look: the eagles are gone: crows and daws, crows and daws! i had rather be such a man as troilus than agamemnon and all greece. cressida there is among the greeks achilles, a better man than troilus. pandarus achilles! a drayman, a porter, a very camel. cressida well, well. pandarus 'well, well!' why, have you any discretion? have you any eyes? do you know what a man is? is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the spice and salt that season a man? cressida ay, a minced man: and then to be baked with no date in the pie, for then the man's date's out. pandarus you are such a woman! one knows not at what ward you lie. cressida upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy, to defend mine honesty; my mask, to defend my beauty; and you, to defend all these: and at all these wards i lie, at a thousand watches. pandarus say one of your watches. cressida nay, i'll watch you for that; and that's one of the chiefest of them too: if i cannot ward what i would not have hit, i can watch you for telling how i took the blow; unless it swell past hiding, and then it's past watching. pandarus you are such another! [enter troilus's boy] boy sir, my lord would instantly speak with you. pandarus where? boy at your own house; there he unarms him. pandarus good boy, tell him i come. [exit boy] i doubt he be hurt. fare ye well, good niece. cressida adieu, uncle. pandarus i'll be with you, niece, by and by. cressida to bring, uncle? pandarus ay, a token from troilus. cressida by the same token, you are a bawd. [exit pandarus] words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice, he offers in another's enterprise; but more in troilus thousand fold i see than in the glass of pandar's praise may be; yet hold i off. women are angels, wooing: things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. that she beloved knows nought that knows not this: men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is: that she was never yet that ever knew love got so sweet as when desire did sue. therefore this maxim out of love i teach: achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech: then though my heart's content firm love doth bear, nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act i scene iii the grecian camp. before agamemnon's tent. [sennet. enter agamemnon, nestor, ulysses, menelaus, and others] agamemnon princes, what grief hath set the jaundice on your cheeks? the ample proposition that hope makes in all designs begun on earth below fails in the promised largeness: cheques and disasters grow in the veins of actions highest rear'd, as knots, by the conflux of meeting sap, infect the sound pine and divert his grain tortive and errant from his course of growth. nor, princes, is it matter new to us that we come short of our suppose so far that after seven years' siege yet troy walls stand; sith every action that hath gone before, whereof we have record, trial did draw bias and thwart, not answering the aim, and that unbodied figure of the thought that gave't surmised shape. why then, you princes, do you with cheeks abash'd behold our works, and call them shames? which are indeed nought else but the protractive trials of great jove to find persistive constancy in men: the fineness of which metal is not found in fortune's love; for then the bold and coward, the wise and fool, the artist and unread, the hard and soft seem all affined and kin: but, in the wind and tempest of her frown, distinction, with a broad and powerful fan, puffing at all, winnows the light away; and what hath mass or matter, by itself lies rich in virtue and unmingled. nestor with due observance of thy godlike seat, great agamemnon, nestor shall apply thy latest words. in the reproof of chance lies the true proof of men: the sea being smooth, how many shallow bauble boats dare sail upon her patient breast, making their way with those of nobler bulk! but let the ruffian boreas once enrage the gentle thetis, and anon behold the strong-ribb'd bark through liquid mountains cut, bounding between the two moist elements, like perseus' horse: where's then the saucy boat whose weak untimber'd sides but even now co-rivall'd greatness? either to harbour fled, or made a toast for neptune. even so doth valour's show and valour's worth divide in storms of fortune; for in her ray and brightness the herd hath more annoyance by the breeze than by the tiger; but when the splitting wind makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks, and flies fled under shade, why, then the thing of courage as roused with rage with rage doth sympathize, and with an accent tuned in selfsame key retorts to chiding fortune. ulysses agamemnon, thou great commander, nerve and bone of greece, heart of our numbers, soul and only spirit. in whom the tempers and the minds of all should be shut up, hear what ulysses speaks. besides the applause and approbation to which, [to agamemnon] most mighty for thy place and sway, [to nestor] and thou most reverend for thy stretch'd-out life i give to both your speeches, which were such as agamemnon and the hand of greece should hold up high in brass, and such again as venerable nestor, hatch'd in silver, should with a bond of air, strong as the axle-tree on which heaven rides, knit all the greekish ears to his experienced tongue, yet let it please both, thou great, and wise, to hear ulysses speak. agamemnon speak, prince of ithaca; and be't of less expect that matter needless, of importless burden, divide thy lips, than we are confident, when rank thersites opes his mastic jaws, we shall hear music, wit and oracle. ulysses troy, yet upon his basis, had been down, and the great hector's sword had lack'd a master, but for these instances. the specialty of rule hath been neglected: and, look, how many grecian tents do stand hollow upon this plain, so many hollow factions. when that the general is not like the hive to whom the foragers shall all repair, what honey is expected? degree being vizarded, the unworthiest shows as fairly in the mask. the heavens themselves, the planets and this centre observe degree, priority and place, insisture, course, proportion, season, form, office and custom, in all line of order; and therefore is the glorious planet sol in noble eminence enthroned and sphered amidst the other; whose medicinable eye corrects the ill aspects of planets evil, and posts, like the commandment of a king, sans cheque to good and bad: but when the planets in evil mixture to disorder wander, what plagues and what portents! what mutiny! what raging of the sea! shaking of earth! commotion in the winds! frights, changes, horrors, divert and crack, rend and deracinate the unity and married calm of states quite from their fixure! o, when degree is shaked, which is the ladder to all high designs, then enterprise is sick! how could communities, degrees in schools and brotherhoods in cities, peaceful commerce from dividable shores, the primogenitive and due of birth, prerogative of age, crowns, sceptres, laurels, but by degree, stand in authentic place? take but degree away, untune that string, and, hark, what discord follows! each thing meets in mere oppugnancy: the bounded waters should lift their bosoms higher than the shores and make a sop of all this solid globe: strength should be lord of imbecility, and the rude son should strike his father dead: force should be right; or rather, right and wrong, between whose endless jar justice resides, should lose their names, and so should justice too. then every thing includes itself in power, power into will, will into appetite; and appetite, an universal wolf, so doubly seconded with will and power, must make perforce an universal prey, and last eat up himself. great agamemnon, this chaos, when degree is suffocate, follows the choking. and this neglection of degree it is that by a pace goes backward, with a purpose it hath to climb. the general's disdain'd by him one step below, he by the next, that next by him beneath; so every step, exampled by the first pace that is sick of his superior, grows to an envious fever of pale and bloodless emulation: and 'tis this fever that keeps troy on foot, not her own sinews. to end a tale of length, troy in our weakness stands, not in her strength. nestor most wisely hath ulysses here discover'd the fever whereof all our power is sick. agamemnon the nature of the sickness found, ulysses, what is the remedy? ulysses the great achilles, whom opinion crowns the sinew and the forehand of our host, having his ear full of his airy fame, grows dainty of his worth, and in his tent lies mocking our designs: with him patroclus upon a lazy bed the livelong day breaks scurril jests; and with ridiculous and awkward action, which, slanderer, he imitation calls, he pageants us. sometime, great agamemnon, thy topless deputation he puts on, and, like a strutting player, whose conceit lies in his hamstring, and doth think it rich to hear the wooden dialogue and sound 'twixt his stretch'd footing and the scaffoldage,- such to-be-pitied and o'er-wrested seeming he acts thy greatness in: and when he speaks, 'tis like a chime a-mending; with terms unsquared, which, from the tongue of roaring typhon dropp'd would seem hyperboles. at this fusty stuff the large achilles, on his press'd bed lolling, from his deep chest laughs out a loud applause; cries 'excellent! 'tis agamemnon just. now play me nestor; hem, and stroke thy beard, as he being drest to some oration.' that's done, as near as the extremest ends of parallels, as like as vulcan and his wife: yet god achilles still cries 'excellent! 'tis nestor right. now play him me, patroclus, arming to answer in a night alarm.' and then, forsooth, the faint defects of age must be the scene of mirth; to cough and spit, and, with a palsy-fumbling on his gorget, shake in and out the rivet: and at this sport sir valour dies; cries 'o, enough, patroclus; or give me ribs of steel! i shall split all in pleasure of my spleen.' and in this fashion, all our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes, severals and generals of grace exact, achievements, plots, orders, preventions, excitements to the field, or speech for truce, success or loss, what is or is not, serves as stuff for these two to make paradoxes. nestor and in the imitation of these twain- who, as ulysses says, opinion crowns with an imperial voice--many are infect. ajax is grown self-will'd, and bears his head in such a rein, in full as proud a place as broad achilles; keeps his tent like him; makes factious feasts; rails on our state of war, bold as an oracle, and sets thersites, a slave whose gall coins slanders like a mint, to match us in comparisons with dirt, to weaken and discredit our exposure, how rank soever rounded in with danger. ulysses they tax our policy, and call it cowardice, count wisdom as no member of the war, forestall prescience, and esteem no act but that of hand: the still and mental parts, that do contrive how many hands shall strike, when fitness calls them on, and know by measure of their observant toil the enemies' weight,- why, this hath not a finger's dignity: they call this bed-work, mappery, closet-war; so that the ram that batters down the wall, for the great swing and rudeness of his poise, they place before his hand that made the engine, or those that with the fineness of their souls by reason guide his execution. nestor let this be granted, and achilles' horse makes many thetis' sons. [a tucket] agamemnon what trumpet? look, menelaus. menelaus from troy. [enter aeneas] agamemnon what would you 'fore our tent? aeneas is this great agamemnon's tent, i pray you? agamemnon even this. aeneas may one, that is a herald and a prince, do a fair message to his kingly ears? agamemnon with surety stronger than achilles' arm 'fore all the greekish heads, which with one voice call agamemnon head and general. aeneas fair leave and large security. how may a stranger to those most imperial looks know them from eyes of other mortals? agamemnon how! aeneas ay; i ask, that i might waken reverence, and bid the cheek be ready with a blush modest as morning when she coldly eyes the youthful phoebus: which is that god in office, guiding men? which is the high and mighty agamemnon? agamemnon this trojan scorns us; or the men of troy are ceremonious courtiers. aeneas courtiers as free, as debonair, unarm'd, as bending angels; that's their fame in peace: but when they would seem soldiers, they have galls, good arms, strong joints, true swords; and, jove's accord, nothing so full of heart. but peace, aeneas, peace, trojan; lay thy finger on thy lips! the worthiness of praise distains his worth, if that the praised himself bring the praise forth: but what the repining enemy commends, that breath fame blows; that praise, sole sure, transcends. agamemnon sir, you of troy, call you yourself aeneas? aeneas ay, greek, that is my name. agamemnon what's your affair i pray you? aeneas sir, pardon; 'tis for agamemnon's ears. agamemnon he hears naught privately that comes from troy. aeneas nor i from troy come not to whisper him: i bring a trumpet to awake his ear, to set his sense on the attentive bent, and then to speak. agamemnon speak frankly as the wind; it is not agamemnon's sleeping hour: that thou shalt know. trojan, he is awake, he tells thee so himself. aeneas trumpet, blow loud, send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents; and every greek of mettle, let him know, what troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud. [trumpet sounds] we have, great agamemnon, here in troy a prince call'd hector,--priam is his father,- who in this dull and long-continued truce is rusty grown: he bade me take a trumpet, and to this purpose speak. kings, princes, lords! if there be one among the fair'st of greece that holds his honour higher than his ease, that seeks his praise more than he fears his peril, that knows his valour, and knows not his fear, that loves his mistress more than in confession, with truant vows to her own lips he loves, and dare avow her beauty and her worth in other arms than hers,--to him this challenge. hector, in view of trojans and of greeks, shall make it good, or do his best to do it, he hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer, than ever greek did compass in his arms, and will to-morrow with his trumpet call midway between your tents and walls of troy, to rouse a grecian that is true in love: if any come, hector shall honour him; if none, he'll say in troy when he retires, the grecian dames are sunburnt and not worth the splinter of a lance. even so much. agamemnon this shall be told our lovers, lord aeneas; if none of them have soul in such a kind, we left them all at home: but we are soldiers; and may that soldier a mere recreant prove, that means not, hath not, or is not in love! if then one is, or hath, or means to be, that one meets hector; if none else, i am he. nestor tell him of nestor, one that was a man when hector's grandsire suck'd: he is old now; but if there be not in our grecian host one noble man that hath one spark of fire, to answer for his love, tell him from me i'll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver and in my vantbrace put this wither'd brawn, and meeting him will tell him that my lady was fairer than his grandam and as chaste as may be in the world: his youth in flood, i'll prove this truth with my three drops of blood. aeneas now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth! ulysses amen. agamemnon fair lord aeneas, let me touch your hand; to our pavilion shall i lead you, sir. achilles shall have word of this intent; so shall each lord of greece, from tent to tent: yourself shall feast with us before you go and find the welcome of a noble foe. [exeunt all but ulysses and nestor] ulysses nestor! nestor what says ulysses? ulysses i have a young conception in my brain; be you my time to bring it to some shape. nestor what is't? ulysses this 'tis: blunt wedges rive hard knots: the seeded pride that hath to this maturity blown up in rank achilles must or now be cropp'd, or, shedding, breed a nursery of like evil, to overbulk us all. nestor well, and how? ulysses this challenge that the gallant hector sends, however it is spread in general name, relates in purpose only to achilles. nestor the purpose is perspicuous even as substance, whose grossness little characters sum up: and, in the publication, make no strain, but that achilles, were his brain as barren as banks of libya,--though, apollo knows, 'tis dry enough,--will, with great speed of judgment, ay, with celerity, find hector's purpose pointing on him. ulysses and wake him to the answer, think you? nestor yes, 'tis most meet: whom may you else oppose, that can from hector bring his honour off, if not achilles? though't be a sportful combat, yet in the trial much opinion dwells; for here the trojans taste our dear'st repute with their finest palate: and trust to me, ulysses, our imputation shall be oddly poised in this wild action; for the success, although particular, shall give a scantling of good or bad unto the general; and in such indexes, although small pricks to their subsequent volumes, there is seen the baby figure of the giant mass of things to come at large. it is supposed he that meets hector issues from our choice and choice, being mutual act of all our souls, makes merit her election, and doth boil, as 'twere from us all, a man distill'd out of our virtues; who miscarrying, what heart receives from hence the conquering part, to steel a strong opinion to themselves? which entertain'd, limbs are his instruments, in no less working than are swords and bows directive by the limbs. ulysses give pardon to my speech: therefore 'tis meet achilles meet not hector. let us, like merchants, show our foulest wares, and think, perchance, they'll sell; if not, the lustre of the better yet to show, shall show the better. do not consent that ever hector and achilles meet; for both our honour and our shame in this are dogg'd with two strange followers. nestor i see them not with my old eyes: what are they? ulysses what glory our achilles shares from hector, were he not proud, we all should share with him: but he already is too insolent; and we were better parch in afric sun than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes, should he 'scape hector fair: if he were foil'd, why then, we did our main opinion crush in taint of our best man. no, make a lottery; and, by device, let blockish ajax draw the sort to fight with hector: among ourselves give him allowance for the better man; for that will physic the great myrmidon who broils in loud applause, and make him fall his crest that prouder than blue iris bends. if the dull brainless ajax come safe off, we'll dress him up in voices: if he fail, yet go we under our opinion still that we have better men. but, hit or miss, our project's life this shape of sense assumes: ajax employ'd plucks down achilles' plumes. nestor ulysses, now i begin to relish thy advice; and i will give a taste of it forthwith to agamemnon: go we to him straight. two curs shall tame each other: pride alone must tarre the mastiffs on, as 'twere their bone. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act ii scene i a part of the grecian camp. [enter ajax and thersites] ajax thersites! thersites agamemnon, how if he had boils? full, all over, generally? ajax thersites! thersites and those boils did run? say so: did not the general run then? were not that a botchy core? ajax dog! thersites then would come some matter from him; i see none now. ajax thou bitch-wolf's son, canst thou not hear? [beating him] feel, then. thersites the plague of greece upon thee, thou mongrel beef-witted lord! ajax speak then, thou vinewedst leaven, speak: i will beat thee into handsomeness. thersites i shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness: but, i think, thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou learn a prayer without book. thou canst strike, canst thou? a red murrain o' thy jade's tricks! ajax toadstool, learn me the proclamation. thersites dost thou think i have no sense, thou strikest me thus? ajax the proclamation! thersites thou art proclaimed a fool, i think. ajax do not, porpentine, do not: my fingers itch. thersites i would thou didst itch from head to foot and i had the scratching of thee; i would make thee the loathsomest scab in greece. when thou art forth in the incursions, thou strikest as slow as another. ajax i say, the proclamation! thersites thou grumblest and railest every hour on achilles, and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as cerberus is at proserpine's beauty, ay, that thou barkest at him. ajax mistress thersites! thersites thou shouldest strike him. ajax cobloaf! thersites he would pun thee into shivers with his fist, as a sailor breaks a biscuit. ajax [beating him] you whoreson cur! thersites do, do. ajax thou stool for a witch! thersites ay, do, do; thou sodden-witted lord! thou hast no more brain than i have in mine elbows; an assinego may tutor thee: thou scurvy-valiant ass! thou art here but to thrash trojans; and thou art bought and sold among those of any wit, like a barbarian slave. if thou use to beat me, i will begin at thy heel, and tell what thou art by inches, thou thing of no bowels, thou! ajax you dog! thersites you scurvy lord! ajax [beating him] you cur! thersites mars his idiot! do, rudeness; do, camel; do, do. [enter achilles and patroclus] achilles why, how now, ajax! wherefore do you thus? how now, thersites! what's the matter, man? thersites you see him there, do you? achilles ay; what's the matter? thersites nay, look upon him. achilles so i do: what's the matter? thersites nay, but regard him well. achilles 'well!' why, i do so. thersites but yet you look not well upon him; for whosoever you take him to be, he is ajax. achilles i know that, fool. thersites ay, but that fool knows not himself. ajax therefore i beat thee. thersites lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters! his evasions have ears thus long. i have bobbed his brain more than he has beat my bones: i will buy nine sparrows for a penny, and his pia mater is not worth the nineth part of a sparrow. this lord, achilles, ajax, who wears his wit in his belly and his guts in his head, i'll tell you what i say of him. achilles what? thersites i say, this ajax- [ajax offers to beat him] achilles nay, good ajax. thersites has not so much wit- achilles nay, i must hold you. thersites as will stop the eye of helen's needle, for whom he comes to fight. achilles peace, fool! thersites i would have peace and quietness, but the fool will not: he there: that he: look you there. ajax o thou damned cur! i shall- achilles will you set your wit to a fool's? thersites no, i warrant you; for a fools will shame it. patroclus good words, thersites. achilles what's the quarrel? ajax i bade the vile owl go learn me the tenor of the proclamation, and he rails upon me. thersites i serve thee not. ajax well, go to, go to. thersites i serve here voluntarily. achilles your last service was sufferance, 'twas not voluntary: no man is beaten voluntary: ajax was here the voluntary, and you as under an impress. thersites e'en so; a great deal of your wit, too, lies in your sinews, or else there be liars. hector have a great catch, if he knock out either of your brains: a' were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel. achilles what, with me too, thersites? thersites there's ulysses and old nestor, whose wit was mouldy ere your grandsires had nails on their toes, yoke you like draught-oxen and make you plough up the wars. achilles what, what? thersites yes, good sooth: to, achilles! to, ajax! to! ajax i shall cut out your tongue. thersites 'tis no matter! i shall speak as much as thou afterwards. patroclus no more words, thersites; peace! thersites i will hold my peace when achilles' brach bids me, shall i? achilles there's for you, patroclus. thersites i will see you hanged, like clotpoles, ere i come any more to your tents: i will keep where there is wit stirring and leave the faction of fools. [exit] patroclus a good riddance. achilles marry, this, sir, is proclaim'd through all our host: that hector, by the fifth hour of the sun, will with a trumpet 'twixt our tents and troy to-morrow morning call some knight to arms that hath a stomach; and such a one that dare maintain--i know not what: 'tis trash. farewell. ajax farewell. who shall answer him? achilles i know not: 'tis put to lottery; otherwise he knew his man. ajax o, meaning you. i will go learn more of it. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act ii scene ii troy. a room in priam's palace. [enter priam, hector, troilus, paris, and helenus] priam after so many hours, lives, speeches spent, thus once again says nestor from the greeks: 'deliver helen, and all damage else- as honour, loss of time, travail, expense, wounds, friends, and what else dear that is consumed in hot digestion of this cormorant war- shall be struck off.' hector, what say you to't? hector though no man lesser fears the greeks than i as far as toucheth my particular, yet, dread priam, there is no lady of more softer bowels, more spongy to suck in the sense of fear, more ready to cry out 'who knows what follows?' than hector is: the wound of peace is surety, surety secure; but modest doubt is call'd the beacon of the wise, the tent that searches to the bottom of the worst. let helen go: since the first sword was drawn about this question, every tithe soul, 'mongst many thousand dismes, hath been as dear as helen; i mean, of ours: if we have lost so many tenths of ours, to guard a thing not ours nor worth to us, had it our name, the value of one ten, what merit's in that reason which denies the yielding of her up? troilus fie, fie, my brother! weigh you the worth and honour of a king so great as our dread father in a scale of common ounces? will you with counters sum the past proportion of his infinite? and buckle in a waist most fathomless with spans and inches so diminutive as fears and reasons? fie, for godly shame! helenus no marvel, though you bite so sharp at reasons, you are so empty of them. should not our father bear the great sway of his affairs with reasons, because your speech hath none that tells him so? troilus you are for dreams and slumbers, brother priest; you fur your gloves with reason. here are your reasons: you know an enemy intends you harm; you know a sword employ'd is perilous, and reason flies the object of all harm: who marvels then, when helenus beholds a grecian and his sword, if he do set the very wings of reason to his heels and fly like chidden mercury from jove, or like a star disorb'd? nay, if we talk of reason, let's shut our gates and sleep: manhood and honour should have hare-hearts, would they but fat their thoughts with this cramm'd reason: reason and respect make livers pale and lustihood deject. hector brother, she is not worth what she doth cost the holding. troilus what is aught, but as 'tis valued? hector but value dwells not in particular will; it holds his estimate and dignity as well wherein 'tis precious of itself as in the prizer: 'tis mad idolatry to make the service greater than the god and the will dotes that is attributive to what infectiously itself affects, without some image of the affected merit. troilus i take to-day a wife, and my election is led on in the conduct of my will; my will enkindled by mine eyes and ears, two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores of will and judgment: how may i avoid, although my will distaste what it elected, the wife i chose? there can be no evasion to blench from this and to stand firm by honour: we turn not back the silks upon the merchant, when we have soil'd them, nor the remainder viands we do not throw in unrespective sieve, because we now are full. it was thought meet paris should do some vengeance on the greeks: your breath of full consent bellied his sails; the seas and winds, old wranglers, took a truce and did him service: he touch'd the ports desired, and for an old aunt whom the greeks held captive, he brought a grecian queen, whose youth and freshness wrinkles apollo's, and makes stale the morning. why keep we her? the grecians keep our aunt: is she worth keeping? why, she is a pearl, whose price hath launch'd above a thousand ships, and turn'd crown'd kings to merchants. if you'll avouch 'twas wisdom paris went- as you must needs, for you all cried 'go, go,'- if you'll confess he brought home noble prize- as you must needs, for you all clapp'd your hands and cried 'inestimable!'--why do you now the issue of your proper wisdoms rate, and do a deed that fortune never did, beggar the estimation which you prized richer than sea and land? o, theft most base, that we have stol'n what we do fear to keep! but, thieves, unworthy of a thing so stol'n, that in their country did them that disgrace, we fear to warrant in our native place! cassandra [within] cry, trojans, cry! priam what noise? what shriek is this? troilus 'tis our mad sister, i do know her voice. cassandra [within] cry, trojans! hector it is cassandra. [enter cassandra, raving] cassandra cry, trojans, cry! lend me ten thousand eyes, and i will fill them with prophetic tears. hector peace, sister, peace! cassandra virgins and boys, mid-age and wrinkled eld, soft infancy, that nothing canst but cry, add to my clamours! let us pay betimes a moiety of that mass of moan to come. cry, trojans, cry! practise your eyes with tears! troy must not be, nor goodly ilion stand; our firebrand brother, paris, burns us all. cry, trojans, cry! a helen and a woe: cry, cry! troy burns, or else let helen go. [exit] hector now, youthful troilus, do not these high strains of divination in our sister work some touches of remorse? or is your blood so madly hot that no discourse of reason, nor fear of bad success in a bad cause, can qualify the same? troilus why, brother hector, we may not think the justness of each act such and no other than event doth form it, nor once deject the courage of our minds, because cassandra's mad: her brain-sick raptures cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel which hath our several honours all engaged to make it gracious. for my private part, i am no more touch'd than all priam's sons: and jove forbid there should be done amongst us such things as might offend the weakest spleen to fight for and maintain! paris else might the world convince of levity as well my undertakings as your counsels: but i attest the gods, your full consent gave wings to my propension and cut off all fears attending on so dire a project. for what, alas, can these my single arms? what propugnation is in one man's valour, to stand the push and enmity of those this quarrel would excite? yet, i protest, were i alone to pass the difficulties and had as ample power as i have will, paris should ne'er retract what he hath done, nor faint in the pursuit. priam paris, you speak like one besotted on your sweet delights: you have the honey still, but these the gall; so to be valiant is no praise at all. paris sir, i propose not merely to myself the pleasures such a beauty brings with it; but i would have the soil of her fair rape wiped off, in honourable keeping her. what treason were it to the ransack'd queen, disgrace to your great worths and shame to me, now to deliver her possession up on terms of base compulsion! can it be that so degenerate a strain as this should once set footing in your generous bosoms? there's not the meanest spirit on our party without a heart to dare or sword to draw when helen is defended, nor none so noble whose life were ill bestow'd or death unfamed where helen is the subject; then, i say, well may we fight for her whom, we know well, the world's large spaces cannot parallel. hector paris and troilus, you have both said well, and on the cause and question now in hand have glozed, but superficially: not much unlike young men, whom aristotle thought unfit to hear moral philosophy: the reasons you allege do more conduce to the hot passion of distemper'd blood than to make up a free determination 'twixt right and wrong, for pleasure and revenge have ears more deaf than adders to the voice of any true decision. nature craves all dues be render'd to their owners: now, what nearer debt in all humanity than wife is to the husband? if this law of nature be corrupted through affection, and that great minds, of partial indulgence to their benumbed wills, resist the same, there is a law in each well-order'd nation to curb those raging appetites that are most disobedient and refractory. if helen then be wife to sparta's king, as it is known she is, these moral laws of nature and of nations speak aloud to have her back return'd: thus to persist in doing wrong extenuates not wrong, but makes it much more heavy. hector's opinion is this in way of truth; yet ne'ertheless, my spritely brethren, i propend to you in resolution to keep helen still, for 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependance upon our joint and several dignities. troilus why, there you touch'd the life of our design: were it not glory that we more affected than the performance of our heaving spleens, i would not wish a drop of trojan blood spent more in her defence. but, worthy hector, she is a theme of honour and renown, a spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds, whose present courage may beat down our foes, and fame in time to come canonize us; for, i presume, brave hector would not lose so rich advantage of a promised glory as smiles upon the forehead of this action for the wide world's revenue. hector i am yours, you valiant offspring of great priamus. i have a roisting challenge sent amongst the dun and factious nobles of the greeks will strike amazement to their drowsy spirits: i was advertised their great general slept, whilst emulation in the army crept: this, i presume, will wake him. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act ii scene iii the grecian camp. before achilles' tent. [enter thersites, solus] thersites how now, thersites! what lost in the labyrinth of thy fury! shall the elephant ajax carry it thus? he beats me, and i rail at him: o, worthy satisfaction! would it were otherwise; that i could beat him, whilst he railed at me. 'sfoot, i'll learn to conjure and raise devils, but i'll see some issue of my spiteful execrations. then there's achilles, a rare enginer! if troy be not taken till these two undermine it, the walls will stand till they fall of themselves. o thou great thunder-darter of olympus, forget that thou art jove, the king of gods and, mercury, lose all the serpentine craft of thy caduceus, if ye take not that little, little less than little wit from them that they have! which short-armed ignorance itself knows is so abundant scarce, it will not in circumvention deliver a fly from a spider, without drawing their massy irons and cutting the web. after this, the vengeance on the whole camp! or rather, the bone-ache! for that, methinks, is the curse dependent on those that war for a placket. i have said my prayers and devil envy say amen. what ho! my lord achilles! [enter patroclus] patroclus who's there? thersites! good thersites, come in and rail. thersites if i could have remembered a gilt counterfeit, thou wouldst not have slipped out of my contemplation: but it is no matter; thyself upon thyself! the common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance, be thine in great revenue! heaven bless thee from a tutor, and discipline come not near thee! let thy blood be thy direction till thy death! then if she that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse, i'll be sworn and sworn upon't she never shrouded any but lazars. amen. where's achilles? patroclus what, art thou devout? wast thou in prayer? thersites ay: the heavens hear me! [enter achilles] achilles who's there? patroclus thersites, my lord. achilles where, where? art thou come? why, my cheese, my digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in to my table so many meals? come, what's agamemnon? thersites thy commander, achilles. then tell me, patroclus, what's achilles? patroclus thy lord, thersites: then tell me, i pray thee, what's thyself? thersites thy knower, patroclus: then tell me, patroclus, what art thou? patroclus thou mayst tell that knowest. achilles o, tell, tell. thersites i'll decline the whole question. agamemnon commands achilles; achilles is my lord; i am patroclus' knower, and patroclus is a fool. patroclus you rascal! thersites peace, fool! i have not done. achilles he is a privileged man. proceed, thersites. thersites agamemnon is a fool; achilles is a fool; thersites is a fool, and, as aforesaid, patroclus is a fool. achilles derive this; come. thersites agamemnon is a fool to offer to command achilles; achilles is a fool to be commanded of agamemnon; thersites is a fool to serve such a fool, and patroclus is a fool positive. patroclus why am i a fool? thersites make that demand of the prover. it suffices me thou art. look you, who comes here? achilles patroclus, i'll speak with nobody. come in with me, thersites. [exit] thersites here is such patchery, such juggling and such knavery! all the argument is a cuckold and a whore; a good quarrel to draw emulous factions and bleed to death upon. now, the dry serpigo on the subject! and war and lechery confound all! [exit] [enter agamemnon, ulysses, nestor, diomedes, and ajax] agamemnon where is achilles? patroclus within his tent; but ill disposed, my lord. agamemnon let it be known to him that we are here. he shent our messengers; and we lay by our appertainments, visiting of him: let him be told so; lest perchance he think we dare not move the question of our place, or know not what we are. patroclus i shall say so to him. [exit] ulysses we saw him at the opening of his tent: he is not sick. ajax yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart: you may call it melancholy, if you will favour the man; but, by my head, 'tis pride: but why, why? let him show us the cause. a word, my lord. [takes agamemnon aside] nestor what moves ajax thus to bay at him? ulysses achilles hath inveigled his fool from him. nestor who, thersites? ulysses he. nestor then will ajax lack matter, if he have lost his argument. ulysses no, you see, he is his argument that has his argument, achilles. nestor all the better; their fraction is more our wish than their faction: but it was a strong composure a fool could disunite. ulysses the amity that wisdom knits not, folly may easily untie. here comes patroclus. [re-enter patroclus] nestor no achilles with him. ulysses the elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy: his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure. patroclus achilles bids me say, he is much sorry, if any thing more than your sport and pleasure did move your greatness and this noble state to call upon him; he hopes it is no other but for your health and your digestion sake, and after-dinner's breath. agamemnon hear you, patroclus: we are too well acquainted with these answers: but his evasion, wing'd thus swift with scorn, cannot outfly our apprehensions. much attribute he hath, and much the reason why we ascribe it to him; yet all his virtues, not virtuously on his own part beheld, do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss, yea, like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish, are like to rot untasted. go and tell him, we come to speak with him; and you shall not sin, if you do say we think him over-proud and under-honest, in self-assumption greater than in the note of judgment; and worthier than himself here tend the savage strangeness he puts on, disguise the holy strength of their command, and underwrite in an observing kind his humorous predominance; yea, watch his pettish lunes, his ebbs, his flows, as if the passage and whole carriage of this action rode on his tide. go tell him this, and add, that if he overhold his price so much, we'll none of him; but let him, like an engine not portable, lie under this report: 'bring action hither, this cannot go to war: a stirring dwarf we do allowance give before a sleeping giant.' tell him so. patroclus i shall; and bring his answer presently. [exit] agamemnon in second voice we'll not be satisfied; we come to speak with him. ulysses, enter you. [exit ulysses] ajax what is he more than another? agamemnon no more than what he thinks he is. ajax is he so much? do you not think he thinks himself a better man than i am? agamemnon no question. ajax will you subscribe his thought, and say he is? agamemnon no, noble ajax; you are as strong, as valiant, as wise, no less noble, much more gentle, and altogether more tractable. ajax why should a man be proud? how doth pride grow? i know not what pride is. agamemnon your mind is the clearer, ajax, and your virtues the fairer. he that is proud eats up himself: pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the deed in the praise. ajax i do hate a proud man, as i hate the engendering of toads. nestor yet he loves himself: is't not strange? [aside] [re-enter ulysses] ulysses achilles will not to the field to-morrow. agamemnon what's his excuse? ulysses he doth rely on none, but carries on the stream of his dispose without observance or respect of any, in will peculiar and in self-admission. agamemnon why will he not upon our fair request untent his person and share the air with us? ulysses things small as nothing, for request's sake only, he makes important: possess'd he is with greatness, and speaks not to himself but with a pride that quarrels at self-breath: imagined worth holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse that 'twixt his mental and his active parts kingdom'd achilles in commotion rages and batters down himself: what should i say? he is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it cry 'no recovery.' agamemnon let ajax go to him. dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent: 'tis said he holds you well, and will be led at your request a little from himself. ulysses o agamemnon, let it not be so! we'll consecrate the steps that ajax makes when they go from achilles: shall the proud lord that bastes his arrogance with his own seam and never suffers matter of the world enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve and ruminate himself, shall he be worshipp'd of that we hold an idol more than he? no, this thrice worthy and right valiant lord must not so stale his palm, nobly acquired; nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit, as amply titled as achilles is, by going to achilles: that were to enlard his fat already pride and add more coals to cancer when he burns with entertaining great hyperion. this lord go to him! jupiter forbid, and say in thunder 'achilles go to him.' nestor [aside to diomedes] o, this is well; he rubs the vein of him. diomedes [aside to nestor] and how his silence drinks up this applause! ajax if i go to him, with my armed fist i'll pash him o'er the face. agamemnon o, no, you shall not go. ajax an a' be proud with me, i'll pheeze his pride: let me go to him. ulysses not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel. ajax a paltry, insolent fellow! nestor how he describes himself! ajax can he not be sociable? ulysses the raven chides blackness. ajax i'll let his humours blood. agamemnon he will be the physician that should be the patient. ajax an all men were o' my mind,- ulysses wit would be out of fashion. ajax a' should not bear it so, a' should eat swords first: shall pride carry it? nestor an 'twould, you'ld carry half. ulysses a' would have ten shares. ajax i will knead him; i'll make him supple. nestor he's not yet through warm: force him with praises: pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry. ulysses [to agamemnon] my lord, you feed too much on this dislike. nestor our noble general, do not do so. diomedes you must prepare to fight without achilles. ulysses why, 'tis this naming of him does him harm. here is a man--but 'tis before his face; i will be silent. nestor wherefore should you so? he is not emulous, as achilles is. ulysses know the whole world, he is as valiant. ajax a whoreson dog, that shall pelter thus with us! would he were a trojan! nestor what a vice were it in ajax now,- ulysses if he were proud,- diomedes or covetous of praise,- ulysses ay, or surly borne,- diomedes or strange, or self-affected! ulysses thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet composure; praise him that got thee, she that gave thee suck: famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature thrice famed, beyond all erudition: but he that disciplined thy arms to fight, let mars divide eternity in twain, and give him half: and, for thy vigour, bull-bearing milo his addition yield to sinewy ajax. i will not praise thy wisdom, which, like a bourn, a pale, a shore, confines thy spacious and dilated parts: here's nestor; instructed by the antiquary times, he must, he is, he cannot but be wise: put pardon, father nestor, were your days as green as ajax' and your brain so temper'd, you should not have the eminence of him, but be as ajax. ajax shall i call you father? nestor ay, my good son. diomedes be ruled by him, lord ajax. ulysses there is no tarrying here; the hart achilles keeps thicket. please it our great general to call together all his state of war; fresh kings are come to troy: to-morrow we must with all our main of power stand fast: and here's a lord,--come knights from east to west, and cull their flower, ajax shall cope the best. agamemnon go we to council. let achilles sleep: light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iii scene i troy. priam's palace. [enter a servant and pandarus] pandarus friend, you! pray you, a word: do not you follow the young lord paris? servant ay, sir, when he goes before me. pandarus you depend upon him, i mean? servant sir, i do depend upon the lord. pandarus you depend upon a noble gentleman; i must needs praise him. servant the lord be praised! pandarus you know me, do you not? servant faith, sir, superficially. pandarus friend, know me better; i am the lord pandarus. servant i hope i shall know your honour better. pandarus i do desire it. servant you are in the state of grace. pandarus grace! not so, friend: honour and lordship are my titles. [music within] what music is this? servant i do but partly know, sir: it is music in parts. pandarus know you the musicians? servant wholly, sir. pandarus who play they to? servant to the hearers, sir. pandarus at whose pleasure, friend servant at mine, sir, and theirs that love music. pandarus command, i mean, friend. servant who shall i command, sir? pandarus friend, we understand not one another: i am too courtly and thou art too cunning. at whose request do these men play? servant that's to 't indeed, sir: marry, sir, at the request of paris my lord, who's there in person; with him, the mortal venus, the heart-blood of beauty, love's invisible soul,- pandarus who, my cousin cressida? servant no, sir, helen: could you not find out that by her attributes? pandarus it should seem, fellow, that thou hast not seen the lady cressida. i come to speak with paris from the prince troilus: i will make a complimental assault upon him, for my business seethes. servant sodden business! there's a stewed phrase indeed! [enter paris and helen, attended] pandarus fair be to you, my lord, and to all this fair company! fair desires, in all fair measure, fairly guide them! especially to you, fair queen! fair thoughts be your fair pillow! helen dear lord, you are full of fair words. pandarus you speak your fair pleasure, sweet queen. fair prince, here is good broken music. paris you have broke it, cousin: and, by my life, you shall make it whole again; you shall piece it out with a piece of your performance. nell, he is full of harmony. pandarus truly, lady, no. helen o, sir,- pandarus rude, in sooth; in good sooth, very rude. paris well said, my lord! well, you say so in fits. pandarus i have business to my lord, dear queen. my lord, will you vouchsafe me a word? helen nay, this shall not hedge us out: we'll hear you sing, certainly. pandarus well, sweet queen. you are pleasant with me. but, marry, thus, my lord: my dear lord and most esteemed friend, your brother troilus,- helen my lord pandarus; honey-sweet lord,- pandarus go to, sweet queen, to go:--commends himself most affectionately to you,- helen you shall not bob us out of our melody: if you do, our melancholy upon your head! pandarus sweet queen, sweet queen! that's a sweet queen, i' faith. helen and to make a sweet lady sad is a sour offence. pandarus nay, that shall not serve your turn; that shall not, in truth, la. nay, i care not for such words; no, no. and, my lord, he desires you, that if the king call for him at supper, you will make his excuse. helen my lord pandarus,- pandarus what says my sweet queen, my very very sweet queen? paris what exploit's in hand? where sups he to-night? helen nay, but, my lord,- pandarus what says my sweet queen? my cousin will fall out with you. you must not know where he sups. paris i'll lay my life, with my disposer cressida. pandarus no, no, no such matter; you are wide: come, your disposer is sick. paris well, i'll make excuse. pandarus ay, good my lord. why should you say cressida? no, your poor disposer's sick. paris i spy. pandarus you spy! what do you spy? come, give me an instrument. now, sweet queen. helen why, this is kindly done. pandarus my niece is horribly in love with a thing you have, sweet queen. helen she shall have it, my lord, if it be not my lord paris. pandarus he! no, she'll none of him; they two are twain. helen falling in, after falling out, may make them three. pandarus come, come, i'll hear no more of this; i'll sing you a song now. helen ay, ay, prithee now. by my troth, sweet lord, thou hast a fine forehead. pandarus ay, you may, you may. helen let thy song be love: this love will undo us all. o cupid, cupid, cupid! pandarus love! ay, that it shall, i' faith. paris ay, good now, love, love, nothing but love. pandarus in good troth, it begins so. [sings] love, love, nothing but love, still more! for, o, love's bow shoots buck and doe: the shaft confounds, not that it wounds, but tickles still the sore. these lovers cry oh! oh! they die! yet that which seems the wound to kill, doth turn oh! oh! to ha! ha! he! so dying love lives still: oh! oh! a while, but ha! ha! ha! oh! oh! groans out for ha! ha! ha! heigh-ho! helen in love, i' faith, to the very tip of the nose. paris he eats nothing but doves, love, and that breeds hot blood, and hot blood begets hot thoughts, and hot thoughts beget hot deeds, and hot deeds is love. pandarus is this the generation of love? hot blood, hot thoughts, and hot deeds? why, they are vipers: is love a generation of vipers? sweet lord, who's a-field to-day? paris hector, deiphobus, helenus, antenor, and all the gallantry of troy: i would fain have armed to-day, but my nell would not have it so. how chance my brother troilus went not? helen he hangs the lip at something: you know all, lord pandarus. pandarus not i, honey-sweet queen. i long to hear how they sped to-day. you'll remember your brother's excuse? paris to a hair. pandarus farewell, sweet queen. helen commend me to your niece. pandarus i will, sweet queen. [exit] [a retreat sounded] paris they're come from field: let us to priam's hall, to greet the warriors. sweet helen, i must woo you to help unarm our hector: his stubborn buckles, with these your white enchanting fingers touch'd, shall more obey than to the edge of steel or force of greekish sinews; you shall do more than all the island kings,--disarm great hector. helen 'twill make us proud to be his servant, paris; yea, what he shall receive of us in duty gives us more palm in beauty than we have, yea, overshines ourself. paris sweet, above thought i love thee. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iii scene ii the same. pandarus' orchard. [enter pandarus and troilus's boy, meeting] pandarus how now! where's thy master? at my cousin cressida's? boy no, sir; he stays for you to conduct him thither. pandarus o, here he comes. [enter troilus] how now, how now! troilus sirrah, walk off. [exit boy] pandarus have you seen my cousin? troilus no, pandarus: i stalk about her door, like a strange soul upon the stygian banks staying for waftage. o, be thou my charon, and give me swift transportance to those fields where i may wallow in the lily-beds proposed for the deserver! o gentle pandarus, from cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings and fly with me to cressid! pandarus walk here i' the orchard, i'll bring her straight. [exit] troilus i am giddy; expectation whirls me round. the imaginary relish is so sweet that it enchants my sense: what will it be, when that the watery palate tastes indeed love's thrice repured nectar? death, i fear me, swooning destruction, or some joy too fine, too subtle-potent, tuned too sharp in sweetness, for the capacity of my ruder powers: i fear it much; and i do fear besides, that i shall lose distinction in my joys; as doth a battle, when they charge on heaps the enemy flying. [re-enter pandarus] pandarus she's making her ready, she'll come straight: you must be witty now. she does so blush, and fetches her wind so short, as if she were frayed with a sprite: i'll fetch her. it is the prettiest villain: she fetches her breath as short as a new-ta'en sparrow. [exit] troilus even such a passion doth embrace my bosom: my heart beats thicker than a feverous pulse; and all my powers do their bestowing lose, like vassalage at unawares encountering the eye of majesty. [re-enter pandarus with cressida] pandarus come, come, what need you blush? shame's a baby. here she is now: swear the oaths now to her that you have sworn to me. what, are you gone again? you must be watched ere you be made tame, must you? come your ways, come your ways; an you draw backward, we'll put you i' the fills. why do you not speak to her? come, draw this curtain, and let's see your picture. alas the day, how loath you are to offend daylight! an 'twere dark, you'ld close sooner. so, so; rub on, and kiss the mistress. how now! a kiss in fee-farm! build there, carpenter; the air is sweet. nay, you shall fight your hearts out ere i part you. the falcon as the tercel, for all the ducks i' the river: go to, go to. troilus you have bereft me of all words, lady. pandarus words pay no debts, give her deeds: but she'll bereave you o' the deeds too, if she call your activity in question. what, billing again? here's 'in witness whereof the parties interchangeably'- come in, come in: i'll go get a fire. [exit] cressida will you walk in, my lord? troilus o cressida, how often have i wished me thus! cressida wished, my lord! the gods grant,--o my lord! troilus what should they grant? what makes this pretty abruption? what too curious dreg espies my sweet lady in the fountain of our love? cressida more dregs than water, if my fears have eyes. troilus fears make devils of cherubims; they never see truly. cressida blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear: to fear the worst oft cures the worse. troilus o, let my lady apprehend no fear: in all cupid's pageant there is presented no monster. cressida nor nothing monstrous neither? troilus nothing, but our undertakings; when we vow to weep seas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame tigers; thinking it harder for our mistress to devise imposition enough than for us to undergo any difficulty imposed. this is the monstruosity in love, lady, that the will is infinite and the execution confined, that the desire is boundless and the act a slave to limit. cressida they say all lovers swear more performance than they are able and yet reserve an ability that they never perform, vowing more than the perfection of ten and discharging less than the tenth part of one. they that have the voice of lions and the act of hares, are they not monsters? troilus are there such? such are not we: praise us as we are tasted, allow us as we prove; our head shall go bare till merit crown it: no perfection in reversion shall have a praise in present: we will not name desert before his birth, and, being born, his addition shall be humble. few words to fair faith: troilus shall be such to cressid as what envy can say worst shall be a mock for his truth, and what truth can speak truest not truer than troilus. cressida will you walk in, my lord? [re-enter pandarus] pandarus what, blushing still? have you not done talking yet? cressida well, uncle, what folly i commit, i dedicate to you. pandarus i thank you for that: if my lord get a boy of you, you'll give him me. be true to my lord: if he flinch, chide me for it. troilus you know now your hostages; your uncle's word and my firm faith. pandarus nay, i'll give my word for her too: our kindred, though they be long ere they are wooed, they are constant being won: they are burs, i can tell you; they'll stick where they are thrown. cressida boldness comes to me now, and brings me heart. prince troilus, i have loved you night and day for many weary months. troilus why was my cressid then so hard to win? cressida hard to seem won: but i was won, my lord, with the first glance that ever--pardon me- if i confess much, you will play the tyrant. i love you now; but not, till now, so much but i might master it: in faith, i lie; my thoughts were like unbridled children, grown too headstrong for their mother. see, we fools! why have i blabb'd? who shall be true to us, when we are so unsecret to ourselves? but, though i loved you well, i woo'd you not; and yet, good faith, i wish'd myself a man, or that we women had men's privilege of speaking first. sweet, bid me hold my tongue, for in this rapture i shall surely speak the thing i shall repent. see, see, your silence, cunning in dumbness, from my weakness draws my very soul of counsel! stop my mouth. troilus and shall, albeit sweet music issues thence. pandarus pretty, i' faith. cressida my lord, i do beseech you, pardon me; 'twas not my purpose, thus to beg a kiss: i am ashamed. o heavens! what have i done? for this time will i take my leave, my lord. troilus your leave, sweet cressid! pandarus leave! an you take leave till to-morrow morning,- cressida pray you, content you. troilus what offends you, lady? cressida sir, mine own company. troilus you cannot shun yourself. cressida let me go and try: i have a kind of self resides with you; but an unkind self, that itself will leave, to be another's fool. i would be gone: where is my wit? i know not what i speak. troilus well know they what they speak that speak so wisely. cressida perchance, my lord, i show more craft than love; and fell so roundly to a large confession, to angle for your thoughts: but you are wise, or else you love not, for to be wise and love exceeds man's might; that dwells with gods above. troilus o that i thought it could be in a woman- as, if it can, i will presume in you- to feed for aye her ramp and flames of love; to keep her constancy in plight and youth, outliving beauty's outward, with a mind that doth renew swifter than blood decays! or that persuasion could but thus convince me, that my integrity and truth to you might be affronted with the match and weight of such a winnow'd purity in love; how were i then uplifted! but, alas! i am as true as truth's simplicity and simpler than the infancy of truth. cressida in that i'll war with you. troilus o virtuous fight, when right with right wars who shall be most right! true swains in love shall in the world to come approve their truths by troilus: when their rhymes, full of protest, of oath and big compare, want similes, truth tired with iteration, as true as steel, as plantage to the moon, as sun to day, as turtle to her mate, as iron to adamant, as earth to the centre, yet, after all comparisons of truth, as truth's authentic author to be cited, 'as true as troilus' shall crown up the verse, and sanctify the numbers. cressida prophet may you be! if i be false, or swerve a hair from truth, when time is old and hath forgot itself, when waterdrops have worn the stones of troy, and blind oblivion swallow'd cities up, and mighty states characterless are grated to dusty nothing, yet let memory, from false to false, among false maids in love, upbraid my falsehood! when they've said 'as false as air, as water, wind, or sandy earth, as fox to lamb, as wolf to heifer's calf, pard to the hind, or stepdame to her son,' 'yea,' let them say, to stick the heart of falsehood, 'as false as cressid.' pandarus go to, a bargain made: seal it, seal it; i'll be the witness. here i hold your hand, here my cousin's. if ever you prove false one to another, since i have taken such pains to bring you together, let all pitiful goers-between be called to the world's end after my name; call them all pandars; let all constant men be troiluses, all false women cressids, and all brokers-between pandars! say, amen. troilus amen. cressida amen. pandarus amen. whereupon i will show you a chamber with a bed; which bed, because it shall not speak of your pretty encounters, press it to death: away! and cupid grant all tongue-tied maidens here bed, chamber, pandar to provide this gear! [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iii scene iii the grecian camp. before achilles' tent. [enter agamemnon, ulysses, diomedes, nestor, ajax, menelaus, and calchas] calchas now, princes, for the service i have done you, the advantage of the time prompts me aloud to call for recompense. appear it to your mind that, through the sight i bear in things to love, i have abandon'd troy, left my possession, incurr'd a traitor's name; exposed myself, from certain and possess'd conveniences, to doubtful fortunes; sequestering from me all that time, acquaintance, custom and condition made tame and most familiar to my nature, and here, to do you service, am become as new into the world, strange, unacquainted: i do beseech you, as in way of taste, to give me now a little benefit, out of those many register'd in promise, which, you say, live to come in my behalf. agamemnon what wouldst thou of us, trojan? make demand. calchas you have a trojan prisoner, call'd antenor, yesterday took: troy holds him very dear. oft have you--often have you thanks therefore- desired my cressid in right great exchange, whom troy hath still denied: but this antenor, i know, is such a wrest in their affairs that their negotiations all must slack, wanting his manage; and they will almost give us a prince of blood, a son of priam, in change of him: let him be sent, great princes, and he shall buy my daughter; and her presence shall quite strike off all service i have done, in most accepted pain. agamemnon let diomedes bear him, and bring us cressid hither: calchas shall have what he requests of us. good diomed, furnish you fairly for this interchange: withal bring word if hector will to-morrow be answer'd in his challenge: ajax is ready. diomedes this shall i undertake; and 'tis a burden which i am proud to bear. [exeunt diomedes and calchas] [enter achilles and patroclus, before their tent] ulysses achilles stands i' the entrance of his tent: please it our general to pass strangely by him, as if he were forgot; and, princes all, lay negligent and loose regard upon him: i will come last. 'tis like he'll question me why such unplausive eyes are bent on him: if so, i have derision medicinable, to use between your strangeness and his pride, which his own will shall have desire to drink: it may be good: pride hath no other glass to show itself but pride, for supple knees feed arrogance and are the proud man's fees. agamemnon we'll execute your purpose, and put on a form of strangeness as we pass along: so do each lord, and either greet him not, or else disdainfully, which shall shake him more than if not look'd on. i will lead the way. achilles what, comes the general to speak with me? you know my mind, i'll fight no more 'gainst troy. agamemnon what says achilles? would he aught with us? nestor would you, my lord, aught with the general? achilles no. nestor nothing, my lord. agamemnon the better. [exeunt agamemnon and nestor] achilles good day, good day. menelaus how do you? how do you? [exit] achilles what, does the cuckold scorn me? ajax how now, patroclus! achilles good morrow, ajax. ajax ha? achilles good morrow. ajax ay, and good next day too. [exit] achilles what mean these fellows? know they not achilles? patroclus they pass by strangely: they were used to bend to send their smiles before them to achilles; to come as humbly as they used to creep to holy altars. achilles what, am i poor of late? 'tis certain, greatness, once fall'n out with fortune, must fall out with men too: what the declined is he shall as soon read in the eyes of others as feel in his own fall; for men, like butterflies, show not their mealy wings but to the summer, and not a man, for being simply man, hath any honour, but honour for those honours that are without him, as place, riches, favour, prizes of accident as oft as merit: which when they fall, as being slippery standers, the love that lean'd on them as slippery too, do one pluck down another and together die in the fall. but 'tis not so with me: fortune and i are friends: i do enjoy at ample point all that i did possess, save these men's looks; who do, methinks, find out something not worth in me such rich beholding as they have often given. here is ulysses; i'll interrupt his reading. how now ulysses! ulysses now, great thetis' son! achilles what are you reading? ulysses a strange fellow here writes me: 'that man, how dearly ever parted, how much in having, or without or in, cannot make boast to have that which he hath, nor feels not what he owes, but by reflection; as when his virtues shining upon others heat them and they retort that heat again to the first giver.' achilles this is not strange, ulysses. the beauty that is borne here in the face the bearer knows not, but commends itself to others' eyes; nor doth the eye itself, that most pure spirit of sense, behold itself, not going from itself; but eye to eye opposed salutes each other with each other's form; for speculation turns not to itself, till it hath travell'd and is mirror'd there where it may see itself. this is not strange at all. ulysses i do not strain at the position,- it is familiar,--but at the author's drift; who, in his circumstance, expressly proves that no man is the lord of any thing, though in and of him there be much consisting, till he communicate his parts to others: nor doth he of himself know them for aught till he behold them form'd in the applause where they're extended; who, like an arch, reverberates the voice again, or, like a gate of steel fronting the sun, receives and renders back his figure and his heat. i was much wrapt in this; and apprehended here immediately the unknown ajax. heavens, what a man is there! a very horse, that has he knows not what. nature, what things there are most abject in regard and dear in use! what things again most dear in the esteem and poor in worth! now shall we see to-morrow- an act that very chance doth throw upon him- ajax renown'd. o heavens, what some men do, while some men leave to do! how some men creep in skittish fortune's hall, whiles others play the idiots in her eyes! how one man eats into another's pride, while pride is fasting in his wantonness! to see these grecian lords!--why, even already they clap the lubber ajax on the shoulder, as if his foot were on brave hector's breast and great troy shrieking. achilles i do believe it; for they pass'd by me as misers do by beggars, neither gave to me good word nor look: what, are my deeds forgot? ulysses time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, wherein he puts alms for oblivion, a great-sized monster of ingratitudes: those scraps are good deeds past; which are devour'd as fast as they are made, forgot as soon as done: perseverance, dear my lord, keeps honour bright: to have done is to hang quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail in monumental mockery. take the instant way; for honour travels in a strait so narrow, where one but goes abreast: keep then the path; for emulation hath a thousand sons that one by one pursue: if you give way, or hedge aside from the direct forthright, like to an enter'd tide, they all rush by and leave you hindmost; or like a gallant horse fall'n in first rank, lie there for pavement to the abject rear, o'er-run and trampled on: then what they do in present, though less than yours in past, must o'ertop yours; for time is like a fashionable host that slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand, and with his arms outstretch'd, as he would fly, grasps in the comer: welcome ever smiles, and farewell goes out sighing. o, let not virtue seek remuneration for the thing it was; for beauty, wit, high birth, vigour of bone, desert in service, love, friendship, charity, are subjects all to envious and calumniating time. one touch of nature makes the whole world kin, that all with one consent praise new-born gawds, though they are made and moulded of things past, and give to dust that is a little gilt more laud than gilt o'er-dusted. the present eye praises the present object. then marvel not, thou great and complete man, that all the greeks begin to worship ajax; since things in motion sooner catch the eye than what not stirs. the cry went once on thee, and still it might, and yet it may again, if thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive and case thy reputation in thy tent; whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late, made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves and drave great mars to faction. achilles of this my privacy i have strong reasons. ulysses but 'gainst your privacy the reasons are more potent and heroical: 'tis known, achilles, that you are in love with one of priam's daughters. achilles ha! known! ulysses is that a wonder? the providence that's in a watchful state knows almost every grain of plutus' gold, finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps, keeps place with thought and almost, like the gods, does thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles. there is a mystery--with whom relation durst never meddle--in the soul of state; which hath an operation more divine than breath or pen can give expressure to: all the commerce that you have had with troy as perfectly is ours as yours, my lord; and better would it fit achilles much to throw down hector than polyxena: but it must grieve young pyrrhus now at home, when fame shall in our islands sound her trump, and all the greekish girls shall tripping sing, 'great hector's sister did achilles win, but our great ajax bravely beat down him.' farewell, my lord: i as your lover speak; the fool slides o'er the ice that you should break. [exit] patroclus to this effect, achilles, have i moved you: a woman impudent and mannish grown is not more loathed than an effeminate man in time of action. i stand condemn'd for this; they think my little stomach to the war and your great love to me restrains you thus: sweet, rouse yourself; and the weak wanton cupid shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold, and, like a dew-drop from the lion's mane, be shook to air. achilles shall ajax fight with hector? patroclus ay, and perhaps receive much honour by him. achilles i see my reputation is at stake my fame is shrewdly gored. patroclus o, then, beware; those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves: omission to do what is necessary seals a commission to a blank of danger; and danger, like an ague, subtly taints even then when we sit idly in the sun. achilles go call thersites hither, sweet patroclus: i'll send the fool to ajax and desire him to invite the trojan lords after the combat to see us here unarm'd: i have a woman's longing, an appetite that i am sick withal, to see great hector in his weeds of peace, to talk with him and to behold his visage, even to my full of view. [enter thersites] a labour saved! thersites a wonder! achilles what? thersites ajax goes up and down the field, asking for himself. achilles how so? thersites he must fight singly to-morrow with hector, and is so prophetically proud of an heroical cudgelling that he raves in saying nothing. achilles how can that be? thersites why, he stalks up and down like a peacock,--a stride and a stand: ruminates like an hostess that hath no arithmetic but her brain to set down her reckoning: bites his lip with a politic regard, as who should say 'there were wit in this head, an 'twould out;' and so there is, but it lies as coldly in him as fire in a flint, which will not show without knocking. the man's undone forever; for if hector break not his neck i' the combat, he'll break 't himself in vain-glory. he knows not me: i said 'good morrow, ajax;' and he replies 'thanks, agamemnon.' what think you of this man that takes me for the general? he's grown a very land-fish, language-less, a monster. a plague of opinion! a man may wear it on both sides, like a leather jerkin. achilles thou must be my ambassador to him, thersites. thersites who, i? why, he'll answer nobody; he professes not answering: speaking is for beggars; he wears his tongue in's arms. i will put on his presence: let patroclus make demands to me, you shall see the pageant of ajax. achilles to him, patroclus; tell him i humbly desire the valiant ajax to invite the most valorous hector to come unarmed to my tent, and to procure safe-conduct for his person of the magnanimous and most illustrious six-or-seven-times-honoured captain-general of the grecian army, agamemnon, et cetera. do this. patroclus jove bless great ajax! thersites hum! patroclus i come from the worthy achilles,- thersites ha! patroclus who most humbly desires you to invite hector to his tent,- thersites hum! patroclus and to procure safe-conduct from agamemnon. thersites agamemnon! patroclus ay, my lord. thersites ha! patroclus what say you to't? thersites god b' wi' you, with all my heart. patroclus your answer, sir. thersites if to-morrow be a fair day, by eleven o'clock it will go one way or other: howsoever, he shall pay for me ere he has me. patroclus your answer, sir. thersites fare you well, with all my heart. achilles why, but he is not in this tune, is he? thersites no, but he's out o' tune thus. what music will be in him when hector has knocked out his brains, i know not; but, i am sure, none, unless the fiddler apollo get his sinews to make catlings on. achilles come, thou shalt bear a letter to him straight. thersites let me bear another to his horse; for that's the more capable creature. achilles my mind is troubled, like a fountain stirr'd; and i myself see not the bottom of it. [exeunt achilles and patroclus] thersites would the fountain of your mind were clear again, that i might water an ass at it! i had rather be a tick in a sheep than such a valiant ignorance. [exit] troilus and cressida act iv scene i troy. a street. [enter, from one side, aeneas, and servant with a torch; from the other, paris, deiphobus, antenor, diomedes, and others, with torches] paris see, ho! who is that there? deiphobus it is the lord aeneas. aeneas is the prince there in person? had i so good occasion to lie long as you, prince paris, nothing but heavenly business should rob my bed-mate of my company. diomedes that's my mind too. good morrow, lord aeneas. paris a valiant greek, aeneas,--take his hand,- witness the process of your speech, wherein you told how diomed, a whole week by days, did haunt you in the field. aeneas health to you, valiant sir, during all question of the gentle truce; but when i meet you arm'd, as black defiance as heart can think or courage execute. diomedes the one and other diomed embraces. our bloods are now in calm; and, so long, health! but when contention and occasion meet, by jove, i'll play the hunter for thy life with all my force, pursuit and policy. aeneas and thou shalt hunt a lion, that will fly with his face backward. in humane gentleness, welcome to troy! now, by anchises' life, welcome, indeed! by venus' hand i swear, no man alive can love in such a sort the thing he means to kill more excellently. diomedes we sympathize: jove, let aeneas live, if to my sword his fate be not the glory, a thousand complete courses of the sun! but, in mine emulous honour, let him die, with every joint a wound, and that to-morrow! aeneas we know each other well. diomedes we do; and long to know each other worse. paris this is the most despiteful gentle greeting, the noblest hateful love, that e'er i heard of. what business, lord, so early? aeneas i was sent for to the king; but why, i know not. paris his purpose meets you: 'twas to bring this greek to calchas' house, and there to render him, for the enfreed antenor, the fair cressid: let's have your company, or, if you please, haste there before us: i constantly do think- or rather, call my thought a certain knowledge- my brother troilus lodges there to-night: rouse him and give him note of our approach. with the whole quality wherefore: i fear we shall be much unwelcome. aeneas that i assure you: troilus had rather troy were borne to greece than cressid borne from troy. paris there is no help; the bitter disposition of the time will have it so. on, lord; we'll follow you. aeneas good morrow, all. [exit with servant] paris and tell me, noble diomed, faith, tell me true, even in the soul of sound good-fellowship, who, in your thoughts, merits fair helen best, myself or menelaus? diomedes both alike: he merits well to have her, that doth seek her, not making any scruple of her soilure, with such a hell of pain and world of charge, and you as well to keep her, that defend her, not palating the taste of her dishonour, with such a costly loss of wealth and friends: he, like a puling cuckold, would drink up the lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece; you, like a lecher, out of whorish loins are pleased to breed out your inheritors: both merits poised, each weighs nor less nor more; but he as he, the heavier for a whore. paris you are too bitter to your countrywoman. diomedes she's bitter to her country: hear me, paris: for every false drop in her bawdy veins a grecian's life hath sunk; for every scruple of her contaminated carrion weight, a trojan hath been slain: since she could speak, she hath not given so many good words breath as for her greeks and trojans suffer'd death. paris fair diomed, you do as chapmen do, dispraise the thing that you desire to buy: but we in silence hold this virtue well, we'll but commend what we intend to sell. here lies our way. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iv scene ii the same. court of pandarus' house. [enter troilus and cressida] troilus dear, trouble not yourself: the morn is cold. cressida then, sweet my lord, i'll call mine uncle down; he shall unbolt the gates. troilus trouble him not; to bed, to bed: sleep kill those pretty eyes, and give as soft attachment to thy senses as infants' empty of all thought! cressida good morrow, then. troilus i prithee now, to bed. cressida are you a-weary of me? troilus o cressida! but that the busy day, waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows, and dreaming night will hide our joys no longer, i would not from thee. cressida night hath been too brief. troilus beshrew the witch! with venomous wights she stays as tediously as hell, but flies the grasps of love with wings more momentary-swift than thought. you will catch cold, and curse me. cressida prithee, tarry: you men will never tarry. o foolish cressid! i might have still held off, and then you would have tarried. hark! there's one up. pandarus [within] what, 's all the doors open here? troilus it is your uncle. cressida a pestilence on him! now will he be mocking: i shall have such a life! [enter pandarus] pandarus how now, how now! how go maidenheads? here, you maid! where's my cousin cressid? cressida go hang yourself, you naughty mocking uncle! you bring me to do, and then you flout me too. pandarus to do what? to do what? let her say what: what have i brought you to do? cressida come, come, beshrew your heart! you'll ne'er be good, nor suffer others. pandarus ha! ha! alas, poor wretch! ah, poor capocchia! hast not slept to-night? would he not, a naughty man, let it sleep? a bugbear take him! cressida did not i tell you? would he were knock'd i' the head! [knocking within] who's that at door? good uncle, go and see. my lord, come you again into my chamber: you smile and mock me, as if i meant naughtily. troilus ha, ha! cressida come, you are deceived, i think of no such thing. [knocking within] how earnestly they knock! pray you, come in: i would not for half troy have you seen here. [exeunt troilus and cressida] pandarus who's there? what's the matter? will you beat down the door? how now! what's the matter? [enter aeneas] aeneas good morrow, lord, good morrow. pandarus who's there? my lord aeneas! by my troth, i knew you not: what news with you so early? aeneas is not prince troilus here? pandarus here! what should he do here? aeneas come, he is here, my lord; do not deny him: it doth import him much to speak with me. pandarus is he here, say you? 'tis more than i know, i'll be sworn: for my own part, i came in late. what should he do here? aeneas who!--nay, then: come, come, you'll do him wrong ere you're ware: you'll be so true to him, to be false to him: do not you know of him, but yet go fetch him hither; go. [re-enter troilus] troilus how now! what's the matter? aeneas my lord, i scarce have leisure to salute you, my matter is so rash: there is at hand paris your brother, and deiphobus, the grecian diomed, and our antenor deliver'd to us; and for him forthwith, ere the first sacrifice, within this hour, we must give up to diomedes' hand the lady cressida. troilus is it so concluded? aeneas by priam and the general state of troy: they are at hand and ready to effect it. troilus how my achievements mock me! i will go meet them: and, my lord aeneas, we met by chance; you did not find me here. aeneas good, good, my lord; the secrets of nature have not more gift in taciturnity. [exeunt troilus and aeneas] pandarus is't possible? no sooner got but lost? the devil take antenor! the young prince will go mad: a plague upon antenor! i would they had broke 's neck! [re-enter cressida] cressida how now! what's the matter? who was here? pandarus ah, ah! cressida why sigh you so profoundly? where's my lord? gone! tell me, sweet uncle, what's the matter? pandarus would i were as deep under the earth as i am above! cressida o the gods! what's the matter? pandarus prithee, get thee in: would thou hadst ne'er been born! i knew thou wouldst be his death. o, poor gentleman! a plague upon antenor! cressida good uncle, i beseech you, on my knees! beseech you, what's the matter? pandarus thou must be gone, wench, thou must be gone; thou art changed for antenor: thou must to thy father, and be gone from troilus: 'twill be his death; 'twill be his bane; he cannot bear it. cressida o you immortal gods! i will not go. pandarus thou must. cressida i will not, uncle: i have forgot my father; i know no touch of consanguinity; no kin no love, no blood, no soul so near me as the sweet troilus. o you gods divine! make cressid's name the very crown of falsehood, if ever she leave troilus! time, force, and death, do to this body what extremes you can; but the strong base and building of my love is as the very centre of the earth, drawing all things to it. i'll go in and weep,- pandarus do, do. cressida tear my bright hair and scratch my praised cheeks, crack my clear voice with sobs and break my heart with sounding troilus. i will not go from troy. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iv scene iii the same. street before pandarus' house. [enter paris, troilus, aeneas, deiphobus, antenor, and diomedes] paris it is great morning, and the hour prefix'd of her delivery to this valiant greek comes fast upon. good my brother troilus, tell you the lady what she is to do, and haste her to the purpose. troilus walk into her house; i'll bring her to the grecian presently: and to his hand when i deliver her, think it an altar, and thy brother troilus a priest there offering to it his own heart. [exit] paris i know what 'tis to love; and would, as i shall pity, i could help! please you walk in, my lords. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iv scene iv the same. pandarus' house. [enter pandarus and cressida] pandarus be moderate, be moderate. cressida why tell you me of moderation? the grief is fine, full, perfect, that i taste, and violenteth in a sense as strong as that which causeth it: how can i moderate it? if i could temporize with my affection, or brew it to a weak and colder palate, the like allayment could i give my grief. my love admits no qualifying dross; no more my grief, in such a precious loss. pandarus here, here, here he comes. [enter troilus] ah, sweet ducks! cressida o troilus! troilus! [embracing him] pandarus what a pair of spectacles is here! let me embrace too. 'o heart,' as the goodly saying is, '--o heart, heavy heart, why sigh'st thou without breaking? where he answers again, 'because thou canst not ease thy smart by friendship nor by speaking.' there was never a truer rhyme. let us cast away nothing, for we may live to have need of such a verse: we see it, we see it. how now, lambs? troilus cressid, i love thee in so strain'd a purity, that the bless'd gods, as angry with my fancy, more bright in zeal than the devotion which cold lips blow to their deities, take thee from me. cressida have the gods envy? pandarus ay, ay, ay, ay; 'tis too plain a case. cressida and is it true that i must go from troy? troilus a hateful truth. cressida what, and from troilus too? troilus from troy and troilus. cressida is it possible? troilus and suddenly; where injury of chance puts back leave-taking, justles roughly by all time of pause, rudely beguiles our lips of all rejoindure, forcibly prevents our lock'd embrasures, strangles our dear vows even in the birth of our own labouring breath: we two, that with so many thousand sighs did buy each other, must poorly sell ourselves with the rude brevity and discharge of one. injurious time now with a robber's haste crams his rich thievery up, he knows not how: as many farewells as be stars in heaven, with distinct breath and consign'd kisses to them, he fumbles up into a lose adieu, and scants us with a single famish'd kiss, distasted with the salt of broken tears. aeneas [within] my lord, is the lady ready? troilus hark! you are call'd: some say the genius so cries 'come' to him that instantly must die. bid them have patience; she shall come anon. pandarus where are my tears? rain, to lay this wind, or my heart will be blown up by the root. [exit] cressida i must then to the grecians? troilus no remedy. cressida a woful cressid 'mongst the merry greeks! when shall we see again? troilus hear me, my love: be thou but true of heart,- cressida i true! how now! what wicked deem is this? troilus nay, we must use expostulation kindly, for it is parting from us: i speak not 'be thou true,' as fearing thee, for i will throw my glove to death himself, that there's no maculation in thy heart: but 'be thou true,' say i, to fashion in my sequent protestation; be thou true, and i will see thee. cressida o, you shall be exposed, my lord, to dangers as infinite as imminent! but i'll be true. troilus and i'll grow friend with danger. wear this sleeve. cressida and you this glove. when shall i see you? troilus i will corrupt the grecian sentinels, to give thee nightly visitation. but yet be true. cressida o heavens! 'be true' again! troilus hear while i speak it, love: the grecian youths are full of quality; they're loving, well composed with gifts of nature, flowing and swelling o'er with arts and exercise: how novelty may move, and parts with person, alas, a kind of godly jealousy- which, i beseech you, call a virtuous sin- makes me afeard. cressida o heavens! you love me not. troilus die i a villain, then! in this i do not call your faith in question so mainly as my merit: i cannot sing, nor heel the high lavolt, nor sweeten talk, nor play at subtle games; fair virtues all, to which the grecians are most prompt and pregnant: but i can tell that in each grace of these there lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil that tempts most cunningly: but be not tempted. cressida do you think i will? troilus no. but something may be done that we will not: and sometimes we are devils to ourselves, when we will tempt the frailty of our powers, presuming on their changeful potency. aeneas [within] nay, good my lord,- troilus come, kiss; and let us part. paris [within] brother troilus! troilus good brother, come you hither; and bring aeneas and the grecian with you. cressida my lord, will you be true? troilus who, i? alas, it is my vice, my fault: whiles others fish with craft for great opinion, i with great truth catch mere simplicity; whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns, with truth and plainness i do wear mine bare. fear not my truth: the moral of my wit is 'plain and true;' there's all the reach of it. [enter aeneas, paris, antenor, deiphobus, and diomedes] welcome, sir diomed! here is the lady which for antenor we deliver you: at the port, lord, i'll give her to thy hand, and by the way possess thee what she is. entreat her fair; and, by my soul, fair greek, if e'er thou stand at mercy of my sword, name cressida and thy life shall be as safe as priam is in ilion. diomedes fair lady cressid, so please you, save the thanks this prince expects: the lustre in your eye, heaven in your cheek, pleads your fair usage; and to diomed you shall be mistress, and command him wholly. troilus grecian, thou dost not use me courteously, to shame the zeal of my petition to thee in praising her: i tell thee, lord of greece, she is as far high-soaring o'er thy praises as thou unworthy to be call'd her servant. i charge thee use her well, even for my charge; for, by the dreadful pluto, if thou dost not, though the great bulk achilles be thy guard, i'll cut thy throat. diomedes o, be not moved, prince troilus: let me be privileged by my place and message, to be a speaker free; when i am hence i'll answer to my lust: and know you, lord, i'll nothing do on charge: to her own worth she shall be prized; but that you say 'be't so,' i'll speak it in my spirit and honour, 'no.' troilus come, to the port. i'll tell thee, diomed, this brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head. lady, give me your hand, and, as we walk, to our own selves bend we our needful talk. [exeunt troilus, cressida, and diomedes] [trumpet within] paris hark! hector's trumpet. aeneas how have we spent this morning! the prince must think me tardy and remiss, that sore to ride before him to the field. paris 'tis troilus' fault: come, come, to field with him. deiphobus let us make ready straight. aeneas yea, with a bridegroom's fresh alacrity, let us address to tend on hector's heels: the glory of our troy doth this day lie on his fair worth and single chivalry. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act iv scene v the grecian camp. lists set out. [enter ajax, armed; agamemnon, achilles, patroclus, menelaus, ulysses, nestor, and others] agamemnon here art thou in appointment fresh and fair, anticipating time with starting courage. give with thy trumpet a loud note to troy, thou dreadful ajax; that the appalled air may pierce the head of the great combatant and hale him hither. ajax thou, trumpet, there's my purse. now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen pipe: blow, villain, till thy sphered bias cheek outswell the colic of puff'd aquilon: come, stretch thy chest and let thy eyes spout blood; thou blow'st for hector. [trumpet sounds] ulysses no trumpet answers. achilles 'tis but early days. agamemnon is not yond diomed, with calchas' daughter? ulysses 'tis he, i ken the manner of his gait; he rises on the toe: that spirit of his in aspiration lifts him from the earth. [enter diomedes, with cressida] agamemnon is this the lady cressid? diomedes even she. agamemnon most dearly welcome to the greeks, sweet lady. nestor our general doth salute you with a kiss. ulysses yet is the kindness but particular; 'twere better she were kiss'd in general. nestor and very courtly counsel: i'll begin. so much for nestor. achilles i'll take what winter from your lips, fair lady: achilles bids you welcome. menelaus i had good argument for kissing once. patroclus but that's no argument for kissing now; for this popp'd paris in his hardiment, and parted thus you and your argument. ulysses o deadly gall, and theme of all our scorns! for which we lose our heads to gild his horns. patroclus the first was menelaus' kiss; this, mine: patroclus kisses you. menelaus o, this is trim! patroclus paris and i kiss evermore for him. menelaus i'll have my kiss, sir. lady, by your leave. cressida in kissing, do you render or receive? patroclus both take and give. cressida i'll make my match to live, the kiss you take is better than you give; therefore no kiss. menelaus i'll give you boot, i'll give you three for one. cressida you're an odd man; give even or give none. menelaus an odd man, lady! every man is odd. cressida no, paris is not; for you know 'tis true, that you are odd, and he is even with you. menelaus you fillip me o' the head. cressida no, i'll be sworn. ulysses it were no match, your nail against his horn. may i, sweet lady, beg a kiss of you? cressida you may. ulysses i do desire it. cressida why, beg, then. ulysses why then for venus' sake, give me a kiss, when helen is a maid again, and his. cressida i am your debtor, claim it when 'tis due. ulysses never's my day, and then a kiss of you. diomedes lady, a word: i'll bring you to your father. [exit with cressida] nestor a woman of quick sense. ulysses fie, fie upon her! there's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip, nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out at every joint and motive of her body. o, these encounterers, so glib of tongue, that give accosting welcome ere it comes, and wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts to every ticklish reader! set them down for sluttish spoils of opportunity and daughters of the game. [trumpet within] all the trojans' trumpet. agamemnon yonder comes the troop. [enter hector, armed; aeneas, troilus, and other trojans, with attendants] aeneas hail, all you state of greece! what shall be done to him that victory commands? or do you purpose a victor shall be known? will you the knights shall to the edge of all extremity pursue each other, or shall be divided by any voice or order of the field? hector bade ask. agamemnon which way would hector have it? aeneas he cares not; he'll obey conditions. achilles 'tis done like hector; but securely done, a little proudly, and great deal misprizing the knight opposed. aeneas if not achilles, sir, what is your name? achilles if not achilles, nothing. aeneas therefore achilles: but, whate'er, know this: in the extremity of great and little, valour and pride excel themselves in hector; the one almost as infinite as all, the other blank as nothing. weigh him well, and that which looks like pride is courtesy. this ajax is half made of hector's blood: in love whereof, half hector stays at home; half heart, half hand, half hector comes to seek this blended knight, half trojan and half greek. achilles a maiden battle, then? o, i perceive you. [re-enter diomedes] agamemnon here is sir diomed. go, gentle knight, stand by our ajax: as you and lord aeneas consent upon the order of their fight, so be it; either to the uttermost, or else a breath: the combatants being kin half stints their strife before their strokes begin. [ajax and hector enter the lists] ulysses they are opposed already. agamemnon what trojan is that same that looks so heavy? ulysses the youngest son of priam, a true knight, not yet mature, yet matchless, firm of word, speaking in deeds and deedless in his tongue; not soon provoked nor being provoked soon calm'd: his heart and hand both open and both free; for what he has he gives, what thinks he shows; yet gives he not till judgment guide his bounty, nor dignifies an impure thought with breath; manly as hector, but more dangerous; for hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes to tender objects, but he in heat of action is more vindicative than jealous love: they call him troilus, and on him erect a second hope, as fairly built as hector. thus says aeneas; one that knows the youth even to his inches, and with private soul did in great ilion thus translate him to me. [alarum. hector and ajax fight] agamemnon they are in action. nestor now, ajax, hold thine own! troilus hector, thou sleep'st; awake thee! agamemnon his blows are well disposed: there, ajax! diomedes you must no more. [trumpets cease] aeneas princes, enough, so please you. ajax i am not warm yet; let us fight again. diomedes as hector pleases. hector why, then will i no more: thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, a cousin-german to great priam's seed; the obligation of our blood forbids a gory emulation 'twixt us twain: were thy commixtion greek and trojan so that thou couldst say 'this hand is grecian all, and this is trojan; the sinews of this leg all greek, and this all troy; my mother's blood runs on the dexter cheek, and this sinister bounds in my father's;' by jove multipotent, thou shouldst not bear from me a greekish member wherein my sword had not impressure made of our rank feud: but the just gods gainsay that any drop thou borrow'dst from thy mother, my sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword be drain'd! let me embrace thee, ajax: by him that thunders, thou hast lusty arms; hector would have them fall upon him thus: cousin, all honour to thee! ajax i thank thee, hector thou art too gentle and too free a man: i came to kill thee, cousin, and bear hence a great addition earned in thy death. hector not neoptolemus so mirable, on whose bright crest fame with her loud'st oyes cries 'this is he,' could promise to himself a thought of added honour torn from hector. aeneas there is expectance here from both the sides, what further you will do. hector we'll answer it; the issue is embracement: ajax, farewell. ajax if i might in entreaties find success- as seld i have the chance--i would desire my famous cousin to our grecian tents. diomedes 'tis agamemnon's wish, and great achilles doth long to see unarm'd the valiant hector. hector aeneas, call my brother troilus to me, and signify this loving interview to the expecters of our trojan part; desire them home. give me thy hand, my cousin; i will go eat with thee and see your knights. ajax great agamemnon comes to meet us here. hector the worthiest of them tell me name by name; but for achilles, mine own searching eyes shall find him by his large and portly size. agamemnon worthy of arms! as welcome as to one that would be rid of such an enemy; but that's no welcome: understand more clear, what's past and what's to come is strew'd with husks and formless ruin of oblivion; but in this extant moment, faith and troth, strain'd purely from all hollow bias-drawing, bids thee, with most divine integrity, from heart of very heart, great hector, welcome. hector i thank thee, most imperious agamemnon. agamemnon [to troilus] my well-famed lord of troy, no less to you. menelaus let me confirm my princely brother's greeting: you brace of warlike brothers, welcome hither. hector who must we answer? aeneas the noble menelaus. hector o, you, my lord? by mars his gauntlet, thanks! mock not, that i affect the untraded oath; your quondam wife swears still by venus' glove: she's well, but bade me not commend her to you. menelaus name her not now, sir; she's a deadly theme. hector o, pardon; i offend. nestor i have, thou gallant trojan, seen thee oft labouring for destiny make cruel way through ranks of greekish youth, and i have seen thee, as hot as perseus, spur thy phrygian steed, despising many forfeits and subduements, when thou hast hung thy advanced sword i' the air, not letting it decline on the declined, that i have said to some my standers by 'lo, jupiter is yonder, dealing life!' and i have seen thee pause and take thy breath, when that a ring of greeks have hemm'd thee in, like an olympian wrestling: this have i seen; but this thy countenance, still lock'd in steel, i never saw till now. i knew thy grandsire, and once fought with him: he was a soldier good; but, by great mars, the captain of us all, never saw like thee. let an old man embrace thee; and, worthy warrior, welcome to our tents. aeneas 'tis the old nestor. hector let me embrace thee, good old chronicle, that hast so long walk'd hand in hand with time: most reverend nestor, i am glad to clasp thee. nestor i would my arms could match thee in contention, as they contend with thee in courtesy. hector i would they could. nestor ha! by this white beard, i'ld fight with thee to-morrow. well, welcome, welcome! i have seen the time. ulysses i wonder now how yonder city stands when we have here her base and pillar by us. hector i know your favour, lord ulysses, well. ah, sir, there's many a greek and trojan dead, since first i saw yourself and diomed in ilion, on your greekish embassy. ulysses sir, i foretold you then what would ensue: my prophecy is but half his journey yet; for yonder walls, that pertly front your town, yond towers, whose wanton tops do buss the clouds, must kiss their own feet. hector i must not believe you: there they stand yet, and modestly i think, the fall of every phrygian stone will cost a drop of grecian blood: the end crowns all, and that old common arbitrator, time, will one day end it. ulysses so to him we leave it. most gentle and most valiant hector, welcome: after the general, i beseech you next to feast with me and see me at my tent. achilles i shall forestall thee, lord ulysses, thou! now, hector, i have fed mine eyes on thee; i have with exact view perused thee, hector, and quoted joint by joint. hector is this achilles? achilles i am achilles. hector stand fair, i pray thee: let me look on thee. achilles behold thy fill. hector nay, i have done already. achilles thou art too brief: i will the second time, as i would buy thee, view thee limb by limb. hector o, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er; but there's more in me than thou understand'st. why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye? achilles tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body shall i destroy him? whether there, or there, or there? that i may give the local wound a name and make distinct the very breach whereout hector's great spirit flew: answer me, heavens! hector it would discredit the blest gods, proud man, to answer such a question: stand again: think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly as to prenominate in nice conjecture where thou wilt hit me dead? achilles i tell thee, yea. hector wert thou an oracle to tell me so, i'd not believe thee. henceforth guard thee well; for i'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there; but, by the forge that stithied mars his helm, i'll kill thee every where, yea, o'er and o'er. you wisest grecians, pardon me this brag; his insolence draws folly from my lips; but i'll endeavour deeds to match these words, or may i never- ajax do not chafe thee, cousin: and you, achilles, let these threats alone, till accident or purpose bring you to't: you may have every day enough of hector if you have stomach; the general state, i fear, can scarce entreat you to be odd with him. hector i pray you, let us see you in the field: we have had pelting wars, since you refused the grecians' cause. achilles dost thou entreat me, hector? to-morrow do i meet thee, fell as death; to-night all friends. hector thy hand upon that match. agamemnon first, all you peers of greece, go to my tent; there in the full convive we: afterwards, as hector's leisure and your bounties shall concur together, severally entreat him. beat loud the tabourines, let the trumpets blow, that this great soldier may his welcome know. [exeunt all except troilus and ulysses] troilus my lord ulysses, tell me, i beseech you, in what place of the field doth calchas keep? ulysses at menelaus' tent, most princely troilus: there diomed doth feast with him to-night; who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth, but gives all gaze and bent of amorous view on the fair cressid. troilus shall sweet lord, be bound to you so much, after we part from agamemnon's tent, to bring me thither? ulysses you shall command me, sir. as gentle tell me, of what honour was this cressida in troy? had she no lover there that wails her absence? troilus o, sir, to such as boasting show their scars a mock is due. will you walk on, my lord? she was beloved, she loved; she is, and doth: but still sweet love is food for fortune's tooth. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act v scene i the grecian camp. before achilles' tent. [enter achilles and patroclus] achilles i'll heat his blood with greekish wine to-night, which with my scimitar i'll cool to-morrow. patroclus, let us feast him to the height. patroclus here comes thersites. [enter thersites] achilles how now, thou core of envy! thou crusty batch of nature, what's the news? thersites why, thou picture of what thou seemest, and idol of idiot worshippers, here's a letter for thee. achilles from whence, fragment? thersites why, thou full dish of fool, from troy. patroclus who keeps the tent now? thersites the surgeon's box, or the patient's wound. patroclus well said, adversity! and what need these tricks? thersites prithee, be silent, boy; i profit not by thy talk: thou art thought to be achilles' male varlet. patroclus male varlet, you rogue! what's that? thersites why, his masculine whore. now, the rotten diseases of the south, the guts-griping, ruptures, catarrhs, loads o' gravel i' the back, lethargies, cold palsies, raw eyes, dirt-rotten livers, wheezing lungs, bladders full of imposthume, sciaticas, limekilns i' the palm, incurable bone-ache, and the rivelled fee-simple of the tetter, take and take again such preposterous discoveries! patroclus why thou damnable box of envy, thou, what meanest thou to curse thus? thersites do i curse thee? patroclus why no, you ruinous butt, you whoreson indistinguishable cur, no. thersites no! why art thou then exasperate, thou idle immaterial skein of sleave-silk, thou green sarcenet flap for a sore eye, thou tassel of a prodigal's purse, thou? ah, how the poor world is pestered with such waterflies, diminutives of nature! patroclus out, gall! thersites finch-egg! achilles my sweet patroclus, i am thwarted quite from my great purpose in to-morrow's battle. here is a letter from queen hecuba, a token from her daughter, my fair love, both taxing me and gaging me to keep an oath that i have sworn. i will not break it: fall greeks; fail fame; honour or go or stay; my major vow lies here, this i'll obey. come, come, thersites, help to trim my tent: this night in banqueting must all be spent. away, patroclus! [exeunt achilles and patroclus] thersites with too much blood and too little brain, these two may run mad; but, if with too much brain and too little blood they do, i'll be a curer of madmen. here's agamemnon, an honest fellow enough and one that loves quails; but he has not so much brain as earwax: and the goodly transformation of jupiter there, his brother, the bull,--the primitive statue, and oblique memorial of cuckolds; a thrifty shoeing-horn in a chain, hanging at his brother's leg,--to what form but that he is, should wit larded with malice and malice forced with wit turn him to? to an ass, were nothing; he is both ass and ox: to an ox, were nothing; he is both ox and ass. to be a dog, a mule, a cat, a fitchew, a toad, a lizard, an owl, a puttock, or a herring without a roe, i would not care; but to be menelaus, i would conspire against destiny. ask me not, what i would be, if i were not thersites; for i care not to be the louse of a lazar, so i were not menelaus! hey-day! spirits and fires! [enter hector, troilus, ajax, agamemnon, ulysses, nestor, menelaus, and diomedes, with lights] agamemnon we go wrong, we go wrong. ajax no, yonder 'tis; there, where we see the lights. hector i trouble you. ajax no, not a whit. ulysses here comes himself to guide you. [re-enter achilles] achilles welcome, brave hector; welcome, princes all. agamemnon so now, fair prince of troy, i bid good night. ajax commands the guard to tend on you. hector thanks and good night to the greeks' general. menelaus good night, my lord. hector good night, sweet lord menelaus. thersites sweet draught: 'sweet' quoth 'a! sweet sink, sweet sewer. achilles good night and welcome, both at once, to those that go or tarry. agamemnon good night. [exeunt agamemnon and menelaus] achilles old nestor tarries; and you too, diomed, keep hector company an hour or two. diomedes i cannot, lord; i have important business, the tide whereof is now. good night, great hector. hector give me your hand. ulysses [aside to troilus] follow his torch; he goes to calchas' tent: i'll keep you company. troilus sweet sir, you honour me. hector and so, good night. [exit diomedes; ulysses and troilus following] achilles come, come, enter my tent. [exeunt achilles, hector, ajax, and nestor] thersites that same diomed's a false-hearted rogue, a most unjust knave; i will no more trust him when he leers than i will a serpent when he hisses: he will spend his mouth, and promise, like brabbler the hound: but when he performs, astronomers foretell it; it is prodigious, there will come some change; the sun borrows of the moon, when diomed keeps his word. i will rather leave to see hector, than not to dog him: they say he keeps a trojan drab, and uses the traitor calchas' tent: i'll after. nothing but lechery! all incontinent varlets! [exit] troilus and cressida act v scene ii the same. before calchas' tent. [enter diomedes] diomedes what, are you up here, ho? speak. calchas [within] who calls? diomedes calchas, i think. where's your daughter? calchas [within] she comes to you. [enter troilus and ulysses, at a distance; after them, thersites] ulysses stand where the torch may not discover us. [enter cressida] troilus cressid comes forth to him. diomedes how now, my charge! cressida now, my sweet guardian! hark, a word with you. [whispers] troilus yea, so familiar! ulysses she will sing any man at first sight. thersites and any man may sing her, if he can take her cliff; she's noted. diomedes will you remember? cressida remember! yes. diomedes nay, but do, then; and let your mind be coupled with your words. troilus what should she remember? ulysses list. cressida sweet honey greek, tempt me no more to folly. thersites roguery! diomedes nay, then,- cressida i'll tell you what,- diomedes foh, foh! come, tell a pin: you are forsworn. cressida in faith, i cannot: what would you have me do? thersites a juggling trick,--to be secretly open. diomedes what did you swear you would bestow on me? cressida i prithee, do not hold me to mine oath; bid me do any thing but that, sweet greek. diomedes good night. troilus hold, patience! ulysses how now, trojan! cressida diomed,- diomedes no, no, good night: i'll be your fool no more. troilus thy better must. cressida hark, one word in your ear. troilus o plague and madness! ulysses you are moved, prince; let us depart, i pray you, lest your displeasure should enlarge itself to wrathful terms: this place is dangerous; the time right deadly; i beseech you, go. troilus behold, i pray you! ulysses nay, good my lord, go off: you flow to great distraction; come, my lord. troilus i pray thee, stay. ulysses you have not patience; come. troilus i pray you, stay; by hell and all hell's torments i will not speak a word! diomedes and so, good night. cressida nay, but you part in anger. troilus doth that grieve thee? o wither'd truth! ulysses why, how now, lord! troilus by jove, i will be patient. cressida guardian!--why, greek! diomedes foh, foh! adieu; you palter. cressida in faith, i do not: come hither once again. ulysses you shake, my lord, at something: will you go? you will break out. troilus she strokes his cheek! ulysses come, come. troilus nay, stay; by jove, i will not speak a word: there is between my will and all offences a guard of patience: stay a little while. thersites how the devil luxury, with his fat rump and potato-finger, tickles these together! fry, lechery, fry! diomedes but will you, then? cressida in faith, i will, la; never trust me else. diomedes give me some token for the surety of it. cressida i'll fetch you one. [exit] ulysses you have sworn patience. troilus fear me not, sweet lord; i will not be myself, nor have cognition of what i feel: i am all patience. [re-enter cressida] thersites now the pledge; now, now, now! cressida here, diomed, keep this sleeve. troilus o beauty! where is thy faith? ulysses my lord,- troilus i will be patient; outwardly i will. cressida you look upon that sleeve; behold it well. he loved me--o false wench!--give't me again. diomedes whose was't? cressida it is no matter, now i have't again. i will not meet with you to-morrow night: i prithee, diomed, visit me no more. thersites now she sharpens: well said, whetstone! diomedes i shall have it. cressida what, this? diomedes ay, that. cressida o, all you gods! o pretty, pretty pledge! thy master now lies thinking in his bed of thee and me, and sighs, and takes my glove, and gives memorial dainty kisses to it, as i kiss thee. nay, do not snatch it from me; he that takes that doth take my heart withal. diomedes i had your heart before, this follows it. troilus i did swear patience. cressida you shall not have it, diomed; faith, you shall not; i'll give you something else. diomedes i will have this: whose was it? cressida it is no matter. diomedes come, tell me whose it was. cressida 'twas one's that loved me better than you will. but, now you have it, take it. diomedes whose was it? cressida by all diana's waiting-women yond, and by herself, i will not tell you whose. diomedes to-morrow will i wear it on my helm, and grieve his spirit that dares not challenge it. troilus wert thou the devil, and worest it on thy horn, it should be challenged. cressida well, well, 'tis done, 'tis past: and yet it is not; i will not keep my word. diomedes why, then, farewell; thou never shalt mock diomed again. cressida you shall not go: one cannot speak a word, but it straight starts you. diomedes i do not like this fooling. thersites nor i, by pluto: but that that likes not you pleases me best. diomedes what, shall i come? the hour? cressida ay, come:--o jove!--do come:--i shall be plagued. diomedes farewell till then. cressida good night: i prithee, come. [exit diomedes] troilus, farewell! one eye yet looks on thee but with my heart the other eye doth see. ah, poor our sex! this fault in us i find, the error of our eye directs our mind: what error leads must err; o, then conclude minds sway'd by eyes are full of turpitude. [exit] thersites a proof of strength she could not publish more, unless she said ' my mind is now turn'd whore.' ulysses all's done, my lord. troilus it is. ulysses why stay we, then? troilus to make a recordation to my soul of every syllable that here was spoke. but if i tell how these two did co-act, shall i not lie in publishing a truth? sith yet there is a credence in my heart, an esperance so obstinately strong, that doth invert the attest of eyes and ears, as if those organs had deceptious functions, created only to calumniate. was cressid here? ulysses i cannot conjure, trojan. troilus she was not, sure. ulysses most sure she was. troilus why, my negation hath no taste of madness. ulysses nor mine, my lord: cressid was here but now. troilus let it not be believed for womanhood! think, we had mothers; do not give advantage to stubborn critics, apt, without a theme, for depravation, to square the general sex by cressid's rule: rather think this not cressid. ulysses what hath she done, prince, that can soil our mothers? troilus nothing at all, unless that this were she. thersites will he swagger himself out on's own eyes? troilus this she? no, this is diomed's cressida: if beauty have a soul, this is not she; if souls guide vows, if vows be sanctimonies, if sanctimony be the gods' delight, if there be rule in unity itself, this is not she. o madness of discourse, that cause sets up with and against itself! bi-fold authority! where reason can revolt without perdition, and loss assume all reason without revolt: this is, and is not, cressid. within my soul there doth conduce a fight of this strange nature that a thing inseparate divides more wider than the sky and earth, and yet the spacious breadth of this division admits no orifex for a point as subtle as ariachne's broken woof to enter. instance, o instance! strong as pluto's gates; cressid is mine, tied with the bonds of heaven: instance, o instance! strong as heaven itself; the bonds of heaven are slipp'd, dissolved, and loosed; and with another knot, five-finger-tied, the fractions of her faith, orts of her love, the fragments, scraps, the bits and greasy relics of her o'er-eaten faith, are bound to diomed. ulysses may worthy troilus be half attach'd with that which here his passion doth express? troilus ay, greek; and that shall be divulged well in characters as red as mars his heart inflamed with venus: never did young man fancy with so eternal and so fix'd a soul. hark, greek: as much as i do cressid love, so much by weight hate i her diomed: that sleeve is mine that he'll bear on his helm; were it a casque composed by vulcan's skill, my sword should bite it: not the dreadful spout which shipmen do the hurricano call, constringed in mass by the almighty sun, shall dizzy with more clamour neptune's ear in his descent than shall my prompted sword falling on diomed. thersites he'll tickle it for his concupy. troilus o cressid! o false cressid! false, false, false! let all untruths stand by thy stained name, and they'll seem glorious. ulysses o, contain yourself your passion draws ears hither. [enter aeneas] aeneas i have been seeking you this hour, my lord: hector, by this, is arming him in troy; ajax, your guard, stays to conduct you home. troilus have with you, prince. my courteous lord, adieu. farewell, revolted fair! and, diomed, stand fast, and wear a castle on thy head! ulysses i'll bring you to the gates. troilus accept distracted thanks. [exeunt troilus, aeneas, and ulysses] thersites would i could meet that rogue diomed! i would croak like a raven; i would bode, i would bode. patroclus will give me any thing for the intelligence of this whore: the parrot will not do more for an almond than he for a commodious drab. lechery, lechery; still, wars and lechery; nothing else holds fashion: a burning devil take them! [exit] troilus and cressida act v scene iii troy. before priam's palace. [enter hector and andromache] andromache when was my lord so much ungently temper'd, to stop his ears against admonishment? unarm, unarm, and do not fight to-day. hector you train me to offend you; get you in: by all the everlasting gods, i'll go! andromache my dreams will, sure, prove ominous to the day. hector no more, i say. [enter cassandra] cassandra where is my brother hector? andromache here, sister; arm'd, and bloody in intent. consort with me in loud and dear petition, pursue we him on knees; for i have dream'd of bloody turbulence, and this whole night hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter. cassandra o, 'tis true. hector ho! bid my trumpet sound! cassandra no notes of sally, for the heavens, sweet brother. hector be gone, i say: the gods have heard me swear. cassandra the gods are deaf to hot and peevish vows: they are polluted offerings, more abhorr'd than spotted livers in the sacrifice. andromache o, be persuaded! do not count it holy to hurt by being just: it is as lawful, for we would give much, to use violent thefts, and rob in the behalf of charity. cassandra it is the purpose that makes strong the vow; but vows to every purpose must not hold: unarm, sweet hector. hector hold you still, i say; mine honour keeps the weather of my fate: lie every man holds dear; but the brave man holds honour far more precious-dear than life. [enter troilus] how now, young man! mean'st thou to fight to-day? andromache cassandra, call my father to persuade. [exit cassandra] hector no, faith, young troilus; doff thy harness, youth; i am to-day i' the vein of chivalry: let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong, and tempt not yet the brushes of the war. unarm thee, go, and doubt thou not, brave boy, i'll stand to-day for thee and me and troy. troilus brother, you have a vice of mercy in you, which better fits a lion than a man. hector what vice is that, good troilus? chide me for it. troilus when many times the captive grecian falls, even in the fan and wind of your fair sword, you bid them rise, and live. hector o,'tis fair play. troilus fool's play, by heaven, hector. hector how now! how now! troilus for the love of all the gods, let's leave the hermit pity with our mothers, and when we have our armours buckled on, the venom'd vengeance ride upon our swords, spur them to ruthful work, rein them from ruth. hector fie, savage, fie! troilus hector, then 'tis wars. hector troilus, i would not have you fight to-day. troilus who should withhold me? not fate, obedience, nor the hand of mars beckoning with fiery truncheon my retire; not priamus and hecuba on knees, their eyes o'ergalled with recourse of tears; not you, my brother, with your true sword drawn, opposed to hinder me, should stop my way, but by my ruin. [re-enter cassandra, with priam] cassandra lay hold upon him, priam, hold him fast: he is thy crutch; now if thou lose thy stay, thou on him leaning, and all troy on thee, fall all together. priam come, hector, come, go back: thy wife hath dream'd; thy mother hath had visions; cassandra doth foresee; and i myself am like a prophet suddenly enrapt to tell thee that this day is ominous: therefore, come back. hector aeneas is a-field; and i do stand engaged to many greeks, even in the faith of valour, to appear this morning to them. priam ay, but thou shalt not go. hector i must not break my faith. you know me dutiful; therefore, dear sir, let me not shame respect; but give me leave to take that course by your consent and voice, which you do here forbid me, royal priam. cassandra o priam, yield not to him! andromache do not, dear father. hector andromache, i am offended with you: upon the love you bear me, get you in. [exit andromache] troilus this foolish, dreaming, superstitious girl makes all these bodements. cassandra o, farewell, dear hector! look, how thou diest! look, how thy eye turns pale! look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents! hark, how troy roars! how hecuba cries out! how poor andromache shrills her dolours forth! behold, distraction, frenzy and amazement, like witless antics, one another meet, and all cry, hector! hector's dead! o hector! troilus away! away! cassandra farewell: yet, soft! hector! take my leave: thou dost thyself and all our troy deceive. [exit] hector you are amazed, my liege, at her exclaim: go in and cheer the town: we'll forth and fight, do deeds worth praise and tell you them at night. priam farewell: the gods with safety stand about thee! [exeunt severally priam and hector. alarums] troilus they are at it, hark! proud diomed, believe, i come to lose my arm, or win my sleeve. [enter pandarus] pandarus do you hear, my lord? do you hear? troilus what now? pandarus here's a letter come from yond poor girl. troilus let me read. pandarus a whoreson tisick, a whoreson rascally tisick so troubles me, and the foolish fortune of this girl; and what one thing, what another, that i shall leave you one o' these days: and i have a rheum in mine eyes too, and such an ache in my bones that, unless a man were cursed, i cannot tell what to think on't. what says she there? troilus words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart: the effect doth operate another way. [tearing the letter] go, wind, to wind, there turn and change together. my love with words and errors still she feeds; but edifies another with her deeds. [exeunt severally] troilus and cressida act v scene iv plains between troy and the grecian camp. [alarums: excursions. enter thersites] thersites now they are clapper-clawing one another; i'll go look on. that dissembling abominable varlets diomed, has got that same scurvy doting foolish young knave's sleeve of troy there in his helm: i would fain see them meet; that that same young trojan ass, that loves the whore there, might send that greekish whore-masterly villain, with the sleeve, back to the dissembling luxurious drab, of a sleeveless errand. o' the t'other side, the policy of those crafty swearing rascals, that stale old mouse-eaten dry cheese, nestor, and that same dog-fox, ulysses, is not proved worthy a blackberry: they set me up, in policy, that mongrel cur, ajax, against that dog of as bad a kind, achilles: and now is the cur ajax prouder than the cur achilles, and will not arm to-day; whereupon the grecians begin to proclaim barbarism, and policy grows into an ill opinion. soft! here comes sleeve, and t'other. [enter diomedes, troilus following] troilus fly not; for shouldst thou take the river styx, i would swim after. diomedes thou dost miscall retire: i do not fly, but advantageous care withdrew me from the odds of multitude: have at thee! thersites hold thy whore, grecian!--now for thy whore, trojan!--now the sleeve, now the sleeve! [exeunt troilus and diomedes, fighting] [enter hector] hector what art thou, greek? art thou for hector's match? art thou of blood and honour? thersites no, no, i am a rascal; a scurvy railing knave: a very filthy rogue. hector i do believe thee: live. [exit] thersites god-a-mercy, that thou wilt believe me; but a plague break thy neck for frightening me! what's become of the wenching rogues? i think they have swallowed one another: i would laugh at that miracle: yet, in a sort, lechery eats itself. i'll seek them. [exit] troilus and cressida act v scene v another part of the plains. [enter diomedes and a servant] diomedes go, go, my servant, take thou troilus' horse; present the fair steed to my lady cressid: fellow, commend my service to her beauty; tell her i have chastised the amorous trojan, and am her knight by proof. servant i go, my lord. [exit] [enter agamemnon] agamemnon renew, renew! the fierce polydamas hath beat down menon: bastard margarelon hath doreus prisoner, and stands colossus-wise, waving his beam, upon the pashed corses of the kings epistrophus and cedius: polyxenes is slain, amphimachus and thoas deadly hurt, patroclus ta'en or slain, and palamedes sore hurt and bruised: the dreadful sagittary appals our numbers: haste we, diomed, to reinforcement, or we perish all. [enter nestor] nestor go, bear patroclus' body to achilles; and bid the snail-paced ajax arm for shame. there is a thousand hectors in the field: now here he fights on galathe his horse, and there lacks work; anon he's there afoot, and there they fly or die, like scaled sculls before the belching whale; then is he yonder, and there the strawy greeks, ripe for his edge, fall down before him, like the mower's swath: here, there, and every where, he leaves and takes, dexterity so obeying appetite that what he will he does, and does so much that proof is call'd impossibility. [enter ulysses] ulysses o, courage, courage, princes! great achilles is arming, weeping, cursing, vowing vengeance: patroclus' wounds have roused his drowsy blood, together with his mangled myrmidons, that noseless, handless, hack'd and chipp'd, come to him, crying on hector. ajax hath lost a friend and foams at mouth, and he is arm'd and at it, roaring for troilus, who hath done to-day mad and fantastic execution, engaging and redeeming of himself with such a careless force and forceless care as if that luck, in very spite of cunning, bade him win all. [enter ajax] ajax troilus! thou coward troilus! [exit] diomedes ay, there, there. nestor so, so, we draw together. [enter achilles] achilles where is this hector? come, come, thou boy-queller, show thy face; know what it is to meet achilles angry: hector? where's hector? i will none but hector. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act v scene vi another part of the plains. [enter ajax] ajax troilus, thou coward troilus, show thy head! [enter diomedes] diomedes troilus, i say! where's troilus? ajax what wouldst thou? diomedes i would correct him. ajax were i the general, thou shouldst have my office ere that correction. troilus, i say! what, troilus! [enter troilus] troilus o traitor diomed! turn thy false face, thou traitor, and pay thy life thou owest me for my horse! diomedes ha, art thou there? ajax i'll fight with him alone: stand, diomed. diomedes he is my prize; i will not look upon. troilus come, both you cogging greeks; have at you both! [exeunt, fighting] [enter hector] hector yea, troilus? o, well fought, my youngest brother! [enter achilles] achilles now do i see thee, ha! have at thee, hector! hector pause, if thou wilt. achilles i do disdain thy courtesy, proud trojan: be happy that my arms are out of use: my rest and negligence befriends thee now, but thou anon shalt hear of me again; till when, go seek thy fortune. [exit] hector fare thee well: i would have been much more a fresher man, had i expected thee. how now, my brother! [re-enter troilus] troilus ajax hath ta'en aeneas: shall it be? no, by the flame of yonder glorious heaven, he shall not carry him: i'll be ta'en too, or bring him off: fate, hear me what i say! i reck not though i end my life to-day. [exit] [enter one in sumptuous armour] hector stand, stand, thou greek; thou art a goodly mark: no? wilt thou not? i like thy armour well; i'll frush it and unlock the rivets all, but i'll be master of it: wilt thou not, beast, abide? why, then fly on, i'll hunt thee for thy hide. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act v scene vii another part of the plains. [enter achilles, with myrmidons] achilles come here about me, you my myrmidons; mark what i say. attend me where i wheel: strike not a stroke, but keep yourselves in breath: and when i have the bloody hector found, empale him with your weapons round about; in fellest manner execute your aims. follow me, sirs, and my proceedings eye: it is decreed hector the great must die. [exeunt] [enter menelaus and paris, fighting: then thersites] thersites the cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it. now, bull! now, dog! 'loo, paris, 'loo! now my double henned sparrow! 'loo, paris, 'loo! the bull has the game: ware horns, ho! [exeunt paris and menelaus] [enter margarelon] margarelon turn, slave, and fight. thersites what art thou? margarelon a bastard son of priam's. thersites i am a bastard too; i love bastards: i am a bastard begot, bastard instructed, bastard in mind, bastard in valour, in every thing illegitimate. one bear will not bite another, and wherefore should one bastard? take heed, the quarrel's most ominous to us: if the son of a whore fight for a whore, he tempts judgment: farewell, bastard. [exit] margarelon the devil take thee, coward! [exit] troilus and cressida act v scene viii another part of the plains. [enter hector] hector most putrefied core, so fair without, thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life. now is my day's work done; i'll take good breath: rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of blood and death. [puts off his helmet and hangs his shield behind him] [enter achilles and myrmidons] achilles look, hector, how the sun begins to set; how ugly night comes breathing at his heels: even with the vail and darking of the sun, to close the day up, hector's life is done. hector i am unarm'd; forego this vantage, greek. achilles strike, fellows, strike; this is the man i seek. [hector falls] so, ilion, fall thou next! now, troy, sink down! here lies thy heart, thy sinews, and thy bone. on, myrmidons, and cry you all amain, 'achilles hath the mighty hector slain.' [a retreat sounded] hark! a retire upon our grecian part. myrmidons the trojan trumpets sound the like, my lord. achilles the dragon wing of night o'erspreads the earth, and, stickler-like, the armies separates. my half-supp'd sword, that frankly would have fed, pleased with this dainty bait, thus goes to bed. [sheathes his sword] come, tie his body to my horse's tail; along the field i will the trojan trail. [exeunt] troilus and cressida act v scene ix another part of the plains. [enter agamemnon, ajax, menelaus, nestor, diomedes, and others, marching. shouts within] agamemnon hark! hark! what shout is that? nestor peace, drums! [within] achilles! achilles! hector's slain! achilles. diomedes the bruit is, hector's slain, and by achilles. ajax if it be so, yet bragless let it be; great hector was a man as good as he. agamemnon march patiently along: let one be sent to pray achilles see us at our tent. if in his death the gods have us befriended, great troy is ours, and our sharp wars are ended. [exeunt, marching] troilus and cressida act v scene x another part of the plains. [enter aeneas and trojans] aeneas stand, ho! yet are we masters of the field: never go home; here starve we out the night. [enter troilus] troilus hector is slain. all hector! the gods forbid! troilus he's dead; and at the murderer's horse's tail, in beastly sort, dragg'd through the shameful field. frown on, you heavens, effect your rage with speed! sit, gods, upon your thrones, and smile at troy! i say, at once let your brief plagues be mercy, and linger not our sure destructions on! aeneas my lord, you do discomfort all the host! troilus you understand me not that tell me so: i do not speak of flight, of fear, of death, but dare all imminence that gods and men address their dangers in. hector is gone: who shall tell priam so, or hecuba? let him that will a screech-owl aye be call'd, go in to troy, and say there, hector's dead: there is a word will priam turn to stone; make wells and niobes of the maids and wives, cold statues of the youth, and, in a word, scare troy out of itself. but, march away: hector is dead; there is no more to say. stay yet. you vile abominable tents, thus proudly pight upon our phrygian plains, let titan rise as early as he dare, i'll through and through you! and, thou great-sized coward, no space of earth shall sunder our two hates: i'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still, that mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy's thoughts. strike a free march to troy! with comfort go: hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe. [exeunt aeneas and trojans] [as troilus is going out, enter, from the other side, pandarus] pandarus but hear you, hear you! troilus hence, broker-lackey! ignomy and shame pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name! [exit] pandarus a goodly medicine for my aching bones! o world! world! world! thus is the poor agent despised! o traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a-work, and how ill requited! why should our endeavour be so loved and the performance so loathed? what verse for it? what instance for it? let me see: full merrily the humble-bee doth sing, till he hath lost his honey and his sting; and being once subdued in armed tail, sweet honey and sweet notes together fail. good traders in the flesh, set this in your painted cloths. as many as be here of pander's hall, your eyes, half out, weep out at pandar's fall; or if you cannot weep, yet give some groans, though not for me, yet for your aching bones. brethren and sisters of the hold-door trade, some two months hence my will shall here be made: it should be now, but that my fear is this, some galled goose of winchester would hiss: till then i'll sweat and seek about for eases, and at that time bequeathe you my diseases. [exit] king lear dramatis personae lear king of britain (king lear:) king of france: duke of burgundy (burgundy:) duke of cornwall (cornwall:) duke of albany (albany:) earl of kent (kent:) earl of gloucester (gloucester:) edgar son to gloucester. edmund bastard son to gloucester. curan a courtier. old man tenant to gloucester. doctor: fool: oswald steward to goneril. a captain employed by edmund. (captain:) gentleman attendant on cordelia. (gentleman:) a herald. servants to cornwall. (first servant:) (second servant:) (third servant:) goneril | | regan | daughters to lear. | cordelia | knights of lear's train, captains, messengers, soldiers, and attendants (knight:) (captain:) (messenger:) scene britain. king lear act i scene i king lear's palace. [enter kent, gloucester, and edmund] kent i thought the king had more affected the duke of albany than cornwall. gloucester it did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. kent is not this your son, my lord? gloucester his breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: i have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now i am brazed to it. kent i cannot conceive you. gloucester sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. do you smell a fault? kent i cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. gloucester but i have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. do you know this noble gentleman, edmund? edmund no, my lord. gloucester my lord of kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. edmund my services to your lordship. kent i must love you, and sue to know you better. edmund sir, i shall study deserving. gloucester he hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. the king is coming. [sennet. enter king lear, cornwall, albany, goneril, regan, cordelia, and attendants] king lear attend the lords of france and burgundy, gloucester. gloucester i shall, my liege. [exeunt gloucester and edmund] king lear meantime we shall express our darker purpose. give me the map there. know that we have divided in three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age; conferring them on younger strengths, while we unburthen'd crawl toward death. our son of cornwall, and you, our no less loving son of albany, we have this hour a constant will to publish our daughters' several dowers, that future strife may be prevented now. the princes, france and burgundy, great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, and here are to be answer'd. tell me, my daughters,- since now we will divest us both of rule, interest of territory, cares of state,- which of you shall we say doth love us most? that we our largest bounty may extend where nature doth with merit challenge. goneril, our eldest-born, speak first. goneril sir, i love you more than words can wield the matter; dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; as much as child e'er loved, or father found; a love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; beyond all manner of so much i love you. cordelia [aside] what shall cordelia do? love, and be silent. lear of all these bounds, even from this line to this, with shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, with plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, we make thee lady: to thine and albany's issue be this perpetual. what says our second daughter, our dearest regan, wife to cornwall? speak. regan sir, i am made of the self-same metal that my sister is, and prize me at her worth. in my true heart i find she names my very deed of love; only she comes too short: that i profess myself an enemy to all other joys, which the most precious square of sense possesses; and find i am alone felicitate in your dear highness' love. cordelia [aside] then poor cordelia! and yet not so; since, i am sure, my love's more richer than my tongue. king lear to thee and thine hereditary ever remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; no less in space, validity, and pleasure, than that conferr'd on goneril. now, our joy, although the last, not least; to whose young love the vines of france and milk of burgundy strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw a third more opulent than your sisters? speak. cordelia nothing, my lord. king lear nothing! cordelia nothing. king lear nothing will come of nothing: speak again. cordelia unhappy that i am, i cannot heave my heart into my mouth: i love your majesty according to my bond; nor more nor less. king lear how, how, cordelia! mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortunes. cordelia good my lord, you have begot me, bred me, loved me: i return those duties back as are right fit, obey you, love you, and most honour you. why have my sisters husbands, if they say they love you all? haply, when i shall wed, that lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry half my love with him, half my care and duty: sure, i shall never marry like my sisters, to love my father all. king lear but goes thy heart with this? cordelia ay, good my lord. king lear so young, and so untender? cordelia so young, my lord, and true. king lear let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower: for, by the sacred radiance of the sun, the mysteries of hecate, and the night; by all the operation of the orbs from whom we do exist, and cease to be; here i disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity and property of blood, and as a stranger to my heart and me hold thee, from this, for ever. the barbarous scythian, or he that makes his generation messes to gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved, as thou my sometime daughter. kent good my liege,- king lear peace, kent! come not between the dragon and his wrath. i loved her most, and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery. hence, and avoid my sight! so be my grave my peace, as here i give her father's heart from her! call france; who stirs? call burgundy. cornwall and albany, with my two daughters' dowers digest this third: let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. i do invest you jointly with my power, pre-eminence, and all the large effects that troop with majesty. ourself, by monthly course, with reservation of an hundred knights, by you to be sustain'd, shall our abode make with you by due turns. only we still retain the name, and all the additions to a king; the sway, revenue, execution of the rest, beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, this coronet part betwixt you. [giving the crown] kent royal lear, whom i have ever honour'd as my king, loved as my father, as my master follow'd, as my great patron thought on in my prayers,- king lear the bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. kent let it fall rather, though the fork invade the region of my heart: be kent unmannerly, when lear is mad. what wilt thou do, old man? think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak, when power to flattery bows? to plainness honour's bound, when majesty stoops to folly. reverse thy doom; and, in thy best consideration, cheque this hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound reverbs no hollowness. king lear kent, on thy life, no more. kent my life i never held but as a pawn to wage against thy enemies; nor fear to lose it, thy safety being the motive. king lear out of my sight! kent see better, lear; and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye. king lear now, by apollo,- kent now, by apollo, king, thou swear'st thy gods in vain. king lear o, vassal! miscreant! [laying his hand on his sword] albany | | dear sir, forbear. cornwall | kent do: kill thy physician, and the fee bestow upon thy foul disease. revoke thy doom; or, whilst i can vent clamour from my throat, i'll tell thee thou dost evil. king lear hear me, recreant! on thine allegiance, hear me! since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride to come between our sentence and our power, which nor our nature nor our place can bear, our potency made good, take thy reward. five days we do allot thee, for provision to shield thee from diseases of the world; and on the sixth to turn thy hated back upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following, thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, the moment is thy death. away! by jupiter, this shall not be revoked. kent fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear, freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. [to cordelia] the gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, that justly think'st, and hast most rightly said! [to regan and goneril] and your large speeches may your deeds approve, that good effects may spring from words of love. thus kent, o princes, bids you all adieu; he'll shape his old course in a country new. [exit] [flourish. re-enter gloucester, with king of france, burgundy, and attendants] gloucester here's france and burgundy, my noble lord. king lear my lord of burgundy. we first address towards you, who with this king hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, will you require in present dower with her, or cease your quest of love? burgundy most royal majesty, i crave no more than what your highness offer'd, nor will you tender less. king lear right noble burgundy, when she was dear to us, we did hold her so; but now her price is fall'n. sir, there she stands: if aught within that little seeming substance, or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, and nothing more, may fitly like your grace, she's there, and she is yours. burgundy i know no answer. king lear will you, with those infirmities she owes, unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, take her, or leave her? burgundy pardon me, royal sir; election makes not up on such conditions. king lear then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, i tell you all her wealth. [to king of france] for you, great king, i would not from your love make such a stray, to match you where i hate; therefore beseech you to avert your liking a more worthier way than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed almost to acknowledge hers. king of france this is most strange, that she, that even but now was your best object, the argument of your praise, balm of your age, most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle so many folds of favour. sure, her offence must be of such unnatural degree, that monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection fall'n into taint: which to believe of her, must be a faith that reason without miracle could never plant in me. cordelia i yet beseech your majesty,- if for i want that glib and oily art, to speak and purpose not; since what i well intend, i'll do't before i speak,--that you make known it is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, no unchaste action, or dishonour'd step, that hath deprived me of your grace and favour; but even for want of that for which i am richer, a still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue as i am glad i have not, though not to have it hath lost me in your liking. king lear better thou hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better. king of france is it but this,--a tardiness in nature which often leaves the history unspoke that it intends to do? my lord of burgundy, what say you to the lady? love's not love when it is mingled with regards that stand aloof from the entire point. will you have her? she is herself a dowry. burgundy royal lear, give but that portion which yourself proposed, and here i take cordelia by the hand, duchess of burgundy. king lear nothing: i have sworn; i am firm. burgundy i am sorry, then, you have so lost a father that you must lose a husband. cordelia peace be with burgundy! since that respects of fortune are his love, i shall not be his wife. king of france fairest cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised! thee and thy virtues here i seize upon: be it lawful i take up what's cast away. gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect my love should kindle to inflamed respect. thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, is queen of us, of ours, and our fair france: not all the dukes of waterish burgundy can buy this unprized precious maid of me. bid them farewell, cordelia, though unkind: thou losest here, a better where to find. king lear thou hast her, france: let her be thine; for we have no such daughter, nor shall ever see that face of hers again. therefore be gone without our grace, our love, our benison. come, noble burgundy. [flourish. exeunt all but king of france, goneril, regan, and cordelia] king of france bid farewell to your sisters. cordelia the jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes cordelia leaves you: i know you what you are; and like a sister am most loath to call your faults as they are named. use well our father: to your professed bosoms i commit him but yet, alas, stood i within his grace, i would prefer him to a better place. so, farewell to you both. regan prescribe not us our duties. goneril let your study be to content your lord, who hath received you at fortune's alms. you have obedience scanted, and well are worth the want that you have wanted. cordelia time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides: who cover faults, at last shame them derides. well may you prosper! king of france come, my fair cordelia. [exeunt king of france and cordelia] goneril sister, it is not a little i have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. i think our father will hence to-night. regan that's most certain, and with you; next month with us. goneril you see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little: he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly. regan 'tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. goneril the best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them. regan such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of kent's banishment. goneril there is further compliment of leavetaking between france and him. pray you, let's hit together: if our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. regan we shall further think on't. goneril we must do something, and i' the heat. [exeunt] king lear act i scene ii the earl of gloucester's castle. [enter edmund, with a letter] edmund thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law my services are bound. wherefore should i stand in the plague of custom, and permit the curiosity of nations to deprive me, for that i am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines lag of a brother? why bastard? wherefore base? when my dimensions are as well compact, my mind as generous, and my shape as true, as honest madam's issue? why brand they us with base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base? who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take more composition and fierce quality than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, got 'tween asleep and wake? well, then, legitimate edgar, i must have your land: our father's love is to the bastard edmund as to the legitimate: fine word,--legitimate! well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, and my invention thrive, edmund the base shall top the legitimate. i grow; i prosper: now, gods, stand up for bastards! [enter gloucester] gloucester kent banish'd thus! and france in choler parted! and the king gone to-night! subscribed his power! confined to exhibition! all this done upon the gad! edmund, how now! what news? edmund so please your lordship, none. [putting up the letter] gloucester why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? edmund i know no news, my lord. gloucester what paper were you reading? edmund nothing, my lord. gloucester no? what needed, then, that terrible dispatch of it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself. let's see: come, if it be nothing, i shall not need spectacles. edmund i beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my brother, that i have not all o'er-read; and for so much as i have perused, i find it not fit for your o'er-looking. gloucester give me the letter, sir. edmund i shall offend, either to detain or give it. the contents, as in part i understand them, are to blame. gloucester let's see, let's see. edmund i hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. gloucester [reads] 'this policy and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish them. i begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered. come to me, that of this i may speak more. if our father would sleep till i waked him, you should half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your brother, edgar.' hum--conspiracy!--'sleep till i waked him,--you should enjoy half his revenue,'--my son edgar! had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain to breed it in?--when came this to you? who brought it? edmund it was not brought me, my lord; there's the cunning of it; i found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. gloucester you know the character to be your brother's? edmund if the matter were good, my lord, i durst swear it were his; but, in respect of that, i would fain think it were not. gloucester it is his. edmund it is his hand, my lord; but i hope his heart is not in the contents. gloucester hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business? edmund never, my lord: but i have heard him oft maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. gloucester o villain, villain! his very opinion in the letter! abhorred villain! unnatural, detested, brutish villain! worse than brutish! go, sirrah, seek him; i'll apprehend him: abominable villain! where is he? edmund i do not well know, my lord. if it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent, you shall run a certain course; where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour, and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. i dare pawn down my life for him, that he hath wrote this to feel my affection to your honour, and to no further pretence of danger. gloucester think you so? edmund if your honour judge it meet, i will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and that without any further delay than this very evening. gloucester he cannot be such a monster- edmund nor is not, sure. gloucester to his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. heaven and earth! edmund, seek him out: wind me into him, i pray you: frame the business after your own wisdom. i would unstate myself, to be in a due resolution. edmund i will seek him, sir, presently: convey the business as i shall find means and acquaint you withal. gloucester these late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us: though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son and father. this villain of mine comes under the prediction; there's son against father: the king falls from bias of nature; there's father against child. we have seen the best of our time: machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our graves. find out this villain, edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it carefully. and the noble and true-hearted kent banished! his offence, honesty! 'tis strange. [exit] edmund this is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! my father compounded with my mother under the dragon's tail; and my nativity was under ursa major; so that it follows, i am rough and lecherous. tut, i should have been that i am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing. edgar- [enter edgar] and pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy: my cue is villanous melancholy, with a sigh like tom o' bedlam. o, these eclipses do portend these divisions! fa, sol, la, mi. edgar how now, brother edmund! what serious contemplation are you in? edmund i am thinking, brother, of a prediction i read this other day, what should follow these eclipses. edgar do you busy yourself about that? edmund i promise you, the effects he writes of succeed unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and i know not what. edgar how long have you been a sectary astronomical? edmund come, come; when saw you my father last? edgar why, the night gone by. edmund spake you with him? edgar ay, two hours together. edmund parted you in good terms? found you no displeasure in him by word or countenance? edgar none at all. edmund bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence till some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure; which at this instant so rageth in him, that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay. edgar some villain hath done me wrong. edmund that's my fear. i pray you, have a continent forbearance till the spied of his rage goes slower; and, as i say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence i will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my key: if you do stir abroad, go armed. edgar armed, brother! edmund brother, i advise you to the best; go armed: i am no honest man if there be any good meaning towards you: i have told you what i have seen and heard; but faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it: pray you, away. edgar shall i hear from you anon? edmund i do serve you in this business. [exit edgar] a credulous father! and a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms, that he suspects none: on whose foolish honesty my practises ride easy! i see the business. let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit: all with me's meet that i can fashion fit. [exit] king lear act i scene iii the duke of albany's palace. [enter goneril, and oswald, her steward] goneril did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? oswald yes, madam. goneril by day and night he wrongs me; every hour he flashes into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds: i'll not endure it: his knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us on every trifle. when he returns from hunting, i will not speak with him; say i am sick: if you come slack of former services, you shall do well; the fault of it i'll answer. oswald he's coming, madam; i hear him. [horns within] goneril put on what weary negligence you please, you and your fellows; i'll have it come to question: if he dislike it, let him to our sister, whose mind and mine, i know, in that are one, not to be over-ruled. idle old man, that still would manage those authorities that he hath given away! now, by my life, old fools are babes again; and must be used with cheques as flatteries,--when they are seen abused. remember what i tell you. oswald well, madam. goneril and let his knights have colder looks among you; what grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so: i would breed from hence occasions, and i shall, that i may speak: i'll write straight to my sister, to hold my very course. prepare for dinner. [exeunt] king lear act i scene iv a hall in the same. [enter kent, disguised] kent if but as well i other accents borrow, that can my speech defuse, my good intent may carry through itself to that full issue for which i razed my likeness. now, banish'd kent, if thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd, so may it come, thy master, whom thou lovest, shall find thee full of labours. [horns within. enter king lear, knights, and attendants] king lear let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. [exit an attendant] how now! what art thou? kent a man, sir. king lear what dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us? kent i do profess to be no less than i seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust: to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when i cannot choose; and to eat no fish. king lear what art thou? kent a very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. king lear if thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. what wouldst thou? kent service. king lear who wouldst thou serve? kent you. king lear dost thou know me, fellow? kent no, sir; but you have that in your countenance which i would fain call master. king lear what's that? kent authority. king lear what services canst thou do? kent i can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, i am qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. king lear how old art thou? kent not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so old to dote on her for any thing: i have years on my back forty eight. king lear follow me; thou shalt serve me: if i like thee no worse after dinner, i will not part from thee yet. dinner, ho, dinner! where's my knave? my fool? go you, and call my fool hither. [exit an attendant] [enter oswald] you, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? oswald so please you,- [exit] king lear what says the fellow there? call the clotpoll back. [exit a knight] where's my fool, ho? i think the world's asleep. [re-enter knight] how now! where's that mongrel? knight he says, my lord, your daughter is not well. king lear why came not the slave back to me when i called him. knight sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would not. king lear he would not! knight my lord, i know not what the matter is; but, to my judgment, your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants as in the duke himself also and your daughter. king lear ha! sayest thou so? knight i beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if i be mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent when i think your highness wronged. king lear thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: i have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which i have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: i will look further into't. but where's my fool? i have not seen him this two days. knight since my young lady's going into france, sir, the fool hath much pined away. king lear no more of that; i have noted it well. go you, and tell my daughter i would speak with her. [exit an attendant] go you, call hither my fool. [exit an attendant] [re-enter oswald] o, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am i, sir? oswald my lady's father. king lear 'my lady's father'! my lord's knave: your whoreson dog! you slave! you cur! oswald i am none of these, my lord; i beseech your pardon. king lear do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? [striking him] oswald i'll not be struck, my lord. kent nor tripped neither, you base football player. [tripping up his heels] king lear i thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and i'll love thee. kent come, sir, arise, away! i'll teach you differences: away, away! if you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry: but away! go to; have you wisdom? so. [pushes oswald out] king lear now, my friendly knave, i thank thee: there's earnest of thy service. [giving kent money] [enter fool] fool let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb. [offering kent his cap] king lear how now, my pretty knave! how dost thou? fool sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. kent why, fool? fool why, for taking one's part that's out of favour: nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow has banished two on's daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. how now, nuncle! would i had two coxcombs and two daughters! king lear why, my boy? fool if i gave them all my living, i'ld keep my coxcombs myself. there's mine; beg another of thy daughters. king lear take heed, sirrah; the whip. fool truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped out, when lady the brach may stand by the fire and stink. king lear a pestilent gall to me! fool sirrah, i'll teach thee a speech. king lear do. fool mark it, nuncle: have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest, lend less than thou owest, ride more than thou goest, learn more than thou trowest, set less than thou throwest; leave thy drink and thy whore, and keep in-a-door, and thou shalt have more than two tens to a score. kent this is nothing, fool. fool then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer; you gave me nothing for't. can you make no use of nothing, nuncle? king lear why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. fool [to kent] prithee, tell him, so much the rent of his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. king lear a bitter fool! fool dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a sweet fool? king lear no, lad; teach me. fool that lord that counsell'd thee to give away thy land, come place him here by me, do thou for him stand: the sweet and bitter fool will presently appear; the one in motley here, the other found out there. king lear dost thou call me fool, boy? fool all thy other titles thou hast given away; that thou wast born with. kent this is not altogether fool, my lord. fool no, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if i had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to myself; they'll be snatching. give me an egg, nuncle, and i'll give thee two crowns. king lear what two crowns shall they be? fool why, after i have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. when thou clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away both parts, thou borest thy ass on thy back o'er the dirt: thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gavest thy golden one away. if i speak like myself in this, let him be whipped that first finds it so. [singing] fools had ne'er less wit in a year; for wise men are grown foppish, they know not how their wits to wear, their manners are so apish. king lear when were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? fool i have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mothers: for when thou gavest them the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches, [singing] then they for sudden joy did weep, and i for sorrow sung, that such a king should play bo-peep, and go the fools among. prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie: i would fain learn to lie. king lear an you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped. fool i marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me whipped for lying; and sometimes i am whipped for holding my peace. i had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool: and yet i would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o' the parings. [enter goneril] king lear how now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on? methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. fool thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning; now thou art an o without a figure: i am better than thou art now; i am a fool, thou art nothing. [to goneril] yes, forsooth, i will hold my tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing. mum, mum, he that keeps nor crust nor crum, weary of all, shall want some. [pointing to king lear] that's a shealed peascod. goneril not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, but other of your insolent retinue do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth in rank and not-to-be endured riots. sir, i had thought, by making this well known unto you, to have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, by what yourself too late have spoke and done. that you protect this course, and put it on by your allowance; which if you should, the fault would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, might in their working do you that offence, which else were shame, that then necessity will call discreet proceeding. fool for, you trow, nuncle, the hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, that it's had it head bit off by it young. so, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. king lear are you our daughter? goneril come, sir, i would you would make use of that good wisdom, whereof i know you are fraught; and put away these dispositions, that of late transform you from what you rightly are. fool may not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? whoop, jug! i love thee. king lear doth any here know me? this is not lear: doth lear walk thus? speak thus? where are his eyes? either his notion weakens, his discernings are lethargied--ha! waking? 'tis not so. who is it that can tell me who i am? fool lear's shadow. king lear i would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, i should be false persuaded i had daughters. fool which they will make an obedient father. king lear your name, fair gentlewoman? goneril this admiration, sir, is much o' the savour of other your new pranks. i do beseech you to understand my purposes aright: as you are old and reverend, you should be wise. here do you keep a hundred knights and squires; men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold, that this our court, infected with their manners, shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust make it more like a tavern or a brothel than a graced palace. the shame itself doth speak for instant remedy: be then desired by her, that else will take the thing she begs, a little to disquantity your train; and the remainder, that shall still depend, to be such men as may besort your age, and know themselves and you. king lear darkness and devils! saddle my horses; call my train together: degenerate bastard! i'll not trouble thee. yet have i left a daughter. goneril you strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble make servants of their betters. [enter albany] king lear woe, that too late repents,- [to albany] o, sir, are you come? is it your will? speak, sir. prepare my horses. ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, more hideous when thou show'st thee in a child than the sea-monster! albany pray, sir, be patient. king lear [to goneril] detested kite! thou liest. my train are men of choice and rarest parts, that all particulars of duty know, and in the most exact regard support the worships of their name. o most small fault, how ugly didst thou in cordelia show! that, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature from the fix'd place; drew from heart all love, and added to the gall. o lear, lear, lear! beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, [striking his head] and thy dear judgment out! go, go, my people. albany my lord, i am guiltless, as i am ignorant of what hath moved you. king lear it may be so, my lord. hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear! suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful! into her womb convey sterility! dry up in her the organs of increase; and from her derogate body never spring a babe to honour her! if she must teem, create her child of spleen; that it may live, and be a thwart disnatured torment to her! let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; with cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; turn all her mother's pains and benefits to laughter and contempt; that she may feel how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child! away, away! [exit] albany now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? goneril never afflict yourself to know the cause; but let his disposition have that scope that dotage gives it. [re-enter king lear] king lear what, fifty of my followers at a clap! within a fortnight! albany what's the matter, sir? king lear i'll tell thee: [to goneril] life and death! i am ashamed that thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; that these hot tears, which break from me perforce, should make thee worth them. blasts and fogs upon thee! the untented woundings of a father's curse pierce every sense about thee! old fond eyes, beweep this cause again, i'll pluck ye out, and cast you, with the waters that you lose, to temper clay. yea, it is come to this? let is be so: yet have i left a daughter, who, i am sure, is kind and comfortable: when she shall hear this of thee, with her nails she'll flay thy wolvish visage. thou shalt find that i'll resume the shape which thou dost think i have cast off for ever: thou shalt, i warrant thee. [exeunt king lear, kent, and attendants] goneril do you mark that, my lord? albany i cannot be so partial, goneril, to the great love i bear you,- goneril pray you, content. what, oswald, ho! [to the fool] you, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. fool nuncle lear, nuncle lear, tarry and take the fool with thee. a fox, when one has caught her, and such a daughter, should sure to the slaughter, if my cap would buy a halter: so the fool follows after. [exit] goneril this man hath had good counsel:--a hundred knights! 'tis politic and safe to let him keep at point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream, each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, he may enguard his dotage with their powers, and hold our lives in mercy. oswald, i say! albany well, you may fear too far. goneril safer than trust too far: let me still take away the harms i fear, not fear still to be taken: i know his heart. what he hath utter'd i have writ my sister if she sustain him and his hundred knights when i have show'd the unfitness,- [re-enter oswald] how now, oswald! what, have you writ that letter to my sister? oswald yes, madam. goneril take you some company, and away to horse: inform her full of my particular fear; and thereto add such reasons of your own as may compact it more. get you gone; and hasten your return. [exit oswald] no, no, my lord, this milky gentleness and course of yours though i condemn not, yet, under pardon, you are much more attask'd for want of wisdom than praised for harmful mildness. albany how far your eyes may pierce i can not tell: striving to better, oft we mar what's well. goneril nay, then- albany well, well; the event. [exeunt] king lear act i scene v court before the same. [enter king lear, kent, and fool] king lear go you before to gloucester with these letters. acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know than comes from her demand out of the letter. if your diligence be not speedy, i shall be there afore you. kent i will not sleep, my lord, till i have delivered your letter. [exit] fool if a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in danger of kibes? king lear ay, boy. fool then, i prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go slip-shod. king lear ha, ha, ha! fool shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet i can tell what i can tell. king lear why, what canst thou tell, my boy? fool she will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle on's face? king lear no. fool why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. king lear i did her wrong- fool canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? king lear no. fool nor i neither; but i can tell why a snail has a house. king lear why? fool why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without a case. king lear i will forget my nature. so kind a father! be my horses ready? fool thy asses are gone about 'em. the reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. king lear because they are not eight? fool yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool. king lear to take 't again perforce! monster ingratitude! fool if thou wert my fool, nuncle, i'ld have thee beaten for being old before thy time. king lear how's that? fool thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. king lear o, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven keep me in temper: i would not be mad! [enter gentleman] how now! are the horses ready? gentleman ready, my lord. king lear come, boy. fool she that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter. [exeunt] king lear act ii scene i gloucester's castle. [enter edmund, and curan meets him] edmund save thee, curan. curan and you, sir. i have been with your father, and given him notice that the duke of cornwall and regan his duchess will be here with him this night. edmund how comes that? curan nay, i know not. you have heard of the news abroad; i mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? edmund not i pray you, what are they? curan have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the dukes of cornwall and albany? edmund not a word. curan you may do, then, in time. fare you well, sir. [exit] edmund the duke be here to-night? the better! best! this weaves itself perforce into my business. my father hath set guard to take my brother; and i have one thing, of a queasy question, which i must act: briefness and fortune, work! brother, a word; descend: brother, i say! [enter edgar] my father watches: o sir, fly this place; intelligence is given where you are hid; you have now the good advantage of the night: have you not spoken 'gainst the duke of cornwall? he's coming hither: now, i' the night, i' the haste, and regan with him: have you nothing said upon his party 'gainst the duke of albany? advise yourself. edgar i am sure on't, not a word. edmund i hear my father coming: pardon me: in cunning i must draw my sword upon you draw; seem to defend yourself; now quit you well. yield: come before my father. light, ho, here! fly, brother. torches, torches! so, farewell. [exit edgar] some blood drawn on me would beget opinion. [wounds his arm] of my more fierce endeavour: i have seen drunkards do more than this in sport. father, father! stop, stop! no help? [enter gloucester, and servants with torches] gloucester now, edmund, where's the villain? edmund here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon to stand auspicious mistress,- gloucester but where is he? edmund look, sir, i bleed. gloucester where is the villain, edmund? edmund fled this way, sir. when by no means he could- gloucester pursue him, ho! go after. [exeunt some servants] by no means what? edmund persuade me to the murder of your lordship; but that i told him, the revenging gods 'gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond the child was bound to the father; sir, in fine, seeing how loathly opposite i stood to his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, with his prepared sword, he charges home my unprovided body, lanced mine arm: but when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, bold in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter, or whether gasted by the noise i made, full suddenly he fled. gloucester let him fly far: not in this land shall he remain uncaught; and found--dispatch. the noble duke my master, my worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: by his authority i will proclaim it, that he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, bringing the murderous coward to the stake; he that conceals him, death. edmund when i dissuaded him from his intent, and found him pight to do it, with curst speech i threaten'd to discover him: he replied, 'thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think, if i would stand against thee, would the reposal of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee make thy words faith'd? no: what i should deny,- as this i would: ay, though thou didst produce my very character,--i'ld turn it all to thy suggestion, plot, and damned practise: and thou must make a dullard of the world, if they not thought the profits of my death were very pregnant and potential spurs to make thee seek it.' gloucester strong and fasten'd villain would he deny his letter? i never got him. [tucket within] hark, the duke's trumpets! i know not why he comes. all ports i'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; the duke must grant me that: besides, his picture i will send far and near, that all the kingdom may have the due note of him; and of my land, loyal and natural boy, i'll work the means to make thee capable. [enter cornwall, regan, and attendants] cornwall how now, my noble friend! since i came hither, which i can call but now, i have heard strange news. regan if it be true, all vengeance comes too short which can pursue the offender. how dost, my lord? gloucester o, madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd! regan what, did my father's godson seek your life? he whom my father named? your edgar? gloucester o, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! regan was he not companion with the riotous knights that tend upon my father? gloucester i know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad. edmund yes, madam, he was of that consort. regan no marvel, then, though he were ill affected: 'tis they have put him on the old man's death, to have the expense and waste of his revenues. i have this present evening from my sister been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions, that if they come to sojourn at my house, i'll not be there. cornwall nor i, assure thee, regan. edmund, i hear that you have shown your father a child-like office. edmund 'twas my duty, sir. gloucester he did bewray his practise; and received this hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. cornwall is he pursued? gloucester ay, my good lord. cornwall if he be taken, he shall never more be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, how in my strength you please. for you, edmund, whose virtue and obedience doth this instant so much commend itself, you shall be ours: natures of such deep trust we shall much need; you we first seize on. edmund i shall serve you, sir, truly, however else. gloucester for him i thank your grace. cornwall you know not why we came to visit you,- regan thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night: occasions, noble gloucester, of some poise, wherein we must have use of your advice: our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, of differences, which i least thought it fit to answer from our home; the several messengers from hence attend dispatch. our good old friend, lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow your needful counsel to our business, which craves the instant use. gloucester i serve you, madam: your graces are right welcome. [exeunt] king lear act ii scene ii before gloucester's castle. [enter kent and oswald, severally] oswald good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house? kent ay. oswald where may we set our horses? kent i' the mire. oswald prithee, if thou lovest me, tell me. kent i love thee not. oswald why, then, i care not for thee. kent if i had thee in lipsbury pinfold, i would make thee care for me. oswald why dost thou use me thus? i know thee not. kent fellow, i know thee. oswald what dost thou know me for? kent a knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, glass-gazing, super-serviceable finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom i will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition. oswald why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee! kent what a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me! is it two days ago since i tripped up thy heels, and beat thee before the king? draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon shines; i'll make a sop o' the moonshine of you: draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw. [drawing his sword] oswald away! i have nothing to do with thee. kent draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the king; and take vanity the puppet's part against the royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or i'll so carbonado your shanks: draw, you rascal; come your ways. oswald help, ho! murder! help! kent strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike. [beating him] oswald help, ho! murder! murder! [enter edmund, with his rapier drawn, cornwall, regan, gloucester, and servants] edmund how now! what's the matter? kent with you, goodman boy, an you please: come, i'll flesh ye; come on, young master. gloucester weapons! arms! what 's the matter here? cornwall keep peace, upon your lives: he dies that strikes again. what is the matter? regan the messengers from our sister and the king. cornwall what is your difference? speak. oswald i am scarce in breath, my lord. kent no marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. you cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee: a tailor made thee. cornwall thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man? kent ay, a tailor, sir: a stone-cutter or painter could not have made him so ill, though he had been but two hours at the trade. cornwall speak yet, how grew your quarrel? oswald this ancient ruffian, sir, whose life i have spared at suit of his gray beard,- kent thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! my lord, if you will give me leave, i will tread this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall of a jakes with him. spare my gray beard, you wagtail? cornwall peace, sirrah! you beastly knave, know you no reverence? kent yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege. cornwall why art thou angry? kent that such a slave as this should wear a sword, who wears no honesty. such smiling rogues as these, like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain which are too intrinse t' unloose; smooth every passion that in the natures of their lords rebel; bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks with every gale and vary of their masters, knowing nought, like dogs, but following. a plague upon your epileptic visage! smile you my speeches, as i were a fool? goose, if i had you upon sarum plain, i'ld drive ye cackling home to camelot. cornwall why, art thou mad, old fellow? gloucester how fell you out? say that. kent no contraries hold more antipathy than i and such a knave. cornwall why dost thou call him a knave? what's his offence? kent his countenance likes me not. cornwall no more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers. kent sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain: i have seen better faces in my time than stands on any shoulder that i see before me at this instant. cornwall this is some fellow, who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect a saucy roughness, and constrains the garb quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he, an honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! an they will take it, so; if not, he's plain. these kind of knaves i know, which in this plainness harbour more craft and more corrupter ends than twenty silly ducking observants that stretch their duties nicely. kent sir, in good sooth, in sincere verity, under the allowance of your great aspect, whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire on flickering phoebus' front,- cornwall what mean'st by this? kent to go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. i know, sir, i am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which for my part i will not be, though i should win your displeasure to entreat me to 't. cornwall what was the offence you gave him? oswald i never gave him any: it pleased the king his master very late to strike at me, upon his misconstruction; when he, conjunct and flattering his displeasure, tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd, and put upon him such a deal of man, that worthied him, got praises of the king for him attempting who was self-subdued; and, in the fleshment of this dread exploit, drew on me here again. kent none of these rogues and cowards but ajax is their fool. cornwall fetch forth the stocks! you stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart, we'll teach you- kent sir, i am too old to learn: call not your stocks for me: i serve the king; on whose employment i was sent to you: you shall do small respect, show too bold malice against the grace and person of my master, stocking his messenger. cornwall fetch forth the stocks! as i have life and honour, there shall he sit till noon. regan till noon! till night, my lord; and all night too. kent why, madam, if i were your father's dog, you should not use me so. regan sir, being his knave, i will. cornwall this is a fellow of the self-same colour our sister speaks of. come, bring away the stocks! [stocks brought out] gloucester let me beseech your grace not to do so: his fault is much, and the good king his master will cheque him for 't: your purposed low correction is such as basest and contemned'st wretches for pilferings and most common trespasses are punish'd with: the king must take it ill, that he's so slightly valued in his messenger, should have him thus restrain'd. cornwall i'll answer that. regan my sister may receive it much more worse, to have her gentleman abused, assaulted, for following her affairs. put in his legs. [kent is put in the stocks] come, my good lord, away. [exeunt all but gloucester and kent] gloucester i am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure, whose disposition, all the world well knows, will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd: i'll entreat for thee. kent pray, do not, sir: i have watched and travell'd hard; some time i shall sleep out, the rest i'll whistle. a good man's fortune may grow out at heels: give you good morrow! gloucester the duke's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken. [exit] kent good king, that must approve the common saw, thou out of heaven's benediction comest to the warm sun! approach, thou beacon to this under globe, that by thy comfortable beams i may peruse this letter! nothing almost sees miracles but misery: i know 'tis from cordelia, who hath most fortunately been inform'd of my obscured course; and shall find time from this enormous state, seeking to give losses their remedies. all weary and o'erwatch'd, take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold this shameful lodging. fortune, good night: smile once more: turn thy wheel! [sleeps] king lear act ii scene iii a wood. [enter edgar] edgar i heard myself proclaim'd; and by the happy hollow of a tree escaped the hunt. no port is free; no place, that guard, and most unusual vigilance, does not attend my taking. whiles i may 'scape, i will preserve myself: and am bethought to take the basest and most poorest shape that ever penury, in contempt of man, brought near to beast: my face i'll grime with filth; blanket my loins: elf all my hair in knots; and with presented nakedness out-face the winds and persecutions of the sky. the country gives me proof and precedent of bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary; and with this horrible object, from low farms, poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes, and mills, sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, enforce their charity. poor turlygod! poor tom! that's something yet: edgar i nothing am. [exit] king lear act ii scene iv before gloucester's castle. kent in the stocks. [enter king lear, fool, and gentleman] king lear 'tis strange that they should so depart from home, and not send back my messenger. gentleman as i learn'd, the night before there was no purpose in them of this remove. kent hail to thee, noble master! king lear ha! makest thou this shame thy pastime? kent no, my lord. fool ha, ha! he wears cruel garters. horses are tied by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the loins, and men by the legs: when a man's over-lusty at legs, then he wears wooden nether-stocks. king lear what's he that hath so much thy place mistook to set thee here? kent it is both he and she; your son and daughter. king lear no. kent yes. king lear no, i say. kent i say, yea. king lear no, no, they would not. kent yes, they have. king lear by jupiter, i swear, no. kent by juno, i swear, ay. king lear they durst not do 't; they could not, would not do 't; 'tis worse than murder, to do upon respect such violent outrage: resolve me, with all modest haste, which way thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, coming from us. kent my lord, when at their home i did commend your highness' letters to them, ere i was risen from the place that show'd my duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth from goneril his mistress salutations; deliver'd letters, spite of intermission, which presently they read: on whose contents, they summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse; commanded me to follow, and attend the leisure of their answer; gave me cold looks: and meeting here the other messenger, whose welcome, i perceived, had poison'd mine,- being the very fellow that of late display'd so saucily against your highness,- having more man than wit about me, drew: he raised the house with loud and coward cries. your son and daughter found this trespass worth the shame which here it suffers. fool winter's not gone yet, if the wild-geese fly that way. fathers that wear rags do make their children blind; but fathers that bear bags shall see their children kind. fortune, that arrant whore, ne'er turns the key to the poor. but, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. king lear o, how this mother swells up toward my heart! hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow, thy element's below! where is this daughter? kent with the earl, sir, here within. king lear follow me not; stay here. [exit] gentleman made you no more offence but what you speak of? kent none. how chance the king comes with so small a train? fool and thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that question, thou hadst well deserved it. kent why, fool? fool we'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's no labouring i' the winter. all that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking. let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it: but the great one that goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. when a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: i would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. that sir which serves and seeks for gain, and follows but for form, will pack when it begins to rain, and leave thee in the storm, but i will tarry; the fool will stay, and let the wise man fly: the knave turns fool that runs away; the fool no knave, perdy. kent where learned you this, fool? fool not i' the stocks, fool. [re-enter king lear with gloucester] king lear deny to speak with me? they are sick? they are weary? they have travell'd all the night? mere fetches; the images of revolt and flying off. fetch me a better answer. gloucester my dear lord, you know the fiery quality of the duke; how unremoveable and fix'd he is in his own course. king lear vengeance! plague! death! confusion! fiery? what quality? why, gloucester, gloucester, i'ld speak with the duke of cornwall and his wife. gloucester well, my good lord, i have inform'd them so. king lear inform'd them! dost thou understand me, man? gloucester ay, my good lord. king lear the king would speak with cornwall; the dear father would with his daughter speak, commands her service: are they inform'd of this? my breath and blood! fiery? the fiery duke? tell the hot duke that- no, but not yet: may be he is not well: infirmity doth still neglect all office whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves when nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind to suffer with the body: i'll forbear; and am fall'n out with my more headier will, to take the indisposed and sickly fit for the sound man. death on my state! wherefore [looking on kent] should he sit here? this act persuades me that this remotion of the duke and her is practise only. give me my servant forth. go tell the duke and 's wife i'ld speak with them, now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me, or at their chamber-door i'll beat the drum till it cry sleep to death. gloucester i would have all well betwixt you. [exit] king lear o me, my heart, my rising heart! but, down! fool cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'down, wantons, down!' 'twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. [enter cornwall, regan, gloucester, and servants] king lear good morrow to you both. cornwall hail to your grace! [kent is set at liberty] regan i am glad to see your highness. king lear regan, i think you are; i know what reason i have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad, i would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, sepulchring an adultress. [to kent] o, are you free? some other time for that. beloved regan, thy sister's naught: o regan, she hath tied sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here: [points to his heart] i can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe with how depraved a quality--o regan! regan i pray you, sir, take patience: i have hope. you less know how to value her desert than she to scant her duty. king lear say, how is that? regan i cannot think my sister in the least would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance she have restrain'd the riots of your followers, 'tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end, as clears her from all blame. king lear my curses on her! regan o, sir, you are old. nature in you stands on the very verge of her confine: you should be ruled and led by some discretion, that discerns your state better than you yourself. therefore, i pray you, that to our sister you do make return; say you have wrong'd her, sir. king lear ask her forgiveness? do you but mark how this becomes the house: 'dear daughter, i confess that i am old; [kneeling] age is unnecessary: on my knees i beg that you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.' regan good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks: return you to my sister. king lear [rising] never, regan: she hath abated me of half my train; look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, most serpent-like, upon the very heart: all the stored vengeances of heaven fall on her ingrateful top! strike her young bones, you taking airs, with lameness! cornwall fie, sir, fie! king lear you nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames into her scornful eyes! infect her beauty, you fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, to fall and blast her pride! regan o the blest gods! so will you wish on me, when the rash mood is on. king lear no, regan, thou shalt never have my curse: thy tender-hefted nature shall not give thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine do comfort and not burn. 'tis not in thee to grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, to bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, and in conclusion to oppose the bolt against my coming in: thou better know'st the offices of nature, bond of childhood, effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude; thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot, wherein i thee endow'd. regan good sir, to the purpose. king lear who put my man i' the stocks? [tucket within] cornwall what trumpet's that? regan i know't, my sister's: this approves her letter, that she would soon be here. [enter oswald] is your lady come? king lear this is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. out, varlet, from my sight! cornwall what means your grace? king lear who stock'd my servant? regan, i have good hope thou didst not know on't. who comes here? o heavens, [enter goneril] if you do love old men, if your sweet sway allow obedience, if yourselves are old, make it your cause; send down, and take my part! [to goneril] art not ashamed to look upon this beard? o regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? goneril why not by the hand, sir? how have i offended? all's not offence that indiscretion finds and dotage terms so. king lear o sides, you are too tough; will you yet hold? how came my man i' the stocks? cornwall i set him there, sir: but his own disorders deserved much less advancement. king lear you! did you? regan i pray you, father, being weak, seem so. if, till the expiration of your month, you will return and sojourn with my sister, dismissing half your train, come then to me: i am now from home, and out of that provision which shall be needful for your entertainment. king lear return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? no, rather i abjure all roofs, and choose to wage against the enmity o' the air; to be a comrade with the wolf and owl,- necessity's sharp pinch! return with her? why, the hot-blooded france, that dowerless took our youngest born, i could as well be brought to knee his throne, and, squire-like; pension beg to keep base life afoot. return with her? persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter to this detested groom. [pointing at oswald] goneril at your choice, sir. king lear i prithee, daughter, do not make me mad: i will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: we'll no more meet, no more see one another: but yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; or rather a disease that's in my flesh, which i must needs call mine: thou art a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle, in my corrupted blood. but i'll not chide thee; let shame come when it will, i do not call it: i do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, nor tell tales of thee to high-judging jove: mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure: i can be patient; i can stay with regan, i and my hundred knights. regan not altogether so: i look'd not for you yet, nor am provided for your fit welcome. give ear, sir, to my sister; for those that mingle reason with your passion must be content to think you old, and so- but she knows what she does. king lear is this well spoken? regan i dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers? is it not well? what should you need of more? yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger speak 'gainst so great a number? how, in one house, should many people, under two commands, hold amity? 'tis hard; almost impossible. goneril why might not you, my lord, receive attendance from those that she calls servants or from mine? regan why not, my lord? if then they chanced to slack you, we could control them. if you will come to me,- for now i spy a danger,--i entreat you to bring but five and twenty: to no more will i give place or notice. king lear i gave you all- regan and in good time you gave it. king lear made you my guardians, my depositaries; but kept a reservation to be follow'd with such a number. what, must i come to you with five and twenty, regan? said you so? regan and speak't again, my lord; no more with me. king lear those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd, when others are more wicked: not being the worst stands in some rank of praise. [to goneril] i'll go with thee: thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, and thou art twice her love. goneril hear me, my lord; what need you five and twenty, ten, or five, to follow in a house where twice so many have a command to tend you? regan what need one? king lear o, reason not the need: our basest beggars are in the poorest thing superfluous: allow not nature more than nature needs, man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady; if only to go warm were gorgeous, why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st, which scarcely keeps thee warm. but, for true need,- you heavens, give me that patience, patience i need! you see me here, you gods, a poor old man, as full of grief as age; wretched in both! if it be you that stir these daughters' hearts against their father, fool me not so much to bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger, and let not women's weapons, water-drops, stain my man's cheeks! no, you unnatural hags, i will have such revenges on you both, that all the world shall--i will do such things,- what they are, yet i know not: but they shall be the terrors of the earth. you think i'll weep no, i'll not weep: i have full cause of weeping; but this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, or ere i'll weep. o fool, i shall go mad! [exeunt king lear, gloucester, kent, and fool] [storm and tempest] cornwall let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm. regan this house is little: the old man and his people cannot be well bestow'd. goneril 'tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest, and must needs taste his folly. regan for his particular, i'll receive him gladly, but not one follower. goneril so am i purposed. where is my lord of gloucester? cornwall follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd. [re-enter gloucester] gloucester the king is in high rage. cornwall whither is he going? gloucester he calls to horse; but will i know not whither. cornwall 'tis best to give him way; he leads himself. goneril my lord, entreat him by no means to stay. gloucester alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds do sorely ruffle; for many miles about there's scarce a bush. regan o, sir, to wilful men, the injuries that they themselves procure must be their schoolmasters. shut up your doors: he is attended with a desperate train; and what they may incense him to, being apt to have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. cornwall shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night: my regan counsels well; come out o' the storm. [exeunt] king lear act iii scene i a heath. [storm still. enter kent and a gentleman, meeting] kent who's there, besides foul weather? gentleman one minded like the weather, most unquietly. kent i know you. where's the king? gentleman contending with the fretful element: bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, or swell the curled water 'bove the main, that things might change or cease; tears his white hair, which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, catch in their fury, and make nothing of; strives in his little world of man to out-scorn the to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. this night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, the lion and the belly-pinched wolf keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, and bids what will take all. kent but who is with him? gentleman none but the fool; who labours to out-jest his heart-struck injuries. kent sir, i do know you; and dare, upon the warrant of my note, commend a dear thing to you. there is division, although as yet the face of it be cover'd with mutual cunning, 'twixt albany and cornwall; who have--as who have not, that their great stars throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, which are to france the spies and speculations intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, or the hard rein which both of them have borne against the old kind king; or something deeper, whereof perchance these are but furnishings; but, true it is, from france there comes a power into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, wise in our negligence, have secret feet in some of our best ports, and are at point to show their open banner. now to you: if on my credit you dare build so far to make your speed to dover, you shall find some that will thank you, making just report of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow the king hath cause to plain. i am a gentleman of blood and breeding; and, from some knowledge and assurance, offer this office to you. gentleman i will talk further with you. kent no, do not. for confirmation that i am much more than my out-wall, open this purse, and take what it contains. if you shall see cordelia,- as fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; and she will tell you who your fellow is that yet you do not know. fie on this storm! i will go seek the king. gentleman give me your hand: have you no more to say? kent few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; that, when we have found the king,--in which your pain that way, i'll this,--he that first lights on him holla the other. [exeunt severally] king lear act iii scene ii another part of the heath. storm still. [enter king lear and fool] king lear blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! you cataracts and hurricanoes, spout till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! you sulphurous and thought-executing fires, vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, singe my white head! and thou, all-shaking thunder, smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world! crack nature's moulds, an germens spill at once, that make ingrateful man! fool o nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o' door. good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' blessing: here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool. king lear rumble thy bellyful! spit, fire! spout, rain! nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: i tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; i never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, you owe me no subscription: then let fall your horrible pleasure: here i stand, your slave, a poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man: but yet i call you servile ministers, that have with two pernicious daughters join'd your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head so old and white as this. o! o! 'tis foul! fool he that has a house to put's head in has a good head-piece. the cod-piece that will house before the head has any, the head and he shall louse; so beggars marry many. the man that makes his toe what he his heart should make shall of a corn cry woe, and turn his sleep to wake. for there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a glass. king lear no, i will be the pattern of all patience; i will say nothing. [enter kent] kent who's there? fool marry, here's grace and a cod-piece; that's a wise man and a fool. kent alas, sir, are you here? things that love night love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies gallow the very wanderers of the dark, and make them keep their caves: since i was man, such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, such groans of roaring wind and rain, i never remember to have heard: man's nature cannot carry the affliction nor the fear. king lear let the great gods, that keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, find out their enemies now. tremble, thou wretch, that hast within thee undivulged crimes, unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue that art incestuous: caitiff, to pieces shake, that under covert and convenient seeming hast practised on man's life: close pent-up guilts, rive your concealing continents, and cry these dreadful summoners grace. i am a man more sinn'd against than sinning. kent alack, bare-headed! gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest: repose you there; while i to this hard house- more harder than the stones whereof 'tis raised; which even but now, demanding after you, denied me to come in--return, and force their scanted courtesy. king lear my wits begin to turn. come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? i am cold myself. where is this straw, my fellow? the art of our necessities is strange, that can make vile things precious. come, your hovel. poor fool and knave, i have one part in my heart that's sorry yet for thee. fool [singing] he that has and a little tiny wit- with hey, ho, the wind and the rain,- must make content with his fortunes fit, for the rain it raineth every day. king lear true, my good boy. come, bring us to this hovel. [exeunt king lear and kent] fool this is a brave night to cool a courtezan. i'll speak a prophecy ere i go: when priests are more in word than matter; when brewers mar their malt with water; when nobles are their tailors' tutors; no heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; when every case in law is right; no squire in debt, nor no poor knight; when slanders do not live in tongues; nor cutpurses come not to throngs; when usurers tell their gold i' the field; and bawds and whores do churches build; then shall the realm of albion come to great confusion: then comes the time, who lives to see't, that going shall be used with feet. this prophecy merlin shall make; for i live before his time. [exit] king lear act iii scene iii gloucester's castle. [enter gloucester and edmund] gloucester alack, alack, edmund, i like not this unnatural dealing. when i desire their leave that i might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him. edmund most savage and unnatural! gloucester go to; say you nothing. there's a division betwixt the dukes; and a worse matter than that: i have received a letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be spoken; i have locked the letter in my closet: these injuries the king now bears will be revenged home; there's part of a power already footed: we must incline to the king. i will seek him, and privily relieve him: go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: if he ask for me. i am ill, and gone to bed. though i die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king my old master must be relieved. there is some strange thing toward, edmund; pray you, be careful. [exit] edmund this courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke instantly know; and of that letter too: this seems a fair deserving, and must draw me that which my father loses; no less than all: the younger rises when the old doth fall. [exit] king lear act iii scene iv the heath. before a hovel. [enter king lear, kent, and fool] kent here is the place, my lord; good my lord, enter: the tyranny of the open night's too rough for nature to endure. [storm still] king lear let me alone. kent good my lord, enter here. king lear wilt break my heart? kent i had rather break mine own. good my lord, enter. king lear thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee; but where the greater malady is fix'd, the lesser is scarce felt. thou'ldst shun a bear; but if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. when the mind's free, the body's delicate: the tempest in my mind doth from my senses take all feeling else save what beats there. filial ingratitude! is it not as this mouth should tear this hand for lifting food to't? but i will punish home: no, i will weep no more. in such a night to shut me out! pour on; i will endure. in such a night as this! o regan, goneril! your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all,- o, that way madness lies; let me shun that; no more of that. kent good my lord, enter here. king lear prithee, go in thyself: seek thine own ease: this tempest will not give me leave to ponder on things would hurt me more. but i'll go in. [to the fool] in, boy; go first. you houseless poverty,- nay, get thee in. i'll pray, and then i'll sleep. [fool goes in] poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, that bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, how shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you from seasons such as these? o, i have ta'en too little care of this! take physic, pomp; expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, that thou mayst shake the superflux to them, and show the heavens more just. edgar [within] fathom and half, fathom and half! poor tom! [the fool runs out from the hovel] fool come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit help me, help me! kent give me thy hand. who's there? fool a spirit, a spirit: he says his name's poor tom. kent what art thou that dost grumble there i' the straw? come forth. [enter edgar disguised as a mad man] edgar away! the foul fiend follows me! through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. hum! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. king lear hast thou given all to thy two daughters? and art thou come to this? edgar who gives any thing to poor tom? whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, and through ford and whirlipool e'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow, and halters in his pew; set ratsbane by his porridge; made film proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting-horse over four-inched bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor. bless thy five wits! tom's a-cold,--o, do de, do de, do de. bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! do poor tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes: there could i have him now,--and there,--and there again, and there. [storm still] king lear what, have his daughters brought him to this pass? couldst thou save nothing? didst thou give them all? fool nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed. king lear now, all the plagues that in the pendulous air hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters! kent he hath no daughters, sir. king lear death, traitor! nothing could have subdued nature to such a lowness but his unkind daughters. is it the fashion, that discarded fathers should have thus little mercy on their flesh? judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot those pelican daughters. edgar pillicock sat on pillicock-hill: halloo, halloo, loo, loo! fool this cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen. edgar take heed o' the foul fiend: obey thy parents; keep thy word justly; swear not; commit not with man's sworn spouse; set not thy sweet heart on proud array. tom's a-cold. king lear what hast thou been? edgar a serving-man, proud in heart and mind; that curled my hair; wore gloves in my cap; served the lust of my mistress' heart, and did the act of darkness with her; swore as many oaths as i spake words, and broke them in the sweet face of heaven: one that slept in the contriving of lust, and waked to do it: wine loved i deeply, dice dearly: and in woman out-paramoured the turk: false of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman: keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind: says suum, mun, ha, no, nonny. dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa! let him trot by. [storm still] king lear why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies. is man no more than this? consider him well. thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. ha! here's three on 's are sophisticated! thou art the thing itself: unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, forked animal as thou art. off, off, you lendings! come unbutton here. [tearing off his clothes] fool prithee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a naughty night to swim in. now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher's heart; a small spark, all the rest on's body cold. look, here comes a walking fire. [enter gloucester, with a torch] edgar this is the foul fiend flibbertigibbet: he begins at curfew, and walks till the first cock; he gives the web and the pin, squints the eye, and makes the hare-lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor creature of earth. s. withold footed thrice the old; he met the night-mare, and her nine-fold; bid her alight, and her troth plight, and, aroint thee, witch, aroint thee! kent how fares your grace? king lear what's he? kent who's there? what is't you seek? gloucester what are you there? your names? edgar poor tom; that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water; that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for sallets; swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog; drinks the green mantle of the standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to tithing, and stockpunished, and imprisoned; who hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to his body, horse to ride, and weapon to wear; but mice and rats, and such small deer, have been tom's food for seven long year. beware my follower. peace, smulkin; peace, thou fiend! gloucester what, hath your grace no better company? edgar the prince of darkness is a gentleman: modo he's call'd, and mahu. gloucester our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, that it doth hate what gets it. edgar poor tom's a-cold. gloucester go in with me: my duty cannot suffer to obey in all your daughters' hard commands: though their injunction be to bar my doors, and let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, yet have i ventured to come seek you out, and bring you where both fire and food is ready. king lear first let me talk with this philosopher. what is the cause of thunder? kent good my lord, take his offer; go into the house. king lear i'll talk a word with this same learned theban. what is your study? edgar how to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin. king lear let me ask you one word in private. kent importune him once more to go, my lord; his wits begin to unsettle. gloucester canst thou blame him? [storm still] his daughters seek his death: ah, that good kent! he said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! thou say'st the king grows mad; i'll tell thee, friend, i am almost mad myself: i had a son, now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life, but lately, very late: i loved him, friend; no father his son dearer: truth to tell thee, the grief hath crazed my wits. what a night's this! i do beseech your grace,- king lear o, cry your mercy, sir. noble philosopher, your company. edgar tom's a-cold. gloucester in, fellow, there, into the hovel: keep thee warm. king lear come let's in all. kent this way, my lord. king lear with him; i will keep still with my philosopher. kent good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow. gloucester take him you on. kent sirrah, come on; go along with us. king lear come, good athenian. gloucester no words, no words: hush. edgar child rowland to the dark tower came, his word was still,--fie, foh, and fum, i smell the blood of a british man. [exeunt] king lear act iii scene v gloucester's castle. [enter cornwall and edmund] cornwall i will have my revenge ere i depart his house. edmund how, my lord, i may be censured, that nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of. cornwall i now perceive, it was not altogether your brother's evil disposition made him seek his death; but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable badness in himself. edmund how malicious is my fortune, that i must repent to be just! this is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of france: o heavens! that this treason were not, or not i the detector! cornwall o with me to the duchess. edmund if the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand. cornwall true or false, it hath made thee earl of gloucester. seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension. edmund [aside] if i find him comforting the king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.--i will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood. cornwall i will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love. [exeunt] king lear act iii scene vi a chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle. [enter gloucester, king lear, kent, fool, and edgar] gloucester here is better than the open air; take it thankfully. i will piece out the comfort with what addition i can: i will not be long from you. kent all the power of his wits have given way to his impatience: the gods reward your kindness! [exit gloucester] edgar frateretto calls me; and tells me nero is an angler in the lake of darkness. pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend. fool prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman? king lear a king, a king! fool no, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him. king lear to have a thousand with red burning spits come hissing in upon 'em,- edgar the foul fiend bites my back. fool he's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath. king lear it shall be done; i will arraign them straight. [to edgar] come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; [to the fool] thou, sapient sir, sit here. now, you she foxes! edgar look, where he stands and glares! wantest thou eyes at trial, madam? come o'er the bourn, bessy, to me,- fool her boat hath a leak, and she must not speak why she dares not come over to thee. edgar the foul fiend haunts poor tom in the voice of a nightingale. hopdance cries in tom's belly for two white herring. croak not, black angel; i have no food for thee. kent how do you, sir? stand you not so amazed: will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? king lear i'll see their trial first. bring in the evidence. [to edgar] thou robed man of justice, take thy place; [to the fool] and thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, bench by his side: [to kent] you are o' the commission, sit you too. edgar let us deal justly. sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd? thy sheep be in the corn; and for one blast of thy minikin mouth, thy sheep shall take no harm. pur! the cat is gray. king lear arraign her first; 'tis goneril. i here take my oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the poor king her father. fool come hither, mistress. is your name goneril? king lear she cannot deny it. fool cry you mercy, i took you for a joint-stool. king lear and here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim what store her heart is made on. stop her there! arms, arms, sword, fire! corruption in the place! false justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape? edgar bless thy five wits! kent o pity! sir, where is the patience now, that thou so oft have boasted to retain? edgar [aside] my tears begin to take his part so much, they'll mar my counterfeiting. king lear the little dogs and all, tray, blanch, and sweet-heart, see, they bark at me. edgar tom will throw his head at them. avaunt, you curs! be thy mouth or black or white, tooth that poisons if it bite; mastiff, grey-hound, mongrel grim, hound or spaniel, brach or lym, or bobtail tike or trundle-tail, tom will make them weep and wail: for, with throwing thus my head, dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. do de, de, de. sessa! come, march to wakes and fairs and market-towns. poor tom, thy horn is dry. king lear then let them anatomize regan; see what breeds about her heart. is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts? [to edgar] you, sir, i entertain for one of my hundred; only i do not like the fashion of your garments: you will say they are persian attire: but let them be changed. kent now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile. king lear make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: so, so, so. we'll go to supper i' he morning. so, so, so. fool and i'll go to bed at noon. [re-enter gloucester] gloucester come hither, friend: where is the king my master? kent here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone. gloucester good friend, i prithee, take him in thy arms; i have o'erheard a plot of death upon him: there is a litter ready; lay him in 't, and drive towards dover, friend, where thou shalt meet both welcome and protection. take up thy master: if thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, with thine, and all that offer to defend him, stand in assured loss: take up, take up; and follow me, that will to some provision give thee quick conduct. kent oppressed nature sleeps: this rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses, which, if convenience will not allow, stand in hard cure. [to the fool] come, help to bear thy master; thou must not stay behind. gloucester come, come, away. [exeunt all but edgar] edgar when we our betters see bearing our woes, we scarcely think our miseries our foes. who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind, leaving free things and happy shows behind: but then the mind much sufferance doth o'er skip, when grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship. how light and portable my pain seems now, when that which makes me bend makes the king bow, he childed as i father'd! tom, away! mark the high noises; and thyself bewray, when false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, in thy just proof, repeals and reconciles thee. what will hap more to-night, safe 'scape the king! lurk, lurk. [exit] king lear act iii scene vii gloucester's castle. [enter cornwall, regan, goneril, edmund, and servants] cornwall post speedily to my lord your husband; show him this letter: the army of france is landed. seek out the villain gloucester. [exeunt some of the servants] regan hang him instantly. goneril pluck out his eyes. cornwall leave him to my displeasure. edmund, keep you our sister company: the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. advise the duke, where you are going, to a most festinate preparation: we are bound to the like. our posts shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us. farewell, dear sister: farewell, my lord of gloucester. [enter oswald] how now! where's the king? oswald my lord of gloucester hath convey'd him hence: some five or six and thirty of his knights, hot questrists after him, met him at gate; who, with some other of the lords dependants, are gone with him towards dover; where they boast to have well-armed friends. cornwall get horses for your mistress. goneril farewell, sweet lord, and sister. cornwall edmund, farewell. [exeunt goneril, edmund, and oswald] go seek the traitor gloucester, pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. [exeunt other servants] though well we may not pass upon his life without the form of justice, yet our power shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men may blame, but not control. who's there? the traitor? [enter gloucester, brought in by two or three] regan ingrateful fox! 'tis he. cornwall bind fast his corky arms. gloucester what mean your graces? good my friends, consider you are my guests: do me no foul play, friends. cornwall bind him, i say. [servants bind him] regan hard, hard. o filthy traitor! gloucester unmerciful lady as you are, i'm none. cornwall to this chair bind him. villain, thou shalt find- [regan plucks his beard] gloucester by the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done to pluck me by the beard. regan so white, and such a traitor! gloucester naughty lady, these hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin, will quicken, and accuse thee: i am your host: with robbers' hands my hospitable favours you should not ruffle thus. what will you do? cornwall come, sir, what letters had you late from france? regan be simple answerer, for we know the truth. cornwall and what confederacy have you with the traitors late footed in the kingdom? regan to whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? speak. gloucester i have a letter guessingly set down, which came from one that's of a neutral heart, and not from one opposed. cornwall cunning. regan and false. cornwall where hast thou sent the king? gloucester to dover. regan wherefore to dover? wast thou not charged at peril- cornwall wherefore to dover? let him first answer that. gloucester i am tied to the stake, and i must stand the course. regan wherefore to dover, sir? gloucester because i would not see thy cruel nails pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister in his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. the sea, with such a storm as his bare head in hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up, and quench'd the stelled fires: yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. if wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time, thou shouldst have said 'good porter, turn the key,' all cruels else subscribed: but i shall see the winged vengeance overtake such children. cornwall see't shalt thou never. fellows, hold the chair. upon these eyes of thine i'll set my foot. gloucester he that will think to live till he be old, give me some help! o cruel! o you gods! regan one side will mock another; the other too. cornwall if you see vengeance,- first servant hold your hand, my lord: i have served you ever since i was a child; but better service have i never done you than now to bid you hold. regan how now, you dog! first servant if you did wear a beard upon your chin, i'd shake it on this quarrel. what do you mean? cornwall my villain! [they draw and fight] first servant nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. regan give me thy sword. a peasant stand up thus! [takes a sword, and runs at him behind] first servant o, i am slain! my lord, you have one eye left to see some mischief on him. o! [dies] cornwall lest it see more, prevent it. out, vile jelly! where is thy lustre now? gloucester all dark and comfortless. where's my son edmund? edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature, to quit this horrid act. regan out, treacherous villain! thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he that made the overture of thy treasons to us; who is too good to pity thee. gloucester o my follies! then edgar was abused. kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! regan go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell his way to dover. [exit one with gloucester] how is't, my lord? how look you? cornwall i have received a hurt: follow me, lady. turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave upon the dunghill. regan, i bleed apace: untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm. [exit cornwall, led by regan] second servant i'll never care what wickedness i do, if this man come to good. third servant if she live long, and in the end meet the old course of death, women will all turn monsters. second servant let's follow the old earl, and get the bedlam to lead him where he would: his roguish madness allows itself to any thing. third servant go thou: i'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs to apply to his bleeding face. now, heaven help him! [exeunt severally] king lear act iv scene i the heath. [enter edgar] edgar yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, than still contemn'd and flatter'd. to be worst, the lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: the lamentable change is from the best; the worst returns to laughter. welcome, then, thou unsubstantial air that i embrace! the wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst owes nothing to thy blasts. but who comes here? [enter gloucester, led by an old man] my father, poorly led? world, world, o world! but that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, lie would not yield to age. old man o, my good lord, i have been your tenant, and your father's tenant, these fourscore years. gloucester away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: thy comforts can do me no good at all; thee they may hurt. old man alack, sir, you cannot see your way. gloucester i have no way, and therefore want no eyes; i stumbled when i saw: full oft 'tis seen, our means secure us, and our mere defects prove our commodities. o dear son edgar, the food of thy abused father's wrath! might i but live to see thee in my touch, i'ld say i had eyes again! old man how now! who's there? edgar [aside] o gods! who is't can say 'i am at the worst'? i am worse than e'er i was. old man 'tis poor mad tom. edgar [aside] and worse i may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say 'this is the worst.' old man fellow, where goest? gloucester is it a beggar-man? old man madman and beggar too. gloucester he has some reason, else he could not beg. i' the last night's storm i such a fellow saw; which made me think a man a worm: my son came then into my mind; and yet my mind was then scarce friends with him: i have heard more since. as flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. they kill us for their sport. edgar [aside] how should this be? bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, angering itself and others.--bless thee, master! gloucester is that the naked fellow? old man ay, my lord. gloucester then, prithee, get thee gone: if, for my sake, thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain, i' the way toward dover, do it for ancient love; and bring some covering for this naked soul, who i'll entreat to lead me. old man alack, sir, he is mad. gloucester 'tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind. do as i bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure; above the rest, be gone. old man i'll bring him the best 'parel that i have, come on't what will. [exit] gloucester sirrah, naked fellow,- edgar poor tom's a-cold. [aside] i cannot daub it further. gloucester come hither, fellow. edgar [aside] and yet i must.--bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. gloucester know'st thou the way to dover? edgar both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. poor tom hath been scared out of his good wits: bless thee, good man's son, from the foul fiend! five fiends have been in poor tom at once; of lust, as obidicut; hobbididence, prince of dumbness; mahu, of stealing; modo, of murder; flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids and waiting-women. so, bless thee, master! gloucester here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues have humbled to all strokes: that i am wretched makes thee the happier: heavens, deal so still! let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, that slaves your ordinance, that will not see because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly; so distribution should undo excess, and each man have enough. dost thou know dover? edgar ay, master. gloucester there is a cliff, whose high and bending head looks fearfully in the confined deep: bring me but to the very brim of it, and i'll repair the misery thou dost bear with something rich about me: from that place i shall no leading need. edgar give me thy arm: poor tom shall lead thee. [exeunt] king lear act iv scene ii before albany's palace. [enter goneril and edmund] goneril welcome, my lord: i marvel our mild husband not met us on the way. [enter oswald] now, where's your master'? oswald madam, within; but never man so changed. i told him of the army that was landed; he smiled at it: i told him you were coming: his answer was 'the worse:' of gloucester's treachery, and of the loyal service of his son, when i inform'd him, then he call'd me sot, and told me i had turn'd the wrong side out: what most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; what like, offensive. goneril [to edmund] then shall you go no further. it is the cowish terror of his spirit, that dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs which tie him to an answer. our wishes on the way may prove effects. back, edmund, to my brother; hasten his musters and conduct his powers: i must change arms at home, and give the distaff into my husband's hands. this trusty servant shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear, if you dare venture in your own behalf, a mistress's command. wear this; spare speech; [giving a favour] decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak, would stretch thy spirits up into the air: conceive, and fare thee well. edmund yours in the ranks of death. goneril my most dear gloucester! [exit edmund] o, the difference of man and man! to thee a woman's services are due: my fool usurps my body. oswald madam, here comes my lord. [exit] [enter albany] goneril i have been worth the whistle. albany o goneril! you are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face. i fear your disposition: that nature, which contemns its origin, cannot be border'd certain in itself; she that herself will sliver and disbranch from her material sap, perforce must wither and come to deadly use. goneril no more; the text is foolish. albany wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile: filths savour but themselves. what have you done? tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd? a father, and a gracious aged man, whose reverence even the head-lugg'd bear would lick, most barbarous, most degenerate! have you madded. could my good brother suffer you to do it? a man, a prince, by him so benefited! if that the heavens do not their visible spirits send quickly down to tame these vile offences, it will come, humanity must perforce prey on itself, like monsters of the deep. goneril milk-liver'd man! that bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st fools do those villains pity who are punish'd ere they have done their mischief. where's thy drum? france spreads his banners in our noiseless land; with plumed helm thy slayer begins threats; whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still, and criest 'alack, why does he so?' albany see thyself, devil! proper deformity seems not in the fiend so horrid as in woman. goneril o vain fool! albany thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame, be-monster not thy feature. were't my fitness to let these hands obey my blood, they are apt enough to dislocate and tear thy flesh and bones: howe'er thou art a fiend, a woman's shape doth shield thee. goneril marry, your manhood now- [enter a messenger] albany what news? messenger o, my good lord, the duke of cornwall's dead: slain by his servant, going to put out the other eye of gloucester. albany gloucester's eye! messenger a servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse, opposed against the act, bending his sword to his great master; who, thereat enraged, flew on him, and amongst them fell'd him dead; but not without that harmful stroke, which since hath pluck'd him after. albany this shows you are above, you justicers, that these our nether crimes so speedily can venge! but, o poor gloucester! lost he his other eye? messenger both, both, my lord. this letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; 'tis from your sister. goneril [aside] one way i like this well; but being widow, and my gloucester with her, may all the building in my fancy pluck upon my hateful life: another way, the news is not so tart.--i'll read, and answer. [exit] albany where was his son when they did take his eyes? messenger come with my lady hither. albany he is not here. messenger no, my good lord; i met him back again. albany knows he the wickedness? messenger ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him; and quit the house on purpose, that their punishment might have the freer course. albany gloucester, i live to thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, and to revenge thine eyes. come hither, friend: tell me what more thou know'st. [exeunt] king lear act iv scene iii the french camp near dover. [enter kent and a gentleman] kent why the king of france is so suddenly gone back know you the reason? gentleman something he left imperfect in the state, which since his coming forth is thought of; which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger, that his personal return was most required and necessary. kent who hath he left behind him general? gentleman the marshal of france, monsieur la far. kent did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief? gentleman ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence; and now and then an ample tear trill'd down her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen over her passion; who, most rebel-like, sought to be king o'er her. kent o, then it moved her. gentleman not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove who should express her goodliest. you have seen sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears were like a better way: those happy smilets, that play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know what guests were in her eyes; which parted thence, as pearls from diamonds dropp'd. in brief, sorrow would be a rarity most beloved, if all could so become it. kent made she no verbal question? gentleman 'faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father' pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart: cried 'sisters! sisters! shame of ladies! sisters! kent! father! sisters! what, i' the storm? i' the night? let pity not be believed!' there she shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes, and clamour moisten'd: then away she started to deal with grief alone. kent it is the stars, the stars above us, govern our conditions; else one self mate and mate could not beget such different issues. you spoke not with her since? gentleman no. kent was this before the king return'd? gentleman no, since. kent well, sir, the poor distressed lear's i' the town; who sometime, in his better tune, remembers what we are come about, and by no means will yield to see his daughter. gentleman why, good sir? kent a sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness, that stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her to foreign casualties, gave her dear rights to his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting his mind so venomously, that burning shame detains him from cordelia. gentleman alack, poor gentleman! kent of albany's and cornwall's powers you heard not? gentleman 'tis so, they are afoot. kent well, sir, i'll bring you to our master lear, and leave you to attend him: some dear cause will in concealment wrap me up awhile; when i am known aright, you shall not grieve lending me this acquaintance. i pray you, go along with me. [exeunt] king lear act iv scene iv the same. a tent. [enter, with drum and colours, cordelia, doctor, and soldiers] cordelia alack, 'tis he: why, he was met even now as mad as the vex'd sea; singing aloud; crown'd with rank fumiter and furrow-weeds, with bur-docks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow in our sustaining corn. a century send forth; search every acre in the high-grown field, and bring him to our eye. [exit an officer] what can man's wisdom in the restoring his bereaved sense? he that helps him take all my outward worth. doctor there is means, madam: our foster-nurse of nature is repose, the which he lacks; that to provoke in him, are many simples operative, whose power will close the eye of anguish. cordelia all blest secrets, all you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, spring with my tears! be aidant and remediate in the good man's distress! seek, seek for him; lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life that wants the means to lead it. [enter a messenger] messenger news, madam; the british powers are marching hitherward. cordelia 'tis known before; our preparation stands in expectation of them. o dear father, it is thy business that i go about; therefore great france my mourning and important tears hath pitied. no blown ambition doth our arms incite, but love, dear love, and our aged father's right: soon may i hear and see him! [exeunt] king lear act iv scene v gloucester's castle. [enter regan and oswald] regan but are my brother's powers set forth? oswald ay, madam. regan himself in person there? oswald madam, with much ado: your sister is the better soldier. regan lord edmund spake not with your lord at home? oswald no, madam. regan what might import my sister's letter to him? oswald i know not, lady. regan 'faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. it was great ignorance, gloucester's eyes being out, to let him live: where he arrives he moves all hearts against us: edmund, i think, is gone, in pity of his misery, to dispatch his nighted life: moreover, to descry the strength o' the enemy. oswald i must needs after him, madam, with my letter. regan our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us; the ways are dangerous. oswald i may not, madam: my lady charged my duty in this business. regan why should she write to edmund? might not you transport her purposes by word? belike, something--i know not what: i'll love thee much, let me unseal the letter. oswald madam, i had rather- regan i know your lady does not love her husband; i am sure of that: and at her late being here she gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks to noble edmund. i know you are of her bosom. oswald i, madam? regan i speak in understanding; you are; i know't: therefore i do advise you, take this note: my lord is dead; edmund and i have talk'd; and more convenient is he for my hand than for your lady's: you may gather more. if you do find him, pray you, give him this; and when your mistress hears thus much from you, i pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. so, fare you well. if you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, preferment falls on him that cuts him off. oswald would i could meet him, madam! i should show what party i do follow. regan fare thee well. [exeunt] king lear act iv scene vi fields near dover. [enter gloucester, and edgar dressed like a peasant] gloucester when shall we come to the top of that same hill? edgar you do climb up it now: look, how we labour. gloucester methinks the ground is even. edgar horrible steep. hark, do you hear the sea? gloucester no, truly. edgar why, then, your other senses grow imperfect by your eyes' anguish. gloucester so may it be, indeed: methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st in better phrase and matter than thou didst. edgar you're much deceived: in nothing am i changed but in my garments. gloucester methinks you're better spoken. edgar come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. how fearful and dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! the crows and choughs that wing the midway air show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade! methinks he seems no bigger than his head: the fishermen, that walk upon the beach, appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark, diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge, that on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, cannot be heard so high. i'll look no more; lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight topple down headlong. gloucester set me where you stand. edgar give me your hand: you are now within a foot of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon would i not leap upright. gloucester let go my hand. here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods prosper it with thee! go thou farther off; bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. edgar now fare you well, good sir. gloucester with all my heart. edgar why i do trifle thus with his despair is done to cure it. gloucester [kneeling] o you mighty gods! this world i do renounce, and, in your sights, shake patiently my great affliction off: if i could bear it longer, and not fall to quarrel with your great opposeless wills, my snuff and loathed part of nature should burn itself out. if edgar live, o, bless him! now, fellow, fare thee well. [he falls forward] edgar gone, sir: farewell. and yet i know not how conceit may rob the treasury of life, when life itself yields to the theft: had he been where he thought, by this, had thought been past. alive or dead? ho, you sir! friend! hear you, sir! speak! thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives. what are you, sir? gloucester away, and let me die. edgar hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, so many fathom down precipitating, thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. ten masts at each make not the altitude which thou hast perpendicularly fell: thy life's a miracle. speak yet again. gloucester but have i fall'n, or no? edgar from the dread summit of this chalky bourn. look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. gloucester alack, i have no eyes. is wretchedness deprived that benefit, to end itself by death? 'twas yet some comfort, when misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, and frustrate his proud will. edgar give me your arm: up: so. how is 't? feel you your legs? you stand. gloucester too well, too well. edgar this is above all strangeness. upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that which parted from you? gloucester a poor unfortunate beggar. edgar as i stood here below, methought his eyes were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea: it was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father, think that the clearest gods, who make them honours of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee. gloucester i do remember now: henceforth i'll bear affliction till it do cry out itself 'enough, enough,' and die. that thing you speak of, i took it for a man; often 'twould say 'the fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place. edgar bear free and patient thoughts. but who comes here? [enter king lear, fantastically dressed with wild flowers] the safer sense will ne'er accommodate his master thus. king lear no, they cannot touch me for coining; i am the king himself. edgar o thou side-piercing sight! king lear nature's above art in that respect. there's your press-money. that fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard. look, look, a mouse! peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do 't. there's my gauntlet; i'll prove it on a giant. bring up the brown bills. o, well flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh! give the word. edgar sweet marjoram. king lear pass. gloucester i know that voice. king lear ha! goneril, with a white beard! they flattered me like a dog; and told me i had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. to say 'ay' and 'no' to every thing that i said!--'ay' and 'no' too was no good divinity. when the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there i found 'em, there i smelt 'em out. go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me i was every thing; 'tis a lie, i am not ague-proof. gloucester the trick of that voice i do well remember: is 't not the king? king lear ay, every inch a king: when i do stare, see how the subject quakes. i pardon that man's life. what was thy cause? adultery? thou shalt not die: die for adultery! no: the wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly does lecher in my sight. let copulation thrive; for gloucester's bastard son was kinder to his father than my daughters got 'tween the lawful sheets. to 't, luxury, pell-mell! for i lack soldiers. behold yond simpering dame, whose face between her forks presages snow; that minces virtue, and does shake the head to hear of pleasure's name; the fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't with a more riotous appetite. down from the waist they are centaurs, though women all above: but to the girdle do the gods inherit, beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's darkness, there's the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie, fie, fie! pah, pah! give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. gloucester o, let me kiss that hand! king lear let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. gloucester o ruin'd piece of nature! this great world shall so wear out to nought. dost thou know me? king lear i remember thine eyes well enough. dost thou squiny at me? no, do thy worst, blind cupid! i'll not love. read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it. gloucester were all the letters suns, i could not see one. edgar i would not take this from report; it is, and my heart breaks at it. king lear read. gloucester what, with the case of eyes? king lear o, ho, are you there with me? no eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how this world goes. gloucester i see it feelingly. king lear what, art mad? a man may see how this world goes with no eyes. look with thine ears: see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? gloucester ay, sir. king lear and the creature run from the cur? there thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office. thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! why dost thou lash that whore? strip thine own back; thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind for which thou whipp'st her. the usurer hangs the cozener. through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; robes and furr'd gowns hide all. plate sin with gold, and the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it. none does offend, none, i say, none; i'll able 'em: take that of me, my friend, who have the power to seal the accuser's lips. get thee glass eyes; and like a scurvy politician, seem to see the things thou dost not. now, now, now, now: pull off my boots: harder, harder: so. edgar o, matter and impertinency mix'd! reason in madness! king lear if thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. i know thee well enough; thy name is gloucester: thou must be patient; we came crying hither: thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, we wawl and cry. i will preach to thee: mark. gloucester alack, alack the day! king lear when we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools: this a good block; it were a delicate stratagem, to shoe a troop of horse with felt: i'll put 't in proof; and when i have stol'n upon these sons-in-law, then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill! [enter a gentleman, with attendants] gentleman o, here he is: lay hand upon him. sir, your most dear daughter- king lear no rescue? what, a prisoner? i am even the natural fool of fortune. use me well; you shall have ransom. let me have surgeons; i am cut to the brains. gentleman you shall have any thing. king lear no seconds? all myself? why, this would make a man a man of salt, to use his eyes for garden water-pots, ay, and laying autumn's dust. gentleman good sir,- king lear i will die bravely, like a bridegroom. what! i will be jovial: come, come; i am a king, my masters, know you that. gentleman you are a royal one, and we obey you. king lear then there's life in't. nay, if you get it, you shall get it with running. sa, sa, sa, sa. [exit running; attendants follow] gentleman a sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, past speaking of in a king! thou hast one daughter, who redeems nature from the general curse which twain have brought her to. edgar hail, gentle sir. gentleman sir, speed you: what's your will? edgar do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? gentleman most sure and vulgar: every one hears that, which can distinguish sound. edgar but, by your favour, how near's the other army? gentleman near and on speedy foot; the main descry stands on the hourly thought. edgar i thank you, sir: that's all. gentleman though that the queen on special cause is here, her army is moved on. edgar i thank you, sir. [exit gentleman] gloucester you ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me: let not my worser spirit tempt me again to die before you please! edgar well pray you, father. gloucester now, good sir, what are you? edgar a most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows; who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, am pregnant to good pity. give me your hand, i'll lead you to some biding. gloucester hearty thanks: the bounty and the benison of heaven to boot, and boot! [enter oswald] oswald a proclaim'd prize! most happy! that eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh to raise my fortunes. thou old unhappy traitor, briefly thyself remember: the sword is out that must destroy thee. gloucester now let thy friendly hand put strength enough to't. [edgar interposes] oswald wherefore, bold peasant, darest thou support a publish'd traitor? hence; lest that the infection of his fortune take like hold on thee. let go his arm. edgar ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. oswald let go, slave, or thou diest! edgar good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. an chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder: ch'ill be plain with you. oswald out, dunghill! edgar ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor your foins. [they fight, and edgar knocks him down] oswald slave, thou hast slain me: villain, take my purse: if ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; and give the letters which thou find'st about me to edmund earl of gloucester; seek him out upon the british party: o, untimely death! [dies] edgar i know thee well: a serviceable villain; as duteous to the vices of thy mistress as badness would desire. gloucester what, is he dead? edgar sit you down, father; rest you let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of may be my friends. he's dead; i am only sorry he had no other death's-man. let us see: leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: to know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts; their papers, is more lawful. [reads] 'let our reciprocal vows be remembered. you have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. there is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am i the prisoner, and his bed my goal; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. 'your--wife, so i would say- 'affectionate servant, 'goneril.' o undistinguish'd space of woman's will! a plot upon her virtuous husband's life; and the exchange my brother! here, in the sands, thee i'll rake up, the post unsanctified of murderous lechers: and in the mature time with this ungracious paper strike the sight of the death practised duke: for him 'tis well that of thy death and business i can tell. gloucester the king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense, that i stand up, and have ingenious feeling of my huge sorrows! better i were distract: so should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs, and woes by wrong imaginations lose the knowledge of themselves. edgar give me your hand: [drum afar off] far off, methinks, i hear the beaten drum: come, father, i'll bestow you with a friend. [exeunt] king lear act iv scene vii a tent in the french camp. lear on a bed asleep, soft music playing; gentleman, and others attending. [enter cordelia, kent, and doctor] cordelia o thou good kent, how shall i live and work, to match thy goodness? my life will be too short, and every measure fail me. kent to be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. all my reports go with the modest truth; nor more nor clipp'd, but so. cordelia be better suited: these weeds are memories of those worser hours: i prithee, put them off. kent pardon me, dear madam; yet to be known shortens my made intent: my boon i make it, that you know me not till time and i think meet. cordelia then be't so, my good lord. [to the doctor] how does the king? doctor madam, sleeps still. cordelia o you kind gods, cure this great breach in his abused nature! the untuned and jarring senses, o, wind up of this child-changed father! doctor so please your majesty that we may wake the king: he hath slept long. cordelia be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed i' the sway of your own will. is he array'd? gentleman ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep we put fresh garments on him. doctor be by, good madam, when we do awake him; i doubt not of his temperance. cordelia very well. doctor please you, draw near. louder the music there! cordelia o my dear father! restoration hang thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss repair those violent harms that my two sisters have in thy reverence made! kent kind and dear princess! cordelia had you not been their father, these white flakes had challenged pity of them. was this a face to be opposed against the warring winds? to stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? in the most terrible and nimble stroke of quick, cross lightning? to watch--poor perdu!- with this thin helm? mine enemy's dog, though he had bit me, should have stood that night against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father, to hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn, in short and musty straw? alack, alack! 'tis wonder that thy life and wits at once had not concluded all. he wakes; speak to him. doctor madam, do you; 'tis fittest. cordelia how does my royal lord? how fares your majesty? king lear you do me wrong to take me out o' the grave: thou art a soul in bliss; but i am bound upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears do scald like moulten lead. cordelia sir, do you know me? king lear you are a spirit, i know: when did you die? cordelia still, still, far wide! doctor he's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. king lear where have i been? where am i? fair daylight? i am mightily abused. i should e'en die with pity, to see another thus. i know not what to say. i will not swear these are my hands: let's see; i feel this pin prick. would i were assured of my condition! cordelia o, look upon me, sir, and hold your hands in benediction o'er me: no, sir, you must not kneel. king lear pray, do not mock me: i am a very foolish fond old man, fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; and, to deal plainly, i fear i am not in my perfect mind. methinks i should know you, and know this man; yet i am doubtful for i am mainly ignorant what place this is; and all the skill i have remembers not these garments; nor i know not where i did lodge last night. do not laugh at me; for, as i am a man, i think this lady to be my child cordelia. cordelia and so i am, i am. king lear be your tears wet? yes, 'faith. i pray, weep not: if you have poison for me, i will drink it. i know you do not love me; for your sisters have, as i do remember, done me wrong: you have some cause, they have not. cordelia no cause, no cause. king lear am i in france? kent in your own kingdom, sir. king lear do not abuse me. doctor be comforted, good madam: the great rage, you see, is kill'd in him: and yet it is danger to make him even o'er the time he has lost. desire him to go in; trouble him no more till further settling. cordelia will't please your highness walk? king lear you must bear with me: pray you now, forget and forgive: i am old and foolish. [exeunt all but kent and gentleman] gentleman holds it true, sir, that the duke of cornwall was so slain? kent most certain, sir. gentleman who is conductor of his people? kent as 'tis said, the bastard son of gloucester. gentleman they say edgar, his banished son, is with the earl of kent in germany. kent report is changeable. 'tis time to look about; the powers of the kingdom approach apace. gentleman the arbitrement is like to be bloody. fare you well, sir. [exit] kent my point and period will be throughly wrought, or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [exit] king lear act v scene i the british camp, near dover. [enter, with drum and colours, edmund, regan, gentlemen, and soldiers. edmund know of the duke if his last purpose hold, or whether since he is advised by aught to change the course: he's full of alteration and self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure. [to a gentleman, who goes out] regan our sister's man is certainly miscarried. edmund 'tis to be doubted, madam. regan now, sweet lord, you know the goodness i intend upon you: tell me--but truly--but then speak the truth, do you not love my sister? edmund in honour'd love. regan but have you never found my brother's way to the forfended place? edmund that thought abuses you. regan i am doubtful that you have been conjunct and bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. edmund no, by mine honour, madam. regan i never shall endure her: dear my lord, be not familiar with her. edmund fear me not: she and the duke her husband! [enter, with drum and colours, albany, goneril, and soldiers] goneril [aside] i had rather lose the battle than that sister should loosen him and me. albany our very loving sister, well be-met. sir, this i hear; the king is come to his daughter, with others whom the rigor of our state forced to cry out. where i could not be honest, i never yet was valiant: for this business, it toucheth us, as france invades our land, not bolds the king, with others, whom, i fear, most just and heavy causes make oppose. edmund sir, you speak nobly. regan why is this reason'd? goneril combine together 'gainst the enemy; for these domestic and particular broils are not the question here. albany let's then determine with the ancient of war on our proceedings. edmund i shall attend you presently at your tent. regan sister, you'll go with us? goneril no. regan 'tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. goneril [aside] o, ho, i know the riddle.--i will go. [as they are going out, enter edgar disguised] edgar if e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, hear me one word. albany i'll overtake you. speak. [exeunt all but albany and edgar] edgar before you fight the battle, ope this letter. if you have victory, let the trumpet sound for him that brought it: wretched though i seem, i can produce a champion that will prove what is avouched there. if you miscarry, your business of the world hath so an end, and machination ceases. fortune love you. albany stay till i have read the letter. edgar i was forbid it. when time shall serve, let but the herald cry, and i'll appear again. albany why, fare thee well: i will o'erlook thy paper. [exit edgar] [re-enter edmund] edmund the enemy's in view; draw up your powers. here is the guess of their true strength and forces by diligent discovery; but your haste is now urged on you. albany we will greet the time. [exit] edmund to both these sisters have i sworn my love; each jealous of the other, as the stung are of the adder. which of them shall i take? both? one? or neither? neither can be enjoy'd, if both remain alive: to take the widow exasperates, makes mad her sister goneril; and hardly shall i carry out my side, her husband being alive. now then we'll use his countenance for the battle; which being done, let her who would be rid of him devise his speedy taking off. as for the mercy which he intends to lear and to cordelia, the battle done, and they within our power, shall never see his pardon; for my state stands on me to defend, not to debate. [exit] king lear act v scene ii a field between the two camps. [alarum within. enter, with drum and colours, king lear, cordelia, and soldiers, over the stage; and exeunt] [enter edgar and gloucester] edgar here, father, take the shadow of this tree for your good host; pray that the right may thrive: if ever i return to you again, i'll bring you comfort. gloucester grace go with you, sir! [exit edgar] [alarum and retreat within. re-enter edgar] edgar away, old man; give me thy hand; away! king lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: give me thy hand; come on. gloucester no farther, sir; a man may rot even here. edgar what, in ill thoughts again? men must endure their going hence, even as their coming hither; ripeness is all: come on. gloucester and that's true too. [exeunt] king lear act v scene iii the british camp near dover. [enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, edmund, king lear and cordelia, prisoners; captain, soldiers, &c] edmund some officers take them away: good guard, until their greater pleasures first be known that are to censure them. cordelia we are not the first who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. for thee, oppressed king, am i cast down; myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? king lear no, no, no, no! come, let's away to prison: we two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: when thou dost ask me blessing, i'll kneel down, and ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, and pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh at gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; and take upon's the mystery of things, as if we were god's spies: and we'll wear out, in a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, that ebb and flow by the moon. edmund take them away. king lear upon such sacrifices, my cordelia, the gods themselves throw incense. have i caught thee? he that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, and fire us hence like foxes. wipe thine eyes; the good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell, ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first. come. [exeunt king lear and cordelia, guarded] edmund come hither, captain; hark. take thou this note; [giving a paper] go follow them to prison: one step i have advanced thee; if thou dost as this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way to noble fortunes: know thou this, that men are as the time is: to be tender-minded does not become a sword: thy great employment will not bear question; either say thou'lt do 't, or thrive by other means. captain i'll do 't, my lord. edmund about it; and write happy when thou hast done. mark, i say, instantly; and carry it so as i have set it down. captain i cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; if it be man's work, i'll do 't. [exit] [flourish. enter albany, goneril, regan, another captain, and soldiers] albany sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, and fortune led you well: you have the captives that were the opposites of this day's strife: we do require them of you, so to use them as we shall find their merits and our safety may equally determine. edmund sir, i thought it fit to send the old and miserable king to some retention and appointed guard; whose age has charms in it, whose title more, to pluck the common bosom on his side, an turn our impress'd lances in our eyes which do command them. with him i sent the queen; my reason all the same; and they are ready to-morrow, or at further space, to appear where you shall hold your session. at this time we sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; and the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed by those that feel their sharpness: the question of cordelia and her father requires a fitter place. albany sir, by your patience, i hold you but a subject of this war, not as a brother. regan that's as we list to grace him. methinks our pleasure might have been demanded, ere you had spoke so far. he led our powers; bore the commission of my place and person; the which immediacy may well stand up, and call itself your brother. goneril not so hot: in his own grace he doth exalt himself, more than in your addition. regan in my rights, by me invested, he compeers the best. goneril that were the most, if he should husband you. regan jesters do oft prove prophets. goneril holla, holla! that eye that told you so look'd but a-squint. regan lady, i am not well; else i should answer from a full-flowing stomach. general, take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine: witness the world, that i create thee here my lord and master. goneril mean you to enjoy him? albany the let-alone lies not in your good will. edmund nor in thine, lord. albany half-blooded fellow, yes. regan [to edmund] let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. albany stay yet; hear reason. edmund, i arrest thee on capital treason; and, in thine attaint, this gilded serpent [pointing to goneril] for your claim, fair sister, i bar it in the interest of my wife: 'tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, and i, her husband, contradict your bans. if you will marry, make your loves to me, my lady is bespoke. goneril an interlude! albany thou art arm'd, gloucester: let the trumpet sound: if none appear to prove upon thy head thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, there is my pledge; [throwing down a glove] i'll prove it on thy heart, ere i taste bread, thou art in nothing less than i have here proclaim'd thee. regan sick, o, sick! goneril [aside] if not, i'll ne'er trust medicine. edmund there's my exchange: [throwing down a glove] what in the world he is that names me traitor, villain-like he lies: call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach, on him, on you, who not? i will maintain my truth and honour firmly. albany a herald, ho! edmund a herald, ho, a herald! albany trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, all levied in my name, have in my name took their discharge. regan my sickness grows upon me. albany she is not well; convey her to my tent. [exit regan, led] [enter a herald] come hither, herald,--let the trumpet sound, and read out this. captain sound, trumpet! [a trumpet sounds] herald [reads] 'if any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon edmund, supposed earl of gloucester, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet: he is bold in his defence.' edmund sound! [first trumpet] herald again! [second trumpet] herald again! [third trumpet] [trumpet answers within] [enter edgar, at the third sound, armed, with a trumpet before him] albany ask him his purposes, why he appears upon this call o' the trumpet. herald what are you? your name, your quality? and why you answer this present summons? edgar know, my name is lost; by treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit: yet am i noble as the adversary i come to cope. albany which is that adversary? edgar what's he that speaks for edmund earl of gloucester? edmund himself: what say'st thou to him? edgar draw thy sword, that, if my speech offend a noble heart, thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, my oath, and my profession: i protest, maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune, thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor; false to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father; conspirant 'gainst this high-illustrious prince; and, from the extremest upward of thy head to the descent and dust below thy foot, a most toad-spotted traitor. say thou 'no,' this sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent to prove upon thy heart, whereto i speak, thou liest. edmund in wisdom i should ask thy name; but, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, and that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, what safe and nicely i might well delay by rule of knighthood, i disdain and spurn: back do i toss these treasons to thy head; with the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, this sword of mine shall give them instant way, where they shall rest for ever. trumpets, speak! [alarums. they fight. edmund falls] albany save him, save him! goneril this is practise, gloucester: by the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer an unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, but cozen'd and beguiled. albany shut your mouth, dame, or with this paper shall i stop it: hold, sir: thou worse than any name, read thine own evil: no tearing, lady: i perceive you know it. [gives the letter to edmund] goneril say, if i do, the laws are mine, not thine: who can arraign me for't. albany most monstrous! oh! know'st thou this paper? goneril ask me not what i know. [exit] albany go after her: she's desperate; govern her. edmund what you have charged me with, that have i done; and more, much more; the time will bring it out: 'tis past, and so am i. but what art thou that hast this fortune on me? if thou'rt noble, i do forgive thee. edgar let's exchange charity. i am no less in blood than thou art, edmund; if more, the more thou hast wrong'd me. my name is edgar, and thy father's son. the gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to plague us: the dark and vicious place where thee he got cost him his eyes. edmund thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; the wheel is come full circle: i am here. albany methought thy very gait did prophesy a royal nobleness: i must embrace thee: let sorrow split my heart, if ever i did hate thee or thy father! edgar worthy prince, i know't. albany where have you hid yourself? how have you known the miseries of your father? edgar by nursing them, my lord. list a brief tale; and when 'tis told, o, that my heart would burst! the bloody proclamation to escape, that follow'd me so near,--o, our lives' sweetness! that we the pain of death would hourly die rather than die at once!--taught me to shift into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance that very dogs disdain'd: and in this habit met i my father with his bleeding rings, their precious stones new lost: became his guide, led him, begg'd for him, saved him from despair; never,--o fault!--reveal'd myself unto him, until some half-hour past, when i was arm'd: not sure, though hoping, of this good success, i ask'd his blessing, and from first to last told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, alack, too weak the conflict to support! 'twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, burst smilingly. edmund this speech of yours hath moved me, and shall perchance do good: but speak you on; you look as you had something more to say. albany if there be more, more woeful, hold it in; for i am almost ready to dissolve, hearing of this. edgar this would have seem'd a period to such as love not sorrow; but another, to amplify too much, would make much more, and top extremity. whilst i was big in clamour came there in a man, who, having seen me in my worst estate, shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms he fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out as he'ld burst heaven; threw him on my father; told the most piteous tale of lear and him that ever ear received: which in recounting his grief grew puissant and the strings of life began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded, and there i left him tranced. albany but who was this? edgar kent, sir, the banish'd kent; who in disguise follow'd his enemy king, and did him service improper for a slave. [enter a gentleman, with a bloody knife] gentleman help, help, o, help! edgar what kind of help? albany speak, man. edgar what means that bloody knife? gentleman 'tis hot, it smokes; it came even from the heart of--o, she's dead! albany who dead? speak, man. gentleman your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister by her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it. edmund i was contracted to them both: all three now marry in an instant. edgar here comes kent. albany produce their bodies, be they alive or dead: this judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, touches us not with pity. [exit gentleman] [enter kent] o, is this he? the time will not allow the compliment which very manners urges. kent i am come to bid my king and master aye good night: is he not here? albany great thing of us forgot! speak, edmund, where's the king? and where's cordelia? see'st thou this object, kent? [the bodies of goneril and regan are brought in] kent alack, why thus? edmund yet edmund was beloved: the one the other poison'd for my sake, and after slew herself. albany even so. cover their faces. edmund i pant for life: some good i mean to do, despite of mine own nature. quickly send, be brief in it, to the castle; for my writ is on the life of lear and on cordelia: nay, send in time. albany run, run, o, run! edgar to who, my lord? who hath the office? send thy token of reprieve. edmund well thought on: take my sword, give it the captain. albany haste thee, for thy life. [exit edgar] edmund he hath commission from thy wife and me to hang cordelia in the prison, and to lay the blame upon her own despair, that she fordid herself. albany the gods defend her! bear him hence awhile. [edmund is borne off] [re-enter king lear, with cordelia dead in his arms; edgar, captain, and others following] king lear howl, howl, howl, howl! o, you are men of stones: had i your tongues and eyes, i'ld use them so that heaven's vault should crack. she's gone for ever! i know when one is dead, and when one lives; she's dead as earth. lend me a looking-glass; if that her breath will mist or stain the stone, why, then she lives. kent is this the promised end edgar or image of that horror? albany fall, and cease! king lear this feather stirs; she lives! if it be so, it is a chance which does redeem all sorrows that ever i have felt. kent [kneeling] o my good master! king lear prithee, away. edgar 'tis noble kent, your friend. king lear a plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! i might have saved her; now she's gone for ever! cordelia, cordelia! stay a little. ha! what is't thou say'st? her voice was ever soft, gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman. i kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee. captain 'tis true, my lords, he did. king lear did i not, fellow? i have seen the day, with my good biting falchion i would have made them skip: i am old now, and these same crosses spoil me. who are you? mine eyes are not o' the best: i'll tell you straight. kent if fortune brag of two she loved and hated, one of them we behold. king lear this is a dull sight. are you not kent? kent the same, your servant kent: where is your servant caius? king lear he's a good fellow, i can tell you that; he'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten. kent no, my good lord; i am the very man,- king lear i'll see that straight. kent that, from your first of difference and decay, have follow'd your sad steps. king lear you are welcome hither. kent nor no man else: all's cheerless, dark, and deadly. your eldest daughters have fordone them selves, and desperately are dead. king lear ay, so i think. albany he knows not what he says: and vain it is that we present us to him. edgar very bootless. [enter a captain] captain edmund is dead, my lord. albany that's but a trifle here. you lords and noble friends, know our intent. what comfort to this great decay may come shall be applied: for us we will resign, during the life of this old majesty, to him our absolute power: [to edgar and kent] you, to your rights: with boot, and such addition as your honours have more than merited. all friends shall taste the wages of their virtue, and all foes the cup of their deservings. o, see, see! king lear and my poor fool is hang'd! no, no, no life! why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, and thou no breath at all? thou'lt come no more, never, never, never, never, never! pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir. do you see this? look on her, look, her lips, look there, look there! [dies] edgar he faints! my lord, my lord! kent break, heart; i prithee, break! edgar look up, my lord. kent vex not his ghost: o, let him pass! he hates him much that would upon the rack of this tough world stretch him out longer. edgar he is gone, indeed. kent the wonder is, he hath endured so long: he but usurp'd his life. albany bear them from hence. our present business is general woe. [to kent and edgar] friends of my soul, you twain rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain. kent i have a journey, sir, shortly to go; my master calls me, i must not say no. albany the weight of this sad time we must obey; speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. the oldest hath borne most: we that are young shall never see so much, nor live so long. [exeunt, with a dead march] cymbeline dramatis personae cymbeline king of britain. cloten son to the queen by a former husband. posthumus leonatus a gentleman, husband to imogen. belarius a banished lord, disguised under the name of morgan. guiderius | sons to cymbeline, disguised under the names | of polydote and cadwal, supposed sons to arviragus | morgan. philario friend to posthumus, | | italians. iachimo friend to philario, | caius lucius general of the roman forces. pisanio servant to posthumus. cornelius a physician. a roman captain. (captain:) two british captains. (first captain:) (second captain:) a frenchman, friend to philario. (frenchman:) two lords of cymbeline's court. (first lord:) (second lord:) two gentlemen of the same. (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) two gaolers. (first gaoler:) (second gaoler:) queen wife to cymbeline. imogen daughter to cymbeline by a former queen. helen a lady attending on imogen. lords, ladies, roman senators, tribunes, a soothsayer, a dutchman, a spaniard, musicians, officers, captains, soldiers, messengers, and other attendants. (lord:) (lady:) (first lady:) (first senator:) (second senator:) (first tribune:) (soothsayer:) (messenger:) apparitions. (sicilius leonatus:) (mother:) (first brother:) (second brother:) (jupiter:) scene britain; rome. cymbeline act i scene i britain. the garden of cymbeline's palace. [enter two gentlemen] first gentleman you do not meet a man but frowns: our bloods no more obey the heavens than our courtiers still seem as does the king. second gentleman but what's the matter? first gentleman his daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom he purposed to his wife's sole son--a widow that late he married--hath referr'd herself unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded; her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all is outward sorrow; though i think the king be touch'd at very heart. second gentleman none but the king? first gentleman he that hath lost her too; so is the queen, that most desired the match; but not a courtier, although they wear their faces to the bent of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not glad at the thing they scowl at. second gentleman and why so? first gentleman he that hath miss'd the princess is a thing too bad for bad report: and he that hath her- i mean, that married her, alack, good man! and therefore banish'd--is a creature such as, to seek through the regions of the earth for one his like, there would be something failing in him that should compare. i do not think so fair an outward and such stuff within endows a man but he. second gentleman you speak him far. first gentleman i do extend him, sir, within himself, crush him together rather than unfold his measure duly. second gentleman what's his name and birth? first gentleman i cannot delve him to the root: his father was call'd sicilius, who did join his honour against the romans with cassibelan, but had his titles by tenantius whom he served with glory and admired success, so gain'd the sur-addition leonatus; and had, besides this gentleman in question, two other sons, who in the wars o' the time died with their swords in hand; for which their father, then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow that he quit being, and his gentle lady, big of this gentleman our theme, deceased as he was born. the king he takes the babe to his protection, calls him posthumus leonatus, breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber, puts to him all the learnings that his time could make him the receiver of; which he took, as we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd, and in's spring became a harvest, lived in court- which rare it is to do--most praised, most loved, a sample to the youngest, to the more mature a glass that feated them, and to the graver a child that guided dotards; to his mistress, for whom he now is banish'd, her own price proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue; by her election may be truly read what kind of man he is. second gentleman i honour him even out of your report. but, pray you, tell me, is she sole child to the king? first gentleman his only child. he had two sons: if this be worth your hearing, mark it: the eldest of them at three years old, i' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge which way they went. second gentleman how long is this ago? first gentleman some twenty years. second gentleman that a king's children should be so convey'd, so slackly guarded, and the search so slow, that could not trace them! first gentleman howsoe'er 'tis strange, or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, yet is it true, sir. second gentleman i do well believe you. first gentleman we must forbear: here comes the gentleman, the queen, and princess. [exeunt] [enter the queen, posthumus leonatus, and imogen] queen no, be assured you shall not find me, daughter, after the slander of most stepmothers, evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but your gaoler shall deliver you the keys that lock up your restraint. for you, posthumus, so soon as i can win the offended king, i will be known your advocate: marry, yet the fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good you lean'd unto his sentence with what patience your wisdom may inform you. posthumus leonatus please your highness, i will from hence to-day. queen you know the peril. i'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying the pangs of barr'd affections, though the king hath charged you should not speak together. [exit] imogen o dissembling courtesy! how fine this tyrant can tickle where she wounds! my dearest husband, i something fear my father's wrath; but nothing- always reserved my holy duty--what his rage can do on me: you must be gone; and i shall here abide the hourly shot of angry eyes, not comforted to live, but that there is this jewel in the world that i may see again. posthumus leonatus my queen! my mistress! o lady, weep no more, lest i give cause to be suspected of more tenderness than doth become a man. i will remain the loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth: my residence in rome at one philario's, who to my father was a friend, to me known but by letter: thither write, my queen, and with mine eyes i'll drink the words you send, though ink be made of gall. [re-enter queen] queen be brief, i pray you: if the king come, i shall incur i know not how much of his displeasure. [aside] yet i'll move him to walk this way: i never do him wrong, but he does buy my injuries, to be friends; pays dear for my offences. [exit] posthumus leonatus should we be taking leave as long a term as yet we have to live, the loathness to depart would grow. adieu! imogen nay, stay a little: were you but riding forth to air yourself, such parting were too petty. look here, love; this diamond was my mother's: take it, heart; but keep it till you woo another wife, when imogen is dead. posthumus leonatus how, how! another? you gentle gods, give me but this i have, and sear up my embracements from a next with bonds of death! [putting on the ring] remain, remain thou here while sense can keep it on. and, sweetest, fairest, as i my poor self did exchange for you, to your so infinite loss, so in our trifles i still win of you: for my sake wear this; it is a manacle of love; i'll place it upon this fairest prisoner. [putting a bracelet upon her arm] imogen o the gods! when shall we see again? [enter cymbeline and lords] posthumus leonatus alack, the king! cymbeline thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! if after this command thou fraught the court with thy unworthiness, thou diest: away! thou'rt poison to my blood. posthumus leonatus the gods protect you! and bless the good remainders of the court! i am gone. [exit] imogen there cannot be a pinch in death more sharp than this is. cymbeline o disloyal thing, that shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st a year's age on me. imogen i beseech you, sir, harm not yourself with your vexation i am senseless of your wrath; a touch more rare subdues all pangs, all fears. cymbeline past grace? obedience? imogen past hope, and in despair; that way, past grace. cymbeline that mightst have had the sole son of my queen! imogen o blest, that i might not! i chose an eagle, and did avoid a puttock. cymbeline thou took'st a beggar; wouldst have made my throne a seat for baseness. imogen no; i rather added a lustre to it. cymbeline o thou vile one! imogen sir, it is your fault that i have loved posthumus: you bred him as my playfellow, and he is a man worth any woman, overbuys me almost the sum he pays. cymbeline what, art thou mad? imogen almost, sir: heaven restore me! would i were a neat-herd's daughter, and my leonatus our neighbour shepherd's son! cymbeline thou foolish thing! [re-enter queen] they were again together: you have done not after our command. away with her, and pen her up. queen beseech your patience. peace, dear lady daughter, peace! sweet sovereign, leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some comfort out of your best advice. cymbeline nay, let her languish a drop of blood a day; and, being aged, die of this folly! [exeunt cymbeline and lords] queen fie! you must give way. [enter pisanio] here is your servant. how now, sir! what news? pisanio my lord your son drew on my master. queen ha! no harm, i trust, is done? pisanio there might have been, but that my master rather play'd than fought and had no help of anger: they were parted by gentlemen at hand. queen i am very glad on't. imogen your son's my father's friend; he takes his part. to draw upon an exile! o brave sir! i would they were in afric both together; myself by with a needle, that i might prick the goer-back. why came you from your master? pisanio on his command: he would not suffer me to bring him to the haven; left these notes of what commands i should be subject to, when 't pleased you to employ me. queen this hath been your faithful servant: i dare lay mine honour he will remain so. pisanio i humbly thank your highness. queen pray, walk awhile. imogen about some half-hour hence, i pray you, speak with me: you shall at least go see my lord aboard: for this time leave me. [exeunt] cymbeline act i scene ii the same. a public place. [enter cloten and two lords] first lord sir, i would advise you to shift a shirt; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice: where air comes out, air comes in: there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. cloten if my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. have i hurt him? second lord [aside] no, 'faith; not so much as his patience. first lord hurt him! his body's a passable carcass, if he be not hurt: it is a thoroughfare for steel, if it be not hurt. second lord [aside] his steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town. cloten the villain would not stand me. second lord [aside] no; but he fled forward still, toward your face. first lord stand you! you have land enough of your own: but he added to your having; gave you some ground. second lord [aside] as many inches as you have oceans. puppies! cloten i would they had not come between us. second lord [aside] so would i, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground. cloten and that she should love this fellow and refuse me! second lord [aside] if it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned. first lord sir, as i told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: she's a good sign, but i have seen small reflection of her wit. second lord [aside] she shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her. cloten come, i'll to my chamber. would there had been some hurt done! second lord [aside] i wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. cloten you'll go with us? first lord i'll attend your lordship. cloten nay, come, let's go together. second lord well, my lord. [exeunt] cymbeline act i scene iii a room in cymbeline's palace. [enter imogen and pisanio] imogen i would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven, and question'dst every sail: if he should write and not have it, 'twere a paper lost, as offer'd mercy is. what was the last that he spake to thee? pisanio it was his queen, his queen! imogen then waved his handkerchief? pisanio and kiss'd it, madam. imogen senseless linen! happier therein than i! and that was all? pisanio no, madam; for so long as he could make me with this eye or ear distinguish him from others, he did keep the deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief, still waving, as the fits and stirs of 's mind could best express how slow his soul sail'd on, how swift his ship. imogen thou shouldst have made him as little as a crow, or less, ere left to after-eye him. pisanio madam, so i did. imogen i would have broke mine eye-strings; crack'd them, but to look upon him, till the diminution of space had pointed him sharp as my needle, nay, follow'd him, till he had melted from the smallness of a gnat to air, and then have turn'd mine eye and wept. but, good pisanio, when shall we hear from him? pisanio be assured, madam, with his next vantage. imogen i did not take my leave of him, but had most pretty things to say: ere i could tell him how i would think on him at certain hours such thoughts and such, or i could make him swear the shes of italy should not betray mine interest and his honour, or have charged him, at the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, to encounter me with orisons, for then i am in heaven for him; or ere i could give him that parting kiss which i had set betwixt two charming words, comes in my father and like the tyrannous breathing of the north shakes all our buds from growing. [enter a lady] lady the queen, madam, desires your highness' company. imogen those things i bid you do, get them dispatch'd. i will attend the queen. pisanio madam, i shall. [exeunt] cymbeline act i scene iv rome. philario's house. [enter philario, iachimo, a frenchman, a dutchman, and a spaniard] iachimo believe it, sir, i have seen him in britain: he was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of; but i could then have looked on him without the help of admiration, though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side and i to peruse him by items. philario you speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him both without and within. frenchman i have seen him in france: we had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he. iachimo this matter of marrying his king's daughter, wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own, words him, i doubt not, a great deal from the matter. frenchman and then his banishment. iachimo ay, and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully to extend him; be it but to fortify her judgment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar without less quality. but how comes it he is to sojourn with you? how creeps acquaintance? philario his father and i were soldiers together; to whom i have been often bound for no less than my life. here comes the briton: let him be so entertained amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his quality. [enter posthumus leonatus] i beseech you all, be better known to this gentleman; whom i commend to you as a noble friend of mine: how worthy he is i will leave to appear hereafter, rather than story him in his own hearing. frenchman sir, we have known together in orleans. posthumus leonatus since when i have been debtor to you for courtesies, which i will be ever to pay and yet pay still. frenchman sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: i was glad i did atone my countryman and you; it had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. posthumus leonatus by your pardon, sir, i was then a young traveller; rather shunned to go even with what i heard than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences: but upon my mended judgment--if i offend not to say it is mended--my quarrel was not altogether slight. frenchman 'faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement of swords, and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other, or have fallen both. iachimo can we, with manners, ask what was the difference? frenchman safely, i think: 'twas a contention in public, which may, without contradiction, suffer the report. it was much like an argument that fell out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses; this gentleman at that time vouching--and upon warrant of bloody affirmation--his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, constant-qualified and less attemptable than any the rarest of our ladies in france. iachimo that lady is not now living, or this gentleman's opinion by this worn out. posthumus leonatus she holds her virtue still and i my mind. iachimo you must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of italy. posthumus leonatus being so far provoked as i was in france, i would abate her nothing, though i profess myself her adorer, not her friend. iachimo as fair and as good--a kind of hand-in-hand comparison--had been something too fair and too good for any lady in britain. if she went before others i have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many i have beheld. i could not but believe she excelled many: but i have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. posthumus leonatus i praised her as i rated her: so do i my stone. iachimo what do you esteem it at? posthumus leonatus more than the world enjoys. iachimo either your unparagoned mistress is dead, or she's outprized by a trifle. posthumus leonatus you are mistaken: the one may be sold, or given, if there were wealth enough for the purchase, or merit for the gift: the other is not a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. iachimo which the gods have given you? posthumus leonatus which, by their graces, i will keep. iachimo you may wear her in title yours: but, you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. your ring may be stolen too: so your brace of unprizable estimations; the one is but frail and the other casual; a cunning thief, or a that way accomplished courtier, would hazard the winning both of first and last. posthumus leonatus your italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress, if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. i do nothing doubt you have store of thieves; notwithstanding, i fear not my ring. philario let us leave here, gentlemen. posthumus leonatus sir, with all my heart. this worthy signior, i thank him, makes no stranger of me; we are familiar at first. iachimo with five times so much conversation, i should get ground of your fair mistress, make her go back, even to the yielding, had i admittance and opportunity to friend. posthumus leonatus no, no. iachimo i dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'ervalues it something: but i make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation: and, to bar your offence herein too, i durst attempt it against any lady in the world. posthumus leonatus you are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion; and i doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of by your attempt. iachimo what's that? posthumus leonatus a repulse: though your attempt, as you call it, deserve more; a punishment too. philario gentlemen, enough of this: it came in too suddenly; let it die as it was born, and, i pray you, be better acquainted. iachimo would i had put my estate and my neighbour's on the approbation of what i have spoke! posthumus leonatus what lady would you choose to assail? iachimo yours; whom in constancy you think stands so safe. i will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring, that, commend me to the court where your lady is, with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference, and i will bring from thence that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved. posthumus leonatus i will wage against your gold, gold to it: my ring i hold dear as my finger; 'tis part of it. iachimo you are afraid, and therein the wiser. if you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting: but i see you have some religion in you, that you fear. posthumus leonatus this is but a custom in your tongue; you bear a graver purpose, i hope. iachimo i am the master of my speeches, and would undergo what's spoken, i swear. posthumus leonatus will you? i shall but lend my diamond till your return: let there be covenants drawn between's: my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking: i dare you to this match: here's my ring. philario i will have it no lay. iachimo by the gods, it is one. if i bring you no sufficient testimony that i have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your diamond too: if i come off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold are yours: provided i have your commendation for my more free entertainment. posthumus leonatus i embrace these conditions; let us have articles betwixt us. only, thus far you shall answer: if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand you have prevailed, i am no further your enemy; she is not worth our debate: if she remain unseduced, you not making it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion and the assault you have made to her chastity you shall answer me with your sword. iachimo your hand; a covenant: we will have these things set down by lawful counsel, and straight away for britain, lest the bargain should catch cold and starve: i will fetch my gold and have our two wagers recorded. posthumus leonatus agreed. [exeunt posthumus leonatus and iachimo] frenchman will this hold, think you? philario signior iachimo will not from it. pray, let us follow 'em. [exeunt] cymbeline act i scene v britain. a room in cymbeline's palace. [enter queen, ladies, and cornelius] queen whiles yet the dew's on ground, gather those flowers; make haste: who has the note of them? first lady i, madam. queen dispatch. [exeunt ladies] now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs? cornelius pleaseth your highness, ay: here they are, madam: [presenting a small box] but i beseech your grace, without offence,- my conscience bids me ask--wherefore you have commanded of me those most poisonous compounds, which are the movers of a languishing death; but though slow, deadly? queen i wonder, doctor, thou ask'st me such a question. have i not been thy pupil long? hast thou not learn'd me how to make perfumes? distil? preserve? yea, so that our great king himself doth woo me oft for my confections? having thus far proceeded,- unless thou think'st me devilish--is't not meet that i did amplify my judgment in other conclusions? i will try the forces of these thy compounds on such creatures as we count not worth the hanging, but none human, to try the vigour of them and apply allayments to their act, and by them gather their several virtues and effects. cornelius your highness shall from this practise but make hard your heart: besides, the seeing these effects will be both noisome and infectious. queen o, content thee. [enter pisanio] [aside] here comes a flattering rascal; upon him will i first work: he's for his master, an enemy to my son. how now, pisanio! doctor, your service for this time is ended; take your own way. cornelius [aside] i do suspect you, madam; but you shall do no harm. queen [to pisanio] hark thee, a word. cornelius [aside] i do not like her. she doth think she has strange lingering poisons: i do know her spirit, and will not trust one of her malice with a drug of such damn'd nature. those she has will stupefy and dull the sense awhile; which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats and dogs, then afterward up higher: but there is no danger in what show of death it makes, more than the locking-up the spirits a time, to be more fresh, reviving. she is fool'd with a most false effect; and i the truer, so to be false with her. queen no further service, doctor, until i send for thee. cornelius i humbly take my leave. [exit] queen weeps she still, say'st thou? dost thou think in time she will not quench and let instructions enter where folly now possesses? do thou work: when thou shalt bring me word she loves my son, i'll tell thee on the instant thou art then as great as is thy master, greater, for his fortunes all lie speechless and his name is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor continue where he is: to shift his being is to exchange one misery with another, and every day that comes comes to decay a day's work in him. what shalt thou expect, to be depender on a thing that leans, who cannot be new built, nor has no friends, so much as but to prop him? [the queen drops the box: pisanio takes it up] thou takest up thou know'st not what; but take it for thy labour: it is a thing i made, which hath the king five times redeem'd from death: i do not know what is more cordial. nay, i prethee, take it; it is an earnest of a further good that i mean to thee. tell thy mistress how the case stands with her; do't as from thyself. think what a chance thou changest on, but think thou hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son, who shall take notice of thee: i'll move the king to any shape of thy preferment such as thou'lt desire; and then myself, i chiefly, that set thee on to this desert, am bound to load thy merit richly. call my women: think on my words. [exit pisanio] a sly and constant knave, not to be shaked; the agent for his master and the remembrancer of her to hold the hand-fast to her lord. i have given him that which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her of liegers for her sweet, and which she after, except she bend her humour, shall be assured to taste of too. [re-enter pisanio and ladies] so, so: well done, well done: the violets, cowslips, and the primroses, bear to my closet. fare thee well, pisanio; think on my words. [exeunt queen and ladies] pisanio and shall do: but when to my good lord i prove untrue, i'll choke myself: there's all i'll do for you. [exit] cymbeline act i scene vi the same. another room in the palace. [enter imogen] imogen a father cruel, and a step-dame false; a foolish suitor to a wedded lady, that hath her husband banish'd;--o, that husband! my supreme crown of grief! and those repeated vexations of it! had i been thief-stol'n, as my two brothers, happy! but most miserable is the desire that's glorious: blest be those, how mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, which seasons comfort. who may this be? fie! [enter pisanio and iachimo] pisanio madam, a noble gentleman of rome, comes from my lord with letters. iachimo change you, madam? the worthy leonatus is in safety and greets your highness dearly. [presents a letter] imogen thanks, good sir: you're kindly welcome. iachimo [aside] all of her that is out of door most rich! if she be furnish'd with a mind so rare, she is alone the arabian bird, and i have lost the wager. boldness be my friend! arm me, audacity, from head to foot! or, like the parthian, i shall flying fight; rather directly fly. imogen [reads] 'he is one of the noblest note, to whose kindnesses i am most infinitely tied. reflect upon him accordingly, as you value your trust- leonatus.' so far i read aloud: but even the very middle of my heart is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully. you are as welcome, worthy sir, as i have words to bid you, and shall find it so in all that i can do. iachimo thanks, fairest lady. what, are men mad? hath nature given them eyes to see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt the fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones upon the number'd beach? and can we not partition make with spectacles so precious 'twixt fair and foul? imogen what makes your admiration? iachimo it cannot be i' the eye, for apes and monkeys 'twixt two such shes would chatter this way and contemn with mows the other; nor i' the judgment, for idiots in this case of favour would be wisely definite; nor i' the appetite; sluttery to such neat excellence opposed should make desire vomit emptiness, not so allured to feed. imogen what is the matter, trow? iachimo the cloyed will, that satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb longs after for the garbage. imogen what, dear sir, thus raps you? are you well? iachimo thanks, madam; well. [to pisanio] beseech you, sir, desire my man's abode where i did leave him: he is strange and peevish. pisanio i was going, sir, to give him welcome. [exit] imogen continues well my lord? his health, beseech you? iachimo well, madam. imogen is he disposed to mirth? i hope he is. iachimo exceeding pleasant; none a stranger there so merry and so gamesome: he is call'd the briton reveller. imogen when he was here, he did incline to sadness, and oft-times not knowing why. iachimo i never saw him sad. there is a frenchman his companion, one an eminent monsieur, that, it seems, much loves a gallian girl at home; he furnaces the thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly briton- your lord, i mean--laughs from's free lungs, cries 'o, can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows by history, report, or his own proof, what woman is, yea, what she cannot choose but must be, will his free hours languish for assured bondage?' imogen will my lord say so? iachimo ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with laughter: it is a recreation to be by and hear him mock the frenchman. but, heavens know, some men are much to blame. imogen not he, i hope. iachimo not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards him might be used more thankfully. in himself, 'tis much; in you, which i account his beyond all talents, whilst i am bound to wonder, i am bound to pity too. imogen what do you pity, sir? iachimo two creatures heartily. imogen am i one, sir? you look on me: what wreck discern you in me deserves your pity? iachimo lamentable! what, to hide me from the radiant sun and solace i' the dungeon by a snuff? imogen i pray you, sir, deliver with more openness your answers to my demands. why do you pity me? iachimo that others do- i was about to say--enjoy your--but it is an office of the gods to venge it, not mine to speak on 't. imogen you do seem to know something of me, or what concerns me: pray you,- since doubling things go ill often hurts more than to be sure they do; for certainties either are past remedies, or, timely knowing, the remedy then born--discover to me what both you spur and stop. iachimo had i this cheek to bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch, whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul to the oath of loyalty; this object, which takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye, fixing it only here; should i, damn'd then, slaver with lips as common as the stairs that mount the capitol; join gripes with hands made hard with hourly falsehood--falsehood, as with labour; then by-peeping in an eye base and unlustrous as the smoky light that's fed with stinking tallow; it were fit that all the plagues of hell should at one time encounter such revolt. imogen my lord, i fear, has forgot britain. iachimo and himself. not i, inclined to this intelligence, pronounce the beggary of his change; but 'tis your graces that from pay mutest conscience to my tongue charms this report out. imogen let me hear no more. iachimo o dearest soul! your cause doth strike my heart with pity, that doth make me sick. a lady so fair, and fasten'd to an empery, would make the great'st king double,--to be partner'd with tomboys hired with that self-exhibition which your own coffers yield! with diseased ventures that play with all infirmities for gold which rottenness can lend nature! such boil'd stuff as well might poison poison! be revenged; or she that bore you was no queen, and you recoil from your great stock. imogen revenged! how should i be revenged? if this be true,- as i have such a heart that both mine ears must not in haste abuse--if it be true, how should i be revenged? iachimo should he make me live, like diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets, whiles he is vaulting variable ramps, in your despite, upon your purse? revenge it. i dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure, more noble than that runagate to your bed, and will continue fast to your affection, still close as sure. imogen what, ho, pisanio! iachimo let me my service tender on your lips. imogen away! i do condemn mine ears that have so long attended thee. if thou wert honourable, thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not for such an end thou seek'st,--as base as strange. thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far from thy report as thou from honour, and solicit'st here a lady that disdains thee and the devil alike. what ho, pisanio! the king my father shall be made acquainted of thy assault: if he shall think it fit, a saucy stranger in his court to mart as in a romish stew and to expound his beastly mind to us, he hath a court he little cares for and a daughter who he not respects at all. what, ho, pisanio! iachimo o happy leonatus! i may say the credit that thy lady hath of thee deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness her assured credit. blessed live you long! a lady to the worthiest sir that ever country call'd his! and you his mistress, only for the most worthiest fit! give me your pardon. i have spoke this, to know if your affiance were deeply rooted; and shall make your lord, that which he is, new o'er: and he is one the truest manner'd; such a holy witch that he enchants societies into him; half all men's hearts are his. imogen you make amends. iachimo he sits 'mongst men like a descended god: he hath a kind of honour sets him off, more than a mortal seeming. be not angry, most mighty princess, that i have adventured to try your taking a false report; which hath honour'd with confirmation your great judgment in the election of a sir so rare, which you know cannot err: the love i bear him made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you, unlike all others, chaffless. pray, your pardon. imogen all's well, sir: take my power i' the court for yours. iachimo my humble thanks. i had almost forgot to entreat your grace but in a small request, and yet of moment to, for it concerns your lord; myself and other noble friends, are partners in the business. imogen pray, what is't? iachimo some dozen romans of us and your lord- the best feather of our wing--have mingled sums to buy a present for the emperor which i, the factor for the rest, have done in france: 'tis plate of rare device, and jewels of rich and exquisite form; their values great; and i am something curious, being strange, to have them in safe stowage: may it please you to take them in protection? imogen willingly; and pawn mine honour for their safety: since my lord hath interest in them, i will keep them in my bedchamber. iachimo they are in a trunk, attended by my men: i will make bold to send them to you, only for this night; i must aboard to-morrow. imogen o, no, no. iachimo yes, i beseech; or i shall short my word by lengthening my return. from gallia i cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise to see your grace. imogen i thank you for your pains: but not away to-morrow! iachimo o, i must, madam: therefore i shall beseech you, if you please to greet your lord with writing, do't to-night: i have outstood my time; which is material to the tender of our present. imogen i will write. send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept, and truly yielded you. you're very welcome. [exeunt] cymbeline act ii scene i britain. before cymbeline's palace. [enter cloten and two lords] cloten was there ever man had such luck! when i kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! i had a hundred pound on't: and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if i borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure. first lord what got he by that? you have broke his pate with your bowl. second lord [aside] if his wit had been like him that broke it, it would have run all out. cloten when a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha? second lord no my lord; [aside] nor crop the ears of them. cloten whoreson dog! i give him satisfaction? would he had been one of my rank! second lord [aside] to have smelt like a fool. cloten i am not vexed more at any thing in the earth: a pox on't! i had rather not be so noble as i am; they dare not fight with me, because of the queen my mother: every jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting, and i must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match. second lord [aside] you are cock and capon too; and you crow, cock, with your comb on. cloten sayest thou? second lord it is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to. cloten no, i know that: but it is fit i should commit offence to my inferiors. second lord ay, it is fit for your lordship only. cloten why, so i say. first lord did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night? cloten a stranger, and i not know on't! second lord [aside] he's a strange fellow himself, and knows it not. first lord there's an italian come; and, 'tis thought, one of leonatus' friends. cloten leonatus! a banished rascal; and he's another, whatsoever he be. who told you of this stranger? first lord one of your lordship's pages. cloten is it fit i went to look upon him? is there no derogation in't? second lord you cannot derogate, my lord. cloten not easily, i think. second lord [aside] you are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate. cloten come, i'll go see this italian: what i have lost to-day at bowls i'll win to-night of him. come, go. second lord i'll attend your lordship. [exeunt cloten and first lord] that such a crafty devil as is his mother should yield the world this ass! a woman that bears all down with her brain; and this her son cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, and leave eighteen. alas, poor princess, thou divine imogen, what thou endurest, betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd, a mother hourly coining plots, a wooer more hateful than the foul expulsion is of thy dear husband, than that horrid act of the divorce he'ld make! the heavens hold firm the walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked that temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand, to enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land! [exit] cymbeline act ii scene ii imogen's bedchamber in cymbeline's palace: a trunk in one corner of it. [imogen in bed, reading; a lady attending] imogen who's there? my woman helen? lady please you, madam imogen what hour is it? lady almost midnight, madam. imogen i have read three hours then: mine eyes are weak: fold down the leaf where i have left: to bed: take not away the taper, leave it burning; and if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, i prithee, call me. sleep hath seized me wholly [exit lady] to your protection i commend me, gods. from fairies and the tempters of the night guard me, beseech ye. [sleeps. iachimo comes from the trunk] iachimo the crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd sense repairs itself by rest. our tarquin thus did softly press the rushes, ere he waken'd the chastity he wounded. cytherea, how bravely thou becomest thy bed, fresh lily, and whiter than the sheets! that i might touch! but kiss; one kiss! rubies unparagon'd, how dearly they do't! 'tis her breathing that perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o' the taper bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids, to see the enclosed lights, now canopied under these windows, white and azure laced with blue of heaven's own tinct. but my design, to note the chamber: i will write all down: such and such pictures; there the window; such the adornment of her bed; the arras; figures, why, such and such; and the contents o' the story. ah, but some natural notes about her body, above ten thousand meaner moveables would testify, to enrich mine inventory. o sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her! and be her sense but as a monument, thus in a chapel lying! come off, come off: [taking off her bracelet] as slippery as the gordian knot was hard! 'tis mine; and this will witness outwardly, as strongly as the conscience does within, to the madding of her lord. on her left breast a mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops i' the bottom of a cowslip: here's a voucher, stronger than ever law could make: this secret will force him think i have pick'd the lock and ta'en the treasure of her honour. no more. to what end? why should i write this down, that's riveted, screw'd to my memory? she hath been reading late the tale of tereus; here the leaf's turn'd down where philomel gave up. i have enough: to the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning may bare the raven's eye! i lodge in fear; though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. [clock strikes] one, two, three: time, time! [goes into the trunk. the scene closes] cymbeline act ii scene iii an ante-chamber adjoining imogen's apartments. [enter cloten and lords] first lord your lordship is the most patient man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up ace. cloten it would make any man cold to lose. first lord but not every man patient after the noble temper of your lordship. you are most hot and furious when you win. cloten winning will put any man into courage. if i could get this foolish imogen, i should have gold enough. it's almost morning, is't not? first lord day, my lord. cloten i would this music would come: i am advised to give her music o' mornings; they say it will penetrate. [enter musicians] come on; tune: if you can penetrate her with your fingering, so; we'll try with tongue too: if none will do, let her remain; but i'll never give o'er. first, a very excellent good-conceited thing; after, a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words to it: and then let her consider. [song] hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, and phoebus 'gins arise, his steeds to water at those springs on chaliced flowers that lies; and winking mary-buds begin to ope their golden eyes: with every thing that pretty is, my lady sweet, arise: arise, arise. cloten so, get you gone. if this penetrate, i will consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and calves'-guts, nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never amend. [exeunt musicians] second lord here comes the king. cloten i am glad i was up so late; for that's the reason i was up so early: he cannot choose but take this service i have done fatherly. [enter cymbeline and queen] good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother. cymbeline attend you here the door of our stern daughter? will she not forth? cloten i have assailed her with music, but she vouchsafes no notice. cymbeline the exile of her minion is too new; she hath not yet forgot him: some more time must wear the print of his remembrance out, and then she's yours. queen you are most bound to the king, who lets go by no vantages that may prefer you to his daughter. frame yourself to orderly soliciting, and be friended with aptness of the season; make denials increase your services; so seem as if you were inspired to do those duties which you tender to her; that you in all obey her, save when command to your dismission tends, and therein you are senseless. cloten senseless! not so. [enter a messenger] messenger so like you, sir, ambassadors from rome; the one is caius lucius. cymbeline a worthy fellow, albeit he comes on angry purpose now; but that's no fault of his: we must receive him according to the honour of his sender; and towards himself, his goodness forespent on us, we must extend our notice. our dear son, when you have given good morning to your mistress, attend the queen and us; we shall have need to employ you towards this roman. come, our queen. [exeunt all but cloten] cloten if she be up, i'll speak with her; if not, let her lie still and dream. [knocks] by your leave, ho! i know her women are about her: what if i do line one of their hands? 'tis gold which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and makes diana's rangers false themselves, yield up their deer to the stand o' the stealer; and 'tis gold which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief; nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man: what can it not do and undo? i will make one of her women lawyer to me, for i yet not understand the case myself. [knocks] by your leave. [enter a lady] lady who's there that knocks? cloten a gentleman. lady no more? cloten yes, and a gentlewoman's son. lady that's more than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours, can justly boast of. what's your lordship's pleasure? cloten your lady's person: is she ready? lady ay, to keep her chamber. cloten there is gold for you; sell me your good report. lady how! my good name? or to report of you what i shall think is good?--the princess! [enter imogen] cloten good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet hand. [exit lady] imogen good morrow, sir. you lay out too much pains for purchasing but trouble; the thanks i give is telling you that i am poor of thanks and scarce can spare them. cloten still, i swear i love you. imogen if you but said so, 'twere as deep with me: if you swear still, your recompense is still that i regard it not. cloten this is no answer. imogen but that you shall not say i yield being silent, i would not speak. i pray you, spare me: 'faith, i shall unfold equal discourtesy to your best kindness: one of your great knowing should learn, being taught, forbearance. cloten to leave you in your madness, 'twere my sin: i will not. imogen fools are not mad folks. cloten do you call me fool? imogen as i am mad, i do: if you'll be patient, i'll no more be mad; that cures us both. i am much sorry, sir, you put me to forget a lady's manners, by being so verbal: and learn now, for all, that i, which know my heart, do here pronounce, by the very truth of it, i care not for you, and am so near the lack of charity- to accuse myself--i hate you; which i had rather you felt than make't my boast. cloten you sin against obedience, which you owe your father. for the contract you pretend with that base wretch, one bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes, with scraps o' the court, it is no contract, none: and though it be allow'd in meaner parties- yet who than he more mean?--to knit their souls, on whom there is no more dependency but brats and beggary, in self-figured knot; yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by the consequence o' the crown, and must not soil the precious note of it with a base slave. a hilding for a livery, a squire's cloth, a pantler, not so eminent. imogen profane fellow wert thou the son of jupiter and no more but what thou art besides, thou wert too base to be his groom: thou wert dignified enough, even to the point of envy, if 'twere made comparative for your virtues, to be styled the under-hangman of his kingdom, and hated for being preferred so well. cloten the south-fog rot him! imogen he never can meet more mischance than come to be but named of thee. his meanest garment, that ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer in my respect than all the hairs above thee, were they all made such men. how now, pisanio! [enter pisanio] cloten 'his garment!' now the devil- imogen to dorothy my woman hie thee presently- cloten 'his garment!' imogen i am sprited with a fool. frighted, and anger'd worse: go bid my woman search for a jewel that too casually hath left mine arm: it was thy master's: 'shrew me, if i would lose it for a revenue of any king's in europe. i do think i saw't this morning: confident i am last night 'twas on mine arm; i kiss'd it: i hope it be not gone to tell my lord that i kiss aught but he. pisanio 'twill not be lost. imogen i hope so: go and search. [exit pisanio] cloten you have abused me: 'his meanest garment!' imogen ay, i said so, sir: if you will make't an action, call witness to't. cloten i will inform your father. imogen your mother too: she's my good lady, and will conceive, i hope, but the worst of me. so, i leave you, sir, to the worst of discontent. [exit] cloten i'll be revenged: 'his meanest garment!' well. [exit] cymbeline act ii scene iv rome. philario's house. [enter posthumus and philario] posthumus leonatus fear it not, sir: i would i were so sure to win the king as i am bold her honour will remain hers. philario what means do you make to him? posthumus leonatus not any, but abide the change of time, quake in the present winter's state and wish that warmer days would come: in these sear'd hopes, i barely gratify your love; they failing, i must die much your debtor. philario your very goodness and your company o'erpays all i can do. by this, your king hath heard of great augustus: caius lucius will do's commission throughly: and i think he'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages, or look upon our romans, whose remembrance is yet fresh in their grief. posthumus leonatus i do believe, statist though i am none, nor like to be, that this will prove a war; and you shall hear the legions now in gallia sooner landed in our not-fearing britain than have tidings of any penny tribute paid. our countrymen are men more order'd than when julius caesar smiled at their lack of skill, but found their courage worthy his frowning at: their discipline, now mingled with their courages, will make known to their approvers they are people such that mend upon the world. [enter iachimo] philario see! iachimo! posthumus leonatus the swiftest harts have posted you by land; and winds of all the comers kiss'd your sails, to make your vessel nimble. philario welcome, sir. posthumus leonatus i hope the briefness of your answer made the speediness of your return. iachimo your lady is one of the fairest that i have look'd upon. posthumus leonatus and therewithal the best; or let her beauty look through a casement to allure false hearts and be false with them. iachimo here are letters for you. posthumus leonatus their tenor good, i trust. iachimo 'tis very like. philario was caius lucius in the britain court when you were there? iachimo he was expected then, but not approach'd. posthumus leonatus all is well yet. sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not too dull for your good wearing? iachimo if i had lost it, i should have lost the worth of it in gold. i'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy a second night of such sweet shortness which was mine in britain, for the ring is won. posthumus leonatus the stone's too hard to come by. iachimo not a whit, your lady being so easy. posthumus leonatus make not, sir, your loss your sport: i hope you know that we must not continue friends. iachimo good sir, we must, if you keep covenant. had i not brought the knowledge of your mistress home, i grant we were to question further: but i now profess myself the winner of her honour, together with your ring; and not the wronger of her or you, having proceeded but by both your wills. posthumus leonatus if you can make't apparent that you have tasted her in bed, my hand and ring is yours; if not, the foul opinion you had of her pure honour gains or loses your sword or mine, or masterless leaves both to who shall find them. iachimo sir, my circumstances, being so near the truth as i will make them, must first induce you to believe: whose strength i will confirm with oath; which, i doubt not, you'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find you need it not. posthumus leonatus proceed. iachimo first, her bedchamber,- where, i confess, i slept not, but profess had that was well worth watching--it was hang'd with tapesty of silk and silver; the story proud cleopatra, when she met her roman, and cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for the press of boats or pride: a piece of work so bravely done, so rich, that it did strive in workmanship and value; which i wonder'd could be so rarely and exactly wrought, since the true life on't was- posthumus leonatus this is true; and this you might have heard of here, by me, or by some other. iachimo more particulars must justify my knowledge. posthumus leonatus so they must, or do your honour injury. iachimo the chimney is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece chaste dian bathing: never saw i figures so likely to report themselves: the cutter was as another nature, dumb; outwent her, motion and breath left out. posthumus leonatus this is a thing which you might from relation likewise reap, being, as it is, much spoke of. iachimo the roof o' the chamber with golden cherubins is fretted: her andirons- i had forgot them--were two winking cupids of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely depending on their brands. posthumus leonatus this is her honour! let it be granted you have seen all this--and praise be given to your remembrance--the description of what is in her chamber nothing saves the wager you have laid. iachimo then, if you can, [showing the bracelet] be pale: i beg but leave to air this jewel; see! and now 'tis up again: it must be married to that your diamond; i'll keep them. posthumus leonatus jove! once more let me behold it: is it that which i left with her? iachimo sir--i thank her--that: she stripp'd it from her arm; i see her yet; her pretty action did outsell her gift, and yet enrich'd it too: she gave it me, and said she prized it once. posthumus leonatus may be she pluck'd it off to send it me. iachimo she writes so to you, doth she? posthumus leonatus o, no, no, no! 'tis true. here, take this too; [gives the ring] it is a basilisk unto mine eye, kills me to look on't. let there be no honour where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love, where there's another man: the vows of women of no more bondage be, to where they are made, than they are to their virtues; which is nothing. o, above measure false! philario have patience, sir, and take your ring again; 'tis not yet won: it may be probable she lost it; or who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, hath stol'n it from her? posthumus leonatus very true; and so, i hope, he came by't. back my ring: render to me some corporal sign about her, more evident than this; for this was stolen. iachimo by jupiter, i had it from her arm. posthumus leonatus hark you, he swears; by jupiter he swears. 'tis true:--nay, keep the ring--'tis true: i am sure she would not lose it: her attendants are all sworn and honourable:--they induced to steal it! and by a stranger!--no, he hath enjoyed her: the cognizance of her incontinency is this: she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly. there, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell divide themselves between you! philario sir, be patient: this is not strong enough to be believed of one persuaded well of- posthumus leonatus never talk on't; she hath been colted by him. iachimo if you seek for further satisfying, under her breast- worthy the pressing--lies a mole, right proud of that most delicate lodging: by my life, i kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger to feed again, though full. you do remember this stain upon her? posthumus leonatus ay, and it doth confirm another stain, as big as hell can hold, were there no more but it. iachimo will you hear more? posthumus leonatus spare your arithmetic: never count the turns; once, and a million! iachimo i'll be sworn- posthumus leonatus no swearing. if you will swear you have not done't, you lie; and i will kill thee, if thou dost deny thou'st made me cuckold. iachimo i'll deny nothing. posthumus leonatus o, that i had her here, to tear her limb-meal! i will go there and do't, i' the court, before her father. i'll do something- [exit] philario quite besides the government of patience! you have won: let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath he hath against himself. iachimo with an my heart. [exeunt] cymbeline act ii scene v another room in philario's house. [enter posthumus leonatus] posthumus leonatus is there no way for men to be but women must be half-workers? we are all bastards; and that most venerable man which i did call my father, was i know not where when i was stamp'd; some coiner with his tools made me a counterfeit: yet my mother seem'd the dian of that time so doth my wife the nonpareil of this. o, vengeance, vengeance! me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd and pray'd me oft forbearance; did it with a pudency so rosy the sweet view on't might well have warm'd old saturn; that i thought her as chaste as unsunn'd snow. o, all the devils! this yellow iachimo, in an hour,--wast not?- or less,--at first?--perchance he spoke not, but, like a full-acorn'd boar, a german one, cried 'o!' and mounted; found no opposition but what he look'd for should oppose and she should from encounter guard. could i find out the woman's part in me! for there's no motion that tends to vice in man, but i affirm it is the woman's part: be it lying, note it, the woman's; flattering, hers; deceiving, hers; lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers; revenges, hers; ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain, nice longing, slanders, mutability, all faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows, why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all; for even to vice they are not constant but are changing still one vice, but of a minute old, for one not half so old as that. i'll write against them, detest them, curse them: yet 'tis greater skill in a true hate, to pray they have their will: the very devils cannot plague them better. [exit] cymbeline act iii scene i britain. a hall in cymbeline's palace. [enter in state, cymbeline, queen, cloten, and lords at one door, and at another, caius lucius and attendants] cymbeline now say, what would augustus caesar with us? caius lucius when julius caesar, whose remembrance yet lives in men's eyes and will to ears and tongues be theme and hearing ever, was in this britain and conquer'd it, cassibelan, thine uncle,- famous in caesar's praises, no whit less than in his feats deserving it--for him and his succession granted rome a tribute, yearly three thousand pounds, which by thee lately is left untender'd. queen and, to kill the marvel, shall be so ever. cloten there be many caesars, ere such another julius. britain is a world by itself; and we will nothing pay for wearing our own noses. queen that opportunity which then they had to take from 's, to resume we have again. remember, sir, my liege, the kings your ancestors, together with the natural bravery of your isle, which stands as neptune's park, ribbed and paled in with rocks unscalable and roaring waters, with sands that will not bear your enemies' boats, but suck them up to the topmast. a kind of conquest caesar made here; but made not here his brag of 'came' and 'saw' and 'overcame: ' with shame- that first that ever touch'd him--he was carried from off our coast, twice beaten; and his shipping- poor ignorant baubles!-upon our terrible seas, like egg-shells moved upon their surges, crack'd as easily 'gainst our rocks: for joy whereof the famed cassibelan, who was once at point- o giglot fortune!--to master caesar's sword, made lud's town with rejoicing fires bright and britons strut with courage. cloten come, there's no more tribute to be paid: our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time; and, as i said, there is no moe such caesars: other of them may have crook'd noses, but to owe such straight arms, none. cymbeline son, let your mother end. cloten we have yet many among us can gripe as hard as cassibelan: i do not say i am one; but i have a hand. why tribute? why should we pay tribute? if caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute for light; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now. cymbeline you must know, till the injurious romans did extort this tribute from us, we were free: caesar's ambition, which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch the sides o' the world, against all colour here did put the yoke upon 's; which to shake off becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon ourselves to be. cloten | | we do. lords | cymbeline say, then, to caesar, our ancestor was that mulmutius which ordain'd our laws, whose use the sword of caesar hath too much mangled; whose repair and franchise shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed, though rome be therefore angry: mulmutius made our laws, who was the first of britain which did put his brows within a golden crown and call'd himself a king. caius lucius i am sorry, cymbeline, that i am to pronounce augustus caesar- caesar, that hath more kings his servants than thyself domestic officers--thine enemy: receive it from me, then: war and confusion in caesar's name pronounce i 'gainst thee: look for fury not to be resisted. thus defied, i thank thee for myself. cymbeline thou art welcome, caius. thy caesar knighted me; my youth i spent much under him; of him i gather'd honour; which he to seek of me again, perforce, behoves me keep at utterance. i am perfect that the pannonians and dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms; a precedent which not to read would show the britons cold: so caesar shall not find them. caius lucius let proof speak. cloten his majesty bids you welcome. make pastime with us a day or two, or longer: if you seek us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in our salt-water girdle: if you beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the better for you; and there's an end. caius lucius so, sir. cymbeline i know your master's pleasure and he mine: all the remain is 'welcome!' [exeunt] cymbeline act iii scene ii another room in the palace. [enter pisanio, with a letter] pisanio how? of adultery? wherefore write you not what monster's her accuser? leonatus, o master! what a strange infection is fall'n into thy ear! what false italian, as poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevail'd on thy too ready hearing? disloyal! no: she's punish'd for her truth, and undergoes, more goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults as would take in some virtue. o my master! thy mind to her is now as low as were thy fortunes. how! that i should murder her? upon the love and truth and vows which i have made to thy command? i, her? her blood? if it be so to do good service, never let me be counted serviceable. how look i, that i should seem to lack humanity so much as this fact comes to? [reading] 'do't: the letter that i have sent her, by her own command shall give thee opportunity.' o damn'd paper! black as the ink that's on thee! senseless bauble, art thou a feodary for this act, and look'st so virgin-like without? lo, here she comes. i am ignorant in what i am commanded. [enter imogen] imogen how now, pisanio! pisanio madam, here is a letter from my lord. imogen who? thy lord? that is my lord, leonatus! o, learn'd indeed were that astronomer that knew the stars as i his characters; he'ld lay the future open. you good gods, let what is here contain'd relish of love, of my lord's health, of his content, yet not that we two are asunder; let that grieve him: some griefs are med'cinable; that is one of them, for it doth physic love: of his content, all but in that! good wax, thy leave. blest be you bees that make these locks of counsel! lovers and men in dangerous bonds pray not alike: though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet you clasp young cupid's tables. good news, gods! [reads] 'justice, and your father's wrath, should he take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to me, as you, o the dearest of creatures, would even renew me with your eyes. take notice that i am in cambria, at milford-haven: what your own love will out of this advise you, follow. so he wishes you all happiness, that remains loyal to his vow, and your, increasing in love, leonatus posthumus.' o, for a horse with wings! hear'st thou, pisanio? he is at milford-haven: read, and tell me how far 'tis thither. if one of mean affairs may plod it in a week, why may not i glide thither in a day? then, true pisanio,- who long'st, like me, to see thy lord; who long'st,- let me bate,-but not like me--yet long'st, but in a fainter kind:--o, not like me; for mine's beyond beyond--say, and speak thick; love's counsellor should fill the bores of hearing, to the smothering of the sense--how far it is to this same blessed milford: and by the way tell me how wales was made so happy as to inherit such a haven: but first of all, how we may steal from hence, and for the gap that we shall make in time, from our hence-going and our return, to excuse: but first, how get hence: why should excuse be born or e'er begot? we'll talk of that hereafter. prithee, speak, how many score of miles may we well ride 'twixt hour and hour? pisanio one score 'twixt sun and sun, madam, 's enough for you: [aside] and too much too. imogen why, one that rode to's execution, man, could never go so slow: i have heard of riding wagers, where horses have been nimbler than the sands that run i' the clock's behalf. but this is foolery: go bid my woman feign a sickness; say she'll home to her father: and provide me presently a riding-suit, no costlier than would fit a franklin's housewife. pisanio madam, you're best consider. imogen i see before me, man: nor here, nor here, nor what ensues, but have a fog in them, that i cannot look through. away, i prithee; do as i bid thee: there's no more to say, accessible is none but milford way. [exeunt] cymbeline act iii scene iii wales: a mountainous country with a cave. [enter, from the cave, belarius; guiderius, and arviragus following] belarius a goodly day not to keep house, with such whose roof's as low as ours! stoop, boys; this gate instructs you how to adore the heavens and bows you to a morning's holy office: the gates of monarchs are arch'd so high that giants may jet through and keep their impious turbans on, without good morrow to the sun. hail, thou fair heaven! we house i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly as prouder livers do. guiderius hail, heaven! arviragus hail, heaven! belarius now for our mountain sport: up to yond hill; your legs are young; i'll tread these flats. consider, when you above perceive me like a crow, that it is place which lessens and sets off; and you may then revolve what tales i have told you of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war: this service is not service, so being done, but being so allow'd: to apprehend thus, draws us a profit from all things we see; and often, to our comfort, shall we find the sharded beetle in a safer hold than is the full-wing'd eagle. o, this life is nobler than attending for a cheque, richer than doing nothing for a bauble, prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk: such gain the cap of him that makes 'em fine, yet keeps his book uncross'd: no life to ours. guiderius out of your proof you speak: we, poor unfledged, have never wing'd from view o' the nest, nor know not what air's from home. haply this life is best, if quiet life be best; sweeter to you that have a sharper known; well corresponding with your stiff age: but unto us it is a cell of ignorance; travelling a-bed; a prison for a debtor, that not dares to stride a limit. arviragus what should we speak of when we are old as you? when we shall hear the rain and wind beat dark december, how, in this our pinching cave, shall we discourse the freezing hours away? we have seen nothing; we are beastly, subtle as the fox for prey, like warlike as the wolf for what we eat; our valour is to chase what flies; our cage we make a quire, as doth the prison'd bird, and sing our bondage freely. belarius how you speak! did you but know the city's usuries and felt them knowingly; the art o' the court as hard to leave as keep; whose top to climb is certain falling, or so slippery that the fear's as bad as falling; the toil o' the war, a pain that only seems to seek out danger i' the name of fame and honour; which dies i' the search, and hath as oft a slanderous epitaph as record of fair act; nay, many times, doth ill deserve by doing well; what's worse, must court'sy at the censure:--o boys, this story the world may read in me: my body's mark'd with roman swords, and my report was once first with the best of note: cymbeline loved me, and when a soldier was the theme, my name was not far off: then was i as a tree whose boughs did bend with fruit: but in one night, a storm or robbery, call it what you will, shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves, and left me bare to weather. guiderius uncertain favour! belarius my fault being nothing--as i have told you oft- but that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd before my perfect honour, swore to cymbeline i was confederate with the romans: so follow'd my banishment, and this twenty years this rock and these demesnes have been my world; where i have lived at honest freedom, paid more pious debts to heaven than in all the fore-end of my time. but up to the mountains! this is not hunters' language: he that strikes the venison first shall be the lord o' the feast; to him the other two shall minister; and we will fear no poison, which attends in place of greater state. i'll meet you in the valleys. [exeunt guiderius and arviragus] how hard it is to hide the sparks of nature! these boys know little they are sons to the king; nor cymbeline dreams that they are alive. they think they are mine; and though train'd up thus meanly i' the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit the roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them in simple and low things to prince it much beyond the trick of others. this polydore, the heir of cymbeline and britain, who the king his father call'd guiderius,--jove! when on my three-foot stool i sit and tell the warlike feats i have done, his spirits fly out into my story: say 'thus, mine enemy fell, and thus i set my foot on 's neck;' even then the princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats, strains his young nerves and puts himself in posture that acts my words. the younger brother, cadwal, once arviragus, in as like a figure, strikes life into my speech and shows much more his own conceiving.--hark, the game is roused! o cymbeline! heaven and my conscience knows thou didst unjustly banish me: whereon, at three and two years old, i stole these babes; thinking to bar thee of succession, as thou reft'st me of my lands. euriphile, thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their mother, and every day do honour to her grave: myself, belarius, that am morgan call'd, they take for natural father. the game is up. [exit] cymbeline act iii scene iv country near milford-haven. [enter pisanio and imogen] imogen thou told'st me, when we came from horse, the place was near at hand: ne'er long'd my mother so to see me first, as i have now. pisanio! man! where is posthumus? what is in thy mind, that makes thee stare thus? wherefore breaks that sigh from the inward of thee? one, but painted thus, would be interpreted a thing perplex'd beyond self-explication: put thyself into a havior of less fear, ere wildness vanquish my staider senses. what's the matter? why tender'st thou that paper to me, with a look untender? if't be summer news, smile to't before; if winterly, thou need'st but keep that countenance still. my husband's hand! that drug-damn'd italy hath out-craftied him, and he's at some hard point. speak, man: thy tongue may take off some extremity, which to read would be even mortal to me. pisanio please you, read; and you shall find me, wretched man, a thing the most disdain'd of fortune. imogen [reads] 'thy mistress, pisanio, hath played the strumpet in my bed; the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me. i speak not out of weak surmises, but from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as i expect my revenge. that part thou, pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers. let thine own hands take away her life: i shall give thee opportunity at milford-haven. she hath my letter for the purpose where, if thou fear to strike and to make me certain it is done, thou art the pandar to her dishonour and equally to me disloyal.' pisanio what shall i need to draw my sword? the paper hath cut her throat already. no, 'tis slander, whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue outvenoms all the worms of nile, whose breath rides on the posting winds and doth belie all corners of the world: kings, queens and states, maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave this viperous slander enters. what cheer, madam? imogen false to his bed! what is it to be false? to lie in watch there and to think on him? to weep 'twixt clock and clock? if sleep charge nature, to break it with a fearful dream of him and cry myself awake? that's false to's bed, is it? pisanio alas, good lady! imogen i false! thy conscience witness: iachimo, thou didst accuse him of incontinency; thou then look'dst like a villain; now methinks thy favour's good enough. some jay of italy whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd him: poor i am stale, a garment out of fashion; and, for i am richer than to hang by the walls, i must be ripp'd:--to pieces with me!--o, men's vows are women's traitors! all good seeming, by thy revolt, o husband, shall be thought put on for villany; not born where't grows, but worn a bait for ladies. pisanio good madam, hear me. imogen true honest men being heard, like false aeneas, were in his time thought false, and sinon's weeping did scandal many a holy tear, took pity from most true wretchedness: so thou, posthumus, wilt lay the leaven on all proper men; goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured from thy great fall. come, fellow, be thou honest: do thou thy master's bidding: when thou see'st him, a little witness my obedience: look! i draw the sword myself: take it, and hit the innocent mansion of my love, my heart; fear not; 'tis empty of all things but grief; thy master is not there, who was indeed the riches of it: do his bidding; strike thou mayst be valiant in a better cause; but now thou seem'st a coward. pisanio hence, vile instrument! thou shalt not damn my hand. imogen why, i must die; and if i do not by thy hand, thou art no servant of thy master's. against self-slaughter there is a prohibition so divine that cravens my weak hand. come, here's my heart. something's afore't. soft, soft! we'll no defence; obedient as the scabbard. what is here? the scriptures of the loyal leonatus, all turn'd to heresy? away, away, corrupters of my faith! you shall no more be stomachers to my heart. thus may poor fools believe false teachers: though those that are betray'd do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor stands in worse case of woe. and thou, posthumus, thou that didst set up my disobedience 'gainst the king my father and make me put into contempt the suits of princely fellows, shalt hereafter find it is no act of common passage, but a strain of rareness: and i grieve myself to think, when thou shalt be disedged by her that now thou tirest on, how thy memory will then be pang'd by me. prithee, dispatch: the lamb entreats the butcher: where's thy knife? thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, when i desire it too. pisanio o gracious lady, since i received command to do this business i have not slept one wink. imogen do't, and to bed then. pisanio i'll wake mine eye-balls blind first. imogen wherefore then didst undertake it? why hast thou abused so many miles with a pretence? this place? mine action and thine own? our horses' labour? the time inviting thee? the perturb'd court, for my being absent? whereunto i never purpose return. why hast thou gone so far, to be unbent when thou hast ta'en thy stand, the elected deer before thee? pisanio but to win time to lose so bad employment; in the which i have consider'd of a course. good lady, hear me with patience. imogen talk thy tongue weary; speak i have heard i am a strumpet; and mine ear therein false struck, can take no greater wound, nor tent to bottom that. but speak. pisanio then, madam, i thought you would not back again. imogen most like; bringing me here to kill me. pisanio not so, neither: but if i were as wise as honest, then my purpose would prove well. it cannot be but that my master is abused: some villain, ay, and singular in his art. hath done you both this cursed injury. imogen some roman courtezan. pisanio no, on my life. i'll give but notice you are dead and send him some bloody sign of it; for 'tis commanded i should do so: you shall be miss'd at court, and that will well confirm it. imogen why good fellow, what shall i do the where? where bide? how live? or in my life what comfort, when i am dead to my husband? pisanio if you'll back to the court- imogen no court, no father; nor no more ado with that harsh, noble, simple nothing, that cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me as fearful as a siege. pisanio if not at court, then not in britain must you bide. imogen where then hath britain all the sun that shines? day, night, are they not but in britain? i' the world's volume our britain seems as of it, but not in 't; in a great pool a swan's nest: prithee, think there's livers out of britain. pisanio i am most glad you think of other place. the ambassador, lucius the roman, comes to milford-haven to-morrow: now, if you could wear a mind dark as your fortune is, and but disguise that which, to appear itself, must not yet be but by self-danger, you should tread a course pretty and full of view; yea, haply, near the residence of posthumus; so nigh at least that though his actions were not visible, yet report should render him hourly to your ear as truly as he moves. imogen o, for such means! though peril to my modesty, not death on't, i would adventure. pisanio well, then, here's the point: you must forget to be a woman; change command into obedience: fear and niceness- the handmaids of all women, or, more truly, woman its pretty self--into a waggish courage: ready in gibes, quick-answer'd, saucy and as quarrelous as the weasel; nay, you must forget that rarest treasure of your cheek, exposing it--but, o, the harder heart! alack, no remedy!--to the greedy touch of common-kissing titan, and forget your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein you made great juno angry. imogen nay, be brief i see into thy end, and am almost a man already. pisanio first, make yourself but like one. fore-thinking this, i have already fit- 'tis in my cloak-bag--doublet, hat, hose, all that answer to them: would you in their serving, and with what imitation you can borrow from youth of such a season, 'fore noble lucius present yourself, desire his service, tell him wherein you're happy,--which you'll make him know, if that his head have ear in music,--doubtless with joy he will embrace you, for he's honourable and doubling that, most holy. your means abroad, you have me, rich; and i will never fail beginning nor supplyment. imogen thou art all the comfort the gods will diet me with. prithee, away: there's more to be consider'd; but we'll even all that good time will give us: this attempt i am soldier to, and will abide it with a prince's courage. away, i prithee. pisanio well, madam, we must take a short farewell, lest, being miss'd, i be suspected of your carriage from the court. my noble mistress, here is a box; i had it from the queen: what's in't is precious; if you are sick at sea, or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this will drive away distemper. to some shade, and fit you to your manhood. may the gods direct you to the best! imogen amen: i thank thee. [exeunt, severally] cymbeline act iii scene v a room in cymbeline's palace. [enter cymbeline, queen, cloten, lucius, lords, and attendants] cymbeline thus far; and so farewell. caius lucius thanks, royal sir. my emperor hath wrote, i must from hence; and am right sorry that i must report ye my master's enemy. cymbeline our subjects, sir, will not endure his yoke; and for ourself to show less sovereignty than they, must needs appear unkinglike. caius lucius so, sir: i desire of you a conduct over-land to milford-haven. madam, all joy befal your grace! queen and you! cymbeline my lords, you are appointed for that office; the due of honour in no point omit. so farewell, noble lucius. caius lucius your hand, my lord. cloten receive it friendly; but from this time forth i wear it as your enemy. caius lucius sir, the event is yet to name the winner: fare you well. cymbeline leave not the worthy lucius, good my lords, till he have cross'd the severn. happiness! [exeunt lucius and lords] queen he goes hence frowning: but it honours us that we have given him cause. cloten 'tis all the better; your valiant britons have their wishes in it. cymbeline lucius hath wrote already to the emperor how it goes here. it fits us therefore ripely our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness: the powers that he already hath in gallia will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves his war for britain. queen 'tis not sleepy business; but must be look'd to speedily and strongly. cymbeline our expectation that it would be thus hath made us forward. but, my gentle queen, where is our daughter? she hath not appear'd before the roman, nor to us hath tender'd the duty of the day: she looks us like a thing more made of malice than of duty: we have noted it. call her before us; for we have been too slight in sufferance. [exit an attendant] queen royal sir, since the exile of posthumus, most retired hath her life been; the cure whereof, my lord, 'tis time must do. beseech your majesty, forbear sharp speeches to her: she's a lady so tender of rebukes that words are strokes and strokes death to her. [re-enter attendant] cymbeline where is she, sir? how can her contempt be answer'd? attendant please you, sir, her chambers are all lock'd; and there's no answer that will be given to the loudest noise we make. queen my lord, when last i went to visit her, she pray'd me to excuse her keeping close, whereto constrain'd by her infirmity, she should that duty leave unpaid to you, which daily she was bound to proffer: this she wish'd me to make known; but our great court made me to blame in memory. cymbeline her doors lock'd? not seen of late? grant, heavens, that which i fear prove false! [exit] queen son, i say, follow the king. cloten that man of hers, pisanio, her old servant, have not seen these two days. queen go, look after. [exit cloten] pisanio, thou that stand'st so for posthumus! he hath a drug of mine; i pray his absence proceed by swallowing that, for he believes it is a thing most precious. but for her, where is she gone? haply, despair hath seized her, or, wing'd with fervor of her love, she's flown to her desired posthumus: gone she is to death or to dishonour; and my end can make good use of either: she being down, i have the placing of the british crown. [re-enter cloten] how now, my son! cloten 'tis certain she is fled. go in and cheer the king: he rages; none dare come about him. queen [aside] all the better: may this night forestall him of the coming day! [exit] cloten i love and hate her: for she's fair and royal, and that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite than lady, ladies, woman; from every one the best she hath, and she, of all compounded, outsells them all; i love her therefore: but disdaining me and throwing favours on the low posthumus slanders so her judgment that what's else rare is choked; and in that point i will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed, to be revenged upon her. for when fools shall- [enter pisanio] who is here? what, are you packing, sirrah? come hither: ah, you precious pander! villain, where is thy lady? in a word; or else thou art straightway with the fiends. pisanio o, good my lord! cloten where is thy lady? or, by jupiter,- i will not ask again. close villain, i'll have this secret from thy heart, or rip thy heart to find it. is she with posthumus? from whose so many weights of baseness cannot a dram of worth be drawn. pisanio alas, my lord, how can she be with him? when was she missed? he is in rome. cloten where is she, sir? come nearer; no further halting: satisfy me home what is become of her. pisanio o, my all-worthy lord! cloten all-worthy villain! discover where thy mistress is at once, at the next word: no more of 'worthy lord!' speak, or thy silence on the instant is thy condemnation and thy death. pisanio then, sir, this paper is the history of my knowledge touching her flight. [presenting a letter] cloten let's see't. i will pursue her even to augustus' throne. pisanio [aside] or this, or perish. she's far enough; and what he learns by this may prove his travel, not her danger. cloten hum! pisanio [aside] i'll write to my lord she's dead. o imogen, safe mayst thou wander, safe return again! cloten sirrah, is this letter true? pisanio sir, as i think. cloten it is posthumus' hand; i know't. sirrah, if thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me true service, undergo those employments wherein i should have cause to use thee with a serious industry, that is, what villany soe'er i bid thee do, to perform it directly and truly, i would think thee an honest man: thou shouldst neither want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy preferment. pisanio well, my good lord. cloten wilt thou serve me? for since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar posthumus, thou canst not, in the course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of mine: wilt thou serve me? pisanio sir, i will. cloten give me thy hand; here's my purse. hast any of thy late master's garments in thy possession? pisanio i have, my lord, at my lodging, the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress. cloten the first service thou dost me, fetch that suit hither: let it be thy lint service; go. pisanio i shall, my lord. [exit] cloten meet thee at milford-haven!--i forgot to ask him one thing; i'll remember't anon:--even there, thou villain posthumus, will i kill thee. i would these garments were come. she said upon a time--the bitterness of it i now belch from my heart--that she held the very garment of posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person together with the adornment of my qualities. with that suit upon my back, will i ravish her: first kill him, and in her eyes; there shall she see my valour, which will then be a torment to her contempt. he on the ground, my speech of insultment ended on his dead body, and when my lust hath dined,--which, as i say, to vex her i will execute in the clothes that she so praised,--to the court i'll knock her back, foot her home again. she hath despised me rejoicingly, and i'll be merry in my revenge. [re-enter pisanio, with the clothes] be those the garments? pisanio ay, my noble lord. cloten how long is't since she went to milford-haven? pisanio she can scarce be there yet. cloten bring this apparel to my chamber; that is the second thing that i have commanded thee: the third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design. be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee. my revenge is now at milford: would i had wings to follow it! come, and be true. [exit] pisanio thou bid'st me to my loss: for true to thee were to prove false, which i will never be, to him that is most true. to milford go, and find not her whom thou pursuest. flow, flow, you heavenly blessings, on her! this fool's speed be cross'd with slowness; labour be his meed! [exit] cymbeline act iii scene vi wales. before the cave of belarius. [enter imogen, in boy's clothes] imogen i see a man's life is a tedious one: i have tired myself, and for two nights together have made the ground my bed. i should be sick, but that my resolution helps me. milford, when from the mountain-top pisanio show'd thee, thou wast within a ken: o jove! i think foundations fly the wretched; such, i mean, where they should be relieved. two beggars told me i could not miss my way: will poor folks lie, that have afflictions on them, knowing 'tis a punishment or trial? yes; no wonder, when rich ones scarce tell true. to lapse in fulness is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood is worse in kings than beggars. my dear lord! thou art one o' the false ones. now i think on thee, my hunger's gone; but even before, i was at point to sink for food. but what is this? here is a path to't: 'tis some savage hold: i were best not to call; i dare not call: yet famine, ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant, plenty and peace breeds cowards: hardness ever of hardiness is mother. ho! who's here? if any thing that's civil, speak; if savage, take or lend. ho! no answer? then i'll enter. best draw my sword: and if mine enemy but fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look on't. such a foe, good heavens! [exit, to the cave] [enter belarius, guiderius, and arviragus] belarius you, polydote, have proved best woodman and are master of the feast: cadwal and i will play the cook and servant; 'tis our match: the sweat of industry would dry and die, but for the end it works to. come; our stomachs will make what's homely savoury: weariness can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth finds the down pillow hard. now peace be here, poor house, that keep'st thyself! guiderius i am thoroughly weary. arviragus i am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. guiderius there is cold meat i' the cave; we'll browse on that, whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. belarius [looking into the cave] stay; come not in. but that it eats our victuals, i should think here were a fairy. guiderius what's the matter, sir? belarius by jupiter, an angel! or, if not, an earthly paragon! behold divineness no elder than a boy! [re-enter imogen] imogen good masters, harm me not: before i enter'd here, i call'd; and thought to have begg'd or bought what i have took: good troth, i have stol'n nought, nor would not, though i had found gold strew'd i' the floor. here's money for my meat: i would have left it on the board so soon as i had made my meal, and parted with prayers for the provider. guiderius money, youth? arviragus all gold and silver rather turn to dirt! as 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those who worship dirty gods. imogen i see you're angry: know, if you kill me for my fault, i should have died had i not made it. belarius whither bound? imogen to milford-haven. belarius what's your name? imogen fidele, sir. i have a kinsman who is bound for italy; he embark'd at milford; to whom being going, almost spent with hunger, i am fall'n in this offence. belarius prithee, fair youth, think us no churls, nor measure our good minds by this rude place we live in. well encounter'd! 'tis almost night: you shall have better cheer ere you depart: and thanks to stay and eat it. boys, bid him welcome. guiderius were you a woman, youth, i should woo hard but be your groom. in honesty, i bid for you as i'd buy. arviragus i'll make't my comfort he is a man; i'll love him as my brother: and such a welcome as i'd give to him after long absence, such is yours: most welcome! be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends. imogen 'mongst friends, if brothers. [aside] would it had been so, that they had been my father's sons! then had my prize been less, and so more equal ballasting to thee, posthumus. belarius he wrings at some distress. guiderius would i could free't! arviragus or i, whate'er it be, what pain it cost, what danger. god's! belarius hark, boys. [whispering] imogen great men, that had a court no bigger than this cave, that did attend themselves and had the virtue which their own conscience seal'd them--laying by that nothing-gift of differing multitudes- could not out-peer these twain. pardon me, gods! i'd change my sex to be companion with them, since leonatus's false. belarius it shall be so. boys, we'll go dress our hunt. fair youth, come in: discourse is heavy, fasting; when we have supp'd, we'll mannerly demand thee of thy story, so far as thou wilt speak it. guiderius pray, draw near. arviragus the night to the owl and morn to the lark less welcome. imogen thanks, sir. arviragus i pray, draw near. [exeunt] cymbeline act iii scene vii rome. a public place. [enter two senators and tribunes] first senator this is the tenor of the emperor's writ: that since the common men are now in action 'gainst the pannonians and dalmatians, and that the legions now in gallia are full weak to undertake our wars against the fall'n-off britons, that we do incite the gentry to this business. he creates lucius preconsul: and to you the tribunes, for this immediate levy, he commends his absolute commission. long live caesar! first tribune is lucius general of the forces? second senator ay. first tribune remaining now in gallia? first senator with those legions which i have spoke of, whereunto your levy must be supplyant: the words of your commission will tie you to the numbers and the time of their dispatch. first tribune we will discharge our duty. [exeunt] cymbeline act iv scene i wales: near the cave of belarius. [enter cloten] cloten i am near to the place where they should meet, if pisanio have mapped it truly. how fit his garments serve me! why should his mistress, who was made by him that made the tailor, not be fit too? the rather--saving reverence of the word--for 'tis said a woman's fitness comes by fits. therein i must play the workman. i dare speak it to myself--for it is not vain-glory for a man and his glass to confer in his own chamber--i mean, the lines of my body are as well drawn as his; no less young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, beyond him in the advantage of the time, above him in birth, alike conversant in general services, and more remarkable in single oppositions: yet this imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite. what mortality is! posthumus, thy head, which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour be off; thy mistress enforced; thy garments cut to pieces before thy face: and all this done, spurn her home to her father; who may haply be a little angry for my so rough usage; but my mother, having power of his testiness, shall turn all into my commendations. my horse is tied up safe: out, sword, and to a sore purpose! fortune, put them into my hand! this is the very description of their meeting-place; and the fellow dares not deceive me. [exit] cymbeline act iv scene ii before the cave of belarius. [enter, from the cave, belarius, guiderius, arviragus, and imogen] belarius [to imogen] you are not well: remain here in the cave; we'll come to you after hunting. arviragus [to imogen] brother, stay here are we not brothers? imogen so man and man should be; but clay and clay differs in dignity, whose dust is both alike. i am very sick. guiderius go you to hunting; i'll abide with him. imogen so sick i am not, yet i am not well; but not so citizen a wanton as to seem to die ere sick: so please you, leave me; stick to your journal course: the breach of custom is breach of all. i am ill, but your being by me cannot amend me; society is no comfort to one not sociable: i am not very sick, since i can reason of it. pray you, trust me here: i'll rob none but myself; and let me die, stealing so poorly. guiderius i love thee; i have spoke it how much the quantity, the weight as much, as i do love my father. belarius what! how! how! arviragus if it be sin to say so, i yoke me in my good brother's fault: i know not why i love this youth; and i have heard you say, love's reason's without reason: the bier at door, and a demand who is't shall die, i'd say 'my father, not this youth.' belarius [aside] o noble strain! o worthiness of nature! breed of greatness! cowards father cowards and base things sire base: nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace. i'm not their father; yet who this should be, doth miracle itself, loved before me. 'tis the ninth hour o' the morn. arviragus brother, farewell. imogen i wish ye sport. arviragus you health. so please you, sir. imogen [aside] these are kind creatures. gods, what lies i have heard! our courtiers say all's savage but at court: experience, o, thou disprovest report! the imperious seas breed monsters, for the dish poor tributary rivers as sweet fish. i am sick still; heart-sick. pisanio, i'll now taste of thy drug. [swallows some] guiderius i could not stir him: he said he was gentle, but unfortunate; dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. arviragus thus did he answer me: yet said, hereafter i might know more. belarius to the field, to the field! we'll leave you for this time: go in and rest. arviragus we'll not be long away. belarius pray, be not sick, for you must be our housewife. imogen well or ill, i am bound to you. belarius and shalt be ever. [exit imogen, to the cave] this youth, how'er distress'd, appears he hath had good ancestors. arviragus how angel-like he sings! guiderius but his neat cookery! he cut our roots in characters, and sauced our broths, as juno had been sick and he her dieter. arviragus nobly he yokes a smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh was that it was, for not being such a smile; the smile mocking the sigh, that it would fly from so divine a temple, to commix with winds that sailors rail at. guiderius i do note that grief and patience, rooted in him both, mingle their spurs together. arviragus grow, patience! and let the stinking elder, grief, untwine his perishing root with the increasing vine! belarius it is great morning. come, away!- who's there? [enter cloten] cloten i cannot find those runagates; that villain hath mock'd me. i am faint. belarius 'those runagates!' means he not us? i partly know him: 'tis cloten, the son o' the queen. i fear some ambush. i saw him not these many years, and yet i know 'tis he. we are held as outlaws: hence! guiderius he is but one: you and my brother search what companies are near: pray you, away; let me alone with him. [exeunt belarius and arviragus] cloten soft! what are you that fly me thus? some villain mountaineers? i have heard of such. what slave art thou? guiderius a thing more slavish did i ne'er than answering a slave without a knock. cloten thou art a robber, a law-breaker, a villain: yield thee, thief. guiderius to who? to thee? what art thou? have not i an arm as big as thine? a heart as big? thy words, i grant, are bigger, for i wear not my dagger in my mouth. say what thou art, why i should yield to thee? cloten thou villain base, know'st me not by my clothes? guiderius no, nor thy tailor, rascal, who is thy grandfather: he made those clothes, which, as it seems, make thee. cloten thou precious varlet, my tailor made them not. guiderius hence, then, and thank the man that gave them thee. thou art some fool; i am loath to beat thee. cloten thou injurious thief, hear but my name, and tremble. guiderius what's thy name? cloten cloten, thou villain. guiderius cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, i cannot tremble at it: were it toad, or adder, spider, 'twould move me sooner. cloten to thy further fear, nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know i am son to the queen. guiderius i am sorry for 't; not seeming so worthy as thy birth. cloten art not afeard? guiderius those that i reverence those i fear, the wise: at fools i laugh, not fear them. cloten die the death: when i have slain thee with my proper hand, i'll follow those that even now fled hence, and on the gates of lud's-town set your heads: yield, rustic mountaineer. [exeunt, fighting] [re-enter belarius and arviragus] belarius no companies abroad? arviragus none in the world: you did mistake him, sure. belarius i cannot tell: long is it since i saw him, but time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of favour which then he wore; the snatches in his voice, and burst of speaking, were as his: i am absolute 'twas very cloten. arviragus in this place we left them: i wish my brother make good time with him, you say he is so fell. belarius being scarce made up, i mean, to man, he had not apprehension of roaring terrors; for the effect of judgment is oft the cause of fear. but, see, thy brother. [re-enter guiderius, with cloten's head] guiderius this cloten was a fool, an empty purse; there was no money in't: not hercules could have knock'd out his brains, for he had none: yet i not doing this, the fool had borne my head as i do his. belarius what hast thou done? guiderius i am perfect what: cut off one cloten's head, son to the queen, after his own report; who call'd me traitor, mountaineer, and swore with his own single hand he'ld take us in displace our heads where--thank the gods!--they grow, and set them on lud's-town. belarius we are all undone. guiderius why, worthy father, what have we to lose, but that he swore to take, our lives? the law protects not us: then why should we be tender to let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us, play judge and executioner all himself, for we do fear the law? what company discover you abroad? belarius no single soul can we set eye on; but in all safe reason he must have some attendants. though his humour was nothing but mutation, ay, and that from one bad thing to worse; not frenzy, not absolute madness could so far have raved to bring him here alone; although perhaps it may be heard at court that such as we cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time may make some stronger head; the which he hearing- as it is like him--might break out, and swear he'ld fetch us in; yet is't not probable to come alone, either he so undertaking, or they so suffering: then on good ground we fear, if we do fear this body hath a tail more perilous than the head. arviragus let ordinance come as the gods foresay it: howsoe'er, my brother hath done well. belarius i had no mind to hunt this day: the boy fidele's sickness did make my way long forth. guiderius with his own sword, which he did wave against my throat, i have ta'en his head from him: i'll throw't into the creek behind our rock; and let it to the sea, and tell the fishes he's the queen's son, cloten: that's all i reck. [exit] belarius i fear 'twill be revenged: would, polydote, thou hadst not done't! though valour becomes thee well enough. arviragus would i had done't so the revenge alone pursued me! polydore, i love thee brotherly, but envy much thou hast robb'd me of this deed: i would revenges, that possible strength might meet, would seek us through and put us to our answer. belarius well, 'tis done: we'll hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger where there's no profit. i prithee, to our rock; you and fidele play the cooks: i'll stay till hasty polydote return, and bring him to dinner presently. arviragus poor sick fidele! i'll weringly to him: to gain his colour i'ld let a parish of such clotens' blood, and praise myself for charity. [exit] belarius o thou goddess, thou divine nature, how thyself thou blazon'st in these two princely boys! they are as gentle as zephyrs blowing below the violet, not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough, their royal blood enchafed, as the rudest wind, that by the top doth take the mountain pine, and make him stoop to the vale. 'tis wonder that an invisible instinct should frame them to royalty unlearn'd, honour untaught, civility not seen from other, valour that wildly grows in them, but yields a crop as if it had been sow'd. yet still it's strange what cloten's being here to us portends, or what his death will bring us. [re-enter guiderius] guiderius where's my brother? i have sent cloten's clotpoll down the stream, in embassy to his mother: his body's hostage for his return. [solemn music] belarius my ingenious instrument! hark, polydore, it sounds! but what occasion hath cadwal now to give it motion? hark! guiderius is he at home? belarius he went hence even now. guiderius what does he mean? since death of my dear'st mother it did not speak before. all solemn things should answer solemn accidents. the matter? triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys is jollity for apes and grief for boys. is cadwal mad? belarius look, here he comes, and brings the dire occasion in his arms of what we blame him for. [re-enter arviragus, with imogen, as dead, bearing her in his arms] arviragus the bird is dead that we have made so much on. i had rather have skipp'd from sixteen years of age to sixty, to have turn'd my leaping-time into a crutch, than have seen this. guiderius o sweetest, fairest lily! my brother wears thee not the one half so well as when thou grew'st thyself. belarius o melancholy! who ever yet could sound thy bottom? find the ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare might easiliest harbour in? thou blessed thing! jove knows what man thou mightst have made; but i, thou diedst, a most rare boy, of melancholy. how found you him? arviragus stark, as you see: thus smiling, as some fly hid tickled slumber, not as death's dart, being laugh'd at; his right cheek reposing on a cushion. guiderius where? arviragus o' the floor; his arms thus leagued: i thought he slept, and put my clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness answer'd my steps too loud. guiderius why, he but sleeps: if he be gone, he'll make his grave a bed; with female fairies will his tomb be haunted, and worms will not come to thee. arviragus with fairest flowers whilst summer lasts and i live here, fidele, i'll sweeten thy sad grave: thou shalt not lack the flower that's like thy face, pale primrose, nor the azured harebell, like thy veins, no, nor the leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander, out-sweeten'd not thy breath: the ruddock would, with charitable bill,--o bill, sore-shaming those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie without a monument!--bring thee all this; yea, and furr'd moss besides, when flowers are none, to winter-ground thy corse. guiderius prithee, have done; and do not play in wench-like words with that which is so serious. let us bury him, and not protract with admiration what is now due debt. to the grave! arviragus say, where shall's lay him? guiderius by good euriphile, our mother. arviragus be't so: and let us, polydore, though now our voices have got the mannish crack, sing him to the ground, as once our mother; use like note and words, save that euriphile must be fidele. guiderius cadwal, i cannot sing: i'll weep, and word it with thee; for notes of sorrow out of tune are worse than priests and fanes that lie. arviragus we'll speak it, then. belarius great griefs, i see, medicine the less; for cloten is quite forgot. he was a queen's son, boys; and though he came our enemy, remember he was paid for that: though mean and mighty, rotting together, have one dust, yet reverence, that angel of the world, doth make distinction of place 'tween high and low. our foe was princely and though you took his life, as being our foe, yet bury him as a prince. guiderius pray you, fetch him hither. thersites' body is as good as ajax', when neither are alive. arviragus if you'll go fetch him, we'll say our song the whilst. brother, begin. [exit belarius] guiderius nay, cadwal, we must lay his head to the east; my father hath a reason for't. arviragus 'tis true. guiderius come on then, and remove him. arviragus so. begin. [song] guiderius fear no more the heat o' the sun, nor the furious winter's rages; thou thy worldly task hast done, home art gone, and ta'en thy wages: golden lads and girls all must, as chimney-sweepers, come to dust. arviragus fear no more the frown o' the great; thou art past the tyrant's stroke; care no more to clothe and eat; to thee the reed is as the oak: the sceptre, learning, physic, must all follow this, and come to dust. guiderius fear no more the lightning flash, arviragus nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone; guiderius fear not slander, censure rash; arviragus thou hast finish'd joy and moan: guiderius | | all lovers young, all lovers must arviragus | consign to thee, and come to dust. guiderius no exorciser harm thee! arviragus nor no witchcraft charm thee! guiderius ghost unlaid forbear thee! arviragus nothing ill come near thee! guiderius | | quiet consummation have; arviragus | and renowned be thy grave! [re-enter belarius, with the body of cloten] guiderius we have done our obsequies: come, lay him down. belarius here's a few flowers; but 'bout midnight, more: the herbs that have on them cold dew o' the night are strewings fitt'st for graves. upon their faces. you were as flowers, now wither'd: even so these herblets shall, which we upon you strew. come on, away: apart upon our knees. the ground that gave them first has them again: their pleasures here are past, so is their pain. [exeunt belarius, guiderius, and arviragus] imogen [awaking] yes, sir, to milford-haven; which is the way?- i thank you.--by yond bush?--pray, how far thither? 'ods pittikins! can it be six mile yet?- i have gone all night. 'faith, i'll lie down and sleep. but, soft! no bedfellow!--o gods and goddesses! [seeing the body of cloten] these flowers are like the pleasures of the world; this bloody man, the care on't. i hope i dream; for so i thought i was a cave-keeper, and cook to honest creatures: but 'tis not so; 'twas but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing, which the brain makes of fumes: our very eyes are sometimes like our judgments, blind. good faith, i tremble stiff with fear: but if there be yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity as a wren's eye, fear'd gods, a part of it! the dream's here still: even when i wake, it is without me, as within me; not imagined, felt. a headless man! the garments of posthumus! i know the shape of's leg: this is his hand; his foot mercurial; his martial thigh; the brawns of hercules: but his jovial face murder in heaven?--how!--'tis gone. pisanio, all curses madded hecuba gave the greeks, and mine to boot, be darted on thee! thou, conspired with that irregulous devil, cloten, hast here cut off my lord. to write and read be henceforth treacherous! damn'd pisanio hath with his forged letters,--damn'd pisanio- from this most bravest vessel of the world struck the main-top! o posthumus! alas, where is thy head? where's that? ay me! where's that? pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart, and left this head on. how should this be? pisanio? 'tis he and cloten: malice and lucre in them have laid this woe here. o, 'tis pregnant, pregnant! the drug he gave me, which he said was precious and cordial to me, have i not found it murderous to the senses? that confirms it home: this is pisanio's deed, and cloten's: o! give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood, that we the horrider may seem to those which chance to find us: o, my lord, my lord! [falls on the body] [enter lucius, a captain and other officers, and a soothsayer] captain to them the legions garrison'd in gailia, after your will, have cross'd the sea, attending you here at milford-haven with your ships: they are in readiness. caius lucius but what from rome? captain the senate hath stirr'd up the confiners and gentlemen of italy, most willing spirits, that promise noble service: and they come under the conduct of bold iachimo, syenna's brother. caius lucius when expect you them? captain with the next benefit o' the wind. caius lucius this forwardness makes our hopes fair. command our present numbers be muster'd; bid the captains look to't. now, sir, what have you dream'd of late of this war's purpose? soothsayer last night the very gods show'd me a vision- i fast and pray'd for their intelligence--thus: i saw jove's bird, the roman eagle, wing'd from the spongy south to this part of the west, there vanish'd in the sunbeams: which portends- unless my sins abuse my divination- success to the roman host. caius lucius dream often so, and never false. soft, ho! what trunk is here without his top? the ruin speaks that sometime it was a worthy building. how! a page! or dead, or sleeping on him? but dead rather; for nature doth abhor to make his bed with the defunct, or sleep upon the dead. let's see the boy's face. captain he's alive, my lord. caius lucius he'll then instruct us of this body. young one, inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems they crave to be demanded. who is this thou makest thy bloody pillow? or who was he that, otherwise than noble nature did, hath alter'd that good picture? what's thy interest in this sad wreck? how came it? who is it? what art thou? imogen i am nothing: or if not, nothing to be were better. this was my master, a very valiant briton and a good, that here by mountaineers lies slain. alas! there is no more such masters: i may wander from east to occident, cry out for service, try many, all good, serve truly, never find such another master. caius lucius 'lack, good youth! thou movest no less with thy complaining than thy master in bleeding: say his name, good friend. imogen richard du champ. [aside] if i do lie and do no harm by it, though the gods hear, i hope they'll pardon it.--say you, sir? caius lucius thy name? imogen fidele, sir. caius lucius thou dost approve thyself the very same: thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name. wilt take thy chance with me? i will not say thou shalt be so well master'd, but, be sure, no less beloved. the roman emperor's letters, sent by a consul to me, should not sooner than thine own worth prefer thee: go with me. imogen i'll follow, sir. but first, an't please the gods, i'll hide my master from the flies, as deep as these poor pickaxes can dig; and when with wild wood-leaves and weeds i ha' strew'd his grave, and on it said a century of prayers, such as i can, twice o'er, i'll weep and sigh; and leaving so his service, follow you, so please you entertain me. caius lucius ay, good youth! and rather father thee than master thee. my friends, the boy hath taught us manly duties: let us find out the prettiest daisied plot we can, and make him with our pikes and partisans a grave: come, arm him. boy, he is preferr'd by thee to us, and he shall be interr'd as soldiers can. be cheerful; wipe thine eyes some falls are means the happier to arise. [exeunt] cymbeline act iv scene iii a room in cymbeline's palace. [enter cymbeline, lords, pisanio, and attendants] cymbeline again; and bring me word how 'tis with her. [exit an attendant] a fever with the absence of her son, a madness, of which her life's in danger. heavens, how deeply you at once do touch me! imogen, the great part of my comfort, gone; my queen upon a desperate bed, and in a time when fearful wars point at me; her son gone, so needful for this present: it strikes me, past the hope of comfort. but for thee, fellow, who needs must know of her departure and dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from thee by a sharp torture. pisanio sir, my life is yours; i humbly set it at your will; but, for my mistress, i nothing know where she remains, why gone, nor when she purposes return. beseech your highness, hold me your loyal servant. first lord good my liege, the day that she was missing he was here: i dare be bound he's true and shall perform all parts of his subjection loyally. for cloten, there wants no diligence in seeking him, and will, no doubt, be found. cymbeline the time is troublesome. [to pisanio] we'll slip you for a season; but our jealousy does yet depend. first lord so please your majesty, the roman legions, all from gallia drawn, are landed on your coast, with a supply of roman gentlemen, by the senate sent. cymbeline now for the counsel of my son and queen! i am amazed with matter. first lord good my liege, your preparation can affront no less than what you hear of: come more, for more you're ready: the want is but to put those powers in motion that long to move. cymbeline i thank you. let's withdraw; and meet the time as it seeks us. we fear not what can from italy annoy us; but we grieve at chances here. away! [exeunt all but pisanio] pisanio i heard no letter from my master since i wrote him imogen was slain: 'tis strange: nor hear i from my mistress who did promise to yield me often tidings: neither know i what is betid to cloten; but remain perplex'd in all. the heavens still must work. wherein i am false i am honest; not true, to be true. these present wars shall find i love my country, even to the note o' the king, or i'll fall in them. all other doubts, by time let them be clear'd: fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd. [exit] cymbeline act iv scene iv wales: before the cave of belarius. [enter belarius, guiderius, and arviragus. guiderius the noise is round about us. belarius let us from it. arviragus what pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock it from action and adventure? guiderius nay, what hope have we in hiding us? this way, the romans must or for britons slay us, or receive us for barbarous and unnatural revolts during their use, and slay us after. belarius sons, we'll higher to the mountains; there secure us. to the king's party there's no going: newness of cloten's death--we being not known, not muster'd among the bands--may drive us to a render where we have lived, and so extort from's that which we have done, whose answer would be death drawn on with torture. guiderius this is, sir, a doubt in such a time nothing becoming you, nor satisfying us. arviragus it is not likely that when they hear the roman horses neigh, behold their quarter'd fires, have both their eyes and ears so cloy'd importantly as now, that they will waste their time upon our note, to know from whence we are. belarius o, i am known of many in the army: many years, though cloten then but young, you see, not wore him from my remembrance. and, besides, the king hath not deserved my service nor your loves; who find in my exile the want of breeding, the certainty of this hard life; aye hopeless to have the courtesy your cradle promised, but to be still hot summer's tamings and the shrinking slaves of winter. guiderius than be so better to cease to be. pray, sir, to the army: i and my brother are not known; yourself so out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown, cannot be question'd. arviragus by this sun that shines, i'll thither: what thing is it that i never did see man die! scarce ever look'd on blood, but that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison! never bestrid a horse, save one that had a rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel nor iron on his heel! i am ashamed to look upon the holy sun, to have the benefit of his blest beams, remaining so long a poor unknown. guiderius by heavens, i'll go: if you will bless me, sir, and give me leave, i'll take the better care, but if you will not, the hazard therefore due fall on me by the hands of romans! arviragus so say i amen. belarius no reason i, since of your lives you set so slight a valuation, should reserve my crack'd one to more care. have with you, boys! if in your country wars you chance to die, that is my bed too, lads, an there i'll lie: lead, lead. [aside] the time seems long; their blood thinks scorn, till it fly out and show them princes born. [exeunt] cymbeline act v scene i britain. the roman camp. [enter posthumus, with a bloody handkerchief] posthumus leonatus yea, bloody cloth, i'll keep thee, for i wish'd thou shouldst be colour'd thus. you married ones, if each of you should take this course, how many must murder wives much better than themselves for wrying but a little! o pisanio! every good servant does not all commands: no bond but to do just ones. gods! if you should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, i never had lived to put on this: so had you saved the noble imogen to repent, and struck me, wretch more worth your vengeance. but, alack, you snatch some hence for little faults; that's love, to have them fall no more: you some permit to second ills with ills, each elder worse, and make them dread it, to the doers' thrift. but imogen is your own: do your best wills, and make me blest to obey! i am brought hither among the italian gentry, and to fight against my lady's kingdom: 'tis enough that, britain, i have kill'd thy mistress; peace! i'll give no wound to thee. therefore, good heavens, hear patiently my purpose: i'll disrobe me of these italian weeds and suit myself as does a briton peasant: so i'll fight against the part i come with; so i'll die for thee, o imogen, even for whom my life is every breath a death; and thus, unknown, pitied nor hated, to the face of peril myself i'll dedicate. let me make men know more valour in me than my habits show. gods, put the strength o' the leonati in me! to shame the guise o' the world, i will begin the fashion, less without and more within. [exit] cymbeline act v scene ii field of battle between the british and roman camps. [enter, from one side, lucius, iachimo, and the roman army: from the other side, the british army; posthumus leonatus following, like a poor soldier. they march over and go out. then enter again, in skirmish, iachimo and posthumus leonatus he vanquisheth and disarmeth iachimo, and then leaves him] iachimo the heaviness and guilt within my bosom takes off my manhood: i have belied a lady, the princess of this country, and the air on't revengingly enfeebles me; or could this carl, a very drudge of nature's, have subdued me in my profession? knighthoods and honours, borne as i wear mine, are titles but of scorn. if that thy gentry, britain, go before this lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds is that we scarce are men and you are gods. [exit] [the battle continues; the britons fly; cymbeline is taken: then enter, to his rescue, belarius, guiderius, and arviragus] belarius stand, stand! we have the advantage of the ground; the lane is guarded: nothing routs us but the villany of our fears. guiderius | | stand, stand, and fight! arviragus | [re-enter posthumus leonatus, and seconds the britons: they rescue cymbeline, and exeunt. then re-enter lucius, and iachimo, with imogen] caius lucius away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself; for friends kill friends, and the disorder's such as war were hoodwink'd. iachimo 'tis their fresh supplies. caius lucius it is a day turn'd strangely: or betimes let's reinforce, or fly. [exeunt] cymbeline act v scene iii another part of the field. [enter posthumus leonatus and a british lord] lord camest thou from where they made the stand? posthumus leonatus i did. though you, it seems, come from the fliers. lord i did. posthumus leonatus no blame be to you, sir; for all was lost, but that the heavens fought: the king himself of his wings destitute, the army broken, and but the backs of britons seen, all flying through a straight lane; the enemy full-hearted, lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work more plentiful than tools to do't, struck down some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some falling merely through fear; that the straight pass was damm'd with dead men hurt behind, and cowards living to die with lengthen'd shame. lord where was this lane? posthumus leonatus close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with turf; which gave advantage to an ancient soldier, an honest one, i warrant; who deserved so long a breeding as his white beard came to, in doing this for's country: athwart the lane, he, with two striplings-lads more like to run the country base than to commit such slaughter with faces fit for masks, or rather fairer than those for preservation cased, or shame- made good the passage; cried to those that fled, 'our britain s harts die flying, not our men: to darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. stand; or we are romans and will give you that like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save, but to look back in frown: stand, stand.' these three, three thousand confident, in act as many- for three performers are the file when all the rest do nothing--with this word 'stand, stand,' accommodated by the place, more charming with their own nobleness, which could have turn'd a distaff to a lance, gilded pale looks, part shame, part spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd coward but by example--o, a sin in war, damn'd in the first beginners!--gan to look the way that they did, and to grin like lions upon the pikes o' the hunters. then began a stop i' the chaser, a retire, anon a rout, confusion thick; forthwith they fly chickens, the way which they stoop'd eagles; slaves, the strides they victors made: and now our cowards, like fragments in hard voyages, became the life o' the need: having found the backdoor open of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound! some slain before; some dying; some their friends o'er borne i' the former wave: ten, chased by one, are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty: those that would die or ere resist are grown the mortal bugs o' the field. lord this was strange chance a narrow lane, an old man, and two boys. posthumus leonatus nay, do not wonder at it: you are made rather to wonder at the things you hear than to work any. will you rhyme upon't, and vent it for a mockery? here is one: 'two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane, preserved the britons, was the romans' bane.' lord nay, be not angry, sir. posthumus leonatus 'lack, to what end? who dares not stand his foe, i'll be his friend; for if he'll do as he is made to do, i know he'll quickly fly my friendship too. you have put me into rhyme. lord farewell; you're angry. posthumus leonatus still going? [exit lord] this is a lord! o noble misery, to be i' the field, and ask 'what news?' of me! to-day how many would have given their honours to have saved their carcasses! took heel to do't, and yet died too! i, in mine own woe charm'd, could not find death where i did hear him groan, nor feel him where he struck: being an ugly monster, 'tis strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds, sweet words; or hath more ministers than we that draw his knives i' the war. well, i will find him for being now a favourer to the briton, no more a briton, i have resumed again the part i came in: fight i will no more, but yield me to the veriest hind that shall once touch my shoulder. great the slaughter is here made by the roman; great the answer be britons must take. for me, my ransom's death; on either side i come to spend my breath; which neither here i'll keep nor bear again, but end it by some means for imogen. [enter two british captains and soldiers] first captain great jupiter be praised! lucius is taken. 'tis thought the old man and his sons were angels. second captain there was a fourth man, in a silly habit, that gave the affront with them. first captain so 'tis reported: but none of 'em can be found. stand! who's there? posthumus leonatus a roman, who had not now been drooping here, if seconds had answer'd him. second captain lay hands on him; a dog! a leg of rome shall not return to tell what crows have peck'd them here. he brags his service as if he were of note: bring him to the king. [enter cymbeline, belarius, guiderius, arviragus, pisanio, soldiers, attendants, and roman captives. the captains present posthumus leonatus to cymbeline, who delivers him over to a gaoler: then exeunt omnes] cymbeline act v scene iv a british prison. [enter posthumus leonatus and two gaolers] first gaoler you shall not now be stol'n, you have locks upon you; so graze as you find pasture. second gaoler ay, or a stomach. [exeunt gaolers] posthumus leonatus most welcome, bondage! for thou art away, think, to liberty: yet am i better than one that's sick o' the gout; since he had rather groan so in perpetuity than be cured by the sure physician, death, who is the key to unbar these locks. my conscience, thou art fetter'd more than my shanks and wrists: you good gods, give me the penitent instrument to pick that bolt, then, free for ever! is't enough i am sorry? so children temporal fathers do appease; gods are more full of mercy. must i repent? i cannot do it better than in gyves, desired more than constrain'd: to satisfy, if of my freedom 'tis the main part, take no stricter render of me than my all. i know you are more clement than vile men, who of their broken debtors take a third, a sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again on their abatement: that's not my desire: for imogen's dear life take mine; and though 'tis not so dear, yet 'tis a life; you coin'd it: 'tween man and man they weigh not every stamp; though light, take pieces for the figure's sake: you rather mine, being yours: and so, great powers, if you will take this audit, take this life, and cancel these cold bonds. o imogen! i'll speak to thee in silence. [sleeps] [solemn music. enter, as in an apparition, sicilius leonatus, father to posthumus leonatus, an old man, attired like a warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, his wife, and mother to posthumus leonatus, with music before them: then, after other music, follow the two young leonati, brothers to posthumus leonatus, with wounds as they died in the wars. they circle posthumus leonatus round, as he lies sleeping] sicilius leonatus no more, thou thunder-master, show thy spite on mortal flies: with mars fall out, with juno chide, that thy adulteries rates and revenges. hath my poor boy done aught but well, whose face i never saw? i died whilst in the womb he stay'd attending nature's law: whose father then, as men report thou orphans' father art, thou shouldst have been, and shielded him from this earth-vexing smart. mother lucina lent not me her aid, but took me in my throes; that from me was posthumus ript, came crying 'mongst his foes, a thing of pity! sicilius leonatus great nature, like his ancestry, moulded the stuff so fair, that he deserved the praise o' the world, as great sicilius' heir. first brother when once he was mature for man, in britain where was he that could stand up his parallel; or fruitful object be in eye of imogen, that best could deem his dignity? mother with marriage wherefore was he mock'd, to be exiled, and thrown from leonati seat, and cast from her his dearest one, sweet imogen? sicilius leonatus why did you suffer iachimo, slight thing of italy, to taint his nobler heart and brain with needless jealosy; and to become the geck and scorn o' th' other's villany? second brother for this from stiller seats we came, our parents and us twain, that striking in our country's cause fell bravely and were slain, our fealty and tenantius' right with honour to maintain. first brother like hardiment posthumus hath to cymbeline perform'd: then, jupiter, thou king of gods, why hast thou thus adjourn'd the graces for his merits due, being all to dolours turn'd? sicilius leonatus thy crystal window ope; look out; no longer exercise upon a valiant race thy harsh and potent injuries. mother since, jupiter, our son is good, take off his miseries. sicilius leonatus peep through thy marble mansion; help; or we poor ghosts will cry to the shining synod of the rest against thy deity. first brother | help, jupiter; or we appeal, | and from thy justice fly. second brother | [jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an eagle: he throws a thunderbolt. the apparitions fall on their knees] jupiter no more, you petty spirits of region low, offend our hearing; hush! how dare you ghosts accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know, sky-planted batters all rebelling coasts? poor shadows of elysium, hence, and rest upon your never-withering banks of flowers: be not with mortal accidents opprest; no care of yours it is; you know 'tis ours. whom best i love i cross; to make my gift, the more delay'd, delighted. be content; your low-laid son our godhead will uplift: his comforts thrive, his trials well are spent. our jovial star reign'd at his birth, and in our temple was he married. rise, and fade. he shall be lord of lady imogen, and happier much by his affliction made. this tablet lay upon his breast, wherein our pleasure his full fortune doth confine: and so, away: no further with your din express impatience, lest you stir up mine. mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline. [ascends] sicilius leonatus he came in thunder; his celestial breath was sulphurous to smell: the holy eagle stoop'd as to foot us: his ascension is more sweet than our blest fields: his royal bird prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak, as when his god is pleased. all thanks, jupiter! sicilius leonatus the marble pavement closes, he is enter'd his radiant root. away! and, to be blest, let us with care perform his great behest. [the apparitions vanish] posthumus leonatus [waking] sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, and begot a father to me; and thou hast created a mother and two brothers: but, o scorn! gone! they went hence so soon as they were born: and so i am awake. poor wretches that depend on greatness' favour dream as i have done, wake and find nothing. but, alas, i swerve: many dream not to find, neither deserve, and yet are steep'd in favours: so am i, that have this golden chance and know not why. what fairies haunt this ground? a book? o rare one! be not, as is our fangled world, a garment nobler than that it covers: let thy effects so follow, to be most unlike our courtiers, as good as promise. [reads] 'when as a lion's whelp shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which, being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow; then shall posthumus end his miseries, britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.' 'tis still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen tongue and brain not; either both or nothing; or senseless speaking or a speaking such as sense cannot untie. be what it is, the action of my life is like it, which i'll keep, if but for sympathy. [re-enter first gaoler] first gaoler come, sir, are you ready for death? posthumus leonatus over-roasted rather; ready long ago. first gaoler hanging is the word, sir: if you be ready for that, you are well cooked. posthumus leonatus so, if i prove a good repast to the spectators, the dish pays the shot. first gaoler a heavy reckoning for you, sir. but the comfort is, you shall be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern-bills; which are often the sadness of parting, as the procuring of mirth: you come in flint for want of meat, depart reeling with too much drink; sorry that you have paid too much, and sorry that you are paid too much; purse and brain both empty; the brain the heavier for being too light, the purse too light, being drawn of heaviness: of this contradiction you shall now be quit. o, the charity of a penny cord! it sums up thousands in a trice: you have no true debitor and creditor but it; of what's past, is, and to come, the discharge: your neck, sir, is pen, book and counters; so the acquittance follows. posthumus leonatus i am merrier to die than thou art to live. first gaoler indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the tooth-ache: but a man that were to sleep your sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, i think he would change places with his officer; for, look you, sir, you know not which way you shall go. posthumus leonatus yes, indeed do i, fellow. first gaoler your death has eyes in 's head then; i have not seen him so pictured: you must either be directed by some that take upon them to know, or do take upon yourself that which i am sure you do not know, or jump the after inquiry on your own peril: and how you shall speed in your journey's end, i think you'll never return to tell one. posthumus leonatus i tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes to direct them the way i am going, but such as wink and will not use them. first gaoler what an infinite mock is this, that a man should have the best use of eyes to see the way of blindness! i am sure hanging's the way of winking. [enter a messenger] messenger knock off his manacles; bring your prisoner to the king. posthumus leonatus thou bring'st good news; i am called to be made free. first gaoler i'll be hang'd then. posthumus leonatus thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler; no bolts for the dead. [exeunt posthumus leonatus and messenger] first gaoler unless a man would marry a gallows and beget young gibbets, i never saw one so prone. yet, on my conscience, there are verier knaves desire to live, for all he be a roman: and there be some of them too that die against their wills; so should i, if i were one. i would we were all of one mind, and one mind good; o, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses! i speak against my present profit, but my wish hath a preferment in 't. [exeunt] cymbeline act v scene v cymbeline's tent. [enter cymbeline, belarius, guiderius, arviragus, pisanio, lords, officers, and attendants] cymbeline stand by my side, you whom the gods have made preservers of my throne. woe is my heart that the poor soldier that so richly fought, whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast stepp'd before larges of proof, cannot be found: he shall be happy that can find him, if our grace can make him so. belarius i never saw such noble fury in so poor a thing; such precious deeds in one that promises nought but beggary and poor looks. cymbeline no tidings of him? pisanio he hath been search'd among the dead and living, but no trace of him. cymbeline to my grief, i am the heir of his reward; [to belarius, guiderius, and arviragus] which i will add to you, the liver, heart and brain of britain, by whom i grant she lives. 'tis now the time to ask of whence you are. report it. belarius sir, in cambria are we born, and gentlemen: further to boast were neither true nor modest, unless i add, we are honest. cymbeline bow your knees. arise my knights o' the battle: i create you companions to our person and will fit you with dignities becoming your estates. [enter cornelius and ladies] there's business in these faces. why so sadly greet you our victory? you look like romans, and not o' the court of britain. cornelius hail, great king! to sour your happiness, i must report the queen is dead. cymbeline who worse than a physician would this report become? but i consider, by medicine life may be prolong'd, yet death will seize the doctor too. how ended she? cornelius with horror, madly dying, like her life, which, being cruel to the world, concluded most cruel to herself. what she confess'd i will report, so please you: these her women can trip me, if i err; who with wet cheeks were present when she finish'd. cymbeline prithee, say. cornelius first, she confess'd she never loved you, only affected greatness got by you, not you: married your royalty, was wife to your place; abhorr'd your person. cymbeline she alone knew this; and, but she spoke it dying, i would not believe her lips in opening it. proceed. cornelius your daughter, whom she bore in hand to love with such integrity, she did confess was as a scorpion to her sight; whose life, but that her flight prevented it, she had ta'en off by poison. cymbeline o most delicate fiend! who is 't can read a woman? is there more? cornelius more, sir, and worse. she did confess she had for you a mortal mineral; which, being took, should by the minute feed on life and lingering by inches waste you: in which time she purposed, by watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to o'ercome you with her show, and in time, when she had fitted you with her craft, to work her son into the adoption of the crown: but, failing of her end by his strange absence, grew shameless-desperate; open'd, in despite of heaven and men, her purposes; repented the evils she hatch'd were not effected; so despairing died. cymbeline heard you all this, her women? first lady we did, so please your highness. cymbeline mine eyes were not in fault, for she was beautiful; mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor my heart, that thought her like her seeming; it had been vicious to have mistrusted her: yet, o my daughter! that it was folly in me, thou mayst say, and prove it in thy feeling. heaven mend all! [enter lucius, iachimo, the soothsayer, and other roman prisoners, guarded; posthumus leonatus behind, and imogen] thou comest not, caius, now for tribute that the britons have razed out, though with the loss of many a bold one; whose kinsmen have made suit that their good souls may be appeased with slaughter of you their captives, which ourself have granted: so think of your estate. caius lucius consider, sir, the chance of war: the day was yours by accident; had it gone with us, we should not, when the blood was cool, have threaten'd our prisoners with the sword. but since the gods will have it thus, that nothing but our lives may be call'd ransom, let it come: sufficeth a roman with a roman's heart can suffer: augustus lives to think on't: and so much for my peculiar care. this one thing only i will entreat; my boy, a briton born, let him be ransom'd: never master had a page so kind, so duteous, diligent, so tender over his occasions, true, so feat, so nurse-like: let his virtue join with my request, which i make bold your highness cannot deny; he hath done no briton harm, though he have served a roman: save him, sir, and spare no blood beside. cymbeline i have surely seen him: his favour is familiar to me. boy, thou hast look'd thyself into my grace, and art mine own. i know not why, wherefore, to say 'live, boy:' ne'er thank thy master; live: and ask of cymbeline what boon thou wilt, fitting my bounty and thy state, i'll give it; yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, the noblest ta'en. imogen i humbly thank your highness. caius lucius i do not bid thee beg my life, good lad; and yet i know thou wilt. imogen no, no: alack, there's other work in hand: i see a thing bitter to me as death: your life, good master, must shuffle for itself. caius lucius the boy disdains me, he leaves me, scorns me: briefly die their joys that place them on the truth of girls and boys. why stands he so perplex'd? cymbeline what wouldst thou, boy? i love thee more and more: think more and more what's best to ask. know'st him thou look'st on? speak, wilt have him live? is he thy kin? thy friend? imogen he is a roman; no more kin to me than i to your highness; who, being born your vassal, am something nearer. cymbeline wherefore eyest him so? imogen i'll tell you, sir, in private, if you please to give me hearing. cymbeline ay, with all my heart, and lend my best attention. what's thy name? imogen fidele, sir. cymbeline thou'rt my good youth, my page; i'll be thy master: walk with me; speak freely. [cymbeline and imogen converse apart] belarius is not this boy revived from death? arviragus one sand another not more resembles that sweet rosy lad who died, and was fidele. what think you? guiderius the same dead thing alive. belarius peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; forbear; creatures may be alike: were 't he, i am sure he would have spoke to us. guiderius but we saw him dead. belarius be silent; let's see further. pisanio [aside] it is my mistress: since she is living, let the time run on to good or bad. [cymbeline and imogen come forward] cymbeline come, stand thou by our side; make thy demand aloud. [to iachimo] sir, step you forth; give answer to this boy, and do it freely; or, by our greatness and the grace of it, which is our honour, bitter torture shall winnow the truth from falsehood. on, speak to him. imogen my boon is, that this gentleman may render of whom he had this ring. posthumus leonatus [aside] what's that to him? cymbeline that diamond upon your finger, say how came it yours? iachimo thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken that which, to be spoke, would torture thee. cymbeline how! me? iachimo i am glad to be constrain'd to utter that which torments me to conceal. by villany i got this ring: 'twas leonatus' jewel; whom thou didst banish; and--which more may grieve thee, as it doth me--a nobler sir ne'er lived 'twixt sky and ground. wilt thou hear more, my lord? cymbeline all that belongs to this. iachimo that paragon, thy daughter,- for whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits quail to remember--give me leave; i faint. cymbeline my daughter! what of her? renew thy strength: i had rather thou shouldst live while nature will than die ere i hear more: strive, man, and speak. iachimo upon a time,--unhappy was the clock that struck the hour!--it was in rome,--accursed the mansion where!--'twas at a feast,--o, would our viands had been poison'd, or at least those which i heaved to head!--the good posthumus- what should i say? he was too good to be where ill men were; and was the best of all amongst the rarest of good ones,--sitting sadly, hearing us praise our loves of italy for beauty that made barren the swell'd boast of him that best could speak, for feature, laming the shrine of venus, or straight-pight minerva. postures beyond brief nature, for condition, a shop of all the qualities that man loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving, fairness which strikes the eye- cymbeline i stand on fire: come to the matter. iachimo all too soon i shall, unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. this posthumus, most like a noble lord in love and one that had a royal lover, took his hint; and, not dispraising whom we praised,--therein he was as calm as virtue--he began his mistress' picture; which by his tongue being made, and then a mind put in't, either our brags were crack'd of kitchen-trolls, or his description proved us unspeaking sots. cymbeline nay, nay, to the purpose. iachimo your daughter's chastity--there it begins. he spake of her, as dian had hot dreams, and she alone were cold: whereat i, wretch, made scruple of his praise; and wager'd with him pieces of gold 'gainst this which then he wore upon his honour'd finger, to attain in suit the place of's bed and win this ring by hers and mine adultery. he, true knight, no lesser of her honour confident than i did truly find her, stakes this ring; and would so, had it been a carbuncle of phoebus' wheel, and might so safely, had it been all the worth of's car. away to britain post i in this design: well may you, sir, remember me at court; where i was taught of your chaste daughter the wide difference 'twixt amorous and villanous. being thus quench'd of hope, not longing, mine italian brain 'gan in your duller britain operate most vilely; for my vantage, excellent: and, to be brief, my practise so prevail'd, that i return'd with simular proof enough to make the noble leonatus mad, by wounding his belief in her renown with tokens thus, and thus; averting notes of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet,- o cunning, how i got it!--nay, some marks of secret on her person, that he could not but think her bond of chastity quite crack'd, i having ta'en the forfeit. whereupon- methinks, i see him now- posthumus leonatus [advancing] ay, so thou dost, italian fiend! ay me, most credulous fool, egregious murderer, thief, any thing that's due to all the villains past, in being, to come! o, give me cord, or knife, or poison, some upright justicer! thou, king, send out for torturers ingenious: it is i that all the abhorred things o' the earth amend by being worse than they. i am posthumus, that kill'd thy daughter:--villain-like, i lie- that caused a lesser villain than myself, a sacrilegious thief, to do't: the temple of virtue was she; yea, and she herself. spit, and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set the dogs o' the street to bay me: every villain be call'd posthumus leonitus; and be villany less than 'twas! o imogen! my queen, my life, my wife! o imogen, imogen, imogen! imogen peace, my lord; hear, hear- posthumus leonatus shall's have a play of this? thou scornful page, there lie thy part. [striking her: she falls] pisanio o, gentlemen, help! mine and your mistress! o, my lord posthumus! you ne'er kill'd imogen til now. help, help! mine honour'd lady! cymbeline does the world go round? posthumus leonatus how come these staggers on me? pisanio wake, my mistress! cymbeline if this be so, the gods do mean to strike me to death with mortal joy. pisanio how fares thy mistress? imogen o, get thee from my sight; thou gavest me poison: dangerous fellow, hence! breathe not where princes are. cymbeline the tune of imogen! pisanio lady, the gods throw stones of sulphur on me, if that box i gave you was not thought by me a precious thing: i had it from the queen. cymbeline new matter still? imogen it poison'd me. cornelius o gods! i left out one thing which the queen confess'd. which must approve thee honest: 'if pisanio have,' said she, 'given his mistress that confection which i gave him for cordial, she is served as i would serve a rat.' cymbeline what's this, comelius? cornelius the queen, sir, very oft importuned me to temper poisons for her, still pretending the satisfaction of her knowledge only in killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs, of no esteem: i, dreading that her purpose was of more danger, did compound for her a certain stuff, which, being ta'en, would cease the present power of life, but in short time all offices of nature should again do their due functions. have you ta'en of it? imogen most like i did, for i was dead. belarius my boys, there was our error. guiderius this is, sure, fidele. imogen why did you throw your wedded lady from you? think that you are upon a rock; and now throw me again. [embracing him] posthumus leonatus hang there like a fruit, my soul, till the tree die! cymbeline how now, my flesh, my child! what, makest thou me a dullard in this act? wilt thou not speak to me? imogen [kneeling] your blessing, sir. belarius [to guiderius and arviragus] though you did love this youth, i blame ye not: you had a motive for't. cymbeline my tears that fall prove holy water on thee! imogen, thy mother's dead. imogen i am sorry for't, my lord. cymbeline o, she was nought; and long of her it was that we meet here so strangely: but her son is gone, we know not how nor where. pisanio my lord, now fear is from me, i'll speak troth. lord cloten, upon my lady's missing, came to me with his sword drawn; foam'd at the mouth, and swore, if i discover'd not which way she was gone, it was my instant death. by accident, had a feigned letter of my master's then in my pocket; which directed him to seek her on the mountains near to milford; where, in a frenzy, in my master's garments, which he enforced from me, away he posts with unchaste purpose and with oath to violate my lady's honour: what became of him i further know not. guiderius let me end the story: i slew him there. cymbeline marry, the gods forfend! i would not thy good deeds should from my lips pluck a bard sentence: prithee, valiant youth, deny't again. guiderius i have spoke it, and i did it. cymbeline he was a prince. guiderius a most incivil one: the wrongs he did me were nothing prince-like; for he did provoke me with language that would make me spurn the sea, if it could so roar to me: i cut off's head; and am right glad he is not standing here to tell this tale of mine. cymbeline i am sorry for thee: by thine own tongue thou art condemn'd, and must endure our law: thou'rt dead. imogen that headless man i thought had been my lord. cymbeline bind the offender, and take him from our presence. belarius stay, sir king: this man is better than the man he slew, as well descended as thyself; and hath more of thee merited than a band of clotens had ever scar for. [to the guard] let his arms alone; they were not born for bondage. cymbeline why, old soldier, wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, by tasting of our wrath? how of descent as good as we? arviragus in that he spake too far. cymbeline and thou shalt die for't. belarius we will die all three: but i will prove that two on's are as good as i have given out him. my sons, i must, for mine own part, unfold a dangerous speech, though, haply, well for you. arviragus your danger's ours. guiderius and our good his. belarius have at it then, by leave. thou hadst, great king, a subject who was call'd belarius. cymbeline what of him? he is a banish'd traitor. belarius he it is that hath assumed this age; indeed a banish'd man; i know not how a traitor. cymbeline take him hence: the whole world shall not save him. belarius not too hot: first pay me for the nursing of thy sons; and let it be confiscate all, so soon as i have received it. cymbeline nursing of my sons! belarius i am too blunt and saucy: here's my knee: ere i arise, i will prefer my sons; then spare not the old father. mighty sir, these two young gentlemen, that call me father and think they are my sons, are none of mine; they are the issue of your loins, my liege, and blood of your begetting. cymbeline how! my issue! belarius so sure as you your father's. i, old morgan, am that belarius whom you sometime banish'd: your pleasure was my mere offence, my punishment itself, and all my treason; that i suffer'd was all the harm i did. these gentle princes- for such and so they are--these twenty years have i train'd up: those arts they have as i could put into them; my breeding was, sir, as your highness knows. their nurse, euriphile, whom for the theft i wedded, stole these children upon my banishment: i moved her to't, having received the punishment before, for that which i did then: beaten for loyalty excited me to treason: their dear loss, the more of you 'twas felt, the more it shaped unto my end of stealing them. but, gracious sir, here are your sons again; and i must lose two of the sweet'st companions in the world. the benediction of these covering heavens fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy to inlay heaven with stars. cymbeline thou weep'st, and speak'st. the service that you three have done is more unlike than this thou tell'st. i lost my children: if these be they, i know not how to wish a pair of worthier sons. belarius be pleased awhile. this gentleman, whom i call polydore, most worthy prince, as yours, is true guiderius: this gentleman, my cadwal, arviragus, your younger princely son; he, sir, was lapp'd in a most curious mantle, wrought by the hand of his queen mother, which for more probation i can with ease produce. cymbeline guiderius had upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star; it was a mark of wonder. belarius this is he; who hath upon him still that natural stamp: it was wise nature's end in the donation, to be his evidence now. cymbeline o, what, am i a mother to the birth of three? ne'er mother rejoiced deliverance more. blest pray you be, that, after this strange starting from your orbs, may reign in them now! o imogen, thou hast lost by this a kingdom. imogen no, my lord; i have got two worlds by 't. o my gentle brothers, have we thus met? o, never say hereafter but i am truest speaker you call'd me brother, when i was but your sister; i you brothers, when ye were so indeed. cymbeline did you e'er meet? arviragus ay, my good lord. guiderius and at first meeting loved; continued so, until we thought he died. cornelius by the queen's dram she swallow'd. cymbeline o rare instinct! when shall i hear all through? this fierce abridgement hath to it circumstantial branches, which distinction should be rich in. where? how lived you? and when came you to serve our roman captive? how parted with your brothers? how first met them? why fled you from the court? and whither? these, and your three motives to the battle, with i know not how much more, should be demanded; and all the other by-dependencies, from chance to chance: but nor the time nor place will serve our long inter'gatories. see, posthumus anchors upon imogen, and she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye on him, her brother, me, her master, hitting each object with a joy: the counterchange is severally in all. let's quit this ground, and smoke the temple with our sacrifices. [to belarius] thou art my brother; so we'll hold thee ever. imogen you are my father too, and did relieve me, to see this gracious season. cymbeline all o'erjoy'd, save these in bonds: let them be joyful too, for they shall taste our comfort. imogen my good master, i will yet do you service. caius lucius happy be you! cymbeline the forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, he would have well becomed this place, and graced the thankings of a king. posthumus leonatus i am, sir, the soldier that did company these three in poor beseeming; 'twas a fitment for the purpose i then follow'd. that i was he, speak, iachimo: i had you down and might have made you finish. iachimo [kneeling] i am down again: but now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, as then your force did. take that life, beseech you, which i so often owe: but your ring first; and here the bracelet of the truest princess that ever swore her faith. posthumus leonatus kneel not to me: the power that i have on you is, to spare you; the malice towards you to forgive you: live, and deal with others better. cymbeline nobly doom'd! we'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law; pardon's the word to all. arviragus you holp us, sir, as you did mean indeed to be our brother; joy'd are we that you are. posthumus leonatus your servant, princes. good my lord of rome, call forth your soothsayer: as i slept, methought great jupiter, upon his eagle back'd, appear'd to me, with other spritely shows of mine own kindred: when i waked, i found this label on my bosom; whose containing is so from sense in hardness, that i can make no collection of it: let him show his skill in the construction. caius lucius philarmonus! soothsayer here, my good lord. caius lucius read, and declare the meaning. soothsayer [reads] 'when as a lion's whelp shall, to himself unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced by a piece of tender air; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which, being dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the old stock, and freshly grow; then shall posthumus end his miseries, britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty.' thou, leonatus, art the lion's whelp; the fit and apt construction of thy name, being leonatus, doth import so much. [to cymbeline] the piece of tender air, thy virtuous daughter, which we call 'mollis aer;' and 'mollis aer' we term it 'mulier:' which 'mulier' i divine is this most constant wife; who, even now, answering the letter of the oracle, unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about with this most tender air. cymbeline this hath some seeming. soothsayer the lofty cedar, royal cymbeline, personates thee: and thy lopp'd branches point thy two sons forth; who, by belarius stol'n, for many years thought dead, are now revived, to the majestic cedar join'd, whose issue promises britain peace and plenty. cymbeline well my peace we will begin. and, caius lucius, although the victor, we submit to caesar, and to the roman empire; promising to pay our wonted tribute, from the which we were dissuaded by our wicked queen; whom heavens, in justice, both on her and hers, have laid most heavy hand. soothsayer the fingers of the powers above do tune the harmony of this peace. the vision which i made known to lucius, ere the stroke of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant is full accomplish'd; for the roman eagle, from south to west on wing soaring aloft, lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun so vanish'd: which foreshow'd our princely eagle, the imperial caesar, should again unite his favour with the radiant cymbeline, which shines here in the west. cymbeline laud we the gods; and let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils from our blest altars. publish we this peace to all our subjects. set we forward: let a roman and a british ensign wave friendly together: so through lud's-town march: and in the temple of great jupiter our peace we'll ratify; seal it with feasts. set on there! never was a war did cease, ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace. [exeunt] coriolanus dramatis personae caius marcius (marcus:) afterwards caius marcius coriolanus. (coriolanus:) titus lartius (lartius:) | | generals against the volscians. cominius | menenius agrippa friend to coriolanus. (menenius:) sicinius velutus (sicinius:) | | tribunes of the people. junius brutus (brutus:) | young marcus son to coriolanus. a roman herald. (herald:) tullus aufidius general of the volscians. (aufidius:) lieutenant to aufidius. (lieutenant:) conspirators with aufidius. (first conspirator:) (second conspirator:) (third conspirator:) a citizen of antium. two volscian guards. volumnia mother to coriolanus. virgilia wife to coriolanus. valeria friend to virgilia. gentlewoman, attending on virgilia. (gentlewoman:) roman and volscian senators, patricians, aediles, lictors, soldiers, citizens, messengers, servants to aufidius, and other attendants. (first senator:) (second senator:) (a patrician:) (second patrician:) (aedile:) (first soldier:) (second soldier:) (first citizen:) (second citizen:) (third citizen:) (fourth citizen:) (fifth citizen:) (sixth citizen:) (seventh citizen:) (messenger:) (second messenger:) (first serviceman:) (second serviceman:) (third serviceman:) (officer:) (first officer:) (second officer:) (roman:) (first roman:) (second roman:) (third roman:) (volsce:) (first lord:) (second lord:) (third lord:) scene rome and the neighbourhood; corioli and the neighbourhood; antium. coriolanus act i scene i rome. a street. [enter a company of mutinous citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons] first citizen before we proceed any further, hear me speak. all speak, speak. first citizen you are all resolved rather to die than to famish? all resolved. resolved. first citizen first, you know caius marcius is chief enemy to the people. all we know't, we know't. first citizen let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. is't a verdict? all no more talking on't; let it be done: away, away! second citizen one word, good citizens. first citizen we are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good. what authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely; but they think we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularise their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know i speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge. second citizen would you proceed especially against caius marcius? all against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty. second citizen consider you what services he has done for his country? first citizen very well; and could be content to give him good report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud. second citizen nay, but speak not maliciously. first citizen i say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country he did it to please his mother and to be partly proud; which he is, even till the altitude of his virtue. second citizen what he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. you must in no way say he is covetous. first citizen if i must not, i need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. [shouts within] what shouts are these? the other side o' the city is risen: why stay we prating here? to the capitol! all come, come. first citizen soft! who comes here? [enter menenius agrippa] second citizen worthy menenius agrippa; one that hath always loved the people. first citizen he's one honest enough: would all the rest were so! menenius what work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you with bats and clubs? the matter? speak, i pray you. first citizen our business is not unknown to the senate; they have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds. they say poor suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we have strong arms too. menenius why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, will you undo yourselves? first citizen we cannot, sir, we are undone already. menenius i tell you, friends, most charitable care have the patricians of you. for your wants, your suffering in this dearth, you may as well strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them against the roman state, whose course will on the way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs of more strong link asunder than can ever appear in your impediment. for the dearth, the gods, not the patricians, make it, and your knees to them, not arms, must help. alack, you are transported by calamity thither where more attends you, and you slander the helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers, when you curse them as enemies. first citizen care for us! true, indeed! they ne'er cared for us yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. if the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us. menenius either you must confess yourselves wondrous malicious, or be accused of folly. i shall tell you a pretty tale: it may be you have heard it; but, since it serves my purpose, i will venture to stale 't a little more. first citizen well, i'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an 't please you, deliver. menenius there was a time when all the body's members rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it: that only like a gulf it did remain i' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive, still cupboarding the viand, never bearing like labour with the rest, where the other instruments did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, and, mutually participate, did minister unto the appetite and affection common of the whole body. the belly answer'd- first citizen well, sir, what answer made the belly? menenius sir, i shall tell you. with a kind of smile, which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus- for, look you, i may make the belly smile as well as speak--it tauntingly replied to the discontented members, the mutinous parts that envied his receipt; even so most fitly as you malign our senators for that they are not such as you. first citizen your belly's answer? what! the kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye, the counsellor heart, the arm our soldier, our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter. with other muniments and petty helps in this our fabric, if that they- menenius what then? 'fore me, this fellow speaks! what then? what then? first citizen should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd, who is the sink o' the body,- menenius well, what then? first citizen the former agents, if they did complain, what could the belly answer? menenius i will tell you if you'll bestow a small--of what you have little- patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer. first citizen ye're long about it. menenius note me this, good friend; your most grave belly was deliberate, not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd: 'true is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he, 'that i receive the general food at first, which you do live upon; and fit it is, because i am the store-house and the shop of the whole body: but, if you do remember, i send it through the rivers of your blood, even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain; and, through the cranks and offices of man, the strongest nerves and small inferior veins from me receive that natural competency whereby they live: and though that all at once, you, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,- first citizen ay, sir; well, well. menenius 'though all at once cannot see what i do deliver out to each, yet i can make my audit up, that all from me do back receive the flour of all, and leave me but the bran.' what say you to't? first citizen it was an answer: how apply you this? menenius the senators of rome are this good belly, and you the mutinous members; for examine their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly touching the weal o' the common, you shall find no public benefit which you receive but it proceeds or comes from them to you and no way from yourselves. what do you think, you, the great toe of this assembly? first citizen i the great toe! why the great toe? menenius for that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest, of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run, lead'st first to win some vantage. but make you ready your stiff bats and clubs: rome and her rats are at the point of battle; the one side must have bale. [enter caius marcius] hail, noble marcius! marcius thanks. what's the matter, you dissentious rogues, that, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, make yourselves scabs? first citizen we have ever your good word. marcius he that will give good words to thee will flatter beneath abhorring. what would you have, you curs, that like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you, the other makes you proud. he that trusts to you, where he should find you lions, finds you hares; where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no, than is the coal of fire upon the ice, or hailstone in the sun. your virtue is to make him worthy whose offence subdues him and curse that justice did it. who deserves greatness deserves your hate; and your affections are a sick man's appetite, who desires most that which would increase his evil. he that depends upon your favours swims with fins of lead and hews down oaks with rushes. hang ye! trust ye? with every minute you do change a mind, and call him noble that was now your hate, him vile that was your garland. what's the matter, that in these several places of the city you cry against the noble senate, who, under the gods, keep you in awe, which else would feed on one another? what's their seeking? menenius for corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, the city is well stored. marcius hang 'em! they say! they'll sit by the fire, and presume to know what's done i' the capitol; who's like to rise, who thrives and who declines; side factions and give out conjectural marriages; making parties strong and feebling such as stand not in their liking below their cobbled shoes. they say there's grain enough! would the nobility lay aside their ruth, and let me use my sword, i'll make a quarry with thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high as i could pick my lance. menenius nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; for though abundantly they lack discretion, yet are they passing cowardly. but, i beseech you, what says the other troop? marcius they are dissolved: hang 'em! they said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs, that hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat, that meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not corn for the rich men only: with these shreds they vented their complainings; which being answer'd, and a petition granted them, a strange one- to break the heart of generosity, and make bold power look pale--they threw their caps as they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, shouting their emulation. menenius what is granted them? marcius five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms, of their own choice: one's junius brutus, sicinius velutus, and i know not--'sdeath! the rabble should have first unroof'd the city, ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time win upon power and throw forth greater themes for insurrection's arguing. menenius this is strange. marcius go, get you home, you fragments! [enter a messenger, hastily] messenger where's caius marcius? marcius here: what's the matter? messenger the news is, sir, the volsces are in arms. marcius i am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent our musty superfluity. see, our best elders. [enter cominius, titus lartius, and other senators; junius brutus and sicinius velutus] first senator marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us; the volsces are in arms. marcius they have a leader, tullus aufidius, that will put you to 't. i sin in envying his nobility, and were i any thing but what i am, i would wish me only he. cominius you have fought together. marcius were half to half the world by the ears and he. upon my party, i'ld revolt to make only my wars with him: he is a lion that i am proud to hunt. first senator then, worthy marcius, attend upon cominius to these wars. cominius it is your former promise. marcius sir, it is; and i am constant. titus lartius, thou shalt see me once more strike at tullus' face. what, art thou stiff? stand'st out? titus no, caius marcius; i'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other, ere stay behind this business. menenius o, true-bred! first senator your company to the capitol; where, i know, our greatest friends attend us. titus [to cominius] lead you on. [to marcius] follow cominius; we must follow you; right worthy you priority. cominius noble marcius! first senator [to the citizens] hence to your homes; be gone! marcius nay, let them follow: the volsces have much corn; take these rats thither to gnaw their garners. worshipful mutiners, your valour puts well forth: pray, follow. [citizens steal away. exeunt all but sicinius and brutus] sicinius was ever man so proud as is this marcius? brutus he has no equal. sicinius when we were chosen tribunes for the people,- brutus mark'd you his lip and eyes? sicinius nay. but his taunts. brutus being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods. sicinius be-mock the modest moon. brutus the present wars devour him: he is grown too proud to be so valiant. sicinius such a nature, tickled with good success, disdains the shadow which he treads on at noon: but i do wonder his insolence can brook to be commanded under cominius. brutus fame, at the which he aims, in whom already he's well graced, can not better be held nor more attain'd than by a place below the first: for what miscarries shall be the general's fault, though he perform to the utmost of a man, and giddy censure will then cry out of marcius 'o if he had borne the business!' sicinius besides, if things go well, opinion that so sticks on marcius shall of his demerits rob cominius. brutus come: half all cominius' honours are to marcius. though marcius earned them not, and all his faults to marcius shall be honours, though indeed in aught he merit not. sicinius let's hence, and hear how the dispatch is made, and in what fashion, more than his singularity, he goes upon this present action. brutus lets along. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene ii corioli. the senate-house. [enter tullus aufidius and certain senators] first senator so, your opinion is, aufidius, that they of rome are entered in our counsels and know how we proceed. aufidius is it not yours? what ever have been thought on in this state, that could be brought to bodily act ere rome had circumvention? 'tis not four days gone since i heard thence; these are the words: i think i have the letter here; yes, here it is. [reads] 'they have press'd a power, but it is not known whether for east or west: the dearth is great; the people mutinous; and it is rumour'd, cominius, marcius your old enemy, who is of rome worse hated than of you, and titus lartius, a most valiant roman, these three lead on this preparation whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you: consider of it.' first senator our army's in the field we never yet made doubt but rome was ready to answer us. aufidius nor did you think it folly to keep your great pretences veil'd till when they needs must show themselves; which in the hatching, it seem'd, appear'd to rome. by the discovery. we shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was to take in many towns ere almost rome should know we were afoot. second senator noble aufidius, take your commission; hie you to your bands: let us alone to guard corioli: if they set down before 's, for the remove bring your army; but, i think, you'll find they've not prepared for us. aufidius o, doubt not that; i speak from certainties. nay, more, some parcels of their power are forth already, and only hitherward. i leave your honours. if we and caius marcius chance to meet, 'tis sworn between us we shall ever strike till one can do no more. all the gods assist you! aufidius and keep your honours safe! first senator farewell. second senator farewell. all farewell. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene iii rome. a room in marcius' house. [enter volumnia and virgilia they set them down on two low stools, and sew] volumnia i pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, i should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love. when yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, i, considering how honour would become such a person. that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. to a cruel war i sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. i tell thee, daughter, i sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man. virgilia but had he died in the business, madam; how then? volumnia then his good report should have been my son; i therein would have found issue. hear me profess sincerely: had i a dozen sons, each in my love alike and none less dear than thine and my good marcius, i had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. [enter a gentlewoman] gentlewoman madam, the lady valeria is come to visit you. virgilia beseech you, give me leave to retire myself. volumnia indeed, you shall not. methinks i hear hither your husband's drum, see him pluck aufidius down by the hair, as children from a bear, the volsces shunning him: methinks i see him stamp thus, and call thus: 'come on, you cowards! you were got in fear, though you were born in rome:' his bloody brow with his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes, like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow or all or lose his hire. virgilia his bloody brow! o jupiter, no blood! volumnia away, you fool! it more becomes a man than gilt his trophy: the breasts of hecuba, when she did suckle hector, look'd not lovelier than hector's forehead when it spit forth blood at grecian sword, contemning. tell valeria, we are fit to bid her welcome. [exit gentlewoman] virgilia heavens bless my lord from fell aufidius! volumnia he'll beat aufidius 'head below his knee and tread upon his neck. [enter valeria, with an usher and gentlewoman] valeria my ladies both, good day to you. volumnia sweet madam. virgilia i am glad to see your ladyship. valeria how do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. what are you sewing here? a fine spot, in good faith. how does your little son? virgilia i thank your ladyship; well, good madam. volumnia he had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master. valeria o' my word, the father's son: i'll swear,'tis a very pretty boy. o' my troth, i looked upon him o' wednesday half an hour together: has such a confirmed countenance. i saw him run after a gilded butterfly: and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and again; catched it again; or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it; o, i warrant it, how he mammocked it! volumnia one on 's father's moods. valeria indeed, la, 'tis a noble child. virgilia a crack, madam. valeria come, lay aside your stitchery; i must have you play the idle husewife with me this afternoon. virgilia no, good madam; i will not out of doors. valeria not out of doors! volumnia she shall, she shall. virgilia indeed, no, by your patience; i'll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars. valeria fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. virgilia i will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but i cannot go thither. volumnia why, i pray you? virgilia 'tis not to save labour, nor that i want love. valeria you would be another penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun in ulysses' absence did but fill ithaca full of moths. come; i would your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. come, you shall go with us. virgilia no, good madam, pardon me; indeed, i will not forth. valeria in truth, la, go with me; and i'll tell you excellent news of your husband. virgilia o, good madam, there can be none yet. valeria verily, i do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. virgilia indeed, madam? valeria in earnest, it's true; i heard a senator speak it. thus it is: the volsces have an army forth; against whom cominius the general is gone, with one part of our roman power: your lord and titus lartius are set down before their city corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing and to make it brief wars. this is true, on mine honour; and so, i pray, go with us. virgilia give me excuse, good madam; i will obey you in every thing hereafter. volumnia let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth. valeria in troth, i think she would. fare you well, then. come, good sweet lady. prithee, virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door. and go along with us. virgilia no, at a word, madam; indeed, i must not. i wish you much mirth. valeria well, then, farewell. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene iv before corioli. [enter, with drum and colours, marcius, titus lartius, captains and soldiers. to them a messenger] marcius yonder comes news. a wager they have met. lartius my horse to yours, no. marcius 'tis done. lartius agreed. marcius say, has our general met the enemy? messenger they lie in view; but have not spoke as yet. lartius so, the good horse is mine. marcius i'll buy him of you. lartius no, i'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him i will for half a hundred years. summon the town. marcius how far off lie these armies? messenger within this mile and half. marcius then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. now, mars, i prithee, make us quick in work, that we with smoking swords may march from hence, to help our fielded friends! come, blow thy blast. [they sound a parley. enter two senators with others on the walls] tutus aufidius, is he within your walls? first senator no, nor a man that fears you less than he, that's lesser than a little. [drums afar off] hark! our drums are bringing forth our youth. we'll break our walls, rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, which yet seem shut, we, have but pinn'd with rushes; they'll open of themselves. [alarum afar off] hark you. far off! there is aufidius; list, what work he makes amongst your cloven army. marcius o, they are at it! lartius their noise be our instruction. ladders, ho! [enter the army of the volsces] marcius they fear us not, but issue forth their city. now put your shields before your hearts, and fight with hearts more proof than shields. advance, brave titus: they do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, which makes me sweat with wrath. come on, my fellows: he that retires i'll take him for a volsce, and he shall feel mine edge. [alarum. the romans are beat back to their trenches. re-enter marcius cursing] marcius all the contagion of the south light on you, you shames of rome! you herd of--boils and plagues plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd further than seen and one infect another against the wind a mile! you souls of geese, that bear the shapes of men, how have you run from slaves that apes would beat! pluto and hell! all hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale with flight and agued fear! mend and charge home, or, by the fires of heaven, i'll leave the foe and make my wars on you: look to't: come on; if you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, as they us to our trenches followed. [another alarum. the volsces fly, and marcius follows them to the gates] so, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds: 'tis for the followers fortune widens them, not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like. [enters the gates] first soldier fool-hardiness; not i. second soldier nor i. [marcius is shut in] first soldier see, they have shut him in. all to the pot, i warrant him. [alarum continues] [re-enter titus lartius] lartius what is become of marcius? all slain, sir, doubtless. first soldier following the fliers at the very heels, with them he enters; who, upon the sudden, clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone, to answer all the city. lartius o noble fellow! who sensibly outdares his senseless sword, and, when it bows, stands up. thou art left, marcius: a carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, were not so rich a jewel. thou wast a soldier even to cato's wish, not fierce and terrible only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and the thunder-like percussion of thy sounds, thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world were feverous and did tremble. [re-enter marcius, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy] first soldier look, sir. lartius o,'tis marcius! let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [they fight, and all enter the city] coriolanus act i scene v corioli. a street. [enter certain romans, with spoils] first roman this will i carry to rome. second roman and i this. third roman a murrain on't! i took this for silver. [alarum continues still afar off] [enter marcius and titus lartius with a trumpet] marcius see here these movers that do prize their hours at a crack'd drachm! cushions, leaden spoons, irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them! and hark, what noise the general makes! to him! there is the man of my soul's hate, aufidius, piercing our romans: then, valiant titus, take convenient numbers to make good the city; whilst i, with those that have the spirit, will haste to help cominius. lartius worthy sir, thou bleed'st; thy exercise hath been too violent for a second course of fight. marcius sir, praise me not; my work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well: the blood i drop is rather physical than dangerous to me: to aufidius thus i will appear, and fight. lartius now the fair goddess, fortune, fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms misguide thy opposers' swords! bold gentleman, prosperity be thy page! marcius thy friend no less than those she placeth highest! so, farewell. lartius thou worthiest marcius! [exit marcius] go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place; call thither all the officers o' the town, where they shall know our mind: away! [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene vi near the camp of cominius. [enter cominius, as it were in retire, with soldiers] cominius breathe you, my friends: well fought; we are come off like romans, neither foolish in our stands, nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs, we shall be charged again. whiles we have struck, by interims and conveying gusts we have heard the charges of our friends. ye roman gods! lead their successes as we wish our own, that both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering, may give you thankful sacrifice. [enter a messenger] thy news? messenger the citizens of corioli have issued, and given to lartius and to marcius battle: i saw our party to their trenches driven, and then i came away. cominius though thou speak'st truth, methinks thou speak'st not well. how long is't since? messenger above an hour, my lord. cominius 'tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums: how couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, and bring thy news so late? messenger spies of the volsces held me in chase, that i was forced to wheel three or four miles about, else had i, sir, half an hour since brought my report. cominius who's yonder, that does appear as he were flay'd? o gods he has the stamp of marcius; and i have before-time seen him thus. marcius [within] come i too late? cominius the shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour more than i know the sound of marcius' tongue from every meaner man. [enter marcius] marcius come i too late? cominius ay, if you come not in the blood of others, but mantled in your own. marcius o, let me clip ye in arms as sound as when i woo'd, in heart as merry as when our nuptial day was done, and tapers burn'd to bedward! cominius flower of warriors, how is it with titus lartius? marcius as with a man busied about decrees: condemning some to death, and some to exile; ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other; holding corioli in the name of rome, even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, to let him slip at will. cominius where is that slave which told me they had beat you to your trenches? where is he? call him hither. marcius let him alone; he did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen, the common file--a plague! tribunes for them!- the mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge from rascals worse than they. cominius but how prevail'd you? marcius will the time serve to tell? i do not think. where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field? if not, why cease you till you are so? cominius marcius, we have at disadvantage fought and did retire to win our purpose. marcius how lies their battle? know you on which side they have placed their men of trust? cominius as i guess, marcius, their bands i' the vaward are the antiates, of their best trust; o'er them aufidius, their very heart of hope. marcius i do beseech you, by all the battles wherein we have fought, by the blood we have shed together, by the vows we have made to endure friends, that you directly set me against aufidius and his antiates; and that you not delay the present, but, filling the air with swords advanced and darts, we prove this very hour. cominius though i could wish you were conducted to a gentle bath and balms applied to, you, yet dare i never deny your asking: take your choice of those that best can aid your action. marcius those are they that most are willing. if any such be here- as it were sin to doubt--that love this painting wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear lesser his person than an ill report; if any think brave death outweighs bad life and that his country's dearer than himself; let him alone, or so many so minded, wave thus, to express his disposition, and follow marcius. [they all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps] o, me alone! make you a sword of me? if these shows be not outward, which of you but is four volsces? none of you but is able to bear against the great aufidius a shield as hard as his. a certain number, though thanks to all, must i select from all: the rest shall bear the business in some other fight, as cause will be obey'd. please you to march; and four shall quickly draw out my command, which men are best inclined. cominius march on, my fellows: make good this ostentation, and you shall divide in all with us. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene vii the gates of corioli. [titus lartius, having set a guard upon corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward cominius and caius marcius, enters with lieutenant, other soldiers, and a scout] lartius so, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties, as i have set them down. if i do send, dispatch those centuries to our aid: the rest will serve for a short holding: if we lose the field, we cannot keep the town. lieutenant fear not our care, sir. lartius hence, and shut your gates upon's. our guider, come; to the roman camp conduct us. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene viii a field of battle. [alarum as in battle. enter, from opposite sides, marcius and aufidius] marcius i'll fight with none but thee; for i do hate thee worse than a promise-breaker. aufidius we hate alike: not afric owns a serpent i abhor more than thy fame and envy. fix thy foot. marcius let the first budger die the other's slave, and the gods doom him after! aufidius if i fly, marcius, holloa me like a hare. marcius within these three hours, tullus, alone i fought in your corioli walls, and made what work i pleased: 'tis not my blood wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge wrench up thy power to the highest. aufidius wert thou the hector that was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, thou shouldst not scape me here. [they fight, and certain volsces come to the aid of aufidius. marcius fights till they be driven in breathless] officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me in your condemned seconds. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene ix the roman camp. [flourish. alarum. a retreat is sounded. flourish. enter, from one side, cominius with the romans; from the other side, marcius, with his arm in a scarf] cominius if i should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but i'll report it where senators shall mingle tears with smiles, where great patricians shall attend and shrug, i' the end admire, where ladies shall be frighted, and, gladly quaked, hear more; where the dull tribunes, that, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours, shall say against their hearts 'we thank the gods our rome hath such a soldier.' yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast, having fully dined before. [enter titus lartius, with his power, from the pursuit] lartius o general, here is the steed, we the caparison: hadst thou beheld- marcius pray now, no more: my mother, who has a charter to extol her blood, when she does praise me grieves me. i have done as you have done; that's what i can; induced as you have been; that's for my country: he that has but effected his good will hath overta'en mine act. cominius you shall not be the grave of your deserving; rome must know the value of her own: 'twere a concealment worse than a theft, no less than a traducement, to hide your doings; and to silence that, which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd, would seem but modest: therefore, i beseech you in sign of what you are, not to reward what you have done--before our army hear me. marcius i have some wounds upon me, and they smart to hear themselves remember'd. cominius should they not, well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude, and tent themselves with death. of all the horses, whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all the treasure in this field achieved and city, we render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth, before the common distribution, at your only choice. marcius i thank you, general; but cannot make my heart consent to take a bribe to pay my sword: i do refuse it; and stand upon my common part with those that have beheld the doing. [a long flourish. they all cry 'marcius! marcius!' cast up their caps and lances: cominius and lartius stand bare] marcius may these same instruments, which you profane, never sound more! when drums and trumpets shall i' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be made all of false-faced soothing! when steel grows soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made a coverture for the wars! no more, i say! for that i have not wash'd my nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch.- which, without note, here's many else have done,- you shout me forth in acclamations hyperbolical; as if i loved my little should be dieted in praises sauced with lies. cominius too modest are you; more cruel to your good report than grateful to us that give you truly: by your patience, if 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we'll put you, like one that means his proper harm, in manacles, then reason safely with you. therefore, be it known, as to us, to all the world, that caius marcius wears this war's garland: in token of the which, my noble steed, known to the camp, i give him, with all his trim belonging; and from this time, for what he did before corioli, call him, with all the applause and clamour of the host, caius marcius coriolanus! bear the addition nobly ever! [flourish. trumpets sound, and drums] all caius marcius coriolanus! coriolanus i will go wash; and when my face is fair, you shall perceive whether i blush or no: howbeit, i thank you. i mean to stride your steed, and at all times to undercrest your good addition to the fairness of my power. cominius so, to our tent; where, ere we do repose us, we will write to rome of our success. you, titus lartius, must to corioli back: send us to rome the best, with whom we may articulate, for their own good and ours. lartius i shall, my lord. coriolanus the gods begin to mock me. i, that now refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg of my lord general. cominius take't; 'tis yours. what is't? coriolanus i sometime lay here in corioli at a poor man's house; he used me kindly: he cried to me; i saw him prisoner; but then aufidius was within my view, and wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: i request you to give my poor host freedom. cominius o, well begg'd! were he the butcher of my son, he should be free as is the wind. deliver him, titus. lartius marcius, his name? coriolanus by jupiter! forgot. i am weary; yea, my memory is tired. have we no wine here? cominius go we to our tent: the blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time it should be look'd to: come. [exeunt] coriolanus act i scene x the camp of the volsces. [a flourish. cornets. enter tullus aufidius, bloody, with two or three soldiers] aufidius the town is ta'en! first soldier 'twill be deliver'd back on good condition. aufidius condition! i would i were a roman; for i cannot, being a volsce, be that i am. condition! what good condition can a treaty find i' the part that is at mercy? five times, marcius, i have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me, and wouldst do so, i think, should we encounter as often as we eat. by the elements, if e'er again i meet him beard to beard, he's mine, or i am his: mine emulation hath not that honour in't it had; for where i thought to crush him in an equal force, true sword to sword, i'll potch at him some way or wrath or craft may get him. first soldier he's the devil. aufidius bolder, though not so subtle. my valour's poison'd with only suffering stain by him; for him shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary, being naked, sick, nor fane nor capitol, the prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice, embarquements all of fury, shall lift up their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst my hate to marcius: where i find him, were it at home, upon my brother's guard, even there, against the hospitable canon, would i wash my fierce hand in's heart. go you to the city; learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must be hostages for rome. first soldier will not you go? aufidius i am attended at the cypress grove: i pray you- 'tis south the city mills--bring me word thither how the world goes, that to the pace of it i may spur on my journey. first soldier i shall, sir. [exeunt] coriolanus act ii scene i rome. a public place. [enter menenius with the two tribunes of the people, sicinius and brutus. menenius the augurer tells me we shall have news to-night. brutus good or bad? menenius not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not marcius. sicinius nature teaches beasts to know their friends. menenius pray you, who does the wolf love? sicinius the lamb. menenius ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble marcius. brutus he's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. menenius he's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. you two are old men: tell me one thing that i shall ask you. both well, sir. menenius in what enormity is marcius poor in, that you two have not in abundance? brutus he's poor in no one fault, but stored with all. sicinius especially in pride. brutus and topping all others in boasting. menenius this is strange now: do you two know how you are censured here in the city, i mean of us o' the right-hand file? do you? both why, how are we censured? menenius because you talk of pride now,--will you not be angry? both well, well, sir, well. menenius why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. you blame marcius for being proud? brutus we do it not alone, sir. menenius i know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. you talk of pride: o that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! o that you could! brutus what then, sir? menenius why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in rome. sicinius menenius, you are known well enough too. menenius i am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying tiber in't; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning: what i think i utter, and spend my malice in my breath. meeting two such wealsmen as you are--i cannot call you lycurguses--if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely, i make a crooked face at it. i can't say your worships have delivered the matter well, when i find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables: and though i must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you you have good faces. if you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that i am known well enough too? what barm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character, if i be known well enough too? brutus come, sir, come, we know you well enough. menenius you know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. you are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller; and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a second day of audience. when you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers; set up the bloody flag against all patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves. you are a pair of strange ones. brutus come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the capitol. menenius our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. when you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack saddle. yet you must be saying, marcius is proud; who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors since deucalion, though peradventure some of the best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. god-den to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: i will be bold to take my leave of you. [brutus and sicinius go aside] [enter volumnia, virgilia, and valeria] how now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon, were she earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow your eyes so fast? volumnia honourable menenius, my boy marcius approaches; for the love of juno, let's go. menenius ha! marcius coming home! volumnia ay, worthy menenius; and with most prosperous approbation. menenius take my cap, jupiter, and i thank thee. hoo! marcius coming home! volumnia | | nay,'tis true. virgilia | volumnia look, here's a letter from him: the state hath another, his wife another; and, i think, there's one at home for you. menenius i will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for me! virgilia yes, certain, there's a letter for you; i saw't. menenius a letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven years' health; in which time i will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescription in galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded. virgilia o, no, no, no. volumnia o, he is wounded; i thank the gods for't. menenius so do i too, if it be not too much: brings a' victory in his pocket? the wounds become him. volumnia on's brows: menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken garland. menenius has he disciplined aufidius soundly? volumnia titus lartius writes, they fought together, but aufidius got off. menenius and 'twas time for him too, i'll warrant him that: an he had stayed by him, i would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in corioli, and the gold that's in them. is the senate possessed of this? volumnia good ladies, let's go. yes, yes, yes; the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly valeria in troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him. menenius wondrous! ay, i warrant you, and not without his true purchasing. virgilia the gods grant them true! volumnia true! pow, wow. menenius true! i'll be sworn they are true. where is he wounded? [to the tribunes] god save your good worships! marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud. where is he wounded? volumnia i' the shoulder and i' the left arm there will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. he received in the repulse of tarquin seven hurts i' the body. menenius one i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,--there's nine that i know. volumnia he had, before this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him. menenius now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave. [a shout and flourish] hark! the trumpets. volumnia these are the ushers of marcius: before him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears: death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie; which, being advanced, declines, and then men die. [a sennet. trumpets sound. enter cominius the general, and titus lartius; between them, coriolanus, crowned with an oaken garland; with captains and soldiers, and a herald] herald know, rome, that all alone marcius did fight within corioli gates: where he hath won, with fame, a name to caius marcius; these in honour follows coriolanus. welcome to rome, renowned coriolanus! [flourish] all welcome to rome, renowned coriolanus! coriolanus no more of this; it does offend my heart: pray now, no more. cominius look, sir, your mother! coriolanus o, you have, i know, petition'd all the gods for my prosperity! [kneels] volumnia nay, my good soldier, up; my gentle marcius, worthy caius, and by deed-achieving honour newly named,- what is it?--coriolanus must i call thee?- but o, thy wife! coriolanus my gracious silence, hail! wouldst thou have laugh'd had i come coffin'd home, that weep'st to see me triumph? ay, my dear, such eyes the widows in corioli wear, and mothers that lack sons. menenius now, the gods crown thee! coriolanus and live you yet? [to valeria] o my sweet lady, pardon. volumnia i know not where to turn: o, welcome home: and welcome, general: and ye're welcome all. menenius a hundred thousand welcomes. i could weep and i could laugh, i am light and heavy. welcome. a curse begin at very root on's heart, that is not glad to see thee! you are three that rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men, we have some old crab-trees here at home that will not be grafted to your relish. yet welcome, warriors: we call a nettle but a nettle and the faults of fools but folly. cominius ever right. coriolanus menenius ever, ever. herald give way there, and go on! coriolanus [to volumnia and virgilia] your hand, and yours: ere in our own house i do shade my head, the good patricians must be visited; from whom i have received not only greetings, but with them change of honours. volumnia i have lived to see inherited my very wishes and the buildings of my fancy: only there's one thing wanting, which i doubt not but our rome will cast upon thee. coriolanus know, good mother, i had rather be their servant in my way, than sway with them in theirs. cominius on, to the capitol! [flourish. cornets. exeunt in state, as before. brutus and sicinius come forward] brutus all tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse into a rapture lets her baby cry while she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck, clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows, are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed with variable complexions, all agreeing in earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens do press among the popular throngs and puff to win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames commit the war of white and damask in their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil of phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother as if that whatsoever god who leads him were slily crept into his human powers and gave him graceful posture. sicinius on the sudden, i warrant him consul. brutus then our office may, during his power, go sleep. sicinius he cannot temperately transport his honours from where he should begin and end, but will lose those he hath won. brutus in that there's comfort. sicinius doubt not the commoners, for whom we stand, but they upon their ancient malice will forget with the least cause these his new honours, which that he will give them make i as little question as he is proud to do't. brutus i heard him swear, were he to stand for consul, never would he appear i' the market-place nor on him put the napless vesture of humility; nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds to the people, beg their stinking breaths. sicinius 'tis right. brutus it was his word: o, he would miss it rather than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him, and the desire of the nobles. sicinius i wish no better than have him hold that purpose and to put it in execution. brutus 'tis most like he will. sicinius it shall be to him then as our good wills, a sure destruction. brutus so it must fall out to him or our authorities. for an end, we must suggest the people in what hatred he still hath held them; that to's power he would have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and dispropertied their freedoms, holding them, in human action and capacity, of no more soul nor fitness for the world than camels in the war, who have their provand only for bearing burdens, and sore blows for sinking under them. sicinius this, as you say, suggested at some time when his soaring insolence shall touch the people--which time shall not want, if he be put upon 't; and that's as easy as to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire to kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze shall darken him for ever. [enter a messenger] brutus what's the matter? messenger you are sent for to the capitol. 'tis thought that marcius shall be consul: i have seen the dumb men throng to see him and the blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves, ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers, upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended, as to jove's statue, and the commons made a shower and thunder with their caps and shouts: i never saw the like. brutus let's to the capitol; and carry with us ears and eyes for the time, but hearts for the event. sicinius have with you. [exeunt] coriolanus act ii scene ii the same. the capitol. [enter two officers, to lay cushions] first officer come, come, they are almost here. how many stand for consulships? second officer three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one coriolanus will carry it. first officer that's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. second officer faith, there had been many great men that have flattered the people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: therefore, for coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition; and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly see't. first officer if he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than can render it him; and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite. now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love. second officer he hath deserved worthily of his country: and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, without any further deed to have them at an into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise, were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it. first officer no more of him; he is a worthy man: make way, they are coming. [a sennet. enter, with actors before them, cominius the consul, menenius, coriolanus, senators, sicinius and brutus. the senators take their places; the tribunes take their places by themselves. coriolanus stands] menenius having determined of the volsces and to send for titus lartius, it remains, as the main point of this our after-meeting, to gratify his noble service that hath thus stood for his country: therefore, please you, most reverend and grave elders, to desire the present consul, and last general in our well-found successes, to report a little of that worthy work perform'd by caius marcius coriolanus, whom we met here both to thank and to remember with honours like himself. first senator speak, good cominius: leave nothing out for length, and make us think rather our state's defective for requital than we to stretch it out. [to the tribunes] masters o' the people, we do request your kindest ears, and after, your loving motion toward the common body, to yield what passes here. sicinius we are convented upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts inclinable to honour and advance the theme of our assembly. brutus which the rather we shall be blest to do, if he remember a kinder value of the people than he hath hereto prized them at. menenius that's off, that's off; i would you rather had been silent. please you to hear cominius speak? brutus most willingly; but yet my caution was more pertinent than the rebuke you give it. menenius he loves your people but tie him not to be their bedfellow. worthy cominius, speak. [coriolanus offers to go away] nay, keep your place. first senator sit, coriolanus; never shame to hear what you have nobly done. coriolanus your horror's pardon: i had rather have my wounds to heal again than hear say how i got them. brutus sir, i hope my words disbench'd you not. coriolanus no, sir: yet oft, when blows have made me stay, i fled from words. you soothed not, therefore hurt not: but your people, i love them as they weigh. menenius pray now, sit down. coriolanus i had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun when the alarum were struck than idly sit to hear my nothings monster'd. [exit] menenius masters of the people, your multiplying spawn how can he flatter- that's thousand to one good one--when you now see he had rather venture all his limbs for honour than one on's ears to hear it? proceed, cominius. cominius i shall lack voice: the deeds of coriolanus should not be utter'd feebly. it is held that valour is the chiefest virtue, and most dignifies the haver: if it be, the man i speak of cannot in the world be singly counterpoised. at sixteen years, when tarquin made a head for rome, he fought beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, whom with all praise i point at, saw him fight, when with his amazonian chin he drove the bristled lips before him: be bestrid an o'er-press'd roman and i' the consul's view slew three opposers: tarquin's self he met, and struck him on his knee: in that day's feats, when he might act the woman in the scene, he proved best man i' the field, and for his meed was brow-bound with the oak. his pupil age man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea, and in the brunt of seventeen battles since he lurch'd all swords of the garland. for this last, before and in corioli, let me say, i cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers; and by his rare example made the coward turn terror into sport: as weeds before a vessel under sail, so men obey'd and fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp, where it did mark, it took; from face to foot he was a thing of blood, whose every motion was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd the mortal gate of the city, which he painted with shunless destiny; aidless came off, and with a sudden reinforcement struck corioli like a planet: now all's his: when, by and by, the din of war gan pierce his ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate, and to the battle came he; where he did run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if 'twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd both field and city ours, he never stood to ease his breast with panting. menenius worthy man! first senator he cannot but with measure fit the honours which we devise him. cominius our spoils he kick'd at, and look'd upon things precious as they were the common muck of the world: he covets less than misery itself would give; rewards his deeds with doing them, and is content to spend the time to end it. menenius he's right noble: let him be call'd for. first senator call coriolanus. officer he doth appear. [re-enter coriolanus] menenius the senate, coriolanus, are well pleased to make thee consul. coriolanus i do owe them still my life and services. menenius it then remains that you do speak to the people. coriolanus i do beseech you, let me o'erleap that custom, for i cannot put on the gown, stand naked and entreat them, for my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you that i may pass this doing. sicinius sir, the people must have their voices; neither will they bate one jot of ceremony. menenius put them not to't: pray you, go fit you to the custom and take to you, as your predecessors have, your honour with your form. coriolanus it is apart that i shall blush in acting, and might well be taken from the people. brutus mark you that? coriolanus to brag unto them, thus i did, and thus; show them the unaching scars which i should hide, as if i had received them for the hire of their breath only! menenius do not stand upon't. we recommend to you, tribunes of the people, our purpose to them: and to our noble consul wish we all joy and honour. senators to coriolanus come all joy and honour! [flourish of cornets. exeunt all but sicinius and brutus] brutus you see how he intends to use the people. sicinius may they perceive's intent! he will require them, as if he did contemn what he requested should be in them to give. brutus come, we'll inform them of our proceedings here: on the marketplace, i know, they do attend us. [exeunt] coriolanus act ii scene iii the same. the forum. [enter seven or eight citizens] first citizen once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. second citizen we may, sir, if we will. third citizen we have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude: of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. first citizen and to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. third citizen we have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and truly i think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass. second citizen think you so? which way do you judge my wit would fly? third citizen nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. second citizen why that way? third citizen to lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. second citizen you are never without your tricks: you may, you may. third citizen are you all resolved to give your voices? but that's no matter, the greater part carries it. i say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. [enter coriolanus in a gown of humility, with menenius] here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his behavior. we are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. he's to make his requests by particulars; wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and i direct you how you shall go by him. all content, content. [exeunt citizens] menenius o sir, you are not right: have you not known the worthiest men have done't? coriolanus what must i say? 'i pray, sir'--plague upon't! i cannot bring my tongue to such a pace:--'look, sir, my wounds! i got them in my country's service, when some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran from the noise of our own drums.' menenius o me, the gods! you must not speak of that: you must desire them to think upon you. coriolanus think upon me! hang 'em! i would they would forget me, like the virtues which our divines lose by 'em. menenius you'll mar all: i'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, i pray you, in wholesome manner. [exit] coriolanus bid them wash their faces and keep their teeth clean. [re-enter two of the citizens] so, here comes a brace. [re-enter a third citizen] you know the cause, air, of my standing here. third citizen we do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. coriolanus mine own desert. second citizen your own desert! coriolanus ay, but not mine own desire. third citizen how not your own desire? coriolanus no, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging. third citizen you must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. coriolanus well then, i pray, your price o' the consulship? first citizen the price is to ask it kindly. coriolanus kindly! sir, i pray, let me ha't: i have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private. your good voice, sir; what say you? second citizen you shall ha' it, worthy sir. coriolanus a match, sir. there's in all two worthy voices begged. i have your alms: adieu. third citizen but this is something odd. second citizen an 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter. [exeunt the three citizens] [re-enter two other citizens] coriolanus pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that i may be consul, i have here the customary gown. fourth citizen you have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. coriolanus your enigma? fourth citizen you have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved the common people. coriolanus you should account me the more virtuous that i have not been common in my love. i will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, i will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, i will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers. therefore, beseech you, i may be consul. fifth citizen we hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. fourth citizen you have received many wounds for your country. coriolanus i will not seal your knowledge with showing them. i will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. both citizens the gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [exeunt] coriolanus most sweet voices! better it is to die, better to starve, than crave the hire which first we do deserve. why in this woolvish toge should i stand here, to beg of hob and dick, that do appear, their needless vouches? custom calls me to't: what custom wills, in all things should we do't, the dust on antique time would lie unswept, and mountainous error be too highly heapt for truth to o'er-peer. rather than fool it so, let the high office and the honour go to one that would do thus. i am half through; the one part suffer'd, the other will i do. [re-enter three citizens more] here come more voices. your voices: for your voices i have fought; watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six i have seen and heard of; for your voices have done many things, some less, some more your voices: indeed i would be consul. sixth citizen he has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. seventh citizen therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! all citizens amen, amen. god save thee, noble consul! [exeunt] coriolanus worthy voices! [re-enter menenius, with brutus and sicinius] menenius you have stood your limitation; and the tribunes endue you with the people's voice: remains that, in the official marks invested, you anon do meet the senate. coriolanus is this done? sicinius the custom of request you have discharged: the people do admit you, and are summon'd to meet anon, upon your approbation. coriolanus where? at the senate-house? sicinius there, coriolanus. coriolanus may i change these garments? sicinius you may, sir. coriolanus that i'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, repair to the senate-house. menenius i'll keep you company. will you along? brutus we stay here for the people. sicinius fare you well. [exeunt coriolanus and menenius] he has it now, and by his looks methink 'tis warm at 's heart. brutus with a proud heart he wore his humble weeds. will you dismiss the people? [re-enter citizens] sicinius how now, my masters! have you chose this man? first citizen he has our voices, sir. brutus we pray the gods he may deserve your loves. second citizen amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice, he mock'd us when he begg'd our voices. third citizen certainly he flouted us downright. first citizen no,'tis his kind of speech: he did not mock us. second citizen not one amongst us, save yourself, but says he used us scornfully: he should have show'd us his marks of merit, wounds received for's country. sicinius why, so he did, i am sure. citizens no, no; no man saw 'em. third citizen he said he had wounds, which he could show in private; and with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, 'i would be consul,' says he: 'aged custom, but by your voices, will not so permit me; your voices therefore.' when we granted that, here was 'i thank you for your voices: thank you: your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices, i have no further with you.' was not this mockery? sicinius why either were you ignorant to see't, or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness to yield your voices? brutus could you not have told him as you were lesson'd, when he had no power, but was a petty servant to the state, he was your enemy, ever spake against your liberties and the charters that you bear i' the body of the weal; and now, arriving a place of potency and sway o' the state, if he should still malignantly remain fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might be curses to yourselves? you should have said that as his worthy deeds did claim no less than what he stood for, so his gracious nature would think upon you for your voices and translate his malice towards you into love, standing your friendly lord. sicinius thus to have said, as you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit and tried his inclination; from him pluck'd either his gracious promise, which you might, as cause had call'd you up, have held him to or else it would have gall'd his surly nature, which easily endures not article tying him to aught; so putting him to rage, you should have ta'en the advantage of his choler and pass'd him unelected. brutus did you perceive he did solicit you in free contempt when he did need your loves, and do you think that his contempt shall not be bruising to you, when he hath power to crush? why, had your bodies no heart among you? or had you tongues to cry against the rectorship of judgment? sicinius have you ere now denied the asker? and now again of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow your sued-for tongues? third citizen he's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet. second citizen and will deny him: i'll have five hundred voices of that sound. first citizen i twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em. brutus get you hence instantly, and tell those friends, they have chose a consul that will from them take their liberties; make them of no more voice than dogs that are as often beat for barking as therefore kept to do so. sicinius let them assemble, and on a safer judgment all revoke your ignorant election; enforce his pride, and his old hate unto you; besides, forget not with what contempt he wore the humble weed, how in his suit he scorn'd you; but your loves, thinking upon his services, took from you the apprehension of his present portance, which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion after the inveterate hate he bears you. brutus lay a fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured, no impediment between, but that you must cast your election on him. sicinius say, you chose him more after our commandment than as guided by your own true affections, and that your minds, preoccupied with what you rather must do than what you should, made you against the grain to voice him consul: lay the fault on us. brutus ay, spare us not. say we read lectures to you. how youngly he began to serve his country, how long continued, and what stock he springs of, the noble house o' the marcians, from whence came that ancus marcius, numa's daughter's son, who, after great hostilius, here was king; of the same house publius and quintus were, that our beat water brought by conduits hither; and [censorinus,] nobly named so, twice being [by the people chosen] censor, was his great ancestor. sicinius one thus descended, that hath beside well in his person wrought to be set high in place, we did commend to your remembrances: but you have found, scaling his present bearing with his past, that he's your fixed enemy, and revoke your sudden approbation. brutus say, you ne'er had done't- harp on that still--but by our putting on; and presently, when you have drawn your number, repair to the capitol. all we will so: almost all repent in their election. [exeunt citizens] brutus let them go on; this mutiny were better put in hazard, than stay, past doubt, for greater: if, as his nature is, he fall in rage with their refusal, both observe and answer the vantage of his anger. sicinius to the capitol, come: we will be there before the stream o' the people; and this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, which we have goaded onward. [exeunt] coriolanus act iii scene i rome. a street. [cornets. enter coriolanus, menenius, all the gentry, cominius, titus lartius, and other senators] coriolanus tullus aufidius then had made new head? lartius he had, my lord; and that it was which caused our swifter composition. coriolanus so then the volsces stand but as at first, ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road. upon's again. cominius they are worn, lord consul, so, that we shall hardly in our ages see their banners wave again. coriolanus saw you aufidius? lartius on safe-guard he came to me; and did curse against the volsces, for they had so vilely yielded the town: he is retired to antium. coriolanus spoke he of me? lartius he did, my lord. coriolanus how? what? lartius how often he had met you, sword to sword; that of all things upon the earth he hated your person most, that he would pawn his fortunes to hopeless restitution, so he might be call'd your vanquisher. coriolanus at antium lives he? lartius at antium. coriolanus i wish i had a cause to seek him there, to oppose his hatred fully. welcome home. [enter sicinius and brutus] behold, these are the tribunes of the people, the tongues o' the common mouth: i do despise them; for they do prank them in authority, against all noble sufferance. sicinius pass no further. coriolanus ha! what is that? brutus it will be dangerous to go on: no further. coriolanus what makes this change? menenius the matter? cominius hath he not pass'd the noble and the common? brutus cominius, no. coriolanus have i had children's voices? first senator tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place. brutus the people are incensed against him. sicinius stop, or all will fall in broil. coriolanus are these your herd? must these have voices, that can yield them now and straight disclaim their tongues? what are your offices? you being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? have you not set them on? menenius be calm, be calm. coriolanus it is a purposed thing, and grows by plot, to curb the will of the nobility: suffer't, and live with such as cannot rule nor ever will be ruled. brutus call't not a plot: the people cry you mock'd them, and of late, when corn was given them gratis, you repined; scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. coriolanus why, this was known before. brutus not to them all. coriolanus have you inform'd them sithence? brutus how! i inform them! coriolanus you are like to do such business. brutus not unlike, each way, to better yours. coriolanus why then should i be consul? by yond clouds, let me deserve so ill as you, and make me your fellow tribune. sicinius you show too much of that for which the people stir: if you will pass to where you are bound, you must inquire your way, which you are out of, with a gentler spirit, or never be so noble as a consul, nor yoke with him for tribune. menenius let's be calm. cominius the people are abused; set on. this paltering becomes not rome, nor has coriolanus deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely i' the plain way of his merit. coriolanus tell me of corn! this was my speech, and i will speak't again- menenius not now, not now. first senator not in this heat, sir, now. coriolanus now, as i live, i will. my nobler friends, i crave their pardons: for the mutable, rank-scented many, let them regard me as i do not flatter, and therein behold themselves: i say again, in soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate the cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd, and scatter'd, by mingling them with us, the honour'd number, who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that which they have given to beggars. menenius well, no more. first senator no more words, we beseech you. coriolanus how! no more! as for my country i have shed my blood, not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs coin words till their decay against those measles, which we disdain should tatter us, yet sought the very way to catch them. brutus you speak o' the people, as if you were a god to punish, not a man of their infirmity. sicinius 'twere well we let the people know't. menenius what, what? his choler? coriolanus choler! were i as patient as the midnight sleep, by jove, 'twould be my mind! sicinius it is a mind that shall remain a poison where it is, not poison any further. coriolanus shall remain! hear you this triton of the minnows? mark you his absolute 'shall'? cominius 'twas from the canon. coriolanus 'shall'! o good but most unwise patricians! why, you grave but reckless senators, have you thus given hydra here to choose an officer, that with his peremptory 'shall,' being but the horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit to say he'll turn your current in a ditch, and make your channel his? if he have power then vail your ignorance; if none, awake your dangerous lenity. if you are learn'd, be not as common fools; if you are not, let them have cushions by you. you are plebeians, if they be senators: and they are no less, when, both your voices blended, the great'st taste most palates theirs. they choose their magistrate, and such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' his popular 'shall' against a graver bench than ever frown in greece. by jove himself! it makes the consuls base: and my soul aches to know, when two authorities are up, neither supreme, how soon confusion may enter 'twixt the gap of both and take the one by the other. cominius well, on to the market-place. coriolanus whoever gave that counsel, to give forth the corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used sometime in greece,- menenius well, well, no more of that. coriolanus though there the people had more absolute power, i say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed the ruin of the state. brutus why, shall the people give one that speaks thus their voice? coriolanus i'll give my reasons, more worthier than their voices. they know the corn was not our recompense, resting well assured that ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war, even when the navel of the state was touch'd, they would not thread the gates. this kind of service did not deserve corn gratis. being i' the war their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation which they have often made against the senate, all cause unborn, could never be the motive of our so frank donation. well, what then? how shall this bisson multitude digest the senate's courtesy? let deeds express what's like to be their words: 'we did request it; we are the greater poll, and in true fear they gave us our demands.' thus we debase the nature of our seats and make the rabble call our cares fears; which will in time break ope the locks o' the senate and bring in the crows to peck the eagles. menenius come, enough. brutus enough, with over-measure. coriolanus no, take more: what may be sworn by, both divine and human, seal what i end withal! this double worship, where one part does disdain with cause, the other insult without all reason, where gentry, title, wisdom, cannot conclude but by the yea and no of general ignorance,--it must omit real necessities, and give way the while to unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows, nothing is done to purpose. therefore, beseech you,- you that will be less fearful than discreet, that love the fundamental part of state more than you doubt the change on't, that prefer a noble life before a long, and wish to jump a body with a dangerous physic that's sure of death without it, at once pluck out the multitudinous tongue; let them not lick the sweet which is their poison: your dishonour mangles true judgment and bereaves the state of that integrity which should become't, not having the power to do the good it would, for the in which doth control't. brutus has said enough. sicinius has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer as traitors do. coriolanus thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee! what should the people do with these bald tribunes? on whom depending, their obedience fails to the greater bench: in a rebellion, when what's not meet, but what must be, was law, then were they chosen: in a better hour, let what is meet be said it must be meet, and throw their power i' the dust. brutus manifest treason! sicinius this a consul? no. brutus the aediles, ho! [enter an aedile] let him be apprehended. sicinius go, call the people: [exit aedile] in whose name myself attach thee as a traitorous innovator, a foe to the public weal: obey, i charge thee, and follow to thine answer. coriolanus hence, old goat! senators, &c we'll surety him. cominius aged sir, hands off. coriolanus hence, rotten thing! or i shall shake thy bones out of thy garments. sicinius help, ye citizens! [enter a rabble of citizens (plebeians), with the aediles] menenius on both sides more respect. sicinius here's he that would take from you all your power. brutus seize him, aediles! citizens down with him! down with him! senators, &c weapons, weapons, weapons! [they all bustle about coriolanus, crying] 'tribunes!' 'patricians!' 'citizens!' 'what, ho!' 'sicinius!' 'brutus!' 'coriolanus!' 'citizens!' 'peace, peace, peace!' 'stay, hold, peace!' menenius what is about to be? i am out of breath; confusion's near; i cannot speak. you, tribunes to the people! coriolanus, patience! speak, good sicinius. sicinius hear me, people; peace! citizens let's hear our tribune: peace speak, speak, speak. sicinius you are at point to lose your liberties: marcius would have all from you; marcius, whom late you have named for consul. menenius fie, fie, fie! this is the way to kindle, not to quench. first senator to unbuild the city and to lay all flat. sicinius what is the city but the people? citizens true, the people are the city. brutus by the consent of all, we were establish'd the people's magistrates. citizens you so remain. menenius and so are like to do. cominius that is the way to lay the city flat; to bring the roof to the foundation, and bury all, which yet distinctly ranges, in heaps and piles of ruin. sicinius this deserves death. brutus or let us stand to our authority, or let us lose it. we do here pronounce, upon the part o' the people, in whose power we were elected theirs, marcius is worthy of present death. sicinius therefore lay hold of him; bear him to the rock tarpeian, and from thence into destruction cast him. brutus aediles, seize him! citizens yield, marcius, yield! menenius hear me one word; beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. aedile peace, peace! menenius [to brutus] be that you seem, truly your country's friend, and temperately proceed to what you would thus violently redress. brutus sir, those cold ways, that seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous where the disease is violent. lay hands upon him, and bear him to the rock. coriolanus no, i'll die here. [drawing his sword] there's some among you have beheld me fighting: come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. menenius down with that sword! tribunes, withdraw awhile. brutus lay hands upon him. cominius help marcius, help, you that be noble; help him, young and old! citizens down with him, down with him! [in this mutiny, the tribunes, the aediles, and the people, are beat in] menenius go, get you to your house; be gone, away! all will be naught else. second senator get you gone. cominius stand fast; we have as many friends as enemies. menenius sham it be put to that? first senator the gods forbid! i prithee, noble friend, home to thy house; leave us to cure this cause. menenius for 'tis a sore upon us, you cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you. cominius come, sir, along with us. coriolanus i would they were barbarians--as they are, though in rome litter'd--not romans--as they are not, though calved i' the porch o' the capitol- menenius be gone; put not your worthy rage into your tongue; one time will owe another. coriolanus on fair ground i could beat forty of them. cominius i could myself take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the two tribunes: but now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; and manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands against a falling fabric. will you hence, before the tag return? whose rage doth rend like interrupted waters and o'erbear what they are used to bear. menenius pray you, be gone: i'll try whether my old wit be in request with those that have but little: this must be patch'd with cloth of any colour. cominius nay, come away. [exeunt coriolanus, cominius, and others] a patrician this man has marr'd his fortune. menenius his nature is too noble for the world: he would not flatter neptune for his trident, or jove for's power to thunder. his heart's his mouth: what his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; and, being angry, does forget that ever he heard the name of death. [a noise within] here's goodly work! second patrician i would they were abed! menenius i would they were in tiber! what the vengeance! could he not speak 'em fair? [re-enter brutus and sicinius, with the rabble] sicinius where is this viper that would depopulate the city and be every man himself? menenius you worthy tribunes,- sicinius he shall be thrown down the tarpeian rock with rigorous hands: he hath resisted law, and therefore law shall scorn him further trial than the severity of the public power which he so sets at nought. first citizen he shall well know the noble tribunes are the people's mouths, and we their hands. citizens he shall, sure on't. menenius sir, sir,- sicinius peace! menenius do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt with modest warrant. sicinius sir, how comes't that you have holp to make this rescue? menenius hear me speak: as i do know the consul's worthiness, so can i name his faults,- sicinius consul! what consul? menenius the consul coriolanus. brutus he consul! citizens no, no, no, no, no. menenius if, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people, i may be heard, i would crave a word or two; the which shall turn you to no further harm than so much loss of time. sicinius speak briefly then; for we are peremptory to dispatch this viperous traitor: to eject him hence were but one danger, and to keep him here our certain death: therefore it is decreed he dies to-night. menenius now the good gods forbid that our renowned rome, whose gratitude towards her deserved children is enroll'd in jove's own book, like an unnatural dam should now eat up her own! sicinius he's a disease that must be cut away. menenius o, he's a limb that has but a disease; mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy. what has he done to rome that's worthy death? killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost- which, i dare vouch, is more than that he hath, by many an ounce--he dropp'd it for his country; and what is left, to lose it by his country, were to us all, that do't and suffer it, a brand to the end o' the world. sicinius this is clean kam. brutus merely awry: when he did love his country, it honour'd him. menenius the service of the foot being once gangrened, is not then respected for what before it was. brutus we'll hear no more. pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence: lest his infection, being of catching nature, spread further. menenius one word more, one word. this tiger-footed rage, when it shall find the harm of unscann'd swiftness, will too late tie leaden pounds to's heels. proceed by process; lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, and sack great rome with romans. brutus if it were so,- sicinius what do ye talk? have we not had a taste of his obedience? our aediles smote? ourselves resisted? come. menenius consider this: he has been bred i' the wars since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd in bolted language; meal and bran together he throws without distinction. give me leave, i'll go to him, and undertake to bring him where he shall answer, by a lawful form, in peace, to his utmost peril. first senator noble tribunes, it is the humane way: the other course will prove too bloody, and the end of it unknown to the beginning. sicinius noble menenius, be you then as the people's officer. masters, lay down your weapons. brutus go not home. sicinius meet on the market-place. we'll attend you there: where, if you bring not marcius, we'll proceed in our first way. menenius i'll bring him to you. [to the senators] let me desire your company: he must come, or what is worst will follow. first senator pray you, let's to him. [exeunt] coriolanus act iii scene ii a room in coriolanus's house. [enter coriolanus with patricians] coriolanus let them puff all about mine ears, present me death on the wheel or at wild horses' heels, or pile ten hills on the tarpeian rock, that the precipitation might down stretch below the beam of sight, yet will i still be thus to them. a patrician you do the nobler. coriolanus i muse my mother does not approve me further, who was wont to call them woollen vassals, things created to buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads in congregations, to yawn, be still and wonder, when one but of my ordinance stood up to speak of peace or war. [enter volumnia] i talk of you: why did you wish me milder? would you have me false to my nature? rather say i play the man i am. volumnia o, sir, sir, sir, i would have had you put your power well on, before you had worn it out. coriolanus let go. volumnia you might have been enough the man you are, with striving less to be so; lesser had been the thwartings of your dispositions, if you had not show'd them how ye were disposed ere they lack'd power to cross you. coriolanus let them hang. a patrician ay, and burn too. [enter menenius and senators] menenius come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough; you must return and mend it. first senator there's no remedy; unless, by not so doing, our good city cleave in the midst, and perish. volumnia pray, be counsell'd: i have a heart as little apt as yours, but yet a brain that leads my use of anger to better vantage. menenius well said, noble woman? before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that the violent fit o' the time craves it as physic for the whole state, i would put mine armour on, which i can scarcely bear. coriolanus what must i do? menenius return to the tribunes. coriolanus well, what then? what then? menenius repent what you have spoke. coriolanus for them! i cannot do it to the gods; must i then do't to them? volumnia you are too absolute; though therein you can never be too noble, but when extremities speak. i have heard you say, honour and policy, like unsever'd friends, i' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me, in peace what each of them by the other lose, that they combine not there. coriolanus tush, tush! menenius a good demand. volumnia if it be honour in your wars to seem the same you are not, which, for your best ends, you adopt your policy, how is it less or worse, that it shall hold companionship in peace with honour, as in war, since that to both it stands in like request? coriolanus why force you this? volumnia because that now it lies you on to speak to the people; not by your own instruction, nor by the matter which your heart prompts you, but with such words that are but rooted in your tongue, though but bastards and syllables of no allowance to your bosom's truth. now, this no more dishonours you at all than to take in a town with gentle words, which else would put you to your fortune and the hazard of much blood. i would dissemble with my nature where my fortunes and my friends at stake required i should do so in honour: i am in this, your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; and you will rather show our general louts how you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em, for the inheritance of their loves and safeguard of what that want might ruin. menenius noble lady! come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, not what is dangerous present, but the loss of what is past. volumnia i prithee now, my son, go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand; and thus far having stretch'd it--here be with them- thy knee bussing the stones--for in such business action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant more learned than the ears--waving thy head, which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart, now humble as the ripest mulberry that will not hold the handling: or say to them, thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess, were fit for thee to use as they to claim, in asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far as thou hast power and person. menenius this but done, even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; for they have pardons, being ask'd, as free as words to little purpose. volumnia prithee now, go, and be ruled: although i know thou hadst rather follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf than flatter him in a bower. here is cominius. [enter cominius] cominius i have been i' the market-place; and, sir,'tis fit you make strong party, or defend yourself by calmness or by absence: all's in anger. menenius only fair speech. cominius i think 'twill serve, if he can thereto frame his spirit. volumnia he must, and will prithee now, say you will, and go about it. coriolanus must i go show them my unbarbed sconce? must i with base tongue give my noble heart a lie that it must bear? well, i will do't: yet, were there but this single plot to lose, this mould of marcius, they to dust should grind it and throw't against the wind. to the market-place! you have put me now to such a part which never i shall discharge to the life. cominius come, come, we'll prompt you. volumnia i prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said my praises made thee first a soldier, so, to have my praise for this, perform a part thou hast not done before. coriolanus well, i must do't: away, my disposition, and possess me some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd, which quired with my drum, into a pipe small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice that babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up the glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees, who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his that hath received an alms! i will not do't, lest i surcease to honour mine own truth and by my body's action teach my mind a most inherent baseness. volumnia at thy choice, then: to beg of thee, it is my more dishonour than thou of them. come all to ruin; let thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear thy dangerous stoutness, for i mock at death with as big heart as thou. do as thou list thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me, but owe thy pride thyself. coriolanus pray, be content: mother, i am going to the market-place; chide me no more. i'll mountebank their loves, cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved of all the trades in rome. look, i am going: commend me to my wife. i'll return consul; or never trust to what my tongue can do i' the way of flattery further. volumnia do your will. [exit] cominius away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself to answer mildly; for they are prepared with accusations, as i hear, more strong than are upon you yet. coriolanus the word is 'mildly.' pray you, let us go: let them accuse me by invention, i will answer in mine honour. menenius ay, but mildly. coriolanus well, mildly be it then. mildly! [exeunt] coriolanus act iii scene iii the same. the forum. [enter sicinius and brutus] brutus in this point charge him home, that he affects tyrannical power: if he evade us there, enforce him with his envy to the people, and that the spoil got on the antiates was ne'er distributed. [enter an aedile] what, will he come? aedile he's coming. brutus how accompanied? aedile with old menenius, and those senators that always favour'd him. sicinius have you a catalogue of all the voices that we have procured set down by the poll? aedile i have; 'tis ready. sicinius have you collected them by tribes? aedile i have. sicinius assemble presently the people hither; and when they bear me say 'it shall be so i' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either for death, for fine, or banishment, then let them if i say fine, cry 'fine;' if death, cry 'death.' insisting on the old prerogative and power i' the truth o' the cause. aedile i shall inform them. brutus and when such time they have begun to cry, let them not cease, but with a din confused enforce the present execution of what we chance to sentence. aedile very well. sicinius make them be strong and ready for this hint, when we shall hap to give 't them. brutus go about it. [exit aedile] put him to choler straight: he hath been used ever to conquer, and to have his worth of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks what's in his heart; and that is there which looks with us to break his neck. sicinius well, here he comes. [enter coriolanus, menenius, and cominius, with senators and patricians] menenius calmly, i do beseech you. coriolanus ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece will bear the knave by the volume. the honour'd gods keep rome in safety, and the chairs of justice supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's! throng our large temples with the shows of peace, and not our streets with war! first senator amen, amen. menenius a noble wish. [re-enter aedile, with citizens] sicinius draw near, ye people. aedile list to your tribunes. audience: peace, i say! coriolanus first, hear me speak. both tribunes well, say. peace, ho! coriolanus shall i be charged no further than this present? must all determine here? sicinius i do demand, if you submit you to the people's voices, allow their officers and are content to suffer lawful censure for such faults as shall be proved upon you? coriolanus i am content. menenius lo, citizens, he says he is content: the warlike service he has done, consider; think upon the wounds his body bears, which show like graves i' the holy churchyard. coriolanus scratches with briers, scars to move laughter only. menenius consider further, that when he speaks not like a citizen, you find him like a soldier: do not take his rougher accents for malicious sounds, but, as i say, such as become a soldier, rather than envy you. cominius well, well, no more. coriolanus what is the matter that being pass'd for consul with full voice, i am so dishonour'd that the very hour you take it off again? sicinius answer to us. coriolanus say, then: 'tis true, i ought so. sicinius we charge you, that you have contrived to take from rome all season'd office and to wind yourself into a power tyrannical; for which you are a traitor to the people. coriolanus how! traitor! menenius nay, temperately; your promise. coriolanus the fires i' the lowest hell fold-in the people! call me their traitor! thou injurious tribune! within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, in thy hand clutch'd as many millions, in thy lying tongue both numbers, i would say 'thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free as i do pray the gods. sicinius mark you this, people? citizens to the rock, to the rock with him! sicinius peace! we need not put new matter to his charge: what you have seen him do and heard him speak, beating your officers, cursing yourselves, opposing laws with strokes and here defying those whose great power must try him; even this, so criminal and in such capital kind, deserves the extremest death. brutus but since he hath served well for rome,- coriolanus what do you prate of service? brutus i talk of that, that know it. coriolanus you? menenius is this the promise that you made your mother? cominius know, i pray you,- coriolanus i know no further: let them pronounce the steep tarpeian death, vagabond exile, raying, pent to linger but with a grain a day, i would not buy their mercy at the price of one fair word; nor cheque my courage for what they can give, to have't with saying 'good morrow.' sicinius for that he has, as much as in him lies, from time to time envied against the people, seeking means to pluck away their power, as now at last given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence of dreaded justice, but on the ministers that do distribute it; in the name o' the people and in the power of us the tribunes, we, even from this instant, banish him our city, in peril of precipitation from off the rock tarpeian never more to enter our rome gates: i' the people's name, i say it shall be so. citizens it shall be so, it shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd, and it shall be so. cominius hear me, my masters, and my common friends,- sicinius he's sentenced; no more hearing. cominius let me speak: i have been consul, and can show for rome her enemies' marks upon me. i do love my country's good with a respect more tender, more holy and profound, than mine own life, my dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase, and treasure of my loins; then if i would speak that,- sicinius we know your drift: speak what? brutus there's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, as enemy to the people and his country: it shall be so. citizens it shall be so, it shall be so. coriolanus you common cry of curs! whose breath i hate as reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves i prize as the dead carcasses of unburied men that do corrupt my air, i banish you; and here remain with your uncertainty! let every feeble rumour shake your hearts! your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, fan you into despair! have the power still to banish your defenders; till at length your ignorance, which finds not till it feels, making not reservation of yourselves, still your own foes, deliver you as most abated captives to some nation that won you without blows! despising, for you, the city, thus i turn my back: there is a world elsewhere. [exeunt coriolanus, cominius, menenius, senators, and patricians] aedile the people's enemy is gone, is gone! citizens our enemy is banish'd! he is gone! hoo! hoo! [shouting, and throwing up their caps] sicinius go, see him out at gates, and follow him, as he hath followed you, with all despite; give him deserved vexation. let a guard attend us through the city. citizens come, come; let's see him out at gates; come. the gods preserve our noble tribunes! come. [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene i rome. before a gate of the city. [enter coriolanus, volumnia, virgilia, menenius, cominius, with the young nobility of rome] coriolanus come, leave your tears: a brief farewell: the beast with many heads butts me away. nay, mother, where is your ancient courage? you were used to say extremity was the trier of spirits; that common chances common men could bear; that when the sea was calm all boats alike show'd mastership in floating; fortune's blows, when most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves a noble cunning: you were used to load me with precepts that would make invincible the heart that conn'd them. virgilia o heavens! o heavens! coriolanus nay! prithee, woman,- volumnia now the red pestilence strike all trades in rome, and occupations perish! coriolanus what, what, what! i shall be loved when i am lack'd. nay, mother. resume that spirit, when you were wont to say, if you had been the wife of hercules, six of his labours you'ld have done, and saved your husband so much sweat. cominius, droop not; adieu. farewell, my wife, my mother: i'll do well yet. thou old and true menenius, thy tears are salter than a younger man's, and venomous to thine eyes. my sometime general, i have seen thee stem, and thou hast oft beheld heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women 'tis fond to wail inevitable strokes, as 'tis to laugh at 'em. my mother, you wot well my hazards still have been your solace: and believe't not lightly--though i go alone, like to a lonely dragon, that his fen makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen--your son will or exceed the common or be caught with cautelous baits and practise. volumnia my first son. whither wilt thou go? take good cominius with thee awhile: determine on some course, more than a wild exposture to each chance that starts i' the way before thee. coriolanus o the gods! cominius i'll follow thee a month, devise with thee where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us and we of thee: so if the time thrust forth a cause for thy repeal, we shall not send o'er the vast world to seek a single man, and lose advantage, which doth ever cool i' the absence of the needer. coriolanus fare ye well: thou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one that's yet unbruised: bring me but out at gate. come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and my friends of noble touch, when i am forth, bid me farewell, and smile. i pray you, come. while i remain above the ground, you shall hear from me still, and never of me aught but what is like me formerly. menenius that's worthily as any ear can hear. come, let's not weep. if i could shake off but one seven years from these old arms and legs, by the good gods, i'ld with thee every foot. coriolanus give me thy hand: come. [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene ii the same. a street near the gate. [enter sicinius, brutus, and an aedile] sicinius bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. the nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided in his behalf. brutus now we have shown our power, let us seem humbler after it is done than when it was a-doing. sicinius bid them home: say their great enemy is gone, and they stand in their ancient strength. brutus dismiss them home. [exit aedile] here comes his mother. sicinius let's not meet her. brutus why? sicinius they say she's mad. brutus they have ta'en note of us: keep on your way. [enter volumnia, virgilia, and menenius] volumnia o, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods requite your love! menenius peace, peace; be not so loud. volumnia if that i could for weeping, you should hear,- nay, and you shall hear some. [to brutus] will you be gone? virgilia [to sicinius] you shall stay too: i would i had the power to say so to my husband. sicinius are you mankind? volumnia ay, fool; is that a shame? note but this fool. was not a man my father? hadst thou foxship to banish him that struck more blows for rome than thou hast spoken words? sicinius o blessed heavens! volumnia more noble blows than ever thou wise words; and for rome's good. i'll tell thee what; yet go: nay, but thou shalt stay too: i would my son were in arabia, and thy tribe before him, his good sword in his hand. sicinius what then? virgilia what then! he'ld make an end of thy posterity. volumnia bastards and all. good man, the wounds that he does bear for rome! menenius come, come, peace. sicinius i would he had continued to his country as he began, and not unknit himself the noble knot he made. brutus i would he had. volumnia 'i would he had'! 'twas you incensed the rabble: cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth as i can of those mysteries which heaven will not have earth to know. brutus pray, let us go. volumnia now, pray, sir, get you gone: you have done a brave deed. ere you go, hear this:- as far as doth the capitol exceed the meanest house in rome, so far my son- this lady's husband here, this, do you see- whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all. brutus well, well, we'll leave you. sicinius why stay we to be baited with one that wants her wits? volumnia take my prayers with you. [exeunt tribunes] i would the gods had nothing else to do but to confirm my curses! could i meet 'em but once a-day, it would unclog my heart of what lies heavy to't. menenius you have told them home; and, by my troth, you have cause. you'll sup with me? volumnia anger's my meat; i sup upon myself, and so shall starve with feeding. come, let's go: leave this faint puling and lament as i do, in anger, juno-like. come, come, come. menenius fie, fie, fie! [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene iii a highway between rome and antium. [enter a roman and a volsce, meeting] roman i know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, i think, is adrian. volsce it is so, sir: truly, i have forgot you. roman i am a roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em: know you me yet? volsce nicanor? no. roman the same, sir. volsce you had more beard when i last saw you; but your favour is well approved by your tongue. what's the news in rome? i have a note from the volscian state, to find you out there: you have well saved me a day's journey. roman there hath been in rome strange insurrections; the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles. volsce hath been! is it ended, then? our state thinks not so: they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division. roman the main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again: for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. this lies glowing, i can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. volsce coriolanus banished! roman banished, sir. volsce you will be welcome with this intelligence, nicanor. roman the day serves well for them now. i have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her husband. your noble tullus aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, coriolanus, being now in no request of his country. volsce he cannot choose. i am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: you have ended my business, and i will merrily accompany you home. roman i shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. have you an army ready, say you? volsce a most royal one; the centurions and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. roman i am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, i think, that shall set them in present action. so, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company. volsce you take my part from me, sir; i have the most cause to be glad of yours. roman well, let us go together. [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene iv antium. before aufidius's house. [enter coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised and muffled] coriolanus a goodly city is this antium. city, 'tis i that made thy widows: many an heir of these fair edifices 'fore my wars have i heard groan and drop: then know me not, lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones in puny battle slay me. [enter a citizen] save you, sir. citizen and you. coriolanus direct me, if it be your will, where great aufidius lies: is he in antium? citizen he is, and feasts the nobles of the state at his house this night. coriolanus which is his house, beseech you? citizen this, here before you. coriolanus thank you, sir: farewell. [exit citizen] o world, thy slippery turns! friends now fast sworn, whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, whose house, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love unseparable, shall within this hour, on a dissension of a doit, break out to bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes, whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep, to take the one the other, by some chance, some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends and interjoin their issues. so with me: my birth-place hate i, and my love's upon this enemy town. i'll enter: if he slay me, he does fair justice; if he give me way, i'll do his country service. [exit] coriolanus act iv scene v the same. a hall in aufidius's house. [music within. enter a servingman] first servingman wine, wine, wine! what service is here! i think our fellows are asleep. [exit] [enter a second servingman] second servingman where's cotus? my master calls for him. cotus! [exit] [enter coriolanus] coriolanus a goodly house: the feast smells well; but i appear not like a guest. [re-enter the first servingman] first servingman what would you have, friend? whence are you? here's no place for you: pray, go to the door. [exit] coriolanus i have deserved no better entertainment, in being coriolanus. [re-enter second servingman] second servingman whence are you, sir? has the porter his eyes in his head; that he gives entrance to such companions? pray, get you out. coriolanus away! second servingman away! get you away. coriolanus now thou'rt troublesome. second servingman are you so brave? i'll have you talked with anon. [enter a third servingman. the first meets him] third servingman what fellow's this? first servingman a strange one as ever i looked on: i cannot get him out of the house: prithee, call my master to him. [retires] third servingman what have you to do here, fellow? pray you, avoid the house. coriolanus let me but stand; i will not hurt your hearth. third servingman what are you? coriolanus a gentleman. third servingman a marvellous poor one. coriolanus true, so i am. third servingman pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come. coriolanus follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits. [pushes him away] third servingman what, you will not? prithee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here. second servingman and i shall. [exit] third servingman where dwellest thou? coriolanus under the canopy. third servingman under the canopy! coriolanus ay. third servingman where's that? coriolanus i' the city of kites and crows. third servingman i' the city of kites and crows! what an ass it is! then thou dwellest with daws too? coriolanus no, i serve not thy master. third servingman how, sir! do you meddle with my master? coriolanus ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress. thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy trencher, hence! [beats him away. exit third servingman] [enter aufidius with the second servingman] aufidius where is this fellow? second servingman here, sir: i'ld have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within. [retires] aufidius whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name? why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name? coriolanus if, tullus, [unmuffling] not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not think me for the man i am, necessity commands me name myself. aufidius what is thy name? coriolanus a name unmusical to the volscians' ears, and harsh in sound to thine. aufidius say, what's thy name? thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn. thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name? coriolanus prepare thy brow to frown: know'st thou me yet? aufidius i know thee not: thy name? coriolanus my name is caius marcius, who hath done to thee particularly and to all the volsces great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may my surname, coriolanus: the painful service, the extreme dangers and the drops of blood shed for my thankless country are requited but with that surname; a good memory, and witness of the malice and displeasure which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains; the cruelty and envy of the people, permitted by our dastard nobles, who have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; and suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be whoop'd out of rome. now this extremity hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope- mistake me not--to save my life, for if i had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world i would have 'voided thee, but in mere spite, to be full quit of those my banishers, stand i before thee here. then if thou hast a heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight, and make my misery serve thy turn: so use it that my revengeful services may prove as benefits to thee, for i will fight against my canker'd country with the spleen of all the under fiends. but if so be thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes thou'rt tired, then, in a word, i also am longer to live most weary, and present my throat to thee and to thy ancient malice; which not to cut would show thee but a fool, since i have ever follow'd thee with hate, drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, and cannot live but to thy shame, unless it be to do thee service. aufidius o marcius, marcius! each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart a root of ancient envy. if jupiter should from yond cloud speak divine things, and say 'tis true,' i'ld not believe them more than thee, all noble marcius. let me twine mine arms about that body, where against my grained ash an hundred times hath broke and scarr'd the moon with splinters: here i clip the anvil of my sword, and do contest as hotly and as nobly with thy love as ever in ambitious strength i did contend against thy valour. know thou first, i loved the maid i married; never man sigh'd truer breath; but that i see thee here, thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart than when i first my wedded mistress saw bestride my threshold. why, thou mars! i tell thee, we have a power on foot; and i had purpose once more to hew thy target from thy brawn, or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out twelve several times, and i have nightly since dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me; we have been down together in my sleep, unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat, and waked half dead with nothing. worthy marcius, had we no quarrel else to rome, but that thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all from twelve to seventy, and pouring war into the bowels of ungrateful rome, like a bold flood o'er-bear. o, come, go in, and take our friendly senators by the hands; who now are here, taking their leaves of me, who am prepared against your territories, though not for rome itself. coriolanus you bless me, gods! aufidius therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have the leading of thine own revenges, take the one half of my commission; and set down- as best thou art experienced, since thou know'st thy country's strength and weakness,--thine own ways; whether to knock against the gates of rome, or rudely visit them in parts remote, to fright them, ere destroy. but come in: let me commend thee first to those that shall say yea to thy desires. a thousand welcomes! and more a friend than e'er an enemy; yet, marcius, that was much. your hand: most welcome! [exeunt coriolanus and aufidius. the two servingmen come forward] first servingman here's a strange alteration! second servingman by my hand, i had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him. first servingman what an arm he has! he turned me about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top. second servingman nay, i knew by his face that there was something in him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,--i cannot tell how to term it. first servingman he had so; looking as it were--would i were hanged, but i thought there was more in him than i could think. second servingman so did i, i'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest man i' the world. first servingman i think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on. second servingman who, my master? first servingman nay, it's no matter for that. second servingman worth six on him. first servingman nay, not so neither: but i take him to be the greater soldier. second servingman faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that: for the defence of a town, our general is excellent. first servingman ay, and for an assault too. [re-enter third servingman] third servingman o slaves, i can tell you news,-news, you rascals! first servingman | | what, what, what? let's partake. second servingman | third servingman i would not be a roman, of all nations; i had as lieve be a condemned man. first servingman | | wherefore? wherefore? second servingman | third servingman why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general, caius marcius. first servingman why do you say 'thwack our general '? third servingman i do not say 'thwack our general;' but he was always good enough for him. second servingman come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too hard for him; i have heard him say so himself. first servingman he was too hard for him directly, to say the troth on't: before corioli he scotched him and notched him like a carbon ado. second servingman an he had been cannibally given, he might have broiled and eaten him too. first servingman but, more of thy news? third servingman why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son and heir to mars; set at upper end o' the table; no question asked him by any of the senators, but they stand bald before him: our general himself makes a mistress of him: sanctifies himself with's hand and turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse. but the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i' the middle and but one half of what he was yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty and grant of the whole table. he'll go, he says, and sowl the porter of rome gates by the ears: he will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled. second servingman and he's as like to do't as any man i can imagine. third servingman do't! he will do't; for, look you, sir, he has as many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as we term it, his friends whilst he's in directitude. first servingman directitude! what's that? third servingman but when they shall see, sir, his crest up again, and the man in blood, they will out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with him. first servingman but when goes this forward? third servingman to-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the drum struck up this afternoon: 'tis, as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips. second servingman why, then we shall have a stirring world again. this peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers. first servingman let me have war, say i; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men. second servingman 'tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds. first servingman ay, and it makes men hate one another. third servingman reason; because they then less need one another. the wars for my money. i hope to see romans as cheap as volscians. they are rising, they are rising. all in, in, in, in! [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene vi rome. a public place. [enter sicinius and brutus] sicinius we hear not of him, neither need we fear him; his remedies are tame i' the present peace and quietness of the people, which before were in wild hurry. here do we make his friends blush that the world goes well, who rather had, though they themselves did suffer by't, behold dissentious numbers pestering streets than see our tradesmen with in their shops and going about their functions friendly. brutus we stood to't in good time. [enter menenius] is this menenius? sicinius 'tis he,'tis he: o, he is grown most kind of late. both tribunes hail sir! menenius hail to you both! sicinius your coriolanus is not much miss'd, but with his friends: the commonwealth doth stand, and so would do, were he more angry at it. menenius all's well; and might have been much better, if he could have temporized. sicinius where is he, hear you? menenius nay, i hear nothing: his mother and his wife hear nothing from him. [enter three or four citizens] citizens the gods preserve you both! sicinius god-den, our neighbours. brutus god-den to you all, god-den to you all. first citizen ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees, are bound to pray for you both. sicinius live, and thrive! brutus farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd coriolanus had loved you as we did. citizens now the gods keep you! both tribunes farewell, farewell. [exeunt citizens] sicinius this is a happier and more comely time than when these fellows ran about the streets, crying confusion. brutus caius marcius was a worthy officer i' the war; but insolent, o'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, self-loving,- sicinius and affecting one sole throne, without assistance. menenius i think not so. sicinius we should by this, to all our lamentation, if he had gone forth consul, found it so. brutus the gods have well prevented it, and rome sits safe and still without him. [enter an aedile] aedile worthy tribunes, there is a slave, whom we have put in prison, reports, the volsces with two several powers are enter'd in the roman territories, and with the deepest malice of the war destroy what lies before 'em. menenius 'tis aufidius, who, hearing of our marcius' banishment, thrusts forth his horns again into the world; which were inshell'd when marcius stood for rome, and durst not once peep out. sicinius come, what talk you of marcius? brutus go see this rumourer whipp'd. it cannot be the volsces dare break with us. menenius cannot be! we have record that very well it can, and three examples of the like have been within my age. but reason with the fellow, before you punish him, where he heard this, lest you shall chance to whip your information and beat the messenger who bids beware of what is to be dreaded. sicinius tell not me: i know this cannot be. brutus not possible. [enter a messenger] messenger the nobles in great earnestness are going all to the senate-house: some news is come that turns their countenances. sicinius 'tis this slave;- go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:--his raising; nothing but his report. messenger yes, worthy sir, the slave's report is seconded; and more, more fearful, is deliver'd. sicinius what more fearful? messenger it is spoke freely out of many mouths- how probable i do not know--that marcius, join'd with aufidius, leads a power 'gainst rome, and vows revenge as spacious as between the young'st and oldest thing. sicinius this is most likely! brutus raised only, that the weaker sort may wish good marcius home again. sicinius the very trick on't. menenius this is unlikely: he and aufidius can no more atone than violentest contrariety. [enter a second messenger] second messenger you are sent for to the senate: a fearful army, led by caius marcius associated with aufidius, rages upon our territories; and have already o'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took what lay before them. [enter cominius] cominius o, you have made good work! menenius what news? what news? cominius you have holp to ravish your own daughters and to melt the city leads upon your pates, to see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,- menenius what's the news? what's the news? cominius your temples burned in their cement, and your franchises, whereon you stood, confined into an auger's bore. menenius pray now, your news? you have made fair work, i fear me.--pray, your news?- if marcius should be join'd with volscians,- cominius if! he is their god: he leads them like a thing made by some other deity than nature, that shapes man better; and they follow him, against us brats, with no less confidence than boys pursuing summer butterflies, or butchers killing flies. menenius you have made good work, you and your apron-men; you that stood so up much on the voice of occupation and the breath of garlic-eaters! cominius he will shake your rome about your ears. menenius as hercules did shake down mellow fruit. you have made fair work! brutus but is this true, sir? cominius ay; and you'll look pale before you find it other. all the regions do smilingly revolt; and who resist are mock'd for valiant ignorance, and perish constant fools. who is't can blame him? your enemies and his find something in him. menenius we are all undone, unless the noble man have mercy. cominius who shall ask it? the tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people deserve such pity of him as the wolf does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they should say 'be good to rome,' they charged him even as those should do that had deserved his hate, and therein show'd like enemies. menenius 'tis true: if he were putting to my house the brand that should consume it, i have not the face to say 'beseech you, cease.' you have made fair hands, you and your crafts! you have crafted fair! cominius you have brought a trembling upon rome, such as was never so incapable of help. both tribunes say not we brought it. menenius how! was it we? we loved him but, like beasts and cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, who did hoot him out o' the city. cominius but i fear they'll roar him in again. tullus aufidius, the second name of men, obeys his points as if he were his officer: desperation is all the policy, strength and defence, that rome can make against them. [enter a troop of citizens] menenius here come the clusters. and is aufidius with him? you are they that made the air unwholesome, when you cast your stinking greasy caps in hooting at coriolanus' exile. now he's coming; and not a hair upon a soldier's head which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs as you threw caps up will he tumble down, and pay you for your voices. 'tis no matter; if he could burn us all into one coal, we have deserved it. citizens faith, we hear fearful news. first citizen for mine own part, when i said, banish him, i said 'twas pity. second citizen and so did i. third citizen and so did i; and, to say the truth, so did very many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will. cominius ye re goodly things, you voices! menenius you have made good work, you and your cry! shall's to the capitol? cominius o, ay, what else? [exeunt cominius and menenius] sicinius go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd: these are a side that would be glad to have this true which they so seem to fear. go home, and show no sign of fear. first citizen the gods be good to us! come, masters, let's home. i ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished him. second citizen so did we all. but, come, let's home. [exeunt citizens] brutus i do not like this news. sicinius nor i. brutus let's to the capitol. would half my wealth would buy this for a lie! sicinius pray, let us go. [exeunt] coriolanus act iv scene vii a camp, at a small distance from rome. [enter aufidius and his lieutenant] aufidius do they still fly to the roman? lieutenant i do not know what witchcraft's in him, but your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat, their talk at table, and their thanks at end; and you are darken'd in this action, sir, even by your own. aufidius i cannot help it now, unless, by using means, i lame the foot of our design. he bears himself more proudlier, even to my person, than i thought he would when first i did embrace him: yet his nature in that's no changeling; and i must excuse what cannot be amended. lieutenant yet i wish, sir,- i mean for your particular,--you had not join'd in commission with him; but either had borne the action of yourself, or else to him had left it solely. aufidius i understand thee well; and be thou sure, when he shall come to his account, he knows not what i can urge against him. although it seems, and so he thinks, and is no less apparent to the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly. and shows good husbandry for the volscian state, fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon as draw his sword; yet he hath left undone that which shall break his neck or hazard mine, whene'er we come to our account. lieutenant sir, i beseech you, think you he'll carry rome? aufidius all places yield to him ere he sits down; and the nobility of rome are his: the senators and patricians love him too: the tribunes are no soldiers; and their people will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty to expel him thence. i think he'll be to rome as is the osprey to the fish, who takes it by sovereignty of nature. first he was a noble servant to them; but he could not carry his honours even: whether 'twas pride, which out of daily fortune ever taints the happy man; whether defect of judgment, to fail in the disposing of those chances which he was lord of; or whether nature, not to be other than one thing, not moving from the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace even with the same austerity and garb as he controll'd the war; but one of these- as he hath spices of them all, not all, for i dare so far free him--made him fear'd, so hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit, to choke it in the utterance. so our virtues lie in the interpretation of the time: and power, unto itself most commendable, hath not a tomb so evident as a chair to extol what it hath done. one fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail; rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail. come, let's away. when, caius, rome is thine, thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine. [exeunt] coriolanus act v scene i rome. a public place. [enter menenius, cominius, sicinius, brutus, and others] menenius no, i'll not go: you hear what he hath said which was sometime his general; who loved him in a most dear particular. he call'd me father: but what o' that? go, you that banish'd him; a mile before his tent fall down, and knee the way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd to hear cominius speak, i'll keep at home. cominius he would not seem to know me. menenius do you hear? cominius yet one time he did call me by my name: i urged our old acquaintance, and the drops that we have bled together. coriolanus he would not answer to: forbad all names; he was a kind of nothing, titleless, till he had forged himself a name o' the fire of burning rome. menenius why, so: you have made good work! a pair of tribunes that have rack'd for rome, to make coals cheap,--a noble memory! cominius i minded him how royal 'twas to pardon when it was less expected: he replied, it was a bare petition of a state to one whom they had punish'd. menenius very well: could he say less? cominius i offer'd to awaken his regard for's private friends: his answer to me was, he could not stay to pick them in a pile of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly, for one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt, and still to nose the offence. menenius for one poor grain or two! i am one of those; his mother, wife, his child, and this brave fellow too, we are the grains: you are the musty chaff; and you are smelt above the moon: we must be burnt for you. sicinius nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid in this so never-needed help, yet do not upbraid's with our distress. but, sure, if you would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, more than the instant army we can make, might stop our countryman. menenius no, i'll not meddle. sicinius pray you, go to him. menenius what should i do? brutus only make trial what your love can do for rome, towards marcius. menenius well, and say that marcius return me, as cominius is return'd, unheard; what then? but as a discontented friend, grief-shot with his unkindness? say't be so? sicinius yet your good will must have that thanks from rome, after the measure as you intended well. menenius i'll undertake 't: i think he'll hear me. yet, to bite his lip and hum at good cominius, much unhearts me. he was not taken well; he had not dined: the veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then we pout upon the morning, are unapt to give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd these and these conveyances of our blood with wine and feeding, we have suppler souls than in our priest-like fasts: therefore i'll watch him till he be dieted to my request, and then i'll set upon him. brutus you know the very road into his kindness, and cannot lose your way. menenius good faith, i'll prove him, speed how it will. i shall ere long have knowledge of my success. [exit] cominius he'll never hear him. sicinius not? cominius i tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye red as 'twould burn rome; and his injury the gaoler to his pity. i kneel'd before him; 'twas very faintly he said 'rise;' dismiss'd me thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do, he sent in writing after me; what he would not, bound with an oath to yield to his conditions: so that all hope is vain. unless his noble mother, and his wife; who, as i hear, mean to solicit him for mercy to his country. therefore, let's hence, and with our fair entreaties haste them on. [exeunt] coriolanus act v scene ii entrance of the volscian camp before rome. two sentinels on guard. [enter to them, menenius] first senator stay: whence are you? second senator stand, and go back. menenius you guard like men; 'tis well: but, by your leave, i am an officer of state, and come to speak with coriolanus. first senator from whence? menenius from rome. first senator you may not pass, you must return: our general will no more hear from thence. second senator you'll see your rome embraced with fire before you'll speak with coriolanus. menenius good my friends, if you have heard your general talk of rome, and of his friends there, it is lots to blanks, my name hath touch'd your ears it is menenius. first senator be it so; go back: the virtue of your name is not here passable. menenius i tell thee, fellow, the general is my lover: i have been the book of his good acts, whence men have read his name unparallel'd, haply amplified; for i have ever verified my friends, of whom he's chief, with all the size that verity would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, i have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow, i must have leave to pass. first senator faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely. therefore, go back. menenius prithee, fellow, remember my name is menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. second senator howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you have, i am one that, telling true under him, must say, you cannot pass. therefore, go back. menenius has he dined, canst thou tell? for i would not speak with him till after dinner. first senator you are a roman, are you? menenius i am, as thy general is. first senator then you should hate rome, as he does. can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? no, you are deceived; therefore, back to rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. menenius sirrah, if thy captain knew i were here, he would use me with estimation. second senator come, my captain knows you not. menenius i mean, thy general. first senator my general cares not for you. back, i say, go; lest i let forth your half-pint of blood; back,--that's the utmost of your having: back. menenius nay, but, fellow, fellow,- [enter coriolanus and aufidius] coriolanus what's the matter? menenius now, you companion, i'll say an errand for you: you shall know now that i am in estimation; you shall perceive that a jack guardant cannot office me from my son coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou standest not i' the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee. [to coriolanus] the glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father menenius does! o my son, my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. i was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none but myself could move thee, i have been blown out of your gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. the good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here,--this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. coriolanus away! menenius how! away! coriolanus wife, mother, child, i know not. my affairs are servanted to others: though i owe my revenge properly, my remission lies in volscian breasts. that we have been familiar, ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather than pity note how much. therefore, be gone. mine ears against your suits are stronger than your gates against my force. yet, for i loved thee, take this along; i writ it for thy sake [gives a letter] and would have rent it. another word, menenius, i will not hear thee speak. this man, aufidius, was my beloved in rome: yet thou behold'st! aufidius you keep a constant temper. [exeunt coriolanus and aufidius] first senator now, sir, is your name menenius? second senator 'tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home again. first senator do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back? second senator what cause, do you think, i have to swoon? menenius i neither care for the world nor your general: for such things as you, i can scarce think there's any, ye're so slight. he that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another: let your general do his worst. for you, be that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! i say to you, as i was said to, away! [exit] first senator a noble fellow, i warrant him. second senator the worthy fellow is our general: he's the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. [exeunt] coriolanus act v scene iii the tent of coriolanus. [enter coriolanus, aufidius, and others] coriolanus we will before the walls of rome tomorrow set down our host. my partner in this action, you must report to the volscian lords, how plainly i have borne this business. aufidius only their ends you have respected; stopp'd your ears against the general suit of rome; never admitted a private whisper, no, not with such friends that thought them sure of you. coriolanus this last old man, whom with a crack'd heart i have sent to rome, loved me above the measure of a father; nay, godded me, indeed. their latest refuge was to send him; for whose old love i have, though i show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd the first conditions, which they did refuse and cannot now accept; to grace him only that thought he could do more, a very little i have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits, nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter will i lend ear to. ha! what shout is this? [shout within] shall i be tempted to infringe my vow in the same time 'tis made? i will not. [enter in mourning habits, virgilia, volumnia, leading young marcius, valeria, and attendants] my wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand the grandchild to her blood. but, out, affection! all bond and privilege of nature, break! let it be virtuous to be obstinate. what is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, which can make gods forsworn? i melt, and am not of stronger earth than others. my mother bows; as if olympus to a molehill should in supplication nod: and my young boy hath an aspect of intercession, which great nature cries 'deny not.' let the volsces plough rome and harrow italy: i'll never be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand, as if a man were author of himself and knew no other kin. virgilia my lord and husband! coriolanus these eyes are not the same i wore in rome. virgilia the sorrow that delivers us thus changed makes you think so. coriolanus like a dull actor now, i have forgot my part, and i am out, even to a full disgrace. best of my flesh, forgive my tyranny; but do not say for that 'forgive our romans.' o, a kiss long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss i carried from thee, dear; and my true lip hath virgin'd it e'er since. you gods! i prate, and the most noble mother of the world leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth; [kneels] of thy deep duty more impression show than that of common sons. volumnia o, stand up blest! whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, i kneel before thee; and unproperly show duty, as mistaken all this while between the child and parent. [kneels] coriolanus what is this? your knees to me? to your corrected son? then let the pebbles on the hungry beach fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun; murdering impossibility, to make what cannot be, slight work. volumnia thou art my warrior; i holp to frame thee. do you know this lady? coriolanus the noble sister of publicola, the moon of rome, chaste as the icicle that's curdied by the frost from purest snow and hangs on dian's temple: dear valeria! volumnia this is a poor epitome of yours, which by the interpretation of full time may show like all yourself. coriolanus the god of soldiers, with the consent of supreme jove, inform thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove to shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, and saving those that eye thee! volumnia your knee, sirrah. coriolanus that's my brave boy! volumnia even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, are suitors to you. coriolanus i beseech you, peace: or, if you'ld ask, remember this before: the thing i have forsworn to grant may never be held by you denials. do not bid me dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate again with rome's mechanics: tell me not wherein i seem unnatural: desire not to ally my rages and revenges with your colder reasons. volumnia o, no more, no more! you have said you will not grant us any thing; for we have nothing else to ask, but that which you deny already: yet we will ask; that, if you fail in our request, the blame may hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us. coriolanus aufidius, and you volsces, mark; for we'll hear nought from rome in private. your request? volumnia should we be silent and not speak, our raiment and state of bodies would bewray what life we have led since thy exile. think with thyself how more unfortunate than all living women are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow; making the mother, wife and child to see the son, the husband and the father tearing his country's bowels out. and to poor we thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort that all but we enjoy; for how can we, alas, how can we for our country pray. whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose the country, our dear nurse, or else thy person, our comfort in the country. we must find an evident calamity, though we had our wish, which side should win: for either thou must, as a foreign recreant, be led with manacles thorough our streets, or else triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, and bear the palm for having bravely shed thy wife and children's blood. for myself, son, i purpose not to wait on fortune till these wars determine: if i cannot persuade thee rather to show a noble grace to both parts than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner march to assault thy country than to tread- trust to't, thou shalt not--on thy mother's womb, that brought thee to this world. virgilia ay, and mine, that brought you forth this boy, to keep your name living to time. young marcius a' shall not tread on me; i'll run away till i am bigger, but then i'll fight. coriolanus not of a woman's tenderness to be, requires nor child nor woman's face to see. i have sat too long. [rising] volumnia nay, go not from us thus. if it were so that our request did tend to save the romans, thereby to destroy the volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, as poisonous of your honour: no; our suit is that you reconcile them: while the volsces may say 'this mercy we have show'd;' the romans, 'this we received;' and each in either side give the all-hail to thee and cry 'be blest for making up this peace!' thou know'st, great son, the end of war's uncertain, but this certain, that, if thou conquer rome, the benefit which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; whose chronicle thus writ: 'the man was noble, but with his last attempt he wiped it out; destroy'd his country, and his name remains to the ensuing age abhorr'd.' speak to me, son: thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, to imitate the graces of the gods; to tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air, and yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt that should but rive an oak. why dost not speak? think'st thou it honourable for a noble man still to remember wrongs? daughter, speak you: he cares not for your weeping. speak thou, boy: perhaps thy childishness will move him more than can our reasons. there's no man in the world more bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate like one i' the stocks. thou hast never in thy life show'd thy dear mother any courtesy, when she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, has cluck'd thee to the wars and safely home, loaden with honour. say my request's unjust, and spurn me back: but if it be not so, thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, that thou restrain'st from me the duty which to a mother's part belongs. he turns away: down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. to his surname coriolanus 'longs more pride than pity to our prayers. down: an end; this is the last: so we will home to rome, and die among our neighbours. nay, behold 's: this boy, that cannot tell what he would have but kneels and holds up bands for fellowship, does reason our petition with more strength than thou hast to deny 't. come, let us go: this fellow had a volscian to his mother; his wife is in corioli and his child like him by chance. yet give us our dispatch: i am hush'd until our city be a-fire, and then i'll speak a little. [he holds her by the hand, silent] coriolanus o mother, mother! what have you done? behold, the heavens do ope, the gods look down, and this unnatural scene they laugh at. o my mother, mother! o! you have won a happy victory to rome; but, for your son,--believe it, o, believe it, most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, if not most mortal to him. but, let it come. aufidius, though i cannot make true wars, i'll frame convenient peace. now, good aufidius, were you in my stead, would you have heard a mother less? or granted less, aufidius? aufidius i was moved withal. coriolanus i dare be sworn you were: and, sir, it is no little thing to make mine eyes to sweat compassion. but, good sir, what peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, i'll not to rome, i'll back with you; and pray you, stand to me in this cause. o mother! wife! aufidius [aside] i am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour at difference in thee: out of that i'll work myself a former fortune. [the ladies make signs to coriolanus] coriolanus ay, by and by; [to volumnia, virgilia, &c] but we will drink together; and you shall bear a better witness back than words, which we, on like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. come, enter with us. ladies, you deserve to have a temple built you: all the swords in italy, and her confederate arms, could not have made this peace. [exeunt] coriolanus act v scene iv rome. a public place. [enter menenius and sicinius] menenius see you yond coign o' the capitol, yond corner-stone? sicinius why, what of that? menenius if it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. but i say there is no hope in't: our throats are sentenced and stay upon execution. sicinius is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man! menenius there is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. this marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. sicinius he loved his mother dearly. menenius so did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. the tartness of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. he sits in his state, as a thing made for alexander. what he bids be done is finished with his bidding. he wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in. sicinius yes, mercy, if you report him truly. menenius i paint him in the character. mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is long of you. sicinius the gods be good unto us! menenius no, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. when we banished him, we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. [enter a messenger] messenger sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house: the plebeians have got your fellow-tribune and hale him up and down, all swearing, if the roman ladies bring not comfort home, they'll give him death by inches. [enter a second messenger] sicinius what's the news? second messenger good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd, the volscians are dislodged, and marcius gone: a merrier day did never yet greet rome, no, not the expulsion of the tarquins. sicinius friend, art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? second messenger as certain as i know the sun is fire: where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, as the recomforted through the gates. why, hark you! [trumpets; hautboys; drums beat; all together] the trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes, tabours and cymbals and the shouting romans, make the sun dance. hark you! [a shout within] menenius this is good news: i will go meet the ladies. this volumnia is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, a city full; of tribunes, such as you, a sea and land full. you have pray'd well to-day: this morning for ten thousand of your throats i'd not have given a doit. hark, how they joy! [music still, with shouts] sicinius first, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, accept my thankfulness. second messenger sir, we have all great cause to give great thanks. sicinius they are near the city? second messenger almost at point to enter. sicinius we will meet them, and help the joy. [exeunt] coriolanus act v scene v the same. a street near the gate. [enter two senators with volumnia, virgilia, valeria, &c. passing over the stage, followed by patricians and others] first senator behold our patroness, the life of rome! call all your tribes together, praise the gods, and make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: unshout the noise that banish'd marcius, repeal him with the welcome of his mother; cry 'welcome, ladies, welcome!' all welcome, ladies, welcome! [a flourish with drums and trumpets. exeunt] coriolanus act v scene vi antium. a public place. [enter tullus aufidius, with attendants] aufidius go tell the lords o' the city i am here: deliver them this paper: having read it, bid them repair to the market place; where i, even in theirs and in the commons' ears, will vouch the truth of it. him i accuse the city ports by this hath enter'd and intends to appear before the people, hoping to purge herself with words: dispatch. [exeunt attendants] [enter three or four conspirators of aufidius' faction] most welcome! first conspirator how is it with our general? aufidius even so as with a man by his own alms empoison'd, and with his charity slain. second conspirator most noble sir, if you do hold the same intent wherein you wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you of your great danger. aufidius sir, i cannot tell: we must proceed as we do find the people. third conspirator the people will remain uncertain whilst 'twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either makes the survivor heir of all. aufidius i know it; and my pretext to strike at him admits a good construction. i raised him, and i pawn'd mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd, he water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, seducing so my friends; and, to this end, he bow'd his nature, never known before but to be rough, unswayable and free. third conspirator sir, his stoutness when he did stand for consul, which he lost by lack of stooping,- aufidius that i would have spoke of: being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; presented to my knife his throat: i took him; made him joint-servant with me; gave him way in all his own desires; nay, let him choose out of my files, his projects to accomplish, my best and freshest men; served his designments in mine own person; holp to reap the fame which he did end all his; and took some pride to do myself this wrong: till, at the last, i seem'd his follower, not partner, and he waged me with his countenance, as if i had been mercenary. first conspirator so he did, my lord: the army marvell'd at it, and, in the last, when he had carried rome and that we look'd for no less spoil than glory,- aufidius there was it: for which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. at a few drops of women's rheum, which are as cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour of our great action: therefore shall he die, and i'll renew me in his fall. but, hark! [drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people] first conspirator your native town you enter'd like a post, and had no welcomes home: but he returns, splitting the air with noise. second conspirator and patient fools, whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear with giving him glory. third conspirator therefore, at your vantage, ere he express himself, or move the people with what he would say, let him feel your sword, which we will second. when he lies along, after your way his tale pronounced shall bury his reasons with his body. aufidius say no more: here come the lords. [enter the lords of the city] all the lords you are most welcome home. aufidius i have not deserved it. but, worthy lords, have you with heed perused what i have written to you? lords we have. first lord and grieve to hear't. what faults he made before the last, i think might have found easy fines: but there to end where he was to begin and give away the benefit of our levies, answering us with our own charge, making a treaty where there was a yielding,--this admits no excuse. aufidius he approaches: you shall hear him. [enter coriolanus, marching with drum and colours; commoners being with him] coriolanus hail, lords! i am return'd your soldier, no more infected with my country's love than when i parted hence, but still subsisting under your great command. you are to know that prosperously i have attempted and with bloody passage led your wars even to the gates of rome. our spoils we have brought home do more than counterpoise a full third part the charges of the action. we have made peace with no less honour to the antiates than shame to the romans: and we here deliver, subscribed by the consuls and patricians, together with the seal o' the senate, what we have compounded on. aufidius read it not, noble lords; but tell the traitor, in the high'st degree he hath abused your powers. coriolanus traitor! how now! aufidius ay, traitor, marcius! coriolanus marcius! aufidius ay, marcius, caius marcius: dost thou think i'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name coriolanus in corioli? you lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously he has betray'd your business, and given up, for certain drops of salt, your city rome, i say 'your city,' to his wife and mother; breaking his oath and resolution like a twist of rotten silk, never admitting counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears he whined and roar'd away your victory, that pages blush'd at him and men of heart look'd wondering each at other. coriolanus hear'st thou, mars? aufidius name not the god, thou boy of tears! coriolanus ha! aufidius no more. coriolanus measureless liar, thou hast made my heart too great for what contains it. boy! o slave! pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever i was forced to scold. your judgments, my grave lords, must give this cur the lie: and his own notion- who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that must bear my beating to his grave--shall join to thrust the lie unto him. first lord peace, both, and hear me speak. coriolanus cut me to pieces, volsces; men and lads, stain all your edges on me. boy! false hound! if you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, that, like an eagle in a dove-cote, i flutter'd your volscians in corioli: alone i did it. boy! aufidius why, noble lords, will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'fore your own eyes and ears? all conspirators let him die for't. all the people 'tear him to pieces.' 'do it presently.' 'he kill'd my son.' 'my daughter.' 'he killed my cousin marcus.' 'he killed my father.' second lord peace, ho! no outrage: peace! the man is noble and his fame folds-in this orb o' the earth. his last offences to us shall have judicious hearing. stand, aufidius, and trouble not the peace. coriolanus o that i had him, with six aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, to use my lawful sword! aufidius insolent villain! all conspirators kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! [the conspirators draw, and kill coriolanus: aufidius stands on his body] lords hold, hold, hold, hold! aufidius my noble masters, hear me speak. first lord o tullus,- second lord thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. third lord tread not upon him. masters all, be quiet; put up your swords. aufidius my lords, when you shall know--as in this rage, provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice that he is thus cut off. please it your honours to call me to your senate, i'll deliver myself your loyal servant, or endure your heaviest censure. first lord bear from hence his body; and mourn you for him: let him be regarded as the most noble corse that ever herald did follow to his urn. second lord his own impatience takes from aufidius a great part of blame. let's make the best of it. aufidius my rage is gone; and i am struck with sorrow. take him up. help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; i'll be one. beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully: trail your steel pikes. though in this city he hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, which to this hour bewail the injury, yet he shall have a noble memory. assist. [exeunt, bearing the body of coriolanus. a dead march sounded] king henry viii dramatis personae king henry the eighth (king henry viii:) cardinal wolsey: cardinal campeius: capucius ambassador from the emperor charles v cranmer archbishop of canterbury. duke of norfolk (norfolk:) duke of buckingham (buckingham:) duke of suffolk (suffolk:) earl of surrey (surrey:) lord chamberlain (chamberlain:) lord chancellor (chancellor:) gardiner bishop of winchester. bishop of lincoln. (lincoln:) lord abergavenny (abergavenny:) lord sands (sands:) sir henry guildford (guildford:) sir thomas lovell (lovell:) sir anthony denny (denny:) sir nicholas vaux (vaux:) secretaries to wolsey. (first secretary:) (second secretary:) cromwell servant to wolsey. griffith gentleman-usher to queen katharine. three gentlemen. (first gentleman:) (second gentleman:) (third gentleman:) doctor butts physician to the king. garter king-at-arms. (garter:) surveyor to the duke of buckingham. (surveyor:) brandon: a sergeant-at-arms. (sergeant:) door-keeper of the council-chamber. porter, (porter:) and his man. (man:) page to gardiner. (boy:) a crier. (crier:) queen katharine (queen katharine:) wife to king henry, afterwards divorced. (katharine:) anne bullen (anne:) her maid of honour, afterwards queen. (queen anne:) an old lady, friend to anne bullen. (old lady:) patience woman to queen katharine. several lords and ladies in the dumb shows; women attending upon the queen; scribes, officers, guards, and other attendants. spirits. (scribe:) (keeper:) (servant:) (messenger:) scene london; westminster; kimbolton king henry viii the prologue i come no more to make you laugh: things now, that bear a weighty and a serious brow, sad, high, and working, full of state and woe, such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow, we now present. those that can pity, here may, if they think it well, let fall a tear; the subject will deserve it. such as give their money out of hope they may believe, may here find truth too. those that come to see only a show or two, and so agree the play may pass, if they be still and willing, i'll undertake may see away their shilling richly in two short hours. only they that come to hear a merry bawdy play, a noise of targets, or to see a fellow in a long motley coat guarded with yellow, will be deceived; for, gentle hearers, know, to rank our chosen truth with such a show as fool and fight is, beside forfeiting our own brains, and the opinion that we bring, to make that only true we now intend, will leave us never an understanding friend. therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known the first and happiest hearers of the town, be sad, as we would make ye: think ye see the very persons of our noble story as they were living; think you see them great, and follow'd with the general throng and sweat of thousand friends; then in a moment, see how soon this mightiness meets misery: and, if you can be merry then, i'll say a man may weep upon his wedding-day. king henry viii act i scene i london. an ante-chamber in the palace. [enter norfolk at one door; at the other, buckingham and abergavenny] buckingham good morrow, and well met. how have ye done since last we saw in france? norfolk i thank your grace, healthful; and ever since a fresh admirer of what i saw there. buckingham an untimely ague stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber when those suns of glory, those two lights of men, met in the vale of andren. norfolk 'twixt guynes and arde: i was then present, saw them salute on horseback; beheld them, when they lighted, how they clung in their embracement, as they grew together; which had they, what four throned ones could have weigh'd such a compounded one? buckingham all the whole time i was my chamber's prisoner. norfolk then you lost the view of earthly glory: men might say, till this time pomp was single, but now married to one above itself. each following day became the next day's master, till the last made former wonders its. to-day the french, all clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods, shone down the english; and, to-morrow, they made britain india: every man that stood show'd like a mine. their dwarfish pages were as cherubins, all guilt: the madams too, not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear the pride upon them, that their very labour was to them as a painting: now this masque was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night made it a fool and beggar. the two kings, equal in lustre, were now best, now worst, as presence did present them; him in eye, still him in praise: and, being present both 'twas said they saw but one; and no discerner durst wag his tongue in censure. when these suns- for so they phrase 'em--by their heralds challenged the noble spirits to arms, they did perform beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story, being now seen possible enough, got credit, that bevis was believed. buckingham o, you go far. norfolk as i belong to worship and affect in honour honesty, the tract of every thing would by a good discourser lose some life, which action's self was tongue to. all was royal; to the disposing of it nought rebell'd. order gave each thing view; the office did distinctly his full function. buckingham who did guide, i mean, who set the body and the limbs of this great sport together, as you guess? norfolk one, certes, that promises no element in such a business. buckingham i pray you, who, my lord? norfolk all this was order'd by the good discretion of the right reverend cardinal of york. buckingham the devil speed him! no man's pie is freed from his ambitious finger. what had he to do in these fierce vanities? i wonder that such a keech can with his very bulk take up the rays o' the beneficial sun and keep it from the earth. norfolk surely, sir, there's in him stuff that puts him to these ends; for, being not propp'd by ancestry, whose grace chalks successors their way, nor call'd upon for high feats done to the crown; neither allied for eminent assistants; but, spider-like, out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note, the force of his own merit makes his way a gift that heaven gives for him, which buys a place next to the king. abergavenny i cannot tell what heaven hath given him,--let some graver eye pierce into that; but i can see his pride peep through each part of him: whence has he that, if not from hell? the devil is a niggard, or has given all before, and he begins a new hell in himself. buckingham why the devil, upon this french going out, took he upon him, without the privity o' the king, to appoint who should attend on him? he makes up the file of all the gentry; for the most part such to whom as great a charge as little honour he meant to lay upon: and his own letter, the honourable board of council out, must fetch him in the papers. abergavenny i do know kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have by this so sickened their estates, that never they shall abound as formerly. buckingham o, many have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em for this great journey. what did this vanity but minister communication of a most poor issue? norfolk grievingly i think, the peace between the french and us not values the cost that did conclude it. buckingham every man, after the hideous storm that follow'd, was a thing inspired; and, not consulting, broke into a general prophecy; that this tempest, dashing the garment of this peace, aboded the sudden breach on't. norfolk which is budded out; for france hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd our merchants' goods at bourdeaux. abergavenny is it therefore the ambassador is silenced? norfolk marry, is't. abergavenny a proper title of a peace; and purchased at a superfluous rate! buckingham why, all this business our reverend cardinal carried. norfolk like it your grace, the state takes notice of the private difference betwixt you and the cardinal. i advise you- and take it from a heart that wishes towards you honour and plenteous safety--that you read the cardinal's malice and his potency together; to consider further that what his high hatred would effect wants not a minister in his power. you know his nature, that he's revengeful, and i know his sword hath a sharp edge: it's long and, 't may be said, it reaches far, and where 'twill not extend, thither he darts it. bosom up my counsel, you'll find it wholesome. lo, where comes that rock that i advise your shunning. [enter cardinal wolsey, the purse borne before him, certain of the guard, and two secretaries with papers. cardinal wolsey in his passage fixeth his eye on buckingham, and buckingham on him, both full of disdain] cardinal wolsey the duke of buckingham's surveyor, ha? where's his examination? first secretary here, so please you. cardinal wolsey is he in person ready? first secretary ay, please your grace. cardinal wolsey well, we shall then know more; and buckingham shall lessen this big look. [exeunt cardinal wolsey and his train] buckingham this butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and i have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best not wake him in his slumber. a beggar's book outworths a noble's blood. norfolk what, are you chafed? ask god for temperance; that's the appliance only which your disease requires. buckingham i read in's looks matter against me; and his eye reviled me, as his abject object: at this instant he bores me with some trick: he's gone to the king; i'll follow and outstare him. norfolk stay, my lord, and let your reason with your choler question what 'tis you go about: to climb steep hills requires slow pace at first: anger is like a full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way, self-mettle tires him. not a man in england can advise me like you: be to yourself as you would to your friend. buckingham i'll to the king; and from a mouth of honour quite cry down this ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim there's difference in no persons. norfolk be advised; heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself: we may outrun, by violent swiftness, that which we run at, and lose by over-running. know you not, the fire that mounts the liquor til run o'er, in seeming to augment it wastes it? be advised: i say again, there is no english soul more stronger to direct you than yourself, if with the sap of reason you would quench, or but allay, the fire of passion. buckingham sir, i am thankful to you; and i'll go along by your prescription: but this top-proud fellow, whom from the flow of gall i name not but from sincere motions, by intelligence, and proofs as clear as founts in july when we see each grain of gravel, i do know to be corrupt and treasonous. norfolk say not 'treasonous.' buckingham to the king i'll say't; and make my vouch as strong as shore of rock. attend. this holy fox, or wolf, or both,--for he is equal ravenous as he is subtle, and as prone to mischief as able to perform't; his mind and place infecting one another, yea, reciprocally- only to show his pomp as well in france as here at home, suggests the king our master to this last costly treaty, the interview, that swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass did break i' the rinsing. norfolk faith, and so it did. buckingham pray, give me favour, sir. this cunning cardinal the articles o' the combination drew as himself pleased; and they were ratified as he cried 'thus let be': to as much end as give a crutch to the dead: but our count-cardinal has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy wolsey, who cannot err, he did it. now this follows,- which, as i take it, is a kind of puppy to the old dam, treason,--charles the emperor, under pretence to see the queen his aunt- for 'twas indeed his colour, but he came to whisper wolsey,--here makes visitation: his fears were, that the interview betwixt england and france might, through their amity, breed him some prejudice; for from this league peep'd harms that menaced him: he privily deals with our cardinal; and, as i trow,- which i do well; for i am sure the emperor paid ere he promised; whereby his suit was granted ere it was ask'd; but when the way was made, and paved with gold, the emperor thus desired, that he would please to alter the king's course, and break the foresaid peace. let the king know, as soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal does buy and sell his honour as he pleases, and for his own advantage. norfolk i am sorry to hear this of him; and could wish he were something mistaken in't. buckingham no, not a syllable: i do pronounce him in that very shape he shall appear in proof. [enter brandon, a sergeant-at-arms before him, and two or three of the guard] brandon your office, sergeant; execute it. sergeant sir, my lord the duke of buckingham, and earl of hereford, stafford, and northampton, i arrest thee of high treason, in the name of our most sovereign king. buckingham lo, you, my lord, the net has fall'n upon me! i shall perish under device and practise. brandon i am sorry to see you ta'en from liberty, to look on the business present: 'tis his highness' pleasure you shall to the tower. buckingham it will help me nothing to plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me which makes my whitest part black. the will of heaven be done in this and all things! i obey. o my lord abergavenny, fare you well! brandon nay, he must bear you company. the king [to abergavenny] is pleased you shall to the tower, till you know how he determines further. abergavenny as the duke said, the will of heaven be done, and the king's pleasure by me obey'd! brandon here is a warrant from the king to attach lord montacute; and the bodies of the duke's confessor, john de la car, one gilbert peck, his chancellor- buckingham so, so; these are the limbs o' the plot: no more, i hope. brandon a monk o' the chartreux. buckingham o, nicholas hopkins? brandon he. buckingham my surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal hath show'd him gold; my life is spann'd already: i am the shadow of poor buckingham, whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, by darkening my clear sun. my lord, farewell. [exeunt] king henry viii act i scene ii the same. the council-chamber. [cornets. enter king henry viii, leaning on cardinal wolsey's shoulder, the nobles, and lovell; cardinal wolsey places himself under king henry viii's feet on his right side] king henry viii my life itself, and the best heart of it, thanks you for this great care: i stood i' the level of a full-charged confederacy, and give thanks to you that choked it. let be call'd before us that gentleman of buckingham's; in person i'll hear him his confessions justify; and point by point the treasons of his master he shall again relate. [a noise within, crying 'room for the queen!' enter queen katharine, ushered by norfolk, and suffolk: she kneels. king henry viii riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him] queen katharine nay, we must longer kneel: i am a suitor. king henry viii arise, and take place by us: half your suit never name to us; you have half our power: the other moiety, ere you ask, is given; repeat your will and take it. queen katharine thank your majesty. that you would love yourself, and in that love not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor the dignity of your office, is the point of my petition. king henry viii lady mine, proceed. queen katharine i am solicited, not by a few, and those of true condition, that your subjects are in great grievance: there have been commissions sent down among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heart of all their loyalties: wherein, although, my good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches most bitterly on you, as putter on of these exactions, yet the king our master- whose honour heaven shield from soil!--even he escapes not language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks the sides of loyalty, and almost appears in loud rebellion. norfolk not almost appears, it doth appear; for, upon these taxations, the clothiers all, not able to maintain the many to them longing, have put off the spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who, unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger and lack of other means, in desperate manner daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar, and danger serves among then! king henry viii taxation! wherein? and what taxation? my lord cardinal, you that are blamed for it alike with us, know you of this taxation? cardinal wolsey please you, sir, i know but of a single part, in aught pertains to the state; and front but in that file where others tell steps with me. queen katharine no, my lord, you know no more than others; but you frame things that are known alike; which are not wholesome to those which would not know them, and yet must perforce be their acquaintance. these exactions, whereof my sovereign would have note, they are most pestilent to the bearing; and, to bear 'em, the back is sacrifice to the load. they say they are devised by you; or else you suffer too hard an exclamation. king henry viii still exaction! the nature of it? in what kind, let's know, is this exaction? queen katharine i am much too venturous in tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd under your promised pardon. the subjects' grief comes through commissions, which compel from each the sixth part of his substance, to be levied without delay; and the pretence for this is named, your wars in france: this makes bold mouths: tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze allegiance in them; their curses now live where their prayers did: and it's come to pass, this tractable obedience is a slave to each incensed will. i would your highness would give it quick consideration, for there is no primer business. king henry viii by my life, this is against our pleasure. cardinal wolsey and for me, i have no further gone in this than by a single voice; and that not pass'd me but by learned approbation of the judges. if i am traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know my faculties nor person, yet will be the chronicles of my doing, let me say 'tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake that virtue must go through. we must not stint our necessary actions, in the fear to cope malicious censurers; which ever, as ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow that is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further than vainly longing. what we oft do best, by sick interpreters, once weak ones, is not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft, hitting a grosser quality, is cried up for our best act. if we shall stand still, in fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, we should take root here where we sit, or sit state-statues only. king henry viii things done well, and with a care, exempt themselves from fear; things done without example, in their issue are to be fear'd. have you a precedent of this commission? i believe, not any. we must not rend our subjects from our laws, and stick them in our will. sixth part of each? a trembling contribution! why, we take from every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber; and, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd, the air will drink the sap. to every county where this is question'd send our letters, with free pardon to each man that has denied the force of this commission: pray, look to't; i put it to your care. cardinal wolsey a word with you. [to the secretary] let there be letters writ to every shire, of the king's grace and pardon. the grieved commons hardly conceive of me; let it be noised that through our intercession this revokement and pardon comes: i shall anon advise you further in the proceeding. [exit secretary] [enter surveyor] queen katharine i am sorry that the duke of buckingham is run in your displeasure. king henry viii it grieves many: the gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker; to nature none more bound; his training such, that he may furnish and instruct great teachers, and never seek for aid out of himself. yet see, when these so noble benefits shall prove not well disposed, the mind growing once corrupt, they turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly than ever they were fair. this man so complete, who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we, almost with ravish'd listening, could not find his hour of speech a minute; he, my lady, hath into monstrous habits put the graces that once were his, and is become as black as if besmear'd in hell. sit by us; you shall hear- this was his gentleman in trust--of him things to strike honour sad. bid him recount the fore-recited practises; whereof we cannot feel too little, hear too much. cardinal wolsey stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you, most like a careful subject, have collected out of the duke of buckingham. king henry viii speak freely. surveyor first, it was usual with him, every day it would infect his speech, that if the king should without issue die, he'll carry it so to make the sceptre his: these very words i've heard him utter to his son-in-law, lord abergavenny; to whom by oath he menaced revenge upon the cardinal. cardinal wolsey please your highness, note this dangerous conception in this point. not friended by by his wish, to your high person his will is most malignant; and it stretches beyond you, to your friends. queen katharine my learn'd lord cardinal, deliver all with charity. king henry viii speak on: how grounded he his title to the crown, upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him at any time speak aught? surveyor he was brought to this by a vain prophecy of nicholas hopkins. king henry viii what was that hopkins? surveyor sir, a chartreux friar, his confessor, who fed him every minute with words of sovereignty. king henry viii how know'st thou this? surveyor not long before your highness sped to france, the duke being at the rose, within the parish saint lawrence poultney, did of me demand what was the speech among the londoners concerning the french journey: i replied, men fear'd the french would prove perfidious, to the king's danger. presently the duke said, 'twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted 'twould prove the verity of certain words spoke by a holy monk; 'that oft,' says he, 'hath sent to me, wishing me to permit john de la car, my chaplain, a choice hour to hear from him a matter of some moment: whom after under the confession's seal he solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke my chaplain to no creature living, but to me, should utter, with demure confidence this pausingly ensued: neither the king nor's heirs, tell you the duke, shall prosper: bid him strive to gain the love o' the commonalty: the duke shall govern england.' queen katharine if i know you well, you were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office on the complaint o' the tenants: take good heed you charge not in your spleen a noble person and spoil your nobler soul: i say, take heed; yes, heartily beseech you. king henry viii let him on. go forward. surveyor on my soul, i'll speak but truth. i told my lord the duke, by the devil's illusions the monk might be deceived; and that 'twas dangerous for him to ruminate on this so far, until it forged him some design, which, being believed, it was much like to do: he answer'd, 'tush, it can do me no damage;' adding further, that, had the king in his last sickness fail'd, the cardinal's and sir thomas lovell's heads should have gone off. king henry viii ha! what, so rank? ah ha! there's mischief in this man: canst thou say further? surveyor i can, my liege. king henry viii proceed. surveyor being at greenwich, after your highness had reproved the duke about sir william blomer,- king henry viii i remember of such a time: being my sworn servant, the duke retain'd him his. but on; what hence? surveyor 'if,' quoth he, 'i for this had been committed, as, to the tower, i thought, i would have play'd the part my father meant to act upon the usurper richard; who, being at salisbury, made suit to come in's presence; which if granted, as he made semblance of his duty, would have put his knife to him.' king henry viii a giant traitor! cardinal wolsey now, madam, may his highness live in freedom, and this man out of prison? queen katharine god mend all! king henry viii there's something more would out of thee; what say'st? surveyor after 'the duke his father,' with 'the knife,' he stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger, another spread on's breast, mounting his eyes he did discharge a horrible oath; whose tenor was,--were he evil used, he would outgo his father by as much as a performance does an irresolute purpose. king henry viii there's his period, to sheathe his knife in us. he is attach'd; call him to present trial: if he may find mercy in the law, 'tis his: if none, let him not seek 't of us: by day and night, he's traitor to the height. [exeunt] king henry viii act i scene iii an ante-chamber in the palace. [enter chamberlain and sands] chamberlain is't possible the spells of france should juggle men into such strange mysteries? sands new customs, though they be never so ridiculous, nay, let 'em be unmanly, yet are follow'd. chamberlain as far as i see, all the good our english have got by the late voyage is but merely a fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones; for when they hold 'em, you would swear directly their very noses had been counsellors to pepin or clotharius, they keep state so. sands they have all new legs, and lame ones: one would take it, that never saw 'em pace before, the spavin or springhalt reign'd among 'em. chamberlain death! my lord, their clothes are after such a pagan cut too, that, sure, they've worn out christendom. [enter lovell] how now! what news, sir thomas lovell? lovell faith, my lord, i hear of none, but the new proclamation that's clapp'd upon the court-gate. chamberlain what is't for? lovell the reformation of our travell'd gallants, that fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. chamberlain i'm glad 'tis there: now i would pray our monsieurs to think an english courtier may be wise, and never see the louvre. lovell they must either, for so run the conditions, leave those remnants of fool and feather that they got in france, with all their honourable point of ignorance pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks, abusing better men than they can be, out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean the faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings, short blister'd breeches, and those types of travel, and understand again like honest men; or pack to their old playfellows: there, i take it, they may, 'cum privilegio,' wear away the lag end of their lewdness and be laugh'd at. sands 'tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases are grown so catching. chamberlain what a loss our ladies will have of these trim vanities! lovell ay, marry, there will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whoresons have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies; a french song and a fiddle has no fellow. sands the devil fiddle 'em! i am glad they are going, for, sure, there's no converting of 'em: now an honest country lord, as i am, beaten a long time out of play, may bring his plainsong and have an hour of hearing; and, by'r lady, held current music too. chamberlain well said, lord sands; your colt's tooth is not cast yet. sands no, my lord; nor shall not, while i have a stump. chamberlain sir thomas, whither were you a-going? lovell to the cardinal's: your lordship is a guest too. chamberlain o, 'tis true: this night he makes a supper, and a great one, to many lords and ladies; there will be the beauty of this kingdom, i'll assure you. lovell that churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed, a hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us; his dews fall every where. chamberlain no doubt he's noble; he had a black mouth that said other of him. sands he may, my lord; has wherewithal: in him sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine: men of his way should be most liberal; they are set here for examples. chamberlain true, they are so: but few now give so great ones. my barge stays; your lordship shall along. come, good sir thomas, we shall be late else; which i would not be, for i was spoke to, with sir henry guildford this night to be comptrollers. sands i am your lordship's. [exeunt] king henry viii act i scene iv a hall in york place. [hautboys. a small table under a state for cardinal wolsey, a longer table for the guests. then enter anne and divers other ladies and gentlemen as guests, at one door; at another door, enter guildford] guildford ladies, a general welcome from his grace salutes ye all; this night he dedicates to fair content and you: none here, he hopes, in all this noble bevy, has brought with her one care abroad; he would have all as merry as, first, good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people. o, my lord, you're tardy: [enter chamberlain, sands, and lovell] the very thought of this fair company clapp'd wings to me. chamberlain you are young, sir harry guildford. sands sir thomas lovell, had the cardinal but half my lay thoughts in him, some of these should find a running banquet ere they rested, i think would better please 'em: by my life, they are a sweet society of fair ones. lovell o, that your lordship were but now confessor to one or two of these! sands i would i were; they should find easy penance. lovell faith, how easy? sands as easy as a down-bed would afford it. chamberlain sweet ladies, will it please you sit? sir harry, place you that side; i'll take the charge of this: his grace is entering. nay, you must not freeze; two women placed together makes cold weather: my lord sands, you are one will keep 'em waking; pray, sit between these ladies. sands by my faith, and thank your lordship. by your leave, sweet ladies: if i chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; i had it from my father. anne was he mad, sir? sands o, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too: but he would bite none; just as i do now, he would kiss you twenty with a breath. [kisses her] chamberlain well said, my lord. so, now you're fairly seated. gentlemen, the penance lies on you, if these fair ladies pass away frowning. sands for my little cure, let me alone. [hautboys. enter cardinal wolsey, and takes his state] cardinal wolsey you're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady, or gentleman, that is not freely merry, is not my friend: this, to confirm my welcome; and to you all, good health. [drinks] sands your grace is noble: let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks, and save me so much talking. cardinal wolsey my lord sands, i am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen, whose fault is this? sands the red wine first must rise in their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em talk us to silence. anne you are a merry gamester, my lord sands. sands yes, if i make my play. here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam, for 'tis to such a thing,- anne you cannot show me. sands i told your grace they would talk anon. [drum and trumpet, chambers discharged] cardinal wolsey what's that? chamberlain look out there, some of ye. [exit servant] cardinal wolsey what warlike voice, and to what end is this? nay, ladies, fear not; by all the laws of war you're privileged. [re-enter servant] chamberlain how now! what is't? servant a noble troop of strangers; for so they seem: they've left their barge and landed; and hither make, as great ambassadors from foreign princes. cardinal wolsey good lord chamberlain, go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the french tongue; and, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em into our presence, where this heaven of beauty shall shine at full upon them. some attend him. [exit chamberlain, attended. all rise, and tables removed] you have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. a good digestion to you all: and once more i shower a welcome on ye; welcome all. [hautboys. enter king henry viii and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the chamberlain. they pass directly before cardinal wolsey, and gracefully salute him] a noble company! what are their pleasures? chamberlain because they speak no english, thus they pray'd to tell your grace, that, having heard by fame of this so noble and so fair assembly this night to meet here, they could do no less out of the great respect they bear to beauty, but leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct, crave leave to view these ladies and entreat an hour of revels with 'em. cardinal wolsey say, lord chamberlain, they have done my poor house grace; for which i pay 'em a thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures. [they choose ladies for the dance. king henry viii chooses anne] king henry viii the fairest hand i ever touch'd! o beauty, till now i never knew thee! [music. dance] cardinal wolsey my lord! chamberlain your grace? cardinal wolsey pray, tell 'em thus much from me: there should be one amongst 'em, by his person, more worthy this place than myself; to whom, if i but knew him, with my love and duty i would surrender it. chamberlain i will, my lord. [whispers the masquers] cardinal wolsey what say they? chamberlain such a one, they all confess, there is indeed; which they would have your grace find out, and he will take it. cardinal wolsey let me see, then. by all your good leaves, gentlemen; here i'll make my royal choice. king henry viii ye have found him, cardinal: [unmasking] you hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord: you are a churchman, or, i'll tell you, cardinal, i should judge now unhappily. cardinal wolsey i am glad your grace is grown so pleasant. king henry viii my lord chamberlain, prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that? chamberlain an't please your grace, sir thomas bullen's daughter- the viscount rochford,--one of her highness' women. king henry viii by heaven, she is a dainty one. sweetheart, i were unmannerly, to take you out, and not to kiss you. a health, gentlemen! let it go round. cardinal wolsey sir thomas lovell, is the banquet ready i' the privy chamber? lovell yes, my lord. cardinal wolsey your grace, i fear, with dancing is a little heated. king henry viii i fear, too much. cardinal wolsey there's fresher air, my lord, in the next chamber. king henry viii lead in your ladies, every one: sweet partner, i must not yet forsake you: let's be merry: good my lord cardinal, i have half a dozen healths to drink to these fair ladies, and a measure to lead 'em once again; and then let's dream who's best in favour. let the music knock it. [exeunt with trumpets] king henry viii act ii scene i westminster. a street. [enter two gentlemen, meeting] first gentleman whither away so fast? second gentleman o, god save ye! even to the hall, to hear what shall become of the great duke of buckingham. first gentleman i'll save you that labour, sir. all's now done, but the ceremony of bringing back the prisoner. second gentleman were you there? first gentleman yes, indeed, was i. second gentleman pray, speak what has happen'd. first gentleman you may guess quickly what. second gentleman is he found guilty? first gentleman yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't. second gentleman i am sorry for't. first gentleman so are a number more. second gentleman but, pray, how pass'd it? first gentleman i'll tell you in a little. the great duke came to the bar; where to his accusations he pleaded still not guilty and alleged many sharp reasons to defeat the law. the king's attorney on the contrary urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions of divers witnesses; which the duke desired to have brought viva voce to his face: at which appear'd against him his surveyor; sir gilbert peck his chancellor; and john car, confessor to him; with that devil-monk, hopkins, that made this mischief. second gentleman that was he that fed him with his prophecies? first gentleman the same. all these accused him strongly; which he fain would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not: and so his peers, upon this evidence, have found him guilty of high treason. much he spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all was either pitied in him or forgotten. second gentleman after all this, how did he bear himself? first gentleman when he was brought again to the bar, to hear his knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd with such an agony, he sweat extremely, and something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty: but he fell to himself again, and sweetly in all the rest show'd a most noble patience. second gentleman i do not think he fears death. first gentleman sure, he does not: he never was so womanish; the cause he may a little grieve at. second gentleman certainly the cardinal is the end of this. first gentleman 'tis likely, by all conjectures: first, kildare's attainder, then deputy of ireland; who removed, earl surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, lest he should help his father. second gentleman that trick of state was a deep envious one. first gentleman at his return no doubt he will requite it. this is noted, and generally, whoever the king favours, the cardinal instantly will find employment, and far enough from court too. second gentleman all the commons hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much they love and dote on; call him bounteous buckingham, the mirror of all courtesy;- first gentleman stay there, sir, and see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. [enter buckingham from his arraignment; tip-staves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side: accompanied with lovell, vaux, sands, and common people] second gentleman let's stand close, and behold him. buckingham all good people, you that thus far have come to pity me, hear what i say, and then go home and lose me. i have this day received a traitor's judgment, and by that name must die: yet, heaven bear witness, and if i have a conscience, let it sink me, even as the axe falls, if i be not faithful! the law i bear no malice for my death; 't has done, upon the premises, but justice: but those that sought it i could wish more christians: be what they will, i heartily forgive 'em: yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief, nor build their evils on the graves of great men; for then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em. for further life in this world i ne'er hope, nor will i sue, although the king have mercies more than i dare make faults. you few that loved me, and dare be bold to weep for buckingham, his noble friends and fellows, whom to leave is only bitter to him, only dying, go with me, like good angels, to my end; and, as the long divorce of steel falls on me, make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice, and lift my soul to heaven. lead on, o' god's name. lovell i do beseech your grace, for charity, if ever any malice in your heart were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. buckingham sir thomas lovell, i as free forgive you as i would be forgiven: i forgive all; there cannot be those numberless offences 'gainst me, that i cannot take peace with: no black envy shall mark my grave. commend me to his grace; and if he speak of buckingham, pray, tell him you met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers yet are the king's; and, till my soul forsake, shall cry for blessings on him: may he live longer than i have time to tell his years! ever beloved and loving may his rule be! and when old time shall lead him to his end, goodness and he fill up one monument! lovell to the water side i must conduct your grace; then give my charge up to sir nicholas vaux, who undertakes you to your end. vaux prepare there, the duke is coming: see the barge be ready; and fit it with such furniture as suits the greatness of his person. buckingham nay, sir nicholas, let it alone; my state now will but mock me. when i came hither, i was lord high constable and duke of buckingham; now, poor edward bohun: yet i am richer than my base accusers, that never knew what truth meant: i now seal it; and with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't. my noble father, henry of buckingham, who first raised head against usurping richard, flying for succor to his servant banister, being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd, and without trial fell; god's peace be with him! henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying my father's loss, like a most royal prince, restored me to my honours, and, out of ruins, made my name once more noble. now his son, henry the eighth, life, honour, name and all that made me happy at one stroke has taken for ever from the world. i had my trial, and, must needs say, a noble one; which makes me, a little happier than my wretched father: yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both fell by our servants, by those men we loved most; a most unnatural and faithless service! heaven has an end in all: yet, you that hear me, this from a dying man receive as certain: where you are liberal of your loves and counsels be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends and give your hearts to, when they once perceive the least rub in your fortunes, fall away like water from ye, never found again but where they mean to sink ye. all good people, pray for me! i must now forsake ye: the last hour of my long weary life is come upon me. farewell: and when you would say something that is sad, speak how i fell. i have done; and god forgive me! [exeunt buckingham and train] first gentleman o, this is full of pity! sir, it calls, i fear, too many curses on their beads that were the authors. second gentleman if the duke be guiltless, 'tis full of woe: yet i can give you inkling of an ensuing evil, if it fall, greater than this. first gentleman good angels keep it from us! what may it be? you do not doubt my faith, sir? second gentleman this secret is so weighty, 'twill require a strong faith to conceal it. first gentleman let me have it; i do not talk much. second gentleman i am confident, you shall, sir: did you not of late days hear a buzzing of a separation between the king and katharine? first gentleman yes, but it held not: for when the king once heard it, out of anger he sent command to the lord mayor straight to stop the rumor, and allay those tongues that durst disperse it. second gentleman but that slander, sir, is found a truth now: for it grows again fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain the king will venture at it. either the cardinal, or some about him near, have, out of malice to the good queen, possess'd him with a scruple that will undo her: to confirm this too, cardinal campeius is arrived, and lately; as all think, for this business. first gentleman 'tis the cardinal; and merely to revenge him on the emperor for not bestowing on him, at his asking, the archbishopric of toledo, this is purposed. second gentleman i think you have hit the mark: but is't not cruel that she should feel the smart of this? the cardinal will have his will, and she must fall. first gentleman 'tis woful. we are too open here to argue this; let's think in private more. [exeunt] king henry viii act ii scene ii an ante-chamber in the palace. [enter chamberlain, reading a letter] chamberlain 'my lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care i had, i saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. they were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. when they were ready to set out for london, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason: his master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.' i fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: he will have all, i think. [enter, to chamberlain, norfolk and suffolk] norfolk well met, my lord chamberlain. chamberlain good day to both your graces. suffolk how is the king employ'd? chamberlain i left him private, full of sad thoughts and troubles. norfolk what's the cause? chamberlain it seems the marriage with his brother's wife has crept too near his conscience. suffolk no, his conscience has crept too near another lady. norfolk 'tis so: this is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: that blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, turns what he list. the king will know him one day. suffolk pray god he do! he'll never know himself else. norfolk how holily he works in all his business! and with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, he dives into the king's soul, and there scatters dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, fears, and despairs; and all these for his marriage: and out of all these to restore the king, he counsels a divorce; a loss of her that, like a jewel, has hung twenty years about his neck, yet never lost her lustre; of her that loves him with that excellence that angels love good men with; even of her that, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls, will bless the king: and is not this course pious? chamberlain heaven keep me from such counsel! 'tis most true these news are every where; every tongue speaks 'em, and every true heart weeps for't: all that dare look into these affairs see this main end, the french king's sister. heaven will one day open the king's eyes, that so long have slept upon this bold bad man. suffolk and free us from his slavery. norfolk we had need pray, and heartily, for our deliverance; or this imperious man will work us all from princes into pages: all men's honours lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd into what pitch he please. suffolk for me, my lords, i love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed: as i am made without him, so i'll stand, if the king please; his curses and his blessings touch me alike, they're breath i not believe in. i knew him, and i know him; so i leave him to him that made him proud, the pope. norfolk let's in; and with some other business put the king from these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him: my lord, you'll bear us company? chamberlain excuse me; the king has sent me otherwhere: besides, you'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: health to your lordships. norfolk thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [exit chamberlain; and king henry viii draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively] suffolk how sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. king henry viii who's there, ha? norfolk pray god he be not angry. king henry viii who's there, i say? how dare you thrust yourselves into my private meditations? who am i? ha? norfolk a gracious king that pardons all offences malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way is business of estate; in which we come to know your royal pleasure. king henry viii ye are too bold: go to; i'll make ye know your times of business: is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha? [enter cardinal wolsey and cardinal campeius, with a commission] who's there? my good lord cardinal? o my wolsey, the quiet of my wounded conscience; thou art a cure fit for a king. [to cardinal campeius] you're welcome, most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom: use us and it. [to cardinal wolsey] my good lord, have great care i be not found a talker. cardinal wolsey sir, you cannot. i would your grace would give us but an hour of private conference. king henry viii [to norfolk and suffolk] we are busy; go. norfolk [aside to suffolk] this priest has no pride in him? suffolk [aside to norfolk] not to speak of: i would not be so sick though for his place: but this cannot continue. norfolk [aside to suffolk] if it do, i'll venture one have-at-him. suffolk [aside to norfolk] i another. [exeunt norfolk and suffolk] cardinal wolsey your grace has given a precedent of wisdom above all princes, in committing freely your scruple to the voice of christendom: who can be angry now? what envy reach you? the spaniard, tied blood and favour to her, must now confess, if they have any goodness, the trial just and noble. all the clerks, i mean the learned ones, in christian kingdoms have their free voices: rome, the nurse of judgment, invited by your noble self, hath sent one general tongue unto us, this good man, this just and learned priest, cardinal campeius; whom once more i present unto your highness. king henry viii and once more in mine arms i bid him welcome, and thank the holy conclave for their loves: they have sent me such a man i would have wish'd for. cardinal campeius your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, you are so noble. to your highness' hand i tender my commission; by whose virtue, the court of rome commanding, you, my lord cardinal of york, are join'd with me their servant in the unpartial judging of this business. king henry viii two equal men. the queen shall be acquainted forthwith for what you come. where's gardiner? cardinal wolsey i know your majesty has always loved her so dear in heart, not to deny her that a woman of less place might ask by law: scholars allow'd freely to argue for her. king henry viii ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour to him that does best: god forbid else. cardinal, prithee, call gardiner to me, my new secretary: i find him a fit fellow. [exit cardinal wolsey] [re-enter cardinal wolsey, with gardiner] cardinal wolsey [aside to gardiner] give me your hand much joy and favour to you; you are the king's now. gardiner [aside to cardinal wolsey] but to be commanded for ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me. king henry viii come hither, gardiner. [walks and whispers] cardinal campeius my lord of york, was not one doctor pace in this man's place before him? cardinal wolsey yes, he was. cardinal campeius was he not held a learned man? cardinal wolsey yes, surely. cardinal campeius believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then even of yourself, lord cardinal. cardinal wolsey how! of me? cardinal campeius they will not stick to say you envied him, and fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, kept him a foreign man still; which so grieved him, that he ran mad and died. cardinal wolsey heaven's peace be with him! that's christian care enough: for living murmurers there's places of rebuke. he was a fool; for he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, if i command him, follows my appointment: i will have none so near else. learn this, brother, we live not to be grip'd by meaner persons. king henry viii deliver this with modesty to the queen. [exit gardiner] the most convenient place that i can think of for such receipt of learning is black-friars; there ye shall meet about this weighty business. my wolsey, see it furnish'd. o, my lord, would it not grieve an able man to leave so sweet a bedfellow? but, conscience, conscience! o, 'tis a tender place; and i must leave her. [exeunt] king henry viii act ii scene iii an ante-chamber of the queen's apartments. [enter anne and an old lady] anne not for that neither: here's the pang that pinches: his highness having lived so long with her, and she so good a lady that no tongue could ever pronounce dishonour of her; by my life, she never knew harm-doing: o, now, after so many courses of the sun enthroned, still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which to leave a thousand-fold more bitter than 'tis sweet at first to acquire,--after this process, to give her the avaunt! it is a pity would move a monster. old lady hearts of most hard temper melt and lament for her. anne o, god's will! much better she ne'er had known pomp: though't be temporal, yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce it from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging as soul and body's severing. old lady alas, poor lady! she's a stranger now again. anne so much the more must pity drop upon her. verily, i swear, 'tis better to be lowly born, and range with humble livers in content, than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief, and wear a golden sorrow. old lady our content is our best having. anne by my troth and maidenhead, i would not be a queen. old lady beshrew me, i would, and venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, for all this spice of your hypocrisy: you, that have so fair parts of woman on you, have too a woman's heart; which ever yet affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty; which, to say sooth, are blessings; and which gifts, saving your mincing, the capacity of your soft cheveril conscience would receive, if you might please to stretch it. anne nay, good troth. old lady yes, troth, and troth; you would not be a queen? anne no, not for all the riches under heaven. old lady: 'tis strange: a three-pence bow'd would hire me, old as i am, to queen it: but, i pray you, what think you of a duchess? have you limbs to bear that load of title? anne no, in truth. old lady then you are weakly made: pluck off a little; i would not be a young count in your way, for more than blushing comes to: if your back cannot vouchsafe this burthen,'tis too weak ever to get a boy. anne how you do talk! i swear again, i would not be a queen for all the world. old lady in faith, for little england you'ld venture an emballing: i myself would for carnarvonshire, although there long'd no more to the crown but that. lo, who comes here? [enter chamberlain] chamberlain good morrow, ladies. what were't worth to know the secret of your conference? anne my good lord, not your demand; it values not your asking: our mistress' sorrows we were pitying. chamberlain it was a gentle business, and becoming the action of good women: there is hope all will be well. anne now, i pray god, amen! chamberlain you bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings follow such creatures. that you may, fair lady, perceive i speak sincerely, and high note's ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty commends his good opinion of you, and does purpose honour to you no less flowing than marchioness of pembroke: to which title a thousand pound a year, annual support, out of his grace he adds. anne i do not know what kind of my obedience i should tender; more than my all is nothing: nor my prayers are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes more worth than empty vanities; yet prayers and wishes are all i can return. beseech your lordship, vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience, as from a blushing handmaid, to his highness; whose health and royalty i pray for. chamberlain lady, i shall not fail to approve the fair conceit the king hath of you. [aside] i have perused her well; beauty and honour in her are so mingled that they have caught the king: and who knows yet but from this lady may proceed a gem to lighten all this isle? i'll to the king, and say i spoke with you. [exit chamberlain] anne my honour'd lord. old lady why, this it is; see, see! i have been begging sixteen years in court, am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could come pat betwixt too early and too late for any suit of pounds; and you, o fate! a very fresh-fish here--fie, fie, fie upon this compell'd fortune!--have your mouth fill'd up before you open it. anne this is strange to me. old lady how tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. there was a lady once, 'tis an old story, that would not be a queen, that would she not, for all the mud in egypt: have you heard it? anne come, you are pleasant. old lady with your theme, i could o'ermount the lark. the marchioness of pembroke! a thousand pounds a year for pure respect! no other obligation! by my life, that promises moe thousands: honour's train is longer than his foreskirt. by this time i know your back will bear a duchess: say, are you not stronger than you were? anne good lady, make yourself mirth with your particular fancy, and leave me out on't. would i had no being, if this salute my blood a jot: it faints me, to think what follows. the queen is comfortless, and we forgetful in our long absence: pray, do not deliver what here you've heard to her. old lady what do you think me? [exeunt] king henry viii act ii scene iv a hall in black-friars. [trumpets, sennet, and cornets. enter two vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, canterbury alone; after him, lincoln, ely, rochester, and saint asaph; next them, with some small distance, follows a gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal's hat; then two priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a gentleman-usher bare-headed, accompanied with a sergeant-at-arms bearing a silver mace; then two gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, cardinal wolsey and cardinal campeius; two noblemen with the sword and mace. king henry viii takes place under the cloth of state; cardinal wolsey and cardinal campeius sit under him as judges. queen katharine takes place some distance from king henry viii. the bishops place themselves on each side the court, in manner of a consistory; below them, the scribes. the lords sit next the bishops. the rest of the attendants stand in convenient order about the stage] cardinal wolsey whilst our commission from rome is read, let silence be commanded. king henry viii what's the need? it hath already publicly been read, and on all sides the authority allow'd; you may, then, spare that time. cardinal wolsey be't so. proceed. scribe say, henry king of england, come into the court. crier henry king of england, &c. king henry viii here. scribe say, katharine queen of england, come into the court. crier katharine queen of england, &c. [queen katharine makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to king henry viii, and kneels at his feet; then speaks] queen katharine sir, i desire you do me right and justice; and to bestow your pity on me: for i am a most poor woman, and a stranger, born out of your dominions; having here no judge indifferent, nor no more assurance of equal friendship and proceeding. alas, sir, in what have i offended you? what cause hath my behavior given to your displeasure, that thus you should proceed to put me off, and take your good grace from me? heaven witness, i have been to you a true and humble wife, at all times to your will conformable; ever in fear to kindle your dislike, yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry as i saw it inclined: when was the hour i ever contradicted your desire, or made it not mine too? or which of your friends have i not strove to love, although i knew he were mine enemy? what friend of mine that had to him derived your anger, did i continue in my liking? nay, gave notice he was from thence discharged. sir, call to mind that i have been your wife, in this obedience, upward of twenty years, and have been blest with many children by you: if, in the course and process of this time, you can report, and prove it too, against mine honour aught, my bond to wedlock, or my love and duty, against your sacred person, in god's name, turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt shut door upon me, and so give me up to the sharp'st kind of justice. please you sir, the king, your father, was reputed for a prince most prudent, of an excellent and unmatch'd wit and judgment: ferdinand, my father, king of spain, was reckon'd one the wisest prince that there had reign'd by many a year before: it is not to be question'd that they had gather'd a wise council to them of every realm, that did debate this business, who deem'd our marriage lawful: wherefore i humbly beseech you, sir, to spare me, till i may be by my friends in spain advised; whose counsel i will implore: if not, i' the name of god, your pleasure be fulfill'd! cardinal wolsey you have here, lady, and of your choice, these reverend fathers; men of singular integrity and learning, yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled to plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless that longer you desire the court; as well for your own quiet, as to rectify what is unsettled in the king. cardinal campeius his grace hath spoken well and justly: therefore, madam, it's fit this royal session do proceed; and that, without delay, their arguments be now produced and heard. queen katharine lord cardinal, to you i speak. cardinal wolsey your pleasure, madam? queen katharine sir, i am about to weep; but, thinking that we are a queen, or long have dream'd so, certain the daughter of a king, my drops of tears i'll turn to sparks of fire. cardinal wolsey be patient yet. queen katharine i will, when you are humble; nay, before, or god will punish me. i do believe, induced by potent circumstances, that you are mine enemy, and make my challenge you shall not be my judge: for it is you have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me; which god's dew quench! therefore i say again, i utterly abhor, yea, from my soul refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more, i hold my most malicious foe, and think not at all a friend to truth. cardinal wolsey i do profess you speak not like yourself; who ever yet have stood to charity, and display'd the effects of disposition gentle, and of wisdom o'ertopping woman's power. madam, you do me wrong: i have no spleen against you; nor injustice for you or any: how far i have proceeded, or how far further shall, is warranted by a commission from the consistory, yea, the whole consistory of rome. you charge me that i have blown this coal: i do deny it: the king is present: if it be known to him that i gainsay my deed, how may he wound, and worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much as you have done my truth. if he know that i am free of your report, he knows i am not of your wrong. therefore in him it lies to cure me: and the cure is, to remove these thoughts from you: the which before his highness shall speak in, i do beseech you, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking and to say so no more. queen katharine my lord, my lord, i am a simple woman, much too weak to oppose your cunning. you're meek and humble-mouth'd; you sign your place and calling, in full seeming, with meekness and humility; but your heart is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. you have, by fortune and his highness' favours, gone slightly o'er low steps and now are mounted where powers are your retainers, and your words, domestics to you, serve your will as't please yourself pronounce their office. i must tell you, you tender more your person's honour than your high profession spiritual: that again i do refuse you for my judge; and here, before you all, appeal unto the pope, to bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness, and to be judged by him. [she curtsies to king henry viii, and offers to depart] cardinal campeius the queen is obstinate, stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and disdainful to be tried by't: 'tis not well. she's going away. king henry viii call her again. crier katharine queen of england, come into the court. griffith madam, you are call'd back. queen katharine what need you note it? pray you, keep your way: when you are call'd, return. now, the lord help, they vex me past my patience! pray you, pass on: i will not tarry; no, nor ever more upon this business my appearance make in any of their courts. [exeunt queen katharine and her attendants] king henry viii go thy ways, kate: that man i' the world who shall report he has a better wife, let him in nought be trusted, for speaking false in that: thou art, alone, if thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness, thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government, obeying in commanding, and thy parts sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out, the queen of earthly queens: she's noble born; and, like her true nobility, she has carried herself towards me. cardinal wolsey most gracious sir, in humblest manner i require your highness, that it shall please you to declare, in hearing of all these ears,--for where i am robb'd and bound, there must i be unloosed, although not there at once and fully satisfied,--whether ever i did broach this business to your highness; or laid any scruple in your way, which might induce you to the question on't? or ever have to you, but with thanks to god for such a royal lady, spake one the least word that might be to the prejudice of her present state, or touch of her good person? king henry viii my lord cardinal, i do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, i free you from't. you are not to be taught that you have many enemies, that know not why they are so, but, like to village-curs, bark when their fellows do: by some of these the queen is put in anger. you're excused: but will you be more justified? you ever have wish'd the sleeping of this business; never desired it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd, oft, the passages made toward it: on my honour, i speak my good lord cardinal to this point, and thus far clear him. now, what moved me to't, i will be bold with time and your attention: then mark the inducement. thus it came; give heed to't: my conscience first received a tenderness, scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd by the bishop of bayonne, then french ambassador; who had been hither sent on the debating a marriage 'twixt the duke of orleans and our daughter mary: i' the progress of this business, ere a determinate resolution, he, i mean the bishop, did require a respite; wherein he might the king his lord advertise whether our daughter were legitimate, respecting this our marriage with the dowager, sometimes our brother's wife. this respite shook the bosom of my conscience, enter'd me, yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble the region of my breast; which forced such way, that many mazed considerings did throng and press'd in with this caution. first, methought i stood not in the smile of heaven; who had commanded nature, that my lady's womb, if it conceived a male child by me, should do no more offices of life to't than the grave does to the dead; for her male issue or died where they were made, or shortly after this world had air'd them: hence i took a thought, this was a judgment on me; that my kingdom, well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not be gladded in't by me: then follows, that i weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in by this my issue's fail; and that gave to me many a groaning throe. thus hulling in the wild sea of my conscience, i did steer toward this remedy, whereupon we are now present here together: that's to say, i meant to rectify my conscience,--which i then did feel full sick, and yet not well,- by all the reverend fathers of the land and doctors learn'd: first i began in private with you, my lord of lincoln; you remember how under my oppression i did reek, when i first moved you. lincoln very well, my liege. king henry viii i have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say how far you satisfied me. lincoln so please your highness, the question did at first so stagger me, bearing a state of mighty moment in't and consequence of dread, that i committed the daring'st counsel which i had to doubt; and did entreat your highness to this course which you are running here. king henry viii i then moved you, my lord of canterbury; and got your leave to make this present summons: unsolicited i left no reverend person in this court; but by particular consent proceeded under your hands and seals: therefore, go on: for no dislike i' the world against the person of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points of my alleged reasons, drive this forward: prove but our marriage lawful, by my life and kingly dignity, we are contented to wear our mortal state to come with her, katharine our queen, before the primest creature that's paragon'd o' the world. cardinal campeius so please your highness, the queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness that we adjourn this court till further day: meanwhile must be an earnest motion made to the queen, to call back her appeal she intends unto his holiness. king henry viii [aside] i may perceive these cardinals trifle with me: i abhor this dilatory sloth and tricks of rome. my learn'd and well-beloved servant, cranmer, prithee, return: with thy approach, i know, my comfort comes along. break up the court: i say, set on. [exeunt in manner as they entered] king henry viii act iii scene i london. queen katharine's apartments. [enter queen katharine and her women, as at work] queen katharine take thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles; sing, and disperse 'em, if thou canst: leave working. [song] orpheus with his lute made trees, and the mountain tops that freeze, bow themselves when he did sing: to his music plants and flowers ever sprung; as sun and showers there had made a lasting spring. every thing that heard him play, even the billows of the sea, hung their heads, and then lay by. in sweet music is such art, killing care and grief of heart fall asleep, or hearing, die. [enter a gentleman] queen katharine how now! gentleman an't please your grace, the two great cardinals wait in the presence. queen katharine would they speak with me? gentleman they will'd me say so, madam. queen katharine pray their graces to come near. [exit gentleman] what can be their business with me, a poor weak woman, fall'n from favour? i do not like their coming. now i think on't, they should be good men; their affairs as righteous: but all hoods make not monks. [enter cardinal wolsey and cardinal campeius] cardinal wolsey peace to your highness! queen katharine your graces find me here part of a housewife, i would be all, against the worst may happen. what are your pleasures with me, reverend lords? cardinal wolsey may it please you noble madam, to withdraw into your private chamber, we shall give you the full cause of our coming. queen katharine speak it here: there's nothing i have done yet, o' my conscience, deserves a corner: would all other women could speak this with as free a soul as i do! my lords, i care not, so much i am happy above a number, if my actions were tried by every tongue, every eye saw 'em, envy and base opinion set against 'em, i know my life so even. if your business seek me out, and that way i am wife in, out with it boldly: truth loves open dealing. cardinal wolsey tanta est erga te mentis integritas, regina serenissima,- queen katharine o, good my lord, no latin; i am not such a truant since my coming, as not to know the language i have lived in: a strange tongue makes my cause more strange, suspicious; pray, speak in english: here are some will thank you, if you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake; believe me, she has had much wrong: lord cardinal, the willing'st sin i ever yet committed may be absolved in english. cardinal wolsey noble lady, i am sorry my integrity should breed, and service to his majesty and you, so deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. we come not by the way of accusation, to taint that honour every good tongue blesses, nor to betray you any way to sorrow, you have too much, good lady; but to know how you stand minded in the weighty difference between the king and you; and to deliver, like free and honest men, our just opinions and comforts to your cause. cardinal campeius most honour'd madam, my lord of york, out of his noble nature, zeal and obedience he still bore your grace, forgetting, like a good man your late censure both of his truth and him, which was too far, offers, as i do, in a sign of peace, his service and his counsel. queen katharine [aside] to betray me.- my lords, i thank you both for your good wills; ye speak like honest men; pray god, ye prove so! but how to make ye suddenly an answer, in such a point of weight, so near mine honour,- more near my life, i fear,--with my weak wit, and to such men of gravity and learning, in truth, i know not. i was set at work among my maids: full little, god knows, looking either for such men or such business. for her sake that i have been,--for i feel the last fit of my greatness,--good your graces, let me have time and counsel for my cause: alas, i am a woman, friendless, hopeless! cardinal wolsey madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears: your hopes and friends are infinite. queen katharine in england but little for my profit: can you think, lords, that any englishman dare give me counsel? or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure, though he be grown so desperate to be honest, and live a subject? nay, forsooth, my friends, they that must weigh out my afflictions, they that my trust must grow to, live not here: they are, as all my other comforts, far hence in mine own country, lords. cardinal campeius i would your grace would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. queen katharine how, sir? cardinal campeius put your main cause into the king's protection; he's loving and most gracious: 'twill be much both for your honour better and your cause; for if the trial of the law o'ertake ye, you'll part away disgraced. cardinal wolsey he tells you rightly. queen katharine ye tell me what ye wish for both,--my ruin: is this your christian counsel? out upon ye! heaven is above all yet; there sits a judge that no king can corrupt. cardinal campeius your rage mistakes us. queen katharine the more shame for ye: holy men i thought ye, upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; but cardinal sins and hollow hearts i fear ye: mend 'em, for shame, my lords. is this your comfort? the cordial that ye bring a wretched lady, a woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd? i will not wish ye half my miseries; i have more charity: but say, i warn'd ye; take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once the burthen of my sorrows fall upon ye. cardinal wolsey madam, this is a mere distraction; you turn the good we offer into envy. queen katharine ye turn me into nothing: woe upon ye and all such false professors! would you have me- if you have any justice, any pity; if ye be any thing but churchmen's habits- put my sick cause into his hands that hates me? alas, has banish'd me his bed already, his love, too long ago! i am old, my lords, and all the fellowship i hold now with him is only my obedience. what can happen to me above this wretchedness? all your studies make me a curse like this. cardinal campeius your fears are worse. queen katharine have i lived thus long--let me speak myself, since virtue finds no friends--a wife, a true one? a woman, i dare say without vain-glory, never yet branded with suspicion? have i with all my full affections still met the king? loved him next heaven? obey'd him? been, out of fondness, superstitious to him? almost forgot my prayers to content him? and am i thus rewarded? 'tis not well, lords. bring me a constant woman to her husband, one that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure; and to that woman, when she has done most, yet will i add an honour, a great patience. cardinal wolsey madam, you wander from the good we aim at. queen katharine my lord, i dare not make myself so guilty, to give up willingly that noble title your master wed me to: nothing but death shall e'er divorce my dignities. cardinal wolsey pray, hear me. queen katharine would i had never trod this english earth, or felt the flatteries that grow upon it! ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your hearts. what will become of me now, wretched lady! i am the most unhappy woman living. alas, poor wenches, where are now your fortunes! shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity, no friend, no hope; no kindred weep for me; almost no grave allow'd me: like the lily, that once was mistress of the field and flourish'd, i'll hang my head and perish. cardinal wolsey if your grace could but be brought to know our ends are honest, you'ld feel more comfort: why should we, good lady, upon what cause, wrong you? alas, our places, the way of our profession is against it: we are to cure such sorrows, not to sow 'em. for goodness' sake, consider what you do; how you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage. the hearts of princes kiss obedience, so much they love it; but to stubborn spirits they swell, and grow as terrible as storms. i know you have a gentle, noble temper, a soul as even as a calm: pray, think us those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and servants. cardinal campeius madam, you'll find it so. you wrong your virtues with these weak women's fears: a noble spirit, as yours was put into you, ever casts such doubts, as false coin, from it. the king loves you; beware you lose it not: for us, if you please to trust us in your business, we are ready to use our utmost studies in your service. queen katharine do what ye will, my lords: and, pray, forgive me, if i have used myself unmannerly; you know i am a woman, lacking wit to make a seemly answer to such persons. pray, do my service to his majesty: he has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers while i shall have my life. come, reverend fathers, bestow your counsels on me: she now begs, that little thought, when she set footing here, she should have bought her dignities so dear. [exeunt] king henry viii act iii scene ii ante-chamber to king henry viii's apartment. [enter norfolk, suffolk, surrey, and chamberlain] norfolk if you will now unite in your complaints, and force them with a constancy, the cardinal cannot stand under them: if you omit the offer of this time, i cannot promise but that you shall sustain moe new disgraces, with these you bear already. surrey i am joyful to meet the least occasion that may give me remembrance of my father-in-law, the duke, to be revenged on him. suffolk which of the peers have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least strangely neglected? when did he regard the stamp of nobleness in any person out of himself? chamberlain my lords, you speak your pleasures: what he deserves of you and me i know; what we can do to him, though now the time gives way to us, i much fear. if you cannot bar his access to the king, never attempt any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft over the king in's tongue. norfolk o, fear him not; his spell in that is out: the king hath found matter against him that for ever mars the honey of his language. no, he's settled, not to come off, in his displeasure. surrey sir, i should be glad to hear such news as this once every hour. norfolk believe it, this is true: in the divorce his contrary proceedings are all unfolded wherein he appears as i would wish mine enemy. surrey how came his practises to light? suffolk most strangely. surrey o, how, how? suffolk the cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried, and came to the eye o' the king: wherein was read, how that the cardinal did entreat his holiness to stay the judgment o' the divorce; for if it did take place, 'i do,' quoth he, 'perceive my king is tangled in affection to a creature of the queen's, lady anne bullen.' surrey has the king this? suffolk believe it. surrey will this work? chamberlain the king in this perceives him, how he coasts and hedges his own way. but in this point all his tricks founder, and he brings his physic after his patient's death: the king already hath married the fair lady. surrey would he had! suffolk may you be happy in your wish, my lord for, i profess, you have it. surrey now, all my joy trace the conjunction! suffolk my amen to't! norfolk all men's! suffolk there's order given for her coronation: marry, this is yet but young, and may be left to some ears unrecounted. but, my lords, she is a gallant creature, and complete in mind and feature: i persuade me, from her will fall some blessing to this land, which shall in it be memorised. surrey but, will the king digest this letter of the cardinal's? the lord forbid! norfolk marry, amen! suffolk no, no; there be moe wasps that buzz about his nose will make this sting the sooner. cardinal campeius is stol'n away to rome; hath ta'en no leave; has left the cause o' the king unhandled; and is posted, as the agent of our cardinal, to second all his plot. i do assure you the king cried ha! at this. chamberlain now, god incense him, and let him cry ha! louder! norfolk but, my lord, when returns cranmer? suffolk he is return'd in his opinions; which have satisfied the king for his divorce, together with all famous colleges almost in christendom: shortly, i believe, his second marriage shall be publish'd, and her coronation. katharine no more shall be call'd queen, but princess dowager and widow to prince arthur. norfolk this same cranmer's a worthy fellow, and hath ta'en much pain in the king's business. suffolk he has; and we shall see him for it an archbishop. norfolk so i hear. suffolk 'tis so. the cardinal! [enter cardinal wolsey and cromwell] norfolk observe, observe, he's moody. cardinal wolsey the packet, cromwell. gave't you the king? cromwell to his own hand, in's bedchamber. cardinal wolsey look'd he o' the inside of the paper? cromwell presently he did unseal them: and the first he view'd, he did it with a serious mind; a heed was in his countenance. you he bade attend him here this morning. cardinal wolsey is he ready to come abroad? cromwell i think, by this he is. cardinal wolsey leave me awhile. [exit cromwell] [aside] it shall be to the duchess of alencon, the french king's sister: he shall marry her. anne bullen! no; i'll no anne bullens for him: there's more in't than fair visage. bullen! no, we'll no bullens. speedily i wish to hear from rome. the marchioness of pembroke! norfolk he's discontented. suffolk may be, he hears the king does whet his anger to him. surrey sharp enough, lord, for thy justice! cardinal wolsey [aside] the late queen's gentlewoman, a knight's daughter, to be her mistress' mistress! the queen's queen! this candle burns not clear: 'tis i must snuff it; then out it goes. what though i know her virtuous and well deserving? yet i know her for a spleeny lutheran; and not wholesome to our cause, that she should lie i' the bosom of our hard-ruled king. again, there is sprung up an heretic, an arch one, cranmer; one hath crawl'd into the favour of the king, and is his oracle. norfolk he is vex'd at something. surrey i would 'twere something that would fret the string, the master-cord on's heart! [enter king henry viii, reading of a schedule, and lovell] suffolk the king, the king! king henry viii what piles of wealth hath he accumulated to his own portion! and what expense by the hour seems to flow from him! how, i' the name of thrift, does he rake this together! now, my lords, saw you the cardinal? norfolk my lord, we have stood here observing him: some strange commotion is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts; stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground, then lays his finger on his temple, straight springs out into fast gait; then stops again, strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts his eye against the moon: in most strange postures we have seen him set himself. king henry viii it may well be; there is a mutiny in's mind. this morning papers of state he sent me to peruse, as i required: and wot you what i found there,--on my conscience, put unwittingly? forsooth, an inventory, thus importing; the several parcels of his plate, his treasure, rich stuffs, and ornaments of household; which i find at such proud rate, that it out-speaks possession of a subject. norfolk it's heaven's will: some spirit put this paper in the packet, to bless your eye withal. king henry viii if we did think his contemplation were above the earth, and fix'd on spiritual object, he should still dwell in his musings: but i am afraid his thinkings are below the moon, not worth his serious considering. [king henry viii takes his seat; whispers lovell, who goes to cardinal wolsey] cardinal wolsey heaven forgive me! ever god bless your highness! king henry viii good my lord, you are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inventory of your best graces in your mind; the which you were now running o'er: you have scarce time to steal from spiritual leisure a brief span to keep your earthly audit: sure, in that i deem you an ill husband, and am glad to have you therein my companion. cardinal wolsey sir, for holy offices i have a time; a time to think upon the part of business which i bear i' the state; and nature does require her times of preservation, which perforce i, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal, must give my tendence to. king henry viii you have said well. cardinal wolsey and ever may your highness yoke together, as i will lend you cause, my doing well with my well saying! king henry viii 'tis well said again; and 'tis a kind of good deed to say well: and yet words are no deeds. my father loved you: his said he did; and with his deed did crown his word upon you. since i had my office, i have kept you next my heart; have not alone employ'd you where high profits might come home, but pared my present havings, to bestow my bounties upon you. cardinal wolsey [aside] what should this mean? surrey [aside] the lord increase this business! king henry viii have i not made you, the prime man of the state? i pray you, tell me, if what i now pronounce you have found true: and, if you may confess it, say withal, if you are bound to us or no. what say you? cardinal wolsey my sovereign, i confess your royal graces, shower'd on me daily, have been more than could my studied purposes requite; which went beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours have ever come too short of my desires, yet filed with my abilities: mine own ends have been mine so that evermore they pointed to the good of your most sacred person and the profit of the state. for your great graces heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, i can nothing render but allegiant thanks, my prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty, which ever has and ever shall be growing, till death, that winter, kill it. king henry viii fairly answer'd; a loyal and obedient subject is therein illustrated: the honour of it does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary, the foulness is the punishment. i presume that, as my hand has open'd bounty to you, my heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more on you than any; so your hand and heart, your brain, and every function of your power, should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, as 'twere in love's particular, be more to me, your friend, than any. cardinal wolsey i do profess that for your highness' good i ever labour'd more than mine own; that am, have, and will be- though all the world should crack their duty to you, and throw it from their soul; though perils did abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and appear in forms more horrid,--yet my duty, as doth a rock against the chiding flood, should the approach of this wild river break, and stand unshaken yours. king henry viii 'tis nobly spoken: take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, for you have seen him open't. read o'er this; [giving him papers] and after, this: and then to breakfast with what appetite you have. [exit king henry viii, frowning upon cardinal wolsey: the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering] cardinal wolsey what should this mean? what sudden anger's this? how have i reap'd it? he parted frowning from me, as if ruin leap'd from his eyes: so looks the chafed lion upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him; then makes him nothing. i must read this paper; i fear, the story of his anger. 'tis so; this paper has undone me: 'tis the account of all that world of wealth i have drawn together for mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, and fee my friends in rome. o negligence! fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil made me put this main secret in the packet i sent the king? is there no way to cure this? no new device to beat this from his brains? i know 'twill stir him strongly; yet i know a way, if it take right, in spite of fortune will bring me off again. what's this? 'to the pope!' the letter, as i live, with all the business i writ to's holiness. nay then, farewell! i have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness; and, from that full meridian of my glory, i haste now to my setting: i shall fall like a bright exhalation m the evening, and no man see me more. [re-enter to cardinal wolsey, norfolk and suffolk, surrey, and the chamberlain] norfolk hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you to render up the great seal presently into our hands; and to confine yourself to asher house, my lord of winchester's, till you hear further from his highness. cardinal wolsey stay: where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry authority so weighty. suffolk who dare cross 'em, bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? cardinal wolsey till i find more than will or words to do it, i mean your malice, know, officious lords, i dare and must deny it. now i feel of what coarse metal ye are moulded, envy: how eagerly ye follow my disgraces, as if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin! follow your envious courses, men of malice; you have christian warrant for 'em, and, no doubt, in time will find their fit rewards. that seal, you ask with such a violence, the king, mine and your master, with his own hand gave me; bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, during my life; and, to confirm his goodness, tied it by letters-patents: now, who'll take it? surrey the king, that gave it. cardinal wolsey it must be himself, then. surrey thou art a proud traitor, priest. cardinal wolsey proud lord, thou liest: within these forty hours surrey durst better have burnt that tongue than said so. surrey thy ambition, thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land of noble buckingham, my father-in-law: the heads of all thy brother cardinals, with thee and all thy best parts bound together, weigh'd not a hair of his. plague of your policy! you sent me deputy for ireland; far from his succor, from the king, from all that might have mercy on the fault thou gavest him; whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity, absolved him with an axe. cardinal wolsey this, and all else this talking lord can lay upon my credit, i answer is most false. the duke by law found his deserts: how innocent i was from any private malice in his end, his noble jury and foul cause can witness. if i loved many words, lord, i should tell you you have as little honesty as honour, that in the way of loyalty and truth toward the king, my ever royal master, dare mate a sounder man than surrey can be, and all that love his follies. surrey by my soul, your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel my sword i' the life-blood of thee else. my lords, can ye endure to hear this arrogance? and from this fellow? if we live thus tamely, to be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet, farewell nobility; let his grace go forward, and dare us with his cap like larks. cardinal wolsey all goodness is poison to thy stomach. surrey yes, that goodness of gleaning all the land's wealth into one, into your own hands, cardinal, by extortion; the goodness of your intercepted packets you writ to the pope against the king: your goodness, since you provoke me, shall be most notorious. my lord of norfolk, as you are truly noble, as you respect the common good, the state of our despised nobility, our issues, who, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen, produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles collected from his life. i'll startle you worse than the scaring bell, when the brown wench lay kissing in your arms, lord cardinal. cardinal wolsey how much, methinks, i could despise this man, but that i am bound in charity against it! norfolk those articles, my lord, are in the king's hand: but, thus much, they are foul ones. cardinal wolsey so much fairer and spotless shall mine innocence arise, when the king knows my truth. surrey this cannot save you: i thank my memory, i yet remember some of these articles; and out they shall. now, if you can blush and cry 'guilty,' cardinal, you'll show a little honesty. cardinal wolsey speak on, sir; i dare your worst objections: if i blush, it is to see a nobleman want manners. surrey i had rather want those than my head. have at you! first, that, without the king's assent or knowledge, you wrought to be a legate; by which power you maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops. norfolk then, that in all you writ to rome, or else to foreign princes, 'ego et rex meus' was still inscribed; in which you brought the king to be your servant. suffolk then that, without the knowledge either of king or council, when you went ambassador to the emperor, you made bold to carry into flanders the great seal. surrey item, you sent a large commission to gregory de cassado, to conclude, without the king's will or the state's allowance, a league between his highness and ferrara. suffolk that, out of mere ambition, you have caused your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin. surrey then that you have sent innumerable substance- by what means got, i leave to your own conscience- to furnish rome, and to prepare the ways you have for dignities; to the mere undoing of all the kingdom. many more there are; which, since they are of you, and odious, i will not taint my mouth with. chamberlain o my lord, press not a falling man too far! 'tis virtue: his faults lie open to the laws; let them, not you, correct him. my heart weeps to see him so little of his great self. surrey i forgive him. suffolk lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is, because all those things you have done of late, by your power legatine, within this kingdom, fall into the compass of a praemunire, that therefore such a writ be sued against you; to forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements, chattels, and whatsoever, and to be out of the king's protection. this is my charge. norfolk and so we'll leave you to your meditations how to live better. for your stubborn answer about the giving back the great seal to us, the king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you. so fare you well, my little good lord cardinal. [exeunt all but cardinal wolsey] cardinal wolsey so farewell to the little good you bear me. farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness! this is the state of man: to-day he puts forth the tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms, and bears his blushing honours thick upon him; the third day comes a frost, a killing frost, and, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely his greatness is a-ripening, nips his root, and then he falls, as i do. i have ventured, like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, this many summers in a sea of glory, but far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride at length broke under me and now has left me, weary and old with service, to the mercy of a rude stream, that must for ever hide me. vain pomp and glory of this world, i hate ye: i feel my heart new open'd. o, how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours! there is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, more pangs and fears than wars or women have: and when he falls, he falls like lucifer, never to hope again. [enter cromwell, and stands amazed] why, how now, cromwell! cromwell i have no power to speak, sir. cardinal wolsey what, amazed at my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder a great man should decline? nay, an you weep, i am fall'n indeed. cromwell how does your grace? cardinal wolsey why, well; never so truly happy, my good cromwell. i know myself now; and i feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, a still and quiet conscience. the king has cured me, i humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, these ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken a load would sink a navy, too much honour: o, 'tis a burthen, cromwell, 'tis a burthen too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! cromwell i am glad your grace has made that right use of it. cardinal wolsey i hope i have: i am able now, methinks, out of a fortitude of soul i feel, to endure more miseries and greater far than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. what news abroad? cromwell the heaviest and the worst is your displeasure with the king. cardinal wolsey god bless him! cromwell the next is, that sir thomas more is chosen lord chancellor in your place. cardinal wolsey that's somewhat sudden: but he's a learned man. may he continue long in his highness' favour, and do justice for truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones, when he has run his course and sleeps in blessings, may have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on em! what more? cromwell that cranmer is return'd with welcome, install'd lord archbishop of canterbury. cardinal wolsey that's news indeed. cromwell last, that the lady anne, whom the king hath in secrecy long married, this day was view'd in open as his queen, going to chapel; and the voice is now only about her coronation. cardinal wolsey there was the weight that pull'd me down. o cromwell, the king has gone beyond me: all my glories in that one woman i have lost for ever: no sun shall ever usher forth mine honours, or gild again the noble troops that waited upon my smiles. go, get thee from me, cromwell; i am a poor fall'n man, unworthy now to be thy lord and master: seek the king; that sun, i pray, may never set! i have told him what and how true thou art: he will advance thee; some little memory of me will stir him- i know his noble nature--not to let thy hopeful service perish too: good cromwell, neglect him not; make use now, and provide for thine own future safety. cromwell o my lord, must i, then, leave you? must i needs forego so good, so noble and so true a master? bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron, with what a sorrow cromwell leaves his lord. the king shall have my service: but my prayers for ever and for ever shall be yours. cardinal wolsey cromwell, i did not think to shed a tear in all my miseries; but thou hast forced me, out of thy honest truth, to play the woman. let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, cromwell; and, when i am forgotten, as i shall be, and sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention of me more must be heard of, say, i taught thee, say, wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, and sounded all the depths and shoals of honour, found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in; a sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it. mark but my fall, and that that ruin'd me. cromwell, i charge thee, fling away ambition: by that sin fell the angels; how can man, then, the image of his maker, hope to win by it? love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee; corruption wins not more than honesty. still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, to silence envious tongues. be just, and fear not: let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, thy god's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, o cromwell, thou fall'st a blessed martyr! serve the king; and,--prithee, lead me in: there take an inventory of all i have, to the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe, and my integrity to heaven, is all i dare now call mine own. o cromwell, cromwell! had i but served my god with half the zeal i served my king, he would not in mine age have left me naked to mine enemies. cromwell good sir, have patience. cardinal wolsey so i have. farewell the hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [exeunt] king henry viii act iv scene i a street in westminster. [enter two gentlemen, meeting one another] first gentleman you're well met once again. second gentleman so are you. first gentleman you come to take your stand here, and behold the lady anne pass from her coronation? second gentleman 'tis all my business. at our last encounter, the duke of buckingham came from his trial. first gentleman 'tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow; this, general joy. second gentleman 'tis well: the citizens, i am sure, have shown at full their royal minds- as, let 'em have their rights, they are ever forward- in celebration of this day with shows, pageants and sights of honour. first gentleman never greater, nor, i'll assure you, better taken, sir. second gentleman may i be bold to ask at what that contains, that paper in your hand? first gentleman yes; 'tis the list of those that claim their offices this day by custom of the coronation. the duke of suffolk is the first, and claims to be high-steward; next, the duke of norfolk, he to be earl marshal: you may read the rest. second gentleman i thank you, sir: had i not known those customs, i should have been beholding to your paper. but, i beseech you, what's become of katharine, the princess dowager? how goes her business? first gentleman that i can tell you too. the archbishop of canterbury, accompanied with other learned and reverend fathers of his order, held a late court at dunstable, six miles off from ampthill where the princess lay; to which she was often cited by them, but appear'd not: and, to be short, for not appearance and the king's late scruple, by the main assent of all these learned men she was divorced, and the late marriage made of none effect since which she was removed to kimbolton, where she remains now sick. second gentleman alas, good lady! [trumpets] the trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming. [hautboys] [the order of the coronation] 1. a lively flourish of trumpets. 2. then, two judges. 3. lord chancellor, with the purse and mace before him. 4. choristers, singing. [music] 5. mayor of london, bearing the mace. then garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head a gilt copper crown. 6. marquess dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. with him, surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl's coronet. collars of ss. 7. suffolk, in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as high-steward. with him, norfolk, with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. collars of ss. 8. a canopy borne by four of the cinque-ports; under it, queen anne in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with pearl, crowned. on each side her, the bishops of london and winchester. 9. the old duchess of norfolk, in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing queen anne's train. 10. certain ladies or countesses, with plain circlets of gold without flowers. [they pass over the stage in order and state] second gentleman a royal train, believe me. these i know: who's that that bears the sceptre? first gentleman marquess dorset: and that the earl of surrey, with the rod. second gentleman a bold brave gentleman. that should be the duke of suffolk? first gentleman 'tis the same: high-steward. second gentleman and that my lord of norfolk? first gentleman yes; second gentleman heaven bless thee! [looking on queen anne] thou hast the sweetest face i ever look'd on. sir, as i have a soul, she is an angel; our king has all the indies in his arms, and more and richer, when he strains that lady: i cannot blame his conscience. first gentleman they that bear the cloth of honour over her, are four barons of the cinque-ports. second gentleman those men are happy; and so are all are near her. i take it, she that carries up the train is that old noble lady, duchess of norfolk. first gentleman it is; and all the rest are countesses. second gentleman their coronets say so. these are stars indeed; and sometimes falling ones. first gentleman no more of that. [exit procession, and then a great flourish of trumpets] [enter a third gentleman] first gentleman god save you, sir! where have you been broiling? third gentleman among the crowd i' the abbey; where a finger could not be wedged in more: i am stifled with the mere rankness of their joy. second gentleman you saw the ceremony? third gentleman that i did. first gentleman how was it? third gentleman well worth the seeing. second gentleman good sir, speak it to us. third gentleman as well as i am able. the rich stream of lords and ladies, having brought the queen to a prepared place in the choir, fell off a distance from her; while her grace sat down to rest awhile, some half an hour or so, in a rich chair of state, opposing freely the beauty of her person to the people. believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman that ever lay by man: which when the people had the full view of, such a noise arose as the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, as loud, and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks- doublets, i think,--flew up; and had their faces been loose, this day they had been lost. such joy i never saw before. great-bellied women, that had not half a week to go, like rams in the old time of war, would shake the press, and make 'em reel before 'em. no man living could say 'this is my wife' there; all were woven so strangely in one piece. second gentleman but, what follow'd? third gentleman at length her grace rose, and with modest paces came to the altar; where she kneel'd, and saint-like cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray'd devoutly. then rose again and bow'd her to the people: when by the archbishop of canterbury she had all the royal makings of a queen; as holy oil, edward confessor's crown, the rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems laid nobly on her: which perform'd, the choir, with all the choicest music of the kingdom, together sung 'te deum.' so she parted, and with the same full state paced back again to york-place, where the feast is held. first gentleman sir, you must no more call it york-place, that's past; for, since the cardinal fell, that title's lost: 'tis now the king's, and call'd whitehall. third gentleman i know it; but 'tis so lately alter'd, that the old name is fresh about me. second gentleman what two reverend bishops were those that went on each side of the queen? third gentleman stokesly and gardiner; the one of winchester, newly preferr'd from the king's secretary, the other, london. second gentleman he of winchester is held no great good lover of the archbishop's, the virtuous cranmer. third gentleman all the land knows that: however, yet there is no great breach; when it comes, cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him. second gentleman who may that be, i pray you? third gentleman thomas cromwell; a man in much esteem with the king, and truly a worthy friend. the king has made him master o' the jewel house, and one, already, of the privy council. second gentleman he will deserve more. third gentleman yes, without all doubt. come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way, which is to the court, and there ye shall be my guests: something i can command. as i walk thither, i'll tell ye more. both you may command us, sir. [exeunt] king henry viii act iv scene ii kimbolton. [enter katharine, dowager, sick; led between griffith, her gentleman usher, and patience, her woman] griffith how does your grace? katharine o griffith, sick to death! my legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth, willing to leave their burthen. reach a chair: so; now, methinks, i feel a little ease. didst thou not tell me, griffith, as thou led'st me, that the great child of honour, cardinal wolsey, was dead? griffith yes, madam; but i think your grace, out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't. katharine prithee, good griffith, tell me how he died: if well, he stepp'd before me, happily for my example. griffith well, the voice goes, madam: for after the stout earl northumberland arrested him at york, and brought him forward, as a man sorely tainted, to his answer, he fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill he could not sit his mule. katharine alas, poor man! griffith at last, with easy roads, he came to leicester, lodged in the abbey; where the reverend abbot, with all his covent, honourably received him; to whom he gave these words, 'o, father abbot, an old man, broken with the storms of state, is come to lay his weary bones among ye; give him a little earth for charity!' so went to bed; where eagerly his sickness pursued him still: and, three nights after this, about the hour of eight, which he himself foretold should be his last, full of repentance, continual meditations, tears, and sorrows, he gave his honours to the world again, his blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace. katharine so may he rest; his faults lie gently on him! yet thus far, griffith, give me leave to speak him, and yet with charity. he was a man of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking himself with princes; one that, by suggestion, tied all the kingdom: simony was fair-play; his own opinion was his law: i' the presence he would say untruths; and be ever double both in his words and meaning: he was never, but where he meant to ruin, pitiful: his promises were, as he then was, mighty; but his performance, as he is now, nothing: of his own body he was ill, and gave the clergy in example. griffith noble madam, men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water. may it please your highness to hear me speak his good now? katharine yes, good griffith; i were malicious else. griffith this cardinal, though from an humble stock, undoubtedly was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle. he was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading: lofty and sour to them that loved him not; but to those men that sought him sweet as summer. and though he were unsatisfied in getting, which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam, he was most princely: ever witness for him those twins of learning that he raised in you, ipswich and oxford! one of which fell with him, unwilling to outlive the good that did it; the other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, so excellent in art, and still so rising, that christendom shall ever speak his virtue. his overthrow heap'd happiness upon him; for then, and not till then, he felt himself, and found the blessedness of being little: and, to add greater honours to his age than man could give him, he died fearing god. katharine after my death i wish no other herald, no other speaker of my living actions, to keep mine honour from corruption, but such an honest chronicler as griffith. whom i most hated living, thou hast made me, with thy religious truth and modesty, now in his ashes honour: peace be with him! patience, be near me still; and set me lower: i have not long to trouble thee. good griffith, cause the musicians play me that sad note i named my knell, whilst i sit meditating on that celestial harmony i go to. [sad and solemn music] griffith she is asleep: good wench, let's sit down quiet, for fear we wake her: softly, gentle patience. [the vision. enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays or palm in their hands. they first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head; at which the other four make reverent curtsies; then the two that held the garland deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head: which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at which, as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. the music continues] katharine spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone, and leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? griffith madam, we are here. katharine it is not you i call for: saw ye none enter since i slept? griffith none, madam. katharine no? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? they promised me eternal happiness; and brought me garlands, griffith, which i feel i am not worthy yet to wear: i shall, assuredly. griffith i am most joyful, madam, such good dreams possess your fancy. katharine bid the music leave, they are harsh and heavy to me. [music ceases] patience do you note how much her grace is alter'd on the sudden? how long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, and of an earthy cold? mark her eyes! griffith she is going, wench: pray, pray. patience heaven comfort her! [enter a messenger] messenger an't like your grace,- katharine you are a saucy fellow: deserve we no more reverence? griffith you are to blame, knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness, to use so rude behavior; go to, kneel. messenger i humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; my haste made me unmannerly. there is staying a gentleman, sent from the king, to see you. katharine admit him entrance, griffith: but this fellow let me ne'er see again. [exeunt griffith and messenger] [re-enter griffith, with capucius] if my sight fail not, you should be lord ambassador from the emperor, my royal nephew, and your name capucius. capucius madam, the same; your servant. katharine o, my lord, the times and titles now are alter'd strangely with me since first you knew me. but, i pray you, what is your pleasure with me? capucius noble lady, first mine own service to your grace; the next, the king's request that i would visit you; who grieves much for your weakness, and by me sends you his princely commendations, and heartily entreats you take good comfort. katharine o my good lord, that comfort comes too late; 'tis like a pardon after execution: that gentle physic, given in time, had cured me; but now i am past an comforts here, but prayers. how does his highness? capucius madam, in good health. katharine so may he ever do! and ever flourish, when i shall dwell with worms, and my poor name banish'd the kingdom! patience, is that letter, i caused you write, yet sent away? patience no, madam. [giving it to katharine] katharine sir, i most humbly pray you to deliver this to my lord the king. capucius most willing, madam. katharine in which i have commended to his goodness the model of our chaste loves, his young daughter; the dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her! beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding- she is young, and of a noble modest nature, i hope she will deserve well,--and a little to love her for her mother's sake, that loved him, heaven knows how dearly. my next poor petition is, that his noble grace would have some pity upon my wretched women, that so long have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully: of which there is not one, i dare avow, and now i should not lie, but will deserve for virtue and true beauty of the soul, for honesty and decent carriage, a right good husband, let him be a noble and, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em. the last is, for my men; they are the poorest, but poverty could never draw 'em from me; that they may have their wages duly paid 'em, and something over to remember me by: if heaven had pleased to have given me longer life and able means, we had not parted thus. these are the whole contents: and, good my lord, by that you love the dearest in this world, as you wish christian peace to souls departed, stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king to do me this last right. capucius by heaven, i will, or let me lose the fashion of a man! katharine i thank you, honest lord. remember me in all humility unto his highness: say his long trouble now is passing out of this world; tell him, in death i bless'd him, for so i will. mine eyes grow dim. farewell, my lord. griffith, farewell. nay, patience, you must not leave me yet: i must to bed; call in more women. when i am dead, good wench, let me be used with honour: strew me over with maiden flowers, that all the world may know i was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me, then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like a queen, and daughter to a king, inter me. i can no more. [exeunt, leading katharine] king henry viii act v scene i london. a gallery in the palace. [enter gardiner, bishop of winchester, a page with a torch before him, met by lovell] gardiner it's one o'clock, boy, is't not? boy it hath struck. gardiner these should be hours for necessities, not for delights; times to repair our nature with comforting repose, and not for us to waste these times. good hour of night, sir thomas! whither so late? lovell came you from the king, my lord gardiner i did, sir thomas: and left him at primero with the duke of suffolk. lovell i must to him too, before he go to bed. i'll take my leave. gardiner not yet, sir thomas lovell. what's the matter? it seems you are in haste: an if there be no great offence belongs to't, give your friend some touch of your late business: affairs, that walk, as they say spirits do, at midnight, have in them a wilder nature than the business that seeks dispatch by day. lovell my lord, i love you; and durst commend a secret to your ear much weightier than this work. the queen's in labour, they say, in great extremity; and fear'd she'll with the labour end. gardiner the fruit she goes with i pray for heartily, that it may find good time, and live: but for the stock, sir thomas, i wish it grubb'd up now. lovell methinks i could cry the amen; and yet my conscience says she's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does deserve our better wishes. gardiner but, sir, sir, hear me, sir thomas: you're a gentleman of mine own way; i know you wise, religious; and, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well, 'twill not, sir thomas lovell, take't of me, till cranmer, cromwell, her two hands, and she, sleep in their graves. lovell now, sir, you speak of two the most remark'd i' the kingdom. as for cromwell, beside that of the jewel house, is made master o' the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir, stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments, with which the time will load him. the archbishop is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare speak one syllable against him? gardiner yes, yes, sir thomas, there are that dare; and i myself have ventured to speak my mind of him: and indeed this day, sir, i may tell it you, i think i have incensed the lords o' the council, that he is, for so i know he is, they know he is, a most arch heretic, a pestilence that does infect the land: with which they moved have broken with the king; who hath so far given ear to our complaint, of his great grace and princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs our reasons laid before him, hath commanded to-morrow morning to the council-board he be convented. he's a rank weed, sir thomas, and we must root him out. from your affairs i hinder you too long: good night, sir thomas. lovell many good nights, my lord: i rest your servant. [exeunt gardiner and page] [enter king henry viii and suffolk] king henry viii charles, i will play no more tonight; my mind's not on't; you are too hard for me. suffolk sir, i did never win of you before. king henry viii but little, charles; nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play. now, lovell, from the queen what is the news? lovell i could not personally deliver to her what you commanded me, but by her woman i sent your message; who return'd her thanks in the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness most heartily to pray for her. king henry viii what say'st thou, ha? to pray for her? what, is she crying out? lovell so said her woman; and that her sufferance made almost each pang a death. king henry viii alas, good lady! suffolk god safely quit her of her burthen, and with gentle travail, to the gladding of your highness with an heir! king henry viii 'tis midnight, charles; prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember the estate of my poor queen. leave me alone; for i must think of that which company would not be friendly to. suffolk i wish your highness a quiet night; and my good mistress will remember in my prayers. king henry viii charles, good night. [exit suffolk] [enter denny] well, sir, what follows? denny sir, i have brought my lord the archbishop, as you commanded me. king henry viii ha! canterbury? denny ay, my good lord. king henry viii 'tis true: where is he, denny? denny he attends your highness' pleasure. [exit denny] lovell [aside] this is about that which the bishop spake: i am happily come hither. [re-enter denny, with cranmer] king henry viii avoid the gallery. [lovell seems to stay] ha! i have said. be gone. what! [exeunt lovell and denny] cranmer [aside] i am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus? 'tis his aspect of terror. all's not well. king henry viii how now, my lord! you desire to know wherefore i sent for you. cranmer [kneeling] it is my duty to attend your highness' pleasure. king henry viii pray you, arise, my good and gracious lord of canterbury. come, you and i must walk a turn together; i have news to tell you: come, come, give me your hand. ah, my good lord, i grieve at what i speak, and am right sorry to repeat what follows i have, and most unwillingly, of late heard many grievous, i do say, my lord, grievous complaints of you; which, being consider'd, have moved us and our council, that you shall this morning come before us; where, i know, you cannot with such freedom purge yourself, but that, till further trial in those charges which will require your answer, you must take your patience to you, and be well contented to make your house our tower: you a brother of us, it fits we thus proceed, or else no witness would come against you. cranmer [kneeling] i humbly thank your highness; and am right glad to catch this good occasion most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff and corn shall fly asunder: for, i know, there's none stands under more calumnious tongues than i myself, poor man. king henry viii stand up, good canterbury: thy truth and thy integrity is rooted in us, thy friend: give me thy hand, stand up: prithee, let's walk. now, by my holidame. what manner of man are you? my lord, i look'd you would have given me your petition, that i should have ta'en some pains to bring together yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you, without indurance, further. cranmer most dread liege, the good i stand on is my truth and honesty: if they shall fail, i, with mine enemies, will triumph o'er my person; which i weigh not, being of those virtues vacant. i fear nothing what can be said against me. king henry viii know you not how your state stands i' the world, with the whole world? your enemies are many, and not small; their practises must bear the same proportion; and not ever the justice and the truth o' the question carries the due o' the verdict with it: at what ease might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt to swear against you? such things have been done. you are potently opposed; and with a malice of as great size. ween you of better luck, i mean, in perjured witness, than your master, whose minister you are, whiles here he lived upon this naughty earth? go to, go to; you take a precipice for no leap of danger, and woo your own destruction. cranmer god and your majesty protect mine innocence, or i fall into the trap is laid for me! king henry viii be of good cheer; they shall no more prevail than we give way to. keep comfort to you; and this morning see you do appear before them: if they shall chance, in charging you with matters, to commit you, the best persuasions to the contrary fail not to use, and with what vehemency the occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties will render you no remedy, this ring deliver them, and your appeal to us there make before them. look, the good man weeps! he's honest, on mine honour. god's blest mother! i swear he is true--hearted; and a soul none better in my kingdom. get you gone, and do as i have bid you. [exit cranmer] he has strangled his language in his tears. [enter old lady, lovell following] gentleman [within] come back: what mean you? old lady i'll not come back; the tidings that i bring will make my boldness manners. now, good angels fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person under their blessed wings! king henry viii now, by thy looks i guess thy message. is the queen deliver'd? say, ay; and of a boy. old lady ay, ay, my liege; and of a lovely boy: the god of heaven both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl, promises boys hereafter. sir, your queen desires your visitation, and to be acquainted with this stranger 'tis as like you as cherry is to cherry. king henry viii lovell! lovell sir? king henry viii give her an hundred marks. i'll to the queen. [exit] old lady an hundred marks! by this light, i'll ha' more. an ordinary groom is for such payment. i will have more, or scold it out of him. said i for this, the girl was like to him? i will have more, or else unsay't; and now, while it is hot, i'll put it to the issue. [exeunt] king henry viii act v scene ii before the council-chamber. pursuivants, pages, &c. attending. [enter cranmer] cranmer i hope i am not too late; and yet the gentleman, that was sent to me from the council, pray'd me to make great haste. all fast? what means this? ho! who waits there? sure, you know me? [enter keeper] keeper yes, my lord; but yet i cannot help you. cranmer why? [enter doctor butts] keeper your grace must wait till you be call'd for. cranmer so. doctor butts [aside] this is a piece of malice. i am glad i came this way so happily: the king shall understand it presently. [exit] cranmer [aside] 'tis butts, the king's physician: as he pass'd along, how earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! for certain, this is of purpose laid by some that hate me- god turn their hearts! i never sought their malice- to quench mine honour: they would shame to make me wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor, 'mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. but their pleasures must be fulfill'd, and i attend with patience. [enter the king henry viii and doctor butts at a window above] doctor butts i'll show your grace the strangest sight- king henry viii what's that, butts? doctor butts i think your highness saw this many a day. king henry viii body o' me, where is it? doctor butts there, my lord: the high promotion of his grace of canterbury; who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, pages, and footboys. king henry viii ha! 'tis he, indeed: is this the honour they do one another? 'tis well there's one above 'em yet. i had thought they had parted so much honesty among 'em at least, good manners, as not thus to suffer a man of his place, and so near our favour, to dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures, and at the door too, like a post with packets. by holy mary, butts, there's knavery: let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close: we shall hear more anon. [exeunt] king henry viii act v scene iii the council-chamber. [enter chancellor; places himself at the upper end of the table on the left hand; a seat being left void above him, as for cranmer's seat. suffolk, norfolk, surrey, chamberlain, gardiner, seat themselves in order on each side. cromwell at lower end, as secretary. keeper at the door] chancellor speak to the business, master-secretary: why are we met in council? cromwell please your honours, the chief cause concerns his grace of canterbury. gardiner has he had knowledge of it? cromwell yes. norfolk who waits there? keeper without, my noble lords? gardiner yes. keeper my lord archbishop; and has done half an hour, to know your pleasures. chancellor let him come in. keeper your grace may enter now. [cranmer enters and approaches the council-table] chancellor my good lord archbishop, i'm very sorry to sit here at this present, and behold that chair stand empty: but we all are men, in our own natures frail, and capable of our flesh; few are angels: out of which frailty and want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us, have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little, toward the king first, then his laws, in filling the whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains, for so we are inform'd, with new opinions, divers and dangerous; which are heresies, and, not reform'd, may prove pernicious. gardiner which reformation must be sudden too, my noble lords; for those that tame wild horses pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle, but stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur 'em, till they obey the manage. if we suffer, out of our easiness and childish pity to one man's honour, this contagious sickness, farewell all physic: and what follows then? commotions, uproars, with a general taint of the whole state: as, of late days, our neighbours, the upper germany, can dearly witness, yet freshly pitied in our memories. cranmer my good lords, hitherto, in all the progress both of my life and office, i have labour'd, and with no little study, that my teaching and the strong course of my authority might go one way, and safely; and the end was ever, to do well: nor is there living, i speak it with a single heart, my lords, a man that more detests, more stirs against, both in his private conscience and his place, defacers of a public peace, than i do. pray heaven, the king may never find a heart with less allegiance in it! men that make envy and crooked malice nourishment dare bite the best. i do beseech your lordships, that, in this case of justice, my accusers, be what they will, may stand forth face to face, and freely urge against me. suffolk nay, my lord, that cannot be: you are a counsellor, and, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you. gardiner my lord, because we have business of more moment, we will be short with you. 'tis his highness' pleasure, and our consent, for better trial of you, from hence you be committed to the tower; where, being but a private man again, you shall know many dare accuse you boldly, more than, i fear, you are provided for. cranmer ah, my good lord of winchester, i thank you; you are always my good friend; if your will pass, i shall both find your lordship judge and juror, you are so merciful: i see your end; 'tis my undoing: love and meekness, lord, become a churchman better than ambition: win straying souls with modesty again, cast none away. that i shall clear myself, lay all the weight ye can upon my patience, i make as little doubt, as you do conscience in doing daily wrongs. i could say more, but reverence to your calling makes me modest. gardiner my lord, my lord, you are a sectary, that's the plain truth: your painted gloss discovers, to men that understand you, words and weakness. cromwell my lord of winchester, you are a little, by your good favour, too sharp; men so noble, however faulty, yet should find respect for what they have been: 'tis a cruelty to load a falling man. gardiner good master secretary, i cry your honour mercy; you may, worst of all this table, say so. cromwell why, my lord? gardiner do not i know you for a favourer of this new sect? ye are not sound. cromwell not sound? gardiner not sound, i say. cromwell would you were half so honest! men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears. gardiner i shall remember this bold language. cromwell do. remember your bold life too. chancellor this is too much; forbear, for shame, my lords. gardiner i have done. cromwell and i. chancellor then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed, i take it, by all voices, that forthwith you be convey'd to the tower a prisoner; there to remain till the king's further pleasure be known unto us: are you all agreed, lords? all we are. cranmer is there no other way of mercy, but i must needs to the tower, my lords? gardiner what other would you expect? you are strangely troublesome. let some o' the guard be ready there. [enter guard] cranmer for me? must i go like a traitor thither? gardiner receive him, and see him safe i' the tower. cranmer stay, good my lords, i have a little yet to say. look there, my lords; by virtue of that ring, i take my cause out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it to a most noble judge, the king my master. chamberlain this is the king's ring. surrey 'tis no counterfeit. suffolk 'tis the right ring, by heaven: i told ye all, when ye first put this dangerous stone a-rolling, 'twould fall upon ourselves. norfolk do you think, my lords, the king will suffer but the little finger of this man to be vex'd? chancellor 'tis now too certain: how much more is his life in value with him? would i were fairly out on't! cromwell my mind gave me, in seeking tales and informations against this man, whose honesty the devil and his disciples only envy at, ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye! [enter king, frowning on them; takes his seat] gardiner dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven in daily thanks, that gave us such a prince; not only good and wise, but most religious: one that, in all obedience, makes the church the chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen that holy duty, out of dear respect, his royal self in judgment comes to hear the cause betwixt her and this great offender. king henry viii you were ever good at sudden commendations, bishop of winchester. but know, i come not to hear such flattery now, and in my presence; they are too thin and bare to hide offences. to me you cannot reach, you play the spaniel, and think with wagging of your tongue to win me; but, whatsoe'er thou takest me for, i'm sure thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody. [to cranmer] good man, sit down. now let me see the proudest he, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee: by all that's holy, he had better starve than but once think this place becomes thee not. surrey may it please your grace,- king henry viii no, sir, it does not please me. i had thought i had had men of some understanding and wisdom of my council; but i find none. was it discretion, lords, to let this man, this good man,--few of you deserve that title,- this honest man, wait like a lousy footboy at chamber--door? and one as great as you are? why, what a shame was this! did my commission bid ye so far forget yourselves? i gave ye power as he was a counsellor to try him, not as a groom: there's some of ye, i see, more out of malice than integrity, would try him to the utmost, had ye mean; which ye shall never have while i live. chancellor thus far, my most dread sovereign, may it like your grace to let my tongue excuse all. what was purposed concerning his imprisonment, was rather, if there be faith in men, meant for his trial, and fair purgation to the world, than malice, i'm sure, in me. king henry viii well, well, my lords, respect him; take him, and use him well, he's worthy of it. i will say thus much for him, if a prince may be beholding to a subject, i am, for his love and service, so to him. make me no more ado, but all embrace him: be friends, for shame, my lords! my lord of canterbury, i have a suit which you must not deny me; that is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism, you must be godfather, and answer for her. cranmer the greatest monarch now alive may glory in such an honour: how may i deserve it that am a poor and humble subject to you? king henry viii come, come, my lord, you'ld spare your spoons: you shall have two noble partners with you; the old duchess of norfolk, and lady marquess dorset: will these please you? once more, my lord of winchester, i charge you, embrace and love this man. gardiner with a true heart and brother-love i do it. cranmer and let heaven witness, how dear i hold this confirmation. king henry viii good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart: the common voice, i see, is verified of thee, which says thus, 'do my lord of canterbury a shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever.' come, lords, we trifle time away; i long to have this young one made a christian. as i have made ye one, lords, one remain; so i grow stronger, you more honour gain. [exeunt] king henry viii act v scene iv the palace yard. [noise and tumult within. enter porter and his man] porter you'll leave your noise anon, ye rascals: do you take the court for paris-garden? ye rude slaves, leave your gaping. [within] good master porter, i belong to the larder. porter belong to the gallows, and be hanged, ye rogue! is this a place to roar in? fetch me a dozen crab-tree staves, and strong ones: these are but switches to 'em. i'll scratch your heads: you must be seeing christenings? do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals? man pray, sir, be patient: 'tis as much impossible- unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons- to scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleep on may-day morning; which will never be: we may as well push against powle's, as stir em. porter how got they in, and be hang'd? man alas, i know not; how gets the tide in? as much as one sound cudgel of four foot- you see the poor remainder--could distribute, i made no spare, sir. porter you did nothing, sir. man i am not samson, nor sir guy, nor colbrand, to mow 'em down before me: but if i spared any that had a head to hit, either young or old, he or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker, let me ne'er hope to see a chine again and that i would not for a cow, god save her! [within] do you hear, master porter? porter i shall be with you presently, good master puppy. keep the door close, sirrah. man what would you have me do? porter what should you do, but knock 'em down by the dozens? is this moorfields to muster in? or have we some strange indian with the great tool come to court, the women so besiege us? bless me, what a fry of fornication is at door! on my christian conscience, this one christening will beget a thousand; here will be father, godfather, and all together. man the spoons will be the bigger, sir. there is a fellow somewhat near the door, he should be a brazier by his face, for, o' my conscience, twenty of the dog-days now reign in's nose; all that stand about him are under the line, they need no other penance: that fire-drake did i hit three times on the head, and three times was his nose discharged against me; he stands there, like a mortar-piece, to blow us. there was a haberdasher's wife of small wit near him, that railed upon me till her pinked porringer fell off her head, for kindling such a combustion in the state. i missed the meteor once, and hit that woman; who cried out 'clubs!' when i might see from far some forty truncheoners draw to her succor, which were the hope o' the strand, where she was quartered. they fell on; i made good my place: at length they came to the broom-staff to me; i defied 'em still: when suddenly a file of boys behind 'em, loose shot, delivered such a shower of pebbles, that i was fain to draw mine honour in, and let 'em win the work: the devil was amongst 'em, i think, surely. porter these are the youths that thunder at a playhouse, and fight for bitten apples; that no audience, but the tribulation of tower-hill, or the limbs of limehouse, their dear brothers, are able to endure. i have some of 'em in limbo patrum, and there they are like to dance these three days; besides the running banquet of two beadles that is to come. [enter chamberlain] chamberlain mercy o' me, what a multitude are here! they grow still too; from all parts they are coming, as if we kept a fair here! where are these porters, these lazy knaves? ye have made a fine hand, fellows: there's a trim rabble let in: are all these your faithful friends o' the suburbs? we shall have great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies, when they pass back from the christening. porter an't please your honour, we are but men; and what so many may do, not being torn a-pieces, we have done: an army cannot rule 'em. chamberlain as i live, if the king blame me for't, i'll lay ye all by the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads clap round fines for neglect: ye are lazy knaves; and here ye lie baiting of bombards, when ye should do service. hark! the trumpets sound; they're come already from the christening: go, break among the press, and find a way out to let the troop pass fairly; or i'll find a marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months. porter make way there for the princess. man you great fellow, stand close up, or i'll make your head ache. porter you i' the camlet, get up o' the rail; i'll peck you o'er the pales else. [exeunt] king henry viii act v scene v the palace. [enter trumpets, sounding; then two aldermen, lord mayor, garter, cranmer, norfolk with his marshal's staff, suffolk, two noblemen bearing great standing-bowls for the christening-gifts; then four noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the duchess of norfolk, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a lady; then follows the marchioness dorset, the other godmother, and ladies. the troop pass once about the stage, and garter speaks] garter heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty princess of england, elizabeth! [flourish. enter king henry viii and guard] cranmer [kneeling] and to your royal grace, and the good queen, my noble partners, and myself, thus pray: all comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady, heaven ever laid up to make parents happy, may hourly fall upon ye! king henry viii thank you, good lord archbishop: what is her name? cranmer elizabeth. king henry viii stand up, lord. [king henry viii kisses the child] with this kiss take my blessing: god protect thee! into whose hand i give thy life. cranmer amen. king henry viii my noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal: i thank ye heartily; so shall this lady, when she has so much english. cranmer let me speak, sir, for heaven now bids me; and the words i utter let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth. this royal infant--heaven still move about her!- though in her cradle, yet now promises upon this land a thousand thousand blessings, which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be- but few now living can behold that goodness- a pattern to all princes living with her, and all that shall succeed: saba was never more covetous of wisdom and fair virtue than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces, that mould up such a mighty piece as this is, with all the virtues that attend the good, shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her, holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her: she shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her; her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, and hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her: in her days every man shall eat in safety, under his own vine, what he plants; and sing the merry songs of peace to all his neighbours: god shall be truly known; and those about her from her shall read the perfect ways of honour, and by those claim their greatness, not by blood. nor shall this peace sleep with her: but as when the bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix, her ashes new create another heir, as great in admiration as herself; so shall she leave her blessedness to one, when heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness, who from the sacred ashes of her honour shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, and so stand fix'd: peace, plenty, love, truth, terror, that were the servants to this chosen infant, shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him: wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, his honour and the greatness of his name shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish, and, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches to all the plains about him: our children's children shall see this, and bless heaven. king henry viii thou speakest wonders. cranmer she shall be, to the happiness of england, an aged princess; many days shall see her, and yet no day without a deed to crown it. would i had known no more! but she must die, she must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin, a most unspotted lily shall she pass to the ground, and all the world shall mourn her. king henry viii o lord archbishop, thou hast made me now a man! never, before this happy child, did i get any thing: this oracle of comfort has so pleased me, that when i am in heaven i shall desire to see what this child does, and praise my maker. i thank ye all. to you, my good lord mayor, and your good brethren, i am much beholding; i have received much honour by your presence, and ye shall find me thankful. lead the way, lords: ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye, she will be sick else. this day, no man think has business at his house; for all shall stay: this little one shall make it holiday. [exeunt] king henry viii epilogue 'tis ten to one this play can never please all that are here: some come to take their ease, and sleep an act or two; but those, we fear, we have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear, they'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city abused extremely, and to cry 'that's witty!' which we have not done neither: that, i fear, all the expected good we're like to hear for this play at this time, is only in the merciful construction of good women; for such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile, and say 'twill do, i know, within a while all the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap, if they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap. king richard iii dramatis personae king edward the fourth (king edward iv:) edward prince of wales, (prince edward:) | afterwards king edward v., | sons to | the king. richard duke of york, (york:) | george duke of clarence, (clarence:) | | richard duke of gloucester, (gloucester:) | brothers to afterwards king richard iii., | the king. (king richard iii:) | a young son of clarence. (boy:) henry earl of richmond, (richmond:) afterwards king henry vii. cardinal bourchier archbishop of canterbury. (cardinal:) thomas rotherham archbishop of york. (archbishop of york:) john morton bishop of ely. (bishop of ely:) duke of buckingham (buckingham:) duke of norfolk (norfolk:) earl of surrey his son. (surrey:) earl rivers brother to elizabeth. (rivers:) marquis of dorset (dorset:) | | sons to elizabeth. lord grey (grey:) | earl of oxford (oxford:) lord hastings (hastings:) lord stanley (stanley:) called also earl of derby. (derby:) lord lovel (lovel:) sir thomas vaughan (vaughan:) sir richard ratcliff (ratcliff:) sir william catesby (catesby:) sir james tyrrel (tyrrel:) sir james blount (blount:) sir walter herbert (herbert:) sir robert brakenbury lieutenant of the tower. (brakenbury:) christopher urswick a priest. (christopher:) another priest. (priest:) tressel | | gentlemen attending on the lady anne. berkeley | (gentleman:) lord mayor of london. (lord mayor:) sheriff of wiltshire. (sheriff:) elizabeth queen to king edward iv. (queen elizabeth:) margaret widow of king henry vi. (queen margaret:) duchess of york mother to king edward iv. lady anne widow of edward prince of wales, son to king henry vi.; afterwards married to richard. a young daughter of clarence [margaret plantagenet] (girl:) ghosts of those murdered by richard iii., lords and other attendants; a pursuivant scrivener, citizens, murderers, messengers soldiers, &c. (ghost of prince edward:) (ghost of king henry vi:) (ghost of clarence:) (ghost of rivers:) (ghost of grey:) (ghost of vaughan:) (ghost of hasting:) (ghosts of young princes:) (ghost of lady anne:) (ghost of buckingham:) (pursuivant:) (scrivener:) (first citizen:) (second citizen:) (third citizen:) (first murderer:) (second murderer:) (messenger:) (second messenger:) (third messenger:) (fourth messenger:) scene england. king richard iii act i scene i london. a street. [enter gloucester, solus] gloucester now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of york; and all the clouds that lour'd upon our house in the deep bosom of the ocean buried. now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; our bruised arms hung up for monuments; our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, our dreadful marches to delightful measures. grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; and now, instead of mounting barded steeds to fright the souls of fearful adversaries, he capers nimbly in a lady's chamber to the lascivious pleasing of a lute. but i, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; i, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty to strut before a wanton ambling nymph; i, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, cheated of feature by dissembling nature, deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time into this breathing world, scarce half made up, and that so lamely and unfashionable that dogs bark at me as i halt by them; why, i, in this weak piping time of peace, have no delight to pass away the time, unless to spy my shadow in the sun and descant on mine own deformity: and therefore, since i cannot prove a lover, to entertain these fair well-spoken days, i am determined to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days. plots have i laid, inductions dangerous, by drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, to set my brother clarence and the king in deadly hate the one against the other: and if king edward be as true and just as i am subtle, false and treacherous, this day should clarence closely be mew'd up, about a prophecy, which says that 'g' of edward's heirs the murderer shall be. dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here clarence comes. [enter clarence, guarded, and brakenbury] brother, good day; what means this armed guard that waits upon your grace? clarence his majesty tendering my person's safety, hath appointed this conduct to convey me to the tower. gloucester upon what cause? clarence because my name is george. gloucester alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; he should, for that, commit your godfathers: o, belike his majesty hath some intent that you shall be new-christen'd in the tower. but what's the matter, clarence? may i know? clarence yea, richard, when i know; for i protest as yet i do not: but, as i can learn, he hearkens after prophecies and dreams; and from the cross-row plucks the letter g. and says a wizard told him that by g his issue disinherited should be; and, for my name of george begins with g, it follows in his thought that i am he. these, as i learn, and such like toys as these have moved his highness to commit me now. gloucester why, this it is, when men are ruled by women: 'tis not the king that sends you to the tower: my lady grey his wife, clarence, 'tis she that tempers him to this extremity. was it not she and that good man of worship, anthony woodville, her brother there, that made him send lord hastings to the tower, from whence this present day he is deliver'd? we are not safe, clarence; we are not safe. clarence by heaven, i think there's no man is secure but the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds that trudge betwixt the king and mistress shore. heard ye not what an humble suppliant lord hastings was to her for his delivery? gloucester humbly complaining to her deity got my lord chamberlain his liberty. i'll tell you what; i think it is our way, if we will keep in favour with the king, to be her men and wear her livery: the jealous o'erworn widow and herself, since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen. are mighty gossips in this monarchy. brakenbury i beseech your graces both to pardon me; his majesty hath straitly given in charge that no man shall have private conference, of what degree soever, with his brother. gloucester even so; an't please your worship, brakenbury, you may partake of any thing we say: we speak no treason, man: we say the king is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen well struck in years, fair, and not jealous; we say that shore's wife hath a pretty foot, a cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; and that the queen's kindred are made gentle-folks: how say you sir? can you deny all this? brakenbury with this, my lord, myself have nought to do. gloucester naught to do with mistress shore! i tell thee, fellow, he that doth naught with her, excepting one, were best he do it secretly, alone. brakenbury what one, my lord? gloucester her husband, knave: wouldst thou betray me? brakenbury i beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal forbear your conference with the noble duke. clarence we know thy charge, brakenbury, and will obey. gloucester we are the queen's abjects, and must obey. brother, farewell: i will unto the king; and whatsoever you will employ me in, were it to call king edward's widow sister, i will perform it to enfranchise you. meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood touches me deeper than you can imagine. clarence i know it pleaseth neither of us well. gloucester well, your imprisonment shall not be long; meantime, have patience. clarence i must perforce. farewell. [exeunt clarence, brakenbury, and guard] gloucester go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return. simple, plain clarence! i do love thee so, that i will shortly send thy soul to heaven, if heaven will take the present at our hands. but who comes here? the new-deliver'd hastings? [enter hastings] hastings good time of day unto my gracious lord! gloucester as much unto my good lord chamberlain! well are you welcome to the open air. how hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment? hastings with patience, noble lord, as prisoners must: but i shall live, my lord, to give them thanks that were the cause of my imprisonment. gloucester no doubt, no doubt; and so shall clarence too; for they that were your enemies are his, and have prevail'd as much on him as you. hastings more pity that the eagle should be mew'd, while kites and buzzards prey at liberty. gloucester what news abroad? hastings no news so bad abroad as this at home; the king is sickly, weak and melancholy, and his physicians fear him mightily. gloucester now, by saint paul, this news is bad indeed. o, he hath kept an evil diet long, and overmuch consumed his royal person: 'tis very grievous to be thought upon. what, is he in his bed? hastings he is. gloucester go you before, and i will follow you. [exit hastings] he cannot live, i hope; and must not die till george be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven. i'll in, to urge his hatred more to clarence, with lies well steel'd with weighty arguments; and, if i fall not in my deep intent, clarence hath not another day to live: which done, god take king edward to his mercy, and leave the world for me to bustle in! for then i'll marry warwick's youngest daughter. what though i kill'd her husband and her father? the readiest way to make the wench amends is to become her husband and her father: the which will i; not all so much for love as for another secret close intent, by marrying her which i must reach unto. but yet i run before my horse to market: clarence still breathes; edward still lives and reigns: when they are gone, then must i count my gains. [exit] king richard iii act i scene ii the same. another street. [enter the corpse of king henry the sixth, gentlemen with halberds to guard it; lady anne being the mourner] lady anne set down, set down your honourable load, if honour may be shrouded in a hearse, whilst i awhile obsequiously lament the untimely fall of virtuous lancaster. poor key-cold figure of a holy king! pale ashes of the house of lancaster! thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood! be it lawful that i invocate thy ghost, to hear the lamentations of poor anne, wife to thy edward, to thy slaughter'd son, stabb'd by the selfsame hand that made these wounds! lo, in these windows that let forth thy life, i pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes. cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes! cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it! cursed the blood that let this blood from hence! more direful hap betide that hated wretch, that makes us wretched by the death of thee, than i can wish to adders, spiders, toads, or any creeping venom'd thing that lives! if ever he have child, abortive be it, prodigious, and untimely brought to light, whose ugly and unnatural aspect may fright the hopeful mother at the view; and that be heir to his unhappiness! if ever he have wife, let her he made a miserable by the death of him as i am made by my poor lord and thee! come, now towards chertsey with your holy load, taken from paul's to be interred there; and still, as you are weary of the weight, rest you, whiles i lament king henry's corse. [enter gloucester] gloucester stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down. lady anne what black magician conjures up this fiend, to stop devoted charitable deeds? gloucester villains, set down the corse; or, by saint paul, i'll make a corse of him that disobeys. gentleman my lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass. gloucester unmanner'd dog! stand thou, when i command: advance thy halbert higher than my breast, or, by saint paul, i'll strike thee to my foot, and spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness. lady anne what, do you tremble? are you all afraid? alas, i blame you not; for you are mortal, and mortal eyes cannot endure the devil. avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell! thou hadst but power over his mortal body, his soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone. gloucester sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst. lady anne foul devil, for god's sake, hence, and trouble us not; for thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, fill'd it with cursing cries and deep exclaims. if thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, behold this pattern of thy butcheries. o, gentlemen, see, see! dead henry's wounds open their congeal'd mouths and bleed afresh! blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity; for 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood from cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells; thy deed, inhuman and unnatural, provokes this deluge most unnatural. o god, which this blood madest, revenge his death! o earth, which this blood drink'st revenge his death! either heaven with lightning strike the murderer dead, or earth, gape open wide and eat him quick, as thou dost swallow up this good king's blood which his hell-govern'd arm hath butchered! gloucester lady, you know no rules of charity, which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. lady anne villain, thou know'st no law of god nor man: no beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. gloucester but i know none, and therefore am no beast. lady anne o wonderful, when devils tell the truth! gloucester more wonderful, when angels are so angry. vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman, of these supposed-evils, to give me leave, by circumstance, but to acquit myself. lady anne vouchsafe, defused infection of a man, for these known evils, but to give me leave, by circumstance, to curse thy cursed self. gloucester fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have some patient leisure to excuse myself. lady anne fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make no excuse current, but to hang thyself. gloucester by such despair, i should accuse myself. lady anne and, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused; for doing worthy vengeance on thyself, which didst unworthy slaughter upon others. gloucester say that i slew them not? lady anne why, then they are not dead: but dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee. gloucester i did not kill your husband. lady anne why, then he is alive. gloucester nay, he is dead; and slain by edward's hand. lady anne in thy foul throat thou liest: queen margaret saw thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood; the which thou once didst bend against her breast, but that thy brothers beat aside the point. gloucester i was provoked by her slanderous tongue, which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders. lady anne thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind. which never dreamt on aught but butcheries: didst thou not kill this king? gloucester i grant ye. lady anne dost grant me, hedgehog? then, god grant me too thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed! o, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous! gloucester the fitter for the king of heaven, that hath him. lady anne he is in heaven, where thou shalt never come. gloucester let him thank me, that holp to send him thither; for he was fitter for that place than earth. lady anne and thou unfit for any place but hell. gloucester yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it. lady anne some dungeon. gloucester your bed-chamber. lady anne i'll rest betide the chamber where thou liest! gloucester so will it, madam till i lie with you. lady anne i hope so. gloucester i know so. but, gentle lady anne, to leave this keen encounter of our wits, and fall somewhat into a slower method, is not the causer of the timeless deaths of these plantagenets, henry and edward, as blameful as the executioner? lady anne thou art the cause, and most accursed effect. gloucester your beauty was the cause of that effect; your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep to undertake the death of all the world, so i might live one hour in your sweet bosom. lady anne if i thought that, i tell thee, homicide, these nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks. gloucester these eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wreck; you should not blemish it, if i stood by: as all the world is cheered by the sun, so i by that; it is my day, my life. lady anne black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life! gloucester curse not thyself, fair creature thou art both. lady anne i would i were, to be revenged on thee. gloucester it is a quarrel most unnatural, to be revenged on him that loveth you. lady anne it is a quarrel just and reasonable, to be revenged on him that slew my husband. gloucester he that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband, did it to help thee to a better husband. lady anne his better doth not breathe upon the earth. gloucester he lives that loves thee better than he could. lady anne name him. gloucester plantagenet. lady anne why, that was he. gloucester the selfsame name, but one of better nature. lady anne where is he? gloucester here. [she spitteth at him] why dost thou spit at me? lady anne would it were mortal poison, for thy sake! gloucester never came poison from so sweet a place. lady anne never hung poison on a fouler toad. out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes. gloucester thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine. lady anne would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead! gloucester i would they were, that i might die at once; for now they kill me with a living death. those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears, shamed their aspect with store of childish drops: these eyes that never shed remorseful tear, no, when my father york and edward wept, to hear the piteous moan that rutland made when black-faced clifford shook his sword at him; nor when thy warlike father, like a child, told the sad story of my father's death, and twenty times made pause to sob and weep, that all the standers-by had wet their cheeks like trees bedash'd with rain: in that sad time my manly eyes did scorn an humble tear; and what these sorrows could not thence exhale, thy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping. i never sued to friend nor enemy; my tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word; but now thy beauty is proposed my fee, my proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak. [she looks scornfully at him] teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made for kissing, lady, not for such contempt. if thy revengeful heart cannot forgive, lo, here i lend thee this sharp-pointed sword; which if thou please to hide in this true bosom. and let the soul forth that adoreth thee, i lay it naked to the deadly stroke, and humbly beg the death upon my knee. [he lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sword] nay, do not pause; for i did kill king henry, but 'twas thy beauty that provoked me. nay, now dispatch; 'twas i that stabb'd young edward, but 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on. [here she lets fall the sword] take up the sword again, or take up me. lady anne arise, dissembler: though i wish thy death, i will not be the executioner. gloucester then bid me kill myself, and i will do it. lady anne i have already. gloucester tush, that was in thy rage: speak it again, and, even with the word, that hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love, shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love; to both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. lady anne i would i knew thy heart. gloucester 'tis figured in my tongue. lady anne i fear me both are false. gloucester then never man was true. lady anne well, well, put up your sword. gloucester say, then, my peace is made. lady anne that shall you know hereafter. gloucester but shall i live in hope? lady anne all men, i hope, live so. gloucester vouchsafe to wear this ring. lady anne to take is not to give. gloucester look, how this ring encompasseth finger. even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart; wear both of them, for both of them are thine. and if thy poor devoted suppliant may but beg one favour at thy gracious hand, thou dost confirm his happiness for ever. lady anne what is it? gloucester that it would please thee leave these sad designs to him that hath more cause to be a mourner, and presently repair to crosby place; where, after i have solemnly interr'd at chertsey monastery this noble king, and wet his grave with my repentant tears, i will with all expedient duty see you: for divers unknown reasons. i beseech you, grant me this boon. lady anne with all my heart; and much it joys me too, to see you are become so penitent. tressel and berkeley, go along with me. gloucester bid me farewell. lady anne 'tis more than you deserve; but since you teach me how to flatter you, imagine i have said farewell already. [exeunt lady anne, tressel, and berkeley] gloucester sirs, take up the corse. gentlemen towards chertsey, noble lord? gloucester no, to white-friars; there attend my coining. [exeunt all but gloucester] was ever woman in this humour woo'd? was ever woman in this humour won? i'll have her; but i will not keep her long. what! i, that kill'd her husband and his father, to take her in her heart's extremest hate, with curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes, the bleeding witness of her hatred by; having god, her conscience, and these bars against me, and i nothing to back my suit at all, but the plain devil and dissembling looks, and yet to win her, all the world to nothing! ha! hath she forgot already that brave prince, edward, her lord, whom i, some three months since, stabb'd in my angry mood at tewksbury? a sweeter and a lovelier gentleman, framed in the prodigality of nature, young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal, the spacious world cannot again afford and will she yet debase her eyes on me, that cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince, and made her widow to a woful bed? on me, whose all not equals edward's moiety? on me, that halt and am unshapen thus? my dukedom to a beggarly denier, i do mistake my person all this while: upon my life, she finds, although i cannot, myself to be a marvellous proper man. i'll be at charges for a looking-glass, and entertain some score or two of tailors, to study fashions to adorn my body: since i am crept in favour with myself, will maintain it with some little cost. but first i'll turn yon fellow in his grave; and then return lamenting to my love. shine out, fair sun, till i have bought a glass, that i may see my shadow as i pass. [exit] king richard iii act i scene iii the palace. [enter queen elizabeth, rivers, and grey] rivers have patience, madam: there's no doubt his majesty will soon recover his accustom'd health. grey in that you brook it in, it makes him worse: therefore, for god's sake, entertain good comfort, and cheer his grace with quick and merry words. queen elizabeth if he were dead, what would betide of me? rivers no other harm but loss of such a lord. queen elizabeth the loss of such a lord includes all harm. grey the heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son, to be your comforter when he is gone. queen elizabeth oh, he is young and his minority is put unto the trust of richard gloucester, a man that loves not me, nor none of you. rivers is it concluded that he shall be protector? queen elizabeth it is determined, not concluded yet: but so it must be, if the king miscarry. [enter buckingham and derby] grey here come the lords of buckingham and derby. buckingham good time of day unto your royal grace! derby god make your majesty joyful as you have been! queen elizabeth the countess richmond, good my lord of derby. to your good prayers will scarcely say amen. yet, derby, notwithstanding she's your wife, and loves not me, be you, good lord, assured i hate not you for her proud arrogance. derby i do beseech you, either not believe the envious slanders of her false accusers; or, if she be accused in true report, bear with her weakness, which, i think proceeds from wayward sickness, and no grounded malice. rivers saw you the king to-day, my lord of derby? derby but now the duke of buckingham and i are come from visiting his majesty. queen elizabeth what likelihood of his amendment, lords? buckingham madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheerfully. queen elizabeth god grant him health! did you confer with him? buckingham madam, we did: he desires to make atonement betwixt the duke of gloucester and your brothers, and betwixt them and my lord chamberlain; and sent to warn them to his royal presence. queen elizabeth would all were well! but that will never be i fear our happiness is at the highest. [enter gloucester, hastings, and dorset] gloucester they do me wrong, and i will not endure it: who are they that complain unto the king, that i, forsooth, am stern, and love them not? by holy paul, they love his grace but lightly that fill his ears with such dissentious rumours. because i cannot flatter and speak fair, smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog, duck with french nods and apish courtesy, i must be held a rancorous enemy. cannot a plain man live and think no harm, but thus his simple truth must be abused by silken, sly, insinuating jacks? rivers to whom in all this presence speaks your grace? gloucester to thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace. when have i injured thee? when done thee wrong? or thee? or thee? or any of your faction? a plague upon you all! his royal person,- whom god preserve better than you would wish!- cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while, but you must trouble him with lewd complaints. queen elizabeth brother of gloucester, you mistake the matter. the king, of his own royal disposition, and not provoked by any suitor else; aiming, belike, at your interior hatred, which in your outward actions shows itself against my kindred, brothers, and myself, makes him to send; that thereby he may gather the ground of your ill-will, and so remove it. gloucester i cannot tell: the world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch: since every jack became a gentleman there's many a gentle person made a jack. queen elizabeth come, come, we know your meaning, brother gloucester; you envy my advancement and my friends': god grant we never may have need of you! gloucester meantime, god grants that we have need of you: your brother is imprison'd by your means, myself disgraced, and the nobility held in contempt; whilst many fair promotions are daily given to ennoble those that scarce, some two days since, were worth a noble. queen elizabeth by him that raised me to this careful height from that contented hap which i enjoy'd, i never did incense his majesty against the duke of clarence, but have been an earnest advocate to plead for him. my lord, you do me shameful injury, falsely to draw me in these vile suspects. gloucester you may deny that you were not the cause of my lord hastings' late imprisonment. rivers she may, my lord, for- gloucester she may, lord rivers! why, who knows not so? she may do more, sir, than denying that: she may help you to many fair preferments, and then deny her aiding hand therein, and lay those honours on your high deserts. what may she not? she may, yea, marry, may she- rivers what, marry, may she? gloucester what, marry, may she! marry with a king, a bachelor, a handsome stripling too: i wis your grandam had a worser match. queen elizabeth my lord of gloucester, i have too long borne your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs: by heaven, i will acquaint his majesty with those gross taunts i often have endured. i had rather be a country servant-maid than a great queen, with this condition, to be thus taunted, scorn'd, and baited at: [enter queen margaret, behind] small joy have i in being england's queen. queen margaret and lessen'd be that small, god, i beseech thee! thy honour, state and seat is due to me. gloucester what! threat you me with telling of the king? tell him, and spare not: look, what i have said i will avouch in presence of the king: i dare adventure to be sent to the tower. 'tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot. queen margaret out, devil! i remember them too well: thou slewest my husband henry in the tower, and edward, my poor son, at tewksbury. gloucester ere you were queen, yea, or your husband king, i was a pack-horse in his great affairs; a weeder-out of his proud adversaries, a liberal rewarder of his friends: to royalize his blood i spilt mine own. queen margaret yea, and much better blood than his or thine. gloucester in all which time you and your husband grey were factious for the house of lancaster; and, rivers, so were you. was not your husband in margaret's battle at saint alban's slain? let me put in your minds, if you forget, what you have been ere now, and what you are; withal, what i have been, and what i am. queen margaret a murderous villain, and so still thou art. gloucester poor clarence did forsake his father, warwick; yea, and forswore himself,--which jesu pardon!- queen margaret which god revenge! gloucester to fight on edward's party for the crown; and for his meed, poor lord, he is mew'd up. i would to god my heart were flint, like edward's; or edward's soft and pitiful, like mine i am too childish-foolish for this world. queen margaret hie thee to hell for shame, and leave the world, thou cacodemon! there thy kingdom is. rivers my lord of gloucester, in those busy days which here you urge to prove us enemies, we follow'd then our lord, our lawful king: so should we you, if you should be our king. gloucester if i should be! i had rather be a pedlar: far be it from my heart, the thought of it! queen elizabeth as little joy, my lord, as you suppose you should enjoy, were you this country's king, as little joy may you suppose in me. that i enjoy, being the queen thereof. queen margaret a little joy enjoys the queen thereof; for i am she, and altogether joyless. i can no longer hold me patient. [advancing] hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out in sharing that which you have pill'd from me! which of you trembles not that looks on me? if not, that, i being queen, you bow like subjects, yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels? o gentle villain, do not turn away! gloucester foul wrinkled witch, what makest thou in my sight? queen margaret but repetition of what thou hast marr'd; that will i make before i let thee go. gloucester wert thou not banished on pain of death? queen margaret i was; but i do find more pain in banishment than death can yield me here by my abode. a husband and a son thou owest to me; and thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance: the sorrow that i have, by right is yours, and all the pleasures you usurp are mine. gloucester the curse my noble father laid on thee, when thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper and with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes, and then, to dry them, gavest the duke a clout steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty rutland- his curses, then from bitterness of soul denounced against thee, are all fall'n upon thee; and god, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed. queen elizabeth so just is god, to right the innocent. hastings o, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe, and the most merciless that e'er was heard of! rivers tyrants themselves wept when it was reported. dorset no man but prophesied revenge for it. buckingham northumberland, then present, wept to see it. queen margaret what were you snarling all before i came, ready to catch each other by the throat, and turn you all your hatred now on me? did york's dread curse prevail so much with heaven? that henry's death, my lovely edward's death, their kingdom's loss, my woful banishment, could all but answer for that peevish brat? can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven? why, then, give way, dull clouds, to my quick curses! if not by war, by surfeit die your king, as ours by murder, to make him a king! edward thy son, which now is prince of wales, for edward my son, which was prince of wales, die in his youth by like untimely violence! thyself a queen, for me that was a queen, outlive thy glory, like my wretched self! long mayst thou live to wail thy children's loss; and see another, as i see thee now, deck'd in thy rights, as thou art stall'd in mine! long die thy happy days before thy death; and, after many lengthen'd hours of grief, die neither mother, wife, nor england's queen! rivers and dorset, you were standers by, and so wast thou, lord hastings, when my son was stabb'd with bloody daggers: god, i pray him, that none of you may live your natural age, but by some unlook'd accident cut off! gloucester have done thy charm, thou hateful wither'd hag! queen margaret and leave out thee? stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me. if heaven have any grievous plague in store exceeding those that i can wish upon thee, o, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe, and then hurl down their indignation on thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace! the worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul! thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest, and take deep traitors for thy dearest friends! no sleep close up that deadly eye of thine, unless it be whilst some tormenting dream affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils! thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog! thou that wast seal'd in thy nativity the slave of nature and the son of hell! thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb! thou loathed issue of thy father's loins! thou rag of honour! thou detested- gloucester margaret. queen margaret richard! gloucester ha! queen margaret i call thee not. gloucester i cry thee mercy then, for i had thought that thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names. queen margaret why, so i did; but look'd for no reply. o, let me make the period to my curse! gloucester 'tis done by me, and ends in 'margaret.' queen elizabeth thus have you breathed your curse against yourself. queen margaret poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune! why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider, whose deadly web ensnareth thee about? fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself. the time will come when thou shalt wish for me to help thee curse that poisonous bunchback'd toad. hastings false-boding woman, end thy frantic curse, lest to thy harm thou move our patience. queen margaret foul shame upon you! you have all moved mine. rivers were you well served, you would be taught your duty. queen margaret to serve me well, you all should do me duty, teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects: o, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty! dorset dispute not with her; she is lunatic. queen margaret peace, master marquess, you are malapert: your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current. o, that your young nobility could judge what 'twere to lose it, and be miserable! they that stand high have many blasts to shake them; and if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces. gloucester good counsel, marry: learn it, learn it, marquess. dorset it toucheth you, my lord, as much as me. gloucester yea, and much more: but i was born so high, our aery buildeth in the cedar's top, and dallies with the wind and scorns the sun. queen margaret and turns the sun to shade; alas! alas! witness my son, now in the shade of death; whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath hath in eternal darkness folded up. your aery buildeth in our aery's nest. o god, that seest it, do not suffer it! as it was won with blood, lost be it so! buckingham have done! for shame, if not for charity. queen margaret urge neither charity nor shame to me: uncharitably with me have you dealt, and shamefully by you my hopes are butcher'd. my charity is outrage, life my shame and in that shame still live my sorrow's rage. buckingham have done, have done. queen margaret o princely buckingham i'll kiss thy hand, in sign of league and amity with thee: now fair befal thee and thy noble house! thy garments are not spotted with our blood, nor thou within the compass of my curse. buckingham nor no one here; for curses never pass the lips of those that breathe them in the air. queen margaret i'll not believe but they ascend the sky, and there awake god's gentle-sleeping peace. o buckingham, take heed of yonder dog! look, when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites, his venom tooth will rankle to the death: have not to do with him, beware of him; sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him, and all their ministers attend on him. gloucester what doth she say, my lord of buckingham? buckingham nothing that i respect, my gracious lord. queen margaret what, dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel? and soothe the devil that i warn thee from? o, but remember this another day, when he shall split thy very heart with sorrow, and say poor margaret was a prophetess! live each of you the subjects to his hate, and he to yours, and all of you to god's! [exit] hastings my hair doth stand on end to hear her curses. rivers and so doth mine: i muse why she's at liberty. gloucester i cannot blame her: by god's holy mother, she hath had too much wrong; and i repent my part thereof that i have done to her. queen elizabeth i never did her any, to my knowledge. gloucester but you have all the vantage of her wrong. i was too hot to do somebody good, that is too cold in thinking of it now. marry, as for clarence, he is well repaid, he is frank'd up to fatting for his pains god pardon them that are the cause of it! rivers a virtuous and a christian-like conclusion, to pray for them that have done scathe to us. gloucester so do i ever: [aside] being well-advised. for had i cursed now, i had cursed myself. [enter catesby] catesby madam, his majesty doth call for you, and for your grace; and you, my noble lords. queen elizabeth catesby, we come. lords, will you go with us? rivers madam, we will attend your grace. [exeunt all but gloucester] gloucester i do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. the secret mischiefs that i set abroach i lay unto the grievous charge of others. clarence, whom i, indeed, have laid in darkness, i do beweep to many simple gulls namely, to hastings, derby, buckingham; and say it is the queen and her allies that stir the king against the duke my brother. now, they believe it; and withal whet me to be revenged on rivers, vaughan, grey: but then i sigh; and, with a piece of scripture, tell them that god bids us do good for evil: and thus i clothe my naked villany with old odd ends stolen out of holy writ; and seem a saint, when most i play the devil. [enter two murderers] but, soft! here come my executioners. how now, my hardy, stout resolved mates! are you now going to dispatch this deed? first murderer we are, my lord; and come to have the warrant that we may be admitted where he is. gloucester well thought upon; i have it here about me. [gives the warrant] when you have done, repair to crosby place. but, sirs, be sudden in the execution, withal obdurate, do not hear him plead; for clarence is well-spoken, and perhaps may move your hearts to pity if you mark him. first murderer tush! fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate; talkers are no good doers: be assured we come to use our hands and not our tongues. gloucester your eyes drop millstones, when fools' eyes drop tears: i like you, lads; about your business straight; go, go, dispatch. first murderer we will, my noble lord. [exeunt] king richard iii act i scene iv london. the tower. [enter clarence and brakenbury] brakenbury why looks your grace so heavily today? clarence o, i have pass'd a miserable night, so full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams, that, as i am a christian faithful man, i would not spend another such a night, though 'twere to buy a world of happy days, so full of dismal terror was the time! brakenbury what was your dream? i long to hear you tell it. clarence methoughts that i had broken from the tower, and was embark'd to cross to burgundy; and, in my company, my brother gloucester; who from my cabin tempted me to walk upon the hatches: thence we looked toward england, and cited up a thousand fearful times, during the wars of york and lancaster that had befall'n us. as we paced along upon the giddy footing of the hatches, methought that gloucester stumbled; and, in falling, struck me, that thought to stay him, overboard, into the tumbling billows of the main. lord, lord! methought, what pain it was to drown! what dreadful noise of waters in mine ears! what ugly sights of death within mine eyes! methought i saw a thousand fearful wrecks; ten thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon; wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl, inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, all scatter'd in the bottom of the sea: some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept, as 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems, which woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep, and mock'd the dead bones that lay scatter'd by. brakenbury had you such leisure in the time of death to gaze upon the secrets of the deep? clarence methought i had; and often did i strive to yield the ghost: but still the envious flood kept in my soul, and would not let it forth to seek the empty, vast and wandering air; but smother'd it within my panting bulk, which almost burst to belch it in the sea. brakenbury awaked you not with this sore agony? clarence o, no, my dream was lengthen'd after life; o, then began the tempest to my soul, who pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood, with that grim ferryman which poets write of, unto the kingdom of perpetual night. the first that there did greet my stranger soul, was my great father-in-law, renowned warwick; who cried aloud, 'what scourge for perjury can this dark monarchy afford false clarence?' and so he vanish'd: then came wandering by a shadow like an angel, with bright hair dabbled in blood; and he squeak'd out aloud, 'clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured clarence, that stabb'd me in the field by tewksbury; seize on him, furies, take him to your torments!' with that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends environ'd me about, and howled in mine ears such hideous cries, that with the very noise i trembling waked, and for a season after could not believe but that i was in hell, such terrible impression made the dream. brakenbury no marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you; i promise, i am afraid to hear you tell it. clarence o brakenbury, i have done those things, which now bear evidence against my soul, for edward's sake; and see how he requites me! o god! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee, but thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds, yet execute thy wrath in me alone, o, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children! i pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me; my soul is heavy, and i fain would sleep. brakenbury i will, my lord: god give your grace good rest! [clarence sleeps] sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night. princes have but their tides for their glories, an outward honour for an inward toil; and, for unfelt imagination, they often feel a world of restless cares: so that, betwixt their tides and low names, there's nothing differs but the outward fame. [enter the two murderers] first murderer ho! who's here? brakenbury in god's name what are you, and how came you hither? first murderer i would speak with clarence, and i came hither on my legs. brakenbury yea, are you so brief? second murderer o sir, it is better to be brief than tedious. show him our commission; talk no more. [brakenbury reads it] brakenbury i am, in this, commanded to deliver the noble duke of clarence to your hands: i will not reason what is meant hereby, because i will be guiltless of the meaning. here are the keys, there sits the duke asleep: i'll to the king; and signify to him that thus i have resign'd my charge to you. first murderer do so, it is a point of wisdom: fare you well. [exit brakenbury] second murderer what, shall we stab him as he sleeps? first murderer no; then he will say 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes. second murderer when he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake till the judgment-day. first murderer why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping. second murderer the urging of that word 'judgment' hath bred a kind of remorse in me. first murderer what, art thou afraid? second murderer not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be damned for killing him, from which no warrant can defend us. first murderer i thought thou hadst been resolute. second murderer so i am, to let him live. first murderer back to the duke of gloucester, tell him so. second murderer i pray thee, stay a while: i hope my holy humour will change; 'twas wont to hold me but while one would tell twenty. first murderer how dost thou feel thyself now? second murderer 'faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me. first murderer remember our reward, when the deed is done. second murderer 'zounds, he dies: i had forgot the reward. first murderer where is thy conscience now? second murderer in the duke of gloucester's purse. first murderer so when he opens his purse to give us our reward, thy conscience flies out. second murderer let it go; there's few or none will entertain it. first murderer how if it come to thee again? second murderer i'll not meddle with it: it is a dangerous thing: it makes a man a coward: a man cannot steal, but it accuseth him; he cannot swear, but it cheques him; he cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it detects him: 'tis a blushing shamefast spirit that mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills one full of obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold that i found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it is turned out of all towns and cities for a dangerous thing; and every man that means to live well endeavours to trust to himself and to live without it. first murderer 'zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me not to kill the duke. second murderer take the devil in thy mind, and relieve him not: he would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. first murderer tut, i am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me, i warrant thee. second murderer spoke like a tail fellow that respects his reputation. come, shall we to this gear? first murderer take him over the costard with the hilts of thy sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt in the next room. second murderer o excellent devise! make a sop of him. first murderer hark! he stirs: shall i strike? second murderer no, first let's reason with him. clarence where art thou, keeper? give me a cup of wine. second murderer you shall have wine enough, my lord, anon. clarence in god's name, what art thou? second murderer a man, as you are. clarence but not, as i am, royal. second murderer nor you, as we are, loyal. clarence thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble. second murderer my voice is now the king's, my looks mine own. clarence how darkly and how deadly dost thou speak! your eyes do menace me: why look you pale? who sent you hither? wherefore do you come? both to, to, to- clarence to murder me? both ay, ay. clarence you scarcely have the hearts to tell me so, and therefore cannot have the hearts to do it. wherein, my friends, have i offended you? first murderer offended us you have not, but the king. clarence i shall be reconciled to him again. second murderer never, my lord; therefore prepare to die. clarence are you call'd forth from out a world of men to slay the innocent? what is my offence? where are the evidence that do accuse me? what lawful quest have given their verdict up unto the frowning judge? or who pronounced the bitter sentence of poor clarence' death? before i be convict by course of law, to threaten me with death is most unlawful. i charge you, as you hope to have redemption by christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins, that you depart and lay no hands on me the deed you undertake is damnable. first murderer what we will do, we do upon command. second murderer and he that hath commanded is the king. clarence erroneous vassal! the great king of kings hath in the tables of his law commanded that thou shalt do no murder: and wilt thou, then, spurn at his edict and fulfil a man's? take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hands, to hurl upon their heads that break his law. second murderer and that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee, for false forswearing and for murder too: thou didst receive the holy sacrament, to fight in quarrel of the house of lancaster. first murderer and, like a traitor to the name of god, didst break that vow; and with thy treacherous blade unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. second murderer whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend. first murderer how canst thou urge god's dreadful law to us, when thou hast broke it in so dear degree? clarence alas! for whose sake did i that ill deed? for edward, for my brother, for his sake: why, sirs, he sends ye not to murder me for this for in this sin he is as deep as i. if god will be revenged for this deed. o, know you yet, he doth it publicly, take not the quarrel from his powerful arm; he needs no indirect nor lawless course to cut off those that have offended him. first murderer who made thee, then, a bloody minister, when gallant-springing brave plantagenet, that princely novice, was struck dead by thee? clarence my brother's love, the devil, and my rage. first murderer thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault, provoke us hither now to slaughter thee. clarence oh, if you love my brother, hate not me; i am his brother, and i love him well. if you be hired for meed, go back again, and i will send you to my brother gloucester, who shall reward you better for my life than edward will for tidings of my death. second murderer you are deceived, your brother gloucester hates you. clarence o, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear: go you to him from me. both ay, so we will. clarence tell him, when that our princely father york bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, and charged us from his soul to love each other, he little thought of this divided friendship: bid gloucester think of this, and he will weep. first murderer ay, millstones; as be lesson'd us to weep. clarence o, do not slander him, for he is kind. first murderer right, as snow in harvest. thou deceivest thyself: 'tis he that sent us hither now to slaughter thee. clarence it cannot be; for when i parted with him, he hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, that he would labour my delivery. second murderer why, so he doth, now he delivers thee from this world's thraldom to the joys of heaven. first murderer make peace with god, for you must die, my lord. clarence hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, to counsel me to make my peace with god, and art thou yet to thy own soul so blind, that thou wilt war with god by murdering me? ah, sirs, consider, he that set you on to do this deed will hate you for the deed. second murderer what shall we do? clarence relent, and save your souls. first murderer relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish. clarence not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. which of you, if you were a prince's son, being pent from liberty, as i am now, if two such murderers as yourselves came to you, would not entreat for life? my friend, i spy some pity in thy looks: o, if thine eye be not a flatterer, come thou on my side, and entreat for me, as you would beg, were you in my distress a begging prince what beggar pities not? second murderer look behind you, my lord. first murderer take that, and that: if all this will not do, [stabs him] i'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [exit, with the body] second murderer a bloody deed, and desperately dispatch'd! how fain, like pilate, would i wash my hands of this most grievous guilty murder done! [re-enter first murderer] first murderer how now! what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? by heavens, the duke shall know how slack thou art! second murderer i would he knew that i had saved his brother! take thou the fee, and tell him what i say; for i repent me that the duke is slain. [exit] first murderer so do not i: go, coward as thou art. now must i hide his body in some hole, until the duke take order for his burial: and when i have my meed, i must away; for this will out, and here i must not stay. king richard iii act ii scene i london. the palace. [flourish. enter king edward iv sick, queen elizabeth, dorset, rivers, hastings, buckingham, grey, and others] king edward iv why, so: now have i done a good day's work: you peers, continue this united league: i every day expect an embassage from my redeemer to redeem me hence; and now in peace my soul shall part to heaven, since i have set my friends at peace on earth. rivers and hastings, take each other's hand; dissemble not your hatred, swear your love. rivers by heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate: and with my hand i seal my true heart's love. hastings so thrive i, as i truly swear the like! king edward iv take heed you dally not before your king; lest he that is the supreme king of kings confound your hidden falsehood, and award either of you to be the other's end. hastings so prosper i, as i swear perfect love! rivers and i, as i love hastings with my heart! king edward iv madam, yourself are not exempt in this, nor your son dorset, buckingham, nor you; you have been factious one against the other, wife, love lord hastings, let him kiss your hand; and what you do, do it unfeignedly. queen elizabeth here, hastings; i will never more remember our former hatred, so thrive i and mine! king edward iv dorset, embrace him; hastings, love lord marquess. dorset this interchange of love, i here protest, upon my part shall be unviolable. hastings and so swear i, my lord [they embrace] king edward iv now, princely buckingham, seal thou this league with thy embracements to my wife's allies, and make me happy in your unity. buckingham whenever buckingham doth turn his hate on you or yours, [to the queen] but with all duteous love doth cherish you and yours, god punish me with hate in those where i expect most love! when i have most need to employ a friend, and most assured that he is a friend deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile, be he unto me! this do i beg of god, when i am cold in zeal to yours. king edward iv a pleasing cordial, princely buckingham, is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. there wanteth now our brother gloucester here, to make the perfect period of this peace. buckingham and, in good time, here comes the noble duke. [enter gloucester] gloucester good morrow to my sovereign king and queen: and, princely peers, a happy time of day! king edward iv happy, indeed, as we have spent the day. brother, we done deeds of charity; made peace enmity, fair love of hate, between these swelling wrong-incensed peers. gloucester a blessed labour, my most sovereign liege: amongst this princely heap, if any here, by false intelligence, or wrong surmise, hold me a foe; if i unwittingly, or in my rage, have aught committed that is hardly borne by any in this presence, i desire to reconcile me to his friendly peace: 'tis death to me to be at enmity; i hate it, and desire all good men's love. first, madam, i entreat true peace of you, which i will purchase with my duteous service; of you, my noble cousin buckingham, if ever any grudge were lodged between us; of you, lord rivers, and, lord grey, of you; that without desert have frown'd on me; dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all. i do not know that englishman alive with whom my soul is any jot at odds more than the infant that is born to-night i thank my god for my humility. queen elizabeth a holy day shall this be kept hereafter: i would to god all strifes were well compounded. my sovereign liege, i do beseech your majesty to take our brother clarence to your grace. gloucester why, madam, have i offer'd love for this to be so bouted in this royal presence? who knows not that the noble duke is dead? [they all start] you do him injury to scorn his corse. rivers who knows not he is dead! who knows he is? queen elizabeth all seeing heaven, what a world is this! buckingham look i so pale, lord dorset, as the rest? dorset ay, my good lord; and no one in this presence but his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. king edward iv is clarence dead? the order was reversed. gloucester but he, poor soul, by your first order died, and that a winged mercury did bear: some tardy cripple bore the countermand, that came too lag to see him buried. god grant that some, less noble and less loyal, nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blood, deserve not worse than wretched clarence did, and yet go current from suspicion! [enter derby] dorset a boon, my sovereign, for my service done! king edward iv i pray thee, peace: my soul is full of sorrow. dorset i will not rise, unless your highness grant. king edward iv then speak at once what is it thou demand'st. dorset the forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life; who slew to-day a righteous gentleman lately attendant on the duke of norfolk. king edward iv have a tongue to doom my brother's death, and shall the same give pardon to a slave? my brother slew no man; his fault was thought, and yet his punishment was cruel death. who sued to me for him? who, in my rage, kneel'd at my feet, and bade me be advised who spake of brotherhood? who spake of love? who told me how the poor soul did forsake the mighty warwick, and did fight for me? who told me, in the field by tewksbury when oxford had me down, he rescued me, and said, 'dear brother, live, and be a king'? who told me, when we both lay in the field frozen almost to death, how he did lap me even in his own garments, and gave himself, all thin and naked, to the numb cold night? all this from my remembrance brutish wrath sinfully pluck'd, and not a man of you had so much grace to put it in my mind. but when your carters or your waiting-vassals have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced the precious image of our dear redeemer, you straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon; and i unjustly too, must grant it you but for my brother not a man would speak, nor i, ungracious, speak unto myself for him, poor soul. the proudest of you all have been beholding to him in his life; yet none of you would once plead for his life. o god, i fear thy justice will take hold on me, and you, and mine, and yours for this! come, hastings, help me to my closet. oh, poor clarence! [exeunt some with king edward iv and queen margaret] gloucester this is the fruit of rashness! mark'd you not how that the guilty kindred of the queen look'd pale when they did hear of clarence' death? o, they did urge it still unto the king! god will revenge it. but come, let us in, to comfort edward with our company. buckingham we wait upon your grace. [exeunt] king richard iii act ii scene ii the palace. [enter the duchess of york, with the two children of clarence] boy tell me, good grandam, is our father dead? duchess of york no, boy. boy why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast, and cry 'o clarence, my unhappy son!' girl why do you look on us, and shake your head, and call us wretches, orphans, castaways if that our noble father be alive? duchess of york my pretty cousins, you mistake me much; i do lament the sickness of the king. as loath to lose him, not your father's death; it were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost. boy then, grandam, you conclude that he is dead. the king my uncle is to blame for this: god will revenge it; whom i will importune with daily prayers all to that effect. girl and so will i. duchess of york peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well: incapable and shallow innocents, you cannot guess who caused your father's death. boy grandam, we can; for my good uncle gloucester told me, the king, provoked by the queen, devised impeachments to imprison him : and when my uncle told me so, he wept, and hugg'd me in his arm, and kindly kiss'd my cheek; bade me rely on him as on my father, and he would love me dearly as his child. duchess of york oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes, and with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile! he is my son; yea, and therein my shame; yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit. boy think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam? duchess of york ay, boy. boy i cannot think it. hark! what noise is this? [enter queen elizabeth, with her hair about her ears; rivers, and dorset after her] queen elizabeth oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep, to chide my fortune, and torment myself? i'll join with black despair against my soul, and to myself become an enemy. duchess of york what means this scene of rude impatience? queen elizabeth to make an act of tragic violence: edward, my lord, your son, our king, is dead. why grow the branches now the root is wither'd? why wither not the leaves the sap being gone? if you will live, lament; if die, be brief, that our swift-winged souls may catch the king's; or, like obedient subjects, follow him to his new kingdom of perpetual rest. duchess of york ah, so much interest have i in thy sorrow as i had title in thy noble husband! i have bewept a worthy husband's death, and lived by looking on his images: but now two mirrors of his princely semblance are crack'd in pieces by malignant death, and i for comfort have but one false glass, which grieves me when i see my shame in him. thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother, and hast the comfort of thy children left thee: but death hath snatch'd my husband from mine arms, and pluck'd two crutches from my feeble limbs, edward and clarence. o, what cause have i, thine being but a moiety of my grief, to overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries! boy good aunt, you wept not for our father's death; how can we aid you with our kindred tears? girl our fatherless distress was left unmoan'd; your widow-dolour likewise be unwept! queen elizabeth give me no help in lamentation; i am not barren to bring forth complaints all springs reduce their currents to mine eyes, that i, being govern'd by the watery moon, may send forth plenteous tears to drown the world! oh for my husband, for my dear lord edward! children oh for our father, for our dear lord clarence! duchess of york alas for both, both mine, edward and clarence! queen elizabeth what stay had i but edward? and he's gone. children what stay had we but clarence? and he's gone. duchess of york what stays had i but they? and they are gone. queen elizabeth was never widow had so dear a loss! children were never orphans had so dear a loss! duchess of york was never mother had so dear a loss! alas, i am the mother of these moans! their woes are parcell'd, mine are general. she for an edward weeps, and so do i; i for a clarence weep, so doth not she: these babes for clarence weep and so do i; i for an edward weep, so do not they: alas, you three, on me, threefold distress'd, pour all your tears! i am your sorrow's nurse, and i will pamper it with lamentations. dorset comfort, dear mother: god is much displeased that you take with unthankfulness, his doing: in common worldly things, 'tis call'd ungrateful, with dull unwilligness to repay a debt which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent; much more to be thus opposite with heaven, for it requires the royal debt it lent you. rivers madam, bethink you, like a careful mother, of the young prince your son: send straight for him let him be crown'd; in him your comfort lives: drown desperate sorrow in dead edward's grave, and plant your joys in living edward's throne. [enter gloucester, buckingham, derby, hastings, and ratcliff] gloucester madam, have comfort: all of us have cause to wail the dimming of our shining star; but none can cure their harms by wailing them. madam, my mother, i do cry you mercy; i did not see your grace: humbly on my knee i crave your blessing. duchess of york god bless thee; and put meekness in thy mind, love, charity, obedience, and true duty! gloucester [aside] amen; and make me die a good old man! that is the butt-end of a mother's blessing: i marvel why her grace did leave it out. buckingham you cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers, that bear this mutual heavy load of moan, now cheer each other in each other's love though we have spent our harvest of this king, we are to reap the harvest of his son. the broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts, but lately splinter'd, knit, and join'd together, must gently be preserved, cherish'd, and kept: me seemeth good, that, with some little train, forthwith from ludlow the young prince be fetch'd hither to london, to be crown'd our king. rivers why with some little train, my lord of buckingham? buckingham marry, my lord, lest, by a multitude, the new-heal'd wound of malice should break out, which would be so much the more dangerous by how much the estate is green and yet ungovern'd: where every horse bears his commanding rein, and may direct his course as please himself, as well the fear of harm, as harm apparent, in my opinion, ought to be prevented. gloucester i hope the king made peace with all of us and the compact is firm and true in me. rivers and so in me; and so, i think, in all: yet, since it is but green, it should be put to no apparent likelihood of breach, which haply by much company might be urged: therefore i say with noble buckingham, that it is meet so few should fetch the prince. hastings and so say i. gloucester then be it so; and go we to determine who they shall be that straight shall post to ludlow. madam, and you, my mother, will you go to give your censures in this weighty business? queen elizabeth | | with all our harts. duchess of york | [exeunt all but buckingham and gloucester] buckingham my lord, whoever journeys to the prince, for god's sake, let not us two be behind; for, by the way, i'll sort occasion, as index to the story we late talk'd of, to part the queen's proud kindred from the king. gloucester my other self, my counsel's consistory, my oracle, my prophet! my dear cousin, i, like a child, will go by thy direction. towards ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind. [exeunt] king richard iii act ii scene iii london. a street. [enter two citizens meeting] first citizen neighbour, well met: whither away so fast? second citizen i promise you, i scarcely know myself: hear you the news abroad? first citizen ay, that the king is dead. second citizen bad news, by'r lady; seldom comes the better: i fear, i fear 'twill prove a troublous world. [enter another citizen] third citizen neighbours, god speed! first citizen give you good morrow, sir. third citizen doth this news hold of good king edward's death? second citizen ay, sir, it is too true; god help the while! third citizen then, masters, look to see a troublous world. first citizen no, no; by god's good grace his son shall reign. third citizen woe to the land that's govern'd by a child! second citizen in him there is a hope of government, that in his nonage council under him, and in his full and ripen'd years himself, no doubt, shall then and till then govern well. first citizen so stood the state when henry the sixth was crown'd in paris but at nine months old. third citizen stood the state so? no, no, good friends, god wot; for then this land was famously enrich'd with politic grave counsel; then the king had virtuous uncles to protect his grace. first citizen why, so hath this, both by the father and mother. third citizen better it were they all came by the father, or by the father there were none at all; for emulation now, who shall be nearest, will touch us all too near, if god prevent not. o, full of danger is the duke of gloucester! and the queen's sons and brothers haught and proud: and were they to be ruled, and not to rule, this sickly land might solace as before. first citizen come, come, we fear the worst; all shall be well. third citizen when clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks; when great leaves fall, the winter is at hand; when the sun sets, who doth not look for night? untimely storms make men expect a dearth. all may be well; but, if god sort it so, 'tis more than we deserve, or i expect. second citizen truly, the souls of men are full of dread: ye cannot reason almost with a man that looks not heavily and full of fear. third citizen before the times of change, still is it so: by a divine instinct men's minds mistrust ensuing dangers; as by proof, we see the waters swell before a boisterous storm. but leave it all to god. whither away? second citizen marry, we were sent for to the justices. third citizen and so was i: i'll bear you company. [exeunt] king richard iii act ii scene iv london. the palace. [enter the archbishop of york, young york, queen elizabeth, and the duchess of york] archbishop of york last night, i hear, they lay at northampton; at stony-stratford will they be to-night: to-morrow, or next day, they will be here. duchess of york i long with all my heart to see the prince: i hope he is much grown since last i saw him. queen elizabeth but i hear, no; they say my son of york hath almost overta'en him in his growth. york ay, mother; but i would not have it so. duchess of york why, my young cousin, it is good to grow. york grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper, my uncle rivers talk'd how i did grow more than my brother: 'ay,' quoth my uncle gloucester, 'small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace:' and since, methinks, i would not grow so fast, because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste. duchess of york good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold in him that did object the same to thee; he was the wretched'st thing when he was young, so long a-growing and so leisurely, that, if this rule were true, he should be gracious. archbishop of york why, madam, so, no doubt, he is. duchess of york i hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt. york now, by my troth, if i had been remember'd, i could have given my uncle's grace a flout, to touch his growth nearer than he touch'd mine. duchess of york how, my pretty york? i pray thee, let me hear it. york marry, they say my uncle grew so fast that he could gnaw a crust at two hours old 'twas full two years ere i could get a tooth. grandam, this would have been a biting jest. duchess of york i pray thee, pretty york, who told thee this? york grandam, his nurse. duchess of york his nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born. york if 'twere not she, i cannot tell who told me. queen elizabeth a parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd. archbishop of york good madam, be not angry with the child. queen elizabeth pitchers have ears. [enter a messenger] archbishop of york here comes a messenger. what news? messenger such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold. queen elizabeth how fares the prince? messenger well, madam, and in health. duchess of york what is thy news then? messenger lord rivers and lord grey are sent to pomfret, with them sir thomas vaughan, prisoners. duchess of york who hath committed them? messenger the mighty dukes gloucester and buckingham. queen elizabeth for what offence? messenger the sum of all i can, i have disclosed; why or for what these nobles were committed is all unknown to me, my gracious lady. queen elizabeth ay me, i see the downfall of our house! the tiger now hath seized the gentle hind; insulting tyranny begins to jet upon the innocent and aweless throne: welcome, destruction, death, and massacre! i see, as in a map, the end of all. duchess of york accursed and unquiet wrangling days, how many of you have mine eyes beheld! my husband lost his life to get the crown; and often up and down my sons were toss'd, for me to joy and weep their gain and loss: and being seated, and domestic broils clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors. make war upon themselves; blood against blood, self against self: o, preposterous and frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen; or let me die, to look on death no more! queen elizabeth come, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary. madam, farewell. duchess of york i'll go along with you. queen elizabeth you have no cause. archbishop of york my gracious lady, go; and thither bear your treasure and your goods. for my part, i'll resign unto your grace the seal i keep: and so betide to me as well i tender you and all of yours! come, i'll conduct you to the sanctuary. [exeunt] king richard iii act iii scene i london. a street. [the trumpets sound. enter the young prince edward, gloucester, buckingham, cardinal, catesby, and others] buckingham welcome, sweet prince, to london, to your chamber. gloucester welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign the weary way hath made you melancholy. prince edward no, uncle; but our crosses on the way have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy i want more uncles here to welcome me. gloucester sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years hath not yet dived into the world's deceit nor more can you distinguish of a man than of his outward show; which, god he knows, seldom or never jumpeth with the heart. those uncles which you want were dangerous; your grace attended to their sugar'd words, but look'd not on the poison of their hearts : god keep you from them, and from such false friends! prince edward god keep me from false friends! but they were none. gloucester my lord, the mayor of london comes to greet you. [enter the lord mayor and his train] lord mayor god bless your grace with health and happy days! prince edward i thank you, good my lord; and thank you all. i thought my mother, and my brother york, would long ere this have met us on the way fie, what a slug is hastings, that he comes not to tell us whether they will come or no! [enter hastings] buckingham and, in good time, here comes the sweating lord. prince edward welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come? hastings on what occasion, god he knows, not i, the queen your mother, and your brother york, have taken sanctuary: the tender prince would fain have come with me to meet your grace, but by his mother was perforce withheld. buckingham fie, what an indirect and peevish course is this of hers! lord cardinal, will your grace persuade the queen to send the duke of york unto his princely brother presently? if she deny, lord hastings, go with him, and from her jealous arms pluck him perforce. cardinal my lord of buckingham, if my weak oratory can from his mother win the duke of york, anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate to mild entreaties, god in heaven forbid we should infringe the holy privilege of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land would i be guilty of so deep a sin. buckingham you are too senseless--obstinate, my lord, too ceremonious and traditional weigh it but with the grossness of this age, you break not sanctuary in seizing him. the benefit thereof is always granted to those whose dealings have deserved the place, and those who have the wit to claim the place: this prince hath neither claim'd it nor deserved it; and therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it: then, taking him from thence that is not there, you break no privilege nor charter there. oft have i heard of sanctuary men; but sanctuary children ne'er till now. cardinal my lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once. come on, lord hastings, will you go with me? hastings i go, my lord. prince edward good lords, make all the speedy haste you may. [exeunt cardinal and hastings] say, uncle gloucester, if our brother come, where shall we sojourn till our coronation? gloucester where it seems best unto your royal self. if i may counsel you, some day or two your highness shall repose you at the tower: then where you please, and shall be thought most fit for your best health and recreation. prince edward i do not like the tower, of any place. did julius caesar build that place, my lord? buckingham he did, my gracious lord, begin that place; which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. prince edward is it upon record, or else reported successively from age to age, he built it? buckingham upon record, my gracious lord. prince edward but say, my lord, it were not register'd, methinks the truth should live from age to age, as 'twere retail'd to all posterity, even to the general all-ending day. gloucester [aside] so wise so young, they say, do never live long. prince edward what say you, uncle? gloucester i say, without characters, fame lives long. [aside] thus, like the formal vice, iniquity, i moralize two meanings in one word. prince edward that julius caesar was a famous man; with what his valour did enrich his wit, his wit set down to make his valour live death makes no conquest of this conqueror; for now he lives in fame, though not in life. i'll tell you what, my cousin buckingham,- buckingham what, my gracious lord? prince edward an if i live until i be a man, i'll win our ancient right in france again, or die a soldier, as i lived a king. gloucester [aside] short summers lightly have a forward spring. [enter young york, hastings, and the cardinal] buckingham now, in good time, here comes the duke of york. prince edward richard of york! how fares our loving brother? york well, my dread lord; so must i call you now. prince edward ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours: too late he died that might have kept that title, which by his death hath lost much majesty. gloucester how fares our cousin, noble lord of york? york i thank you, gentle uncle. o, my lord, you said that idle weeds are fast in growth the prince my brother hath outgrown me far. gloucester he hath, my lord. york and therefore is he idle? gloucester o, my fair cousin, i must not say so. york then is he more beholding to you than i. gloucester he may command me as my sovereign; but you have power in me as in a kinsman. york i pray you, uncle, give me this dagger. gloucester my dagger, little cousin? with all my heart. prince edward a beggar, brother? york of my kind uncle, that i know will give; and being but a toy, which is no grief to give. gloucester a greater gift than that i'll give my cousin. york a greater gift! o, that's the sword to it. gloucester a gentle cousin, were it light enough. york o, then, i see, you will part but with light gifts; in weightier things you'll say a beggar nay. gloucester it is too heavy for your grace to wear. york i weigh it lightly, were it heavier. gloucester what, would you have my weapon, little lord? york i would, that i might thank you as you call me. gloucester how? york little. prince edward my lord of york will still be cross in talk: uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him. york you mean, to bear me, not to bear with me: uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; because that i am little, like an ape, he thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders. buckingham with what a sharp-provided wit he reasons! to mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle, he prettily and aptly taunts himself: so cunning and so young is wonderful. gloucester my lord, will't please you pass along? myself and my good cousin buckingham will to your mother, to entreat of her to meet you at the tower and welcome you. york what, will you go unto the tower, my lord? prince edward my lord protector needs will have it so. york i shall not sleep in quiet at the tower. gloucester why, what should you fear? york marry, my uncle clarence' angry ghost: my grandam told me he was murdered there. prince edward i fear no uncles dead. gloucester nor none that live, i hope. prince edward an if they live, i hope i need not fear. but come, my lord; and with a heavy heart, thinking on them, go i unto the tower. [a sennet. exeunt all but gloucester, buckingham and catesby] buckingham think you, my lord, this little prating york was not incensed by his subtle mother to taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously? gloucester no doubt, no doubt; o, 'tis a parlous boy; bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable he is all the mother's, from the top to toe. buckingham well, let them rest. come hither, catesby. thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend as closely to conceal what we impart: thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way; what think'st thou? is it not an easy matter to make william lord hastings of our mind, for the instalment of this noble duke in the seat royal of this famous isle? catesby he for his father's sake so loves the prince, that he will not be won to aught against him. buckingham what think'st thou, then, of stanley? what will he? catesby he will do all in all as hastings doth. buckingham well, then, no more but this: go, gentle catesby, and, as it were far off sound thou lord hastings, how doth he stand affected to our purpose; and summon him to-morrow to the tower, to sit about the coronation. if thou dost find him tractable to us, encourage him, and show him all our reasons: if he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling, be thou so too; and so break off your talk, and give us notice of his inclination: for we to-morrow hold divided councils, wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd. gloucester commend me to lord william: tell him, catesby, his ancient knot of dangerous adversaries to-morrow are let blood at pomfret-castle; and bid my friend, for joy of this good news, give mistress shore one gentle kiss the more. buckingham good catesby, go, effect this business soundly. catesby my good lords both, with all the heed i may. gloucester shall we hear from you, catesby, ere we sleep? catesby you shall, my lord. gloucester at crosby place, there shall you find us both. [exit catesby] buckingham now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive lord hastings will not yield to our complots? gloucester chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do: and, look, when i am king, claim thou of me the earldom of hereford, and the moveables whereof the king my brother stood possess'd. buckingham i'll claim that promise at your grace's hands. gloucester and look to have it yielded with all willingness. come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards we may digest our complots in some form. [exeunt] king richard iii act iii scene ii before lord hastings' house. [enter a messenger] messenger what, ho! my lord! hastings [within] who knocks at the door? messenger a messenger from the lord stanley. [enter hastings] hastings what is't o'clock? messenger upon the stroke of four. hastings cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights? messenger so it should seem by that i have to say. first, he commends him to your noble lordship. hastings and then? messenger and then he sends you word he dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm: besides, he says there are two councils held; and that may be determined at the one which may make you and him to rue at the other. therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure, if presently you will take horse with him, and with all speed post with him toward the north, to shun the danger that his soul divines. hastings go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; bid him not fear the separated councils his honour and myself are at the one, and at the other is my servant catesby where nothing can proceed that toucheth us whereof i shall not have intelligence. tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance: and for his dreams, i wonder he is so fond to trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers to fly the boar before the boar pursues, were to incense the boar to follow us and make pursuit where he did mean no chase. go, bid thy master rise and come to me and we will both together to the tower, where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly. messenger my gracious lord, i'll tell him what you say. [exit] [enter catesby] catesby many good morrows to my noble lord! hastings good morrow, catesby; you are early stirring what news, what news, in this our tottering state? catesby it is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; and i believe twill never stand upright tim richard wear the garland of the realm. hastings how! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown? catesby ay, my good lord. hastings i'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders ere i will see the crown so foul misplaced. but canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? catesby ay, on my life; and hopes to find forward upon his party for the gain thereof: and thereupon he sends you this good news, that this same very day your enemies, the kindred of the queen, must die at pomfret. hastings indeed, i am no mourner for that news, because they have been still mine enemies: but, that i'll give my voice on richard's side, to bar my master's heirs in true descent, god knows i will not do it, to the death. catesby god keep your lordship in that gracious mind! hastings but i shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence, that they who brought me in my master's hate i live to look upon their tragedy. i tell thee, catesby- catesby what, my lord? hastings ere a fortnight make me elder, i'll send some packing that yet think not on it. catesby 'tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, when men are unprepared and look not for it. hastings o monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out with rivers, vaughan, grey: and so 'twill do with some men else, who think themselves as safe as thou and i; who, as thou know'st, are dear to princely richard and to buckingham. catesby the princes both make high account of you; [aside] for they account his head upon the bridge. hastings i know they do; and i have well deserved it. [enter stanley] come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man? fear you the boar, and go so unprovided? stanley my lord, good morrow; good morrow, catesby: you may jest on, but, by the holy rood, i do not like these several councils, i. hastings my lord, i hold my life as dear as you do yours; and never in my life, i do protest, was it more precious to me than 'tis now: think you, but that i know our state secure, i would be so triumphant as i am? stanley the lords at pomfret, when they rode from london, were jocund, and supposed their state was sure, and they indeed had no cause to mistrust; but yet, you see how soon the day o'ercast. this sudden stag of rancour i misdoubt: pray god, i say, i prove a needless coward! what, shall we toward the tower? the day is spent. hastings come, come, have with you. wot you what, my lord? to-day the lords you talk of are beheaded. lord stanley they, for their truth, might better wear their heads than some that have accused them wear their hats. but come, my lord, let us away. [enter a pursuivant] hastings go on before; i'll talk with this good fellow. [exeunt stanley and catesby] how now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee? pursuivant the better that your lordship please to ask. hastings i tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now than when i met thee last where now we meet: then was i going prisoner to the tower, by the suggestion of the queen's allies; but now, i tell thee--keep it to thyself- this day those enemies are put to death, and i in better state than e'er i was. pursuivant god hold it, to your honour's good content! hastings gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me. [throws him his purse] pursuivant god save your lordship! [exit] [enter a priest] priest well met, my lord; i am glad to see your honour. hastings i thank thee, good sir john, with all my heart. i am in your debt for your last exercise; come the next sabbath, and i will content you. [he whispers in his ear] [enter buckingham] buckingham what, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain? your friends at pomfret, they do need the priest; your honour hath no shriving work in hand. hastings good faith, and when i met this holy man, those men you talk of came into my mind. what, go you toward the tower? buckingham i do, my lord; but long i shall not stay i shall return before your lordship thence. hastings 'tis like enough, for i stay dinner there. buckingham [aside] and supper too, although thou know'st it not. come, will you go? hastings i'll wait upon your lordship. [exeunt] king richard iii act iii scene iii pomfret castle. [enter ratcliff, with halberds, carrying rivers, grey, and vaughan to death] ratcliff come, bring forth the prisoners. rivers sir richard ratcliff, let me tell thee this: to-day shalt thou behold a subject die for truth, for duty, and for loyalty. grey god keep the prince from all the pack of you! a knot you are of damned blood-suckers! vaughan you live that shall cry woe for this after. ratcliff dispatch; the limit of your lives is out. rivers o pomfret, pomfret! o thou bloody prison, fatal and ominous to noble peers! within the guilty closure of thy walls richard the second here was hack'd to death; and, for more slander to thy dismal seat, we give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. grey now margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads, for standing by when richard stabb'd her son. rivers then cursed she hastings, then cursed she buckingham, then cursed she richard. o, remember, god to hear her prayers for them, as now for us and for my sister and her princely sons, be satisfied, dear god, with our true blood, which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt. ratcliff make haste; the hour of death is expiate. rivers come, grey, come, vaughan, let us all embrace: and take our leave, until we meet in heaven. [exeunt] king richard iii act iii scene iv the tower of london. [enter buckingham, derby, hastings, the bishop of ely, ratcliff, lovel, with others, and take their seats at a table] hastings my lords, at once: the cause why we are met is, to determine of the coronation. in god's name, speak: when is the royal day? buckingham are all things fitting for that royal time? derby it is, and wants but nomination. bishop of ely to-morrow, then, i judge a happy day. buckingham who knows the lord protector's mind herein? who is most inward with the royal duke? bishop of ely your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. buckingham who, i, my lord i we know each other's faces, but for our hearts, he knows no more of mine, than i of yours; nor i no more of his, than you of mine. lord hastings, you and he are near in love. hastings i thank his grace, i know he loves me well; but, for his purpose in the coronation. i have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd his gracious pleasure any way therein: but you, my noble lords, may name the time; and in the duke's behalf i'll give my voice, which, i presume, he'll take in gentle part. [enter gloucester] bishop of ely now in good time, here comes the duke himself. gloucester my noble lords and cousins all, good morrow. i have been long a sleeper; but, i hope, my absence doth neglect no great designs, which by my presence might have been concluded. buckingham had not you come upon your cue, my lord william lord hastings had pronounced your part,- i mean, your voice,--for crowning of the king. gloucester than my lord hastings no man might be bolder; his lordship knows me well, and loves me well. hastings i thank your grace. gloucester my lord of ely! bishop of ely my lord? gloucester when i was last in holborn, i saw good strawberries in your garden there i do beseech you send for some of them. bishop of ely marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. [exit] gloucester cousin of buckingham, a word with you. [drawing him aside] catesby hath sounded hastings in our business, and finds the testy gentleman so hot, as he will lose his head ere give consent his master's son, as worshipful as he terms it, shall lose the royalty of england's throne. buckingham withdraw you hence, my lord, i'll follow you. [exit gloucester, buckingham following] derby we have not yet set down this day of triumph. to-morrow, in mine opinion, is too sudden; for i myself am not so well provided as else i would be, were the day prolong'd. [re-enter bishop of ely] bishop of ely where is my lord protector? i have sent for these strawberries. hastings his grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day; there's some conceit or other likes him well, when he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit. i think there's never a man in christendom that can less hide his love or hate than he; for by his face straight shall you know his heart. derby what of his heart perceive you in his face by any likelihood he show'd to-day? hastings marry, that with no man here he is offended; for, were he, he had shown it in his looks. derby i pray god he be not, i say. [re-enter gloucester and buckingham] gloucester i pray you all, tell me what they deserve that do conspire my death with devilish plots of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail'd upon my body with their hellish charms? hastings the tender love i bear your grace, my lord, makes me most forward in this noble presence to doom the offenders, whatsoever they be i say, my lord, they have deserved death. gloucester then be your eyes the witness of this ill: see how i am bewitch'd; behold mine arm is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up: and this is edward's wife, that monstrous witch, consorted with that harlot strumpet shore, that by their witchcraft thus have marked me. hastings if they have done this thing, my gracious lord- gloucester if i thou protector of this damned strumpet- tellest thou me of 'ifs'? thou art a traitor: off with his head! now, by saint paul i swear, i will not dine until i see the same. lovel and ratcliff, look that it be done: the rest, that love me, rise and follow me. [exeunt all but hastings, ratcliff, and lovel] hastings woe, woe for england! not a whit for me; for i, too fond, might have prevented this. stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm; but i disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly: three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, and startled, when he look'd upon the tower, as loath to bear me to the slaughter-house. o, now i want the priest that spake to me: i now repent i told the pursuivant as 'twere triumphing at mine enemies, how they at pomfret bloodily were butcher'd, and i myself secure in grace and favour. o margaret, margaret, now thy heavy curse is lighted on poor hastings' wretched head! ratcliff dispatch, my lord; the duke would be at dinner: make a short shrift; he longs to see your head. hastings o momentary grace of mortal men, which we more hunt for than the grace of god! who builds his hopes in air of your good looks, lives like a drunken sailor on a mast, ready, with every nod, to tumble down into the fatal bowels of the deep. lovel come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. hastings o bloody richard! miserable england! i prophesy the fearful'st time to thee that ever wretched age hath look'd upon. come, lead me to the block; bear him my head. they smile at me that shortly shall be dead. [exeunt] king richard iii act iii scene v the tower-walls. [enter gloucester and buckingham, in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured] gloucester come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour, murder thy breath in the middle of a word, and then begin again, and stop again, as if thou wert distraught and mad with terror? buckingham tut, i can counterfeit the deep tragedian; speak and look back, and pry on every side, tremble and start at wagging of a straw, intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks are at my service, like enforced smiles; and both are ready in their offices, at any time, to grace my stratagems. but what, is catesby gone? gloucester he is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. [enter the lord mayor and catesby] buckingham lord mayor,- gloucester look to the drawbridge there! buckingham hark! a drum. gloucester catesby, o'erlook the walls. buckingham lord mayor, the reason we have sent- gloucester look back, defend thee, here are enemies. buckingham god and our innocency defend and guard us! gloucester be patient, they are friends, ratcliff and lovel. [enter lovel and ratcliff, with hastings' head] lovel here is the head of that ignoble traitor, the dangerous and unsuspected hastings. gloucester so dear i loved the man, that i must weep. i took him for the plainest harmless creature that breathed upon this earth a christian; made him my book wherein my soul recorded the history of all her secret thoughts: so smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue, that, his apparent open guilt omitted, i mean, his conversation with shore's wife, he lived from all attainder of suspect. buckingham well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor that ever lived. would you imagine, or almost believe, were't not that, by great preservation, we live to tell it you, the subtle traitor this day had plotted, in the council-house to murder me and my good lord of gloucester? lord mayor what, had he so? gloucester what, think you we are turks or infidels? or that we would, against the form of law, proceed thus rashly to the villain's death, but that the extreme peril of the case, the peace of england and our persons' safety, enforced us to this execution? lord mayor now, fair befall you! he deserved his death; and you my good lords, both have well proceeded, to warn false traitors from the like attempts. i never look'd for better at his hands, after he once fell in with mistress shore. gloucester yet had not we determined he should die, until your lordship came to see his death; which now the loving haste of these our friends, somewhat against our meaning, have prevented: because, my lord, we would have had you heard the traitor speak, and timorously confess the manner and the purpose of his treason; that you might well have signified the same unto the citizens, who haply may misconstrue us in him and wail his death. lord mayor but, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve, as well as i had seen and heard him speak and doubt you not, right noble princes both, but i'll acquaint our duteous citizens with all your just proceedings in this cause. gloucester and to that end we wish'd your lord-ship here, to avoid the carping censures of the world. buckingham but since you come too late of our intents, yet witness what you hear we did intend: and so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. [exit lord mayor] gloucester go, after, after, cousin buckingham. the mayor towards guildhall hies him in all post: there, at your meet'st advantage of the time, infer the bastardy of edward's children: tell them how edward put to death a citizen, only for saying he would make his son heir to the crown; meaning indeed his house, which, by the sign thereof was termed so. moreover, urge his hateful luxury and bestial appetite in change of lust; which stretched to their servants, daughters, wives, even where his lustful eye or savage heart, without control, listed to make his prey. nay, for a need, thus far come near my person: tell them, when that my mother went with child of that unsatiate edward, noble york my princely father then had wars in france and, by just computation of the time, found that the issue was not his begot; which well appeared in his lineaments, being nothing like the noble duke my father: but touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off, because you know, my lord, my mother lives. buckingham fear not, my lord, i'll play the orator as if the golden fee for which i plead were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu. gloucester if you thrive well, bring them to baynard's castle; where you shall find me well accompanied with reverend fathers and well-learned bishops. buckingham i go: and towards three or four o'clock look for the news that the guildhall affords. [exit buckingham] gloucester go, lovel, with all speed to doctor shaw; [to catesby] go thou to friar penker; bid them both meet me within this hour at baynard's castle. [exeunt all but gloucester] now will i in, to take some privy order, to draw the brats of clarence out of sight; and to give notice, that no manner of person at any time have recourse unto the princes. [exit] king richard iii act iii scene vi the same. [enter a scrivener, with a paper in his hand] scrivener this is the indictment of the good lord hastings; which in a set hand fairly is engross'd, that it may be this day read over in paul's. and mark how well the sequel hangs together: eleven hours i spent to write it over, for yesternight by catesby was it brought me; the precedent was full as long a-doing: and yet within these five hours lived lord hastings, untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty here's a good world the while! why who's so gross, that seeth not this palpable device? yet who's so blind, but says he sees it not? bad is the world; and all will come to nought, when such bad dealings must be seen in thought. [exit] king richard iii act iii scene vii baynard's castle. [enter gloucester and buckingham, at several doors] gloucester how now, my lord, what say the citizens? buckingham now, by the holy mother of our lord, the citizens are mum and speak not a word. gloucester touch'd you the bastardy of edward's children? buckingham i did; with his contract with lady lucy, and his contract by deputy in france; the insatiate greediness of his desires, and his enforcement of the city wives; his tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy, as being got, your father then in france, his resemblance, being not like the duke; withal i did infer your lineaments, being the right idea of your father, both in your form and nobleness of mind; laid open all your victories in scotland, your dicipline in war, wisdom in peace, your bounty, virtue, fair humility: indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse and when mine oratory grew to an end i bid them that did love their country's good cry 'god save richard, england's royal king!' gloucester ah! and did they so? buckingham no, so god help me, they spake not a word; but, like dumb statues or breathing stones, gazed each on other, and look'd deadly pale. which when i saw, i reprehended them; and ask'd the mayor what meant this wilful silence: his answer was, the people were not wont to be spoke to but by the recorder. then he was urged to tell my tale again, 'thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;' but nothing spake in warrant from himself. when he had done, some followers of mine own, at the lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps, and some ten voices cried 'god save king richard!' and thus i took the vantage of those few, 'thanks, gentle citizens and friends,' quoth i; 'this general applause and loving shout argues your wisdoms and your love to richard:' and even here brake off, and came away. gloucester what tongueless blocks were they! would not they speak? buckingham no, by my troth, my lord. gloucester will not the mayor then and his brethren come? buckingham the mayor is here at hand: intend some fear; be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit: and look you get a prayer-book in your hand, and stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord; for on that ground i'll build a holy descant: and be not easily won to our request: play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it. gloucester i go; and if you plead as well for them as i can say nay to thee for myself, no doubt well bring it to a happy issue. buckingham go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks. [exit gloucester] [enter the lord mayor and citizens] welcome my lord; i dance attendance here; i think the duke will not be spoke withal. [enter catesby] here comes his servant: how now, catesby, what says he? catesby my lord: he doth entreat your grace; to visit him to-morrow or next day: he is within, with two right reverend fathers, divinely bent to meditation; and no worldly suit would he be moved, to draw him from his holy exercise. buckingham return, good catesby, to thy lord again; tell him, myself, the mayor and citizens, in deep designs and matters of great moment, no less importing than our general good, are come to have some conference with his grace. catesby i'll tell him what you say, my lord. [exit] buckingham ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an edward! he is not lolling on a lewd day-bed, but on his knees at meditation; not dallying with a brace of courtezans, but meditating with two deep divines; not sleeping, to engross his idle body, but praying, to enrich his watchful soul: happy were england, would this gracious prince take on himself the sovereignty thereof: but, sure, i fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. lord mayor marry, god forbid his grace should say us nay! buckingham i fear he will. [re-enter catesby] how now, catesby, what says your lord? catesby my lord, he wonders to what end you have assembled such troops of citizens to speak with him, his grace not being warn'd thereof before: my lord, he fears you mean no good to him. buckingham sorry i am my noble cousin should suspect me, that i mean no good to him: by heaven, i come in perfect love to him; and so once more return and tell his grace. [exit catesby] when holy and devout religious men are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence, so sweet is zealous contemplation. [enter gloucester aloft, between two bishops. catesby returns] lord mayor see, where he stands between two clergymen! buckingham two props of virtue for a christian prince, to stay him from the fall of vanity: and, see, a book of prayer in his hand, true ornaments to know a holy man. famous plantagenet, most gracious prince, lend favourable ears to our request; and pardon us the interruption of thy devotion and right christian zeal. gloucester my lord, there needs no such apology: i rather do beseech you pardon me, who, earnest in the service of my god, neglect the visitation of my friends. but, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure? buckingham even that, i hope, which pleaseth god above, and all good men of this ungovern'd isle. gloucester i do suspect i have done some offence that seems disgracious in the city's eyes, and that you come to reprehend my ignorance. buckingham you have, my lord: would it might please your grace, at our entreaties, to amend that fault! gloucester else wherefore breathe i in a christian land? buckingham then know, it is your fault that you resign the supreme seat, the throne majestical, the scepter'd office of your ancestors, your state of fortune and your due of birth, the lineal glory of your royal house, to the corruption of a blemished stock: whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts, which here we waken to our country's good, this noble isle doth want her proper limbs; her face defaced with scars of infamy, her royal stock graft with ignoble plants, and almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion. which to recure, we heartily solicit your gracious self to take on you the charge and kingly government of this your land, not as protector, steward, substitute, or lowly factor for another's gain; but as successively from blood to blood, your right of birth, your empery, your own. for this, consorted with the citizens, your very worshipful and loving friends, and by their vehement instigation, in this just suit come i to move your grace. gloucester i know not whether to depart in silence, or bitterly to speak in your reproof. best fitteth my degree or your condition if not to answer, you might haply think tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded to bear the golden yoke of sovereignty, which fondly you would here impose on me; if to reprove you for this suit of yours, so season'd with your faithful love to me. then, on the other side, i cheque'd my friends. therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first, and then, in speaking, not to incur the last, definitively thus i answer you. your love deserves my thanks; but my desert unmeritable shuns your high request. first if all obstacles were cut away, and that my path were even to the crown, as my ripe revenue and due by birth yet so much is my poverty of spirit, so mighty and so many my defects, as i had rather hide me from my greatness, being a bark to brook no mighty sea, than in my greatness covet to be hid, and in the vapour of my glory smother'd. but, god be thank'd, there's no need of me, and much i need to help you, if need were; the royal tree hath left us royal fruit, which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time, will well become the seat of majesty, and make, no doubt, us happy by his reign. on him i lay what you would lay on me, the right and fortune of his happy stars; which god defend that i should wring from him! buckingham my lord, this argues conscience in your grace; but the respects thereof are nice and trivial, all circumstances well considered. you say that edward is your brother's son: so say we too, but not by edward's wife; for first he was contract to lady lucy- your mother lives a witness to that vow- and afterward by substitute betroth'd to bona, sister to the king of france. these both put by a poor petitioner, a care-crazed mother of a many children, a beauty-waning and distressed widow, even in the afternoon of her best days, made prize and purchase of his lustful eye, seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts to base declension and loathed bigamy by her, in his unlawful bed, he got this edward, whom our manners term the prince. more bitterly could i expostulate, save that, for reverence to some alive, i give a sparing limit to my tongue. then, good my lord, take to your royal self this proffer'd benefit of dignity; if non to bless us and the land withal, yet to draw forth your noble ancestry from the corruption of abusing times, unto a lineal true-derived course. lord mayor do, good my lord, your citizens entreat you. buckingham refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. catesby o, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit! gloucester alas, why would you heap these cares on me? i am unfit for state and majesty; i do beseech you, take it not amiss; i cannot nor i will not yield to you. buckingham if you refuse it,--as, in love and zeal, loath to depose the child, your brother's son; as well we know your tenderness of heart and gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, which we have noted in you to your kin, and egally indeed to all estates,- yet whether you accept our suit or no, your brother's son shall never reign our king; but we will plant some other in the throne, to the disgrace and downfall of your house: and in this resolution here we leave you.- come, citizens: 'zounds! i'll entreat no more. gloucester o, do not swear, my lord of buckingham. [exit buckingham with the citizens] catesby call them again, my lord, and accept their suit. another do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it. gloucester would you enforce me to a world of care? well, call them again. i am not made of stone, but penetrable to your. kind entreats, albeit against my conscience and my soul. [re-enter buckingham and the rest] cousin of buckingham, and you sage, grave men, since you will buckle fortune on my back, to bear her burthen, whether i will or no, i must have patience to endure the load: but if black scandal or foul-faced reproach attend the sequel of your imposition, your mere enforcement shall acquittance me from all the impure blots and stains thereof; for god he knows, and you may partly see, how far i am from the desire thereof. lord mayor god bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. gloucester in saying so, you shall but say the truth. buckingham then i salute you with this kingly title: long live richard, england's royal king! lord mayor | | amen. citizens | buckingham to-morrow will it please you to be crown'd? gloucester even when you please, since you will have it so. buckingham to-morrow, then, we will attend your grace: and so most joyfully we take our leave. gloucester come, let us to our holy task again. farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends. [exeunt] king richard iii act iv scene i before the tower. [enter, on one side, queen elizabeth, duchess of york, and dorset; on the other, anne, duchess of gloucester, leading lady margaret plantagenet, clarence's young daughter] duchess of york who meets us here? my niece plantagenet led in the hand of her kind aunt of gloucester? now, for my life, she's wandering to the tower, on pure heart's love to greet the tender princes. daughter, well met. lady anne god give your graces both a happy and a joyful time of day! queen elizabeth as much to you, good sister! whither away? lady anne no farther than the tower; and, as i guess, upon the like devotion as yourselves, to gratulate the gentle princes there. queen elizabeth kind sister, thanks: we'll enter all together. [enter brakenbury] and, in good time, here the lieutenant comes. master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave, how doth the prince, and my young son of york? brakenbury right well, dear madam. by your patience, i may not suffer you to visit them; the king hath straitly charged the contrary. queen elizabeth the king! why, who's that? brakenbury i cry you mercy: i mean the lord protector. queen elizabeth the lord protect him from that kingly title! hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me? i am their mother; who should keep me from them? duchess of york i am their fathers mother; i will see them. lady anne their aunt i am in law, in love their mother: then bring me to their sights; i'll bear thy blame and take thy office from thee, on my peril. brakenbury no, madam, no; i may not leave it so: i am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. [exit] [enter lord stanley] lord stanley let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, and i'll salute your grace of york as mother, and reverend looker on, of two fair queens. [to lady anne] come, madam, you must straight to westminster, there to be crowned richard's royal queen. queen elizabeth o, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent heart may have some scope to beat, or else i swoon with this dead-killing news! lady anne despiteful tidings! o unpleasing news! dorset be of good cheer: mother, how fares your grace? queen elizabeth o dorset, speak not to me, get thee hence! death and destruction dog thee at the heels; thy mother's name is ominous to children. if thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas, and live with richmond, from the reach of hell go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house, lest thou increase the number of the dead; and make me die the thrall of margaret's curse, nor mother, wife, nor england's counted queen. lord stanley full of wise care is this your counsel, madam. take all the swift advantage of the hours; you shall have letters from me to my son to meet you on the way, and welcome you. be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay. duchess of york o ill-dispersing wind of misery! o my accursed womb, the bed of death! a cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world, whose unavoided eye is murderous. lord stanley come, madam, come; i in all haste was sent. lady anne and i in all unwillingness will go. i would to god that the inclusive verge of golden metal that must round my brow were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain! anointed let me be with deadly venom, and die, ere men can say, god save the queen! queen elizabeth go, go, poor soul, i envy not thy glory to feed my humour, wish thyself no harm. lady anne no! why? when he that is my husband now came to me, as i follow'd henry's corse, when scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands which issued from my other angel husband and that dead saint which then i weeping follow'd; o, when, i say, i look'd on richard's face, this was my wish: 'be thou,' quoth i, ' accursed, for making me, so young, so old a widow! and, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; and be thy wife--if any be so mad- as miserable by the life of thee as thou hast made me by my dear lord's death! lo, ere i can repeat this curse again, even in so short a space, my woman's heart grossly grew captive to his honey words and proved the subject of my own soul's curse, which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest; for never yet one hour in his bed have i enjoy'd the golden dew of sleep, but have been waked by his timorous dreams. besides, he hates me for my father warwick; and will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me. queen elizabeth poor heart, adieu! i pity thy complaining. lady anne no more than from my soul i mourn for yours. queen elizabeth farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! lady anne adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it! duchess of york [to dorset] go thou to richmond, and good fortune guide thee! [to lady anne] go thou to richard, and good angels guard thee! [to queen elizabeth] go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee! i to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me! eighty odd years of sorrow have i seen, and each hour's joy wrecked with a week of teen. queen elizabeth stay, yet look back with me unto the tower. pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes whom envy hath immured within your walls! rough cradle for such little pretty ones! rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow for tender princes, use my babies well! so foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell. [exeunt] king richard iii act iv scene ii london. the palace. [sennet. enter king richard iii, in pomp, crowned; buckingham, catesby, a page, and others] king richard iii stand all apart cousin of buckingham! buckingham my gracious sovereign? king richard iii give me thy hand. [here he ascendeth his throne] thus high, by thy advice and thy assistance, is king richard seated; but shall we wear these honours for a day? or shall they last, and we rejoice in them? buckingham still live they and for ever may they last! king richard iii o buckingham, now do i play the touch, to try if thou be current gold indeed young edward lives: think now what i would say. buckingham say on, my loving lord. king richard iii why, buckingham, i say, i would be king, buckingham why, so you are, my thrice renowned liege. king richard iii ha! am i king? 'tis so: but edward lives. buckingham true, noble prince. king richard iii o bitter consequence, that edward still should live! 'true, noble prince!' cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull: shall i be plain? i wish the bastards dead; and i would have it suddenly perform'd. what sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief. buckingham your grace may do your pleasure. king richard iii tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth: say, have i thy consent that they shall die? buckingham give me some breath, some little pause, my lord before i positively herein: i will resolve your grace immediately. [exit] catesby [aside to a stander by] the king is angry: see, he bites the lip. king richard iii i will converse with iron-witted fools and unrespective boys: none are for me that look into me with considerate eyes: high-reaching buckingham grows circumspect. boy! page my lord? king richard iii know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold would tempt unto a close exploit of death? page my lord, i know a discontented gentleman, whose humble means match not his haughty mind: gold were as good as twenty orators, and will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing. king richard iii what is his name? page his name, my lord, is tyrrel. king richard iii i partly know the man: go, call him hither. [exit page] the deep-revolving witty buckingham no more shall be the neighbour to my counsel: hath he so long held out with me untired, and stops he now for breath? [enter stanley] how now! what news with you? stanley my lord, i hear the marquis dorset's fled to richmond, in those parts beyond the sea where he abides. [stands apart] king richard iii catesby! catesby my lord? king richard iii rumour it abroad that anne, my wife, is sick and like to die: i will take order for her keeping close. inquire me out some mean-born gentleman, whom i will marry straight to clarence' daughter: the boy is foolish, and i fear not him. look, how thou dream'st! i say again, give out that anne my wife is sick and like to die: about it; for it stands me much upon, to stop all hopes whose growth may damage me. [exit catesby] i must be married to my brother's daughter, or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. murder her brothers, and then marry her! uncertain way of gain! but i am in so far in blood that sin will pluck on sin: tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye. [re-enter page, with tyrrel] is thy name tyrrel? tyrrel james tyrrel, and your most obedient subject. king richard iii art thou, indeed? tyrrel prove me, my gracious sovereign. king richard iii darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine? tyrrel ay, my lord; but i had rather kill two enemies. king richard iii why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies, foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers are they that i would have thee deal upon: tyrrel, i mean those bastards in the tower. tyrrel let me have open means to come to them, and soon i'll rid you from the fear of them. king richard iii thou sing'st sweet music. hark, come hither, tyrrel go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear: [whispers] there is no more but so: say it is done, and i will love thee, and prefer thee too. tyrrel 'tis done, my gracious lord. king richard iii shall we hear from thee, tyrrel, ere we sleep? tyrrel ye shall, my lord. [exit] [re-enter buckingham] buckingham my lord, i have consider'd in my mind the late demand that you did sound me in. king richard iii well, let that pass. dorset is fled to richmond. buckingham i hear that news, my lord. king richard iii stanley, he is your wife's son well, look to it. buckingham my lord, i claim your gift, my due by promise, for which your honour and your faith is pawn'd; the earldom of hereford and the moveables the which you promised i should possess. king richard iii stanley, look to your wife; if she convey letters to richmond, you shall answer it. buckingham what says your highness to my just demand? king richard iii as i remember, henry the sixth did prophesy that richmond should be king, when richmond was a little peevish boy. a king, perhaps, perhaps,- buckingham my lord! king richard iii how chance the prophet could not at that time have told me, i being by, that i should kill him? buckingham my lord, your promise for the earldom,- king richard iii richmond! when last i was at exeter, the mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle, and call'd it rougemont: at which name i started, because a bard of ireland told me once i should not live long after i saw richmond. buckingham my lord! king richard iii ay, what's o'clock? buckingham i am thus bold to put your grace in mind of what you promised me. king richard iii well, but what's o'clock? buckingham upon the stroke of ten. king richard iii well, let it strike. buckingham why let it strike? king richard iii because that, like a jack, thou keep'st the stroke betwixt thy begging and my meditation. i am not in the giving vein to-day. buckingham why, then resolve me whether you will or no. king richard iii tut, tut, thou troublest me; am not in the vein. [exeunt all but buckingham] buckingham is it even so? rewards he my true service with such deep contempt made i him king for this? o, let me think on hastings, and be gone to brecknock, while my fearful head is on! [exit] king richard iii act iv scene iii the same. [enter tyrrel] tyrrel the tyrannous and bloody deed is done. the most arch of piteous massacre that ever yet this land was guilty of. dighton and forrest, whom i did suborn to do this ruthless piece of butchery, although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs, melting with tenderness and kind compassion wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories. 'lo, thus' quoth dighton, 'lay those tender babes:' 'thus, thus,' quoth forrest, 'girdling one another within their innocent alabaster arms: their lips were four red roses on a stalk, which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other. a book of prayers on their pillow lay; which once,' quoth forrest, 'almost changed my mind; but o! the devil'--there the villain stopp'd whilst dighton thus told on: 'we smothered the most replenished sweet work of nature, that from the prime creation e'er she framed.' thus both are gone with conscience and remorse; they could not speak; and so i left them both, to bring this tidings to the bloody king. and here he comes. [enter king richard iii] all hail, my sovereign liege! king richard iii kind tyrrel, am i happy in thy news? tyrrel if to have done the thing you gave in charge beget your happiness, be happy then, for it is done, my lord. king richard iii but didst thou see them dead? tyrrel i did, my lord. king richard iii and buried, gentle tyrrel? tyrrel the chaplain of the tower hath buried them; but how or in what place i do not know. king richard iii come to me, tyrrel, soon at after supper, and thou shalt tell the process of their death. meantime, but think how i may do thee good, and be inheritor of thy desire. farewell till soon. [exit tyrrel] the son of clarence have i pent up close; his daughter meanly have i match'd in marriage; the sons of edward sleep in abraham's bosom, and anne my wife hath bid the world good night. now, for i know the breton richmond aims at young elizabeth, my brother's daughter, and, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown, to her i go, a jolly thriving wooer. [enter catesby] catesby my lord! king richard iii good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly? catesby bad news, my lord: ely is fled to richmond; and buckingham, back'd with the hardy welshmen, is in the field, and still his power increaseth. king richard iii ely with richmond troubles me more near than buckingham and his rash-levied army. come, i have heard that fearful commenting is leaden servitor to dull delay; delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary then fiery expedition be my wing, jove's mercury, and herald for a king! come, muster men: my counsel is my shield; we must be brief when traitors brave the field. [exeunt] king richard iii act iv scene iv before the palace. [enter queen margaret] queen margaret so, now prosperity begins to mellow and drop into the rotten mouth of death. here in these confines slily have i lurk'd, to watch the waning of mine adversaries. a dire induction am i witness to, and will to france, hoping the consequence will prove as bitter, black, and tragical. withdraw thee, wretched margaret: who comes here? [enter queen elizabeth and the duchess of york] queen elizabeth ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes! my unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets! if yet your gentle souls fly in the air and be not fix'd in doom perpetual, hover about me with your airy wings and hear your mother's lamentation! queen margaret hover about her; say, that right for right hath dimm'd your infant morn to aged night. duchess of york so many miseries have crazed my voice, that my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb, edward plantagenet, why art thou dead? queen margaret plantagenet doth quit plantagenet. edward for edward pays a dying debt. queen elizabeth wilt thou, o god, fly from such gentle lambs, and throw them in the entrails of the wolf? when didst thou sleep when such a deed was done? queen margaret when holy harry died, and my sweet son. duchess of york blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost, woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due by life usurp'd, brief abstract and record of tedious days, rest thy unrest on england's lawful earth, [sitting down] unlawfully made drunk with innocents' blood! queen elizabeth o, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave as thou canst yield a melancholy seat! then would i hide my bones, not rest them here. o, who hath any cause to mourn but i? [sitting down by her] queen margaret if ancient sorrow be most reverend, give mine the benefit of seniory, and let my woes frown on the upper hand. if sorrow can admit society, [sitting down with them] tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine: i had an edward, till a richard kill'd him; i had a harry, till a richard kill'd him: thou hadst an edward, till a richard kill'd him; thou hadst a richard, till a richard killed him; duchess of york i had a richard too, and thou didst kill him; i had a rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him. queen margaret thou hadst a clarence too, and richard kill'd him. from forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept a hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death: that dog, that had his teeth before his eyes, to worry lambs and lap their gentle blood, that foul defacer of god's handiwork, that excellent grand tyrant of the earth, that reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls, thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves. o upright, just, and true-disposing god, how do i thank thee, that this carnal cur preys on the issue of his mother's body, and makes her pew-fellow with others' moan! duchess of york o harry's wife, triumph not in my woes! god witness with me, i have wept for thine. queen margaret bear with me; i am hungry for revenge, and now i cloy me with beholding it. thy edward he is dead, that stabb'd my edward: thy other edward dead, to quit my edward; young york he is but boot, because both they match not the high perfection of my loss: thy clarence he is dead that kill'd my edward; and the beholders of this tragic play, the adulterate hastings, rivers, vaughan, grey, untimely smother'd in their dusky graves. richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer, only reserved their factor, to buy souls and send them thither: but at hand, at hand, ensues his piteous and unpitied end: earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray. to have him suddenly convey'd away. cancel his bond of life, dear god, i prey, that i may live to say, the dog is dead! queen elizabeth o, thou didst prophesy the time would come that i should wish for thee to help me curse that bottled spider, that foul bunch-back'd toad! queen margaret i call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune; i call'd thee then poor shadow, painted queen; the presentation of but what i was; the flattering index of a direful pageant; one heaved a-high, to be hurl'd down below; a mother only mock'd with two sweet babes; a dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble, a sign of dignity, a garish flag, to be the aim of every dangerous shot, a queen in jest, only to fill the scene. where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers? where are thy children? wherein dost thou, joy? who sues to thee and cries 'god save the queen'? where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee? where be the thronging troops that follow'd thee? decline all this, and see what now thou art: for happy wife, a most distressed widow; for joyful mother, one that wails the name; for queen, a very caitiff crown'd with care; for one being sued to, one that humbly sues; for one that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me; for one being fear'd of all, now fearing one; for one commanding all, obey'd of none. thus hath the course of justice wheel'd about, and left thee but a very prey to time; having no more but thought of what thou wert, to torture thee the more, being what thou art. thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? now thy proud neck bears half my burthen'd yoke; from which even here i slip my weary neck, and leave the burthen of it all on thee. farewell, york's wife, and queen of sad mischance: these english woes will make me smile in france. queen elizabeth o thou well skill'd in curses, stay awhile, and teach me how to curse mine enemies! queen margaret forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days; compare dead happiness with living woe; think that thy babes were fairer than they were, and he that slew them fouler than he is: bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse: revolving this will teach thee how to curse. queen elizabeth my words are dull; o, quicken them with thine! queen margaret thy woes will make them sharp, and pierce like mine. [exit] duchess of york why should calamity be full of words? queen elizabeth windy attorneys to their client woes, airy succeeders of intestate joys, poor breathing orators of miseries! let them have scope: though what they do impart help not all, yet do they ease the heart. duchess of york if so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me. and in the breath of bitter words let's smother my damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother'd. i hear his drum: be copious in exclaims. [enter king richard iii, marching, with drums and trumpets] king richard iii who intercepts my expedition? duchess of york o, she that might have intercepted thee, by strangling thee in her accursed womb from all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done! queen elizabeth hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown, where should be graven, if that right were right, the slaughter of the prince that owed that crown, and the dire death of my two sons and brothers? tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children? duchess of york thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother clarence? and little ned plantagenet, his son? queen elizabeth where is kind hastings, rivers, vaughan, grey? king richard iii a flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums! let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women rail on the lord's enointed: strike, i say! [flourish. alarums] either be patient, and entreat me fair, or with the clamorous report of war thus will i drown your exclamations. duchess of york art thou my son? king richard iii ay, i thank god, my father, and yourself. duchess of york then patiently hear my impatience. king richard iii madam, i have a touch of your condition, which cannot brook the accent of reproof. duchess of york o, let me speak! king richard iii do then: but i'll not hear. duchess of york i will be mild and gentle in my speech. king richard iii and brief, good mother; for i am in haste. duchess of york art thou so hasty? i have stay'd for thee, god knows, in anguish, pain and agony. king richard iii and came i not at last to comfort you? duchess of york no, by the holy rood, thou know'st it well, thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell. a grievous burthen was thy birth to me; tetchy and wayward was thy infancy; thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious, thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous, thy age confirm'd, proud, subdued, bloody, treacherous, more mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred: what comfortable hour canst thou name, that ever graced me in thy company? king richard iii faith, none, but humphrey hour, that call'd your grace to breakfast once forth of my company. if i be so disgracious in your sight, let me march on, and not offend your grace. strike the drum. duchess of york i prithee, hear me speak. king richard iii you speak too bitterly. duchess of york hear me a word; for i shall never speak to thee again. king richard iii so. duchess of york either thou wilt die, by god's just ordinance, ere from this war thou turn a conqueror, or i with grief and extreme age shall perish and never look upon thy face again. therefore take with thee my most heavy curse; which, in the day of battle, tire thee more than all the complete armour that thou wear'st! my prayers on the adverse party fight; and there the little souls of edward's children whisper the spirits of thine enemies and promise them success and victory. bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end; shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend. [exit] queen elizabeth though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse abides in me; i say amen to all. king richard iii stay, madam; i must speak a word with you. queen elizabeth i have no more sons of the royal blood for thee to murder: for my daughters, richard, they shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens; and therefore level not to hit their lives. king richard iii you have a daughter call'd elizabeth, virtuous and fair, royal and gracious. queen elizabeth and must she die for this? o, let her live, and i'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty; slander myself as false to edward's bed; throw over her the veil of infamy: so she may live unscarr'd of bleeding slaughter, i will confess she was not edward's daughter. king richard iii wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood. queen elizabeth to save her life, i'll say she is not so. king richard iii her life is only safest in her birth. queen elizabeth and only in that safety died her brothers. king richard iii lo, at their births good stars were opposite. queen elizabeth no, to their lives bad friends were contrary. king richard iii all unavoided is the doom of destiny. queen elizabeth true, when avoided grace makes destiny: my babes were destined to a fairer death, if grace had bless'd thee with a fairer life. king richard iii you speak as if that i had slain my cousins. queen elizabeth cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen'd of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life. whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts, thy head, all indirectly, gave direction: no doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart, to revel in the entrails of my lambs. but that still use of grief makes wild grief tame, my tongue should to thy ears not name my boys till that my nails were anchor'd in thine eyes; and i, in such a desperate bay of death, like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft, rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom. king richard iii madam, so thrive i in my enterprise and dangerous success of bloody wars, as i intend more good to you and yours, than ever you or yours were by me wrong'd! queen elizabeth what good is cover'd with the face of heaven, to be discover'd, that can do me good? king richard iii the advancement of your children, gentle lady. queen elizabeth up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads? king richard iii no, to the dignity and height of honour the high imperial type of this earth's glory. queen elizabeth flatter my sorrows with report of it; tell me what state, what dignity, what honour, canst thou demise to any child of mine? king richard iii even all i have; yea, and myself and all, will i withal endow a child of thine; so in the lethe of thy angry soul thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs which thou supposest i have done to thee. queen elizabeth be brief, lest that be process of thy kindness last longer telling than thy kindness' date. king richard iii then know, that from my soul i love thy daughter. queen elizabeth my daughter's mother thinks it with her soul. king richard iii what do you think? queen elizabeth that thou dost love my daughter from thy soul: so from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers; and from my heart's love i do thank thee for it. king richard iii be not so hasty to confound my meaning: i mean, that with my soul i love thy daughter, and mean to make her queen of england. queen elizabeth say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king? king richard iii even he that makes her queen who should be else? queen elizabeth what, thou? king richard iii i, even i: what think you of it, madam? queen elizabeth how canst thou woo her? king richard iii that would i learn of you, as one that are best acquainted with her humour. queen elizabeth and wilt thou learn of me? king richard iii madam, with all my heart. queen elizabeth send to her, by the man that slew her brothers, a pair of bleeding-hearts; thereon engrave edward and york; then haply she will weep: therefore present to her--as sometime margaret did to thy father, steep'd in rutland's blood,- a handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain the purple sap from her sweet brother's body and bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith. if this inducement force her not to love, send her a story of thy noble acts; tell her thou madest away her uncle clarence, her uncle rivers; yea, and, for her sake, madest quick conveyance with her good aunt anne. king richard iii come, come, you mock me; this is not the way to win our daughter. queen elizabeth there is no other way unless thou couldst put on some other shape, and not be richard that hath done all this. king richard iii say that i did all this for love of her. queen elizabeth nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee, having bought love with such a bloody spoil. king richard iii look, what is done cannot be now amended: men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes, which after hours give leisure to repent. if i did take the kingdom from your sons, to make amends, ill give it to your daughter. if i have kill'd the issue of your womb, to quicken your increase, i will beget mine issue of your blood upon your daughter a grandam's name is little less in love than is the doting title of a mother; they are as children but one step below, even of your mettle, of your very blood; of an one pain, save for a night of groans endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow. your children were vexation to your youth, but mine shall be a comfort to your age. the loss you have is but a son being king, and by that loss your daughter is made queen. i cannot make you what amends i would, therefore accept such kindness as i can. dorset your son, that with a fearful soul leads discontented steps in foreign soil, this fair alliance quickly shall call home to high promotions and great dignity: the king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife. familiarly shall call thy dorset brother; again shall you be mother to a king, and all the ruins of distressful times repair'd with double riches of content. what! we have many goodly days to see: the liquid drops of tears that you have shed shall come again, transform'd to orient pearl, advantaging their loan with interest of ten times double gain of happiness. go, then my mother, to thy daughter go make bold her bashful years with your experience; prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale put in her tender heart the aspiring flame of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess with the sweet silent hours of marriage joys and when this arm of mine hath chastised the petty rebel, dull-brain'd buckingham, bound with triumphant garlands will i come and lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed; to whom i will retail my conquest won, and she shall be sole victress, caesar's caesar. queen elizabeth what were i best to say? her father's brother would be her lord? or shall i say, her uncle? or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles? under what title shall i woo for thee, that god, the law, my honour and her love, can make seem pleasing to her tender years? king richard iii infer fair england's peace by this alliance. queen elizabeth which she shall purchase with still lasting war. king richard iii say that the king, which may command, entreats. queen elizabeth that at her hands which the king's king forbids. king richard iii say, she shall be a high and mighty queen. queen elizabeth to wail the tide, as her mother doth. king richard iii say, i will love her everlastingly. queen elizabeth but how long shall that title 'ever' last? king richard iii sweetly in force unto her fair life's end. queen elizabeth but how long fairly shall her sweet lie last? king richard iii so long as heaven and nature lengthens it. queen elizabeth so long as hell and richard likes of it. king richard iii say, i, her sovereign, am her subject love. queen elizabeth but she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty. king richard iii be eloquent in my behalf to her. queen elizabeth an honest tale speeds best being plainly told. king richard iii then in plain terms tell her my loving tale. queen elizabeth plain and not honest is too harsh a style. king richard iii your reasons are too shallow and too quick. queen elizabeth o no, my reasons are too deep and dead; too deep and dead, poor infants, in their grave. king richard iii harp not on that string, madam; that is past. queen elizabeth harp on it still shall i till heart-strings break. king richard iii now, by my george, my garter, and my crown,- queen elizabeth profaned, dishonour'd, and the third usurp'd. king richard iii i swear- queen elizabeth by nothing; for this is no oath: the george, profaned, hath lost his holy honour; the garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly virtue; the crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory. if something thou wilt swear to be believed, swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd. king richard iii now, by the world- queen elizabeth 'tis full of thy foul wrongs. king richard iii my father's death- queen elizabeth thy life hath that dishonour'd. king richard iii then, by myself- queen elizabeth thyself thyself misusest. king richard iii why then, by god- queen elizabeth god's wrong is most of all. if thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him, the unity the king thy brother made had not been broken, nor my brother slain: if thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him, the imperial metal, circling now thy brow, had graced the tender temples of my child, and both the princes had been breathing here, which now, two tender playfellows to dust, thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms. what canst thou swear by now? king richard iii the time to come. queen elizabeth that thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast; for i myself have many tears to wash hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee. the children live, whose parents thou hast slaughter'd, ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age; the parents live, whose children thou hast butcher'd, old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age. swear not by time to come; for that thou hast misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast. king richard iii as i intend to prosper and repent, so thrive i in my dangerous attempt of hostile arms! myself myself confound! heaven and fortune bar me happy hours! day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest! be opposite all planets of good luck to my proceedings, if, with pure heart's love, immaculate devotion, holy thoughts, i tender not thy beauteous princely daughter! in her consists my happiness and thine; without her, follows to this land and me, to thee, herself, and many a christian soul, death, desolation, ruin and decay: it cannot be avoided but by this; it will not be avoided but by this. therefore, good mother,--i must can you so- be the attorney of my love to her: plead what i will be, not what i have been; not my deserts, but what i will deserve: urge the necessity and state of times, and be not peevish-fond in great designs. queen elizabeth shall i be tempted of the devil thus? king richard iii ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good. queen elizabeth shall i forget myself to be myself? king richard iii ay, if yourself's remembrance wrong yourself. queen elizabeth but thou didst kill my children. king richard iii but in your daughter's womb i bury them: where in that nest of spicery they shall breed selves of themselves, to your recomforture. queen elizabeth shall i go win my daughter to thy will? king richard iii and be a happy mother by the deed. queen elizabeth i go. write to me very shortly. and you shall understand from me her mind. king richard iii bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell. [exit queen elizabeth] relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman! [enter ratcliff; catesby following] how now! what news? ratcliff my gracious sovereign, on the western coast rideth a puissant navy; to the shore throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back: 'tis thought that richmond is their admiral; and there they hull, expecting but the aid of buckingham to welcome them ashore. king richard iii some light-foot friend post to the duke of norfolk: ratcliff, thyself, or catesby; where is he? catesby here, my lord. king richard iii fly to the duke: [to ratcliff] post thou to salisbury when thou comest thither- [to catesby] dull, unmindful villain, why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke? catesby first, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind, what from your grace i shall deliver to him. king richard iii o, true, good catesby: bid him levy straight the greatest strength and power he can make, and meet me presently at salisbury. catesby i go. [exit] ratcliff what is't your highness' pleasure i shall do at salisbury? king richard iii why, what wouldst thou do there before i go? ratcliff your highness told me i should post before. king richard iii my mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed. [enter stanley] how now, what news with you? stanley none good, my lord, to please you with the hearing; nor none so bad, but it may well be told. king richard iii hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad! why dost thou run so many mile about, when thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way? once more, what news? stanley richmond is on the seas. king richard iii there let him sink, and be the seas on him! white-liver'd runagate, what doth he there? stanley i know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess. king richard iii well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? stanley stirr'd up by dorset, buckingham, and ely, he makes for england, there to claim the crown. king richard iii is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd? is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd? what heir of york is there alive but we? and who is england's king but great york's heir? then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea? stanley unless for that, my liege, i cannot guess. king richard iii unless for that he comes to be your liege, you cannot guess wherefore the welshman comes. thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, i fear. stanley no, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not. king richard iii where is thy power, then, to beat him back? where are thy tenants and thy followers? are they not now upon the western shore. safe-conducting the rebels from their ships! stanley no, my good lord, my friends are in the north. king richard iii cold friends to richard: what do they in the north, when they should serve their sovereign in the west? stanley they have not been commanded, mighty sovereign: please it your majesty to give me leave, i'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace where and what time your majesty shall please. king richard iii ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with richmond: i will not trust you, sir. stanley most mighty sovereign, you have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful: i never was nor never will be false. king richard iii well, go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind your son, george stanley: look your faith be firm. or else his head's assurance is but frail. stanley so deal with him as i prove true to you. [exit] [enter a messenger] messenger my gracious sovereign, now in devonshire, as i by friends am well advertised, sir edward courtney, and the haughty prelate bishop of exeter, his brother there, with many more confederates, are in arms. [enter another messenger] second messenger my liege, in kent the guildfords are in arms; and every hour more competitors flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth. [enter another messenger] third messenger my lord, the army of the duke of buckingham- king richard iii out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death? [he striketh him] take that, until thou bring me better news. third messenger the news i have to tell your majesty is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters, buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd; and he himself wander'd away alone, no man knows whither. king richard iii i cry thee mercy: there is my purse to cure that blow of thine. hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd reward to him that brings the traitor in? third messenger such proclamation hath been made, my liege. [enter another messenger] fourth messenger sir thomas lovel and lord marquis dorset, 'tis said, my liege, in yorkshire are in arms. yet this good comfort bring i to your grace, the breton navy is dispersed by tempest: richmond, in yorkshire, sent out a boat unto the shore, to ask those on the banks if they were his assistants, yea or no; who answer'd him, they came from buckingham. upon his party: he, mistrusting them, hoisted sail and made away for brittany. king richard iii march on, march on, since we are up in arms; if not to fight with foreign enemies, yet to beat down these rebels here at home. [re-enter catesby] catesby my liege, the duke of buckingham is taken; that is the best news: that the earl of richmond is with a mighty power landed at milford, is colder tidings, yet they must be told. king richard iii away towards salisbury! while we reason here, a royal battle might be won and lost some one take order buckingham be brought to salisbury; the rest march on with me. [flourish. exeunt] king richard iii act iv scene v lord derby's house. [enter derby and sir christopher urswick] derby sir christopher, tell richmond this from me: that in the sty of this most bloody boar my son george stanley is frank'd up in hold: if i revolt, off goes young george's head; the fear of that withholds my present aid. but, tell me, where is princely richmond now? christopher at pembroke, or at harford-west, in wales. derby what men of name resort to him? christopher sir walter herbert, a renowned soldier; sir gilbert talbot, sir william stanley; oxford, redoubted pembroke, sir james blunt, and rice ap thomas with a valiant crew; and many more of noble fame and worth: and towards london they do bend their course, if by the way they be not fought withal. derby return unto thy lord; commend me to him: tell him the queen hath heartily consented he shall espouse elizabeth her daughter. these letters will resolve him of my mind. farewell. [exeunt] king richard iii act v scene i salisbury. an open place. [enter the sheriff, and buckingham, with halberds, led to execution] buckingham will not king richard let me speak with him? sheriff no, my good lord; therefore be patient. buckingham hastings, and edward's children, rivers, grey, holy king henry, and thy fair son edward, vaughan, and all that have miscarried by underhand corrupted foul injustice, if that your moody discontented souls do through the clouds behold this present hour, even for revenge mock my destruction! this is all-souls' day, fellows, is it not? sheriff it is, my lord. buckingham why, then all-souls' day is my body's doomsday. this is the day that, in king edward's time, i wish't might fall on me, when i was found false to his children or his wife's allies this is the day wherein i wish'd to fall by the false faith of him i trusted most; this, this all-souls' day to my fearful soul is the determined respite of my wrongs: that high all-seer that i dallied with hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head and given in earnest what i begg'd in jest. thus doth he force the swords of wicked men to turn their own points on their masters' bosoms: now margaret's curse is fallen upon my head; 'when he,' quoth she, 'shall split thy heart with sorrow, remember margaret was a prophetess.' come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame; wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. [exeunt] king richard iii act v scene ii the camp near tamworth. [enter richmond, oxford, blunt, herbert, and others, with drum and colours] richmond fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, thus far into the bowels of the land have we march'd on without impediment; and here receive we from our father stanley lines of fair comfort and encouragement. the wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, that spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines, swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough in your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine lies now even in the centre of this isle, near to the town of leicester, as we learn from tamworth thither is but one day's march. in god's name, cheerly on, courageous friends, to reap the harvest of perpetual peace by this one bloody trial of sharp war. oxford every man's conscience is a thousand swords, to fight against that bloody homicide. herbert i doubt not but his friends will fly to us. blunt he hath no friends but who are friends for fear. which in his greatest need will shrink from him. richmond all for our vantage. then, in god's name, march: true hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings: kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. [exeunt] king richard iii act v scene iii bosworth field. [enter king richard iii in arms, with norfolk, surrey, and others] king richard iii here pitch our tents, even here in bosworth field. my lord of surrey, why look you so sad? surrey my heart is ten times lighter than my looks. king richard iii my lord of norfolk,- norfolk here, most gracious liege. king richard iii norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? norfolk we must both give and take, my gracious lord. king richard iii up with my tent there! here will i lie tonight; but where to-morrow? well, all's one for that. who hath descried the number of the foe? norfolk six or seven thousand is their utmost power. king richard iii why, our battalion trebles that account: besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, which they upon the adverse party want. up with my tent there! valiant gentlemen, let us survey the vantage of the field call for some men of sound direction let's want no discipline, make no delay, for, lords, to-morrow is a busy day. [exeunt] [enter, on the other side of the field, richmond, sir william brandon, oxford, and others. some of the soldiers pitch richmond's tent] richmond the weary sun hath made a golden set, and by the bright track of his fiery car, gives signal, of a goodly day to-morrow. sir william brandon, you shall bear my standard. give me some ink and paper in my tent i'll draw the form and model of our battle, limit each leader to his several charge, and part in just proportion our small strength. my lord of oxford, you, sir william brandon, and you, sir walter herbert, stay with me. the earl of pembroke keeps his regiment: good captain blunt, bear my good night to him and by the second hour in the morning desire the earl to see me in my tent: yet one thing more, good blunt, before thou go'st, where is lord stanley quarter'd, dost thou know? blunt unless i have mista'en his colours much, which well i am assured i have not done, his regiment lies half a mile at least south from the mighty power of the king. richmond if without peril it be possible, good captain blunt, bear my good-night to him, and give him from me this most needful scroll. blunt upon my life, my lord, i'll under-take it; and so, god give you quiet rest to-night! richmond good night, good captain blunt. come gentlemen, let us consult upon to-morrow's business in to our tent; the air is raw and cold. [they withdraw into the tent] [enter, to his tent, king richard iii, norfolk, ratcliff, catesby, and others] king richard iii what is't o'clock? catesby it's supper-time, my lord; it's nine o'clock. king richard iii i will not sup to-night. give me some ink and paper. what, is my beaver easier than it was? and all my armour laid into my tent? catesby if is, my liege; and all things are in readiness. king richard iii good norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. norfolk i go, my lord. king richard iii stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle norfolk. norfolk i warrant you, my lord. [exit] king richard iii catesby! catesby my lord? king richard iii send out a pursuivant at arms to stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power before sunrising, lest his son george fall into the blind cave of eternal night. [exit catesby] fill me a bowl of wine. give me a watch. saddle white surrey for the field to-morrow. look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy. ratcliff! ratcliff my lord? king richard iii saw'st thou the melancholy lord northumberland? ratcliff thomas the earl of surrey, and himself, much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. king richard iii so, i am satisfied. give me a bowl of wine: i have not that alacrity of spirit, nor cheer of mind, that i was wont to have. set it down. is ink and paper ready? ratcliff it is, my lord. king richard iii bid my guard watch; leave me. ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent and help to arm me. leave me, i say. [exeunt ratcliff and the other attendants] [enter derby to richmond in his tent, lords and others attending] derby fortune and victory sit on thy helm! richmond all comfort that the dark night can afford be to thy person, noble father-in-law! tell me, how fares our loving mother? derby i, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother who prays continually for richmond's good: so much for that. the silent hours steal on, and flaky darkness breaks within the east. in brief,--for so the season bids us be,- prepare thy battle early in the morning, and put thy fortune to the arbitrement of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war. i, as i may--that which i would i cannot,- with best advantage will deceive the time, and aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms: but on thy side i may not be too forward lest, being seen, thy brother, tender george, be executed in his father's sight. farewell: the leisure and the fearful time cuts off the ceremonious vows of love and ample interchange of sweet discourse, which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon: god give us leisure for these rites of love! once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well! richmond good lords, conduct him to his regiment: i'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap, lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow, when i should mount with wings of victory: once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen. [exeunt all but richmond] o thou, whose captain i account myself, look on my forces with a gracious eye; put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath, that they may crush down with a heavy fall the usurping helmets of our adversaries! make us thy ministers of chastisement, that we may praise thee in the victory! to thee i do commend my watchful soul, ere i let fall the windows of mine eyes: sleeping and waking, o, defend me still! [sleeps] [enter the ghost of prince edward, son to king henry vi] ghost of prince edward [to king richard iii] let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth at tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die! [to richmond] be cheerful, richmond; for the wronged souls of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf king henry's issue, richmond, comforts thee. [enter the ghost of king henry vi] ghost of king henry vi [to king richard iii] when i was mortal, my anointed body by thee was punched full of deadly holes think on the tower and me: despair, and die! harry the sixth bids thee despair, and die! [to richmond] virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror! harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king, doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish! [enter the ghost of clarence] ghost of clarence [to king richard iii] let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! i, that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine, poor clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death! to-morrow in the battle think on me, and fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!- [to richmond] thou offspring of the house of lancaster the wronged heirs of york do pray for thee good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish! [enter the ghosts of rivers, gray, and vaughan] ghost of rivers [to king richard iii] let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, rivers. that died at pomfret! despair, and die! ghost of grey [to king richard iii] think upon grey, and let thy soul despair! ghost of vaughan [to king richard iii] think upon vaughan, and, with guilty fear, let fall thy lance: despair, and die! all [to richmond] awake, and think our wrongs in richard's bosom will conquer him! awake, and win the day! [enter the ghost of hastings] ghost of hastings [to king richard iii] bloody and guilty, guiltily awake, and in a bloody battle end thy days! think on lord hastings: despair, and die! [to richmond] quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! arm, fight, and conquer, for fair england's sake! [enter the ghosts of the two young princes] ghosts of young princes [to king richard iii] dream on thy cousins smother'd in the tower: let us be led within thy bosom, richard, and weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death! thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die! [to richmond] sleep, richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy! live, and beget a happy race of kings! edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish. [enter the ghost of lady anne] ghost of lady anne [to king richard iii] richard, thy wife, that wretched anne thy wife, that never slept a quiet hour with thee, now fills thy sleep with perturbations to-morrow in the battle think on me, and fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die! [to richmond] thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep dream of success and happy victory! thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee. [enter the ghost of buckingham] ghost of buckingham [to king richard iii] the last was i that helped thee to the crown; the last was i that felt thy tyranny: o, in the battle think on buckingham, and die in terror of thy guiltiness! dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death: fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath! [to richmond] i died for hope ere i could lend thee aid: but cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd: god and good angel fight on richmond's side; and richard falls in height of all his pride. [the ghosts vanish] [king richard iii starts out of his dream] king richard iii give me another horse: bind up my wounds. have mercy, jesu!--soft! i did but dream. o coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! the lights burn blue. it is now dead midnight. cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. what do i fear? myself? there's none else by: richard loves richard; that is, i am i. is there a murderer here? no. yes, i am: then fly. what, from myself? great reason why: lest i revenge. what, myself upon myself? alack. i love myself. wherefore? for any good that i myself have done unto myself? o, no! alas, i rather hate myself for hateful deeds committed by myself! i am a villain: yet i lie. i am not. fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter. my conscience hath a thousand several tongues, and every tongue brings in a several tale, and every tale condemns me for a villain. perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree murder, stem murder, in the direst degree; all several sins, all used in each degree, throng to the bar, crying all, guilty! guilty! i shall despair. there is no creature loves me; and if i die, no soul shall pity me: nay, wherefore should they, since that i myself find in myself no pity to myself? methought the souls of all that i had murder'd came to my tent; and every one did threat to-morrow's vengeance on the head of richard. [enter ratcliff] ratcliff my lord! king richard iii 'zounds! who is there? ratcliff ratcliff, my lord; 'tis i. the early village-cock hath twice done salutation to the morn; your friends are up, and buckle on their armour. king richard iii o ratcliff, i have dream'd a fearful dream! what thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true? ratcliff no doubt, my lord. king richard iii o ratcliff, i fear, i fear,- ratcliff nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows. king richard iii by the apostle paul, shadows to-night have struck more terror to the soul of richard than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers armed in proof, and led by shallow richmond. it is not yet near day. come, go with me; under our tents i'll play the eaves-dropper, to see if any mean to shrink from me. [exeunt] [enter the lords to richmond, sitting in his tent] lords good morrow, richmond! richmond cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, that you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here. lords how have you slept, my lord? richmond the sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams that ever enter'd in a drowsy head, have i since your departure had, my lords. methought their souls, whose bodies richard murder'd, came to my tent, and cried on victory: i promise you, my soul is very jocund in the remembrance of so fair a dream. how far into the morning is it, lords? lords upon the stroke of four. richmond why, then 'tis time to arm and give direction. [his oration to his soldiers] more than i have said, loving countrymen, the leisure and enforcement of the time forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this, god and our good cause fight upon our side; the prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces; richard except, those whom we fight against had rather have us win than him they follow: for what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen, a bloody tyrant and a homicide; one raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd; one that made means to come by what he hath, and slaughter'd those that were the means to help him; abase foul stone, made precious by the foil of england's chair, where he is falsely set; one that hath ever been god's enemy: then, if you fight against god's enemy, god will in justice ward you as his soldiers; if you do sweat to put a tyrant down, you sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain; if you do fight against your country's foes, your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire; if you do fight in safeguard of your wives, your wives shall welcome home the conquerors; if you do free your children from the sword, your children's children quit it in your age. then, in the name of god and all these rights, advance your standards, draw your willing swords. for me, the ransom of my bold attempt shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face; but if i thrive, the gain of my attempt the least of you shall share his part thereof. sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully; god and saint george! richmond and victory! [exeunt] [re-enter king richard, ratcliff, attendants and forces] king richard iii what said northumberland as touching richmond? ratcliff that he was never trained up in arms. king richard iii he said the truth: and what said surrey then? ratcliff he smiled and said 'the better for our purpose.' king richard iii he was in the right; and so indeed it is. [clock striketh] ten the clock there. give me a calendar. who saw the sun to-day? ratcliff not i, my lord. king richard iii then he disdains to shine; for by the book he should have braved the east an hour ago a black day will it be to somebody. ratcliff! ratcliff my lord? king richard iii the sun will not be seen to-day; the sky doth frown and lour upon our army. i would these dewy tears were from the ground. not shine to-day! why, what is that to me more than to richmond? for the selfsame heaven that frowns on me looks sadly upon him. [enter norfolk] norfolk arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field. king richard iii come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse. call up lord stanley, bid him bring his power: i will lead forth my soldiers to the plain, and thus my battle shall be ordered: my foreward shall be drawn out all in length, consisting equally of horse and foot; our archers shall be placed in the midst john duke of norfolk, thomas earl of surrey, shall have the leading of this foot and horse. they thus directed, we will follow in the main battle, whose puissance on either side shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. this, and saint george to boot! what think'st thou, norfolk? norfolk a good direction, warlike sovereign. this found i on my tent this morning. [he sheweth him a paper] king richard iii [reads] 'jockey of norfolk, be not too bold, for dickon thy master is bought and sold.' a thing devised by the enemy. go, gentleman, every man unto his charge let not our babbling dreams affright our souls: conscience is but a word that cowards use, devised at first to keep the strong in awe: our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. march on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell if not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell. [his oration to his army] what shall i say more than i have inferr'd? remember whom you are to cope withal; a sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, a scum of bretons, and base lackey peasants, whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth to desperate ventures and assured destruction. you sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest; you having lands, and blest with beauteous wives, they would restrain the one, distain the other. and who doth lead them but a paltry fellow, long kept in bretagne at our mother's cost? a milk-sop, one that never in his life felt so much cold as over shoes in snow? let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again; lash hence these overweening rags of france, these famish'd beggars, weary of their lives; who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, for want of means, poor rats, had hang'd themselves: if we be conquer'd, let men conquer us, and not these bastard bretons; whom our fathers have in their own land beaten, bobb'd, and thump'd, and in record, left them the heirs of shame. shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives? ravish our daughters? [drum afar off] hark! i hear their drum. fight, gentlemen of england! fight, bold yoemen! draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; amaze the welkin with your broken staves! [enter a messenger] what says lord stanley? will he bring his power? messenger my lord, he doth deny to come. king richard iii off with his son george's head! norfolk my lord, the enemy is past the marsh after the battle let george stanley die. king richard iii a thousand hearts are great within my bosom: advance our standards, set upon our foes our ancient word of courage, fair saint george, inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons! upon them! victory sits on our helms. [exeunt] king richard iii act v scene iv another part of the field. [alarum: excursions. enter norfolk and forces fighting; to him catesby] catesby rescue, my lord of norfolk, rescue, rescue! the king enacts more wonders than a man, daring an opposite to every danger: his horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, seeking for richmond in the throat of death. rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost! [alarums. enter king richard iii] king richard iii a horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! catesby withdraw, my lord; i'll help you to a horse. king richard iii slave, i have set my life upon a cast, and i will stand the hazard of the die: i think there be six richmonds in the field; five have i slain to-day instead of him. a horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! [exeunt] king richard iii act v scene v another part of the field. [alarum. enter king richard iii and richmond; they fight. king richard iii is slain. retreat and flourish. re-enter richmond, derby bearing the crown, with divers other lords] richmond god and your arms be praised, victorious friends, the day is ours, the bloody dog is dead. derby courageous richmond, well hast thou acquit thee. lo, here, this long-usurped royalty from the dead temples of this bloody wretch have i pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal: wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. richmond great god of heaven, say amen to all! but, tell me, is young george stanley living? derby he is, my lord, and safe in leicester town; whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us. richmond what men of name are slain on either side? derby john duke of norfolk, walter lord ferrers, sir robert brakenbury, and sir william brandon. richmond inter their bodies as becomes their births: proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled that in submission will return to us: and then, as we have ta'en the sacrament, we will unite the white rose and the red: smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, that long have frown'd upon their enmity! what traitor hears me, and says not amen? england hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself; the brother blindly shed the brother's blood, the father rashly slaughter'd his own son, the son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire: all this divided york and lancaster, divided in their dire division, o, now, let richmond and elizabeth, the true succeeders of each royal house, by god's fair ordinance conjoin together! and let their heirs, god, if thy will be so. enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace, with smiling plenty and fair prosperous days! abate the edge of traitors, gracious lord, that would reduce these bloody days again, and make poor england weep in streams of blood! let them not live to taste this land's increase that would with treason wound this fair land's peace! now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again: that she may long live here, god say amen! [exeunt] hamlet dramatis personae claudius king of denmark. (king claudius:) hamlet son to the late, and nephew to the present king. polonius lord chamberlain. (lord polonius:) horatio friend to hamlet. laertes son to polonius. lucianus nephew to the king. voltimand | | cornelius | | rosencrantz | courtiers. | guildenstern | | osric | a gentleman, (gentlemen:) a priest. (first priest:) marcellus | | officers. bernardo | francisco a soldier. reynaldo servant to polonius. players. (first player:) (player king:) (player queen:) two clowns, grave-diggers. (first clown:) (second clown:) fortinbras prince of norway. (prince fortinbras:) a captain. english ambassadors. (first ambassador:) gertrude queen of denmark, and mother to hamlet. (queen gertrude:) ophelia daughter to polonius. lords, ladies, officers, soldiers, sailors, messengers, and other attendants. (lord:) (first sailor:) (messenger:) ghost of hamlet's father. (ghost:) scene denmark. hamlet act i scene i elsinore. a platform before the castle. [francisco at his post. enter to him bernardo] bernardo who's there? francisco nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. bernardo long live the king! francisco bernardo? bernardo he. francisco you come most carefully upon your hour. bernardo 'tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, francisco. francisco for this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, and i am sick at heart. bernardo have you had quiet guard? francisco not a mouse stirring. bernardo well, good night. if you do meet horatio and marcellus, the rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. francisco i think i hear them. stand, ho! who's there? [enter horatio and marcellus] horatio friends to this ground. marcellus and liegemen to the dane. francisco give you good night. marcellus o, farewell, honest soldier: who hath relieved you? francisco bernardo has my place. give you good night. [exit] marcellus holla! bernardo! bernardo say, what, is horatio there? horatio a piece of him. bernardo welcome, horatio: welcome, good marcellus. marcellus what, has this thing appear'd again to-night? bernardo i have seen nothing. marcellus horatio says 'tis but our fantasy, and will not let belief take hold of him touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us: therefore i have entreated him along with us to watch the minutes of this night; that if again this apparition come, he may approve our eyes and speak to it. horatio tush, tush, 'twill not appear. bernardo sit down awhile; and let us once again assail your ears, that are so fortified against our story what we have two nights seen. horatio well, sit we down, and let us hear bernardo speak of this. bernardo last night of all, when yond same star that's westward from the pole had made his course to illume that part of heaven where now it burns, marcellus and myself, the bell then beating one,- [enter ghost] marcellus peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again! bernardo in the same figure, like the king that's dead. marcellus thou art a scholar; speak to it, horatio. bernardo looks it not like the king? mark it, horatio. horatio most like: it harrows me with fear and wonder. bernardo it would be spoke to. marcellus question it, horatio. horatio what art thou that usurp'st this time of night, together with that fair and warlike form in which the majesty of buried denmark did sometimes march? by heaven i charge thee, speak! marcellus it is offended. bernardo see, it stalks away! horatio stay! speak, speak! i charge thee, speak! [exit ghost] marcellus 'tis gone, and will not answer. bernardo how now, horatio! you tremble and look pale: is not this something more than fantasy? what think you on't? horatio before my god, i might not this believe without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes. marcellus is it not like the king? horatio as thou art to thyself: such was the very armour he had on when he the ambitious norway combated; so frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle, he smote the sledded polacks on the ice. 'tis strange. marcellus thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour, with martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. horatio in what particular thought to work i know not; but in the gross and scope of my opinion, this bodes some strange eruption to our state. marcellus good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows, why this same strict and most observant watch so nightly toils the subject of the land, and why such daily cast of brazen cannon, and foreign mart for implements of war; why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task does not divide the sunday from the week; what might be toward, that this sweaty haste doth make the night joint-labourer with the day: who is't that can inform me? horatio that can i; at least, the whisper goes so. our last king, whose image even but now appear'd to us, was, as you know, by fortinbras of norway, thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride, dared to the combat; in which our valiant hamlet- for so this side of our known world esteem'd him- did slay this fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact, well ratified by law and heraldry, did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands which he stood seized of, to the conqueror: against the which, a moiety competent was gaged by our king; which had return'd to the inheritance of fortinbras, had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant, and carriage of the article design'd, his fell to hamlet. now, sir, young fortinbras, of unimproved mettle hot and full, hath in the skirts of norway here and there shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes, for food and diet, to some enterprise that hath a stomach in't; which is no other- as it doth well appear unto our state- but to recover of us, by strong hand and terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands so by his father lost: and this, i take it, is the main motive of our preparations, the source of this our watch and the chief head of this post-haste and romage in the land. bernardo i think it be no other but e'en so: well may it sort that this portentous figure comes armed through our watch; so like the king that was and is the question of these wars. horatio a mote it is to trouble the mind's eye. in the most high and palmy state of rome, a little ere the mightiest julius fell, the graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead did squeak and gibber in the roman streets: as stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, disasters in the sun; and the moist star upon whose influence neptune's empire stands was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse: and even the like precurse of fierce events, as harbingers preceding still the fates and prologue to the omen coming on, have heaven and earth together demonstrated unto our climatures and countrymen.- but soft, behold! lo, where it comes again! [re-enter ghost] i'll cross it, though it blast me. stay, illusion! if thou hast any sound, or use of voice, speak to me: if there be any good thing to be done, that may to thee do ease and grace to me, speak to me: [cock crows] if thou art privy to thy country's fate, which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, o, speak! or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life extorted treasure in the womb of earth, for which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, speak of it: stay, and speak! stop it, marcellus. marcellus shall i strike at it with my partisan? horatio do, if it will not stand. bernardo 'tis here! horatio 'tis here! marcellus 'tis gone! [exit ghost] we do it wrong, being so majestical, to offer it the show of violence; for it is, as the air, invulnerable, and our vain blows malicious mockery. bernardo it was about to speak, when the cock crew. horatio and then it started like a guilty thing upon a fearful summons. i have heard, the cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat awake the god of day; and, at his warning, whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, the extravagant and erring spirit hies to his confine: and of the truth herein this present object made probation. marcellus it faded on the crowing of the cock. some say that ever 'gainst that season comes wherein our saviour's birth is celebrated, the bird of dawning singeth all night long: and then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; the nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, no fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, so hallow'd and so gracious is the time. horatio so have i heard and do in part believe it. but, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill: break we our watch up; and by my advice, let us impart what we have seen to-night unto young hamlet; for, upon my life, this spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, as needful in our loves, fitting our duty? marcellus let's do't, i pray; and i this morning know where we shall find him most conveniently. [exeunt] hamlet act i scene ii a room of state in the castle. [enter king claudius, queen gertrude, hamlet, polonius, laertes, voltimand, cornelius, lords, and attendants] king claudius though yet of hamlet our dear brother's death the memory be green, and that it us befitted to bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom to be contracted in one brow of woe, yet so far hath discretion fought with nature that we with wisest sorrow think on him, together with remembrance of ourselves. therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, the imperial jointress to this warlike state, have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,- with an auspicious and a dropping eye, with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, in equal scale weighing delight and dole,- taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd your better wisdoms, which have freely gone with this affair along. for all, our thanks. now follows, that you know, young fortinbras, holding a weak supposal of our worth, or thinking by our late dear brother's death our state to be disjoint and out of frame, colleagued with the dream of his advantage, he hath not fail'd to pester us with message, importing the surrender of those lands lost by his father, with all bonds of law, to our most valiant brother. so much for him. now for ourself and for this time of meeting: thus much the business is: we have here writ to norway, uncle of young fortinbras,- who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears of this his nephew's purpose,--to suppress his further gait herein; in that the levies, the lists and full proportions, are all made out of his subject: and we here dispatch you, good cornelius, and you, voltimand, for bearers of this greeting to old norway; giving to you no further personal power to business with the king, more than the scope of these delated articles allow. farewell, and let your haste commend your duty. cornelius | | in that and all things will we show our duty. voltimand | king claudius we doubt it nothing: heartily farewell. [exeunt voltimand and cornelius] and now, laertes, what's the news with you? you told us of some suit; what is't, laertes? you cannot speak of reason to the dane, and loose your voice: what wouldst thou beg, laertes, that shall not be my offer, not thy asking? the head is not more native to the heart, the hand more instrumental to the mouth, than is the throne of denmark to thy father. what wouldst thou have, laertes? laertes my dread lord, your leave and favour to return to france; from whence though willingly i came to denmark, to show my duty in your coronation, yet now, i must confess, that duty done, my thoughts and wishes bend again toward france and bow them to your gracious leave and pardon. king claudius have you your father's leave? what says polonius? lord polonius he hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave by laboursome petition, and at last upon his will i seal'd my hard consent: i do beseech you, give him leave to go. king claudius take thy fair hour, laertes; time be thine, and thy best graces spend it at thy will! but now, my cousin hamlet, and my son,- hamlet [aside] a little more than kin, and less than kind. king claudius how is it that the clouds still hang on you? hamlet not so, my lord; i am too much i' the sun. queen gertrude good hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off, and let thine eye look like a friend on denmark. do not for ever with thy vailed lids seek for thy noble father in the dust: thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity. hamlet ay, madam, it is common. queen gertrude if it be, why seems it so particular with thee? hamlet seems, madam! nay it is; i know not 'seems.' 'tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, nor customary suits of solemn black, nor windy suspiration of forced breath, no, nor the fruitful river in the eye, nor the dejected 'havior of the visage, together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, that can denote me truly: these indeed seem, for they are actions that a man might play: but i have that within which passeth show; these but the trappings and the suits of woe. king claudius 'tis sweet and commendable in your nature, hamlet, to give these mourning duties to your father: but, you must know, your father lost a father; that father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound in filial obligation for some term to do obsequious sorrow: but to persever in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief; it shows a will most incorrect to heaven, a heart unfortified, a mind impatient, an understanding simple and unschool'd: for what we know must be and is as common as any the most vulgar thing to sense, why should we in our peevish opposition take it to heart? fie! 'tis a fault to heaven, a fault against the dead, a fault to nature, to reason most absurd: whose common theme is death of fathers, and who still hath cried, from the first corse till he that died to-day, 'this must be so.' we pray you, throw to earth this unprevailing woe, and think of us as of a father: for let the world take note, you are the most immediate to our throne; and with no less nobility of love than that which dearest father bears his son, do i impart toward you. for your intent in going back to school in wittenberg, it is most retrograde to our desire: and we beseech you, bend you to remain here, in the cheer and comfort of our eye, our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son. queen gertrude let not thy mother lose her prayers, hamlet: i pray thee, stay with us; go not to wittenberg. hamlet i shall in all my best obey you, madam. king claudius why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply: be as ourself in denmark. madam, come; this gentle and unforced accord of hamlet sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof, no jocund health that denmark drinks to-day, but the great cannon to the clouds shall tell, and the king's rouse the heavens all bruit again, re-speaking earthly thunder. come away. [exeunt all but hamlet] hamlet o, that this too too solid flesh would melt thaw and resolve itself into a dew! or that the everlasting had not fix'd his canon 'gainst self-slaughter! o god! god! how weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world! fie on't! ah fie! 'tis an unweeded garden, that grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature possess it merely. that it should come to this! but two months dead: nay, not so much, not two: so excellent a king; that was, to this, hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother that he might not beteem the winds of heaven visit her face too roughly. heaven and earth! must i remember? why, she would hang on him, as if increase of appetite had grown by what it fed on: and yet, within a month- let me not think on't--frailty, thy name is woman!- a little month, or ere those shoes were old with which she follow'd my poor father's body, like niobe, all tears:--why she, even she- o, god! a beast, that wants discourse of reason, would have mourn'd longer--married with my uncle, my father's brother, but no more like my father than i to hercules: within a month: ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing in her galled eyes, she married. o, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! it is not nor it cannot come to good: but break, my heart; for i must hold my tongue. [enter horatio, marcellus, and bernardo] horatio hail to your lordship! hamlet i am glad to see you well: horatio,--or i do forget myself. horatio the same, my lord, and your poor servant ever. hamlet sir, my good friend; i'll change that name with you: and what make you from wittenberg, horatio? marcellus? marcellus my good lord- hamlet i am very glad to see you. good even, sir. but what, in faith, make you from wittenberg? horatio a truant disposition, good my lord. hamlet i would not hear your enemy say so, nor shall you do mine ear that violence, to make it truster of your own report against yourself: i know you are no truant. but what is your affair in elsinore? we'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart. horatio my lord, i came to see your father's funeral. hamlet i pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student; i think it was to see my mother's wedding. horatio indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon. hamlet thrift, thrift, horatio! the funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. would i had met my dearest foe in heaven or ever i had seen that day, horatio! my father!--methinks i see my father. horatio where, my lord? hamlet in my mind's eye, horatio. horatio i saw him once; he was a goodly king. hamlet he was a man, take him for all in all, i shall not look upon his like again. horatio my lord, i think i saw him yesternight. hamlet saw? who? horatio my lord, the king your father. hamlet the king my father! horatio season your admiration for awhile with an attent ear, till i may deliver, upon the witness of these gentlemen, this marvel to you. hamlet for god's love, let me hear. horatio two nights together had these gentlemen, marcellus and bernardo, on their watch, in the dead vast and middle of the night, been thus encounter'd. a figure like your father, armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe, appears before them, and with solemn march goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk'd by their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes, within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distilled almost to jelly with the act of fear, stand dumb and speak not to him. this to me in dreadful secrecy impart they did; and i with them the third night kept the watch; where, as they had deliver'd, both in time, form of the thing, each word made true and good, the apparition comes: i knew your father; these hands are not more like. hamlet but where was this? marcellus my lord, upon the platform where we watch'd. hamlet did you not speak to it? horatio my lord, i did; but answer made it none: yet once methought it lifted up its head and did address itself to motion, like as it would speak; but even then the morning cock crew loud, and at the sound it shrunk in haste away, and vanish'd from our sight. hamlet 'tis very strange. horatio as i do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true; and we did think it writ down in our duty to let you know of it. hamlet indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me. hold you the watch to-night? marcellus | | we do, my lord. bernardo | hamlet arm'd, say you? marcellus | | arm'd, my lord. bernardo | hamlet from top to toe? marcellus | | my lord, from head to foot. bernardo | hamlet then saw you not his face? horatio o, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up. hamlet what, look'd he frowningly? horatio a countenance more in sorrow than in anger. hamlet pale or red? horatio nay, very pale. hamlet and fix'd his eyes upon you? horatio most constantly. hamlet i would i had been there. horatio it would have much amazed you. hamlet very like, very like. stay'd it long? horatio while one with moderate haste might tell a hundred. marcellus | | longer, longer. bernardo | horatio not when i saw't. hamlet his beard was grizzled--no? horatio it was, as i have seen it in his life, a sable silver'd. hamlet i will watch to-night; perchance 'twill walk again. horatio i warrant it will. hamlet if it assume my noble father's person, i'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape and bid me hold my peace. i pray you all, if you have hitherto conceal'd this sight, let it be tenable in your silence still; and whatsoever else shall hap to-night, give it an understanding, but no tongue: i will requite your loves. so, fare you well: upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve, i'll visit you. all our duty to your honour. hamlet your loves, as mine to you: farewell. [exeunt all but hamlet] my father's spirit in arms! all is not well; i doubt some foul play: would the night were come! till then sit still, my soul: foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes. [exit] hamlet act i scene iii a room in polonius' house. [enter laertes and ophelia] laertes my necessaries are embark'd: farewell: and, sister, as the winds give benefit and convoy is assistant, do not sleep, but let me hear from you. ophelia do you doubt that? laertes for hamlet and the trifling of his favour, hold it a fashion and a toy in blood, a violet in the youth of primy nature, forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, the perfume and suppliance of a minute; no more. ophelia no more but so? laertes think it no more; for nature, crescent, does not grow alone in thews and bulk, but, as this temple waxes, the inward service of the mind and soul grows wide withal. perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will: but you must fear, his greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own; for he himself is subject to his birth: he may not, as unvalued persons do, carve for himself; for on his choice depends the safety and health of this whole state; and therefore must his choice be circumscribed unto the voice and yielding of that body whereof he is the head. then if he says he loves you, it fits your wisdom so far to believe it as he in his particular act and place may give his saying deed; which is no further than the main voice of denmark goes withal. then weigh what loss your honour may sustain, if with too credent ear you list his songs, or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open to his unmaster'd importunity. fear it, ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desire. the chariest maid is prodigal enough, if she unmask her beauty to the moon: virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes: the canker galls the infants of the spring, too oft before their buttons be disclosed, and in the morn and liquid dew of youth contagious blastments are most imminent. be wary then; best safety lies in fear: youth to itself rebels, though none else near. ophelia i shall the effect of this good lesson keep, as watchman to my heart. but, good my brother, do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven; whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine, himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, and recks not his own rede. laertes o, fear me not. i stay too long: but here my father comes. [enter polonius] a double blessing is a double grace, occasion smiles upon a second leave. lord polonius yet here, laertes! aboard, aboard, for shame! the wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, and you are stay'd for. there; my blessing with thee! and these few precepts in thy memory see thou character. give thy thoughts no tongue, nor any unproportioned thought his act. be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; but do not dull thy palm with entertainment of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. beware of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, bear't that the opposed may beware of thee. give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment. costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, but not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy; for the apparel oft proclaims the man, and they in france of the best rank and station are of a most select and generous chief in that. neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. this above all: to thine ownself be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. farewell: my blessing season this in thee! laertes most humbly do i take my leave, my lord. lord polonius the time invites you; go; your servants tend. laertes farewell, ophelia; and remember well what i have said to you. ophelia 'tis in my memory lock'd, and you yourself shall keep the key of it. laertes farewell. [exit] lord polonius what is't, ophelia, be hath said to you? ophelia so please you, something touching the lord hamlet. lord polonius marry, well bethought: 'tis told me, he hath very oft of late given private time to you; and you yourself have of your audience been most free and bounteous: if it be so, as so 'tis put on me, and that in way of caution, i must tell you, you do not understand yourself so clearly as it behoves my daughter and your honour. what is between you? give me up the truth. ophelia he hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me. lord polonius affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl, unsifted in such perilous circumstance. do you believe his tenders, as you call them? ophelia i do not know, my lord, what i should think. lord polonius marry, i'll teach you: think yourself a baby; that you have ta'en these tenders for true pay, which are not sterling. tender yourself more dearly; or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, running it thus--you'll tender me a fool. ophelia my lord, he hath importuned me with love in honourable fashion. lord polonius ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. ophelia and hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, with almost all the holy vows of heaven. lord polonius ay, springes to catch woodcocks. i do know, when the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter, giving more light than heat, extinct in both, even in their promise, as it is a-making, you must not take for fire. from this time be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence; set your entreatments at a higher rate than a command to parley. for lord hamlet, believe so much in him, that he is young and with a larger tether may he walk than may be given you: in few, ophelia, do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, not of that dye which their investments show, but mere implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, the better to beguile. this is for all: i would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, have you so slander any moment leisure, as to give words or talk with the lord hamlet. look to't, i charge you: come your ways. ophelia i shall obey, my lord. [exeunt] hamlet act i scene iv the platform. [enter hamlet, horatio, and marcellus] hamlet the air bites shrewdly; it is very cold. horatio it is a nipping and an eager air. hamlet what hour now? horatio i think it lacks of twelve. hamlet no, it is struck. horatio indeed? i heard it not: then it draws near the season wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. [a flourish of trumpets, and ordnance shot off, within] what does this mean, my lord? hamlet the king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels; and, as he drains his draughts of rhenish down, the kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out the triumph of his pledge. horatio is it a custom? hamlet ay, marry, is't: but to my mind, though i am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honour'd in the breach than the observance. this heavy-headed revel east and west makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations: they clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase soil our addition; and indeed it takes from our achievements, though perform'd at height, the pith and marrow of our attribute. so, oft it chances in particular men, that for some vicious mole of nature in them, as, in their birth--wherein they are not guilty, since nature cannot choose his origin- by the o'ergrowth of some complexion, oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens the form of plausive manners, that these men, carrying, i say, the stamp of one defect, being nature's livery, or fortune's star,- their virtues else--be they as pure as grace, as infinite as man may undergo- shall in the general censure take corruption from that particular fault: the dram of eale doth all the noble substance of a doubt to his own scandal. horatio look, my lord, it comes! [enter ghost] hamlet angels and ministers of grace defend us! be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, be thy intents wicked or charitable, thou comest in such a questionable shape that i will speak to thee: i'll call thee hamlet, king, father, royal dane: o, answer me! let me not burst in ignorance; but tell why thy canonized bones, hearsed in death, have burst their cerements; why the sepulchre, wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd, hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws, to cast thee up again. what may this mean, that thou, dead corse, again in complete steel revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, making night hideous; and we fools of nature so horridly to shake our disposition with thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do? [ghost beckons hamlet] horatio it beckons you to go away with it, as if it some impartment did desire to you alone. marcellus look, with what courteous action it waves you to a more removed ground: but do not go with it. horatio no, by no means. hamlet it will not speak; then i will follow it. horatio do not, my lord. hamlet why, what should be the fear? i do not set my life in a pin's fee; and for my soul, what can it do to that, being a thing immortal as itself? it waves me forth again: i'll follow it. horatio what if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff that beetles o'er his base into the sea, and there assume some other horrible form, which might deprive your sovereignty of reason and draw you into madness? think of it: the very place puts toys of desperation, without more motive, into every brain that looks so many fathoms to the sea and hears it roar beneath. hamlet it waves me still. go on; i'll follow thee. marcellus you shall not go, my lord. hamlet hold off your hands. horatio be ruled; you shall not go. hamlet my fate cries out, and makes each petty artery in this body as hardy as the nemean lion's nerve. still am i call'd. unhand me, gentlemen. by heaven, i'll make a ghost of him that lets me! i say, away! go on; i'll follow thee. [exeunt ghost and hamlet] horatio he waxes desperate with imagination. marcellus let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. horatio have after. to what issue will this come? marcellus something is rotten in the state of denmark. horatio heaven will direct it. marcellus nay, let's follow him. [exeunt] hamlet act i scene v another part of the platform. [enter ghost and hamlet] hamlet where wilt thou lead me? speak; i'll go no further. ghost mark me. hamlet i will. ghost my hour is almost come, when i to sulphurous and tormenting flames must render up myself. hamlet alas, poor ghost! ghost pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing to what i shall unfold. hamlet speak; i am bound to hear. ghost so art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. hamlet what? ghost i am thy father's spirit, doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, and for the day confined to fast in fires, till the foul crimes done in my days of nature are burnt and purged away. but that i am forbid to tell the secrets of my prison-house, i could a tale unfold whose lightest word would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres, thy knotted and combined locks to part and each particular hair to stand on end, like quills upon the fretful porpentine: but this eternal blazon must not be to ears of flesh and blood. list, list, o, list! if thou didst ever thy dear father love- hamlet o god! ghost revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. hamlet murder! ghost murder most foul, as in the best it is; but this most foul, strange and unnatural. hamlet haste me to know't, that i, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge. ghost i find thee apt; and duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed that roots itself in ease on lethe wharf, wouldst thou not stir in this. now, hamlet, hear: 'tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me; so the whole ear of denmark is by a forged process of my death rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown. hamlet o my prophetic soul! my uncle! ghost ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,- o wicked wit and gifts, that have the power so to seduce!--won to his shameful lust the will of my most seeming-virtuous queen: o hamlet, what a falling-off was there! from me, whose love was of that dignity that it went hand in hand even with the vow i made to her in marriage, and to decline upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor to those of mine! but virtue, as it never will be moved, though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, so lust, though to a radiant angel link'd, will sate itself in a celestial bed, and prey on garbage. but, soft! methinks i scent the morning air; brief let me be. sleeping within my orchard, my custom always of the afternoon, upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, with juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour the leperous distilment; whose effect holds such an enmity with blood of man that swift as quicksilver it courses through the natural gates and alleys of the body, and with a sudden vigour doth posset and curd, like eager droppings into milk, the thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; and a most instant tetter bark'd about, most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, all my smooth body. thus was i, sleeping, by a brother's hand of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd: cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd, no reckoning made, but sent to my account with all my imperfections on my head: o, horrible! o, horrible! most horrible! if thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; let not the royal bed of denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest. but, howsoever thou pursuest this act, taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her. fare thee well at once! the glow-worm shows the matin to be near, and 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire: adieu, adieu! hamlet, remember me. [exit] hamlet o all you host of heaven! o earth! what else? and shall i couple hell? o, fie! hold, hold, my heart; and you, my sinews, grow not instant old, but bear me stiffly up. remember thee! ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe. remember thee! yea, from the table of my memory i'll wipe away all trivial fond records, all saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, that youth and observation copied there; and thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain, unmix'd with baser matter: yes, by heaven! o most pernicious woman! o villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! my tables,--meet it is i set it down, that one may smile, and smile, and be a villain; at least i'm sure it may be so in denmark: [writing] so, uncle, there you are. now to my word; it is 'adieu, adieu! remember me.' i have sworn 't. marcellus | | [within] my lord, my lord,- horatio | marcellus [within] lord hamlet,- horatio [within] heaven secure him! hamlet so be it! horatio [within] hillo, ho, ho, my lord! hamlet hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come. [enter horatio and marcellus] marcellus how is't, my noble lord? horatio what news, my lord? hamlet o, wonderful! horatio good my lord, tell it. hamlet no; you'll reveal it. horatio not i, my lord, by heaven. marcellus nor i, my lord. hamlet how say you, then; would heart of man once think it? but you'll be secret? horatio | | ay, by heaven, my lord. marcellus | hamlet there's ne'er a villain dwelling in all denmark but he's an arrant knave. horatio there needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave to tell us this. hamlet why, right; you are i' the right; and so, without more circumstance at all, i hold it fit that we shake hands and part: you, as your business and desire shall point you; for every man has business and desire, such as it is; and for mine own poor part, look you, i'll go pray. horatio these are but wild and whirling words, my lord. hamlet i'm sorry they offend you, heartily; yes, 'faith heartily. horatio there's no offence, my lord. hamlet yes, by saint patrick, but there is, horatio, and much offence too. touching this vision here, it is an honest ghost, that let me tell you: for your desire to know what is between us, o'ermaster 't as you may. and now, good friends, as you are friends, scholars and soldiers, give me one poor request. horatio what is't, my lord? we will. hamlet never make known what you have seen to-night. horatio | | my lord, we will not. marcellus | hamlet nay, but swear't. horatio in faith, my lord, not i. marcellus nor i, my lord, in faith. hamlet upon my sword. marcellus we have sworn, my lord, already. hamlet indeed, upon my sword, indeed. ghost [beneath] swear. hamlet ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there, truepenny? come on--you hear this fellow in the cellarage- consent to swear. horatio propose the oath, my lord. hamlet never to speak of this that you have seen, swear by my sword. ghost [beneath] swear. hamlet hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground. come hither, gentlemen, and lay your hands again upon my sword: never to speak of this that you have heard, swear by my sword. ghost [beneath] swear. hamlet well said, old mole! canst work i' the earth so fast? a worthy pioner! once more remove, good friends. horatio o day and night, but this is wondrous strange! hamlet and therefore as a stranger give it welcome. there are more things in heaven and earth, horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. but come; here, as before, never, so help you mercy, how strange or odd soe'er i bear myself, as i perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on, that you, at such times seeing me, never shall, with arms encumber'd thus, or this headshake, or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, as 'well, well, we know,' or 'we could, an if we would,' or 'if we list to speak,' or 'there be, an if they might,' or such ambiguous giving out, to note that you know aught of me: this not to do, so grace and mercy at your most need help you, swear. ghost [beneath] swear. hamlet rest, rest, perturbed spirit! [they swear] so, gentlemen, with all my love i do commend me to you: and what so poor a man as hamlet is may do, to express his love and friending to you, god willing, shall not lack. let us go in together; and still your fingers on your lips, i pray. the time is out of joint: o cursed spite, that ever i was born to set it right! nay, come, let's go together. [exeunt] hamlet act ii scene i a room in polonius' house. [enter polonius and reynaldo] lord polonius give him this money and these notes, reynaldo. reynaldo i will, my lord. lord polonius you shall do marvellous wisely, good reynaldo, before you visit him, to make inquire of his behavior. reynaldo my lord, i did intend it. lord polonius marry, well said; very well said. look you, sir, inquire me first what danskers are in paris; and how, and who, what means, and where they keep, what company, at what expense; and finding by this encompassment and drift of question that they do know my son, come you more nearer than your particular demands will touch it: take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him; as thus, 'i know his father and his friends, and in part him: ' do you mark this, reynaldo? reynaldo ay, very well, my lord. lord polonius 'and in part him; but' you may say 'not well: but, if't be he i mean, he's very wild; addicted so and so:' and there put on him what forgeries you please; marry, none so rank as may dishonour him; take heed of that; but, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips as are companions noted and most known to youth and liberty. reynaldo as gaming, my lord. lord polonius ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling, drabbing: you may go so far. reynaldo my lord, that would dishonour him. lord polonius 'faith, no; as you may season it in the charge you must not put another scandal on him, that he is open to incontinency; that's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly that they may seem the taints of liberty, the flash and outbreak of a fiery mind, a savageness in unreclaimed blood, of general assault. reynaldo but, my good lord,- lord polonius wherefore should you do this? reynaldo ay, my lord, i would know that. lord polonius marry, sir, here's my drift; and i believe, it is a fetch of wit: you laying these slight sullies on my son, as 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, mark you, your party in converse, him you would sound, having ever seen in the prenominate crimes the youth you breathe of guilty, be assured he closes with you in this consequence; 'good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman,' according to the phrase or the addition of man and country. reynaldo very good, my lord. lord polonius and then, sir, does he this--he does--what was i about to say? by the mass, i was about to say something: where did i leave? reynaldo at 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,' and 'gentleman.' lord polonius at 'closes in the consequence,' ay, marry; he closes thus: 'i know the gentleman; i saw him yesterday, or t' other day, or then, or then; with such, or such; and, as you say, there was a' gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse; there falling out at tennis:' or perchance, 'i saw him enter such a house of sale,' videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. see you now; your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: and thus do we of wisdom and of reach, with windlasses and with assays of bias, by indirections find directions out: so by my former lecture and advice, shall you my son. you have me, have you not? reynaldo my lord, i have. lord polonius god be wi' you; fare you well. reynaldo good my lord! lord polonius observe his inclination in yourself. reynaldo i shall, my lord. lord polonius and let him ply his music. reynaldo well, my lord. lord polonius farewell! [exit reynaldo] [enter ophelia] how now, ophelia! what's the matter? ophelia o, my lord, my lord, i have been so affrighted! lord polonius with what, i' the name of god? ophelia my lord, as i was sewing in my closet, lord hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; no hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle; pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed out of hell to speak of horrors,--he comes before me. lord polonius mad for thy love? ophelia my lord, i do not know; but truly, i do fear it. lord polonius what said he? ophelia he took me by the wrist and held me hard; then goes he to the length of all his arm; and, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, he falls to such perusal of my face as he would draw it. long stay'd he so; at last, a little shaking of mine arm and thrice his head thus waving up and down, he raised a sigh so piteous and profound as it did seem to shatter all his bulk and end his being: that done, he lets me go: and, with his head over his shoulder turn'd, he seem'd to find his way without his eyes; for out o' doors he went without their helps, and, to the last, bended their light on me. lord polonius come, go with me: i will go seek the king. this is the very ecstasy of love, whose violent property fordoes itself and leads the will to desperate undertakings as oft as any passion under heaven that does afflict our natures. i am sorry. what, have you given him any hard words of late? ophelia no, my good lord, but, as you did command, i did repel his fetters and denied his access to me. lord polonius that hath made him mad. i am sorry that with better heed and judgment i had not quoted him: i fear'd he did but trifle, and meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy! by heaven, it is as proper to our age to cast beyond ourselves in our opinions as it is common for the younger sort to lack discretion. come, go we to the king: this must be known; which, being kept close, might move more grief to hide than hate to utter love. [exeunt] hamlet act ii scene ii a room in the castle. [enter king claudius, queen gertrude, rosencrantz, guildenstern, and attendants] king claudius welcome, dear rosencrantz and guildenstern! moreover that we much did long to see you, the need we have to use you did provoke our hasty sending. something have you heard of hamlet's transformation; so call it, sith nor the exterior nor the inward man resembles that it was. what it should be, more than his father's death, that thus hath put him so much from the understanding of himself, i cannot dream of: i entreat you both, that, being of so young days brought up with him, and sith so neighbour'd to his youth and havior, that you vouchsafe your rest here in our court some little time: so by your companies to draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, so much as from occasion you may glean, whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus, that, open'd, lies within our remedy. queen gertrude good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; and sure i am two men there are not living to whom he more adheres. if it will please you to show us so much gentry and good will as to expend your time with us awhile, for the supply and profit of our hope, your visitation shall receive such thanks as fits a king's remembrance. rosencrantz both your majesties might, by the sovereign power you have of us, put your dread pleasures more into command than to entreaty. guildenstern but we both obey, and here give up ourselves, in the full bent to lay our service freely at your feet, to be commanded. king claudius thanks, rosencrantz and gentle guildenstern. queen gertrude thanks, guildenstern and gentle rosencrantz: and i beseech you instantly to visit my too much changed son. go, some of you, and bring these gentlemen where hamlet is. guildenstern heavens make our presence and our practises pleasant and helpful to him! queen gertrude ay, amen! [exeunt rosencrantz, guildenstern, and some attendants] [enter polonius] lord polonius the ambassadors from norway, my good lord, are joyfully return'd. king claudius thou still hast been the father of good news. lord polonius have i, my lord? i assure my good liege, i hold my duty, as i hold my soul, both to my god and to my gracious king: and i do think, or else this brain of mine hunts not the trail of policy so sure as it hath used to do, that i have found the very cause of hamlet's lunacy. king claudius o, speak of that; that do i long to hear. lord polonius give first admittance to the ambassadors; my news shall be the fruit to that great feast. king claudius thyself do grace to them, and bring them in. [exit polonius] he tells me, my dear gertrude, he hath found the head and source of all your son's distemper. queen gertrude i doubt it is no other but the main; his father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage. king claudius well, we shall sift him. [re-enter polonius, with voltimand and cornelius] welcome, my good friends! say, voltimand, what from our brother norway? voltimand most fair return of greetings and desires. upon our first, he sent out to suppress his nephew's levies; which to him appear'd to be a preparation 'gainst the polack; but, better look'd into, he truly found it was against your highness: whereat grieved, that so his sickness, age and impotence was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests on fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys; receives rebuke from norway, and in fine makes vow before his uncle never more to give the assay of arms against your majesty. whereon old norway, overcome with joy, gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee, and his commission to employ those soldiers, so levied as before, against the polack: with an entreaty, herein further shown, [giving a paper] that it might please you to give quiet pass through your dominions for this enterprise, on such regards of safety and allowance as therein are set down. king claudius it likes us well; and at our more consider'd time well read, answer, and think upon this business. meantime we thank you for your well-took labour: go to your rest; at night we'll feast together: most welcome home! [exeunt voltimand and cornelius] lord polonius this business is well ended. my liege, and madam, to expostulate what majesty should be, what duty is, why day is day, night night, and time is time, were nothing but to waste night, day and time. therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, i will be brief: your noble son is mad: mad call i it; for, to define true madness, what is't but to be nothing else but mad? but let that go. queen gertrude more matter, with less art. lord polonius madam, i swear i use no art at all. that he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity; and pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure; but farewell it, for i will use no art. mad let us grant him, then: and now remains that we find out the cause of this effect, or rather say, the cause of this defect, for this effect defective comes by cause: thus it remains, and the remainder thus. perpend. i have a daughter--have while she is mine- who, in her duty and obedience, mark, hath given me this: now gather, and surmise. [reads] 'to the celestial and my soul's idol, the most beautified ophelia,'- that's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile phrase: but you shall hear. thus: [reads] 'in her excellent white bosom, these, &c.' queen gertrude came this from hamlet to her? lord polonius good madam, stay awhile; i will be faithful. [reads] 'doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt i love. 'o dear ophelia, i am ill at these numbers; i have not art to reckon my groans: but that i love thee best, o most best, believe it. adieu. 'thine evermore most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, hamlet.' this, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me, and more above, hath his solicitings, as they fell out by time, by means and place, all given to mine ear. king claudius but how hath she received his love? lord polonius what do you think of me? king claudius as of a man faithful and honourable. lord polonius i would fain prove so. but what might you think, when i had seen this hot love on the wing- as i perceived it, i must tell you that, before my daughter told me--what might you, or my dear majesty your queen here, think, if i had play'd the desk or table-book, or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb, or look'd upon this love with idle sight; what might you think? no, i went round to work, and my young mistress thus i did bespeak: 'lord hamlet is a prince, out of thy star; this must not be:' and then i precepts gave her, that she should lock herself from his resort, admit no messengers, receive no tokens. which done, she took the fruits of my advice; and he, repulsed--a short tale to make- fell into a sadness, then into a fast, thence to a watch, thence into a weakness, thence to a lightness, and, by this declension, into the madness wherein now he raves, and all we mourn for. king claudius do you think 'tis this? queen gertrude it may be, very likely. lord polonius hath there been such a time--i'd fain know that- that i have positively said 'tis so,' when it proved otherwise? king claudius not that i know. lord polonius [pointing to his head and shoulder] take this from this, if this be otherwise: if circumstances lead me, i will find where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed within the centre. king claudius how may we try it further? lord polonius you know, sometimes he walks four hours together here in the lobby. queen gertrude so he does indeed. lord polonius at such a time i'll loose my daughter to him: be you and i behind an arras then; mark the encounter: if he love her not and be not from his reason fall'n thereon, let me be no assistant for a state, but keep a farm and carters. king claudius we will try it. queen gertrude but, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. lord polonius away, i do beseech you, both away: i'll board him presently. [exeunt king claudius, queen gertrude, and attendants] [enter hamlet, reading] o, give me leave: how does my good lord hamlet? hamlet well, god-a-mercy. lord polonius do you know me, my lord? hamlet excellent well; you are a fishmonger. lord polonius not i, my lord. hamlet then i would you were so honest a man. lord polonius honest, my lord! hamlet ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. lord polonius that's very true, my lord. hamlet for if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing carrion,--have you a daughter? lord polonius i have, my lord. hamlet let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing: but not as your daughter may conceive. friend, look to 't. lord polonius [aside] how say you by that? still harping on my daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said i was a fishmonger: he is far gone, far gone: and truly in my youth i suffered much extremity for love; very near this. i'll speak to him again. what do you read, my lord? hamlet words, words, words. lord polonius what is the matter, my lord? hamlet between who? lord polonius i mean, the matter that you read, my lord. hamlet slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here that old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams: all which, sir, though i most powerfully and potently believe, yet i hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for yourself, sir, should be old as i am, if like a crab you could go backward. lord polonius [aside] though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. will you walk out of the air, my lord? hamlet into my grave. lord polonius indeed, that is out o' the air. [aside] how pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. i will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter.--my honourable lord, i will most humbly take my leave of you. hamlet you cannot, sir, take from me any thing that i will more willingly part withal: except my life, except my life, except my life. lord polonius fare you well, my lord. hamlet these tedious old fools! [enter rosencrantz and guildenstern] lord polonius you go to seek the lord hamlet; there he is. rosencrantz [to polonius] god save you, sir! [exit polonius] guildenstern my honoured lord! rosencrantz my most dear lord! hamlet my excellent good friends! how dost thou, guildenstern? ah, rosencrantz! good lads, how do ye both? rosencrantz as the indifferent children of the earth. guildenstern happy, in that we are not over-happy; on fortune's cap we are not the very button. hamlet nor the soles of her shoe? rosencrantz neither, my lord. hamlet then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favours? guildenstern 'faith, her privates we. hamlet in the secret parts of fortune? o, most true; she is a strumpet. what's the news? rosencrantz none, my lord, but that the world's grown honest. hamlet then is doomsday near: but your news is not true. let me question more in particular: what have you, my good friends, deserved at the hands of fortune, that she sends you to prison hither? guildenstern prison, my lord! hamlet denmark's a prison. rosencrantz then is the world one. hamlet a goodly one; in which there are many confines, wards and dungeons, denmark being one o' the worst. rosencrantz we think not so, my lord. hamlet why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is a prison. rosencrantz why then, your ambition makes it one; 'tis too narrow for your mind. hamlet o god, i could be bounded in a nut shell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that i have bad dreams. guildenstern which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream. hamlet a dream itself is but a shadow. rosencrantz truly, and i hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that it is but a shadow's shadow. hamlet then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. shall we to the court? for, by my fay, i cannot reason. rosencrantz | | we'll wait upon you. guildenstern | hamlet no such matter: i will not sort you with the rest of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest man, i am most dreadfully attended. but, in the beaten way of friendship, what make you at elsinore? rosencrantz to visit you, my lord; no other occasion. hamlet beggar that i am, i am even poor in thanks; but i thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. were you not sent for? is it your own inclining? is it a free visitation? come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak. guildenstern what should we say, my lord? hamlet why, any thing, but to the purpose. you were sent for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colour: i know the good king and queen have sent for you. rosencrantz to what end, my lord? hamlet that you must teach me. but let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with me, whether you were sent for, or no? rosencrantz [aside to guildenstern] what say you? hamlet [aside] nay, then, i have an eye of you.--if you love me, hold not off. guildenstern my lord, we were sent for. hamlet i will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather. i have of late--but wherefore i know not--lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. what a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! and yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so. rosencrantz my lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts. hamlet why did you laugh then, when i said 'man delights not me'? rosencrantz to think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten entertainment the players shall receive from you: we coted them on the way; and hither are they coming, to offer you service. hamlet he that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not sigh gratis; the humourous man shall end his part in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickled o' the sere; and the lady shall say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't. what players are they? rosencrantz even those you were wont to take delight in, the tragedians of the city. hamlet how chances it they travel? their residence, both in reputation and profit, was better both ways. rosencrantz i think their inhibition comes by the means of the late innovation. hamlet do they hold the same estimation they did when i was in the city? are they so followed? rosencrantz no, indeed, are they not. hamlet how comes it? do they grow rusty? rosencrantz nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question, and are most tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages--so they call them--that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither. hamlet what, are they children? who maintains 'em? how are they escoted? will they pursue the quality no longer than they can sing? will they not say afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common players--as it is most like, if their means are no better--their writers do them wrong, to make them exclaim against their own succession? rosencrantz 'faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy: there was, for a while, no money bid for argument, unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question. hamlet is't possible? guildenstern o, there has been much throwing about of brains. hamlet do the boys carry it away? rosencrantz ay, that they do, my lord; hercules and his load too. hamlet it is not very strange; for mine uncle is king of denmark, and those that would make mows at him while my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, an hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little. 'sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out. [flourish of trumpets within] guildenstern there are the players. hamlet gentlemen, you are welcome to elsinore. your hands, come then: the appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony: let me comply with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players, which, i tell you, must show fairly outward, should more appear like entertainment than yours. you are welcome: but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived. guildenstern in what, my dear lord? hamlet i am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly i know a hawk from a handsaw. [enter polonius] lord polonius well be with you, gentlemen! hamlet hark you, guildenstern; and you too: at each ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling-clouts. rosencrantz happily he's the second time come to them; for they say an old man is twice a child. hamlet i will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players; mark it. you say right, sir: o' monday morning; 'twas so indeed. lord polonius my lord, i have news to tell you. hamlet my lord, i have news to tell you. when roscius was an actor in rome,- lord polonius the actors are come hither, my lord. hamlet buz, buz! lord polonius upon mine honour,- hamlet then came each actor on his ass,- lord polonius the best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or poem unlimited: seneca cannot be too heavy, nor plautus too light. for the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men. hamlet o jephthah, judge of israel, what a treasure hadst thou! lord polonius what a treasure had he, my lord? hamlet why, 'one fair daughter and no more, the which he loved passing well.' lord polonius [aside] still on my daughter. hamlet am i not i' the right, old jephthah? lord polonius if you call me jephthah, my lord, i have a daughter that i love passing well. hamlet nay, that follows not. lord polonius what follows, then, my lord? hamlet why, 'as by lot, god wot,' and then, you know, 'it came to pass, as most like it was,'- the first row of the pious chanson will show you more; for look, where my abridgement comes. [enter four or five players] you are welcome, masters; welcome, all. i am glad to see thee well. welcome, good friends. o, my old friend! thy face is valenced since i saw thee last: comest thou to beard me in denmark? what, my young lady and mistress! by'r lady, your ladyship is nearer to heaven than when i saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. pray god, your voice, like apiece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the ring. masters, you are all welcome. we'll e'en to't like french falconers, fly at any thing we see: we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste of your quality; come, a passionate speech. first player what speech, my lord? hamlet i heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, i remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviare to the general: but it was--as i received it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine--an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty as cunning. i remember, one said there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury, nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of affectation; but called it an honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine. one speech in it i chiefly loved: 'twas aeneas' tale to dido; and thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of priam's slaughter: if it live in your memory, begin at this line: let me see, let me see- 'the rugged pyrrhus, like the hyrcanian beast,'- it is not so:--it begins with pyrrhus:- 'the rugged pyrrhus, he whose sable arms, black as his purpose, did the night resemble when he lay couched in the ominous horse, hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd with heraldry more dismal; head to foot now is he total gules; horridly trick'd with blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, baked and impasted with the parching streets, that lend a tyrannous and damned light to their lord's murder: roasted in wrath and fire, and thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore, with eyes like carbuncles, the hellish pyrrhus old grandsire priam seeks.' so, proceed you. lord polonius 'fore god, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion. first player 'anon he finds him striking too short at greeks; his antique sword, rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls, repugnant to command: unequal match'd, pyrrhus at priam drives; in rage strikes wide; but with the whiff and wind of his fell sword the unnerved father falls. then senseless ilium, seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash takes prisoner pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword, which was declining on the milky head of reverend priam, seem'd i' the air to stick: so, as a painted tyrant, pyrrhus stood, and like a neutral to his will and matter, did nothing. but, as we often see, against some storm, a silence in the heavens, the rack stand still, the bold winds speechless and the orb below as hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder doth rend the region, so, after pyrrhus' pause, aroused vengeance sets him new a-work; and never did the cyclops' hammers fall on mars's armour forged for proof eterne with less remorse than pyrrhus' bleeding sword now falls on priam. out, out, thou strumpet, fortune! all you gods, in general synod 'take away her power; break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, and bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven, as low as to the fiends!' lord polonius this is too long. hamlet it shall to the barber's, with your beard. prithee, say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps: say on: come to hecuba. first player 'but who, o, who had seen the mobled queen--' hamlet 'the mobled queen?' lord polonius that's good; 'mobled queen' is good. first player 'run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames with bisson rheum; a clout upon that head where late the diadem stood, and for a robe, about her lank and all o'er-teemed loins, a blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up; who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd, 'gainst fortune's state would treason have pronounced: but if the gods themselves did see her then when she saw pyrrhus make malicious sport in mincing with his sword her husband's limbs, the instant burst of clamour that she made, unless things mortal move them not at all, would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven, and passion in the gods.' lord polonius look, whether he has not turned his colour and has tears in's eyes. pray you, no more. hamlet 'tis well: i'll have thee speak out the rest soon. good my lord, will you see the players well bestowed? do you hear, let them be well used; for they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live. lord polonius my lord, i will use them according to their desert. hamlet god's bodykins, man, much better: use every man after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping? use them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty. take them in. lord polonius come, sirs. hamlet follow him, friends: we'll hear a play to-morrow. [exit polonius with all the players but the first] dost thou hear me, old friend; can you play the murder of gonzago? first player ay, my lord. hamlet we'll ha't to-morrow night. you could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which i would set down and insert in't, could you not? first player ay, my lord. hamlet very well. follow that lord; and look you mock him not. [exit first player] my good friends, i'll leave you till night: you are welcome to elsinore. rosencrantz good my lord! hamlet ay, so, god be wi' ye; [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] now i am alone. o, what a rogue and peasant slave am i! is it not monstrous that this player here, but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul so to his own conceit that from her working all his visage wann'd, tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect, a broken voice, and his whole function suiting with forms to his conceit? and all for nothing! for hecuba! what's hecuba to him, or he to hecuba, that he should weep for her? what would he do, had he the motive and the cue for passion that i have? he would drown the stage with tears and cleave the general ear with horrid speech, make mad the guilty and appal the free, confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed the very faculties of eyes and ears. yet i, a dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak, like john-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, and can say nothing; no, not for a king, upon whose property and most dear life a damn'd defeat was made. am i a coward? who calls me villain? breaks my pate across? plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face? tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat, as deep as to the lungs? who does me this? ha! 'swounds, i should take it: for it cannot be but i am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall to make oppression bitter, or ere this i should have fatted all the region kites with this slave's offal: bloody, bawdy villain! remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! o, vengeance! why, what an ass am i! this is most brave, that i, the son of a dear father murder'd, prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, and fall a-cursing, like a very drab, a scullion! fie upon't! foh! about, my brain! i have heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play have by the very cunning of the scene been struck so to the soul that presently they have proclaim'd their malefactions; for murder, though it have no tongue, will speak with most miraculous organ. i'll have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle: i'll observe his looks; i'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench, i know my course. the spirit that i have seen may be the devil: and the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps out of my weakness and my melancholy, as he is very potent with such spirits, abuses me to damn me: i'll have grounds more relative than this: the play 's the thing wherein i'll catch the conscience of the king. [exit] hamlet act iii scene i a room in the castle. [enter king claudius, queen gertrude, polonius, ophelia, rosencrantz, and guildenstern] king claudius and can you, by no drift of circumstance, get from him why he puts on this confusion, grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and dangerous lunacy? rosencrantz he does confess he feels himself distracted; but from what cause he will by no means speak. guildenstern nor do we find him forward to be sounded, but, with a crafty madness, keeps aloof, when we would bring him on to some confession of his true state. queen gertrude did he receive you well? rosencrantz most like a gentleman. guildenstern but with much forcing of his disposition. rosencrantz niggard of question; but, of our demands, most free in his reply. queen gertrude did you assay him? to any pastime? rosencrantz madam, it so fell out, that certain players we o'er-raught on the way: of these we told him; and there did seem in him a kind of joy to hear of it: they are about the court, and, as i think, they have already order this night to play before him. lord polonius 'tis most true: and he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties to hear and see the matter. king claudius with all my heart; and it doth much content me to hear him so inclined. good gentlemen, give him a further edge, and drive his purpose on to these delights. rosencrantz we shall, my lord. [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] king claudius sweet gertrude, leave us too; for we have closely sent for hamlet hither, that he, as 'twere by accident, may here affront ophelia: her father and myself, lawful espials, will so bestow ourselves that, seeing, unseen, we may of their encounter frankly judge, and gather by him, as he is behaved, if 't be the affliction of his love or no that thus he suffers for. queen gertrude i shall obey you. and for your part, ophelia, i do wish that your good beauties be the happy cause of hamlet's wildness: so shall i hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted way again, to both your honours. ophelia madam, i wish it may. [exit queen gertrude] lord polonius ophelia, walk you here. gracious, so please you, we will bestow ourselves. [to ophelia] read on this book; that show of such an exercise may colour your loneliness. we are oft to blame in this,- 'tis too much proved--that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the devil himself. king claudius [aside] o, 'tis too true! how smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! the harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art, is not more ugly to the thing that helps it than is my deed to my most painted word: o heavy burthen! lord polonius i hear him coming: let's withdraw, my lord. [exeunt king claudius and polonius] [enter hamlet] hamlet to be, or not to be: that is the question: whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them? to die: to sleep; no more; and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd. to die, to sleep; to sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause: there's the respect that makes calamity of so long life; for who would bear the whips and scorns of time, the oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, the pangs of despised love, the law's delay, the insolence of office and the spurns that patient merit of the unworthy takes, when he himself might his quietus make with a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death, the undiscover'd country from whose bourn no traveller returns, puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of? thus conscience does make cowards of us all; and thus the native hue of resolution is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprises of great pith and moment with this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action.--soft you now! the fair ophelia! nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd. ophelia good my lord, how does your honour for this many a day? hamlet i humbly thank you; well, well, well. ophelia my lord, i have remembrances of yours, that i have longed long to re-deliver; i pray you, now receive them. hamlet no, not i; i never gave you aught. ophelia my honour'd lord, you know right well you did; and, with them, words of so sweet breath composed as made the things more rich: their perfume lost, take these again; for to the noble mind rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. there, my lord. hamlet ha, ha! are you honest? ophelia my lord? hamlet are you fair? ophelia what means your lordship? hamlet that if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty. ophelia could beauty, my lord, have better commerce than with honesty? hamlet ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness: this was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. i did love you once. ophelia indeed, my lord, you made me believe so. hamlet you should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it: i loved you not. ophelia i was the more deceived. hamlet get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? i am myself indifferent honest; but yet i could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: i am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than i have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. what should such fellows as i do crawling between earth and heaven? we are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us. go thy ways to a nunnery. where's your father? ophelia at home, my lord. hamlet let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool no where but in's own house. farewell. ophelia o, help him, you sweet heavens! hamlet if thou dost marry, i'll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. get thee to a nunnery, go: farewell. or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. to a nunnery, go, and quickly too. farewell. ophelia o heavenly powers, restore him! hamlet i have heard of your paintings too, well enough; god has given you one face, and you make yourselves another: you jig, you amble, and you lisp, and nick-name god's creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance. go to, i'll no more on't; it hath made me mad. i say, we will have no more marriages: those that are married already, all but one, shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. to a nunnery, go. [exit] ophelia o, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! the courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword; the expectancy and rose of the fair state, the glass of fashion and the mould of form, the observed of all observers, quite, quite down! and i, of ladies most deject and wretched, that suck'd the honey of his music vows, now see that noble and most sovereign reason, like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh; that unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth blasted with ecstasy: o, woe is me, to have seen what i have seen, see what i see! [re-enter king claudius and polonius] king claudius love! his affections do not that way tend; nor what he spake, though it lack'd form a little, was not like madness. there's something in his soul, o'er which his melancholy sits on brood; and i do doubt the hatch and the disclose will be some danger: which for to prevent, i have in quick determination thus set it down: he shall with speed to england, for the demand of our neglected tribute haply the seas and countries different with variable objects shall expel this something-settled matter in his heart, whereon his brains still beating puts him thus from fashion of himself. what think you on't? lord polonius it shall do well: but yet do i believe the origin and commencement of his grief sprung from neglected love. how now, ophelia! you need not tell us what lord hamlet said; we heard it all. my lord, do as you please; but, if you hold it fit, after the play let his queen mother all alone entreat him to show his grief: let her be round with him; and i'll be placed, so please you, in the ear of all their conference. if she find him not, to england send him, or confine him where your wisdom best shall think. king claudius it shall be so: madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go. [exeunt] hamlet act iii scene ii a hall in the castle. [enter hamlet and players] hamlet speak the speech, i pray you, as i pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, i had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. nor do not saw the air too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as i may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. o, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumbshows and noise: i would have such a fellow whipped for o'erdoing termagant; it out-herods herod: pray you, avoid it. first player i warrant your honour. hamlet be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special o'erstep not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. now this overdone, or come tardy off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. o, there be players that i have seen play, and heard others praise, and that highly, not to speak it profanely, that, neither having the accent of christians nor the gait of christian, pagan, nor man, have so strutted and bellowed that i have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably. first player i hope we have reformed that indifferently with us, sir. hamlet o, reform it altogether. and let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them; for there be of them that will themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too; though, in the mean time, some necessary question of the play be then to be considered: that's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it. go, make you ready. [exeunt players] [enter polonius, rosencrantz, and guildenstern] how now, my lord! i will the king hear this piece of work? lord polonius and the queen too, and that presently. hamlet bid the players make haste. [exit polonius] will you two help to hasten them? rosencrantz | | we will, my lord. guildenstern | [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] hamlet what ho! horatio! [enter horatio] horatio here, sweet lord, at your service. hamlet horatio, thou art e'en as just a man as e'er my conversation coped withal. horatio o, my dear lord,- hamlet nay, do not think i flatter; for what advancement may i hope from thee that no revenue hast but thy good spirits, to feed and clothe thee? why should the poor be flatter'd? no, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, and crook the pregnant hinges of the knee where thrift may follow fawning. dost thou hear? since my dear soul was mistress of her choice and could of men distinguish, her election hath seal'd thee for herself; for thou hast been as one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, a man that fortune's buffets and rewards hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those whose blood and judgment are so well commingled, that they are not a pipe for fortune's finger to sound what stop she please. give me that man that is not passion's slave, and i will wear him in my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, as i do thee.--something too much of this.- there is a play to-night before the king; one scene of it comes near the circumstance which i have told thee of my father's death: i prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, even with the very comment of thy soul observe mine uncle: if his occulted guilt do not itself unkennel in one speech, it is a damned ghost that we have seen, and my imaginations are as foul as vulcan's stithy. give him heedful note; for i mine eyes will rivet to his face, and after we will both our judgments join in censure of his seeming. horatio well, my lord: if he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, and 'scape detecting, i will pay the theft. hamlet they are coming to the play; i must be idle: get you a place. [danish march. a flourish. enter king claudius, queen gertrude, polonius, ophelia, rosencrantz, guildenstern, and others] king claudius how fares our cousin hamlet? hamlet excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish: i eat the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so. king claudius i have nothing with this answer, hamlet; these words are not mine. hamlet no, nor mine now. [to polonius] my lord, you played once i' the university, you say? lord polonius that did i, my lord; and was accounted a good actor. hamlet what did you enact? lord polonius i did enact julius caesar: i was killed i' the capitol; brutus killed me. hamlet it was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there. be the players ready? rosencrantz ay, my lord; they stay upon your patience. queen gertrude come hither, my dear hamlet, sit by me. hamlet no, good mother, here's metal more attractive. lord polonius [to king claudius] o, ho! do you mark that? hamlet lady, shall i lie in your lap? [lying down at ophelia's feet] ophelia no, my lord. hamlet i mean, my head upon your lap? ophelia ay, my lord. hamlet do you think i meant country matters? ophelia i think nothing, my lord. hamlet that's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs. ophelia what is, my lord? hamlet nothing. ophelia you are merry, my lord. hamlet who, i? ophelia ay, my lord. hamlet o god, your only jig-maker. what should a man do but be merry? for, look you, how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within these two hours. ophelia nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord. hamlet so long? nay then, let the devil wear black, for i'll have a suit of sables. o heavens! die two months ago, and not forgotten yet? then there's hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half a year: but, by'r lady, he must build churches, then; or else shall he suffer not thinking on, with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is 'for, o, for, o, the hobby-horse is forgot.' [hautboys play. the dumb-show enters] [enter a king and a queen very lovingly; the queen embracing him, and he her. she kneels, and makes show of protestation unto him. he takes her up, and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers: she, seeing him asleep, leaves him. anon comes in a fellow, takes off his crown, kisses it, and pours poison in the king's ears, and exit. the queen returns; finds the king dead, and makes passionate action. the poisoner, with some two or three mutes, comes in again, seeming to lament with her. the dead body is carried away. the poisoner wooes the queen with gifts: she seems loath and unwilling awhile, but in the end accepts his love] [exeunt] ophelia what means this, my lord? hamlet marry, this is miching mallecho; it means mischief. ophelia belike this show imports the argument of the play. [enter prologue] hamlet we shall know by this fellow: the players cannot keep counsel; they'll tell all. ophelia will he tell us what this show meant? hamlet ay, or any show that you'll show him: be not you ashamed to show, he'll not shame to tell you what it means. ophelia you are naught, you are naught: i'll mark the play. prologue for us, and for our tragedy, here stooping to your clemency, we beg your hearing patiently. [exit] hamlet is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring? ophelia 'tis brief, my lord. hamlet as woman's love. [enter two players, king and queen] player king full thirty times hath phoebus' cart gone round neptune's salt wash and tellus' orbed ground, and thirty dozen moons with borrow'd sheen about the world have times twelve thirties been, since love our hearts and hymen did our hands unite commutual in most sacred bands. player queen so many journeys may the sun and moon make us again count o'er ere love be done! but, woe is me, you are so sick of late, so far from cheer and from your former state, that i distrust you. yet, though i distrust, discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must: for women's fear and love holds quantity; in neither aught, or in extremity. now, what my love is, proof hath made you know; and as my love is sized, my fear is so: where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear; where little fears grow great, great love grows there. player king 'faith, i must leave thee, love, and shortly too; my operant powers their functions leave to do: and thou shalt live in this fair world behind, honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind for husband shalt thou- player queen o, confound the rest! such love must needs be treason in my breast: in second husband let me be accurst! none wed the second but who kill'd the first. hamlet [aside] wormwood, wormwood. player queen the instances that second marriage move are base respects of thrift, but none of love: a second time i kill my husband dead, when second husband kisses me in bed. player king i do believe you think what now you speak; but what we do determine oft we break. purpose is but the slave to memory, of violent birth, but poor validity; which now, like fruit unripe, sticks on the tree; but fall, unshaken, when they mellow be. most necessary 'tis that we forget to pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt: what to ourselves in passion we propose, the passion ending, doth the purpose lose. the violence of either grief or joy their own enactures with themselves destroy: where joy most revels, grief doth most lament; grief joys, joy grieves, on slender accident. this world is not for aye, nor 'tis not strange that even our loves should with our fortunes change; for 'tis a question left us yet to prove, whether love lead fortune, or else fortune love. the great man down, you mark his favourite flies; the poor advanced makes friends of enemies. and hitherto doth love on fortune tend; for who not needs shall never lack a friend, and who in want a hollow friend doth try, directly seasons him his enemy. but, orderly to end where i begun, our wills and fates do so contrary run that our devices still are overthrown; our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own: so think thou wilt no second husband wed; but die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead. player queen nor earth to me give food, nor heaven light! sport and repose lock from me day and night! to desperation turn my trust and hope! an anchor's cheer in prison be my scope! each opposite that blanks the face of joy meet what i would have well and it destroy! both here and hence pursue me lasting strife, if, once a widow, ever i be wife! hamlet if she should break it now! player king 'tis deeply sworn. sweet, leave me here awhile; my spirits grow dull, and fain i would beguile the tedious day with sleep. [sleeps] player queen sleep rock thy brain, and never come mischance between us twain! [exit] hamlet madam, how like you this play? queen gertrude the lady protests too much, methinks. hamlet o, but she'll keep her word. king claudius have you heard the argument? is there no offence in 't? hamlet no, no, they do but jest, poison in jest; no offence i' the world. king claudius what do you call the play? hamlet the mouse-trap. marry, how? tropically. this play is the image of a murder done in vienna: gonzago is the duke's name; his wife, baptista: you shall see anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung. [enter lucianus] this is one lucianus, nephew to the king. ophelia you are as good as a chorus, my lord. hamlet i could interpret between you and your love, if i could see the puppets dallying. ophelia you are keen, my lord, you are keen. hamlet it would cost you a groaning to take off my edge. ophelia still better, and worse. hamlet so you must take your husbands. begin, murderer; pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. come: 'the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.' lucianus thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing; confederate season, else no creature seeing; thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, with hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infected, thy natural magic and dire property, on wholesome life usurp immediately. [pours the poison into the sleeper's ears] hamlet he poisons him i' the garden for's estate. his name's gonzago: the story is extant, and writ in choice italian: you shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of gonzago's wife. ophelia the king rises. hamlet what, frighted with false fire! queen gertrude how fares my lord? lord polonius give o'er the play. king claudius give me some light: away! all lights, lights, lights! [exeunt all but hamlet and horatio] hamlet why, let the stricken deer go weep, the hart ungalled play; for some must watch, while some must sleep: so runs the world away. would not this, sir, and a forest of feathers-if the rest of my fortunes turn turk with me--with two provincial roses on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players, sir? horatio half a share. hamlet a whole one, i. for thou dost know, o damon dear, this realm dismantled was of jove himself; and now reigns here a very, very--pajock. horatio you might have rhymed. hamlet o good horatio, i'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound. didst perceive? horatio very well, my lord. hamlet upon the talk of the poisoning? horatio i did very well note him. hamlet ah, ha! come, some music! come, the recorders! for if the king like not the comedy, why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy. come, some music! [re-enter rosencrantz and guildenstern] guildenstern good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you. hamlet sir, a whole history. guildenstern the king, sir,- hamlet ay, sir, what of him? guildenstern is in his retirement marvellous distempered. hamlet with drink, sir? guildenstern no, my lord, rather with choler. hamlet your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify this to his doctor; for, for me to put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far more choler. guildenstern good my lord, put your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair. hamlet i am tame, sir: pronounce. guildenstern the queen, your mother, in most great affliction of spirit, hath sent me to you. hamlet you are welcome. guildenstern nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right breed. if it shall please you to make me a wholesome answer, i will do your mother's commandment: if not, your pardon and my return shall be the end of my business. hamlet sir, i cannot. guildenstern what, my lord? hamlet make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased: but, sir, such answer as i can make, you shall command; or, rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,- rosencrantz then thus she says; your behavior hath struck her into amazement and admiration. hamlet o wonderful son, that can so astonish a mother! but is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration? impart. rosencrantz she desires to speak with you in her closet, ere you go to bed. hamlet we shall obey, were she ten times our mother. have you any further trade with us? rosencrantz my lord, you once did love me. hamlet so i do still, by these pickers and stealers. rosencrantz good my lord, what is your cause of distemper? you do, surely, bar the door upon your own liberty, if you deny your griefs to your friend. hamlet sir, i lack advancement. rosencrantz how can that be, when you have the voice of the king himself for your succession in denmark? hamlet ay, but sir, 'while the grass grows,'--the proverb is something musty. [re-enter players with recorders] o, the recorders! let me see one. to withdraw with you:--why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? guildenstern o, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly. hamlet i do not well understand that. will you play upon this pipe? guildenstern my lord, i cannot. hamlet i pray you. guildenstern believe me, i cannot. hamlet i do beseech you. guildenstern i know no touch of it, my lord. hamlet 'tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your lingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. look you, these are the stops. guildenstern but these cannot i command to any utterance of harmony; i have not the skill. hamlet why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! you would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass: and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ; yet cannot you make it speak. 'sblood, do you think i am easier to be played on than a pipe? call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me. [enter polonius] god bless you, sir! lord polonius my lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently. hamlet do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel? lord polonius by the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed. hamlet methinks it is like a weasel. lord polonius it is backed like a weasel. hamlet or like a whale? lord polonius very like a whale. hamlet then i will come to my mother by and by. they fool me to the top of my bent. i will come by and by. lord polonius i will say so. hamlet by and by is easily said. [exit polonius] leave me, friends. [exeunt all but hamlet] tis now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out contagion to this world: now could i drink hot blood, and do such bitter business as the day would quake to look on. soft! now to my mother. o heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever the soul of nero enter this firm bosom: let me be cruel, not unnatural: i will speak daggers to her, but use none; my tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; how in my words soever she be shent, to give them seals never, my soul, consent! [exit] hamlet act iii scene iii a room in the castle. [enter king claudius, rosencrantz, and guildenstern] king claudius i like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madness range. therefore prepare you; i your commission will forthwith dispatch, and he to england shall along with you: the terms of our estate may not endure hazard so dangerous as doth hourly grow out of his lunacies. guildenstern we will ourselves provide: most holy and religious fear it is to keep those many many bodies safe that live and feed upon your majesty. rosencrantz the single and peculiar life is bound, with all the strength and armour of the mind, to keep itself from noyance; but much more that spirit upon whose weal depend and rest the lives of many. the cease of majesty dies not alone; but, like a gulf, doth draw what's near it with it: it is a massy wheel, fix'd on the summit of the highest mount, to whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things are mortised and adjoin'd; which, when it falls, each small annexment, petty consequence, attends the boisterous ruin. never alone did the king sigh, but with a general groan. king claudius arm you, i pray you, to this speedy voyage; for we will fetters put upon this fear, which now goes too free-footed. rosencrantz | | we will haste us. guildenstern | [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] [enter polonius] lord polonius my lord, he's going to his mother's closet: behind the arras i'll convey myself, to hear the process; and warrant she'll tax him home: and, as you said, and wisely was it said, 'tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear the speech, of vantage. fare you well, my liege: i'll call upon you ere you go to bed, and tell you what i know. king claudius thanks, dear my lord. [exit polonius] o, my offence is rank it smells to heaven; it hath the primal eldest curse upon't, a brother's murder. pray can i not, though inclination be as sharp as will: my stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; and, like a man to double business bound, i stand in pause where i shall first begin, and both neglect. what if this cursed hand were thicker than itself with brother's blood, is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow? whereto serves mercy but to confront the visage of offence? and what's in prayer but this two-fold force, to be forestalled ere we come to fall, or pardon'd being down? then i'll look up; my fault is past. but, o, what form of prayer can serve my turn? 'forgive me my foul murder'? that cannot be; since i am still possess'd of those effects for which i did the murder, my crown, mine own ambition and my queen. may one be pardon'd and retain the offence? in the corrupted currents of this world offence's gilded hand may shove by justice, and oft 'tis seen the wicked prize itself buys out the law: but 'tis not so above; there is no shuffling, there the action lies in his true nature; and we ourselves compell'd, even to the teeth and forehead of our faults, to give in evidence. what then? what rests? try what repentance can: what can it not? yet what can it when one can not repent? o wretched state! o bosom black as death! o limed soul, that, struggling to be free, art more engaged! help, angels! make assay! bow, stubborn knees; and, heart with strings of steel, be soft as sinews of the newborn babe! all may be well. [retires and kneels] [enter hamlet] hamlet now might i do it pat, now he is praying; and now i'll do't. and so he goes to heaven; and so am i revenged. that would be scann'd: a villain kills my father; and for that, i, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. o, this is hire and salary, not revenge. he took my father grossly, full of bread; with all his crimes broad blown, as flush as may; and how his audit stands who knows save heaven? but in our circumstance and course of thought, 'tis heavy with him: and am i then revenged, to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and season'd for his passage? no! up, sword; and know thou a more horrid hent: when he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed; at gaming, swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in't; then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damn'd and black as hell, whereto it goes. my mother stays: this physic but prolongs thy sickly days. [exit] king claudius [rising] my words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words without thoughts never to heaven go. [exit] hamlet act iii scene iv the queen's closet. [enter queen margaret and polonius] lord polonius he will come straight. look you lay home to him: tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with, and that your grace hath screen'd and stood between much heat and him. i'll sconce me even here. pray you, be round with him. hamlet [within] mother, mother, mother! queen gertrude i'll warrant you, fear me not: withdraw, i hear him coming. [polonius hides behind the arras] [enter hamlet] hamlet now, mother, what's the matter? queen gertrude hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. hamlet mother, you have my father much offended. queen gertrude come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. hamlet go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. queen gertrude why, how now, hamlet! hamlet what's the matter now? queen gertrude have you forgot me? hamlet no, by the rood, not so: you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; and--would it were not so!--you are my mother. queen gertrude nay, then, i'll set those to you that can speak. hamlet come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge; you go not till i set you up a glass where you may see the inmost part of you. queen gertrude what wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me? help, help, ho! lord polonius [behind] what, ho! help, help, help! hamlet [drawing] how now! a rat? dead, for a ducat, dead! [makes a pass through the arras] lord polonius [behind] o, i am slain! [falls and dies] queen gertrude o me, what hast thou done? hamlet nay, i know not: is it the king? queen gertrude o, what a rash and bloody deed is this! hamlet a bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king, and marry with his brother. queen gertrude as kill a king! hamlet ay, lady, 'twas my word. [lifts up the array and discovers polonius] thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! i took thee for thy better: take thy fortune; thou find'st to be too busy is some danger. leave wringing of your hands: peace! sit you down, and let me wring your heart; for so i shall, if it be made of penetrable stuff, if damned custom have not brass'd it so that it is proof and bulwark against sense. queen gertrude what have i done, that thou darest wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me? hamlet such an act that blurs the grace and blush of modesty, calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose from the fair forehead of an innocent love and sets a blister there, makes marriage-vows as false as dicers' oaths: o, such a deed as from the body of contraction plucks the very soul, and sweet religion makes a rhapsody of words: heaven's face doth glow: yea, this solidity and compound mass, with tristful visage, as against the doom, is thought-sick at the act. queen gertrude ay me, what act, that roars so loud, and thunders in the index? hamlet look here, upon this picture, and on this, the counterfeit presentment of two brothers. see, what a grace was seated on this brow; hyperion's curls; the front of jove himself; an eye like mars, to threaten and command; a station like the herald mercury new-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill; a combination and a form indeed, where every god did seem to set his seal, to give the world assurance of a man: this was your husband. look you now, what follows: here is your husband; like a mildew'd ear, blasting his wholesome brother. have you eyes? could you on this fair mountain leave to feed, and batten on this moor? ha! have you eyes? you cannot call it love; for at your age the hey-day in the blood is tame, it's humble, and waits upon the judgment: and what judgment would step from this to this? sense, sure, you have, else could you not have motion; but sure, that sense is apoplex'd; for madness would not err, nor sense to ecstasy was ne'er so thrall'd but it reserved some quantity of choice, to serve in such a difference. what devil was't that thus hath cozen'd you at hoodman-blind? eyes without feeling, feeling without sight, ears without hands or eyes, smelling sans all, or but a sickly part of one true sense could not so mope. o shame! where is thy blush? rebellious hell, if thou canst mutine in a matron's bones, to flaming youth let virtue be as wax, and melt in her own fire: proclaim no shame when the compulsive ardour gives the charge, since frost itself as actively doth burn and reason panders will. queen gertrude o hamlet, speak no more: thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul; and there i see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct. hamlet nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty,- queen gertrude o, speak to me no more; these words, like daggers, enter in mine ears; no more, sweet hamlet! hamlet a murderer and a villain; a slave that is not twentieth part the tithe of your precedent lord; a vice of kings; a cutpurse of the empire and the rule, that from a shelf the precious diadem stole, and put it in his pocket! queen gertrude no more! hamlet a king of shreds and patches,- [enter ghost] save me, and hover o'er me with your wings, you heavenly guards! what would your gracious figure? queen gertrude alas, he's mad! hamlet do you not come your tardy son to chide, that, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by the important acting of your dread command? o, say! ghost do not forget: this visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. but, look, amazement on thy mother sits: o, step between her and her fighting soul: conceit in weakest bodies strongest works: speak to her, hamlet. hamlet how is it with you, lady? queen gertrude alas, how is't with you, that you do bend your eye on vacancy and with the incorporal air do hold discourse? forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep; and, as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm, your bedded hair, like life in excrements, starts up, and stands on end. o gentle son, upon the heat and flame of thy distemper sprinkle cool patience. whereon do you look? hamlet on him, on him! look you, how pale he glares! his form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones, would make them capable. do not look upon me; lest with this piteous action you convert my stern effects: then what i have to do will want true colour; tears perchance for blood. queen gertrude to whom do you speak this? hamlet do you see nothing there? queen gertrude nothing at all; yet all that is i see. hamlet nor did you nothing hear? queen gertrude no, nothing but ourselves. hamlet why, look you there! look, how it steals away! my father, in his habit as he lived! look, where he goes, even now, out at the portal! [exit ghost] queen gertrude this the very coinage of your brain: this bodiless creation ecstasy is very cunning in. hamlet ecstasy! my pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time, and makes as healthful music: it is not madness that i have utter'd: bring me to the test, and i the matter will re-word; which madness would gambol from. mother, for love of grace, lay not that mattering unction to your soul, that not your trespass, but my madness speaks: it will but skin and film the ulcerous place, whilst rank corruption, mining all within, infects unseen. confess yourself to heaven; repent what's past; avoid what is to come; and do not spread the compost on the weeds, to make them ranker. forgive me this my virtue; for in the fatness of these pursy times virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. queen gertrude o hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. hamlet o, throw away the worser part of it, and live the purer with the other half. good night: but go not to mine uncle's bed; assume a virtue, if you have it not. that monster, custom, who all sense doth eat, of habits devil, is angel yet in this, that to the use of actions fair and good he likewise gives a frock or livery, that aptly is put on. refrain to-night, and that shall lend a kind of easiness to the next abstinence: the next more easy; for use almost can change the stamp of nature, and either [ ] the devil, or throw him out with wondrous potency. once more, good night: and when you are desirous to be bless'd, i'll blessing beg of you. for this same lord, [pointing to polonius] i do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so, to punish me with this and this with me, that i must be their scourge and minister. i will bestow him, and will answer well the death i gave him. so, again, good night. i must be cruel, only to be kind: thus bad begins and worse remains behind. one word more, good lady. queen gertrude what shall i do? hamlet not this, by no means, that i bid you do: let the bloat king tempt you again to bed; pinch wanton on your cheek; call you his mouse; and let him, for a pair of reechy kisses, or paddling in your neck with his damn'd fingers, make you to ravel all this matter out, that i essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft. 'twere good you let him know; for who, that's but a queen, fair, sober, wise, would from a paddock, from a bat, a gib, such dear concernings hide? who would do so? no, in despite of sense and secrecy, unpeg the basket on the house's top. let the birds fly, and, like the famous ape, to try conclusions, in the basket creep, and break your own neck down. queen gertrude be thou assured, if words be made of breath, and breath of life, i have no life to breathe what thou hast said to me. hamlet i must to england; you know that? queen gertrude alack, i had forgot: 'tis so concluded on. hamlet there's letters seal'd: and my two schoolfellows, whom i will trust as i will adders fang'd, they bear the mandate; they must sweep my way, and marshal me to knavery. let it work; for 'tis the sport to have the engineer hoist with his own petard: and 't shall go hard but i will delve one yard below their mines, and blow them at the moon: o, 'tis most sweet, when in one line two crafts directly meet. this man shall set me packing: i'll lug the guts into the neighbour room. mother, good night. indeed this counsellor is now most still, most secret and most grave, who was in life a foolish prating knave. come, sir, to draw toward an end with you. good night, mother. [exeunt severally; hamlet dragging in polonius] hamlet act iv scene i a room in the castle. [enter king claudius, queen gertrude, rosencrantz, and guildenstern] king claudius there's matter in these sighs, these profound heaves: you must translate: 'tis fit we understand them. where is your son? queen gertrude bestow this place on us a little while. [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] ah, my good lord, what have i seen to-night! king claudius what, gertrude? how does hamlet? queen gertrude mad as the sea and wind, when both contend which is the mightier: in his lawless fit, behind the arras hearing something stir, whips out his rapier, cries, 'a rat, a rat!' and, in this brainish apprehension, kills the unseen good old man. king claudius o heavy deed! it had been so with us, had we been there: his liberty is full of threats to all; to you yourself, to us, to every one. alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd? it will be laid to us, whose providence should have kept short, restrain'd and out of haunt, this mad young man: but so much was our love, we would not understand what was most fit; but, like the owner of a foul disease, to keep it from divulging, let it feed even on the pith of life. where is he gone? queen gertrude to draw apart the body he hath kill'd: o'er whom his very madness, like some ore among a mineral of metals base, shows itself pure; he weeps for what is done. king claudius o gertrude, come away! the sun no sooner shall the mountains touch, but we will ship him hence: and this vile deed we must, with all our majesty and skill, both countenance and excuse. ho, guildenstern! [re-enter rosencrantz and guildenstern] friends both, go join you with some further aid: hamlet in madness hath polonius slain, and from his mother's closet hath he dragg'd him: go seek him out; speak fair, and bring the body into the chapel. i pray you, haste in this. [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] come, gertrude, we'll call up our wisest friends; and let them know, both what we mean to do, and what's untimely done [ ] whose whisper o'er the world's diameter, as level as the cannon to his blank, transports his poison'd shot, may miss our name, and hit the woundless air. o, come away! my soul is full of discord and dismay. [exeunt] hamlet act iv scene ii another room in the castle. [enter hamlet] hamlet safely stowed. rosencrantz: | | [within] hamlet! lord hamlet! guildenstern: | hamlet what noise? who calls on hamlet? o, here they come. [enter rosencrantz and guildenstern] rosencrantz what have you done, my lord, with the dead body? hamlet compounded it with dust, whereto 'tis kin. rosencrantz tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence and bear it to the chapel. hamlet do not believe it. rosencrantz believe what? hamlet that i can keep your counsel and not mine own. besides, to be demanded of a sponge! what replication should be made by the son of a king? rosencrantz take you me for a sponge, my lord? hamlet ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, his authorities. but such officers do the king best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed: when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. rosencrantz i understand you not, my lord. hamlet i am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear. rosencrantz my lord, you must tell us where the body is, and go with us to the king. hamlet the body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. the king is a thing- guildenstern a thing, my lord! hamlet of nothing: bring me to him. hide fox, and all after. [exeunt] hamlet act iv scene iii another room in the castle. [enter king claudius, attended] king claudius i have sent to seek him, and to find the body. how dangerous is it that this man goes loose! yet must not we put the strong law on him: he's loved of the distracted multitude, who like not in their judgment, but their eyes; and where tis so, the offender's scourge is weigh'd, but never the offence. to bear all smooth and even, this sudden sending him away must seem deliberate pause: diseases desperate grown by desperate appliance are relieved, or not at all. [enter rosencrantz] how now! what hath befall'n? rosencrantz where the dead body is bestow'd, my lord, we cannot get from him. king claudius but where is he? rosencrantz without, my lord; guarded, to know your pleasure. king claudius bring him before us. rosencrantz ho, guildenstern! bring in my lord. [enter hamlet and guildenstern] king claudius now, hamlet, where's polonius? hamlet at supper. king claudius at supper! where? hamlet not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table: that's the end. king claudius alas, alas! hamlet a man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and cat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. king claudius what dost you mean by this? hamlet nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar. king claudius where is polonius? hamlet in heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself. but indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby. king claudius go seek him there. [to some attendants] hamlet he will stay till ye come. [exeunt attendants] king claudius hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety,- which we do tender, as we dearly grieve for that which thou hast done,--must send thee hence with fiery quickness: therefore prepare thyself; the bark is ready, and the wind at help, the associates tend, and every thing is bent for england. hamlet for england! king claudius ay, hamlet. hamlet good. king claudius so is it, if thou knew'st our purposes. hamlet i see a cherub that sees them. but, come; for england! farewell, dear mother. king claudius thy loving father, hamlet. hamlet my mother: father and mother is man and wife; man and wife is one flesh; and so, my mother. come, for england! [exit] king claudius follow him at foot; tempt him with speed aboard; delay it not; i'll have him hence to-night: away! for every thing is seal'd and done that else leans on the affair: pray you, make haste. [exeunt rosencrantz and guildenstern] and, england, if my love thou hold'st at aught- as my great power thereof may give thee sense, since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red after the danish sword, and thy free awe pays homage to us--thou mayst not coldly set our sovereign process; which imports at full, by letters congruing to that effect, the present death of hamlet. do it, england; for like the hectic in my blood he rages, and thou must cure me: till i know 'tis done, howe'er my haps, my joys were ne'er begun. [exit] hamlet act iv scene iv a plain in denmark. [enter fortinbras, a captain, and soldiers, marching] prince fortinbras go, captain, from me greet the danish king; tell him that, by his licence, fortinbras craves the conveyance of a promised march over his kingdom. you know the rendezvous. if that his majesty would aught with us, we shall express our duty in his eye; and let him know so. captain i will do't, my lord. prince fortinbras go softly on. [exeunt fortinbras and soldiers] [enter hamlet, rosencrantz, guildenstern, and others] hamlet good sir, whose powers are these? captain they are of norway, sir. hamlet how purposed, sir, i pray you? captain against some part of poland. hamlet who commands them, sir? captain the nephews to old norway, fortinbras. hamlet goes it against the main of poland, sir, or for some frontier? captain truly to speak, and with no addition, we go to gain a little patch of ground that hath in it no profit but the name. to pay five ducats, five, i would not farm it; nor will it yield to norway or the pole a ranker rate, should it be sold in fee. hamlet why, then the polack never will defend it. captain yes, it is already garrison'd. hamlet two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats will not debate the question of this straw: this is the imposthume of much wealth and peace, that inward breaks, and shows no cause without why the man dies. i humbly thank you, sir. captain god be wi' you, sir. [exit] rosencrantz wilt please you go, my lord? hamlet i'll be with you straight go a little before. [exeunt all except hamlet] how all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge! what is a man, if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. sure, he that made us with such large discourse, looking before and after, gave us not that capability and god-like reason to fust in us unused. now, whether it be bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple of thinking too precisely on the event, a thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward, i do not know why yet i live to say 'this thing's to do;' sith i have cause and will and strength and means to do't. examples gross as earth exhort me: witness this army of such mass and charge led by a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd makes mouths at the invisible event, exposing what is mortal and unsure to all that fortune, death and danger dare, even for an egg-shell. rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honour's at the stake. how stand i then, that have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, excitements of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep? while, to my shame, i see the imminent death of twenty thousand men, that, for a fantasy and trick of fame, go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, which is not tomb enough and continent to hide the slain? o, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth! [exit] hamlet act iv scene v elsinore. a room in the castle. [enter queen gertrude, horatio, and a gentleman] queen gertrude i will not speak with her. gentleman she is importunate, indeed distract: her mood will needs be pitied. queen gertrude what would she have? gentleman she speaks much of her father; says she hears there's tricks i' the world; and hems, and beats her heart; spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt, that carry but half sense: her speech is nothing, yet the unshaped use of it doth move the hearers to collection; they aim at it, and botch the words up fit to their own thoughts; which, as her winks, and nods, and gestures yield them, indeed would make one think there might be thought, though nothing sure, yet much unhappily. horatio 'twere good she were spoken with; for she may strew dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds. queen gertrude let her come in. [exit horatio] to my sick soul, as sin's true nature is, each toy seems prologue to some great amiss: so full of artless jealousy is guilt, it spills itself in fearing to be spilt. [re-enter horatio, with ophelia] ophelia where is the beauteous majesty of denmark? queen gertrude how now, ophelia! ophelia [sings] how should i your true love know from another one? by his cockle hat and staff, and his sandal shoon. queen gertrude alas, sweet lady, what imports this song? ophelia say you? nay, pray you, mark. [sings] he is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone; at his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone. queen gertrude nay, but, ophelia,- ophelia pray you, mark. [sings] white his shroud as the mountain snow,- [enter king claudius] queen gertrude alas, look here, my lord. ophelia [sings] larded with sweet flowers which bewept to the grave did go with true-love showers. king claudius how do you, pretty lady? ophelia well, god 'ild you! they say the owl was a baker's daughter. lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. god be at your table! king claudius conceit upon her father. ophelia pray you, let's have no words of this; but when they ask you what it means, say you this: [sings] to-morrow is saint valentine's day, all in the morning betime, and i a maid at your window, to be your valentine. then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes, and dupp'd the chamber-door; let in the maid, that out a maid never departed more. king claudius pretty ophelia! ophelia indeed, la, without an oath, i'll make an end on't: [sings] by gis and by saint charity, alack, and fie for shame! young men will do't, if they come to't; by cock, they are to blame. quoth she, before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed. so would i ha' done, by yonder sun, an thou hadst not come to my bed. king claudius how long hath she been thus? ophelia i hope all will be well. we must be patient: but i cannot choose but weep, to think they should lay him i' the cold ground. my brother shall know of it: and so i thank you for your good counsel. come, my coach! good night, ladies; good night, sweet ladies; good night, good night. [exit] king claudius follow her close; give her good watch, i pray you. [exit horatio] o, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs all from her father's death. o gertrude, gertrude, when sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions. first, her father slain: next, your son gone; and he most violent author of his own just remove: the people muddied, thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers, for good polonius' death; and we have done but greenly, in hugger-mugger to inter him: poor ophelia divided from herself and her fair judgment, without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts: last, and as much containing as all these, her brother is in secret come from france; feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds, and wants not buzzers to infect his ear with pestilent speeches of his father's death; wherein necessity, of matter beggar'd, will nothing stick our person to arraign in ear and ear. o my dear gertrude, this, like to a murdering-piece, in many places gives me superfluous death. [a noise within] queen gertrude alack, what noise is this? king claudius where are my switzers? let them guard the door. [enter another gentleman] what is the matter? gentleman save yourself, my lord: the ocean, overpeering of his list, eats not the flats with more impetuous haste than young laertes, in a riotous head, o'erbears your officers. the rabble call him lord; and, as the world were now but to begin, antiquity forgot, custom not known, the ratifiers and props of every word, they cry 'choose we: laertes shall be king:' caps, hands, and tongues, applaud it to the clouds: 'laertes shall be king, laertes king!' queen gertrude how cheerfully on the false trail they cry! o, this is counter, you false danish dogs! king claudius the doors are broke. [noise within] [enter laertes, armed; danes following] laertes where is this king? sirs, stand you all without. danes no, let's come in. laertes i pray you, give me leave. danes we will, we will. [they retire without the door] laertes i thank you: keep the door. o thou vile king, give me my father! queen gertrude calmly, good laertes. laertes that drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard, cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot even here, between the chaste unsmirched brow of my true mother. king claudius what is the cause, laertes, that thy rebellion looks so giant-like? let him go, gertrude; do not fear our person: there's such divinity doth hedge a king, that treason can but peep to what it would, acts little of his will. tell me, laertes, why thou art thus incensed. let him go, gertrude. speak, man. laertes where is my father? king claudius dead. queen gertrude but not by him. king claudius let him demand his fill. laertes how came he dead? i'll not be juggled with: to hell, allegiance! vows, to the blackest devil! conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! i dare damnation. to this point i stand, that both the worlds i give to negligence, let come what comes; only i'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father. king claudius who shall stay you? laertes my will, not all the world: and for my means, i'll husband them so well, they shall go far with little. king claudius good laertes, if you desire to know the certainty of your dear father's death, is't writ in your revenge, that, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and foe, winner and loser? laertes none but his enemies. king claudius will you know them then? laertes to his good friends thus wide i'll ope my arms; and like the kind life-rendering pelican, repast them with my blood. king claudius why, now you speak like a good child and a true gentleman. that i am guiltless of your father's death, and am most sensible in grief for it, it shall as level to your judgment pierce as day does to your eye. danes [within] let her come in. laertes how now! what noise is that? [re-enter ophelia] o heat, dry up my brains! tears seven times salt, burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye! by heaven, thy madness shall be paid by weight, till our scale turn the beam. o rose of may! dear maid, kind sister, sweet ophelia! o heavens! is't possible, a young maid's wits should be as moral as an old man's life? nature is fine in love, and where 'tis fine, it sends some precious instance of itself after the thing it loves. ophelia [sings] they bore him barefaced on the bier; hey non nonny, nonny, hey nonny; and in his grave rain'd many a tear:- fare you well, my dove! laertes hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge, it could not move thus. ophelia [sings] you must sing a-down a-down, an you call him a-down-a. o, how the wheel becomes it! it is the false steward, that stole his master's daughter. laertes this nothing's more than matter. ophelia there's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. that's for thoughts. laertes a document in madness, thoughts and remembrance fitted. ophelia there's fennel for you, and columbines: there's rue for you; and here's some for me: we may call it herb-grace o' sundays: o you must wear your rue with a difference. there's a daisy: i would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died: they say he made a good end,- [sings] for bonny sweet robin is all my joy. laertes thought and affliction, passion, hell itself, she turns to favour and to prettiness. ophelia [sings] and will he not come again? and will he not come again? no, no, he is dead: go to thy death-bed: he never will come again. his beard was as white as snow, all flaxen was his poll: he is gone, he is gone, and we cast away moan: god ha' mercy on his soul! and of all christian souls, i pray god. god be wi' ye. [exit] laertes do you see this, o god? king claudius laertes, i must commune with your grief, or you deny me right. go but apart, make choice of whom your wisest friends you will. and they shall hear and judge 'twixt you and me: if by direct or by collateral hand they find us touch'd, we will our kingdom give, our crown, our life, and all that we can ours, to you in satisfaction; but if not, be you content to lend your patience to us, and we shall jointly labour with your soul to give it due content. laertes let this be so; his means of death, his obscure funeral- no trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones, no noble rite nor formal ostentation- cry to be heard, as 'twere from heaven to earth, that i must call't in question. king claudius so you shall; and where the offence is let the great axe fall. i pray you, go with me. [exeunt] hamlet act iv scene vi another room in the castle. [enter horatio and a servant] horatio what are they that would speak with me? servant sailors, sir: they say they have letters for you. horatio let them come in. [exit servant] i do not know from what part of the world i should be greeted, if not from lord hamlet. [enter sailors] first sailor god bless you, sir. horatio let him bless thee too. first sailor he shall, sir, an't please him. there's a letter for you, sir; it comes from the ambassador that was bound for england; if your name be horatio, as i am let to know it is. horatio [reads] 'horatio, when thou shalt have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the king: they have letters for him. ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase. finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour, and in the grapple i boarded them: on the instant they got clear of our ship; so i alone became their prisoner. they have dealt with me like thieves of mercy: but they knew what they did; i am to do a good turn for them. let the king have the letters i have sent; and repair thou to me with as much speed as thou wouldst fly death. i have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter. these good fellows will bring thee where i am. rosencrantz and guildenstern hold their course for england: of them i have much to tell thee. farewell. 'he that thou knowest thine, hamlet.' come, i will make you way for these your letters; and do't the speedier, that you may direct me to him from whom you brought them. [exeunt] hamlet act iv scene vii another room in the castle. [enter king claudius and laertes] king claudius now must your conscience my acquaintance seal, and you must put me in your heart for friend, sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear, that he which hath your noble father slain pursued my life. laertes it well appears: but tell me why you proceeded not against these feats, so crimeful and so capital in nature, as by your safety, wisdom, all things else, you mainly were stirr'd up. king claudius o, for two special reasons; which may to you, perhaps, seem much unsinew'd, but yet to me they are strong. the queen his mother lives almost by his looks; and for myself- my virtue or my plague, be it either which- she's so conjunctive to my life and soul, that, as the star moves not but in his sphere, i could not but by her. the other motive, why to a public count i might not go, is the great love the general gender bear him; who, dipping all his faults in their affection, would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone, convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows, too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind, would have reverted to my bow again, and not where i had aim'd them. laertes and so have i a noble father lost; a sister driven into desperate terms, whose worth, if praises may go back again, stood challenger on mount of all the age for her perfections: but my revenge will come. king claudius break not your sleeps for that: you must not think that we are made of stuff so flat and dull that we can let our beard be shook with danger and think it pastime. you shortly shall hear more: i loved your father, and we love ourself; and that, i hope, will teach you to imagine- [enter a messenger] how now! what news? messenger letters, my lord, from hamlet: this to your majesty; this to the queen. king claudius from hamlet! who brought them? messenger sailors, my lord, they say; i saw them not: they were given me by claudio; he received them of him that brought them. king claudius laertes, you shall hear them. leave us. [exit messenger] [reads] 'high and mighty, you shall know i am set naked on your kingdom. to-morrow shall i beg leave to see your kingly eyes: when i shall, first asking your pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return. 'hamlet.' what should this mean? are all the rest come back? or is it some abuse, and no such thing? laertes know you the hand? king claudius 'tis hamlets character. 'naked! and in a postscript here, he says 'alone.' can you advise me? laertes i'm lost in it, my lord. but let him come; it warms the very sickness in my heart, that i shall live and tell him to his teeth, 'thus didest thou.' king claudius if it be so, laertes- as how should it be so? how otherwise?- will you be ruled by me? laertes ay, my lord; so you will not o'errule me to a peace. king claudius to thine own peace. if he be now return'd, as checking at his voyage, and that he means no more to undertake it, i will work him to an exploit, now ripe in my device, under the which he shall not choose but fall: and for his death no wind of blame shall breathe, but even his mother shall uncharge the practise and call it accident. laertes my lord, i will be ruled; the rather, if you could devise it so that i might be the organ. king claudius it falls right. you have been talk'd of since your travel much, and that in hamlet's hearing, for a quality wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of parts did not together pluck such envy from him as did that one, and that, in my regard, of the unworthiest siege. laertes what part is that, my lord? king claudius a very riband in the cap of youth, yet needful too; for youth no less becomes the light and careless livery that it wears than settled age his sables and his weeds, importing health and graveness. two months since, here was a gentleman of normandy:- i've seen myself, and served against, the french, and they can well on horseback: but this gallant had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat; and to such wondrous doing brought his horse, as he had been incorpsed and demi-natured with the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought, that i, in forgery of shapes and tricks, come short of what he did. laertes a norman was't? king claudius a norman. laertes upon my life, lamond. king claudius the very same. laertes i know him well: he is the brooch indeed and gem of all the nation. king claudius he made confession of you, and gave you such a masterly report for art and exercise in your defence and for your rapier most especially, that he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed, if one could match you: the scrimers of their nation, he swore, had had neither motion, guard, nor eye, if you opposed them. sir, this report of his did hamlet so envenom with his envy that he could nothing do but wish and beg your sudden coming o'er, to play with him. now, out of this,- laertes what out of this, my lord? king claudius laertes, was your father dear to you? or are you like the painting of a sorrow, a face without a heart? laertes why ask you this? king claudius not that i think you did not love your father; but that i know love is begun by time; and that i see, in passages of proof, time qualifies the spark and fire of it. there lives within the very flame of love a kind of wick or snuff that will abate it; and nothing is at a like goodness still; for goodness, growing to a plurisy, dies in his own too much: that we would do we should do when we would; for this 'would' changes and hath abatements and delays as many as there are tongues, are hands, are accidents; and then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh, that hurts by easing. but, to the quick o' the ulcer:- hamlet comes back: what would you undertake, to show yourself your father's son in deed more than in words? laertes to cut his throat i' the church. king claudius no place, indeed, should murder sanctuarize; revenge should have no bounds. but, good laertes, will you do this, keep close within your chamber. hamlet return'd shall know you are come home: we'll put on those shall praise your excellence and set a double varnish on the fame the frenchman gave you, bring you in fine together and wager on your heads: he, being remiss, most generous and free from all contriving, will not peruse the foils; so that, with ease, or with a little shuffling, you may choose a sword unbated, and in a pass of practise requite him for your father. laertes i will do't: and, for that purpose, i'll anoint my sword. i bought an unction of a mountebank, so mortal that, but dip a knife in it, where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, collected from all simples that have virtue under the moon, can save the thing from death that is but scratch'd withal: i'll touch my point with this contagion, that, if i gall him slightly, it may be death. king claudius let's further think of this; weigh what convenience both of time and means may fit us to our shape: if this should fail, and that our drift look through our bad performance, 'twere better not assay'd: therefore this project should have a back or second, that might hold, if this should blast in proof. soft! let me see: we'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings: i ha't. when in your motion you are hot and dry- as make your bouts more violent to that end- and that he calls for drink, i'll have prepared him a chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, if he by chance escape your venom'd stuck, our purpose may hold there. [enter queen gertrude] how now, sweet queen! queen gertrude one woe doth tread upon another's heel, so fast they follow; your sister's drown'd, laertes. laertes drown'd! o, where? queen gertrude there is a willow grows aslant a brook, that shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; there with fantastic garlands did she come of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples that liberal shepherds give a grosser name, but our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them: there, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; when down her weedy trophies and herself fell in the weeping brook. her clothes spread wide; and, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: which time she chanted snatches of old tunes; as one incapable of her own distress, or like a creature native and indued unto that element: but long it could not be till that her garments, heavy with their drink, pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay to muddy death. laertes alas, then, she is drown'd? queen gertrude drown'd, drown'd. laertes too much of water hast thou, poor ophelia, and therefore i forbid my tears: but yet it is our trick; nature her custom holds, let shame say what it will: when these are gone, the woman will be out. adieu, my lord: i have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze, but that this folly douts it. [exit] king claudius let's follow, gertrude: how much i had to do to calm his rage! now fear i this will give it start again; therefore let's follow. [exeunt] hamlet act v scene i a churchyard. [enter two clowns, with spades, &c] first clown is she to be buried in christian burial that wilfully seeks her own salvation? second clown i tell thee she is: and therefore make her grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it christian burial. first clown how can that be, unless she drowned herself in her own defence? second clown why, 'tis found so. first clown it must be 'se offendendo;' it cannot be else. for here lies the point: if i drown myself wittingly, it argues an act: and an act hath three branches: it is, to act, to do, to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly. second clown nay, but hear you, goodman delver,- first clown give me leave. here lies the water; good: here stands the man; good; if the man go to this water, and drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, he goes,--mark you that; but if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life. second clown but is this law? first clown ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law. second clown will you ha' the truth on't? if this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' christian burial. first clown why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even christian. come, my spade. there is no ancient gentleman but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers: they hold up adam's profession. second clown was he a gentleman? first clown he was the first that ever bore arms. second clown why, he had none. first clown what, art a heathen? how dost thou understand the scripture? the scripture says 'adam digged:' could he dig without arms? i'll put another question to thee: if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself- second clown go to. first clown what is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter? second clown the gallows-maker; for that frame outlives a thousand tenants. first clown i like thy wit well, in good faith: the gallows does well; but how does it well? it does well to those that do in: now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church: argal, the gallows may do well to thee. to't again, come. second clown 'who builds stronger than a mason, a shipwright, or a carpenter?' first clown ay, tell me that, and unyoke. second clown marry, now i can tell. first clown to't. second clown mass, i cannot tell. [enter hamlet and horatio, at a distance] first clown cudgel thy brains no more about it, for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating; and, when you are asked this question next, say 'a grave-maker: 'the houses that he makes last till doomsday. go, get thee to yaughan: fetch me a stoup of liquor. [exit second clown] [he digs and sings] in youth, when i did love, did love, methought it was very sweet, to contract, o, the time, for, ah, my behove, o, methought, there was nothing meet. hamlet has this fellow no feeling of his business, that he sings at grave-making? horatio custom hath made it in him a property of easiness. hamlet 'tis e'en so: the hand of little employment hath the daintier sense. first clown [sings] but age, with his stealing steps, hath claw'd me in his clutch, and hath shipped me intil the land, as if i had never been such. [throws up a skull] hamlet that skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once: how the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! it might be the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'er-reaches; one that would circumvent god, might it not? horatio it might, my lord. hamlet or of a courtier; which could say 'good morrow, sweet lord! how dost thou, good lord?' this might be my lord such-a-one, that praised my lord such-a-one's horse, when he meant to beg it; might it not? horatio ay, my lord. hamlet why, e'en so: and now my lady worm's; chapless, and knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's spade: here's fine revolution, an we had the trick to see't. did these bones cost no more the breeding, but to play at loggats with 'em? mine ache to think on't. first clown: [sings] a pick-axe, and a spade, a spade, for and a shrouding sheet: o, a pit of clay for to be made for such a guest is meet. [throws up another skull] hamlet there's another: why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? where be his quiddities now, his quillets, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery? hum! this fellow might be in's time a great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? the very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha? horatio not a jot more, my lord. hamlet is not parchment made of sheepskins? horatio ay, my lord, and of calf-skins too. hamlet they are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that. i will speak to this fellow. whose grave's this, sirrah? first clown mine, sir. [sings] o, a pit of clay for to be made for such a guest is meet. hamlet i think it be thine, indeed; for thou liest in't. first clown you lie out on't, sir, and therefore it is not yours: for my part, i do not lie in't, and yet it is mine. hamlet 'thou dost lie in't, to be in't and say it is thine: 'tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest. first clown 'tis a quick lie, sir; 'twill away gain, from me to you. hamlet what man dost thou dig it for? first clown for no man, sir. hamlet what woman, then? first clown for none, neither. hamlet who is to be buried in't? first clown one that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead. hamlet how absolute the knave is! we must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. by the lord, horatio, these three years i have taken a note of it; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, he gaffs his kibe. how long hast thou been a grave-maker? first clown of all the days i' the year, i came to't that day that our last king hamlet overcame fortinbras. hamlet how long is that since? first clown cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it was the very day that young hamlet was born; he that is mad, and sent into england. hamlet ay, marry, why was he sent into england? first clown why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if he do not, it's no great matter there. hamlet why? first clown 'twill, a not be seen in him there; there the men are as mad as he. hamlet how came he mad? first clown very strangely, they say. hamlet how strangely? first clown faith, e'en with losing his wits. hamlet upon what ground? first clown why, here in denmark: i have been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years. hamlet how long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot? first clown i' faith, if he be not rotten before he die--as we have many pocky corses now-a-days, that will scarce hold the laying in--he will last you some eight year or nine year: a tanner will last you nine year. hamlet why he more than another? first clown why, sir, his hide is so tanned with his trade, that he will keep out water a great while; and your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body. here's a skull now; this skull has lain in the earth three and twenty years. hamlet whose was it? first clown a whoreson mad fellow's it was: whose do you think it was? hamlet nay, i know not. first clown a pestilence on him for a mad rogue! a' poured a flagon of rhenish on my head once. this same skull, sir, was yorick's skull, the king's jester. hamlet this? first clown e'en that. hamlet let me see. [takes the skull] alas, poor yorick! i knew him, horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at it. here hung those lips that i have kissed i know not how oft. where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen? now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that. prithee, horatio, tell me one thing. horatio what's that, my lord? hamlet dost thou think alexander looked o' this fashion i' the earth? horatio e'en so. hamlet and smelt so? pah! [puts down the skull] horatio e'en so, my lord. hamlet to what base uses we may return, horatio! why may not imagination trace the noble dust of alexander, till he find it stopping a bung-hole? horatio 'twere to consider too curiously, to consider so. hamlet no, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as thus: alexander died, alexander was buried, alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel? imperious caesar, dead and turn'd to clay, might stop a hole to keep the wind away: o, that that earth, which kept the world in awe, should patch a wall to expel the winter flaw! but soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king. [enter priest, &c. in procession; the corpse of ophelia, laertes and mourners following; king claudius, queen gertrude, their trains, &c] the queen, the courtiers: who is this they follow? and with such maimed rites? this doth betoken the corse they follow did with desperate hand fordo its own life: 'twas of some estate. couch we awhile, and mark. [retiring with horatio] laertes what ceremony else? hamlet that is laertes, a very noble youth: mark. laertes what ceremony else? first priest her obsequies have been as far enlarged as we have warrantise: her death was doubtful; and, but that great command o'ersways the order, she should in ground unsanctified have lodged till the last trumpet: for charitable prayers, shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her; yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants, her maiden strewments and the bringing home of bell and burial. laertes must there no more be done? first priest no more be done: we should profane the service of the dead to sing a requiem and such rest to her as to peace-parted souls. laertes lay her i' the earth: and from her fair and unpolluted flesh may violets spring! i tell thee, churlish priest, a ministering angel shall my sister be, when thou liest howling. hamlet what, the fair ophelia! queen gertrude sweets to the sweet: farewell! [scattering flowers] i hoped thou shouldst have been my hamlet's wife; i thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid, and not have strew'd thy grave. laertes o, treble woe fall ten times treble on that cursed head, whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense deprived thee of! hold off the earth awhile, till i have caught her once more in mine arms: [leaps into the grave] now pile your dust upon the quick and dead, till of this flat a mountain you have made, to o'ertop old pelion, or the skyish head of blue olympus. hamlet [advancing] what is he whose grief bears such an emphasis? whose phrase of sorrow conjures the wandering stars, and makes them stand like wonder-wounded hearers? this is i, hamlet the dane. [leaps into the grave] laertes the devil take thy soul! [grappling with him] hamlet thou pray'st not well. i prithee, take thy fingers from my throat; for, though i am not splenitive and rash, yet have i something in me dangerous, which let thy wiseness fear: hold off thy hand. king claudius pluck them asunder. queen gertrude hamlet, hamlet! all gentlemen,- horatio good my lord, be quiet. [the attendants part them, and they come out of the grave] hamlet why i will fight with him upon this theme until my eyelids will no longer wag. queen gertrude o my son, what theme? hamlet i loved ophelia: forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum. what wilt thou do for her? king claudius o, he is mad, laertes. queen gertrude for love of god, forbear him. hamlet 'swounds, show me what thou'lt do: woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself? woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile? i'll do't. dost thou come here to whine? to outface me with leaping in her grave? be buried quick with her, and so will i: and, if thou prate of mountains, let them throw millions of acres on us, till our ground, singeing his pate against the burning zone, make ossa like a wart! nay, an thou'lt mouth, i'll rant as well as thou. queen gertrude this is mere madness: and thus awhile the fit will work on him; anon, as patient as the female dove, when that her golden couplets are disclosed, his silence will sit drooping. hamlet hear you, sir; what is the reason that you use me thus? i loved you ever: but it is no matter; let hercules himself do what he may, the cat will mew and dog will have his day. [exit] king claudius i pray you, good horatio, wait upon him. [exit horatio] [to laertes] strengthen your patience in our last night's speech; we'll put the matter to the present push. good gertrude, set some watch over your son. this grave shall have a living monument: an hour of quiet shortly shall we see; till then, in patience our proceeding be. [exeunt] hamlet act v scene ii a hall in the castle. [enter hamlet and horatio] hamlet so much for this, sir: now shall you see the other; you do remember all the circumstance? horatio remember it, my lord? hamlet sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, that would not let me sleep: methought i lay worse than the mutines in the bilboes. rashly, and praised be rashness for it, let us know, our indiscretion sometimes serves us well, when our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us there's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will,- horatio that is most certain. hamlet up from my cabin, my sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark groped i to find out them; had my desire. finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew to mine own room again; making so bold, my fears forgetting manners, to unseal their grand commission; where i found, horatio,- o royal knavery!--an exact command, larded with many several sorts of reasons importing denmark's health and england's too, with, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life, that, on the supervise, no leisure bated, no, not to stay the grinding of the axe, my head should be struck off. horatio is't possible? hamlet here's the commission: read it at more leisure. but wilt thou hear me how i did proceed? horatio i beseech you. hamlet being thus be-netted round with villanies,- ere i could make a prologue to my brains, they had begun the play--i sat me down, devised a new commission, wrote it fair: i once did hold it, as our statists do, a baseness to write fair and labour'd much how to forget that learning, but, sir, now it did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know the effect of what i wrote? horatio ay, good my lord. hamlet an earnest conjuration from the king, as england was his faithful tributary, as love between them like the palm might flourish, as peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear and stand a comma 'tween their amities, and many such-like 'as'es of great charge, that, on the view and knowing of these contents, without debatement further, more or less, he should the bearers put to sudden death, not shriving-time allow'd. horatio how was this seal'd? hamlet why, even in that was heaven ordinant. i had my father's signet in my purse, which was the model of that danish seal; folded the writ up in form of the other, subscribed it, gave't the impression, placed it safely, the changeling never known. now, the next day was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent thou know'st already. horatio so guildenstern and rosencrantz go to't. hamlet why, man, they did make love to this employment; they are not near my conscience; their defeat does by their own insinuation grow: 'tis dangerous when the baser nature comes between the pass and fell incensed points of mighty opposites. horatio why, what a king is this! hamlet does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon- he that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother, popp'd in between the election and my hopes, thrown out his angle for my proper life, and with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience, to quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd, to let this canker of our nature come in further evil? horatio it must be shortly known to him from england what is the issue of the business there. hamlet it will be short: the interim is mine; and a man's life's no more than to say 'one.' but i am very sorry, good horatio, that to laertes i forgot myself; for, by the image of my cause, i see the portraiture of his: i'll court his favours. but, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me into a towering passion. horatio peace! who comes here? [enter osric] osric your lordship is right welcome back to denmark. hamlet i humbly thank you, sir. dost know this water-fly? horatio no, my good lord. hamlet thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him. he hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as i say, spacious in the possession of dirt. osric sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, i should impart a thing to you from his majesty. hamlet i will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head. osric i thank your lordship, it is very hot. hamlet no, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly. osric it is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. hamlet but yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion. osric exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,--as 'twere,--i cannot tell how. but, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,- hamlet i beseech you, remember- [hamlet moves him to put on his hat] osric nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith. sir, here is newly come to court laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see. hamlet sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you; though, i know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. but, in the verity of extolment, i take him to be a soul of great article; and his infusion of such dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more. osric your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. hamlet the concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? osric sir? horatio is't not possible to understand in another tongue? you will do't, sir, really. hamlet what imports the nomination of this gentleman? osric of laertes? horatio his purse is empty already; all's golden words are spent. hamlet of him, sir. osric i know you are not ignorant- hamlet i would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. well, sir? osric you are not ignorant of what excellence laertes is- hamlet i dare not confess that, lest i should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to know himself. osric i mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed. hamlet what's his weapon? osric rapier and dagger. hamlet that's two of his weapons: but, well. osric the king, sir, hath wagered with him six barbary horses: against the which he has imponed, as i take it, six french rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. hamlet what call you the carriages? horatio i knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done. osric the carriages, sir, are the hangers. hamlet the phrase would be more german to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides: i would it might be hangers till then. but, on: six barbary horses against six french swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the french bet against the danish. why is this 'imponed,' as you call it? osric the king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer. hamlet how if i answer 'no'? osric i mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. hamlet sir, i will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold his purpose, i will win for him an i can; if not, i will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits. osric shall i re-deliver you e'en so? hamlet to this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will. osric i commend my duty to your lordship. hamlet yours, yours. [exit osric] he does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn. horatio this lapwing runs away with the shell on his head. hamlet he did comply with his dug, before he sucked it. thus has he--and many more of the same bevy that i know the dressy age dotes on--only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection, which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out. [enter a lord] lord my lord, his majesty commended him to you by young osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with laertes, or that you will take longer time. hamlet i am constant to my purpose; they follow the king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or whensoever, provided i be so able as now. lord the king and queen and all are coming down. hamlet in happy time. lord the queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to laertes before you fall to play. hamlet she well instructs me. [exit lord] horatio you will lose this wager, my lord. hamlet i do not think so: since he went into france, i have been in continual practise: i shall win at the odds. but thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart: but it is no matter. horatio nay, good my lord,- hamlet it is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman. horatio if your mind dislike any thing, obey it: i will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit. hamlet not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. if it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? [enter king claudius, queen gertrude, laertes, lords, osric, and attendants with foils, &c] king claudius come, hamlet, come, and take this hand from me. [king claudius puts laertes' hand into hamlet's] hamlet give me your pardon, sir: i've done you wrong; but pardon't, as you are a gentleman. this presence knows, and you must needs have heard, how i am punish'd with sore distraction. what i have done, that might your nature, honour and exception roughly awake, i here proclaim was madness. was't hamlet wrong'd laertes? never hamlet: if hamlet from himself be ta'en away, and when he's not himself does wrong laertes, then hamlet does it not, hamlet denies it. who does it, then? his madness: if't be so, hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd; his madness is poor hamlet's enemy. sir, in this audience, let my disclaiming from a purposed evil free me so far in your most generous thoughts, that i have shot mine arrow o'er the house, and hurt my brother. laertes i am satisfied in nature, whose motive, in this case, should stir me most to my revenge: but in my terms of honour i stand aloof; and will no reconcilement, till by some elder masters, of known honour, i have a voice and precedent of peace, to keep my name ungored. but till that time, i do receive your offer'd love like love, and will not wrong it. hamlet i embrace it freely; and will this brother's wager frankly play. give us the foils. come on. laertes come, one for me. hamlet i'll be your foil, laertes: in mine ignorance your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night, stick fiery off indeed. laertes you mock me, sir. hamlet no, by this hand. king claudius give them the foils, young osric. cousin hamlet, you know the wager? hamlet very well, my lord your grace hath laid the odds o' the weaker side. king claudius i do not fear it; i have seen you both: but since he is better'd, we have therefore odds. laertes this is too heavy, let me see another. hamlet this likes me well. these foils have all a length? [they prepare to play] osric ay, my good lord. king claudius set me the stoops of wine upon that table. if hamlet give the first or second hit, or quit in answer of the third exchange, let all the battlements their ordnance fire: the king shall drink to hamlet's better breath; and in the cup an union shall he throw, richer than that which four successive kings in denmark's crown have worn. give me the cups; and let the kettle to the trumpet speak, the trumpet to the cannoneer without, the cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth, 'now the king dunks to hamlet.' come, begin: and you, the judges, bear a wary eye. hamlet come on, sir. laertes come, my lord. [they play] hamlet one. laertes no. hamlet judgment. osric a hit, a very palpable hit. laertes well; again. king claudius stay; give me drink. hamlet, this pearl is thine; here's to thy health. [trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within] give him the cup. hamlet i'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. come. [they play] another hit; what say you? laertes a touch, a touch, i do confess. king claudius our son shall win. queen gertrude he's fat, and scant of breath. here, hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows; the queen carouses to thy fortune, hamlet. hamlet good madam! king claudius gertrude, do not drink. queen gertrude i will, my lord; i pray you, pardon me. king claudius [aside] it is the poison'd cup: it is too late. hamlet i dare not drink yet, madam; by and by. queen gertrude come, let me wipe thy face. laertes my lord, i'll hit him now. king claudius i do not think't. laertes [aside] and yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience. hamlet come, for the third, laertes: you but dally; i pray you, pass with your best violence; i am afeard you make a wanton of me. laertes say you so? come on. [they play] osric nothing, neither way. laertes have at you now! [laertes wounds hamlet; then in scuffling, they change rapiers, and hamlet wounds laertes] king claudius part them; they are incensed. hamlet nay, come, again. [queen gertrude falls] osric look to the queen there, ho! horatio they bleed on both sides. how is it, my lord? osric how is't, laertes? laertes why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, osric; i am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. hamlet how does the queen? king claudius she swounds to see them bleed. queen gertrude no, no, the drink, the drink,--o my dear hamlet,- the drink, the drink! i am poison'd. [dies] hamlet o villany! ho! let the door be lock'd: treachery! seek it out. laertes it is here, hamlet: hamlet, thou art slain; no medicine in the world can do thee good; in thee there is not half an hour of life; the treacherous instrument is in thy hand, unbated and envenom'd: the foul practise hath turn'd itself on me lo, here i lie, never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd: i can no more: the king, the king's to blame. hamlet the point!--envenom'd too! then, venom, to thy work. [stabs king claudius] all treason! treason! king claudius o, yet defend me, friends; i am but hurt. hamlet here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned dane, drink off this potion. is thy union here? follow my mother. [king claudius dies] laertes he is justly served; it is a poison temper'd by himself. exchange forgiveness with me, noble hamlet: mine and my father's death come not upon thee, nor thine on me. [dies] hamlet heaven make thee free of it! i follow thee. i am dead, horatio. wretched queen, adieu! you that look pale and tremble at this chance, that are but mutes or audience to this act, had i but time--as this fell sergeant, death, is strict in his arrest--o, i could tell you- but let it be. horatio, i am dead; thou livest; report me and my cause aright to the unsatisfied. horatio never believe it: i am more an antique roman than a dane: here's yet some liquor left. hamlet as thou'rt a man, give me the cup: let go; by heaven, i'll have't. o good horatio, what a wounded name, things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me! if thou didst ever hold me in thy heart absent thee from felicity awhile, and in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, to tell my story. [march afar off, and shot within] what warlike noise is this? osric young fortinbras, with conquest come from poland, to the ambassadors of england gives this warlike volley. hamlet o, i die, horatio; the potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit: i cannot live to hear the news from england; but i do prophesy the election lights on fortinbras: he has my dying voice; so tell him, with the occurrents, more and less, which have solicited. the rest is silence. [dies] horatio now cracks a noble heart. good night sweet prince: and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! why does the drum come hither? [march within] [enter fortinbras, the english ambassadors, and others] prince fortinbras where is this sight? horatio what is it ye would see? if aught of woe or wonder, cease your search. prince fortinbras this quarry cries on havoc. o proud death, what feast is toward in thine eternal cell, that thou so many princes at a shot so bloodily hast struck? first ambassador the sight is dismal; and our affairs from england come too late: the ears are senseless that should give us hearing, to tell him his commandment is fulfill'd, that rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead: where should we have our thanks? horatio not from his mouth, had it the ability of life to thank you: he never gave commandment for their death. but since, so jump upon this bloody question, you from the polack wars, and you from england, are here arrived give order that these bodies high on a stage be placed to the view; and let me speak to the yet unknowing world how these things came about: so shall you hear of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, of accidental judgments, casual slaughters, of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause, and, in this upshot, purposes mistook fall'n on the inventors' reads: all this can i truly deliver. prince fortinbras let us haste to hear it, and call the noblest to the audience. for me, with sorrow i embrace my fortune: i have some rights of memory in this kingdom, which now to claim my vantage doth invite me. horatio of that i shall have also cause to speak, and from his mouth whose voice will draw on more; but let this same be presently perform'd, even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance on plots and errors, happen. prince fortinbras let four captains bear hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; for he was likely, had he been put on, to have proved most royally: and, for his passage, the soldiers' music and the rites of war speak loudly for him. take up the bodies: such a sight as this becomes the field, but here shows much amiss. go, bid the soldiers shoot. [a dead march. exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off] sonnets to the only begetter of these insuing sonnets mr. w. h. all happiness and that eternity promised by our ever-living poet wisheth the well-wishing adventurer in setting forth t. t. i. from fairest creatures we desire increase, that thereby beauty's rose might never die, but as the riper should by time decease, his tender heir might bear his memory: but thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes, feed'st thy light'st flame with self-substantial fuel, making a famine where abundance lies, thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel. thou that art now the world's fresh ornament and only herald to the gaudy spring, within thine own bud buriest thy content and, tender churl, makest waste in niggarding. pity the world, or else this glutton be, to eat the world's due, by the grave and thee. ii. when forty winters shall beseige thy brow, and dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field, thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now, will be a tatter'd weed, of small worth held: then being ask'd where all thy beauty lies, where all the treasure of thy lusty days, to say, within thine own deep-sunken eyes, were an all-eating shame and thriftless praise. how much more praise deserved thy beauty's use, if thou couldst answer 'this fair child of mine shall sum my count and make my old excuse,' proving his beauty by succession thine! this were to be new made when thou art old, and see thy blood warm when thou feel'st it cold. iii. look in thy glass, and tell the face thou viewest now is the time that face should form another; whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest, thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother. for where is she so fair whose unear'd womb disdains the tillage of thy husbandry? or who is he so fond will be the tomb of his self-love, to stop posterity? thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee calls back the lovely april of her prime: so thou through windows of thine age shall see despite of wrinkles this thy golden time. but if thou live, remember'd not to be, die single, and thine image dies with thee. iv. unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend upon thyself thy beauty's legacy? nature's bequest gives nothing but doth lend, and being frank she lends to those are free. then, beauteous niggard, why dost thou abuse the bounteous largess given thee to give? profitless usurer, why dost thou use so great a sum of sums, yet canst not live? for having traffic with thyself alone, thou of thyself thy sweet self dost deceive. then how, when nature calls thee to be gone, what acceptable audit canst thou leave? thy unused beauty must be tomb'd with thee, which, used, lives th' executor to be. v. those hours, that with gentle work did frame the lovely gaze where every eye doth dwell, will play the tyrants to the very same and that unfair which fairly doth excel: for never-resting time leads summer on to hideous winter and confounds him there; sap cheque'd with frost and lusty leaves quite gone, beauty o'ersnow'd and bareness every where: then, were not summer's distillation left, a liquid prisoner pent in walls of glass, beauty's effect with beauty were bereft, nor it nor no remembrance what it was: but flowers distill'd though they with winter meet, leese but their show; their substance still lives sweet. vi. then let not winter's ragged hand deface in thee thy summer, ere thou be distill'd: make sweet some vial; treasure thou some place with beauty's treasure, ere it be self-kill'd. that use is not forbidden usury, which happies those that pay the willing loan; that's for thyself to breed another thee, or ten times happier, be it ten for one; ten times thyself were happier than thou art, if ten of thine ten times refigured thee: then what could death do, if thou shouldst depart, leaving thee living in posterity? be not self-will'd, for thou art much too fair to be death's conquest and make worms thine heir. vii. lo! in the orient when the gracious light lifts up his burning head, each under eye doth homage to his new-appearing sight, serving with looks his sacred majesty; and having climb'd the steep-up heavenly hill, resembling strong youth in his middle age, yet mortal looks adore his beauty still, attending on his golden pilgrimage; but when from highmost pitch, with weary car, like feeble age, he reeleth from the day, the eyes, 'fore duteous, now converted are from his low tract and look another way: so thou, thyself out-going in thy noon, unlook'd on diest, unless thou get a son. viii. music to hear, why hear'st thou music sadly? sweets with sweets war not, joy delights in joy. why lovest thou that which thou receivest not gladly, or else receivest with pleasure thine annoy? if the true concord of well-tuned sounds, by unions married, do offend thine ear, they do but sweetly chide thee, who confounds in singleness the parts that thou shouldst bear. mark how one string, sweet husband to another, strikes each in each by mutual ordering, resembling sire and child and happy mother who all in one, one pleasing note do sing: whose speechless song, being many, seeming one, sings this to thee: 'thou single wilt prove none.' ix. is it for fear to wet a widow's eye that thou consumest thyself in single life? ah! if thou issueless shalt hap to die. the world will wail thee, like a makeless wife; the world will be thy widow and still weep that thou no form of thee hast left behind, when every private widow well may keep by children's eyes her husband's shape in mind. look, what an unthrift in the world doth spend shifts but his place, for still the world enjoys it; but beauty's waste hath in the world an end, and kept unused, the user so destroys it. no love toward others in that bosom sits that on himself such murderous shame commits. x. for shame! deny that thou bear'st love to any, who for thyself art so unprovident. grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many, but that thou none lovest is most evident; for thou art so possess'd with murderous hate that 'gainst thyself thou stick'st not to conspire. seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate which to repair should be thy chief desire. o, change thy thought, that i may change my mind! shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love? be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind, or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove: make thee another self, for love of me, that beauty still may live in thine or thee. xi. as fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou growest in one of thine, from that which thou departest; and that fresh blood which youngly thou bestowest thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest. herein lives wisdom, beauty and increase: without this, folly, age and cold decay: if all were minded so, the times should cease and threescore year would make the world away. let those whom nature hath not made for store, harsh featureless and rude, barrenly perish: look, whom she best endow'd she gave the more; which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish: she carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die. xii. when i do count the clock that tells the time, and see the brave day sunk in hideous night; when i behold the violet past prime, and sable curls all silver'd o'er with white; when lofty trees i see barren of leaves which erst from heat did canopy the herd, and summer's green all girded up in sheaves borne on the bier with white and bristly beard, then of thy beauty do i question make, that thou among the wastes of time must go, since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake and die as fast as they see others grow; and nothing 'gainst time's scythe can make defence save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. xiii. o, that you were yourself! but, love, you are no longer yours than you yourself here live: against this coming end you should prepare, and your sweet semblance to some other give. so should that beauty which you hold in lease find no determination: then you were yourself again after yourself's decease, when your sweet issue your sweet form should bear. who lets so fair a house fall to decay, which husbandry in honour might uphold against the stormy gusts of winter's day and barren rage of death's eternal cold? o, none but unthrifts! dear my love, you know you had a father: let your son say so. xiv. not from the stars do i my judgment pluck; and yet methinks i have astronomy, but not to tell of good or evil luck, of plagues, of dearths, or seasons' quality; nor can i fortune to brief minutes tell, pointing to each his thunder, rain and wind, or say with princes if it shall go well, by oft predict that i in heaven find: but from thine eyes my knowledge i derive, and, constant stars, in them i read such art as truth and beauty shall together thrive, if from thyself to store thou wouldst convert; or else of thee this i prognosticate: thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date. xv. when i consider every thing that grows holds in perfection but a little moment, that this huge stage presenteth nought but shows whereon the stars in secret influence comment; when i perceive that men as plants increase, cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky, vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, and wear their brave state out of memory; then the conceit of this inconstant stay sets you most rich in youth before my sight, where wasteful time debateth with decay, to change your day of youth to sullied night; and all in war with time for love of you, as he takes from you, i engraft you new. xvi. but wherefore do not you a mightier way make war upon this bloody tyrant, time? and fortify yourself in your decay with means more blessed than my barren rhyme? now stand you on the top of happy hours, and many maiden gardens yet unset with virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, much liker than your painted counterfeit: so should the lines of life that life repair, which this, time's pencil, or my pupil pen, neither in inward worth nor outward fair, can make you live yourself in eyes of men. to give away yourself keeps yourself still, and you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. xvii. who will believe my verse in time to come, if it were fill'd with your most high deserts? though yet, heaven knows, it is but as a tomb which hides your life and shows not half your parts. if i could write the beauty of your eyes and in fresh numbers number all your graces, the age to come would say 'this poet lies: such heavenly touches ne'er touch'd earthly faces.' so should my papers yellow'd with their age be scorn'd like old men of less truth than tongue, and your true rights be term'd a poet's rage and stretched metre of an antique song: but were some child of yours alive that time, you should live twice; in it and in my rhyme. xviii. shall i compare thee to a summer's day? thou art more lovely and more temperate: rough winds do shake the darling buds of may, and summer's lease hath all too short a date: sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, and often is his gold complexion dimm'd; and every fair from fair sometime declines, by chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd; but thy eternal summer shall not fade nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade, when in eternal lines to time thou growest: so long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this and this gives life to thee. xix. devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws, and make the earth devour her own sweet brood; pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws, and burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood; make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets, and do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed time, to the wide world and all her fading sweets; but i forbid thee one most heinous crime: o, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow, nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen; him in thy course untainted do allow for beauty's pattern to succeeding men. yet, do thy worst, old time: despite thy wrong, my love shall in my verse ever live young. xx. a woman's face with nature's own hand painted hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion; a woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted with shifting change, as is false women's fashion; an eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; a man in hue, all 'hues' in his controlling, much steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth. and for a woman wert thou first created; till nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting, and by addition me of thee defeated, by adding one thing to my purpose nothing. but since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure, mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure. xxi. so is it not with me as with that muse stirr'd by a painted beauty to his verse, who heaven itself for ornament doth use and every fair with his fair doth rehearse making a couplement of proud compare, with sun and moon, with earth and sea's rich gems, with april's first-born flowers, and all things rare that heaven's air in this huge rondure hems. o' let me, true in love, but truly write, and then believe me, my love is as fair as any mother's child, though not so bright as those gold candles fix'd in heaven's air: let them say more than like of hearsay well; i will not praise that purpose not to sell. xxii. my glass shall not persuade me i am old, so long as youth and thou are of one date; but when in thee time's furrows i behold, then look i death my days should expiate. for all that beauty that doth cover thee is but the seemly raiment of my heart, which in thy breast doth live, as thine in me: how can i then be elder than thou art? o, therefore, love, be of thyself so wary as i, not for myself, but for thee will; bearing thy heart, which i will keep so chary as tender nurse her babe from faring ill. presume not on thy heart when mine is slain; thou gavest me thine, not to give back again. xxiii. as an unperfect actor on the stage who with his fear is put besides his part, or some fierce thing replete with too much rage, whose strength's abundance weakens his own heart. so i, for fear of trust, forget to say the perfect ceremony of love's rite, and in mine own love's strength seem to decay, o'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might. o, let my books be then the eloquence and dumb presagers of my speaking breast, who plead for love and look for recompense more than that tongue that more hath more express'd. o, learn to read what silent love hath writ: to hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit. xxiv. mine eye hath play'd the painter and hath stell'd thy beauty's form in table of my heart; my body is the frame wherein 'tis held, and perspective it is the painter's art. for through the painter must you see his skill, to find where your true image pictured lies; which in my bosom's shop is hanging still, that hath his windows glazed with thine eyes. now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done: mine eyes have drawn thy shape, and thine for me are windows to my breast, where-through the sun delights to peep, to gaze therein on thee; yet eyes this cunning want to grace their art; they draw but what they see, know not the heart. xxv. let those who are in favour with their stars of public honour and proud titles boast, whilst i, whom fortune of such triumph bars, unlook'd for joy in that i honour most. great princes' favourites their fair leaves spread but as the marigold at the sun's eye, and in themselves their pride lies buried, for at a frown they in their glory die. the painful warrior famoused for fight, after a thousand victories once foil'd, is from the book of honour razed quite, and all the rest forgot for which he toil'd: then happy i, that love and am beloved where i may not remove nor be removed. xxvi. lord of my love, to whom in vassalage thy merit hath my duty strongly knit, to thee i send this written embassage, to witness duty, not to show my wit: duty so great, which wit so poor as mine may make seem bare, in wanting words to show it, but that i hope some good conceit of thine in thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it; till whatsoever star that guides my moving points on me graciously with fair aspect and puts apparel on my tatter'd loving, to show me worthy of thy sweet respect: then may i dare to boast how i do love thee; till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me. xxvii. weary with toil, i haste me to my bed, the dear repose for limbs with travel tired; but then begins a journey in my head, to work my mind, when body's work's expired: for then my thoughts, from far where i abide, intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, and keep my drooping eyelids open wide, looking on darkness which the blind do see save that my soul's imaginary sight presents thy shadow to my sightless view, which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night, makes black night beauteous and her old face new. lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind, for thee and for myself no quiet find. xxviii. how can i then return in happy plight, that am debarr'd the benefit of rest? when day's oppression is not eased by night, but day by night, and night by day, oppress'd? and each, though enemies to either's reign, do in consent shake hands to torture me; the one by toil, the other to complain how far i toil, still farther off from thee. i tell the day, to please them thou art bright and dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven: so flatter i the swart-complexion'd night, when sparkling stars twire not thou gild'st the even. but day doth daily draw my sorrows longer and night doth nightly make grief's strength seem stronger. xxix. when, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, i all alone beweep my outcast state and trouble deal heaven with my bootless cries and look upon myself and curse my fate, wishing me like to one more rich in hope, featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, desiring this man's art and that man's scope, with what i most enjoy contented least; yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, haply i think on thee, and then my state, like to the lark at break of day arising from sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; for thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings that then i scorn to change my state with kings. xxx. when to the sessions of sweet silent thought i summon up remembrance of things past, i sigh the lack of many a thing i sought, and with old woes new wail my dear time's waste: then can i drown an eye, unused to flow, for precious friends hid in death's dateless night, and weep afresh love's long since cancell'd woe, and moan the expense of many a vanish'd sight: then can i grieve at grievances foregone, and heavily from woe to woe tell o'er the sad account of fore-bemoaned moan, which i new pay as if not paid before. but if the while i think on thee, dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end. xxxi. thy bosom is endeared with all hearts, which i by lacking have supposed dead, and there reigns love and all love's loving parts, and all those friends which i thought buried. how many a holy and obsequious tear hath dear religious love stol'n from mine eye as interest of the dead, which now appear but things removed that hidden in thee lie! thou art the grave where buried love doth live, hung with the trophies of my lovers gone, who all their parts of me to thee did give; that due of many now is thine alone: their images i loved i view in thee, and thou, all they, hast all the all of me. xxxii. if thou survive my well-contented day, when that churl death my bones with dust shall cover, and shalt by fortune once more re-survey these poor rude lines of thy deceased lover, compare them with the bettering of the time, and though they be outstripp'd by every pen, reserve them for my love, not for their rhyme, exceeded by the height of happier men. o, then vouchsafe me but this loving thought: 'had my friend's muse grown with this growing age, a dearer birth than this his love had brought, to march in ranks of better equipage: but since he died and poets better prove, theirs for their style i'll read, his for his love.' xxxiii. full many a glorious morning have i seen flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, kissing with golden face the meadows green, gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy; anon permit the basest clouds to ride with ugly rack on his celestial face, and from the forlorn world his visage hide, stealing unseen to west with this disgrace: even so my sun one early morn did shine with all triumphant splendor on my brow; but out, alack! he was but one hour mine; the region cloud hath mask'd him from me now. yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth; suns of the world may stain when heaven's sun staineth. xxxiv. why didst thou promise such a beauteous day, and make me travel forth without my cloak, to let base clouds o'ertake me in my way, hiding thy bravery in their rotten smoke? 'tis not enough that through the cloud thou break, to dry the rain on my storm-beaten face, for no man well of such a salve can speak that heals the wound and cures not the disgrace: nor can thy shame give physic to my grief; though thou repent, yet i have still the loss: the offender's sorrow lends but weak relief to him that bears the strong offence's cross. ah! but those tears are pearl which thy love sheds, and they are rich and ransom all ill deeds. xxxv. no more be grieved at that which thou hast done: roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud; clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun, and loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud. all men make faults, and even i in this, authorizing thy trespass with compare, myself corrupting, salving thy amiss, excusing thy sins more than thy sins are; for to thy sensual fault i bring in sense-thy adverse party is thy advocate-and 'gainst myself a lawful plea commence: such civil war is in my love and hate that i an accessary needs must be to that sweet thief which sourly robs from me. xxxvi. let me confess that we two must be twain, although our undivided loves are one: so shall those blots that do with me remain without thy help by me be borne alone. in our two loves there is but one respect, though in our lives a separable spite, which though it alter not love's sole effect, yet doth it steal sweet hours from love's delight. i may not evermore acknowledge thee, lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame, nor thou with public kindness honour me, unless thou take that honour from thy name: but do not so; i love thee in such sort as, thou being mine, mine is thy good report. xxxvii. as a decrepit father takes delight to see his active child do deeds of youth, so i, made lame by fortune's dearest spite, take all my comfort of thy worth and truth. for whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit, or any of these all, or all, or more, entitled in thy parts do crowned sit, i make my love engrafted to this store: so then i am not lame, poor, nor despised, whilst that this shadow doth such substance give that i in thy abundance am sufficed and by a part of all thy glory live. look, what is best, that best i wish in thee: this wish i have; then ten times happy me! xxxviii. how can my muse want subject to invent, while thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse thine own sweet argument, too excellent for every vulgar paper to rehearse? o, give thyself the thanks, if aught in me worthy perusal stand against thy sight; for who's so dumb that cannot write to thee, when thou thyself dost give invention light? be thou the tenth muse, ten times more in worth than those old nine which rhymers invocate; and he that calls on thee, let him bring forth eternal numbers to outlive long date. if my slight muse do please these curious days, the pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise. xxxix. o, how thy worth with manners may i sing, when thou art all the better part of me? what can mine own praise to mine own self bring? and what is 't but mine own when i praise thee? even for this let us divided live, and our dear love lose name of single one, that by this separation i may give that due to thee which thou deservest alone. o absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove, were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave to entertain the time with thoughts of love, which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive, and that thou teachest how to make one twain, by praising him here who doth hence remain! xl. take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all; what hast thou then more than thou hadst before? no love, my love, that thou mayst true love call; all mine was thine before thou hadst this more. then if for my love thou my love receivest, i cannot blame thee for my love thou usest; but yet be blamed, if thou thyself deceivest by wilful taste of what thyself refusest. i do forgive thy robbery, gentle thief, although thou steal thee all my poverty; and yet, love knows, it is a greater grief to bear love's wrong than hate's known injury. lascivious grace, in whom all ill well shows, kill me with spites; yet we must not be foes. xli. those petty wrongs that liberty commits, when i am sometime absent from thy heart, thy beauty and thy years full well befits, for still temptation follows where thou art. gentle thou art and therefore to be won, beauteous thou art, therefore to be assailed; and when a woman woos, what woman's son will sourly leave her till she have prevailed? ay me! but yet thou mightest my seat forbear, and chide try beauty and thy straying youth, who lead thee in their riot even there where thou art forced to break a twofold truth, hers by thy beauty tempting her to thee, thine, by thy beauty being false to me. xlii. that thou hast her, it is not all my grief, and yet it may be said i loved her dearly; that she hath thee, is of my wailing chief, a loss in love that touches me more nearly. loving offenders, thus i will excuse ye: thou dost love her, because thou knowst i love her; and for my sake even so doth she abuse me, suffering my friend for my sake to approve her. if i lose thee, my loss is my love's gain, and losing her, my friend hath found that loss; both find each other, and i lose both twain, and both for my sake lay on me this cross: but here's the joy; my friend and i are one; sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone. xliii. when most i wink, then do mine eyes best see, for all the day they view things unrespected; but when i sleep, in dreams they look on thee, and darkly bright are bright in dark directed. then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright, how would thy shadow's form form happy show to the clear day with thy much clearer light, when to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so! how would, i say, mine eyes be blessed made by looking on thee in the living day, when in dead night thy fair imperfect shade through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay! all days are nights to see till i see thee, and nights bright days when dreams do show thee me. xliv. if the dull substance of my flesh were thought, injurious distance should not stop my way; for then despite of space i would be brought, from limits far remote where thou dost stay. no matter then although my foot did stand upon the farthest earth removed from thee; for nimble thought can jump both sea and land as soon as think the place where he would be. but ah! thought kills me that i am not thought, to leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone, but that so much of earth and water wrought i must attend time's leisure with my moan, receiving nought by elements so slow but heavy tears, badges of either's woe. xlv. the other two, slight air and purging fire, are both with thee, wherever i abide; the first my thought, the other my desire, these present-absent with swift motion slide. for when these quicker elements are gone in tender embassy of love to thee, my life, being made of four, with two alone sinks down to death, oppress'd with melancholy; until life's composition be recured by those swift messengers return'd from thee, who even but now come back again, assured of thy fair health, recounting it to me: this told, i joy; but then no longer glad, i send them back again and straight grow sad. xlvi. mine eye and heart are at a mortal war how to divide the conquest of thy sight; mine eye my heart thy picture's sight would bar, my heart mine eye the freedom of that right. my heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie-a closet never pierced with crystal eyes-but the defendant doth that plea deny and says in him thy fair appearance lies. to 'cide this title is impanneled a quest of thoughts, all tenants to the heart, and by their verdict is determined the clear eye's moiety and the dear heart's part: as thus; mine eye's due is thy outward part, and my heart's right thy inward love of heart. xlvii. betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, and each doth good turns now unto the other: when that mine eye is famish'd for a look, or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother, with my love's picture then my eye doth feast and to the painted banquet bids my heart; another time mine eye is my heart's guest and in his thoughts of love doth share a part: so, either by thy picture or my love, thyself away art resent still with me; for thou not farther than my thoughts canst move, and i am still with them and they with thee; or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight. xlviii. how careful was i, when i took my way, each trifle under truest bars to thrust, that to my use it might unused stay from hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust! but thou, to whom my jewels trifles are, most worthy of comfort, now my greatest grief, thou, best of dearest and mine only care, art left the prey of every vulgar thief. thee have i not lock'd up in any chest, save where thou art not, though i feel thou art, within the gentle closure of my breast, from whence at pleasure thou mayst come and part; and even thence thou wilt be stol'n, i fear, for truth proves thievish for a prize so dear. xlix. against that time, if ever that time come, when i shall see thee frown on my defects, when as thy love hath cast his utmost sum, call'd to that audit by advised respects; against that time when thou shalt strangely pass and scarcely greet me with that sun thine eye, when love, converted from the thing it was, shall reasons find of settled gravity,-against that time do i ensconce me here within the knowledge of mine own desert, and this my hand against myself uprear, to guard the lawful reasons on thy part: to leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws, since why to love i can allege no cause. l. how heavy do i journey on the way, when what i seek, my weary travel's end, doth teach that ease and that repose to say 'thus far the miles are measured from thy friend!' the beast that bears me, tired with my woe, plods dully on, to bear that weight in me, as if by some instinct the wretch did know his rider loved not speed, being made from thee: the bloody spur cannot provoke him on that sometimes anger thrusts into his hide; which heavily he answers with a groan, more sharp to me than spurring to his side; for that same groan doth put this in my mind; my grief lies onward and my joy behind. li. thus can my love excuse the slow offence of my dull bearer when from thee i speed: from where thou art why should i haste me thence? till i return, of posting is no need. o, what excuse will my poor beast then find, when swift extremity can seem but slow? then should i spur, though mounted on the wind; in winged speed no motion shall i know: then can no horse with my desire keep pace; therefore desire of perfect'st love being made, shall neigh--no dull flesh--in his fiery race; but love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade; since from thee going he went wilful-slow, towards thee i'll run, and give him leave to go. lii. so am i as the rich, whose blessed key can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure, the which he will not every hour survey, for blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure. therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare, since, seldom coming, in the long year set, like stones of worth they thinly placed are, or captain jewels in the carcanet. so is the time that keeps you as my chest, or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide, to make some special instant special blest, by new unfolding his imprison'd pride. blessed are you, whose worthiness gives scope, being had, to triumph, being lack'd, to hope. liii. what is your substance, whereof are you made, that millions of strange shadows on you tend? since every one hath, every one, one shade, and you, but one, can every shadow lend. describe adonis, and the counterfeit is poorly imitated after you; on helen's cheek all art of beauty set, and you in grecian tires are painted new: speak of the spring and foison of the year; the one doth shadow of your beauty show, the other as your bounty doth appear; and you in every blessed shape we know. in all external grace you have some part, but you like none, none you, for constant heart. liv. o, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem by that sweet ornament which truth doth give! the rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem for that sweet odour which doth in it live. the canker-blooms have full as deep a dye as the perfumed tincture of the roses, hang on such thorns and play as wantonly when summer's breath their masked buds discloses: but, for their virtue only is their show, they live unwoo'd and unrespected fade, die to themselves. sweet roses do not so; of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made: and so of you, beauteous and lovely youth, when that shall fade, my verse distills your truth. lv. not marble, nor the gilded monuments of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme; but you shall shine more bright in these contents than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time. when wasteful war shall statues overturn, and broils root out the work of masonry, nor mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn the living record of your memory. 'gainst death and all-oblivious enmity shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room even in the eyes of all posterity that wear this world out to the ending doom. so, till the judgment that yourself arise, you live in this, and dwell in lover's eyes. lvi. sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said thy edge should blunter be than appetite, which but to-day by feeding is allay'd, to-morrow sharpen'd in his former might: so, love, be thou; although to-day thou fill thy hungry eyes even till they wink with fullness, to-morrow see again, and do not kill the spirit of love with a perpetual dullness. let this sad interim like the ocean be which parts the shore, where two contracted new come daily to the banks, that, when they see return of love, more blest may be the view; else call it winter, which being full of care makes summer's welcome thrice more wish'd, more rare. lvii. being your slave, what should i do but tend upon the hours and times of your desire? i have no precious time at all to spend, nor services to do, till you require. nor dare i chide the world-without-end hour whilst i, my sovereign, watch the clock for you, nor think the bitterness of absence sour when you have bid your servant once adieu; nor dare i question with my jealous thought where you may be, or your affairs suppose, but, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought save, where you are how happy you make those. so true a fool is love that in your will, though you do any thing, he thinks no ill. lviii. that god forbid that made me first your slave, i should in thought control your times of pleasure, or at your hand the account of hours to crave, being your vassal, bound to stay your leisure! o, let me suffer, being at your beck, the imprison'd absence of your liberty; and patience, tame to sufferance, bide each cheque, without accusing you of injury. be where you list, your charter is so strong that you yourself may privilege your time to what you will; to you it doth belong yourself to pardon of self-doing crime. i am to wait, though waiting so be hell; not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well. lix. if there be nothing new, but that which is hath been before, how are our brains beguiled, which, labouring for invention, bear amiss the second burden of a former child! o, that record could with a backward look, even of five hundred courses of the sun, show me your image in some antique book, since mind at first in character was done! that i might see what the old world could say to this composed wonder of your frame; whether we are mended, or whether better they, or whether revolution be the same. o, sure i am, the wits of former days to subjects worse have given admiring praise. lx. like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end; each changing place with that which goes before, in sequent toil all forwards do contend. nativity, once in the main of light, crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd, crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight, and time that gave doth now his gift confound. time doth transfix the flourish set on youth and delves the parallels in beauty's brow, feeds on the rarities of nature's truth, and nothing stands but for his scythe to mow: and yet to times in hope my verse shall stand, praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand. lxi. is it thy will thy image should keep open my heavy eyelids to the weary night? dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken, while shadows like to thee do mock my sight? is it thy spirit that thou send'st from thee so far from home into my deeds to pry, to find out shames and idle hours in me, the scope and tenor of thy jealousy? o, no! thy love, though much, is not so great: it is my love that keeps mine eye awake; mine own true love that doth my rest defeat, to play the watchman ever for thy sake: for thee watch i whilst thou dost wake elsewhere, from me far off, with others all too near. lxii. sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye and all my soul and all my every part; and for this sin there is no remedy, it is so grounded inward in my heart. methinks no face so gracious is as mine, no shape so true, no truth of such account; and for myself mine own worth do define, as i all other in all worths surmount. but when my glass shows me myself indeed, beated and chopp'd with tann'd antiquity, mine own self-love quite contrary i read; self so self-loving were iniquity. 'tis thee, myself, that for myself i praise, painting my age with beauty of thy days. lxiii. against my love shall be, as i am now, with time's injurious hand crush'd and o'er-worn; when hours have drain'd his blood and fill'd his brow with lines and wrinkles; when his youthful morn hath travell'd on to age's steepy night, and all those beauties whereof now he's king are vanishing or vanish'd out of sight, stealing away the treasure of his spring; for such a time do i now fortify against confounding age's cruel knife, that he shall never cut from memory my sweet love's beauty, though my lover's life: his beauty shall in these black lines be seen, and they shall live, and he in them still green. lxiv. when i have seen by time's fell hand defaced the rich proud cost of outworn buried age; when sometime lofty towers i see down-razed and brass eternal slave to mortal rage; when i have seen the hungry ocean gain advantage on the kingdom of the shore, and the firm soil win of the watery main, increasing store with loss and loss with store; when i have seen such interchange of state, or state itself confounded to decay; ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate, that time will come and take my love away. this thought is as a death, which cannot choose but weep to have that which it fears to lose. lxv. since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea, but sad mortality o'er-sways their power, how with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, whose action is no stronger than a flower? o, how shall summer's honey breath hold out against the wreckful siege of battering days, when rocks impregnable are not so stout, nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays? o fearful meditation! where, alack, shall time's best jewel from time's chest lie hid? or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back? or who his spoil of beauty can forbid? o, none, unless this miracle have might, that in black ink my love may still shine bright. lxvi. tired with all these, for restful death i cry, as, to behold desert a beggar born, and needy nothing trimm'd in jollity, and purest faith unhappily forsworn, and guilded honour shamefully misplaced, and maiden virtue rudely strumpeted, and right perfection wrongfully disgraced, and strength by limping sway disabled, and art made tongue-tied by authority, and folly doctor-like controlling skill, and simple truth miscall'd simplicity, and captive good attending captain ill: tired with all these, from these would i be gone, save that, to die, i leave my love alone. lxvii. ah! wherefore with infection should he live, and with his presence grace impiety, that sin by him advantage should achieve and lace itself with his society? why should false painting imitate his cheek and steal dead seeing of his living hue? why should poor beauty indirectly seek roses of shadow, since his rose is true? why should he live, now nature bankrupt is, beggar'd of blood to blush through lively veins? for she hath no exchequer now but his, and, proud of many, lives upon his gains. o, him she stores, to show what wealth she had in days long since, before these last so bad. lxviii. thus is his cheek the map of days outworn, when beauty lived and died as flowers do now, before the bastard signs of fair were born, or durst inhabit on a living brow; before the golden tresses of the dead, the right of sepulchres, were shorn away, to live a second life on second head; ere beauty's dead fleece made another gay: in him those holy antique hours are seen, without all ornament, itself and true, making no summer of another's green, robbing no old to dress his beauty new; and him as for a map doth nature store, to show false art what beauty was of yore. lxix. those parts of thee that the world's eye doth view want nothing that the thought of hearts can mend; all tongues, the voice of souls, give thee that due, uttering bare truth, even so as foes commend. thy outward thus with outward praise is crown'd; but those same tongues that give thee so thine own in other accents do this praise confound by seeing farther than the eye hath shown. they look into the beauty of thy mind, and that, in guess, they measure by thy deeds; then, churls, their thoughts, although their eyes were kind, to thy fair flower add the rank smell of weeds: but why thy odour matcheth not thy show, the solve is this, that thou dost common grow. lxx. that thou art blamed shall not be thy defect, for slander's mark was ever yet the fair; the ornament of beauty is suspect, a crow that flies in heaven's sweetest air. so thou be good, slander doth but approve thy worth the greater, being woo'd of time; for canker vice the sweetest buds doth love, and thou present'st a pure unstained prime. thou hast pass'd by the ambush of young days, either not assail'd or victor being charged; yet this thy praise cannot be so thy praise, to tie up envy evermore enlarged: if some suspect of ill mask'd not thy show, then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe. lxxi. no longer mourn for me when i am dead then you shall hear the surly sullen bell give warning to the world that i am fled from this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell: nay, if you read this line, remember not the hand that writ it; for i love you so that i in your sweet thoughts would be forgot if thinking on me then should make you woe. o, if, i say, you look upon this verse when i perhaps compounded am with clay, do not so much as my poor name rehearse. but let your love even with my life decay, lest the wise world should look into your moan and mock you with me after i am gone. lxxii. o, lest the world should task you to recite what merit lived in me, that you should love after my death, dear love, forget me quite, for you in me can nothing worthy prove; unless you would devise some virtuous lie, to do more for me than mine own desert, and hang more praise upon deceased i than niggard truth would willingly impart: o, lest your true love may seem false in this, that you for love speak well of me untrue, my name be buried where my body is, and live no more to shame nor me nor you. for i am shamed by that which i bring forth, and so should you, to love things nothing worth. lxxiii. that time of year thou mayst in me behold when yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang upon those boughs which shake against the cold, bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. in me thou seest the twilight of such day as after sunset fadeth in the west, which by and by black night doth take away, death's second self, that seals up all in rest. in me thou see'st the glowing of such fire that on the ashes of his youth doth lie, as the death-bed whereon it must expire consumed with that which it was nourish'd by. this thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, to love that well which thou must leave ere long. lxxiv. but be contented: when that fell arrest without all bail shall carry me away, my life hath in this line some interest, which for memorial still with thee shall stay. when thou reviewest this, thou dost review the very part was consecrate to thee: the earth can have but earth, which is his due; my spirit is thine, the better part of me: so then thou hast but lost the dregs of life, the prey of worms, my body being dead, the coward conquest of a wretch's knife, too base of thee to be remembered. the worth of that is that which it contains, and that is this, and this with thee remains. lxxv. so are you to my thoughts as food to life, or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground; and for the peace of you i hold such strife as 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found; now proud as an enjoyer and anon doubting the filching age will steal his treasure, now counting best to be with you alone, then better'd that the world may see my pleasure; sometime all full with feasting on your sight and by and by clean starved for a look; possessing or pursuing no delight, save what is had or must from you be took. thus do i pine and surfeit day by day, or gluttoning on all, or all away. lxxvi. why is my verse so barren of new pride, so far from variation or quick change? why with the time do i not glance aside to new-found methods and to compounds strange? why write i still all one, ever the same, and keep invention in a noted weed, that every word doth almost tell my name, showing their birth and where they did proceed? o, know, sweet love, i always write of you, and you and love are still my argument; so all my best is dressing old words new, spending again what is already spent: for as the sun is daily new and old, so is my love still telling what is told. lxxvii. thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear, thy dial how thy precious minutes waste; the vacant leaves thy mind's imprint will bear, and of this book this learning mayst thou taste. the wrinkles which thy glass will truly show of mouthed graves will give thee memory; thou by thy dial's shady stealth mayst know time's thievish progress to eternity. look, what thy memory can not contain commit to these waste blanks, and thou shalt find those children nursed, deliver'd from thy brain, to take a new acquaintance of thy mind. these offices, so oft as thou wilt look, shall profit thee and much enrich thy book. lxxviii. so oft have i invoked thee for my muse and found such fair assistance in my verse as every alien pen hath got my use and under thee their poesy disperse. thine eyes that taught the dumb on high to sing and heavy ignorance aloft to fly have added feathers to the learned's wing and given grace a double majesty. yet be most proud of that which i compile, whose influence is thine and born of thee: in others' works thou dost but mend the style, and arts with thy sweet graces graced be; but thou art all my art and dost advance as high as learning my rude ignorance. lxxix. whilst i alone did call upon thy aid, my verse alone had all thy gentle grace, but now my gracious numbers are decay'd and my sick muse doth give another place. i grant, sweet love, thy lovely argument deserves the travail of a worthier pen, yet what of thee thy poet doth invent he robs thee of and pays it thee again. he lends thee virtue and he stole that word from thy behavior; beauty doth he give and found it in thy cheek; he can afford no praise to thee but what in thee doth live. then thank him not for that which he doth say, since what he owes thee thou thyself dost pay. lxxx. o, how i faint when i of you do write, knowing a better spirit doth use your name, and in the praise thereof spends all his might, to make me tongue-tied, speaking of your fame! but since your worth, wide as the ocean is, the humble as the proudest sail doth bear, my saucy bark inferior far to his on your broad main doth wilfully appear. your shallowest help will hold me up afloat, whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ride; or being wreck'd, i am a worthless boat, he of tall building and of goodly pride: then if he thrive and i be cast away, the worst was this; my love was my decay. lxxxi. or i shall live your epitaph to make, or you survive when i in earth am rotten; from hence your memory death cannot take, although in me each part will be forgotten. your name from hence immortal life shall have, though i, once gone, to all the world must die: the earth can yield me but a common grave, when you entombed in men's eyes shall lie. your monument shall be my gentle verse, which eyes not yet created shall o'er-read, and tongues to be your being shall rehearse when all the breathers of this world are dead; you still shall live--such virtue hath my pen- where breath most breathes, even in the mouths of men. lxxxii. i grant thou wert not married to my muse and therefore mayst without attaint o'erlook the dedicated words which writers use of their fair subject, blessing every book thou art as fair in knowledge as in hue, finding thy worth a limit past my praise, and therefore art enforced to seek anew some fresher stamp of the time-bettering days and do so, love; yet when they have devised what strained touches rhetoric can lend, thou truly fair wert truly sympathized in true plain words by thy true-telling friend; and their gross painting might be better used where cheeks need blood; in thee it is abused. lxxxiii. i never saw that you did painting need and therefore to your fair no painting set; i found, or thought i found, you did exceed the barren tender of a poet's debt; and therefore have i slept in your report, that you yourself being extant well might show how far a modern quill doth come too short, speaking of worth, what worth in you doth grow. this silence for my sin you did impute, which shall be most my glory, being dumb; for i impair not beauty being mute, when others would give life and bring a tomb. there lives more life in one of your fair eyes than both your poets can in praise devise. lxxxiv. who is it that says most? which can say more than this rich praise, that you alone are you? in whose confine immured is the store which should example where your equal grew. lean penury within that pen doth dwell that to his subject lends not some small glory; but he that writes of you, if he can tell that you are you, so dignifies his story, let him but copy what in you is writ, not making worse what nature made so clear, and such a counterpart shall fame his wit, making his style admired every where. you to your beauteous blessings add a curse, being fond on praise, which makes your praises worse. lxxxv. my tongue-tied muse in manners holds her still, while comments of your praise, richly compiled, reserve their character with golden quill and precious phrase by all the muses filed. i think good thoughts whilst other write good words, and like unletter'd clerk still cry 'amen' to every hymn that able spirit affords in polish'd form of well-refined pen. hearing you praised, i say ''tis so, 'tis true,' and to the most of praise add something more; but that is in my thought, whose love to you, though words come hindmost, holds his rank before. then others for the breath of words respect, me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect. lxxxvi. was it the proud full sail of his great verse, bound for the prize of all too precious you, that did my ripe thoughts in my brain inhearse, making their tomb the womb wherein they grew? was it his spirit, by spirits taught to write above a mortal pitch, that struck me dead? no, neither he, nor his compeers by night giving him aid, my verse astonished. he, nor that affable familiar ghost which nightly gulls him with intelligence as victors of my silence cannot boast; i was not sick of any fear from thence: but when your countenance fill'd up his line, then lack'd i matter; that enfeebled mine. lxxxvii. farewell! thou art too dear for my possessing, and like enough thou know'st thy estimate: the charter of thy worth gives thee releasing; my bonds in thee are all determinate. for how do i hold thee but by thy granting? and for that riches where is my deserving? the cause of this fair gift in me is wanting, and so my patent back again is swerving. thyself thou gavest, thy own worth then not knowing, or me, to whom thou gavest it, else mistaking; so thy great gift, upon misprision growing, comes home again, on better judgment making. thus have i had thee, as a dream doth flatter, in sleep a king, but waking no such matter. lxxxviii. when thou shalt be disposed to set me light, and place my merit in the eye of scorn, upon thy side against myself i'll fight, and prove thee virtuous, though thou art forsworn. with mine own weakness being best acquainted, upon thy part i can set down a story of faults conceal'd, wherein i am attainted, that thou in losing me shalt win much glory: and i by this will be a gainer too; for bending all my loving thoughts on thee, the injuries that to myself i do, doing thee vantage, double-vantage me. such is my love, to thee i so belong, that for thy right myself will bear all wrong. lxxxix. say that thou didst forsake me for some fault, and i will comment upon that offence; speak of my lameness, and i straight will halt, against thy reasons making no defence. thou canst not, love, disgrace me half so ill, to set a form upon desired change, as i'll myself disgrace: knowing thy will, i will acquaintance strangle and look strange, be absent from thy walks, and in my tongue thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwell, lest i, too much profane, should do it wrong and haply of our old acquaintance tell. for thee against myself i'll vow debate, for i must ne'er love him whom thou dost hate. xc. then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now; now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross, join with the spite of fortune, make me bow, and do not drop in for an after-loss: ah, do not, when my heart hath 'scoped this sorrow, come in the rearward of a conquer'd woe; give not a windy night a rainy morrow, to linger out a purposed overthrow. if thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last, when other petty griefs have done their spite but in the onset come; so shall i taste at first the very worst of fortune's might, and other strains of woe, which now seem woe, compared with loss of thee will not seem so. xci. some glory in their birth, some in their skill, some in their wealth, some in their bodies' force, some in their garments, though new-fangled ill, some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse; and every humour hath his adjunct pleasure, wherein it finds a joy above the rest: but these particulars are not my measure; all these i better in one general best. thy love is better than high birth to me, richer than wealth, prouder than garments' cost, of more delight than hawks or horses be; and having thee, of all men's pride i boast: wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take all this away and me most wretched make. xcii. but do thy worst to steal thyself away, for term of life thou art assured mine, and life no longer than thy love will stay, for it depends upon that love of thine. then need i not to fear the worst of wrongs, when in the least of them my life hath end. i see a better state to me belongs than that which on thy humour doth depend; thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind, since that my life on thy revolt doth lie. o, what a happy title do i find, happy to have thy love, happy to die! but what's so blessed-fair that fears no blot? thou mayst be false, and yet i know it not. xciii. so shall i live, supposing thou art true, like a deceived husband; so love's face may still seem love to me, though alter'd new; thy looks with me, thy heart in other place: for there can live no hatred in thine eye, therefore in that i cannot know thy change. in many's looks the false heart's history is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange, but heaven in thy creation did decree that in thy face sweet love should ever dwell; whate'er thy thoughts or thy heart's workings be, thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell. how like eve's apple doth thy beauty grow, if thy sweet virtue answer not thy show! xciv. they that have power to hurt and will do none, that do not do the thing they most do show, who, moving others, are themselves as stone, unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow, they rightly do inherit heaven's graces and husband nature's riches from expense; they are the lords and owners of their faces, others but stewards of their excellence. the summer's flower is to the summer sweet, though to itself it only live and die, but if that flower with base infection meet, the basest weed outbraves his dignity: for sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds. xcv. how sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame which, like a canker in the fragrant rose, doth spot the beauty of thy budding name! o, in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclose! that tongue that tells the story of thy days, making lascivious comments on thy sport, cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise; naming thy name blesses an ill report. o, what a mansion have those vices got which for their habitation chose out thee, where beauty's veil doth cover every blot, and all things turn to fair that eyes can see! take heed, dear heart, of this large privilege; the hardest knife ill-used doth lose his edge. xcvi. some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness; some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport; both grace and faults are loved of more and less; thou makest faults graces that to thee resort. as on the finger of a throned queen the basest jewel will be well esteem'd, so are those errors that in thee are seen to truths translated and for true things deem'd. how many lambs might the stem wolf betray, if like a lamb he could his looks translate! how many gazers mightst thou lead away, if thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state! but do not so; i love thee in such sort as, thou being mine, mine is thy good report. xcvii. how like a winter hath my absence been from thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! what freezings have i felt, what dark days seen! what old december's bareness every where! and yet this time removed was summer's time, the teeming autumn, big with rich increase, bearing the wanton burden of the prime, like widow'd wombs after their lords' decease: yet this abundant issue seem'd to me but hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit; for summer and his pleasures wait on thee, and, thou away, the very birds are mute; or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer that leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near. xcviii. from you have i been absent in the spring, when proud-pied april dress'd in all his trim hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, that heavy saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him. yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell of different flowers in odour and in hue could make me any summer's story tell, or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew; nor did i wonder at the lily's white, nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; they were but sweet, but figures of delight, drawn after you, you pattern of all those. yet seem'd it winter still, and, you away, as with your shadow i with these did play: xcix. the forward violet thus did i chide: sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells, if not from my love's breath? the purple pride which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells in my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed. the lily i condemned for thy hand, and buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair: the roses fearfully on thorns did stand, one blushing shame, another white despair; a third, nor red nor white, had stol'n of both and to his robbery had annex'd thy breath; but, for his theft, in pride of all his growth a vengeful canker eat him up to death. more flowers i noted, yet i none could see but sweet or colour it had stol'n from thee. c. where art thou, muse, that thou forget'st so long to speak of that which gives thee all thy might? spend'st thou thy fury on some worthless song, darkening thy power to lend base subjects light? return, forgetful muse, and straight redeem in gentle numbers time so idly spent; sing to the ear that doth thy lays esteem and gives thy pen both skill and argument. rise, resty muse, my love's sweet face survey, if time have any wrinkle graven there; if any, be a satire to decay, and make time's spoils despised every where. give my love fame faster than time wastes life; so thou prevent'st his scythe and crooked knife. ci. o truant muse, what shall be thy amends for thy neglect of truth in beauty dyed? both truth and beauty on my love depends; so dost thou too, and therein dignified. make answer, muse: wilt thou not haply say 'truth needs no colour, with his colour fix'd; beauty no pencil, beauty's truth to lay; but best is best, if never intermix'd?' because he needs no praise, wilt thou be dumb? excuse not silence so; for't lies in thee to make him much outlive a gilded tomb, and to be praised of ages yet to be. then do thy office, muse; i teach thee how to make him seem long hence as he shows now. cii. my love is strengthen'd, though more weak in seeming; i love not less, though less the show appear: that love is merchandized whose rich esteeming the owner's tongue doth publish every where. our love was new and then but in the spring when i was wont to greet it with my lays, as philomel in summer's front doth sing and stops her pipe in growth of riper days: not that the summer is less pleasant now than when her mournful hymns did hush the night, but that wild music burthens every bough and sweets grown common lose their dear delight. therefore like her i sometime hold my tongue, because i would not dull you with my song. ciii. alack, what poverty my muse brings forth, that having such a scope to show her pride, the argument all bare is of more worth than when it hath my added praise beside! o, blame me not, if i no more can write! look in your glass, and there appears a face that over-goes my blunt invention quite, dulling my lines and doing me disgrace. were it not sinful then, striving to mend, to mar the subject that before was well? for to no other pass my verses tend than of your graces and your gifts to tell; and more, much more, than in my verse can sit your own glass shows you when you look in it. civ. to me, fair friend, you never can be old, for as you were when first your eye i eyed, such seems your beauty still. three winters cold have from the forests shook three summers' pride, three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd in process of the seasons have i seen, three april perfumes in three hot junes burn'd, since first i saw you fresh, which yet are green. ah! yet doth beauty, like a dial-hand, steal from his figure and no pace perceived; so your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand, hath motion and mine eye may be deceived: for fear of which, hear this, thou age unbred; ere you were born was beauty's summer dead. cv. let not my love be call'd idolatry, nor my beloved as an idol show, since all alike my songs and praises be to one, of one, still such, and ever so. kind is my love to-day, to-morrow kind, still constant in a wondrous excellence; therefore my verse to constancy confined, one thing expressing, leaves out difference. 'fair, kind and true' is all my argument, 'fair, kind, and true' varying to other words; and in this change is my invention spent, three themes in one, which wondrous scope affords. 'fair, kind, and true,' have often lived alone, which three till now never kept seat in one. cvi. when in the chronicle of wasted time i see descriptions of the fairest wights, and beauty making beautiful old rhyme in praise of ladies dead and lovely knights, then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best, of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow, i see their antique pen would have express'd even such a beauty as you master now. so all their praises are but prophecies of this our time, all you prefiguring; and, for they look'd but with divining eyes, they had not skill enough your worth to sing: for we, which now behold these present days, had eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise. cvii. not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul of the wide world dreaming on things to come, can yet the lease of my true love control, supposed as forfeit to a confined doom. the mortal moon hath her eclipse endured and the sad augurs mock their own presage; incertainties now crown themselves assured and peace proclaims olives of endless age. now with the drops of this most balmy time my love looks fresh, and death to me subscribes, since, spite of him, i'll live in this poor rhyme, while he insults o'er dull and speechless tribes: and thou in this shalt find thy monument, when tyrants' crests and tombs of brass are spent. cviii. what's in the brain that ink may character which hath not figured to thee my true spirit? what's new to speak, what new to register, that may express my love or thy dear merit? nothing, sweet boy; but yet, like prayers divine, i must, each day say o'er the very same, counting no old thing old, thou mine, i thine, even as when first i hallow'd thy fair name. so that eternal love in love's fresh case weighs not the dust and injury of age, nor gives to necessary wrinkles place, but makes antiquity for aye his page, finding the first conceit of love there bred where time and outward form would show it dead. cix. o, never say that i was false of heart, though absence seem'd my flame to qualify. as easy might i from myself depart as from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie: that is my home of love: if i have ranged, like him that travels i return again, just to the time, not with the time exchanged, so that myself bring water for my stain. never believe, though in my nature reign'd all frailties that besiege all kinds of blood, that it could so preposterously be stain'd, to leave for nothing all thy sum of good; for nothing this wide universe i call, save thou, my rose; in it thou art my all. cx. alas, 'tis true i have gone here and there and made myself a motley to the view, gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear, made old offences of affections new; most true it is that i have look'd on truth askance and strangely: but, by all above, these blenches gave my heart another youth, and worse essays proved thee my best of love. now all is done, have what shall have no end: mine appetite i never more will grind on newer proof, to try an older friend, a god in love, to whom i am confined. then give me welcome, next my heaven the best, even to thy pure and most most loving breast. cxi. o, for my sake do you with fortune chide, the guilty goddess of my harmful deeds, that did not better for my life provide than public means which public manners breeds. thence comes it that my name receives a brand, and almost thence my nature is subdued to what it works in, like the dyer's hand: pity me then and wish i were renew'd; whilst, like a willing patient, i will drink potions of eisel 'gainst my strong infection no bitterness that i will bitter think, nor double penance, to correct correction. pity me then, dear friend, and i assure ye even that your pity is enough to cure me. cxii. your love and pity doth the impression fill which vulgar scandal stamp'd upon my brow; for what care i who calls me well or ill, so you o'er-green my bad, my good allow? you are my all the world, and i must strive to know my shames and praises from your tongue: none else to me, nor i to none alive, that my steel'd sense or changes right or wrong. in so profound abysm i throw all care of others' voices, that my adder's sense to critic and to flatterer stopped are. mark how with my neglect i do dispense: you are so strongly in my purpose bred that all the world besides methinks are dead. cxiii. since i left you, mine eye is in my mind; and that which governs me to go about doth part his function and is partly blind, seems seeing, but effectually is out; for it no form delivers to the heart of bird of flower, or shape, which it doth latch: of his quick objects hath the mind no part, nor his own vision holds what it doth catch: for if it see the rudest or gentlest sight, the most sweet favour or deformed'st creature, the mountain or the sea, the day or night, the crow or dove, it shapes them to your feature: incapable of more, replete with you, my most true mind thus makes mine eye untrue. cxiv. or whether doth my mind, being crown'd with you, drink up the monarch's plague, this flattery? or whether shall i say, mine eye saith true, and that your love taught it this alchemy, to make of monsters and things indigest such cherubins as your sweet self resemble, creating every bad a perfect best, as fast as objects to his beams assemble? o,'tis the first; 'tis flattery in my seeing, and my great mind most kingly drinks it up: mine eye well knows what with his gust is 'greeing, and to his palate doth prepare the cup: if it be poison'd, 'tis the lesser sin that mine eye loves it and doth first begin. cxv. those lines that i before have writ do lie, even those that said i could not love you dearer: yet then my judgment knew no reason why my most full flame should afterwards burn clearer. but reckoning time, whose million'd accidents creep in 'twixt vows and change decrees of kings, tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp'st intents, divert strong minds to the course of altering things; alas, why, fearing of time's tyranny, might i not then say 'now i love you best,' when i was certain o'er incertainty, crowning the present, doubting of the rest? love is a babe; then might i not say so, to give full growth to that which still doth grow? cxvi. let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments. love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove: o no! it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken; it is the star to every wandering bark, whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle's compass come: love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom. if this be error and upon me proved, i never writ, nor no man ever loved. cxvii. accuse me thus: that i have scanted all wherein i should your great deserts repay, forgot upon your dearest love to call, whereto all bonds do tie me day by day; that i have frequent been with unknown minds and given to time your own dear-purchased right that i have hoisted sail to all the winds which should transport me farthest from your sight. book both my wilfulness and errors down and on just proof surmise accumulate; bring me within the level of your frown, but shoot not at me in your waken'd hate; since my appeal says i did strive to prove the constancy and virtue of your love. cxviii. like as, to make our appetites more keen, with eager compounds we our palate urge, as, to prevent our maladies unseen, we sicken to shun sickness when we purge, even so, being tuff of your ne'er-cloying sweetness, to bitter sauces did i frame my feeding and, sick of welfare, found a kind of meetness to be diseased ere that there was true needing. thus policy in love, to anticipate the ills that were not, grew to faults assured and brought to medicine a healthful state which, rank of goodness, would by ill be cured: but thence i learn, and find the lesson true, drugs poison him that so fell sick of you. cxix. what potions have i drunk of siren tears, distill'd from limbecks foul as hell within, applying fears to hopes and hopes to fears, still losing when i saw myself to win! what wretched errors hath my heart committed, whilst it hath thought itself so blessed never! how have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted in the distraction of this madding fever! o benefit of ill! now i find true that better is by evil still made better; and ruin'd love, when it is built anew, grows fairer than at first, more strong, far greater. so i return rebuked to my content and gain by ill thrice more than i have spent. cxx. that you were once unkind befriends me now, and for that sorrow which i then did feel needs must i under my transgression bow, unless my nerves were brass or hammer'd steel. for if you were by my unkindness shaken as i by yours, you've pass'd a hell of time, and i, a tyrant, have no leisure taken to weigh how once i suffered in your crime. o, that our night of woe might have remember'd my deepest sense, how hard true sorrow hits, and soon to you, as you to me, then tender'd the humble slave which wounded bosoms fits! but that your trespass now becomes a fee; mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom me. cxxi. 'tis better to be vile than vile esteem'd, when not to be receives reproach of being, and the just pleasure lost which is so deem'd not by our feeling but by others' seeing: for why should others false adulterate eyes give salutation to my sportive blood? or on my frailties why are frailer spies, which in their wills count bad what i think good? no, i am that i am, and they that level at my abuses reckon up their own: i may be straight, though they themselves be bevel; by their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown; unless this general evil they maintain, all men are bad, and in their badness reign. cxxii. thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain full character'd with lasting memory, which shall above that idle rank remain beyond all date, even to eternity; or at the least, so long as brain and heart have faculty by nature to subsist; till each to razed oblivion yield his part of thee, thy record never can be miss'd. that poor retention could not so much hold, nor need i tallies thy dear love to score; therefore to give them from me was i bold, to trust those tables that receive thee more: to keep an adjunct to remember thee were to import forgetfulness in me. cxxiii. no, time, thou shalt not boast that i do change: thy pyramids built up with newer might to me are nothing novel, nothing strange; they are but dressings of a former sight. our dates are brief, and therefore we admire what thou dost foist upon us that is old, and rather make them born to our desire than think that we before have heard them told. thy registers and thee i both defy, not wondering at the present nor the past, for thy records and what we see doth lie, made more or less by thy continual haste. this i do vow and this shall ever be; i will be true, despite thy scythe and thee. cxxiv. if my dear love were but the child of state, it might for fortune's bastard be unfather'd' as subject to time's love or to time's hate, weeds among weeds, or flowers with flowers gather'd. no, it was builded far from accident; it suffers not in smiling pomp, nor falls under the blow of thralled discontent, whereto the inviting time our fashion calls: it fears not policy, that heretic, which works on leases of short-number'd hours, but all alone stands hugely politic, that it nor grows with heat nor drowns with showers. to this i witness call the fools of time, which die for goodness, who have lived for crime. cxxv. were 't aught to me i bore the canopy, with my extern the outward honouring, or laid great bases for eternity, which prove more short than waste or ruining? have i not seen dwellers on form and favour lose all, and more, by paying too much rent, for compound sweet forgoing simple savour, pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent? no, let me be obsequious in thy heart, and take thou my oblation, poor but free, which is not mix'd with seconds, knows no art, but mutual render, only me for thee. hence, thou suborn'd informer! a true soul when most impeach'd stands least in thy control. cxxvi. o thou, my lovely boy, who in thy power dost hold time's fickle glass, his sickle, hour; who hast by waning grown, and therein show'st thy lovers withering as thy sweet self grow'st; if nature, sovereign mistress over wrack, as thou goest onwards, still will pluck thee back, she keeps thee to this purpose, that her skill may time disgrace and wretched minutes kill. yet fear her, o thou minion of her pleasure! she may detain, but not still keep, her treasure: her audit, though delay'd, answer'd must be, and her quietus is to render thee. cxxvii. in the old age black was not counted fair, or if it were, it bore not beauty's name; but now is black beauty's successive heir, and beauty slander'd with a bastard shame: for since each hand hath put on nature's power, fairing the foul with art's false borrow'd face, sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower, but is profaned, if not lives in disgrace. therefore my mistress' brows are raven black, her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem at such who, not born fair, no beauty lack, slandering creation with a false esteem: yet so they mourn, becoming of their woe, that every tongue says beauty should look so. cxxviii. how oft, when thou, my music, music play'st, upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds with thy sweet fingers, when thou gently sway'st the wiry concord that mine ear confounds, do i envy those jacks that nimble leap to kiss the tender inward of thy hand, whilst my poor lips, which should that harvest reap, at the wood's boldness by thee blushing stand! to be so tickled, they would change their state and situation with those dancing chips, o'er whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait, making dead wood more blest than living lips. since saucy jacks so happy are in this, give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kiss. cxxix. the expense of spirit in a waste of shame is lust in action; and till action, lust is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame, savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust, enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight, past reason hunted, and no sooner had past reason hated, as a swallow'd bait on purpose laid to make the taker mad; mad in pursuit and in possession so; had, having, and in quest to have, extreme; a bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe; before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream. all this the world well knows; yet none knows well to shun the heaven that leads men to this hell. cxxx. my mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; coral is far more red than her lips' red; if snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; if hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. i have seen roses damask'd, red and white, but no such roses see i in her cheeks; and in some perfumes is there more delight than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. i love to hear her speak, yet well i know that music hath a far more pleasing sound; i grant i never saw a goddess go; my mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: and yet, by heaven, i think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare. cxxxi. thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art, as those whose beauties proudly make them cruel; for well thou know'st to my dear doting heart thou art the fairest and most precious jewel. yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold thy face hath not the power to make love groan: to say they err i dare not be so bold, although i swear it to myself alone. and, to be sure that is not false i swear, a thousand groans, but thinking on thy face, one on another's neck, do witness bear thy black is fairest in my judgment's place. in nothing art thou black save in thy deeds, and thence this slander, as i think, proceeds. cxxxii. thine eyes i love, and they, as pitying me, knowing thy heart torments me with disdain, have put on black and loving mourners be, looking with pretty ruth upon my pain. and truly not the morning sun of heaven better becomes the grey cheeks of the east, nor that full star that ushers in the even doth half that glory to the sober west, as those two mourning eyes become thy face: o, let it then as well beseem thy heart to mourn for me, since mourning doth thee grace, and suit thy pity like in every part. then will i swear beauty herself is black and all they foul that thy complexion lack. cxxxiii. beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan for that deep wound it gives my friend and me! is't not enough to torture me alone, but slave to slavery my sweet'st friend must be? me from myself thy cruel eye hath taken, and my next self thou harder hast engross'd: of him, myself, and thee, i am forsaken; a torment thrice threefold thus to be cross'd. prison my heart in thy steel bosom's ward, but then my friend's heart let my poor heart bail; whoe'er keeps me, let my heart be his guard; thou canst not then use rigor in my gaol: and yet thou wilt; for i, being pent in thee, perforce am thine, and all that is in me. cxxxiv. so, now i have confess'd that he is thine, and i myself am mortgaged to thy will, myself i'll forfeit, so that other mine thou wilt restore, to be my comfort still: but thou wilt not, nor he will not be free, for thou art covetous and he is kind; he learn'd but surety-like to write for me under that bond that him as fast doth bind. the statute of thy beauty thou wilt take, thou usurer, that put'st forth all to use, and sue a friend came debtor for my sake; so him i lose through my unkind abuse. him have i lost; thou hast both him and me: he pays the whole, and yet am i not free. cxxxv. whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'will,' and 'will' to boot, and 'will' in overplus; more than enough am i that vex thee still, to thy sweet will making addition thus. wilt thou, whose will is large and spacious, not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thine? shall will in others seem right gracious, and in my will no fair acceptance shine? the sea all water, yet receives rain still and in abundance addeth to his store; so thou, being rich in 'will,' add to thy 'will' one will of mine, to make thy large 'will' more. let no unkind, no fair beseechers kill; think all but one, and me in that one 'will.' cxxxvi. if thy soul cheque thee that i come so near, swear to thy blind soul that i was thy 'will,' and will, thy soul knows, is admitted there; thus far for love my love-suit, sweet, fulfil. 'will' will fulfil the treasure of thy love, ay, fill it full with wills, and my will one. in things of great receipt with ease we prove among a number one is reckon'd none: then in the number let me pass untold, though in thy stores' account i one must be; for nothing hold me, so it please thee hold that nothing me, a something sweet to thee: make but my name thy love, and love that still, and then thou lovest me, for my name is 'will.' cxxxvii. thou blind fool, love, what dost thou to mine eyes, that they behold, and see not what they see? they know what beauty is, see where it lies, yet what the best is take the worst to be. if eyes corrupt by over-partial looks be anchor'd in the bay where all men ride, why of eyes' falsehood hast thou forged hooks, whereto the judgment of my heart is tied? why should my heart think that a several plot which my heart knows the wide world's common place? or mine eyes seeing this, say this is not, to put fair truth upon so foul a face? in things right true my heart and eyes have erred, and to this false plague are they now transferr'd. cxxxviii. when my love swears that she is made of truth i do believe her, though i know she lies, that she might think me some untutor'd youth, unlearned in the world's false subtleties. thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young, although she knows my days are past the best, simply i credit her false speaking tongue: on both sides thus is simple truth suppress'd. but wherefore says she not she is unjust? and wherefore say not i that i am old? o, love's best habit is in seeming trust, and age in love loves not to have years told: therefore i lie with her and she with me, and in our faults by lies we flatter'd be. cxxxix. o, call not me to justify the wrong that thy unkindness lays upon my heart; wound me not with thine eye but with thy tongue; use power with power and slay me not by art. tell me thou lovest elsewhere, but in my sight, dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside: what need'st thou wound with cunning when thy might is more than my o'er-press'd defense can bide? let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knows her pretty looks have been mine enemies, and therefore from my face she turns my foes, that they elsewhere might dart their injuries: yet do not so; but since i am near slain, kill me outright with looks and rid my pain. cxl. be wise as thou art cruel; do not press my tongue-tied patience with too much disdain; lest sorrow lend me words and words express the manner of my pity-wanting pain. if i might teach thee wit, better it were, though not to love, yet, love, to tell me so; as testy sick men, when their deaths be near, no news but health from their physicians know; for if i should despair, i should grow mad, and in my madness might speak ill of thee: now this ill-wresting world is grown so bad, mad slanderers by mad ears believed be, that i may not be so, nor thou belied, bear thine eyes straight, though thy proud heart go wide. cxli. in faith, i do not love thee with mine eyes, for they in thee a thousand errors note; but 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, who in despite of view is pleased to dote; nor are mine ears with thy tongue's tune delighted, nor tender feeling, to base touches prone, nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invited to any sensual feast with thee alone: but my five wits nor my five senses can dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee, who leaves unsway'd the likeness of a man, thy proud hearts slave and vassal wretch to be: only my plague thus far i count my gain, that she that makes me sin awards me pain. cxlii. love is my sin and thy dear virtue hate, hate of my sin, grounded on sinful loving: o, but with mine compare thou thine own state, and thou shalt find it merits not reproving; or, if it do, not from those lips of thine, that have profaned their scarlet ornaments and seal'd false bonds of love as oft as mine, robb'd others' beds' revenues of their rents. be it lawful i love thee, as thou lovest those whom thine eyes woo as mine importune thee: root pity in thy heart, that when it grows thy pity may deserve to pitied be. if thou dost seek to have what thou dost hide, by self-example mayst thou be denied! cxliii. lo! as a careful housewife runs to catch one of her feather'd creatures broke away, sets down her babe and makes an swift dispatch in pursuit of the thing she would have stay, whilst her neglected child holds her in chase, cries to catch her whose busy care is bent to follow that which flies before her face, not prizing her poor infant's discontent; so runn'st thou after that which flies from thee, whilst i thy babe chase thee afar behind; but if thou catch thy hope, turn back to me, and play the mother's part, kiss me, be kind: so will i pray that thou mayst have thy 'will,' if thou turn back, and my loud crying still. cxliv. two loves i have of comfort and despair, which like two spirits do suggest me still: the better angel is a man right fair, the worser spirit a woman colour'd ill. to win me soon to hell, my female evil tempteth my better angel from my side, and would corrupt my saint to be a devil, wooing his purity with her foul pride. and whether that my angel be turn'd fiend suspect i may, but not directly tell; but being both from me, both to each friend, i guess one angel in another's hell: yet this shall i ne'er know, but live in doubt, till my bad angel fire my good one out. cxlv. those lips that love's own hand did make breathed forth the sound that said 'i hate' to me that languish'd for her sake; but when she saw my woeful state, straight in her heart did mercy come, chiding that tongue that ever sweet was used in giving gentle doom, and taught it thus anew to greet: 'i hate' she alter'd with an end, that follow'd it as gentle day doth follow night, who like a fiend from heaven to hell is flown away; 'i hate' from hate away she threw, and saved my life, saying 'not you.' cxlvi. poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth, [ ] these rebel powers that thee array; why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth, painting thy outward walls so costly gay? why so large cost, having so short a lease, dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend? shall worms, inheritors of this excess, eat up thy charge? is this thy body's end? then soul, live thou upon thy servant's loss, and let that pine to aggravate thy store; buy terms divine in selling hours of dross; within be fed, without be rich no more: so shalt thou feed on death, that feeds on men, and death once dead, there's no more dying then. cxlvii. my love is as a fever, longing still for that which longer nurseth the disease, feeding on that which doth preserve the ill, the uncertain sickly appetite to please. my reason, the physician to my love, angry that his prescriptions are not kept, hath left me, and i desperate now approve desire is death, which physic did except. past cure i am, now reason is past care, and frantic-mad with evermore unrest; my thoughts and my discourse as madmen's are, at random from the truth vainly express'd; for i have sworn thee fair and thought thee bright, who art as black as hell, as dark as night. cxlviii. o me, what eyes hath love put in my head, which have no correspondence with true sight! or, if they have, where is my judgment fled, that censures falsely what they see aright? if that be fair whereon my false eyes dote, what means the world to say it is not so? if it be not, then love doth well denote love's eye is not so true as all men's 'no.' how can it? o, how can love's eye be true, that is so vex'd with watching and with tears? no marvel then, though i mistake my view; the sun itself sees not till heaven clears. o cunning love! with tears thou keep'st me blind, lest eyes well-seeing thy foul faults should find. cxlix. canst thou, o cruel! say i love thee not, when i against myself with thee partake? do i not think on thee, when i forgot am of myself, all tyrant, for thy sake? who hateth thee that i do call my friend? on whom frown'st thou that i do fawn upon? nay, if thou lour'st on me, do i not spend revenge upon myself with present moan? what merit do i in myself respect, that is so proud thy service to despise, when all my best doth worship thy defect, commanded by the motion of thine eyes? but, love, hate on, for now i know thy mind; those that can see thou lovest, and i am blind. cl. o, from what power hast thou this powerful might with insufficiency my heart to sway? to make me give the lie to my true sight, and swear that brightness doth not grace the day? whence hast thou this becoming of things ill, that in the very refuse of thy deeds there is such strength and warrantize of skill that, in my mind, thy worst all best exceeds? who taught thee how to make me love thee more the more i hear and see just cause of hate? o, though i love what others do abhor, with others thou shouldst not abhor my state: if thy unworthiness raised love in me, more worthy i to be beloved of thee. cli. love is too young to know what conscience is; yet who knows not conscience is born of love? then, gentle cheater, urge not my amiss, lest guilty of my faults thy sweet self prove: for, thou betraying me, i do betray my nobler part to my gross body's treason; my soul doth tell my body that he may triumph in love; flesh stays no father reason; but, rising at thy name, doth point out thee as his triumphant prize. proud of this pride, he is contented thy poor drudge to be, to stand in thy affairs, fall by thy side. no want of conscience hold it that i call her 'love' for whose dear love i rise and fall. clii. in loving thee thou know'st i am forsworn, but thou art twice forsworn, to me love swearing, in act thy bed-vow broke and new faith torn, in vowing new hate after new love bearing. but why of two oaths' breach do i accuse thee, when i break twenty? i am perjured most; for all my vows are oaths but to misuse thee and all my honest faith in thee is lost, for i have sworn deep oaths of thy deep kindness, oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy, and, to enlighten thee, gave eyes to blindness, or made them swear against the thing they see; for i have sworn thee fair; more perjured i, to swear against the truth so foul a lie! cliii. cupid laid by his brand, and fell asleep: a maid of dian's this advantage found, and his love-kindling fire did quickly steep in a cold valley-fountain of that ground; which borrow'd from this holy fire of love a dateless lively heat, still to endure, and grew a seething bath, which yet men prove against strange maladies a sovereign cure. but at my mistress' eye love's brand new-fired, the boy for trial needs would touch my breast; i, sick withal, the help of bath desired, and thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest, but found no cure: the bath for my help lies where cupid got new fire--my mistress' eyes. cliv. the little love-god lying once asleep laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand, whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste life to keep came tripping by; but in her maiden hand the fairest votary took up that fire which many legions of true hearts had warm'd; and so the general of hot desire was sleeping by a virgin hand disarm'd. this brand she quenched in a cool well by, which from love's fire took heat perpetual, growing a bath and healthful remedy for men diseased; but i, my mistress' thrall, came there for cure, and this by that i prove, love's fire heats water, water cools not love. romeo and juliet dramatis personae escalus prince of verona. (prince:) paris a young nobleman, kinsman to the prince. montague | | heads of two houses at variance with each other. capulet | an old man, cousin to capulet. (second capulet:) romeo son to montague. mercutio kinsman to the prince, and friend to romeo. benvolio nephew to montague, and friend to romeo. tybalt nephew to lady capulet. friar laurence | | franciscans. friar john | balthasar servant to romeo. sampson | | servants to capulet. gregory | peter servant to juliet's nurse. abraham servant to montague. an apothecary. (apothecary:) three musicians. (first musician:) (second musician:) (third musician:) page to paris; (page:) another page; an officer. lady montague wife to montague. lady capulet wife to capulet. juliet daughter to capulet. nurse to juliet. (nurse:) citizens of verona; several men and women, relations to both houses; maskers, guards, watchmen, and attendants. (first citizen:) (servant:) (first servant:) (second servant:) (first watchman:) (second watchman:) (third watchman:) chorus. scene verona: mantua. romeo and juliet prologue two households, both alike in dignity, in fair verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. from forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; whole misadventured piteous overthrows do with their death bury their parents' strife. the fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, and the continuance of their parents' rage, which, but their children's end, nought could remove, is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; the which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. romeo and juliet act i scene i verona. a public place. [enter sampson and gregory, of the house of capulet, armed with swords and bucklers] sampson gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals. gregory no, for then we should be colliers. sampson i mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw. gregory ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar. sampson i strike quickly, being moved. gregory but thou art not quickly moved to strike. sampson a dog of the house of montague moves me. gregory to move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away. sampson a dog of that house shall move me to stand: i will take the wall of any man or maid of montague's. gregory that shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall. sampson true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore i will push montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. gregory the quarrel is between our masters and us their men. sampson 'tis all one, i will show myself a tyrant: when i have fought with the men, i will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads. gregory the heads of the maids? sampson ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt. gregory they must take it in sense that feel it. sampson me they shall feel while i am able to stand: and 'tis known i am a pretty piece of flesh. gregory 'tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor john. draw thy tool! here comes two of the house of the montagues. sampson my naked weapon is out: quarrel, i will back thee. gregory how! turn thy back and run? sampson fear me not. gregory no, marry; i fear thee! sampson let us take the law of our sides; let them begin. gregory i will frown as i pass by, and let them take it as they list. sampson nay, as they dare. i will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. [enter abraham and balthasar] abraham do you bite your thumb at us, sir? sampson i do bite my thumb, sir. abraham do you bite your thumb at us, sir? sampson [aside to gregory] is the law of our side, if i say ay? gregory no. sampson no, sir, i do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but i bite my thumb, sir. gregory do you quarrel, sir? abraham quarrel sir! no, sir. sampson if you do, sir, i am for you: i serve as good a man as you. abraham no better. sampson well, sir. gregory say 'better:' here comes one of my master's kinsmen. sampson yes, better, sir. abraham you lie. sampson draw, if you be men. gregory, remember thy swashing blow. [they fight] [enter benvolio] benvolio part, fools! put up your swords; you know not what you do. [beats down their swords] [enter tybalt] tybalt what, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? turn thee, benvolio, look upon thy death. benvolio i do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me. tybalt what, drawn, and talk of peace! i hate the word, as i hate hell, all montagues, and thee: have at thee, coward! [they fight] [enter, several of both houses, who join the fray; then enter citizens, with clubs] first citizen clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! down with the capulets! down with the montagues! [enter capulet in his gown, and lady capulet] capulet what noise is this? give me my long sword, ho! lady capulet a crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword? capulet my sword, i say! old montague is come, and flourishes his blade in spite of me. [enter montague and lady montague] montague thou villain capulet,--hold me not, let me go. lady montague thou shalt not stir a foot to seek a foe. [enter prince, with attendants] prince rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,- will they not hear? what, ho! you men, you beasts, that quench the fire of your pernicious rage with purple fountains issuing from your veins, on pain of torture, from those bloody hands throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground, and hear the sentence of your moved prince. three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, by thee, old capulet, and montague, have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, and made verona's ancient citizens cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, to wield old partisans, in hands as old, canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. for this time, all the rest depart away: you capulet; shall go along with me: and, montague, come you this afternoon, to know our further pleasure in this case, to old free-town, our common judgment-place. once more, on pain of death, all men depart. [exeunt all but montague, lady montague, and benvolio] montague who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? speak, nephew, were you by when it began? benvolio here were the servants of your adversary, and yours, close fighting ere i did approach: i drew to part them: in the instant came the fiery tybalt, with his sword prepared, which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, he swung about his head and cut the winds, who nothing hurt withal hiss'd him in scorn: while we were interchanging thrusts and blows, came more and more and fought on part and part, till the prince came, who parted either part. lady montague o, where is romeo? saw you him to-day? right glad i am he was not at this fray. benvolio madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun peer'd forth the golden window of the east, a troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; where, underneath the grove of sycamore that westward rooteth from the city's side, so early walking did i see your son: towards him i made, but he was ware of me and stole into the covert of the wood: i, measuring his affections by my own, that most are busied when they're most alone, pursued my humour not pursuing his, and gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me. montague many a morning hath he there been seen, with tears augmenting the fresh morning dew. adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs; but all so soon as the all-cheering sun should in the furthest east begin to draw the shady curtains from aurora's bed, away from the light steals home my heavy son, and private in his chamber pens himself, shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out and makes himself an artificial night: black and portentous must this humour prove, unless good counsel may the cause remove. benvolio my noble uncle, do you know the cause? montague i neither know it nor can learn of him. benvolio have you importuned him by any means? montague both by myself and many other friends: but he, his own affections' counsellor, is to himself--i will not say how true- but to himself so secret and so close, so far from sounding and discovery, as is the bud bit with an envious worm, ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, or dedicate his beauty to the sun. could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow. we would as willingly give cure as know. [enter romeo] benvolio see, where he comes: so please you, step aside; i'll know his grievance, or be much denied. montague i would thou wert so happy by thy stay, to hear true shrift. come, madam, let's away. [exeunt montague and lady montague] benvolio good-morrow, cousin. romeo is the day so young? benvolio but new struck nine. romeo ay me! sad hours seem long. was that my father that went hence so fast? benvolio it was. what sadness lengthens romeo's hours? romeo not having that, which, having, makes them short. benvolio in love? romeo out- benvolio of love? romeo out of her favour, where i am in love. benvolio alas, that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous and rough in proof! romeo alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, should, without eyes, see pathways to his will! where shall we dine? o me! what fray was here? yet tell me not, for i have heard it all. here's much to do with hate, but more with love. why, then, o brawling love! o loving hate! o any thing, of nothing first create! o heavy lightness! serious vanity! mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! this love feel i, that feel no love in this. dost thou not laugh? benvolio no, coz, i rather weep. romeo good heart, at what? benvolio at thy good heart's oppression. romeo why, such is love's transgression. griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest with more of thine: this love that thou hast shown doth add more grief to too much of mine own. love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; being vex'd a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears: what is it else? a madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet. farewell, my coz. benvolio soft! i will go along; an if you leave me so, you do me wrong. romeo tut, i have lost myself; i am not here; this is not romeo, he's some other where. benvolio tell me in sadness, who is that you love. romeo what, shall i groan and tell thee? benvolio groan! why, no. but sadly tell me who. romeo bid a sick man in sadness make his will: ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill! in sadness, cousin, i do love a woman. benvolio i aim'd so near, when i supposed you loved. romeo a right good mark-man! and she's fair i love. benvolio a right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit. romeo well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit with cupid's arrow; she hath dian's wit; and, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, from love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. she will not stay the siege of loving terms, nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes, nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold: o, she is rich in beauty, only poor, that when she dies with beauty dies her store. benvolio then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste? romeo she hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste, for beauty starved with her severity cuts beauty off from all posterity. she is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, to merit bliss by making me despair: she hath forsworn to love, and in that vow do i live dead that live to tell it now. benvolio be ruled by me, forget to think of her. romeo o, teach me how i should forget to think. benvolio by giving liberty unto thine eyes; examine other beauties. romeo 'tis the way to call hers exquisite, in question more: these happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows being black put us in mind they hide the fair; he that is strucken blind cannot forget the precious treasure of his eyesight lost: show me a mistress that is passing fair, what doth her beauty serve, but as a note where i may read who pass'd that passing fair? farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget. benvolio i'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act i scene ii a street. [enter capulet, paris, and servant] capulet but montague is bound as well as i, in penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, i think, for men so old as we to keep the peace. paris of honourable reckoning are you both; and pity 'tis you lived at odds so long. but now, my lord, what say you to my suit? capulet but saying o'er what i have said before: my child is yet a stranger in the world; she hath not seen the change of fourteen years, let two more summers wither in their pride, ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. paris younger than she are happy mothers made. capulet and too soon marr'd are those so early made. the earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she, she is the hopeful lady of my earth: but woo her, gentle paris, get her heart, my will to her consent is but a part; an she agree, within her scope of choice lies my consent and fair according voice. this night i hold an old accustom'd feast, whereto i have invited many a guest, such as i love; and you, among the store, one more, most welcome, makes my number more. at my poor house look to behold this night earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light: such comfort as do lusty young men feel when well-apparell'd april on the heel of limping winter treads, even such delight among fresh female buds shall you this night inherit at my house; hear all, all see, and like her most whose merit most shall be: which on more view, of many mine being one may stand in number, though in reckoning none, come, go with me. [to servant, giving a paper] go, sirrah, trudge about through fair verona; find those persons out whose names are written there, and to them say, my house and welcome on their pleasure stay. [exeunt capulet and paris] servant find them out whose names are written here! it is written, that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but i am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. i must to the learned.--in good time. [enter benvolio and romeo] benvolio tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning, one pain is lessen'd by another's anguish; turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; one desperate grief cures with another's languish: take thou some new infection to thy eye, and the rank poison of the old will die. romeo your plaintain-leaf is excellent for that. benvolio for what, i pray thee? romeo for your broken shin. benvolio why, romeo, art thou mad? romeo not mad, but bound more than a mad-man is; shut up in prison, kept without my food, whipp'd and tormented and--god-den, good fellow. servant god gi' god-den. i pray, sir, can you read? romeo ay, mine own fortune in my misery. servant perhaps you have learned it without book: but, i pray, can you read any thing you see? romeo ay, if i know the letters and the language. servant ye say honestly: rest you merry! romeo stay, fellow; i can read. [reads] 'signior martino and his wife and daughters; county anselme and his beauteous sisters; the lady widow of vitravio; signior placentio and his lovely nieces; mercutio and his brother valentine; mine uncle capulet, his wife and daughters; my fair niece rosaline; livia; signior valentio and his cousin tybalt, lucio and the lively helena.' a fair assembly: whither should they come? servant up. romeo whither? servant to supper; to our house. romeo whose house? servant my master's. romeo indeed, i should have ask'd you that before. servant now i'll tell you without asking: my master is the great rich capulet; and if you be not of the house of montagues, i pray, come and crush a cup of wine. rest you merry! [exit] benvolio at this same ancient feast of capulet's sups the fair rosaline whom thou so lovest, with all the admired beauties of verona: go thither; and, with unattainted eye, compare her face with some that i shall show, and i will make thee think thy swan a crow. romeo when the devout religion of mine eye maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires; and these, who often drown'd could never die, transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! one fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. benvolio tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, herself poised with herself in either eye: but in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd your lady's love against some other maid that i will show you shining at this feast, and she shall scant show well that now shows best. romeo i'll go along, no such sight to be shown, but to rejoice in splendor of mine own. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act i scene iii a room in capulet's house. [enter lady capulet and nurse] lady capulet nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me. nurse now, by my maidenhead, at twelve year old, i bade her come. what, lamb! what, ladybird! god forbid! where's this girl? what, juliet! [enter juliet] juliet how now! who calls? nurse your mother. juliet madam, i am here. what is your will? lady capulet this is the matter:--nurse, give leave awhile, we must talk in secret:--nurse, come back again; i have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel. thou know'st my daughter's of a pretty age. nurse faith, i can tell her age unto an hour. lady capulet she's not fourteen. nurse i'll lay fourteen of my teeth,- and yet, to my teeth be it spoken, i have but four- she is not fourteen. how long is it now to lammas-tide? lady capulet a fortnight and odd days. nurse even or odd, of all days in the year, come lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. susan and she--god rest all christian souls!- were of an age: well, susan is with god; she was too good for me: but, as i said, on lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen; that shall she, marry; i remember it well. 'tis since the earthquake now eleven years; and she was wean'd,--i never shall forget it,- of all the days of the year, upon that day: for i had then laid wormwood to my dug, sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall; my lord and you were then at mantua:- nay, i do bear a brain:--but, as i said, when it did taste the wormwood on the nipple of my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool, to see it tetchy and fall out with the dug! shake quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, i trow, to bid me trudge: and since that time it is eleven years; for then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood, she could have run and waddled all about; for even the day before, she broke her brow: and then my husband--god be with his soul! a' was a merry man--took up the child: 'yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face? thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; wilt thou not, jule?' and, by my holidame, the pretty wretch left crying and said 'ay.' to see, now, how a jest shall come about! i warrant, an i should live a thousand years, i never should forget it: 'wilt thou not, jule?' quoth he; and, pretty fool, it stinted and said 'ay.' lady capulet enough of this; i pray thee, hold thy peace. nurse yes, madam: yet i cannot choose but laugh, to think it should leave crying and say 'ay.' and yet, i warrant, it had upon its brow a bump as big as a young cockerel's stone; a parlous knock; and it cried bitterly: 'yea,' quoth my husband,'fall'st upon thy face? thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age; wilt thou not, jule?' it stinted and said 'ay.' juliet and stint thou too, i pray thee, nurse, say i. nurse peace, i have done. god mark thee to his grace! thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er i nursed: an i might live to see thee married once, i have my wish. lady capulet marry, that 'marry' is the very theme i came to talk of. tell me, daughter juliet, how stands your disposition to be married? juliet it is an honour that i dream not of. nurse an honour! were not i thine only nurse, i would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat. lady capulet well, think of marriage now; younger than you, here in verona, ladies of esteem, are made already mothers: by my count, i was your mother much upon these years that you are now a maid. thus then in brief: the valiant paris seeks you for his love. nurse a man, young lady! lady, such a man as all the world--why, he's a man of wax. lady capulet verona's summer hath not such a flower. nurse nay, he's a flower; in faith, a very flower. lady capulet what say you? can you love the gentleman? this night you shall behold him at our feast; read o'er the volume of young paris' face, and find delight writ there with beauty's pen; examine every married lineament, and see how one another lends content and what obscured in this fair volume lies find written in the margent of his eyes. this precious book of love, this unbound lover, to beautify him, only lacks a cover: the fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride for fair without the fair within to hide: that book in many's eyes doth share the glory, that in gold clasps locks in the golden story; so shall you share all that he doth possess, by having him, making yourself no less. nurse no less! nay, bigger; women grow by men. lady capulet speak briefly, can you like of paris' love? juliet i'll look to like, if looking liking move: but no more deep will i endart mine eye than your consent gives strength to make it fly. [enter a servant] servant madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry, and every thing in extremity. i must hence to wait; i beseech you, follow straight. lady capulet we follow thee. [exit servant] juliet, the county stays. nurse go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act i scene iv a street. [enter romeo, mercutio, benvolio, with five or six maskers, torch-bearers, and others] romeo what, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? or shall we on without a apology? benvolio the date is out of such prolixity: we'll have no cupid hoodwink'd with a scarf, bearing a tartar's painted bow of lath, scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper; nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke after the prompter, for our entrance: but let them measure us by what they will; we'll measure them a measure, and be gone. romeo give me a torch: i am not for this ambling; being but heavy, i will bear the light. mercutio nay, gentle romeo, we must have you dance. romeo not i, believe me: you have dancing shoes with nimble soles: i have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground i cannot move. mercutio you are a lover; borrow cupid's wings, and soar with them above a common bound. romeo i am too sore enpierced with his shaft to soar with his light feathers, and so bound, i cannot bound a pitch above dull woe: under love's heavy burden do i sink. mercutio and, to sink in it, should you burden love; too great oppression for a tender thing. romeo is love a tender thing? it is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn. mercutio if love be rough with you, be rough with love; prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. give me a case to put my visage in: a visor for a visor! what care i what curious eye doth quote deformities? here are the beetle brows shall blush for me. benvolio come, knock and enter; and no sooner in, but every man betake him to his legs. romeo a torch for me: let wantons light of heart tickle the senseless rushes with their heels, for i am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase; i'll be a candle-holder, and look on. the game was ne'er so fair, and i am done. mercutio tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: if thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st up to the ears. come, we burn daylight, ho! romeo nay, that's not so. mercutio i mean, sir, in delay we waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day. take our good meaning, for our judgment sits five times in that ere once in our five wits. romeo and we mean well in going to this mask; but 'tis no wit to go. mercutio why, may one ask? romeo i dream'd a dream to-night. mercutio and so did i. romeo well, what was yours? mercutio that dreamers often lie. romeo in bed asleep, while they do dream things true. mercutio o, then, i see queen mab hath been with you. she is the fairies' midwife, and she comes in shape no bigger than an agate-stone on the fore-finger of an alderman, drawn with a team of little atomies athwart men's noses as they lie asleep; her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs, the cover of the wings of grasshoppers, the traces of the smallest spider's web, the collars of the moonshine's watery beams, her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film, her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat, not so big as a round little worm prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid; her chariot is an empty hazel-nut made by the joiner squirrel or old grub, time out o' mind the fairies' coachmakers. and in this state she gallops night by night through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love; o'er courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight, o'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees, o'er ladies ' lips, who straight on kisses dream, which oft the angry mab with blisters plagues, because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are: sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, and then dreams he of smelling out a suit; and sometime comes she with a tithe-pig's tail tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep, then dreams, he of another benefice: sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, and then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, of breaches, ambuscadoes, spanish blades, of healths five-fathom deep; and then anon drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes, and being thus frighted swears a prayer or two and sleeps again. this is that very mab that plats the manes of horses in the night, and bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs, which once untangled, much misfortune bodes: this is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, that presses them and learns them first to bear, making them women of good carriage: this is she- romeo peace, peace, mercutio, peace! thou talk'st of nothing. mercutio true, i talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy, which is as thin of substance as the air and more inconstant than the wind, who wooes even now the frozen bosom of the north, and, being anger'd, puffs away from thence, turning his face to the dew-dropping south. benvolio this wind, you talk of, blows us from ourselves; supper is done, and we shall come too late. romeo i fear, too early: for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night's revels and expire the term of a despised life closed in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death. but he, that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail! on, lusty gentlemen. benvolio strike, drum. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act i scene v a hall in capulet's house. [musicians waiting. enter servingmen with napkins] first servant where's potpan, that he helps not to take away? he shift a trencher? he scrape a trencher! second servant when good manners shall lie all in one or two men's hands and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing. first servant away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. good thou, save me a piece of marchpane; and, as thou lovest me, let the porter let in susan grindstone and nell. antony, and potpan! second servant ay, boy, ready. first servant you are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber. second servant we cannot be here and there too. cheerly, boys; be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all. [enter capulet, with juliet and others of his house, meeting the guests and maskers] capulet welcome, gentlemen! ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will have a bout with you. ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty, she, i'll swear, hath corns; am i come near ye now? welcome, gentlemen! i have seen the day that i have worn a visor and could tell a whispering tale in a fair lady's ear, such as would please: 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone: you are welcome, gentlemen! come, musicians, play. a hall, a hall! give room! and foot it, girls. [music plays, and they dance] more light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, and quench the fire, the room is grown too hot. ah, sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well. nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin capulet; for you and i are past our dancing days: how long is't now since last yourself and i were in a mask? second capulet by'r lady, thirty years. capulet what, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much: 'tis since the nuptials of lucentio, come pentecost as quickly as it will, some five and twenty years; and then we mask'd. second capulet 'tis more, 'tis more, his son is elder, sir; his son is thirty. capulet will you tell me that? his son was but a ward two years ago. romeo [to a servingman] what lady is that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight? servant i know not, sir. romeo o, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an ethiope's ear; beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! so shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, as yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. the measure done, i'll watch her place of stand, and, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! for i ne'er saw true beauty till this night. tybalt this, by his voice, should be a montague. fetch me my rapier, boy. what dares the slave come hither, cover'd with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? now, by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead, i hold it not a sin. capulet why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so? tybalt uncle, this is a montague, our foe, a villain that is hither come in spite, to scorn at our solemnity this night. capulet young romeo is it? tybalt 'tis he, that villain romeo. capulet content thee, gentle coz, let him alone; he bears him like a portly gentleman; and, to say truth, verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth: i would not for the wealth of all the town here in my house do him disparagement: therefore be patient, take no note of him: it is my will, the which if thou respect, show a fair presence and put off these frowns, and ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. tybalt it fits, when such a villain is a guest: i'll not endure him. capulet he shall be endured: what, goodman boy! i say, he shall: go to; am i the master here, or you? go to. you'll not endure him! god shall mend my soul! you'll make a mutiny among my guests! you will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man! tybalt why, uncle, 'tis a shame. capulet go to, go to; you are a saucy boy: is't so, indeed? this trick may chance to scathe you, i know what: you must contrary me! marry, 'tis time. well said, my hearts! you are a princox; go: be quiet, or--more light, more light! for shame! i'll make you quiet. what, cheerly, my hearts! tybalt patience perforce with wilful choler meeting makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. i will withdraw: but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall. [exit] romeo [to juliet] if i profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. juliet good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows in this; for saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. romeo have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? juliet ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. romeo o, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; they pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. juliet saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. romeo then move not, while my prayer's effect i take. thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged. juliet then have my lips the sin that they have took. romeo sin from thy lips? o trespass sweetly urged! give me my sin again. juliet you kiss by the book. nurse madam, your mother craves a word with you. romeo what is her mother? nurse marry, bachelor, her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, and a wise and virtuous i nursed her daughter, that you talk'd withal; i tell you, he that can lay hold of her shall have the chinks. romeo is she a capulet? o dear account! my life is my foe's debt. benvolio away, begone; the sport is at the best. romeo ay, so i fear; the more is my unrest. capulet nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone; we have a trifling foolish banquet towards. is it e'en so? why, then, i thank you all i thank you, honest gentlemen; good night. more torches here! come on then, let's to bed. ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late: i'll to my rest. [exeunt all but juliet and nurse] juliet come hither, nurse. what is yond gentleman? nurse the son and heir of old tiberio. juliet what's he that now is going out of door? nurse marry, that, i think, be young petrucio. juliet what's he that follows there, that would not dance? nurse i know not. juliet go ask his name: if he be married. my grave is like to be my wedding bed. nurse his name is romeo, and a montague; the only son of your great enemy. juliet my only love sprung from my only hate! too early seen unknown, and known too late! prodigious birth of love it is to me, that i must love a loathed enemy. nurse what's this? what's this? juliet a rhyme i learn'd even now of one i danced withal. [one calls within 'juliet.'] nurse anon, anon! come, let's away; the strangers all are gone. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act ii prologue [enter chorus] chorus now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, and young affection gapes to be his heir; that fair for which love groan'd for and would die, with tender juliet match'd, is now not fair. now romeo is beloved and loves again, alike betwitched by the charm of looks, but to his foe supposed he must complain, and she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks: being held a foe, he may not have access to breathe such vows as lovers use to swear; and she as much in love, her means much less to meet her new-beloved any where: but passion lends them power, time means, to meet tempering extremities with extreme sweet. [exit] romeo and juliet act ii scene i a lane by the wall of capulet's orchard. [enter romeo] romeo can i go forward when my heart is here? turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out. [he climbs the wall, and leaps down within it] [enter benvolio and mercutio] benvolio romeo! my cousin romeo! mercutio he is wise; and, on my lie, hath stol'n him home to bed. benvolio he ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall: call, good mercutio. mercutio nay, i'll conjure too. romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover! appear thou in the likeness of a sigh: speak but one rhyme, and i am satisfied; cry but 'ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove;' speak to my gossip venus one fair word, one nick-name for her purblind son and heir, young adam cupid, he that shot so trim, when king cophetua loved the beggar-maid! he heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not; the ape is dead, and i must conjure him. i conjure thee by rosaline's bright eyes, by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, by her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh and the demesnes that there adjacent lie, that in thy likeness thou appear to us! benvolio and if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him. mercutio this cannot anger him: 'twould anger him to raise a spirit in his mistress' circle of some strange nature, letting it there stand till she had laid it and conjured it down; that were some spite: my invocation is fair and honest, and in his mistress' name i conjure only but to raise up him. benvolio come, he hath hid himself among these trees, to be consorted with the humorous night: blind is his love and best befits the dark. mercutio if love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. now will he sit under a medlar tree, and wish his mistress were that kind of fruit as maids call medlars, when they laugh alone. romeo, that she were, o, that she were an open et caetera, thou a poperin pear! romeo, good night: i'll to my truckle-bed; this field-bed is too cold for me to sleep: come, shall we go? benvolio go, then; for 'tis in vain to seek him here that means not to be found. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act ii scene ii capulet's orchard. [enter romeo] romeo he jests at scars that never felt a wound. [juliet appears above at a window] but, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? it is the east, and juliet is the sun. arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she: be not her maid, since she is envious; her vestal livery is but sick and green and none but fools do wear it; cast it off. it is my lady, o, it is my love! o, that she knew she were! she speaks yet she says nothing: what of that? her eye discourses; i will answer it. i am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres till they return. what if her eyes were there, they in her head? the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, as daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night. see, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! o, that i were a glove upon that hand, that i might touch that cheek! juliet ay me! romeo she speaks: o, speak again, bright angel! for thou art as glorious to this night, being o'er my head as is a winged messenger of heaven unto the white-upturned wondering eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him when he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air. juliet o romeo, romeo! wherefore art thou romeo? deny thy father and refuse thy name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and i'll no longer be a capulet. romeo [aside] shall i hear more, or shall i speak at this? juliet 'tis but thy name that is my enemy; thou art thyself, though not a montague. what's montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. o, be some other name! what's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; so romeo would, were he not romeo call'd, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee take all myself. romeo i take thee at thy word: call me but love, and i'll be new baptized; henceforth i never will be romeo. juliet what man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night so stumblest on my counsel? romeo by a name i know not how to tell thee who i am: my name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, because it is an enemy to thee; had i it written, i would tear the word. juliet my ears have not yet drunk a hundred words of that tongue's utterance, yet i know the sound: art thou not romeo and a montague? romeo neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. juliet how camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? the orchard walls are high and hard to climb, and the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here. romeo with love's light wings did i o'er-perch these walls; for stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do that dares love attempt; therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me. juliet if they do see thee, they will murder thee. romeo alack, there lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, and i am proof against their enmity. juliet i would not for the world they saw thee here. romeo i have night's cloak to hide me from their sight; and but thou love me, let them find me here: my life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. juliet by whose direction found'st thou out this place? romeo by love, who first did prompt me to inquire; he lent me counsel and i lent him eyes. i am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far as that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea, i would adventure for such merchandise. juliet thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek for that which thou hast heard me speak to-night fain would i dwell on form, fain, fain deny what i have spoke: but farewell compliment! dost thou love me? i know thou wilt say 'ay,' and i will take thy word: yet if thou swear'st, thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries then say, jove laughs. o gentle romeo, if thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully: or if thou think'st i am too quickly won, i'll frown and be perverse an say thee nay, so thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. in truth, fair montague, i am too fond, and therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light: but trust me, gentleman, i'll prove more true than those that have more cunning to be strange. i should have been more strange, i must confess, but that thou overheard'st, ere i was ware, my true love's passion: therefore pardon me, and not impute this yielding to light love, which the dark night hath so discovered. romeo lady, by yonder blessed moon i swear that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops- juliet o, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circled orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable. romeo what shall i swear by? juliet do not swear at all; or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry, and i'll believe thee. romeo if my heart's dear love- juliet well, do not swear: although i joy in thee, i have no joy of this contract to-night: it is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden; too like the lightning, which doth cease to be ere one can say 'it lightens.' sweet, good night! this bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest come to thy heart as that within my breast! romeo o, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? juliet what satisfaction canst thou have to-night? romeo the exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine. juliet i gave thee mine before thou didst request it: and yet i would it were to give again. romeo wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love? juliet but to be frank, and give it thee again. and yet i wish but for the thing i have: my bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more i give to thee, the more i have, for both are infinite. [nurse calls within] i hear some noise within; dear love, adieu! anon, good nurse! sweet montague, be true. stay but a little, i will come again. [exit, above] romeo o blessed, blessed night! i am afeard. being in night, all this is but a dream, too flattering-sweet to be substantial. [re-enter juliet, above] juliet three words, dear romeo, and good night indeed. if that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, by one that i'll procure to come to thee, where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; and all my fortunes at thy foot i'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world. nurse [within] madam! juliet i come, anon.--but if thou mean'st not well, i do beseech thee- nurse [within] madam! juliet by and by, i come:- to cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: to-morrow will i send. romeo so thrive my soul- juliet a thousand times good night! [exit, above] romeo a thousand times the worse, to want thy light. love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, but love from love, toward school with heavy looks. [retiring] [re-enter juliet, above] juliet hist! romeo, hist! o, for a falconer's voice, to lure this tassel-gentle back again! bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud; else would i tear the cave where echo lies, and make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine, with repetition of my romeo's name. romeo it is my soul that calls upon my name: how silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, like softest music to attending ears! juliet romeo! romeo my dear? juliet at what o'clock to-morrow shall i send to thee? romeo at the hour of nine. juliet i will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then. i have forgot why i did call thee back. romeo let me stand here till thou remember it. juliet i shall forget, to have thee still stand there, remembering how i love thy company. romeo and i'll still stay, to have thee still forget, forgetting any other home but this. juliet 'tis almost morning; i would have thee gone: and yet no further than a wanton's bird; who lets it hop a little from her hand, like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, and with a silk thread plucks it back again, so loving-jealous of his liberty. romeo i would i were thy bird. juliet sweet, so would i: yet i should kill thee with much cherishing. good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, that i shall say good night till it be morrow. [exit above] romeo sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! would i were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! hence will i to my ghostly father's cell, his help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. [exit] romeo and juliet act ii scene iii friar laurence's cell. [enter friar laurence, with a basket] friar laurence the grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, and flecked darkness like a drunkard reels from forth day's path and titan's fiery wheels: now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry, i must up-fill this osier cage of ours with baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers. the earth that's nature's mother is her tomb; what is her burying grave that is her womb, and from her womb children of divers kind we sucking on her natural bosom find, many for many virtues excellent, none but for some and yet all different. o, mickle is the powerful grace that lies in herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities: for nought so vile that on the earth doth live but to the earth some special good doth give, nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse: virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; and vice sometimes by action dignified. within the infant rind of this small flower poison hath residence and medicine power: for this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. two such opposed kings encamp them still in man as well as herbs, grace and rude will; and where the worser is predominant, full soon the canker death eats up that plant. [enter romeo] romeo good morrow, father. friar laurence benedicite! what early tongue so sweet saluteth me? young son, it argues a distemper'd head so soon to bid good morrow to thy bed: care keeps his watch in every old man's eye, and where care lodges, sleep will never lie; but where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign: therefore thy earliness doth me assure thou art up-roused by some distemperature; or if not so, then here i hit it right, our romeo hath not been in bed to-night. romeo that last is true; the sweeter rest was mine. friar laurence god pardon sin! wast thou with rosaline? romeo with rosaline, my ghostly father? no; i have forgot that name, and that name's woe. friar laurence that's my good son: but where hast thou been, then? romeo i'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again. i have been feasting with mine enemy, where on a sudden one hath wounded me, that's by me wounded: both our remedies within thy help and holy physic lies: i bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo, my intercession likewise steads my foe. friar laurence be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift; riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. romeo then plainly know my heart's dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich capulet: as mine on hers, so hers is set on mine; and all combined, save what thou must combine by holy marriage: when and where and how we met, we woo'd and made exchange of vow, i'll tell thee as we pass; but this i pray, that thou consent to marry us to-day. friar laurence holy saint francis, what a change is here! is rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. jesu maria, what a deal of brine hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for rosaline! how much salt water thrown away in waste, to season love, that of it doth not taste! the sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears, thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears; lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet: if e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine, thou and these woes were all for rosaline: and art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then, women may fall, when there's no strength in men. romeo thou chid'st me oft for loving rosaline. friar laurence for doting, not for loving, pupil mine. romeo and bad'st me bury love. friar laurence not in a grave, to lay one in, another out to have. romeo i pray thee, chide not; she whom i love now doth grace for grace and love for love allow; the other did not so. friar laurence o, she knew well thy love did read by rote and could not spell. but come, young waverer, come, go with me, in one respect i'll thy assistant be; for this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households' rancour to pure love. romeo o, let us hence; i stand on sudden haste. friar laurence wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act ii scene iv a street. [enter benvolio and mercutio] mercutio where the devil should this romeo be? came he not home to-night? benvolio not to his father's; i spoke with his man. mercutio ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that rosaline. torments him so, that he will sure run mad. benvolio tybalt, the kinsman of old capulet, hath sent a letter to his father's house. mercutio a challenge, on my life. benvolio romeo will answer it. mercutio any man that can write may answer a letter. benvolio nay, he will answer the letter's master, how he dares, being dared. mercutio alas poor romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with a white wench's black eye; shot through the ear with a love-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft: and is he a man to encounter tybalt? benvolio why, what is tybalt? mercutio more than prince of cats, i can tell you. o, he is the courageous captain of compliments. he fights as you sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and proportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, and the third in your bosom: the very butcher of a silk button, a duellist, a duellist; a gentleman of the very first house, of the first and second cause: ah, the immortal passado! the punto reverso! the hai! benvolio the what? mercutio the pox of such antic, lisping, affecting fantasticoes; these new tuners of accents! 'by jesu, a very good blade! a very tall man! a very good whore!' why, is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers, these perdona-mi's, who stand so much on the new form, that they cannot at ease on the old bench? o, their bones, their bones! [enter romeo] benvolio here comes romeo, here comes romeo. mercutio without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified! now is he for the numbers that petrarch flowed in: laura to his lady was but a kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better love to be-rhyme her; dido a dowdy; cleopatra a gipsy; helen and hero hildings and harlots; thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose. signior romeo, bon jour! there's a french salutation to your french slop. you gave us the counterfeit fairly last night. romeo good morrow to you both. what counterfeit did i give you? mercutio the ship, sir, the slip; can you not conceive? romeo pardon, good mercutio, my business was great; and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy. mercutio that's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams. romeo meaning, to court'sy. mercutio thou hast most kindly hit it. romeo a most courteous exposition. mercutio nay, i am the very pink of courtesy. romeo pink for flower. mercutio right. romeo why, then is my pump well flowered. mercutio well said: follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump, that when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular. romeo o single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness. mercutio come between us, good benvolio; my wits faint. romeo switch and spurs, switch and spurs; or i'll cry a match. mercutio nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, i have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, i am sure, i have in my whole five: was i with you there for the goose? romeo thou wast never with me for any thing when thou wast not there for the goose. mercutio i will bite thee by the ear for that jest. romeo nay, good goose, bite not. mercutio thy wit is a very bitter sweeting; it is a most sharp sauce. romeo and is it not well served in to a sweet goose? mercutio o here's a wit of cheveril, that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad! romeo i stretch it out for that word 'broad;' which added to the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad goose. mercutio why, is not this better now than groaning for love? now art thou sociable, now art thou romeo; now art thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature: for this drivelling love is like a great natural, that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole. benvolio stop there, stop there. mercutio thou desirest me to stop in my tale against the hair. benvolio thou wouldst else have made thy tale large. mercutio o, thou art deceived; i would have made it short: for i was come to the whole depth of my tale; and meant, indeed, to occupy the argument no longer. romeo here's goodly gear! [enter nurse and peter] mercutio a sail, a sail! benvolio two, two; a shirt and a smock. nurse peter! peter anon! nurse my fan, peter. mercutio good peter, to hide her face; for her fan's the fairer face. nurse god ye good morrow, gentlemen. mercutio god ye good den, fair gentlewoman. nurse is it good den? mercutio 'tis no less, i tell you, for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon. nurse out upon you! what a man are you! romeo one, gentlewoman, that god hath made for himself to mar. nurse by my troth, it is well said; 'for himself to mar,' quoth a'? gentlemen, can any of you tell me where i may find the young romeo? romeo i can tell you; but young romeo will be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him: i am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse. nurse you say well. mercutio yea, is the worst well? very well took, i' faith; wisely, wisely. nurse if you be he, sir, i desire some confidence with you. benvolio she will indite him to some supper. mercutio a bawd, a bawd, a bawd! so ho! romeo what hast thou found? mercutio no hare, sir; unless a hare, sir, in a lenten pie, that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent. [sings] an old hare hoar, and an old hare hoar, is very good meat in lent but a hare that is hoar is too much for a score, when it hoars ere it be spent. romeo, will you come to your father's? we'll to dinner, thither. romeo i will follow you. mercutio farewell, ancient lady; farewell, [singing] 'lady, lady, lady.' [exeunt mercutio and benvolio] nurse marry, farewell! i pray you, sir, what saucy merchant was this, that was so full of his ropery? romeo a gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month. nurse an a' speak any thing against me, i'll take him down, an a' were lustier than he is, and twenty such jacks; and if i cannot, i'll find those that shall. scurvy knave! i am none of his flirt-gills; i am none of his skains-mates. and thou must stand by too, and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure? peter i saw no man use you a pleasure; if i had, my weapon should quickly have been out, i warrant you: i dare draw as soon as another man, if i see occasion in a good quarrel, and the law on my side. nurse now, afore god, i am so vexed, that every part about me quivers. scurvy knave! pray you, sir, a word: and as i told you, my young lady bade me inquire you out; what she bade me say, i will keep to myself: but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into a fool's paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind of behavior, as they say: for the gentlewoman is young; and, therefore, if you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing. romeo nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. i protest unto thee- nurse good heart, and, i' faith, i will tell her as much: lord, lord, she will be a joyful woman. romeo what wilt thou tell her, nurse? thou dost not mark me. nurse i will tell her, sir, that you do protest; which, as i take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. romeo bid her devise some means to come to shrift this afternoon; and there she shall at friar laurence' cell be shrived and married. here is for thy pains. nurse no truly sir; not a penny. romeo go to; i say you shall. nurse this afternoon, sir? well, she shall be there. romeo and stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall: within this hour my man shall be with thee and bring thee cords made like a tackled stair; which to the high top-gallant of my joy must be my convoy in the secret night. farewell; be trusty, and i'll quit thy pains: farewell; commend me to thy mistress. nurse now god in heaven bless thee! hark you, sir. romeo what say'st thou, my dear nurse? nurse is your man secret? did you ne'er hear say, two may keep counsel, putting one away? romeo i warrant thee, my man's as true as steel. nurse well, sir; my mistress is the sweetest lady--lord, lord! when 'twas a little prating thing:--o, there is a nobleman in town, one paris, that would fain lay knife aboard; but she, good soul, had as lief see a toad, a very toad, as see him. i anger her sometimes and tell her that paris is the properer man; but, i'll warrant you, when i say so, she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world. doth not rosemary and romeo begin both with a letter? romeo ay, nurse; what of that? both with an r. nurse ah. mocker! that's the dog's name; r is for the--no; i know it begins with some other letter:--and she hath the prettiest sententious of it, of you and rosemary, that it would do you good to hear it. romeo commend me to thy lady. nurse ay, a thousand times. [exit romeo] peter! peter anon! nurse peter, take my fan, and go before and apace. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act ii scene v capulet's orchard. [enter juliet] juliet the clock struck nine when i did send the nurse; in half an hour she promised to return. perchance she cannot meet him: that's not so. o, she is lame! love's heralds should be thoughts, which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams, driving back shadows over louring hills: therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love, and therefore hath the wind-swift cupid wings. now is the sun upon the highmost hill of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve is three long hours, yet she is not come. had she affections and warm youthful blood, she would be as swift in motion as a ball; my words would bandy her to my sweet love, and his to me: but old folks, many feign as they were dead; unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead. o god, she comes! [enter nurse and peter] o honey nurse, what news? hast thou met with him? send thy man away. nurse peter, stay at the gate. [exit peter] juliet now, good sweet nurse,--o lord, why look'st thou sad? though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; if good, thou shamest the music of sweet news by playing it to me with so sour a face. nurse i am a-weary, give me leave awhile: fie, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have i had! juliet i would thou hadst my bones, and i thy news: nay, come, i pray thee, speak; good, good nurse, speak. nurse jesu, what haste? can you not stay awhile? do you not see that i am out of breath? juliet how art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath to say to me that thou art out of breath? the excuse that thou dost make in this delay is longer than the tale thou dost excuse. is thy news good, or bad? answer to that; say either, and i'll stay the circumstance: let me be satisfied, is't good or bad? nurse well, you have made a simple choice; you know not how to choose a man: romeo! no, not he; though his face be better than any man's, yet his leg excels all men's; and for a hand, and a foot, and a body, though they be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare: he is not the flower of courtesy, but, i'll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. go thy ways, wench; serve god. what, have you dined at home? juliet no, no: but all this did i know before. what says he of our marriage? what of that? nurse lord, how my head aches! what a head have i! it beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. my back o' t' other side,--o, my back, my back! beshrew your heart for sending me about, to catch my death with jaunting up and down! juliet i' faith, i am sorry that thou art not well. sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love? nurse your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, i warrant, a virtuous,--where is your mother? juliet where is my mother! why, she is within; where should she be? how oddly thou repliest! 'your love says, like an honest gentleman, where is your mother?' nurse o god's lady dear! are you so hot? marry, come up, i trow; is this the poultice for my aching bones? henceforward do your messages yourself. juliet here's such a coil! come, what says romeo? nurse have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? juliet i have. nurse then hie you hence to friar laurence' cell; there stays a husband to make you a wife: now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks, they'll be in scarlet straight at any news. hie you to church; i must another way, to fetch a ladder, by the which your love must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark: i am the drudge and toil in your delight, but you shall bear the burden soon at night. go; i'll to dinner: hie you to the cell. juliet hie to high fortune! honest nurse, farewell. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act ii scene vi friar laurence's cell. [enter friar laurence and romeo] friar laurence so smile the heavens upon this holy act, that after hours with sorrow chide us not! romeo amen, amen! but come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of joy that one short minute gives me in her sight: do thou but close our hands with holy words, then love-devouring death do what he dare; it is enough i may but call her mine. friar laurence these violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which as they kiss consume: the sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness and in the taste confounds the appetite: therefore love moderately; long love doth so; too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. [enter juliet] here comes the lady: o, so light a foot will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint: a lover may bestride the gossamer that idles in the wanton summer air, and yet not fall; so light is vanity. juliet good even to my ghostly confessor. friar laurence romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both. juliet as much to him, else is his thanks too much. romeo ah, juliet, if the measure of thy joy be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more to blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath this neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue unfold the imagined happiness that both receive in either by this dear encounter. juliet conceit, more rich in matter than in words, brags of his substance, not of ornament: they are but beggars that can count their worth; but my true love is grown to such excess i cannot sum up sum of half my wealth. friar laurence come, come with me, and we will make short work; for, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone till holy church incorporate two in one. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iii scene i a public place. [enter mercutio, benvolio, page, and servants] benvolio i pray thee, good mercutio, let's retire: the day is hot, the capulets abroad, and, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl; for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. mercutio thou art like one of those fellows that when he enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword upon the table and says 'god send me no need of thee!' and by the operation of the second cup draws it on the drawer, when indeed there is no need. benvolio am i like such a fellow? mercutio come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as soon moody to be moved. benvolio and what to? mercutio nay, an there were two such, we should have none shortly, for one would kill the other. thou! why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more, or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast: thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: what eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun: didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before easter? with another, for tying his new shoes with old riband? and yet thou wilt tutor me from quarrelling! benvolio an i were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter. mercutio the fee-simple! o simple! benvolio by my head, here come the capulets. mercutio by my heel, i care not. [enter tybalt and others] tybalt follow me close, for i will speak to them. gentlemen, good den: a word with one of you. mercutio and but one word with one of us? couple it with something; make it a word and a blow. tybalt you shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion. mercutio could you not take some occasion without giving? tybalt mercutio, thou consort'st with romeo,- mercutio consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? an thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall make you dance. 'zounds, consort! benvolio we talk here in the public haunt of men: either withdraw unto some private place, and reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us. mercutio men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; i will not budge for no man's pleasure, i. [enter romeo] tybalt well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man. mercutio but i'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery: marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower; your worship in that sense may call him 'man.' tybalt romeo, the hate i bear thee can afford no better term than this,--thou art a villain. romeo tybalt, the reason that i have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting: villain am i none; therefore farewell; i see thou know'st me not. tybalt boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw. romeo i do protest, i never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise, till thou shalt know the reason of my love: and so, good capulet,--which name i tender as dearly as my own,--be satisfied. mercutio o calm, dishonourable, vile submission! alla stoccata carries it away. [draws] tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk? tybalt what wouldst thou have with me? mercutio good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that i mean to make bold withal, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the eight. will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears? make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out. tybalt i am for you. [drawing] romeo gentle mercutio, put thy rapier up. mercutio come, sir, your passado. [they fight] romeo draw, benvolio; beat down their weapons. gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage! tybalt, mercutio, the prince expressly hath forbidden bandying in verona streets: hold, tybalt! good mercutio! [tybalt under romeo's arm stabs mercutio, and flies with his followers] mercutio i am hurt. a plague o' both your houses! i am sped. is he gone, and hath nothing? benvolio what, art thou hurt? mercutio ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough. where is my page? go, villain, fetch a surgeon. [exit page] romeo courage, man; the hurt cannot be much. mercutio no, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. i am peppered, i warrant, for this world. a plague o' both your houses! 'zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic! why the devil came you between us? i was hurt under your arm. romeo i thought all for the best. mercutio help me into some house, benvolio, or i shall faint. a plague o' both your houses! they have made worms' meat of me: i have it, and soundly too: your houses! [exeunt mercutio and benvolio] romeo this gentleman, the prince's near ally, my very friend, hath got his mortal hurt in my behalf; my reputation stain'd with tybalt's slander,--tybalt, that an hour hath been my kinsman! o sweet juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate and in my temper soften'd valour's steel! [re-enter benvolio] benvolio o romeo, romeo, brave mercutio's dead! that gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, which too untimely here did scorn the earth. romeo this day's black fate on more days doth depend; this but begins the woe, others must end. benvolio here comes the furious tybalt back again. romeo alive, in triumph! and mercutio slain! away to heaven, respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! [re-enter tybalt] now, tybalt, take the villain back again, that late thou gavest me; for mercutio's soul is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company: either thou, or i, or both, must go with him. tybalt thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, shalt with him hence. romeo this shall determine that. [they fight; tybalt falls] benvolio romeo, away, be gone! the citizens are up, and tybalt slain. stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death, if thou art taken: hence, be gone, away! romeo o, i am fortune's fool! benvolio why dost thou stay? [exit romeo] [enter citizens, &c] first citizen which way ran he that kill'd mercutio? tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he? benvolio there lies that tybalt. first citizen up, sir, go with me; i charge thee in the princes name, obey. [enter prince, attended; montague, capulet, their wives, and others] prince where are the vile beginners of this fray? benvolio o noble prince, i can discover all the unlucky manage of this fatal brawl: there lies the man, slain by young romeo, that slew thy kinsman, brave mercutio. lady capulet tybalt, my cousin! o my brother's child! o prince! o cousin! husband! o, the blood is spilt o my dear kinsman! prince, as thou art true, for blood of ours, shed blood of montague. o cousin, cousin! prince benvolio, who began this bloody fray? benvolio tybalt, here slain, whom romeo's hand did slay; romeo that spoke him fair, bade him bethink how nice the quarrel was, and urged withal your high displeasure: all this uttered with gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd, could not take truce with the unruly spleen of tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts with piercing steel at bold mercutio's breast, who all as hot, turns deadly point to point, and, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats cold death aside, and with the other sends it back to tybalt, whose dexterity, retorts it: romeo he cries aloud, 'hold, friends! friends, part!' and, swifter than his tongue, his agile arm beats down their fatal points, and 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm an envious thrust from tybalt hit the life of stout mercutio, and then tybalt fled; but by and by comes back to romeo, who had but newly entertain'd revenge, and to 't they go like lightning, for, ere i could draw to part them, was stout tybalt slain. and, as he fell, did romeo turn and fly. this is the truth, or let benvolio die. lady capulet he is a kinsman to the montague; affection makes him false; he speaks not true: some twenty of them fought in this black strife, and all those twenty could but kill one life. i beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give; romeo slew tybalt, romeo must not live. prince romeo slew him, he slew mercutio; who now the price of his dear blood doth owe? montague not romeo, prince, he was mercutio's friend; his fault concludes but what the law should end, the life of tybalt. prince and for that offence immediately we do exile him hence: i have an interest in your hate's proceeding, my blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; but i'll amerce you with so strong a fine that you shall all repent the loss of mine: i will be deaf to pleading and excuses; nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses: therefore use none: let romeo hence in haste, else, when he's found, that hour is his last. bear hence this body and attend our will: mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iii scene ii capulet's orchard. [enter juliet] juliet gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, towards phoebus' lodging: such a wagoner as phaethon would whip you to the west, and bring in cloudy night immediately. spread thy close curtain, love-performing night, that runaway's eyes may wink and romeo leap to these arms, untalk'd of and unseen. lovers can see to do their amorous rites by their own beauties; or, if love be blind, it best agrees with night. come, civil night, thou sober-suited matron, all in black, and learn me how to lose a winning match, play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods: hood my unmann'd blood, bating in my cheeks, with thy black mantle; till strange love, grown bold, think true love acted simple modesty. come, night; come, romeo; come, thou day in night; for thou wilt lie upon the wings of night whiter than new snow on a raven's back. come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night, give me my romeo; and, when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun. o, i have bought the mansion of a love, but not possess'd it, and, though i am sold, not yet enjoy'd: so tedious is this day as is the night before some festival to an impatient child that hath new robes and may not wear them. o, here comes my nurse, and she brings news; and every tongue that speaks but romeo's name speaks heavenly eloquence. [enter nurse, with cords] now, nurse, what news? what hast thou there? the cords that romeo bid thee fetch? nurse ay, ay, the cords. [throws them down] juliet ay me! what news? why dost thou wring thy hands? nurse ah, well-a-day! he's dead, he's dead, he's dead! we are undone, lady, we are undone! alack the day! he's gone, he's kill'd, he's dead! juliet can heaven be so envious? nurse romeo can, though heaven cannot: o romeo, romeo! who ever would have thought it? romeo! juliet what devil art thou, that dost torment me thus? this torture should be roar'd in dismal hell. hath romeo slain himself? say thou but 'i,' and that bare vowel 'i' shall poison more than the death-darting eye of cockatrice: i am not i, if there be such an i; or those eyes shut, that make thee answer 'i.' if he be slain, say 'i'; or if not, no: brief sounds determine of my weal or woe. nurse i saw the wound, i saw it with mine eyes,- god save the mark!--here on his manly breast: a piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse; pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub'd in blood, all in gore-blood; i swounded at the sight. juliet o, break, my heart! poor bankrupt, break at once! to prison, eyes, ne'er look on liberty! vile earth, to earth resign; end motion here; and thou and romeo press one heavy bier! nurse o tybalt, tybalt, the best friend i had! o courteous tybalt! honest gentleman! that ever i should live to see thee dead! juliet what storm is this that blows so contrary? is romeo slaughter'd, and is tybalt dead? my dear-loved cousin, and my dearer lord? then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom! for who is living, if those two are gone? nurse tybalt is gone, and romeo banished; romeo that kill'd him, he is banished. juliet o god! did romeo's hand shed tybalt's blood? nurse it did, it did; alas the day, it did! juliet o serpent heart, hid with a flowering face! did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb! despised substance of divinest show! just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, a damned saint, an honourable villain! o nature, what hadst thou to do in hell, when thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend in moral paradise of such sweet flesh? was ever book containing such vile matter so fairly bound? o that deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous palace! nurse there's no trust, no faith, no honesty in men; all perjured, all forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers. ah, where's my man? give me some aqua vitae: these griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old. shame come to romeo! juliet blister'd be thy tongue for such a wish! he was not born to shame: upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit; for 'tis a throne where honour may be crown'd sole monarch of the universal earth. o, what a beast was i to chide at him! nurse will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin? juliet shall i speak ill of him that is my husband? ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name, when i, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it? but, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? that villain cousin would have kill'd my husband: back, foolish tears, back to your native spring; your tributary drops belong to woe, which you, mistaking, offer up to joy. my husband lives, that tybalt would have slain; and tybalt's dead, that would have slain my husband: all this is comfort; wherefore weep i then? some word there was, worser than tybalt's death, that murder'd me: i would forget it fain; but, o, it presses to my memory, like damned guilty deeds to sinners' minds: 'tybalt is dead, and romeo--banished;' that 'banished,' that one word 'banished,' hath slain ten thousand tybalts. tybalt's death was woe enough, if it had ended there: or, if sour woe delights in fellowship and needly will be rank'd with other griefs, why follow'd not, when she said 'tybalt's dead,' thy father, or thy mother, nay, or both, which modern lamentations might have moved? but with a rear-ward following tybalt's death, 'romeo is banished,' to speak that word, is father, mother, tybalt, romeo, juliet, all slain, all dead. 'romeo is banished!' there is no end, no limit, measure, bound, in that word's death; no words can that woe sound. where is my father, and my mother, nurse? nurse weeping and wailing over tybalt's corse: will you go to them? i will bring you thither. juliet wash they his wounds with tears: mine shall be spent, when theirs are dry, for romeo's banishment. take up those cords: poor ropes, you are beguiled, both you and i; for romeo is exiled: he made you for a highway to my bed; but i, a maid, die maiden-widowed. come, cords, come, nurse; i'll to my wedding-bed; and death, not romeo, take my maidenhead! nurse hie to your chamber: i'll find romeo to comfort you: i wot well where he is. hark ye, your romeo will be here at night: i'll to him; he is hid at laurence' cell. juliet o, find him! give this ring to my true knight, and bid him come to take his last farewell. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iii scene iii friar laurence's cell. [enter friar laurence] friar laurence romeo, come forth; come forth, thou fearful man: affliction is enamour'd of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity. [enter romeo] romeo father, what news? what is the prince's doom? what sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand, that i yet know not? friar laurence too familiar is my dear son with such sour company: i bring thee tidings of the prince's doom. romeo what less than dooms-day is the prince's doom? friar laurence a gentler judgment vanish'd from his lips, not body's death, but body's banishment. romeo ha, banishment! be merciful, say 'death;' for exile hath more terror in his look, much more than death: do not say 'banishment.' friar laurence hence from verona art thou banished: be patient, for the world is broad and wide. romeo there is no world without verona walls, but purgatory, torture, hell itself. hence-banished is banish'd from the world, and world's exile is death: then banished, is death mis-term'd: calling death banishment, thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe, and smilest upon the stroke that murders me. friar laurence o deadly sin! o rude unthankfulness! thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince, taking thy part, hath rush'd aside the law, and turn'd that black word death to banishment: this is dear mercy, and thou seest it not. romeo 'tis torture, and not mercy: heaven is here, where juliet lives; and every cat and dog and little mouse, every unworthy thing, live here in heaven and may look on her; but romeo may not: more validity, more honourable state, more courtship lives in carrion-flies than romeo: they my seize on the white wonder of dear juliet's hand and steal immortal blessing from her lips, who even in pure and vestal modesty, still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin; but romeo may not; he is banished: flies may do this, but i from this must fly: they are free men, but i am banished. and say'st thou yet that exile is not death? hadst thou no poison mix'd, no sharp-ground knife, no sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean, but 'banished' to kill me?--'banished'? o friar, the damned use that word in hell; howlings attend it: how hast thou the heart, being a divine, a ghostly confessor, a sin-absolver, and my friend profess'd, to mangle me with that word 'banished'? friar laurence thou fond mad man, hear me but speak a word. romeo o, thou wilt speak again of banishment. friar laurence i'll give thee armour to keep off that word: adversity's sweet milk, philosophy, to comfort thee, though thou art banished. romeo yet 'banished'? hang up philosophy! unless philosophy can make a juliet, displant a town, reverse a prince's doom, it helps not, it prevails not: talk no more. friar laurence o, then i see that madmen have no ears. romeo how should they, when that wise men have no eyes? friar laurence let me dispute with thee of thy estate. romeo thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel: wert thou as young as i, juliet thy love, an hour but married, tybalt murdered, doting like me and like me banished, then mightst thou speak, then mightst thou tear thy hair, and fall upon the ground, as i do now, taking the measure of an unmade grave. [knocking within] friar laurence arise; one knocks; good romeo, hide thyself. romeo not i; unless the breath of heartsick groans, mist-like, infold me from the search of eyes. [knocking] friar laurence hark, how they knock! who's there? romeo, arise; thou wilt be taken. stay awhile! stand up; [knocking] run to my study. by and by! god's will, what simpleness is this! i come, i come! [knocking] who knocks so hard? whence come you? what's your will? nurse [within] let me come in, and you shall know my errand; i come from lady juliet. friar laurence welcome, then. [enter nurse] nurse o holy friar, o, tell me, holy friar, where is my lady's lord, where's romeo? friar laurence there on the ground, with his own tears made drunk. nurse o, he is even in my mistress' case, just in her case! o woful sympathy! piteous predicament! even so lies she, blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. stand up, stand up; stand, and you be a man: for juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand; why should you fall into so deep an o? romeo nurse! nurse ah sir! ah sir! well, death's the end of all. romeo spakest thou of juliet? how is it with her? doth she not think me an old murderer, now i have stain'd the childhood of our joy with blood removed but little from her own? where is she? and how doth she? and what says my conceal'd lady to our cancell'd love? nurse o, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps; and now falls on her bed; and then starts up, and tybalt calls; and then on romeo cries, and then down falls again. romeo as if that name, shot from the deadly level of a gun, did murder her; as that name's cursed hand murder'd her kinsman. o, tell me, friar, tell me, in what vile part of this anatomy doth my name lodge? tell me, that i may sack the hateful mansion. [drawing his sword] friar laurence hold thy desperate hand: art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art: thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote the unreasonable fury of a beast: unseemly woman in a seeming man! or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both! thou hast amazed me: by my holy order, i thought thy disposition better temper'd. hast thou slain tybalt? wilt thou slay thyself? and stay thy lady too that lives in thee, by doing damned hate upon thyself? why rail'st thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth? since birth, and heaven, and earth, all three do meet in thee at once; which thou at once wouldst lose. fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit; which, like a usurer, abound'st in all, and usest none in that true use indeed which should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit: thy noble shape is but a form of wax, digressing from the valour of a man; thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury, killing that love which thou hast vow'd to cherish; thy wit, that ornament to shape and love, misshapen in the conduct of them both, like powder in a skitless soldier's flask, is set afire by thine own ignorance, and thou dismember'd with thine own defence. what, rouse thee, man! thy juliet is alive, for whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead; there art thou happy: tybalt would kill thee, but thou slew'st tybalt; there are thou happy too: the law that threaten'd death becomes thy friend and turns it to exile; there art thou happy: a pack of blessings lights up upon thy back; happiness courts thee in her best array; but, like a misbehaved and sullen wench, thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love: take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed, ascend her chamber, hence and comfort her: but look thou stay not till the watch be set, for then thou canst not pass to mantua; where thou shalt live, till we can find a time to blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, beg pardon of the prince, and call thee back with twenty hundred thousand times more joy than thou went'st forth in lamentation. go before, nurse: commend me to thy lady; and bid her hasten all the house to bed, which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto: romeo is coming. nurse o lord, i could have stay'd here all the night to hear good counsel: o, what learning is! my lord, i'll tell my lady you will come. romeo do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide. nurse here, sir, a ring she bid me give you, sir: hie you, make haste, for it grows very late. [exit] romeo how well my comfort is revived by this! friar laurence go hence; good night; and here stands all your state: either be gone before the watch be set, or by the break of day disguised from hence: sojourn in mantua; i'll find out your man, and he shall signify from time to time every good hap to you that chances here: give me thy hand; 'tis late: farewell; good night. romeo but that a joy past joy calls out on me, it were a grief, so brief to part with thee: farewell. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iii scene iv a room in capulet's house. [enter capulet, lady capulet, and paris] capulet things have fall'n out, sir, so unluckily, that we have had no time to move our daughter: look you, she loved her kinsman tybalt dearly, and so did i:--well, we were born to die. 'tis very late, she'll not come down to-night: i promise you, but for your company, i would have been a-bed an hour ago. paris these times of woe afford no time to woo. madam, good night: commend me to your daughter. lady capulet i will, and know her mind early to-morrow; to-night she is mew'd up to her heaviness. capulet sir paris, i will make a desperate tender of my child's love: i think she will be ruled in all respects by me; nay, more, i doubt it not. wife, go you to her ere you go to bed; acquaint her here of my son paris' love; and bid her, mark you me, on wednesday next- but, soft! what day is this? paris monday, my lord, capulet monday! ha, ha! well, wednesday is too soon, o' thursday let it be: o' thursday, tell her, she shall be married to this noble earl. will you be ready? do you like this haste? we'll keep no great ado,--a friend or two; for, hark you, tybalt being slain so late, it may be thought we held him carelessly, being our kinsman, if we revel much: therefore we'll have some half a dozen friends, and there an end. but what say you to thursday? paris my lord, i would that thursday were to-morrow. capulet well get you gone: o' thursday be it, then. go you to juliet ere you go to bed, prepare her, wife, against this wedding-day. farewell, my lord. light to my chamber, ho! afore me! it is so very very late, that we may call it early by and by. good night. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iii scene v capulet's orchard. [enter romeo and juliet above, at the window] juliet wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day: it was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear; nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree: believe me, love, it was the nightingale. romeo it was the lark, the herald of the morn, no nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks do lace the severing clouds in yonder east: night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. i must be gone and live, or stay and die. juliet yon light is not day-light, i know it, i: it is some meteor that the sun exhales, to be to thee this night a torch-bearer, and light thee on thy way to mantua: therefore stay yet; thou need'st not to be gone. romeo let me be ta'en, let me be put to death; i am content, so thou wilt have it so. i'll say yon grey is not the morning's eye, 'tis but the pale reflex of cynthia's brow; nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat the vaulty heaven so high above our heads: i have more care to stay than will to go: come, death, and welcome! juliet wills it so. how is't, my soul? let's talk; it is not day. juliet it is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away! it is the lark that sings so out of tune, straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps. some say the lark makes sweet division; this doth not so, for she divideth us: some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes, o, now i would they had changed voices too! since arm from arm that voice doth us affray, hunting thee hence with hunt's-up to the day, o, now be gone; more light and light it grows. romeo more light and light; more dark and dark our woes! [enter nurse, to the chamber] nurse madam! juliet nurse? nurse your lady mother is coming to your chamber: the day is broke; be wary, look about. [exit] juliet then, window, let day in, and let life out. romeo farewell, farewell! one kiss, and i'll descend. [he goeth down] juliet art thou gone so? love, lord, ay, husband, friend! i must hear from thee every day in the hour, for in a minute there are many days: o, by this count i shall be much in years ere i again behold my romeo! romeo farewell! i will omit no opportunity that may convey my greetings, love, to thee. juliet o think'st thou we shall ever meet again? romeo i doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our time to come. juliet o god, i have an ill-divining soul! methinks i see thee, now thou art below, as one dead in the bottom of a tomb: either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale. romeo and trust me, love, in my eye so do you: dry sorrow drinks our blood. adieu, adieu! [exit] juliet o fortune, fortune! all men call thee fickle: if thou art fickle, what dost thou with him. that is renown'd for faith? be fickle, fortune; for then, i hope, thou wilt not keep him long, but send him back. lady capulet [within] ho, daughter! are you up? juliet who is't that calls? is it my lady mother? is she not down so late, or up so early? what unaccustom'd cause procures her hither? [enter lady capulet] lady capulet why, how now, juliet! juliet madam, i am not well. lady capulet evermore weeping for your cousin's death? what, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears? an if thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live; therefore, have done: some grief shows much of love; but much of grief shows still some want of wit. juliet yet let me weep for such a feeling loss. lady capulet so shall you feel the loss, but not the friend which you weep for. juliet feeling so the loss, cannot choose but ever weep the friend. lady capulet well, girl, thou weep'st not so much for his death, as that the villain lives which slaughter'd him. juliet what villain madam? lady capulet that same villain, romeo. juliet [aside] villain and he be many miles asunder.- god pardon him! i do, with all my heart; and yet no man like he doth grieve my heart. lady capulet that is, because the traitor murderer lives. juliet ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands: would none but i might venge my cousin's death! lady capulet we will have vengeance for it, fear thou not: then weep no more. i'll send to one in mantua, where that same banish'd runagate doth live, shall give him such an unaccustom'd dram, that he shall soon keep tybalt company: and then, i hope, thou wilt be satisfied. juliet indeed, i never shall be satisfied with romeo, till i behold him--dead- is my poor heart for a kinsman vex'd. madam, if you could find out but a man to bear a poison, i would temper it; that romeo should, upon receipt thereof, soon sleep in quiet. o, how my heart abhors to hear him named, and cannot come to him. to wreak the love i bore my cousin upon his body that slaughter'd him! lady capulet find thou the means, and i'll find such a man. but now i'll tell thee joyful tidings, girl. juliet and joy comes well in such a needy time: what are they, i beseech your ladyship? lady capulet well, well, thou hast a careful father, child; one who, to put thee from thy heaviness, hath sorted out a sudden day of joy, that thou expect'st not nor i look'd not for. juliet madam, in happy time, what day is that? lady capulet marry, my child, early next thursday morn, the gallant, young and noble gentleman, the county paris, at saint peter's church, shall happily make thee there a joyful bride. juliet now, by saint peter's church and peter too, he shall not make me there a joyful bride. i wonder at this haste; that i must wed ere he, that should be husband, comes to woo. i pray you, tell my lord and father, madam, i will not marry yet; and, when i do, i swear, it shall be romeo, whom you know i hate, rather than paris. these are news indeed! lady capulet here comes your father; tell him so yourself, and see how he will take it at your hands. [enter capulet and nurse] capulet when the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dew; but for the sunset of my brother's son it rains downright. how now! a conduit, girl? what, still in tears? evermore showering? in one little body thou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind; for still thy eyes, which i may call the sea, do ebb and flow with tears; the bark thy body is, sailing in this salt flood; the winds, thy sighs; who, raging with thy tears, and they with them, without a sudden calm, will overset thy tempest-tossed body. how now, wife! have you deliver'd to her our decree? lady capulet ay, sir; but she will none, she gives you thanks. i would the fool were married to her grave! capulet soft! take me with you, take me with you, wife. how! will she none? doth she not give us thanks? is she not proud? doth she not count her blest, unworthy as she is, that we have wrought so worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom? juliet not proud, you have; but thankful, that you have: proud can i never be of what i hate; but thankful even for hate, that is meant love. capulet how now, how now, chop-logic! what is this? 'proud,' and 'i thank you,' and 'i thank you not;' and yet 'not proud,' mistress minion, you, thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds, but fettle your fine joints 'gainst thursday next, to go with paris to saint peter's church, or i will drag thee on a hurdle thither. out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! you tallow-face! lady capulet fie, fie! what, are you mad? juliet good father, i beseech you on my knees, hear me with patience but to speak a word. capulet hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch! i tell thee what: get thee to church o' thursday, or never after look me in the face: speak not, reply not, do not answer me; my fingers itch. wife, we scarce thought us blest that god had lent us but this only child; but now i see this one is one too much, and that we have a curse in having her: out on her, hilding! nurse god in heaven bless her! you are to blame, my lord, to rate her so. capulet and why, my lady wisdom? hold your tongue, good prudence; smatter with your gossips, go. nurse i speak no treason. capulet o, god ye god-den. nurse may not one speak? capulet peace, you mumbling fool! utter your gravity o'er a gossip's bowl; for here we need it not. lady capulet you are too hot. capulet god's bread! it makes me mad: day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play, alone, in company, still my care hath been to have her match'd: and having now provided a gentleman of noble parentage, of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly train'd, stuff'd, as they say, with honourable parts, proportion'd as one's thought would wish a man; and then to have a wretched puling fool, a whining mammet, in her fortune's tender, to answer 'i'll not wed; i cannot love, i am too young; i pray you, pardon me.' but, as you will not wed, i'll pardon you: graze where you will you shall not house with me: look to't, think on't, i do not use to jest. thursday is near; lay hand on heart, advise: an you be mine, i'll give you to my friend; and you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, for, by my soul, i'll ne'er acknowledge thee, nor what is mine shall never do thee good: trust to't, bethink you; i'll not be forsworn. [exit] juliet is there no pity sitting in the clouds, that sees into the bottom of my grief? o, sweet my mother, cast me not away! delay this marriage for a month, a week; or, if you do not, make the bridal bed in that dim monument where tybalt lies. lady capulet talk not to me, for i'll not speak a word: do as thou wilt, for i have done with thee. [exit] juliet o god!--o nurse, how shall this be prevented? my husband is on earth, my faith in heaven; how shall that faith return again to earth, unless that husband send it me from heaven by leaving earth? comfort me, counsel me. alack, alack, that heaven should practise stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself! what say'st thou? hast thou not a word of joy? some comfort, nurse. nurse faith, here it is. romeo is banish'd; and all the world to nothing, that he dares ne'er come back to challenge you; or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. then, since the case so stands as now it doth, i think it best you married with the county. o, he's a lovely gentleman! romeo's a dishclout to him: an eagle, madam, hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye as paris hath. beshrew my very heart, i think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first: or if it did not, your first is dead; or 'twere as good he were, as living here and you no use of him. juliet speakest thou from thy heart? nurse and from my soul too; or else beshrew them both. juliet amen! nurse what? juliet well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much. go in: and tell my lady i am gone, having displeased my father, to laurence' cell, to make confession and to be absolved. nurse marry, i will; and this is wisely done. [exit] juliet ancient damnation! o most wicked fiend! is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn, or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue which she hath praised him with above compare so many thousand times? go, counsellor; thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. i'll to the friar, to know his remedy: if all else fail, myself have power to die. [exit] romeo and juliet act iv scene i friar laurence's cell. [enter friar laurence and paris] friar laurence on thursday, sir? the time is very short. paris my father capulet will have it so; and i am nothing slow to slack his haste. friar laurence you say you do not know the lady's mind: uneven is the course, i like it not. paris immoderately she weeps for tybalt's death, and therefore have i little talk'd of love; for venus smiles not in a house of tears. now, sir, her father counts it dangerous that she doth give her sorrow so much sway, and in his wisdom hastes our marriage, to stop the inundation of her tears; which, too much minded by herself alone, may be put from her by society: now do you know the reason of this haste. friar laurence [aside] i would i knew not why it should be slow'd. look, sir, here comes the lady towards my cell. [enter juliet] paris happily met, my lady and my wife! juliet that may be, sir, when i may be a wife. paris that may be must be, love, on thursday next. juliet what must be shall be. friar laurence that's a certain text. paris come you to make confession to this father? juliet to answer that, i should confess to you. paris do not deny to him that you love me. juliet i will confess to you that i love him. paris so will ye, i am sure, that you love me. juliet if i do so, it will be of more price, being spoke behind your back, than to your face. paris poor soul, thy face is much abused with tears. juliet the tears have got small victory by that; for it was bad enough before their spite. paris thou wrong'st it, more than tears, with that report. juliet that is no slander, sir, which is a truth; and what i spake, i spake it to my face. paris thy face is mine, and thou hast slander'd it. juliet it may be so, for it is not mine own. are you at leisure, holy father, now; or shall i come to you at evening mass? friar laurence my leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now. my lord, we must entreat the time alone. paris god shield i should disturb devotion! juliet, on thursday early will i rouse ye: till then, adieu; and keep this holy kiss. [exit] juliet o shut the door! and when thou hast done so, come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past help! friar laurence ah, juliet, i already know thy grief; it strains me past the compass of my wits: i hear thou must, and nothing may prorogue it, on thursday next be married to this county. juliet tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this, unless thou tell me how i may prevent it: if, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help, do thou but call my resolution wise, and with this knife i'll help it presently. god join'd my heart and romeo's, thou our hands; and ere this hand, by thee to romeo seal'd, shall be the label to another deed, or my true heart with treacherous revolt turn to another, this shall slay them both: therefore, out of thy long-experienced time, give me some present counsel, or, behold, 'twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife shall play the umpire, arbitrating that which the commission of thy years and art could to no issue of true honour bring. be not so long to speak; i long to die, if what thou speak'st speak not of remedy. friar laurence hold, daughter: i do spy a kind of hope, which craves as desperate an execution. as that is desperate which we would prevent. if, rather than to marry county paris, thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, then is it likely thou wilt undertake a thing like death to chide away this shame, that copest with death himself to scape from it: and, if thou darest, i'll give thee remedy. juliet o, bid me leap, rather than marry paris, from off the battlements of yonder tower; or walk in thievish ways; or bid me lurk where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears; or shut me nightly in a charnel-house, o'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, with reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls; or bid me go into a new-made grave and hide me with a dead man in his shroud; things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble; and i will do it without fear or doubt, to live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love. friar laurence hold, then; go home, be merry, give consent to marry paris: wednesday is to-morrow: to-morrow night look that thou lie alone; let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber: take thou this vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink thou off; when presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humour, for no pulse shall keep his native progress, but surcease: no warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest; the roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade to paly ashes, thy eyes' windows fall, like death, when he shuts up the day of life; each part, deprived of supple government, shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death: and in this borrow'd likeness of shrunk death thou shalt continue two and forty hours, and then awake as from a pleasant sleep. now, when the bridegroom in the morning comes to rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead: then, as the manner of our country is, in thy best robes uncover'd on the bier thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault where all the kindred of the capulets lie. in the mean time, against thou shalt awake, shall romeo by my letters know our drift, and hither shall he come: and he and i will watch thy waking, and that very night shall romeo bear thee hence to mantua. and this shall free thee from this present shame; if no inconstant toy, nor womanish fear, abate thy valour in the acting it. juliet give me, give me! o, tell not me of fear! friar laurence hold; get you gone, be strong and prosperous in this resolve: i'll send a friar with speed to mantua, with my letters to thy lord. juliet love give me strength! and strength shall help afford. farewell, dear father! [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iv scene ii hall in capulet's house. [enter capulet, lady capulet, nurse, and two servingmen] capulet so many guests invite as here are writ. [exit first servant] sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. second servant you shall have none ill, sir; for i'll try if they can lick their fingers. capulet how canst thou try them so? second servant marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers: therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me. capulet go, be gone. [exit second servant] we shall be much unfurnished for this time. what, is my daughter gone to friar laurence? nurse ay, forsooth. capulet well, he may chance to do some good on her: a peevish self-will'd harlotry it is. nurse see where she comes from shrift with merry look. [enter juliet] capulet how now, my headstrong! where have you been gadding? juliet where i have learn'd me to repent the sin of disobedient opposition to you and your behests, and am enjoin'd by holy laurence to fall prostrate here, and beg your pardon: pardon, i beseech you! henceforward i am ever ruled by you. capulet send for the county; go tell him of this: i'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning. juliet i met the youthful lord at laurence' cell; and gave him what becomed love i might, not step o'er the bounds of modesty. capulet why, i am glad on't; this is well: stand up: this is as't should be. let me see the county; ay, marry, go, i say, and fetch him hither. now, afore god! this reverend holy friar, our whole city is much bound to him. juliet nurse, will you go with me into my closet, to help me sort such needful ornaments as you think fit to furnish me to-morrow? lady capulet no, not till thursday; there is time enough. capulet go, nurse, go with her: we'll to church to-morrow. [exeunt juliet and nurse] lady capulet we shall be short in our provision: 'tis now near night. capulet tush, i will stir about, and all things shall be well, i warrant thee, wife: go thou to juliet, help to deck up her; i'll not to bed to-night; let me alone; i'll play the housewife for this once. what, ho! they are all forth. well, i will walk myself to county paris, to prepare him up against to-morrow: my heart is wondrous light, since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iv scene iii juliet's chamber. [enter juliet and nurse] juliet ay, those attires are best: but, gentle nurse, i pray thee, leave me to myself to-night, for i have need of many orisons to move the heavens to smile upon my state, which, well thou know'st, is cross, and full of sin. [enter lady capulet] lady capulet what, are you busy, ho? need you my help? juliet no, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries as are behoveful for our state to-morrow: so please you, let me now be left alone, and let the nurse this night sit up with you; for, i am sure, you have your hands full all, in this so sudden business. lady capulet good night: get thee to bed, and rest; for thou hast need. [exeunt lady capulet and nurse] juliet farewell! god knows when we shall meet again. i have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, that almost freezes up the heat of life: i'll call them back again to comfort me: nurse! what should she do here? my dismal scene i needs must act alone. come, vial. what if this mixture do not work at all? shall i be married then to-morrow morning? no, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there. [laying down her dagger] what if it be a poison, which the friar subtly hath minister'd to have me dead, lest in this marriage he should be dishonour'd, because he married me before to romeo? i fear it is: and yet, methinks, it should not, for he hath still been tried a holy man. how if, when i am laid into the tomb, i wake before the time that romeo come to redeem me? there's a fearful point! shall i not, then, be stifled in the vault, to whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in, and there die strangled ere my romeo comes? or, if i live, is it not very like, the horrible conceit of death and night, together with the terror of the place,- as in a vault, an ancient receptacle, where, for these many hundred years, the bones of all my buried ancestors are packed: where bloody tybalt, yet but green in earth, lies festering in his shroud; where, as they say, at some hours in the night spirits resort;- alack, alack, is it not like that i, so early waking, what with loathsome smells, and shrieks like mandrakes' torn out of the earth, that living mortals, hearing them, run mad:- o, if i wake, shall i not be distraught, environed with all these hideous fears? and madly play with my forefather's joints? and pluck the mangled tybalt from his shroud? and, in this rage, with some great kinsman's bone, as with a club, dash out my desperate brains? o, look! methinks i see my cousin's ghost seeking out romeo, that did spit his body upon a rapier's point: stay, tybalt, stay! romeo, i come! this do i drink to thee. [she falls upon her bed, within the curtains] romeo and juliet act iv scene iv hall in capulet's house. [enter lady capulet and nurse] lady capulet hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, nurse. nurse they call for dates and quinces in the pastry. [enter capulet] capulet come, stir, stir, stir! the second cock hath crow'd, the curfew-bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock: look to the baked meats, good angelica: spare not for the cost. nurse go, you cot-quean, go, get you to bed; faith, you'll be sick to-morrow for this night's watching. capulet no, not a whit: what! i have watch'd ere now all night for lesser cause, and ne'er been sick. lady capulet ay, you have been a mouse-hunt in your time; but i will watch you from such watching now. [exeunt lady capulet and nurse] capulet a jealous hood, a jealous hood! [enter three or four servingmen, with spits, logs, and baskets] now, fellow, what's there? first servant things for the cook, sir; but i know not what. capulet make haste, make haste. [exit first servant] sirrah, fetch drier logs: call peter, he will show thee where they are. second servant i have a head, sir, that will find out logs, and never trouble peter for the matter. [exit] capulet mass, and well said; a merry whoreson, ha! thou shalt be logger-head. good faith, 'tis day: the county will be here with music straight, for so he said he would: i hear him near. [music within] nurse! wife! what, ho! what, nurse, i say! [re-enter nurse] go waken juliet, go and trim her up; i'll go and chat with paris: hie, make haste, make haste; the bridegroom he is come already: make haste, i say. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act iv scene v juliet's chamber. [enter nurse] nurse mistress! what, mistress! juliet! fast, i warrant her, she: why, lamb! why, lady! fie, you slug-a-bed! why, love, i say! madam! sweet-heart! why, bride! what, not a word? you take your pennyworths now; sleep for a week; for the next night, i warrant, the county paris hath set up his rest, that you shall rest but little. god forgive me, marry, and amen, how sound is she asleep! i must needs wake her. madam, madam, madam! ay, let the county take you in your bed; he'll fright you up, i' faith. will it not be? [undraws the curtains] what, dress'd! and in your clothes! and down again! i must needs wake you; lady! lady! lady! alas, alas! help, help! my lady's dead! o, well-a-day, that ever i was born! some aqua vitae, ho! my lord! my lady! [enter lady capulet] lady capulet what noise is here? nurse o lamentable day! lady capulet what is the matter? nurse look, look! o heavy day! lady capulet o me, o me! my child, my only life, revive, look up, or i will die with thee! help, help! call help. [enter capulet] capulet for shame, bring juliet forth; her lord is come. nurse she's dead, deceased, she's dead; alack the day! lady capulet alack the day, she's dead, she's dead, she's dead! capulet ha! let me see her: out, alas! she's cold: her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff; life and these lips have long been separated: death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field. nurse o lamentable day! lady capulet o woful time! capulet death, that hath ta'en her hence to make me wail, ties up my tongue, and will not let me speak. [enter friar laurence and paris, with musicians] friar laurence come, is the bride ready to go to church? capulet ready to go, but never to return. o son! the night before thy wedding-day hath death lain with thy wife. there she lies, flower as she was, deflowered by him. death is my son-in-law, death is my heir; my daughter he hath wedded: i will die, and leave him all; life, living, all is death's. paris have i thought long to see this morning's face, and doth it give me such a sight as this? lady capulet accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day! most miserable hour that e'er time saw in lasting labour of his pilgrimage! but one, poor one, one poor and loving child, but one thing to rejoice and solace in, and cruel death hath catch'd it from my sight! nurse o woe! o woful, woful, woful day! most lamentable day, most woful day, that ever, ever, i did yet behold! o day! o day! o day! o hateful day! never was seen so black a day as this: o woful day, o woful day! paris beguiled, divorced, wronged, spited, slain! most detestable death, by thee beguil'd, by cruel cruel thee quite overthrown! o love! o life! not life, but love in death! capulet despised, distressed, hated, martyr'd, kill'd! uncomfortable time, why camest thou now to murder, murder our solemnity? o child! o child! my soul, and not my child! dead art thou! alack! my child is dead; and with my child my joys are buried. friar laurence peace, ho, for shame! confusion's cure lives not in these confusions. heaven and yourself had part in this fair maid; now heaven hath all, and all the better is it for the maid: your part in her you could not keep from death, but heaven keeps his part in eternal life. the most you sought was her promotion; for 'twas your heaven she should be advanced: and weep ye now, seeing she is advanced above the clouds, as high as heaven itself? o, in this love, you love your child so ill, that you run mad, seeing that she is well: she's not well married that lives married long; but she's best married that dies married young. dry up your tears, and stick your rosemary on this fair corse; and, as the custom is, in all her best array bear her to church: for though fond nature bids us an lament, yet nature's tears are reason's merriment. capulet all things that we ordained festival, turn from their office to black funeral; our instruments to melancholy bells, our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast, our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change, our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse, and all things change them to the contrary. friar laurence sir, go you in; and, madam, go with him; and go, sir paris; every one prepare to follow this fair corse unto her grave: the heavens do lour upon you for some ill; move them no more by crossing their high will. [exeunt capulet, lady capulet, paris, and friar laurence] first musician faith, we may put up our pipes, and be gone. nurse honest goodfellows, ah, put up, put up; for, well you know, this is a pitiful case. [exit] first musician ay, by my troth, the case may be amended. [enter peter] peter musicians, o, musicians, 'heart's ease, heart's ease:' o, an you will have me live, play 'heart's ease.' first musician why 'heart's ease?' peter o, musicians, because my heart itself plays 'my heart is full of woe:' o, play me some merry dump, to comfort me. first musician not a dump we; 'tis no time to play now. peter you will not, then? first musician no. peter i will then give it you soundly. first musician what will you give us? peter no money, on my faith, but the gleek; i will give you the minstrel. first musician then i will give you the serving-creature. peter then will i lay the serving-creature's dagger on your pate. i will carry no crotchets: i'll re you, i'll fa you; do you note me? first musician an you re us and fa us, you note us. second musician pray you, put up your dagger, and put out your wit. peter then have at you with my wit! i will dry-beat you with an iron wit, and put up my iron dagger. answer me like men: 'when griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind oppress, then music with her silver sound'- why 'silver sound'? why 'music with her silver sound'? what say you, simon catling? musician marry, sir, because silver hath a sweet sound. peter pretty! what say you, hugh rebeck? second musician i say 'silver sound,' because musicians sound for silver. peter pretty too! what say you, james soundpost? third musician faith, i know not what to say. peter o, i cry you mercy; you are the singer: i will say for you. it is 'music with her silver sound,' because musicians have no gold for sounding: 'then music with her silver sound with speedy help doth lend redress.' [exit] first musician what a pestilent knave is this same! second musician hang him, jack! come, we'll in here; tarry for the mourners, and stay dinner. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act v scene i mantua. a street. [enter romeo] romeo if i may trust the flattering truth of sleep, my dreams presage some joyful news at hand: my bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne; and all this day an unaccustom'd spirit lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts. i dreamt my lady came and found me dead- strange dream, that gives a dead man leave to think!- and breathed such life with kisses in my lips, that i revived, and was an emperor. ah me! how sweet is love itself possess'd, when but love's shadows are so rich in joy! [enter balthasar, booted] news from verona!--how now, balthasar! dost thou not bring me letters from the friar? how doth my lady? is my father well? how fares my juliet? that i ask again; for nothing can be ill, if she be well. balthasar then she is well, and nothing can be ill: her body sleeps in capel's monument, and her immortal part with angels lives. i saw her laid low in her kindred's vault, and presently took post to tell it you: o, pardon me for bringing these ill news, since you did leave it for my office, sir. romeo is it even so? then i defy you, stars! thou know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper, and hire post-horses; i will hence to-night. balthasar i do beseech you, sir, have patience: your looks are pale and wild, and do import some misadventure. romeo tush, thou art deceived: leave me, and do the thing i bid thee do. hast thou no letters to me from the friar? balthasar no, my good lord. romeo no matter: get thee gone, and hire those horses; i'll be with thee straight. [exit balthasar] well, juliet, i will lie with thee to-night. let's see for means: o mischief, thou art swift to enter in the thoughts of desperate men! i do remember an apothecary,- and hereabouts he dwells,--which late i noted in tatter'd weeds, with overwhelming brows, culling of simples; meagre were his looks, sharp misery had worn him to the bones: and in his needy shop a tortoise hung, an alligator stuff'd, and other skins of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves a beggarly account of empty boxes, green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds, remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses, were thinly scatter'd, to make up a show. noting this penury, to myself i said 'an if a man did need a poison now, whose sale is present death in mantua, here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him.' o, this same thought did but forerun my need; and this same needy man must sell it me. as i remember, this should be the house. being holiday, the beggar's shop is shut. what, ho! apothecary! [enter apothecary] apothecary who calls so loud? romeo come hither, man. i see that thou art poor: hold, there is forty ducats: let me have a dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear as will disperse itself through all the veins that the life-weary taker may fall dead and that the trunk may be discharged of breath as violently as hasty powder fired doth hurry from the fatal cannon's womb. apothecary such mortal drugs i have; but mantua's law is death to any he that utters them. romeo art thou so bare and full of wretchedness, and fear'st to die? famine is in thy cheeks, need and oppression starveth in thine eyes, contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back; the world is not thy friend nor the world's law; the world affords no law to make thee rich; then be not poor, but break it, and take this. apothecary my poverty, but not my will, consents. romeo i pay thy poverty, and not thy will. apothecary put this in any liquid thing you will, and drink it off; and, if you had the strength of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight. romeo there is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, doing more murders in this loathsome world, than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. i sell thee poison; thou hast sold me none. farewell: buy food, and get thyself in flesh. come, cordial and not poison, go with me to juliet's grave; for there must i use thee. [exeunt] romeo and juliet act v scene ii friar laurence's cell. [enter friar john] friar john holy franciscan friar! brother, ho! [enter friar laurence] friar laurence this same should be the voice of friar john. welcome from mantua: what says romeo? or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter. friar john going to find a bare-foot brother out one of our order, to associate me, here in this city visiting the sick, and finding him, the searchers of the town, suspecting that we both were in a house where the infectious pestilence did reign, seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth; so that my speed to mantua there was stay'd. friar laurence who bare my letter, then, to romeo? friar john i could not send it,--here it is again,- nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection. friar laurence unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood, the letter was not nice but full of charge of dear import, and the neglecting it may do much danger. friar john, go hence; get me an iron crow, and bring it straight unto my cell. friar john brother, i'll go and bring it thee. [exit] friar laurence now must i to the monument alone; within three hours will fair juliet wake: she will beshrew me much that romeo hath had no notice of these accidents; but i will write again to mantua, and keep her at my cell till romeo come; poor living corse, closed in a dead man's tomb! [exit] romeo and juliet act v scene iii a churchyard; in it a tomb belonging to the capulets. [enter paris, and his page bearing flowers and a torch] paris give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof: yet put it out, for i would not be seen. under yond yew-trees lay thee all along, holding thine ear close to the hollow ground; so shall no foot upon the churchyard tread, being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves, but thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me, as signal that thou hear'st something approach. give me those flowers. do as i bid thee, go. page [aside] i am almost afraid to stand alone here in the churchyard; yet i will adventure. [retires] paris sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed i strew,- o woe! thy canopy is dust and stones;- which with sweet water nightly i will dew, or, wanting that, with tears distill'd by moans: the obsequies that i for thee will keep nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep. [the page whistles] the boy gives warning something doth approach. what cursed foot wanders this way to-night, to cross my obsequies and true love's rite? what with a torch! muffle me, night, awhile. [retires] [enter romeo and balthasar, with a torch, mattock, &c] romeo give me that mattock and the wrenching iron. hold, take this letter; early in the morning see thou deliver it to my lord and father. give me the light: upon thy life, i charge thee, whate'er thou hear'st or seest, stand all aloof, and do not interrupt me in my course. why i descend into this bed of death, is partly to behold my lady's face; but chiefly to take thence from her dead finger a precious ring, a ring that i must use in dear employment: therefore hence, be gone: but if thou, jealous, dost return to pry in what i further shall intend to do, by heaven, i will tear thee joint by joint and strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs: the time and my intents are savage-wild, more fierce and more inexorable far than empty tigers or the roaring sea. balthasar i will be gone, sir, and not trouble you. romeo so shalt thou show me friendship. take thou that: live, and be prosperous: and farewell, good fellow. balthasar [aside] for all this same, i'll hide me hereabout: his looks i fear, and his intents i doubt. [retires] romeo thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, thus i enforce thy rotten jaws to open, and, in despite, i'll cram thee with more food! [opens the tomb] paris this is that banish'd haughty montague, that murder'd my love's cousin, with which grief, it is supposed, the fair creature died; and here is come to do some villanous shame to the dead bodies: i will apprehend him. [comes forward] stop thy unhallow'd toil, vile montague! can vengeance be pursued further than death? condemned villain, i do apprehend thee: obey, and go with me; for thou must die. romeo i must indeed; and therefore came i hither. good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man; fly hence, and leave me: think upon these gone; let them affright thee. i beseech thee, youth, put not another sin upon my head, by urging me to fury: o, be gone! by heaven, i love thee better than myself; for i come hither arm'd against myself: stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say, a madman's mercy bade thee run away. paris i do defy thy conjurations, and apprehend thee for a felon here. romeo wilt thou provoke me? then have at thee, boy! [they fight] page o lord, they fight! i will go call the watch. [exit] paris o, i am slain! [falls] if thou be merciful, open the tomb, lay me with juliet. [dies] romeo in faith, i will. let me peruse this face. mercutio's kinsman, noble county paris! what said my man, when my betossed soul did not attend him as we rode? i think he told me paris should have married juliet: said he not so? or did i dream it so? or am i mad, hearing him talk of juliet, to think it was so? o, give me thy hand, one writ with me in sour misfortune's book! i'll bury thee in a triumphant grave; a grave? o no! a lantern, slaughter'd youth, for here lies juliet, and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light. death, lie thou there, by a dead man interr'd. [laying paris in the tomb] how oft when men are at the point of death have they been merry! which their keepers call a lightning before death: o, how may i call this a lightning? o my love! my wife! death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty: thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, and death's pale flag is not advanced there. tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet? o, what more favour can i do to thee, than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain to sunder his that was thine enemy? forgive me, cousin! ah, dear juliet, why art thou yet so fair? shall i believe that unsubstantial death is amorous, and that the lean abhorred monster keeps thee here in dark to be his paramour? for fear of that, i still will stay with thee; and never from this palace of dim night depart again: here, here will i remain with worms that are thy chamber-maids; o, here will i set up my everlasting rest, and shake the yoke of inauspicious stars from this world-wearied flesh. eyes, look your last! arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, o you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death! come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! thou desperate pilot, now at once run on the dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! here's to my love! [drinks] o true apothecary! thy drugs are quick. thus with a kiss i die. [dies] [enter, at the other end of the churchyard, friar laurence, with a lantern, crow, and spade] friar laurence saint francis be my speed! how oft to-night have my old feet stumbled at graves! who's there? balthasar here's one, a friend, and one that knows you well. friar laurence bliss be upon you! tell me, good my friend, what torch is yond, that vainly lends his light to grubs and eyeless skulls? as i discern, it burneth in the capel's monument. balthasar it doth so, holy sir; and there's my master, one that you love. friar laurence who is it? balthasar romeo. friar laurence how long hath he been there? balthasar full half an hour. friar laurence go with me to the vault. balthasar i dare not, sir my master knows not but i am gone hence; and fearfully did menace me with death, if i did stay to look on his intents. friar laurence stay, then; i'll go alone. fear comes upon me: o, much i fear some ill unlucky thing. balthasar as i did sleep under this yew-tree here, i dreamt my master and another fought, and that my master slew him. friar laurence romeo! [advances] alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains the stony entrance of this sepulchre? what mean these masterless and gory swords to lie discolour'd by this place of peace? [enters the tomb] romeo! o, pale! who else? what, paris too? and steep'd in blood? ah, what an unkind hour is guilty of this lamentable chance! the lady stirs. [juliet wakes] juliet o comfortable friar! where is my lord? i do remember well where i should be, and there i am. where is my romeo? [noise within] friar laurence i hear some noise. lady, come from that nest of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep: a greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents. come, come away. thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead; and paris too. come, i'll dispose of thee among a sisterhood of holy nuns: stay not to question, for the watch is coming; come, go, good juliet, [noise again] i dare no longer stay. juliet go, get thee hence, for i will not away. [exit friar laurence] what's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand? poison, i see, hath been his timeless end: o churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after? i will kiss thy lips; haply some poison yet doth hang on them, to make die with a restorative. [kisses him] thy lips are warm. first watchman [within] lead, boy: which way? juliet yea, noise? then i'll be brief. o happy dagger! [snatching romeo's dagger] this is thy sheath; [stabs herself] there rust, and let me die. [falls on romeo's body, and dies] [enter watch, with the page of paris] page this is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. first watchman the ground is bloody; search about the churchyard: go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. pitiful sight! here lies the county slain, and juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead, who here hath lain these two days buried. go, tell the prince: run to the capulets: raise up the montagues: some others search: we see the ground whereon these woes do lie; but the true ground of all these piteous woes we cannot without circumstance descry. [re-enter some of the watch, with balthasar] second watchman here's romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. first watchman hold him in safety, till the prince come hither. [re-enter others of the watch, with friar laurence] third watchman here is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps: we took this mattock and this spade from him, as he was coming from this churchyard side. first watchman a great suspicion: stay the friar too. [enter the prince and attendants] prince what misadventure is so early up, that calls our person from our morning's rest? [enter capulet, lady capulet, and others] capulet what should it be, that they so shriek abroad? lady capulet the people in the street cry romeo, some juliet, and some paris; and all run, with open outcry toward our monument. prince what fear is this which startles in our ears? first watchman sovereign, here lies the county paris slain; and romeo dead; and juliet, dead before, warm and new kill'd. prince search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. first watchman here is a friar, and slaughter'd romeo's man; with instruments upon them, fit to open these dead men's tombs. capulet o heavens! o wife, look how our daughter bleeds! this dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his house is empty on the back of montague,- and it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom! lady capulet o me! this sight of death is as a bell, that warns my old age to a sepulchre. [enter montague and others] prince come, montague; for thou art early up, to see thy son and heir more early down. montague alas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night; grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath: what further woe conspires against mine age? prince look, and thou shalt see. montague o thou untaught! what manners is in this? to press before thy father to a grave? prince seal up the mouth of outrage for a while, till we can clear these ambiguities, and know their spring, their head, their true descent; and then will i be general of your woes, and lead you even to death: meantime forbear, and let mischance be slave to patience. bring forth the parties of suspicion. friar laurence i am the greatest, able to do least, yet most suspected, as the time and place doth make against me of this direful murder; and here i stand, both to impeach and purge myself condemned and myself excused. prince then say at once what thou dost know in this. friar laurence i will be brief, for my short date of breath is not so long as is a tedious tale. romeo, there dead, was husband to that juliet; and she, there dead, that romeo's faithful wife: i married them; and their stol'n marriage-day was tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely death banish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city, for whom, and not for tybalt, juliet pined. you, to remove that siege of grief from her, betroth'd and would have married her perforce to county paris: then comes she to me, and, with wild looks, bid me devise some mean to rid her from this second marriage, or in my cell there would she kill herself. then gave i her, so tutor'd by my art, a sleeping potion; which so took effect as i intended, for it wrought on her the form of death: meantime i writ to romeo, that he should hither come as this dire night, to help to take her from her borrow'd grave, being the time the potion's force should cease. but he which bore my letter, friar john, was stay'd by accident, and yesternight return'd my letter back. then all alone at the prefixed hour of her waking, came i to take her from her kindred's vault; meaning to keep her closely at my cell, till i conveniently could send to romeo: but when i came, some minute ere the time of her awaking, here untimely lay the noble paris and true romeo dead. she wakes; and i entreated her come forth, and bear this work of heaven with patience: but then a noise did scare me from the tomb; and she, too desperate, would not go with me, but, as it seems, did violence on herself. all this i know; and to the marriage her nurse is privy: and, if aught in this miscarried by my fault, let my old life be sacrificed, some hour before his time, unto the rigour of severest law. prince we still have known thee for a holy man. where's romeo's man? what can he say in this? balthasar i brought my master news of juliet's death; and then in post he came from mantua to this same place, to this same monument. this letter he early bid me give his father, and threatened me with death, going in the vault, i departed not and left him there. prince give me the letter; i will look on it. where is the county's page, that raised the watch? sirrah, what made your master in this place? page he came with flowers to strew his lady's grave; and bid me stand aloof, and so i did: anon comes one with light to ope the tomb; and by and by my master drew on him; and then i ran away to call the watch. prince this letter doth make good the friar's words, their course of love, the tidings of her death: and here he writes that he did buy a poison of a poor 'pothecary, and therewithal came to this vault to die, and lie with juliet. where be these enemies? capulet! montague! see, what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys with love. and i for winking at your discords too have lost a brace of kinsmen: all are punish'd. capulet o brother montague, give me thy hand: this is my daughter's jointure, for no more can i demand. montague but i can give thee more: for i will raise her statue in pure gold; that while verona by that name is known, there shall no figure at such rate be set as that of true and faithful juliet. capulet as rich shall romeo's by his lady's lie; poor sacrifices of our enmity! prince a glooming peace this morning with it brings; the sun, for sorrow, will not show his head: go hence, to have more talk of these sad things; some shall be pardon'd, and some punished: for never was a story of more woe than this of juliet and her romeo. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor dramatis personae sir john falstaff (falstaff:) fenton a gentleman. shallow a country justice. slender cousin to shallow. ford | | two gentlemen dwelling at windsor. page | william page a boy, son to page. sir hugh evans a welsh parson. doctor caius a french physician. host of the garter inn. (host:) bardolph | | pistol | sharpers attending on falstaff. | nym | robin page to falstaff. simple servant to slender. rugby servant to doctor caius. mistress ford: mistress page: anne page her daughter. mistress quickly servant to doctor caius. servants to page, ford, &c. (servant:) (first servant:) (second servant:) scene windsor, and the neighbourhood. the merry wives of windsor act i scene i windsor. before page's house. [enter shallow, slender, and sir hugh evans] shallow sir hugh, persuade me not; i will make a star chamber matter of it: if he were twenty sir john falstaffs, he shall not abuse robert shallow, esquire. slender in the county of gloucester, justice of peace and 'coram.' shallow ay, cousin slender, and 'custalourum. slender ay, and 'rato-lorum' too; and a gentleman born, master parson; who writes himself 'armigero,' in any bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, 'armigero.' shallow ay, that i do; and have done any time these three hundred years. slender all his successors gone before him hath done't; and all his ancestors that come after him may: they may give the dozen white luces in their coat. shallow it is an old coat. sir hugh evans the dozen white louses do become an old coat well; it agrees well, passant; it is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love. shallow the luce is the fresh fish; the salt fish is an old coat. slender i may quarter, coz. shallow you may, by marrying. sir hugh evans it is marring indeed, if he quarter it. shallow not a whit. sir hugh evans yes, py'r lady; if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures: but that is all one. if sir john falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, i am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you. shallow the council shall bear it; it is a riot. sir hugh evans it is not meet the council hear a riot; there is no fear of got in a riot: the council, look you, shall desire to hear the fear of got, and not to hear a riot; take your vizaments in that. shallow ha! o' my life, if i were young again, the sword should end it. sir hugh evans it is petter that friends is the sword, and end it: and there is also another device in my prain, which peradventure prings goot discretions with it: there is anne page, which is daughter to master thomas page, which is pretty virginity. slender mistress anne page? she has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman. sir hugh evans it is that fery person for all the orld, as just as you will desire; and seven hundred pounds of moneys, and gold and silver, is her grandsire upon his death's-bed--got deliver to a joyful resurrections! --give, when she is able to overtake seventeen years old: it were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and desire a marriage between master abraham and mistress anne page. slender did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound? sir hugh evans ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. slender i know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts. sir hugh evans seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts. shallow well, let us see honest master page. is falstaff there? sir hugh evans shall i tell you a lie? i do despise a liar as i do despise one that is false, or as i despise one that is not true. the knight, sir john, is there; and, i beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. i will peat the door for master page. [knocks] what, hoa! got pless your house here! page [within] who's there? [enter page] sir hugh evans here is got's plessing, and your friend, and justice shallow; and here young master slender, that peradventures shall tell you another tale, if matters grow to your likings. page i am glad to see your worships well. i thank you for my venison, master shallow. shallow master page, i am glad to see you: much good do it your good heart! i wished your venison better; it was ill killed. how doth good mistress page?--and i thank you always with my heart, la! with my heart. page sir, i thank you. shallow sir, i thank you; by yea and no, i do. page i am glad to see you, good master slender. slender how does your fallow greyhound, sir? i heard say he was outrun on cotsall. page it could not be judged, sir. slender you'll not confess, you'll not confess. shallow that he will not. 'tis your fault, 'tis your fault; 'tis a good dog. page a cur, sir. shallow sir, he's a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be more said? he is good and fair. is sir john falstaff here? page sir, he is within; and i would i could do a good office between you. sir hugh evans it is spoke as a christians ought to speak. shallow he hath wronged me, master page. page sir, he doth in some sort confess it. shallow if it be confessed, it is not redress'd: is not that so, master page? he hath wronged me; indeed he hath, at a word, he hath, believe me: robert shallow, esquire, saith, he is wronged. page here comes sir john. [enter falstaff, bardolph, nym, and pistol] falstaff now, master shallow, you'll complain of me to the king? shallow knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my lodge. falstaff but not kissed your keeper's daughter? shallow tut, a pin! this shall be answered. falstaff i will answer it straight; i have done all this. that is now answered. shallow the council shall know this. falstaff 'twere better for you if it were known in counsel: you'll be laughed at. sir hugh evans pauca verba, sir john; goot worts. falstaff good worts! good cabbage. slender, i broke your head: what matter have you against me? slender marry, sir, i have matter in my head against you; and against your cony-catching rascals, bardolph, nym, and pistol. bardolph you banbury cheese! slender ay, it is no matter. pistol how now, mephostophilus! slender ay, it is no matter. nym slice, i say! pauca, pauca: slice! that's my humour. slender where's simple, my man? can you tell, cousin? sir hugh evans peace, i pray you. now let us understand. there is three umpires in this matter, as i understand; that is, master page, fidelicet master page; and there is myself, fidelicet myself; and the three party is, lastly and finally, mine host of the garter. page we three, to hear it and end it between them. sir hugh evans fery goot: i will make a prief of it in my note book; and we will afterwards ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can. falstaff pistol! pistol he hears with ears. sir hugh evans the tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, 'he hears with ear'? why, it is affectations. falstaff pistol, did you pick master slender's purse? slender ay, by these gloves, did he, or i would i might never come in mine own great chamber again else, of seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two edward shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two pence apiece of yead miller, by these gloves. falstaff is this true, pistol? sir hugh evans no; it is false, if it is a pick-purse. pistol ha, thou mountain-foreigner! sir john and master mine, i combat challenge of this latten bilbo. word of denial in thy labras here! word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest! slender by these gloves, then, 'twas he. nym be avised, sir, and pass good humours: i will say 'marry trap' with you, if you run the nuthook's humour on me; that is the very note of it. slender by this hat, then, he in the red face had it; for though i cannot remember what i did when you made me drunk, yet i am not altogether an ass. falstaff what say you, scarlet and john? bardolph why, sir, for my part i say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences. sir hugh evans it is his five senses: fie, what the ignorance is! bardolph and being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and so conclusions passed the careires. slender ay, you spake in latin then too; but 'tis no matter: i'll ne'er be drunk whilst i live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick: if i be drunk, i'll be drunk with those that have the fear of god, and not with drunken knaves. sir hugh evans so got udge me, that is a virtuous mind. falstaff you hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you hear it. [enter anne page, with wine; mistress ford and mistress page, following] page nay, daughter, carry the wine in; we'll drink within. [exit anne page] slender o heaven! this is mistress anne page. page how now, mistress ford! falstaff mistress ford, by my troth, you are very well met: by your leave, good mistress. [kisses her] page wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. come, we have a hot venison pasty to dinner: come, gentlemen, i hope we shall drink down all unkindness. [exeunt all except shallow, slender, and sir hugh evans] slender i had rather than forty shillings i had my book of songs and sonnets here. [enter simple] how now, simple! where have you been? i must wait on myself, must i? you have not the book of riddles about you, have you? simple book of riddles! why, did you not lend it to alice shortcake upon all-hallowmas last, a fortnight afore michaelmas? shallow come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. a word with you, coz; marry, this, coz: there is, as 'twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by sir hugh here. do you understand me? slender ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so, i shall do that that is reason. shallow nay, but understand me. slender so i do, sir. sir hugh evans give ear to his motions, master slender: i will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it. slender nay, i will do as my cousin shallow says: i pray you, pardon me; he's a justice of peace in his country, simple though i stand here. sir hugh evans but that is not the question: the question is concerning your marriage. shallow ay, there's the point, sir. sir hugh evans marry, is it; the very point of it; to mistress anne page. slender why, if it be so, i will marry her upon any reasonable demands. sir hugh evans but can you affection the 'oman? let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth. therefore, precisely, can you carry your good will to the maid? shallow cousin abraham slender, can you love her? slender i hope, sir, i will do as it shall become one that would do reason. sir hugh evans nay, got's lords and his ladies! you must speak possitable, if you can carry her your desires towards her. shallow that you must. will you, upon good dowry, marry her? slender i will do a greater thing than that, upon your request, cousin, in any reason. shallow nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz: what i do is to pleasure you, coz. can you love the maid? slender i will marry her, sir, at your request: but if there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have more occasion to know one another; i hope, upon familiarity will grow more contempt: but if you say, 'marry her,' i will marry her; that i am freely dissolved, and dissolutely. sir hugh evans it is a fery discretion answer; save the fall is in the ort 'dissolutely:' the ort is, according to our meaning, 'resolutely:' his meaning is good. shallow ay, i think my cousin meant well. slender ay, or else i would i might be hanged, la! shallow here comes fair mistress anne. [re-enter anne page] would i were young for your sake, mistress anne! anne page the dinner is on the table; my father desires your worships' company. shallow i will wait on him, fair mistress anne. sir hugh evans od's plessed will! i will not be absence at the grace. [exeunt shallow and sir hugh evans] anne page will't please your worship to come in, sir? slender no, i thank you, forsooth, heartily; i am very well. anne page the dinner attends you, sir. slender i am not a-hungry, i thank you, forsooth. go, sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin shallow. [exit simple] a justice of peace sometimes may be beholding to his friend for a man. i keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead: but what though? yet i live like a poor gentleman born. anne page i may not go in without your worship: they will not sit till you come. slender i' faith, i'll eat nothing; i thank you as much as though i did. anne page i pray you, sir, walk in. slender i had rather walk here, i thank you. i bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence; three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes; and, by my troth, i cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. why do your dogs bark so? be there bears i' the town? anne page i think there are, sir; i heard them talked of. slender i love the sport well but i shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in england. you are afraid, if you see the bear loose, are you not? anne page ay, indeed, sir. slender that's meat and drink to me, now. i have seen sackerson loose twenty times, and have taken him by the chain; but, i warrant you, the women have so cried and shrieked at it, that it passed: but women, indeed, cannot abide 'em; they are very ill-favored rough things. [re-enter page] page come, gentle master slender, come; we stay for you. slender i'll eat nothing, i thank you, sir. page by cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir! come, come. slender nay, pray you, lead the way. page come on, sir. slender mistress anne, yourself shall go first. anne page not i, sir; pray you, keep on. slender i'll rather be unmannerly than troublesome. you do yourself wrong, indeed, la! [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act i scene ii the same. [enter sir hugh evans and simple] sir hugh evans go your ways, and ask of doctor caius' house which is the way: and there dwells one mistress quickly, which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry nurse, or his cook, or his laundry, his washer, and his wringer. simple well, sir. sir hugh evans nay, it is petter yet. give her this letter; for it is a 'oman that altogether's acquaintance with mistress anne page: and the letter is, to desire and require her to solicit your master's desires to mistress anne page. i pray you, be gone: i will make an end of my dinner; there's pippins and cheese to come. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act i scene iii a room in the garter inn. [enter falstaff, host, bardolph, nym, pistol, and robin] falstaff mine host of the garter! host what says my bully-rook? speak scholarly and wisely. falstaff truly, mine host, i must turn away some of my followers. host discard, bully hercules; cashier: let them wag; trot, trot. falstaff i sit at ten pounds a week. host thou'rt an emperor, caesar, keisar, and pheezar. i will entertain bardolph; he shall draw, he shall tap: said i well, bully hector? falstaff do so, good mine host. host i have spoke; let him follow. [to bardolph] let me see thee froth and lime: i am at a word; follow. [exit] falstaff bardolph, follow him. a tapster is a good trade: an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man a fresh tapster. go; adieu. bardolph it is a life that i have desired: i will thrive. pistol o base hungarian wight! wilt thou the spigot wield? [exit bardolph] nym he was gotten in drink: is not the humour conceited? falstaff i am glad i am so acquit of this tinderbox: his thefts were too open; his filching was like an unskilful singer; he kept not time. nym the good humour is to steal at a minute's rest. pistol 'convey,' the wise it call. 'steal!' foh! a fico for the phrase! falstaff well, sirs, i am almost out at heels. pistol why, then, let kibes ensue. falstaff there is no remedy; i must cony-catch; i must shift. pistol young ravens must have food. falstaff which of you know ford of this town? pistol i ken the wight: he is of substance good. falstaff my honest lads, i will tell you what i am about. pistol two yards, and more. falstaff no quips now, pistol! indeed, i am in the waist two yards about; but i am now about no waste; i am about thrift. briefly, i do mean to make love to ford's wife: i spy entertainment in her; she discourses, she carves, she gives the leer of invitation: i can construe the action of her familiar style; and the hardest voice of her behavior, to be englished rightly, is, 'i am sir john falstaff's.' pistol he hath studied her will, and translated her will, out of honesty into english. nym the anchor is deep: will that humour pass? falstaff now, the report goes she has all the rule of her husband's purse: he hath a legion of angels. pistol as many devils entertain; and 'to her, boy,' say i. nym the humour rises; it is good: humour me the angels. falstaff i have writ me here a letter to her: and here another to page's wife, who even now gave me good eyes too, examined my parts with most judicious oeillades; sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot, sometimes my portly belly. pistol then did the sun on dunghill shine. nym i thank thee for that humour. falstaff o, she did so course o'er my exteriors with such a greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a burning-glass! here's another letter to her: she bears the purse too; she is a region in guiana, all gold and bounty. i will be cheater to them both, and they shall be exchequers to me; they shall be my east and west indies, and i will trade to them both. go bear thou this letter to mistress page; and thou this to mistress ford: we will thrive, lads, we will thrive. pistol shall i sir pandarus of troy become, and by my side wear steel? then, lucifer take all! nym i will run no base humour: here, take the humour-letter: i will keep the havior of reputation. falstaff [to robin] hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly; sail like my pinnace to these golden shores. rogues, hence, avaunt! vanish like hailstones, go; trudge, plod away o' the hoof; seek shelter, pack! falstaff will learn the humour of the age, french thrift, you rogues; myself and skirted page. [exeunt falstaff and robin] pistol let vultures gripe thy guts! for gourd and fullam holds, and high and low beguiles the rich and poor: tester i'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack, base phrygian turk! nym i have operations which be humours of revenge. pistol wilt thou revenge? nym by welkin and her star! pistol with wit or steel? nym with both the humours, i: i will discuss the humour of this love to page. pistol and i to ford shall eke unfold how falstaff, varlet vile, his dove will prove, his gold will hold, and his soft couch defile. nym my humour shall not cool: i will incense page to deal with poison; i will possess him with yellowness, for the revolt of mine is dangerous: that is my true humour. pistol thou art the mars of malecontents: i second thee; troop on. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act i scene iv a room in doctor caius' house. [enter mistress quickly, simple, and rugby] mistress quickly what, john rugby! i pray thee, go to the casement, and see if you can see my master, master doctor caius, coming. if he do, i' faith, and find any body in the house, here will be an old abusing of god's patience and the king's english. rugby i'll go watch. mistress quickly go; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night, in faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire. [exit rugby] an honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come in house withal, and, i warrant you, no tell-tale nor no breed-bate: his worst fault is, that he is given to prayer; he is something peevish that way: but nobody but has his fault; but let that pass. peter simple, you say your name is? simple ay, for fault of a better. mistress quickly and master slender's your master? simple ay, forsooth. mistress quickly does he not wear a great round beard, like a glover's paring-knife? simple no, forsooth: he hath but a little wee face, with a little yellow beard, a cain-coloured beard. mistress quickly a softly-sprighted man, is he not? simple ay, forsooth: but he is as tall a man of his hands as any is between this and his head; he hath fought with a warrener. mistress quickly how say you? o, i should remember him: does he not hold up his head, as it were, and strut in his gait? simple yes, indeed, does he. mistress quickly well, heaven send anne page no worse fortune! tell master parson evans i will do what i can for your master: anne is a good girl, and i wish- [re-enter rugby] rugby out, alas! here comes my master. mistress quickly we shall all be shent. run in here, good young man; go into this closet: he will not stay long. [shuts simple in the closet] what, john rugby! john! what, john, i say! go, john, go inquire for my master; i doubt he be not well, that he comes not home. [singing] and down, down, adown-a, &c. [enter doctor caius] doctor caius vat is you sing? i do not like des toys. pray you, go and vetch me in my closet un boitier vert, a box, a green-a box: do intend vat i speak? a green-a box. mistress quickly ay, forsooth; i'll fetch it you. [aside] i am glad he went not in himself: if he had found the young man, he would have been horn-mad. doctor caius fe, fe, fe, fe! ma foi, il fait fort chaud. je m'en vais a la cour--la grande affaire. mistress quickly is it this, sir? doctor caius oui; mette le au mon pocket: depeche, quickly. vere is dat knave rugby? mistress quickly what, john rugby! john! rugby here, sir! doctor caius you are john rugby, and you are jack rugby. come, take-a your rapier, and come after my heel to the court. rugby 'tis ready, sir, here in the porch. doctor caius by my trot, i tarry too long. od's me! qu'ai-j'oublie! dere is some simples in my closet, dat i vill not for the varld i shall leave behind. mistress quickly ay me, he'll find the young man here, and be mad! doctor caius o diable, diable! vat is in my closet? villain! larron! [pulling simple out] rugby, my rapier! mistress quickly good master, be content. doctor caius wherefore shall i be content-a? mistress quickly the young man is an honest man. doctor caius what shall de honest man do in my closet? dere is no honest man dat shall come in my closet. mistress quickly i beseech you, be not so phlegmatic. hear the truth of it: he came of an errand to me from parson hugh. doctor caius vell. simple ay, forsooth; to desire her to- mistress quickly peace, i pray you. doctor caius peace-a your tongue. speak-a your tale. simple to desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid, to speak a good word to mistress anne page for my master in the way of marriage. mistress quickly this is all, indeed, la! but i'll ne'er put my finger in the fire, and need not. doctor caius sir hugh send-a you? rugby, baille me some paper. tarry you a little-a while. [writes] mistress quickly [aside to simple] i am glad he is so quiet: if he had been thoroughly moved, you should have heard him so loud and so melancholy. but notwithstanding, man, i'll do you your master what good i can: and the very yea and the no is, the french doctor, my master,--i may call him my master, look you, for i keep his house; and i wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink, make the beds and do all myself,- simple [aside to mistress quickly] 'tis a great charge to come under one body's hand. mistress quickly [aside to simple] are you avised o' that? you shall find it a great charge: and to be up early and down late; but notwithstanding,--to tell you in your ear; i would have no words of it,--my master himself is in love with mistress anne page: but notwithstanding that, i know anne's mind,--that's neither here nor there. doctor caius you jack'nape, give-a this letter to sir hugh; by gar, it is a shallenge: i will cut his troat in dee park; and i will teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make. you may be gone; it is not good you tarry here. by gar, i will cut all his two stones; by gar, he shall not have a stone to throw at his dog: [exit simple] mistress quickly alas, he speaks but for his friend. doctor caius it is no matter-a ver dat: do not you tell-a me dat i shall have anne page for myself? by gar, i vill kill de jack priest; and i have appointed mine host of de jarteer to measure our weapon. by gar, i will myself have anne page. mistress quickly sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well. we must give folks leave to prate: what, the good-jer! doctor caius rugby, come to the court with me. by gar, if i have not anne page, i shall turn your head out of my door. follow my heels, rugby. [exeunt doctor caius and rugby] mistress quickly you shall have an fool's-head of your own. no, i know anne's mind for that: never a woman in windsor knows more of anne's mind than i do; nor can do more than i do with her, i thank heaven. fenton [within] who's within there? ho! mistress quickly who's there, i trow! come near the house, i pray you. [enter fenton] fenton how now, good woman? how dost thou? mistress quickly the better that it pleases your good worship to ask. fenton what news? how does pretty mistress anne? mistress quickly in truth, sir, and she is pretty, and honest, and gentle; and one that is your friend, i can tell you that by the way; i praise heaven for it. fenton shall i do any good, thinkest thou? shall i not lose my suit? mistress quickly troth, sir, all is in his hands above: but notwithstanding, master fenton, i'll be sworn on a book, she loves you. have not your worship a wart above your eye? fenton yes, marry, have i; what of that? mistress quickly well, thereby hangs a tale: good faith, it is such another nan; but, i detest, an honest maid as ever broke bread: we had an hour's talk of that wart. i shall never laugh but in that maid's company! but indeed she is given too much to allicholy and musing: but for you--well, go to. fenton well, i shall see her to-day. hold, there's money for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf: if thou seest her before me, commend me. mistress quickly will i? i'faith, that we will; and i will tell your worship more of the wart the next time we have confidence; and of other wooers. fenton well, farewell; i am in great haste now. mistress quickly farewell to your worship. [exit fenton] truly, an honest gentleman: but anne loves him not; for i know anne's mind as well as another does. out upon't! what have i forgot? [exit] the merry wives of windsor act ii scene i before page's house. [enter mistress page, with a letter] mistress page what, have i scaped love-letters in the holiday time of my beauty, and am i now a subject for them? let me see. [reads] 'ask me no reason why i love you; for though love use reason for his physician, he admits him not for his counsellor. you are not young, no more am i; go to then, there's sympathy: you are merry, so am i; ha, ha! then there's more sympathy: you love sack, and so do i; would you desire better sympathy? let it suffice thee, mistress page,--at the least, if the love of soldier can suffice,- that i love thee. i will not say, pity me; 'tis not a soldier-like phrase: but i say, love me. by me, thine own true knight, by day or night, or any kind of light, with all his might for thee to fight, john falstaff' what a herod of jewry is this! o wicked world! one that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age to show himself a young gallant! what an unweighed behavior hath this flemish drunkard picked--with the devil's name!--out of my conversation, that he dares in this manner assay me? why, he hath not been thrice in my company! what should i say to him? i was then frugal of my mirth: heaven forgive me! why, i'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men. how shall i be revenged on him? for revenged i will be, as sure as his guts are made of puddings. [enter mistress ford] mistress ford mistress page! trust me, i was going to your house. mistress page and, trust me, i was coming to you. you look very ill. mistress ford nay, i'll ne'er believe that; i have to show to the contrary. mistress page faith, but you do, in my mind. mistress ford well, i do then; yet i say i could show you to the contrary. o mistress page, give me some counsel! mistress page what's the matter, woman? mistress ford o woman, if it were not for one trifling respect, i could come to such honour! mistress page hang the trifle, woman! take the honour. what is it? dispense with trifles; what is it? mistress ford if i would but go to hell for an eternal moment or so, i could be knighted. mistress page what? thou liest! sir alice ford! these knights will hack; and so thou shouldst not alter the article of thy gentry. mistress ford we burn daylight: here, read, read; perceive how i might be knighted. i shall think the worse of fat men, as long as i have an eye to make difference of men's liking: and yet he would not swear; praised women's modesty; and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness, that i would have sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words; but they do no more adhere and keep place together than the hundredth psalm to the tune of 'green sleeves.' what tempest, i trow, threw this whale, with so many tuns of oil in his belly, ashore at windsor? how shall i be revenged on him? i think the best way were to entertain him with hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease. did you ever hear the like? mistress page letter for letter, but that the name of page and ford differs! to thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions, here's the twin-brother of thy letter: but let thine inherit first; for, i protest, mine never shall. i warrant he hath a thousand of these letters, writ with blank space for different names--sure, more,--and these are of the second edition: he will print them, out of doubt; for he cares not what he puts into the press, when he would put us two. i had rather be a giantess, and lie under mount pelion. well, i will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man. mistress ford why, this is the very same; the very hand, the very words. what doth he think of us? mistress page nay, i know not: it makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty. i'll entertain myself like one that i am not acquainted withal; for, sure, unless he know some strain in me, that i know not myself, he would never have boarded me in this fury. mistress ford 'boarding,' call you it? i'll be sure to keep him above deck. mistress page so will i if he come under my hatches, i'll never to sea again. let's be revenged on him: let's appoint him a meeting; give him a show of comfort in his suit and lead him on with a fine-baited delay, till he hath pawned his horses to mine host of the garter. mistress ford nay, i will consent to act any villany against him, that may not sully the chariness of our honesty. o, that my husband saw this letter! it would give eternal food to his jealousy. mistress page why, look where he comes; and my good man too: he's as far from jealousy as i am from giving him cause; and that i hope is an unmeasurable distance. mistress ford you are the happier woman. mistress page let's consult together against this greasy knight. come hither. [they retire] [enter ford with pistol, and page with nym] ford well, i hope it be not so. pistol hope is a curtal dog in some affairs: sir john affects thy wife. ford why, sir, my wife is not young. pistol he wooes both high and low, both rich and poor, both young and old, one with another, ford; he loves the gallimaufry: ford, perpend. ford love my wife! pistol with liver burning hot. prevent, or go thou, like sir actaeon he, with ringwood at thy heels: o, odious is the name! ford what name, sir? pistol the horn, i say. farewell. take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by night: take heed, ere summer comes or cuckoo-birds do sing. away, sir corporal nym! believe it, page; he speaks sense. [exit] ford [aside] i will be patient; i will find out this. nym [to page] and this is true; i like not the humour of lying. he hath wronged me in some humours: i should have borne the humoured letter to her; but i have a sword and it shall bite upon my necessity. he loves your wife; there's the short and the long. my name is corporal nym; i speak and i avouch; 'tis true: my name is nym and falstaff loves your wife. adieu. i love not the humour of bread and cheese, and there's the humour of it. adieu. [exit] page 'the humour of it,' quoth a'! here's a fellow frights english out of his wits. ford i will seek out falstaff. page i never heard such a drawling, affecting rogue. ford if i do find it: well. page i will not believe such a cataian, though the priest o' the town commended him for a true man. ford 'twas a good sensible fellow: well. page how now, meg! [mistress page and mistress ford come forward] mistress page whither go you, george? hark you. mistress ford how now, sweet frank! why art thou melancholy? ford i melancholy! i am not melancholy. get you home, go. mistress ford faith, thou hast some crotchets in thy head. now, will you go, mistress page? mistress page have with you. you'll come to dinner, george. [aside to mistress ford] look who comes yonder: she shall be our messenger to this paltry knight. mistress ford [aside to mistress page] trust me, i thought on her: she'll fit it. [enter mistress quickly] mistress page you are come to see my daughter anne? mistress quickly ay, forsooth; and, i pray, how does good mistress anne? mistress page go in with us and see: we have an hour's talk with you. [exeunt mistress page, mistress ford, and mistress quickly] page how now, master ford! ford you heard what this knave told me, did you not? page yes: and you heard what the other told me? ford do you think there is truth in them? page hang 'em, slaves! i do not think the knight would offer it: but these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives are a yoke of his discarded men; very rogues, now they be out of service. ford were they his men? page marry, were they. ford i like it never the better for that. does he lie at the garter? page ay, marry, does he. if he should intend this voyage towards my wife, i would turn her loose to him; and what he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head. ford i do not misdoubt my wife; but i would be loath to turn them together. a man may be too confident: i would have nothing lie on my head: i cannot be thus satisfied. page look where my ranting host of the garter comes: there is either liquor in his pate or money in his purse when he looks so merrily. [enter host] how now, mine host! host how now, bully-rook! thou'rt a gentleman. cavaleiro-justice, i say! [enter shallow] shallow i follow, mine host, i follow. good even and twenty, good master page! master page, will you go with us? we have sport in hand. host tell him, cavaleiro-justice; tell him, bully-rook. shallow sir, there is a fray to be fought between sir hugh the welsh priest and caius the french doctor. ford good mine host o' the garter, a word with you. [drawing him aside] host what sayest thou, my bully-rook? shallow [to page] will you go with us to behold it? my merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons; and, i think, hath appointed them contrary places; for, believe me, i hear the parson is no jester. hark, i will tell you what our sport shall be. [they converse apart] host hast thou no suit against my knight, my guest-cavaleire? ford none, i protest: but i'll give you a pottle of burnt sack to give me recourse to him and tell him my name is brook; only for a jest. host my hand, bully; thou shalt have egress and regress; --said i well?--and thy name shall be brook. it is a merry knight. will you go, an-heires? shallow have with you, mine host. page i have heard the frenchman hath good skill in his rapier. shallow tut, sir, i could have told you more. in these times you stand on distance, your passes, stoccadoes, and i know not what: 'tis the heart, master page; 'tis here, 'tis here. i have seen the time, with my long sword i would have made you four tall fellows skip like rats. host here, boys, here, here! shall we wag? page have with you. i would rather hear them scold than fight. [exeunt host, shallow, and page] ford though page be a secure fool, an stands so firmly on his wife's frailty, yet i cannot put off my opinion so easily: she was in his company at page's house; and what they made there, i know not. well, i will look further into't: and i have a disguise to sound falstaff. if i find her honest, i lose not my labour; if she be otherwise, 'tis labour well bestowed. [exit] the merry wives of windsor act ii scene ii a room in the garter inn. [enter falstaff and pistol] falstaff i will not lend thee a penny. pistol why, then the world's mine oyster. which i with sword will open. falstaff not a penny. i have been content, sir, you should lay my countenance to pawn; i have grated upon my good friends for three reprieves for you and your coach-fellow nym; or else you had looked through the grate, like a geminy of baboons. i am damned in hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends, you were good soldiers and tall fellows; and when mistress bridget lost the handle of her fan, i took't upon mine honour thou hadst it not. pistol didst not thou share? hadst thou not fifteen pence? falstaff reason, you rogue, reason: thinkest thou i'll endanger my soul gratis? at a word, hang no more about me, i am no gibbet for you. go. a short knife and a throng! to your manor of pickt-hatch! go. you'll not bear a letter for me, you rogue! you stand upon your honour! why, thou unconfinable baseness, it is as much as i can do to keep the terms of my honour precise: i, i, i myself sometimes, leaving the fear of god on the left hand and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge and to lurch; and yet you, rogue, will ensconce your rags, your cat-a-mountain looks, your red-lattice phrases, and your bold-beating oaths, under the shelter of your honour! you will not do it, you! pistol i do relent: what would thou more of man? [enter robin] robin sir, here's a woman would speak with you. falstaff let her approach. [enter mistress quickly] mistress quickly give your worship good morrow. falstaff good morrow, good wife. mistress quickly not so, an't please your worship. falstaff good maid, then. mistress quickly i'll be sworn, as my mother was, the first hour i was born. falstaff i do believe the swearer. what with me? mistress quickly shall i vouchsafe your worship a word or two? falstaff two thousand, fair woman: and i'll vouchsafe thee the hearing. mistress quickly there is one mistress ford, sir:--i pray, come a little nearer this ways:--i myself dwell with master doctor caius,- falstaff well, on: mistress ford, you say,- mistress quickly your worship says very true: i pray your worship, come a little nearer this ways. falstaff i warrant thee, nobody hears; mine own people, mine own people. mistress quickly are they so? god bless them and make them his servants! falstaff well, mistress ford; what of her? mistress quickly why, sir, she's a good creature. lord lord! your worship's a wanton! well, heaven forgive you and all of us, i pray! falstaff mistress ford; come, mistress ford,- mistress quickly marry, this is the short and the long of it; you have brought her into such a canaries as 'tis wonderful. the best courtier of them all, when the court lay at windsor, could never have brought her to such a canary. yet there has been knights, and lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches, i warrant you, coach after coach, letter after letter, gift after gift; smelling so sweetly, all musk, and so rushling, i warrant you, in silk and gold; and in such alligant terms; and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest, that would have won any woman's heart; and, i warrant you, they could never get an eye-wink of her: i had myself twenty angels given me this morning; but i defy all angels, in any such sort, as they say, but in the way of honesty: and, i warrant you, they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all: and yet there has been earls, nay, which is more, pensioners; but, i warrant you, all is one with her. falstaff but what says she to me? be brief, my good she-mercury. mistress quickly marry, she hath received your letter, for the which she thanks you a thousand times; and she gives you to notify that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven. falstaff ten and eleven? mistress quickly ay, forsooth; and then you may come and see the picture, she says, that you wot of: master ford, her husband, will be from home. alas! the sweet woman leads an ill life with him: he's a very jealousy man: she leads a very frampold life with him, good heart. falstaff ten and eleven. woman, commend me to her; i will not fail her. mistress quickly why, you say well. but i have another messenger to your worship. mistress page hath her hearty commendations to you too: and let me tell you in your ear, she's as fartuous a civil modest wife, and one, i tell you, that will not miss you morning nor evening prayer, as any is in windsor, whoe'er be the other: and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom from home; but she hopes there will come a time. i never knew a woman so dote upon a man: surely i think you have charms, la; yes, in truth. falstaff not i, i assure thee: setting the attractions of my good parts aside i have no other charms. mistress quickly blessing on your heart for't! falstaff but, i pray thee, tell me this: has ford's wife and page's wife acquainted each other how they love me? mistress quickly that were a jest indeed! they have not so little grace, i hope: that were a trick indeed! but mistress page would desire you to send her your little page, of all loves: her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page; and truly master page is an honest man. never a wife in windsor leads a better life than she does: do what she will, say what she will, take all, pay all, go to bed when she list, rise when she list, all is as she will: and truly she deserves it; for if there be a kind woman in windsor, she is one. you must send her your page; no remedy. falstaff why, i will. mistress quickly nay, but do so, then: and, look you, he may come and go between you both; and in any case have a nay-word, that you may know one another's mind, and the boy never need to understand any thing; for 'tis not good that children should know any wickedness: old folks, you know, have discretion, as they say, and know the world. falstaff fare thee well: commend me to them both: there's my purse; i am yet thy debtor. boy, go along with this woman. [exeunt mistress quickly and robin] this news distracts me! pistol this punk is one of cupid's carriers: clap on more sails; pursue; up with your fights: give fire: she is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! [exit] falstaff sayest thou so, old jack? go thy ways; i'll make more of thy old body than i have done. will they yet look after thee? wilt thou, after the expense of so much money, be now a gainer? good body, i thank thee. let them say 'tis grossly done; so it be fairly done, no matter. [enter bardolph] bardolph sir john, there's one master brook below would fain speak with you, and be acquainted with you; and hath sent your worship a morning's draught of sack. falstaff brook is his name? bardolph ay, sir. falstaff call him in. [exit bardolph] such brooks are welcome to me, that o'erflow such liquor. ah, ha! mistress ford and mistress page have i encompassed you? go to; via! [re-enter bardolph, with ford disguised] ford bless you, sir! falstaff and you, sir! would you speak with me? ford i make bold to press with so little preparation upon you. falstaff you're welcome. what's your will? give us leave, drawer. [exit bardolph] ford sir, i am a gentleman that have spent much; my name is brook. falstaff good master brook, i desire more acquaintance of you. ford good sir john, i sue for yours: not to charge you; for i must let you understand i think myself in better plight for a lender than you are: the which hath something embolden'd me to this unseasoned intrusion; for they say, if money go before, all ways do lie open. falstaff money is a good soldier, sir, and will on. ford troth, and i have a bag of money here troubles me: if you will help to bear it, sir john, take all, or half, for easing me of the carriage. falstaff sir, i know not how i may deserve to be your porter. ford i will tell you, sir, if you will give me the hearing. falstaff speak, good master brook: i shall be glad to be your servant. ford sir, i hear you are a scholar,--i will be brief with you,--and you have been a man long known to me, though i had never so good means, as desire, to make myself acquainted with you. i shall discover a thing to you, wherein i must very much lay open mine own imperfection: but, good sir john, as you have one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into the register of your own; that i may pass with a reproof the easier, sith you yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender. falstaff very well, sir; proceed. ford there is a gentlewoman in this town; her husband's name is ford. falstaff well, sir. ford i have long loved her, and, i protest to you, bestowed much on her; followed her with a doting observance; engrossed opportunities to meet her; fee'd every slight occasion that could but niggardly give me sight of her; not only bought many presents to give her, but have given largely to many to know what she would have given; briefly, i have pursued her as love hath pursued me; which hath been on the wing of all occasions. but whatsoever i have merited, either in my mind or, in my means, meed, i am sure, i have received none; unless experience be a jewel that i have purchased at an infinite rate, and that hath taught me to say this: 'love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues; pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.' falstaff have you received no promise of satisfaction at her hands? ford never. falstaff have you importuned her to such a purpose? ford never. falstaff of what quality was your love, then? ford like a fair house built on another man's ground; so that i have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where i erected it. falstaff to what purpose have you unfolded this to me? ford when i have told you that, i have told you all. some say, that though she appear honest to me, yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction made of her. now, sir john, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your place and person, generally allowed for your many war-like, court-like, and learned preparations. falstaff o, sir! ford believe it, for you know it. there is money; spend it, spend it; spend more; spend all i have; only give me so much of your time in exchange of it, as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this ford's wife: use your art of wooing; win her to consent to you: if any man may, you may as soon as any. falstaff would it apply well to the vehemency of your affection, that i should win what you would enjoy? methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously. ford o, understand my drift. she dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour, that the folly of my soul dares not present itself: she is too bright to be looked against. now, could i could come to her with any detection in my hand, my desires had instance and argument to commend themselves: i could drive her then from the ward of her purity, her reputation, her marriage-vow, and a thousand other her defences, which now are too too strongly embattled against me. what say you to't, sir john? falstaff master brook, i will first make bold with your money; next, give me your hand; and last, as i am a gentleman, you shall, if you will, enjoy ford's wife. ford o good sir! falstaff i say you shall. ford want no money, sir john; you shall want none. falstaff want no mistress ford, master brook; you shall want none. i shall be with her, i may tell you, by her own appointment; even as you came in to me, her assistant or go-between parted from me: i say i shall be with her between ten and eleven; for at that time the jealous rascally knave her husband will be forth. come you to me at night; you shall know how i speed. ford i am blest in your acquaintance. do you know ford, sir? falstaff hang him, poor cuckoldly knave! i know him not: yet i wrong him to call him poor; they say the jealous wittolly knave hath masses of money; for the which his wife seems to me well-favored. i will use her as the key of the cuckoldly rogue's coffer; and there's my harvest-home. ford i would you knew ford, sir, that you might avoid him if you saw him. falstaff hang him, mechanical salt-butter rogue! i will stare him out of his wits; i will awe him with my cudgel: it shall hang like a meteor o'er the cuckold's horns. master brook, thou shalt know i will predominate over the peasant, and thou shalt lie with his wife. come to me soon at night. ford's a knave, and i will aggravate his style; thou, master brook, shalt know him for knave and cuckold. come to me soon at night. [exit] ford what a damned epicurean rascal is this! my heart is ready to crack with impatience. who says this is improvident jealousy? my wife hath sent to him; the hour is fixed; the match is made. would any man have thought this? see the hell of having a false woman! my bed shall be abused, my coffers ransacked, my reputation gnawn at; and i shall not only receive this villanous wrong, but stand under the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that does me this wrong. terms! names! amaimon sounds well; lucifer, well; barbason, well; yet they are devils' additions, the names of fiends: but cuckold! wittol!--cuckold! the devil himself hath not such a name. page is an ass, a secure ass: he will trust his wife; he will not be jealous. i will rather trust a fleming with my butter, parson hugh the welshman with my cheese, an irishman with my aqua-vitae bottle, or a thief to walk my ambling gelding, than my wife with herself; then she plots, then she ruminates, then she devises; and what they think in their hearts they may effect, they will break their hearts but they will effect. god be praised for my jealousy! eleven o'clock the hour. i will prevent this, detect my wife, be revenged on falstaff, and laugh at page. i will about it; better three hours too soon than a minute too late. fie, fie, fie! cuckold! cuckold! cuckold! [exit] the merry wives of windsor act ii scene iii a field near windsor. [enter doctor caius and rugby] doctor caius jack rugby! rugby sir? doctor caius vat is de clock, jack? rugby 'tis past the hour, sir, that sir hugh promised to meet. doctor caius by gar, he has save his soul, dat he is no come; he has pray his pible well, dat he is no come: by gar, jack rugby, he is dead already, if he be come. rugby he is wise, sir; he knew your worship would kill him, if he came. doctor caius by gar, de herring is no dead so as i vill kill him. take your rapier, jack; i vill tell you how i vill kill him. rugby alas, sir, i cannot fence. doctor caius villany, take your rapier. rugby forbear; here's company. [enter host, shallow, slender, and page] host bless thee, bully doctor! shallow save you, master doctor caius! page now, good master doctor! slender give you good morrow, sir. doctor caius vat be all you, one, two, tree, four, come for? host to see thee fight, to see thee foin, to see thee traverse; to see thee here, to see thee there; to see thee pass thy punto, thy stock, thy reverse, thy distance, thy montant. is he dead, my ethiopian? is he dead, my francisco? ha, bully! what says my aesculapius? my galen? my heart of elder? ha! is he dead, bully stale? is he dead? doctor caius by gar, he is de coward jack priest of de vorld; he is not show his face. host thou art a castalion-king-urinal. hector of greece, my boy! doctor caius i pray you, bear vitness that me have stay six or seven, two, tree hours for him, and he is no come. shallow he is the wiser man, master doctor: he is a curer of souls, and you a curer of bodies; if you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions. is it not true, master page? page master shallow, you have yourself been a great fighter, though now a man of peace. shallow bodykins, master page, though i now be old and of the peace, if i see a sword out, my finger itches to make one. though we are justices and doctors and churchmen, master page, we have some salt of our youth in us; we are the sons of women, master page. page 'tis true, master shallow. shallow it will be found so, master page. master doctor caius, i am come to fetch you home. i am sworn of the peace: you have showed yourself a wise physician, and sir hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman. you must go with me, master doctor. host pardon, guest-justice. a word, mounseur mockwater. doctor caius mock-vater! vat is dat? host mock-water, in our english tongue, is valour, bully. doctor caius by gar, den, i have as mush mock-vater as de englishman. scurvy jack-dog priest! by gar, me vill cut his ears. host he will clapper-claw thee tightly, bully. doctor caius clapper-de-claw! vat is dat? host that is, he will make thee amends. doctor caius by gar, me do look he shall clapper-de-claw me; for, by gar, me vill have it. host and i will provoke him to't, or let him wag. doctor caius me tank you for dat. host and, moreover, bully,--but first, master guest, and master page, and eke cavaleiro slender, go you through the town to frogmore. [aside to them] page sir hugh is there, is he? host he is there: see what humour he is in; and i will bring the doctor about by the fields. will it do well? shallow we will do it. page | | shallow | adieu, good master doctor. | slender | [exeunt page, shallow, and slender] doctor caius by gar, me vill kill de priest; for he speak for a jack-an-ape to anne page. host let him die: sheathe thy impatience, throw cold water on thy choler: go about the fields with me through frogmore: i will bring thee where mistress anne page is, at a farm-house a-feasting; and thou shalt woo her. cried i aim? said i well? doctor caius by gar, me dank you for dat: by gar, i love you; and i shall procure-a you de good guest, de earl, de knight, de lords, de gentlemen, my patients. host for the which i will be thy adversary toward anne page. said i well? doctor caius by gar, 'tis good; vell said. host let us wag, then. doctor caius come at my heels, jack rugby. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iii scene i a field near frogmore. [enter sir hugh evans and simple] sir hugh evans i pray you now, good master slender's serving-man, and friend simple by your name, which way have you looked for master caius, that calls himself doctor of physic? simple marry, sir, the pittie-ward, the park-ward, every way; old windsor way, and every way but the town way. sir hugh evans i most fehemently desire you you will also look that way. simple i will, sir. [exit] sir hugh evans 'pless my soul, how full of chollors i am, and trempling of mind! i shall be glad if he have deceived me. how melancholies i am! i will knog his urinals about his knave's costard when i have good opportunities for the ork. 'pless my soul! [sings] to shallow rivers, to whose falls melodious birds sings madrigals; there will we make our peds of roses, and a thousand fragrant posies. to shallow- mercy on me! i have a great dispositions to cry. [sings] melodious birds sing madrigals- when as i sat in pabylon- and a thousand vagram posies. to shallow &c. [re-enter simple] simple yonder he is coming, this way, sir hugh. sir hugh evans he's welcome. [sings] to shallow rivers, to whose falls heaven prosper the right! what weapons is he? simple no weapons, sir. there comes my master, master shallow, and another gentleman, from frogmore, over the stile, this way. sir hugh evans pray you, give me my gown; or else keep it in your arms. [enter page, shallow, and slender] shallow how now, master parson! good morrow, good sir hugh. keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student from his book, and it is wonderful. slender [aside] ah, sweet anne page! page 'save you, good sir hugh! sir hugh evans 'pless you from his mercy sake, all of you! shallow what, the sword and the word! do you study them both, master parson? page and youthful still! in your doublet and hose this raw rheumatic day! sir hugh evans there is reasons and causes for it. page we are come to you to do a good office, master parson. sir hugh evans fery well: what is it? page yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who, belike having received wrong by some person, is at most odds with his own gravity and patience that ever you saw. shallow i have lived fourscore years and upward; i never heard a man of his place, gravity and learning, so wide of his own respect. sir hugh evans what is he? page i think you know him; master doctor caius, the renowned french physician. sir hugh evans got's will, and his passion of my heart! i had as lief you would tell me of a mess of porridge. page why? sir hugh evans he has no more knowledge in hibocrates and galen, --and he is a knave besides; a cowardly knave as you would desires to be acquainted withal. page i warrant you, he's the man should fight with him. shallow [aside] o sweet anne page! shallow it appears so by his weapons. keep them asunder: here comes doctor caius. [enter host, doctor caius, and rugby] page nay, good master parson, keep in your weapon. shallow so do you, good master doctor. host disarm them, and let them question: let them keep their limbs whole and hack our english. doctor caius i pray you, let-a me speak a word with your ear. vherefore vill you not meet-a me? sir hugh evans [aside to doctor caius] pray you, use your patience: in good time. doctor caius by gar, you are de coward, de jack dog, john ape. sir hugh evans [aside to doctor caius] pray you let us not be laughing-stocks to other men's humours; i desire you in friendship, and i will one way or other make you amends. [aloud] i will knog your urinals about your knave's cockscomb for missing your meetings and appointments. doctor caius diable! jack rugby,--mine host de jarteer,--have i not stay for him to kill him? have i not, at de place i did appoint? sir hugh evans as i am a christians soul now, look you, this is the place appointed: i'll be judgement by mine host of the garter. host peace, i say, gallia and gaul, french and welsh, soul-curer and body-curer! doctor caius ay, dat is very good; excellent. host peace, i say! hear mine host of the garter. am i politic? am i subtle? am i a machiavel? shall i lose my doctor? no; he gives me the potions and the motions. shall i lose my parson, my priest, my sir hugh? no; he gives me the proverbs and the no-verbs. give me thy hand, terrestrial; so. give me thy hand, celestial; so. boys of art, i have deceived you both; i have directed you to wrong places: your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole, and let burnt sack be the issue. come, lay their swords to pawn. follow me, lads of peace; follow, follow, follow. shallow trust me, a mad host. follow, gentlemen, follow. slender [aside] o sweet anne page! [exeunt shallow, slender, page, and host] doctor caius ha, do i perceive dat? have you make-a de sot of us, ha, ha? sir hugh evans this is well; he has made us his vlouting-stog. i desire you that we may be friends; and let us knog our prains together to be revenge on this same scall, scurvy cogging companion, the host of the garter. doctor caius by gar, with all my heart. he promise to bring me where is anne page; by gar, he deceive me too. sir hugh evans well, i will smite his noddles. pray you, follow. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iii scene ii a street. [enter mistress page and robin] mistress page nay, keep your way, little gallant; you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a leader. whether had you rather lead mine eyes, or eye your master's heels? robin i had rather, forsooth, go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf. mistress page o, you are a flattering boy: now i see you'll be a courtier. [enter ford] ford well met, mistress page. whither go you? mistress page truly, sir, to see your wife. is she at home? ford ay; and as idle as she may hang together, for want of company. i think, if your husbands were dead, you two would marry. mistress page be sure of that,--two other husbands. ford where had you this pretty weather-cock? mistress page i cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of. what do you call your knight's name, sirrah? robin sir john falstaff. ford sir john falstaff! mistress page he, he; i can never hit on's name. there is such a league between my good man and he! is your wife at home indeed? ford indeed she is. mistress page by your leave, sir: i am sick till i see her. [exeunt mistress page and robin] ford has page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any thinking? sure, they sleep; he hath no use of them. why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile, as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score. he pieces out his wife's inclination; he gives her folly motion and advantage: and now she's going to my wife, and falstaff's boy with her. a man may hear this shower sing in the wind. and falstaff's boy with her! good plots, they are laid; and our revolted wives share damnation together. well; i will take him, then torture my wife, pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming mistress page, divulge page himself for a secure and wilful actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim. [clock heard] the clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me search: there i shall find falstaff: i shall be rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as positive as the earth is firm that falstaff is there: i will go. [enter page, shallow, slender, host, sir hugh evans, doctor caius, and rugby] shallow | | page | well met, master ford. | &c | ford trust me, a good knot: i have good cheer at home; and i pray you all go with me. shallow i must excuse myself, master ford. slender and so must i, sir: we have appointed to dine with mistress anne, and i would not break with her for more money than i'll speak of. shallow we have lingered about a match between anne page and my cousin slender, and this day we shall have our answer. slender i hope i have your good will, father page. page you have, master slender; i stand wholly for you: but my wife, master doctor, is for you altogether. doctor caius ay, be-gar; and de maid is love-a me: my nursh-a quickly tell me so mush. host what say you to young master fenton? he capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he speaks holiday, he smells april and may: he will carry't, he will carry't; 'tis in his buttons; he will carry't. page not by my consent, i promise you. the gentleman is of no having: he kept company with the wild prince and poins; he is of too high a region; he knows too much. no, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance: if he take her, let him take her simply; the wealth i have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way. ford i beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have sport; i will show you a monster. master doctor, you shall go; so shall you, master page; and you, sir hugh. shallow well, fare you well: we shall have the freer wooing at master page's. [exeunt shallow, and slender] doctor caius go home, john rugby; i come anon. [exit rugby] host farewell, my hearts: i will to my honest knight falstaff, and drink canary with him. [exit] ford [aside] i think i shall drink in pipe wine first with him; i'll make him dance. will you go, gentles? all have with you to see this monster. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iii scene iii a room in ford's house. [enter mistress ford and mistress page] mistress ford what, john! what, robert! mistress page quickly, quickly! is the buck-basket- mistress ford i warrant. what, robin, i say! [enter servants with a basket] mistress page come, come, come. mistress ford here, set it down. mistress page give your men the charge; we must be brief. mistress ford marry, as i told you before, john and robert, be ready here hard by in the brew-house: and when i suddenly call you, come forth, and without any pause or staggering take this basket on your shoulders: that done, trudge with it in all haste, and carry it among the whitsters in datchet-mead, and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the thames side. mistress page you will do it? mistress ford i ha' told them over and over; they lack no direction. be gone, and come when you are called. [exeunt servants] mistress page here comes little robin. [enter robin] mistress ford how now, my eyas-musket! what news with you? robin my master, sir john, is come in at your back-door, mistress ford, and requests your company. mistress page you little jack-a-lent, have you been true to us? robin ay, i'll be sworn. my master knows not of your being here and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if i tell you of it; for he swears he'll turn me away. mistress page thou'rt a good boy: this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet and hose. i'll go hide me. mistress ford do so. go tell thy master i am alone. [exit robin] mistress page, remember you your cue. mistress page i warrant thee; if i do not act it, hiss me. [exit] mistress ford go to, then: we'll use this unwholesome humidity, this gross watery pumpion; we'll teach him to know turtles from jays. [enter falstaff] falstaff have i caught thee, my heavenly jewel? why, now let me die, for i have lived long enough: this is the period of my ambition: o this blessed hour! mistress ford o sweet sir john! falstaff mistress ford, i cannot cog, i cannot prate, mistress ford. now shall i sin in my wish: i would thy husband were dead: i'll speak it before the best lord; i would make thee my lady. mistress ford i your lady, sir john! alas, i should be a pitiful lady! falstaff let the court of france show me such another. i see how thine eye would emulate the diamond: thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire, the tire-valiant, or any tire of venetian admittance. mistress ford a plain kerchief, sir john: my brows become nothing else; nor that well neither. falstaff by the lord, thou art a traitor to say so: thou wouldst make an absolute courtier; and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale. i see what thou wert, if fortune thy foe were not, nature thy friend. come, thou canst not hide it. mistress ford believe me, there is no such thing in me. falstaff what made me love thee? let that persuade thee there's something extraordinary in thee. come, i cannot cog and say thou art this and that, like a many of these lisping hawthorn-buds, that come like women in men's apparel, and smell like bucklersbury in simple time; i cannot: but i love thee; none but thee; and thou deservest it. mistress ford do not betray me, sir. i fear you love mistress page. falstaff thou mightst as well say i love to walk by the counter-gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln. mistress ford well, heaven knows how i love you; and you shall one day find it. falstaff keep in that mind; i'll deserve it. mistress ford nay, i must tell you, so you do; or else i could not be in that mind. robin [within] mistress ford, mistress ford! here's mistress page at the door, sweating and blowing and looking wildly, and would needs speak with you presently. falstaff she shall not see me: i will ensconce me behind the arras. mistress ford pray you, do so: she's a very tattling woman. [falstaff hides himself] [re-enter mistress page and robin] what's the matter? how now! mistress page o mistress ford, what have you done? you're shamed, you're overthrown, you're undone for ever! mistress ford what's the matter, good mistress page? mistress page o well-a-day, mistress ford! having an honest man to your husband, to give him such cause of suspicion! mistress ford what cause of suspicion? mistress page what cause of suspicion! out pon you! how am i mistook in you! mistress ford why, alas, what's the matter? mistress page your husband's coming hither, woman, with all the officers in windsor, to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent, to take an ill advantage of his assence: you are undone. mistress ford 'tis not so, i hope. mistress page pray heaven it be not so, that you have such a man here! but 'tis most certain your husband's coming, with half windsor at his heels, to search for such a one. i come before to tell you. if you know yourself clear, why, i am glad of it; but if you have a friend here convey, convey him out. be not amazed; call all your senses to you; defend your reputation, or bid farewell to your good life for ever. mistress ford what shall i do? there is a gentleman my dear friend; and i fear not mine own shame so much as his peril: i had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house. mistress page for shame! never stand 'you had rather' and 'you had rather:' your husband's here at hand, bethink you of some conveyance: in the house you cannot hide him. o, how have you deceived me! look, here is a basket: if he be of any reasonable stature, he may creep in here; and throw foul linen upon him, as if it were going to bucking: or--it is whiting-time --send him by your two men to datchet-mead. mistress ford he's too big to go in there. what shall i do? falstaff [coming forward] let me see't, let me see't, o, let me see't! i'll in, i'll in. follow your friend's counsel. i'll in. mistress page what, sir john falstaff! are these your letters, knight? falstaff i love thee. help me away. let me creep in here. i'll never- [gets into the basket; they cover him with foul linen] mistress page help to cover your master, boy. call your men, mistress ford. you dissembling knight! mistress ford what, john! robert! john! [exit robin] [re-enter servants] go take up these clothes here quickly. where's the cowl-staff? look, how you drumble! carry them to the laundress in datchet-meat; quickly, come. [enter ford, page, doctor caius, and sir hugh evans] ford pray you, come near: if i suspect without cause, why then make sport at me; then let me be your jest; i deserve it. how now! whither bear you this? servant to the laundress, forsooth. mistress ford why, what have you to do whither they bear it? you were best meddle with buck-washing. ford buck! i would i could wash myself of the buck! buck, buck, buck! ay, buck; i warrant you, buck; and of the season too, it shall appear. [exeunt servants with the basket] gentlemen, i have dreamed to-night; i'll tell you my dream. here, here, here be my keys: ascend my chambers; search, seek, find out: i'll warrant we'll unkennel the fox. let me stop this way first. [locking the door] so, now uncape. page good master ford, be contented: you wrong yourself too much. ford true, master page. up, gentlemen: you shall see sport anon: follow me, gentlemen. [exit] sir hugh evans this is fery fantastical humours and jealousies. doctor caius by gar, 'tis no the fashion of france; it is not jealous in france. page nay, follow him, gentlemen; see the issue of his search. [exeunt page, doctor caius, and sir hugh evans] mistress page is there not a double excellency in this? mistress ford i know not which pleases me better, that my husband is deceived, or sir john. mistress page what a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket! mistress ford i am half afraid he will have need of washing; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit. mistress page hang him, dishonest rascal! i would all of the same strain were in the same distress. mistress ford i think my husband hath some special suspicion of falstaff's being here; for i never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now. mistress page i will lay a plot to try that; and we will yet have more tricks with falstaff: his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine. mistress ford shall we send that foolish carrion, mistress quickly, to him, and excuse his throwing into the water; and give him another hope, to betray him to another punishment? mistress page we will do it: let him be sent for to-morrow, eight o'clock, to have amends. [re-enter ford, page, doctor caius, and sir hugh evans] ford i cannot find him: may be the knave bragged of that he could not compass. mistress page [aside to mistress ford] heard you that? mistress ford you use me well, master ford, do you? ford ay, i do so. mistress ford heaven make you better than your thoughts! ford amen! mistress page you do yourself mighty wrong, master ford. ford ay, ay; i must bear it. sir hugh evans if there be any pody in the house, and in the chambers, and in the coffers, and in the presses, heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment! doctor caius by gar, nor i too: there is no bodies. page fie, fie, master ford! are you not ashamed? what spirit, what devil suggests this imagination? i would not ha' your distemper in this kind for the wealth of windsor castle. ford 'tis my fault, master page: i suffer for it. sir hugh evans you suffer for a pad conscience: your wife is as honest a 'omans as i will desires among five thousand, and five hundred too. doctor caius by gar, i see 'tis an honest woman. ford well, i promised you a dinner. come, come, walk in the park: i pray you, pardon me; i will hereafter make known to you why i have done this. come, wife; come, mistress page. i pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me. page let's go in, gentlemen; but, trust me, we'll mock him. i do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast: after, we'll a-birding together; i have a fine hawk for the bush. shall it be so? ford any thing. sir hugh evans if there is one, i shall make two in the company. doctor caius if dere be one or two, i shall make-a the turd. ford pray you, go, master page. sir hugh evans i pray you now, remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave, mine host. doctor caius dat is good; by gar, with all my heart! sir hugh evans a lousy knave, to have his gibes and his mockeries! [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iii scene iv a room in page's house. [enter fenton and anne page] fenton i see i cannot get thy father's love; therefore no more turn me to him, sweet nan. anne page alas, how then? fenton why, thou must be thyself. he doth object i am too great of birth--, and that, my state being gall'd with my expense, i seek to heal it only by his wealth: besides these, other bars he lays before me, my riots past, my wild societies; and tells me 'tis a thing impossible i should love thee but as a property. anne page may be he tells you true. fenton no, heaven so speed me in my time to come! albeit i will confess thy father's wealth was the first motive that i woo'd thee, anne: yet, wooing thee, i found thee of more value than stamps in gold or sums in sealed bags; and 'tis the very riches of thyself that now i aim at. anne page gentle master fenton, yet seek my father's love; still seek it, sir: if opportunity and humblest suit cannot attain it, why, then,--hark you hither! [they converse apart] [enter shallow, slender, and mistress quickly] shallow break their talk, mistress quickly: my kinsman shall speak for himself. slender i'll make a shaft or a bolt on't: 'slid, 'tis but venturing. shallow be not dismayed. slender no, she shall not dismay me: i care not for that, but that i am afeard. mistress quickly hark ye; master slender would speak a word with you. anne page i come to him. [aside] this is my father's choice. o, what a world of vile ill-favor'd faults looks handsome in three hundred pounds a-year! mistress quickly and how does good master fenton? pray you, a word with you. shallow she's coming; to her, coz. o boy, thou hadst a father! slender i had a father, mistress anne; my uncle can tell you good jests of him. pray you, uncle, tell mistress anne the jest, how my father stole two geese out of a pen, good uncle. shallow mistress anne, my cousin loves you. slender ay, that i do; as well as i love any woman in gloucestershire. shallow he will maintain you like a gentlewoman. slender ay, that i will, come cut and long-tail, under the degree of a squire. shallow he will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure. anne page good master shallow, let him woo for himself. shallow marry, i thank you for it; i thank you for that good comfort. she calls you, coz: i'll leave you. anne page now, master slender,- slender now, good mistress anne,- anne page what is your will? slender my will! 'od's heartlings, that's a pretty jest indeed! i ne'er made my will yet, i thank heaven; i am not such a sickly creature, i give heaven praise. anne page i mean, master slender, what would you with me? slender truly, for mine own part, i would little or nothing with you. your father and my uncle hath made motions: if it be my luck, so; if not, happy man be his dole! they can tell you how things go better than i can: you may ask your father; here he comes. [enter page and mistress page] page now, master slender: love him, daughter anne. why, how now! what does master fenton here? you wrong me, sir, thus still to haunt my house: i told you, sir, my daughter is disposed of. fenton nay, master page, be not impatient. mistress page good master fenton, come not to my child. page she is no match for you. fenton sir, will you hear me? page no, good master fenton. come, master shallow; come, son slender, in. knowing my mind, you wrong me, master fenton. [exeunt page, shallow, and slender] mistress quickly speak to mistress page. fenton good mistress page, for that i love your daughter in such a righteous fashion as i do, perforce, against all cheques, rebukes and manners, i must advance the colours of my love and not retire: let me have your good will. anne page good mother, do not marry me to yond fool. mistress page i mean it not; i seek you a better husband. mistress quickly that's my master, master doctor. anne page alas, i had rather be set quick i' the earth and bowl'd to death with turnips! mistress page come, trouble not yourself. good master fenton, i will not be your friend nor enemy: my daughter will i question how she loves you, and as i find her, so am i affected. till then farewell, sir: she must needs go in; her father will be angry. fenton farewell, gentle mistress: farewell, nan. [exeunt mistress page and anne page] mistress quickly this is my doing, now: 'nay,' said i, 'will you cast away your child on a fool, and a physician? look on master fenton:' this is my doing. fenton i thank thee; and i pray thee, once to-night give my sweet nan this ring: there's for thy pains. mistress quickly now heaven send thee good fortune! [exit fenton] a kind heart he hath: a woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart. but yet i would my master had mistress anne; or i would master slender had her; or, in sooth, i would master fenton had her; i will do what i can for them all three; for so i have promised, and i'll be as good as my word; but speciously for master fenton. well, i must of another errand to sir john falstaff from my two mistresses: what a beast am i to slack it! [exit] the merry wives of windsor act iii scene v a room in the garter inn. [enter falstaff and bardolph] falstaff bardolph, i say,- bardolph here, sir. falstaff go fetch me a quart of sack; put a toast in't. [exit bardolph] have i lived to be carried in a basket, like a barrow of butcher's offal, and to be thrown in the thames? well, if i be served such another trick, i'll have my brains ta'en out and buttered, and give them to a dog for a new-year's gift. the rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have drowned a blind bitch's puppies, fifteen i' the litter: and you may know by my size that i have a kind of alacrity in sinking; if the bottom were as deep as hell, i should down. i had been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy and shallow,--a death that i abhor; for the water swells a man; and what a thing should i have been when i had been swelled! i should have been a mountain of mummy. [re-enter bardolph with sack] bardolph here's mistress quickly, sir, to speak with you. falstaff let me pour in some sack to the thames water; for my belly's as cold as if i had swallowed snowballs for pills to cool the reins. call her in. bardolph come in, woman! [enter mistress quickly] mistress quickly by your leave; i cry you mercy: give your worship good morrow. falstaff take away these chalices. go brew me a pottle of sack finely. bardolph with eggs, sir? falstaff simple of itself; i'll no pullet-sperm in my brewage. [exit bardolph] how now! mistress quickly marry, sir, i come to your worship from mistress ford. falstaff mistress ford! i have had ford enough; i was thrown into the ford; i have my belly full of ford. mistress quickly alas the day! good heart, that was not her fault: she does so take on with her men; they mistook their erection. falstaff so did i mine, to build upon a foolish woman's promise. mistress quickly well, she laments, sir, for it, that it would yearn your heart to see it. her husband goes this morning a-birding; she desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine: i must carry her word quickly: she'll make you amends, i warrant you. falstaff well, i will visit her: tell her so; and bid her think what a man is: let her consider his frailty, and then judge of my merit. mistress quickly i will tell her. falstaff do so. between nine and ten, sayest thou? mistress quickly eight and nine, sir. falstaff well, be gone: i will not miss her. mistress quickly peace be with you, sir. [exit] falstaff i marvel i hear not of master brook; he sent me word to stay within: i like his money well. o, here he comes. [enter ford] ford bless you, sir! falstaff now, master brook, you come to know what hath passed between me and ford's wife? ford that, indeed, sir john, is my business. falstaff master brook, i will not lie to you: i was at her house the hour she appointed me. ford and sped you, sir? falstaff very ill-favoredly, master brook. ford how so, sir? did she change her determination? falstaff no, master brook; but the peaking cornuto her husband, master brook, dwelling in a continual 'larum of jealousy, comes me in the instant of our encounter, after we had embraced, kissed, protested, and, as it were, spoke the prologue of our comedy; and at his heels a rabble of his companions, thither provoked and instigated by his distemper, and, forsooth, to search his house for his wife's love. ford what, while you were there? falstaff while i was there. ford and did he search for you, and could not find you? falstaff you shall hear. as good luck would have it, comes in one mistress page; gives intelligence of ford's approach; and, in her invention and ford's wife's distraction, they conveyed me into a buck-basket. ford a buck-basket! falstaff by the lord, a buck-basket! rammed me in with foul shirts and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy napkins; that, master brook, there was the rankest compound of villanous smell that ever offended nostril. ford and how long lay you there? falstaff nay, you shall hear, master brook, what i have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good. being thus crammed in the basket, a couple of ford's knaves, his hinds, were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to datchet-lane: they took me on their shoulders; met the jealous knave their master in the door, who asked them once or twice what they had in their basket: i quaked for fear, lest the lunatic knave would have searched it; but fate, ordaining he should be a cuckold, held his hand. well: on went he for a search, and away went i for foul clothes. but mark the sequel, master brook: i suffered the pangs of three several deaths; first, an intolerable fright, to be detected with a jealous rotten bell-wether; next, to be compassed, like a good bilbo, in the circumference of a peck, hilt to point, heel to head; and then, to be stopped in, like a strong distillation, with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease: think of that,--a man of my kidney,--think of that,--that am as subject to heat as butter; a man of continual dissolution and thaw: it was a miracle to scape suffocation. and in the height of this bath, when i was more than half stewed in grease, like a dutch dish, to be thrown into the thames, and cooled, glowing hot, in that surge, like a horse-shoe; think of that,--hissing hot,--think of that, master brook. ford in good sadness, i am sorry that for my sake you have sufferd all this. my suit then is desperate; you'll undertake her no more? falstaff master brook, i will be thrown into etna, as i have been into thames, ere i will leave her thus. her husband is this morning gone a-birding: i have received from her another embassy of meeting; 'twixt eight and nine is the hour, master brook. ford 'tis past eight already, sir. falstaff is it? i will then address me to my appointment. come to me at your convenient leisure, and you shall know how i speed; and the conclusion shall be crowned with your enjoying her. adieu. you shall have her, master brook; master brook, you shall cuckold ford. [exit] ford hum! ha! is this a vision? is this a dream? do i sleep? master ford awake! awake, master ford! there's a hole made in your best coat, master ford. this 'tis to be married! this 'tis to have linen and buck-baskets! well, i will proclaim myself what i am: i will now take the lecher; he is at my house; he cannot 'scape me; 'tis impossible he should; he cannot creep into a halfpenny purse, nor into a pepper-box: but, lest the devil that guides him should aid him, i will search impossible places. though what i am i cannot avoid, yet to be what i would not shall not make me tame: if i have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me: i'll be horn-mad. [exit] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene i a street. [enter mistress page, mistress quickly, and william page] mistress page is he at master ford's already, think'st thou? mistress quickly sure he is by this, or will be presently: but, truly, he is very courageous mad about his throwing into the water. mistress ford desires you to come suddenly. mistress page i'll be with her by and by; i'll but bring my young man here to school. look, where his master comes; 'tis a playing-day, i see. [enter sir hugh evans] how now, sir hugh! no school to-day? sir hugh evans no; master slender is let the boys leave to play. mistress quickly blessing of his heart! mistress page sir hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book. i pray you, ask him some questions in his accidence. sir hugh evans come hither, william; hold up your head; come. mistress page come on, sirrah; hold up your head; answer your master, be not afraid. sir hugh evans william, how many numbers is in nouns? william page two. mistress quickly truly, i thought there had been one number more, because they say, ''od's nouns.' sir hugh evans peace your tattlings! what is 'fair,' william? william page pulcher. mistress quickly polecats! there are fairer things than polecats, sure. sir hugh evans you are a very simplicity 'oman: i pray you peace. what is 'lapis,' william? william page a stone. sir hugh evans and what is 'a stone,' william? william page a pebble. sir hugh evans no, it is 'lapis:' i pray you, remember in your prain. william page lapis. sir hugh evans that is a good william. what is he, william, that does lend articles? william page articles are borrowed of the pronoun, and be thus declined, singulariter, nominativo, hic, haec, hoc. sir hugh evans nominativo, hig, hag, hog; pray you, mark: genitivo, hujus. well, what is your accusative case? william page accusativo, hinc. sir hugh evans i pray you, have your remembrance, child, accusative, hung, hang, hog. mistress quickly 'hang-hog' is latin for bacon, i warrant you. sir hugh evans leave your prabbles, 'oman. what is the focative case, william? william page o,--vocativo, o. sir hugh evans remember, william; focative is caret. mistress quickly and that's a good root. sir hugh evans 'oman, forbear. mistress page peace! sir hugh evans what is your genitive case plural, william? william page genitive case! sir hugh evans ay. william page genitive,--horum, harum, horum. mistress quickly vengeance of jenny's case! fie on her! never name her, child, if she be a whore. sir hugh evans for shame, 'oman. mistress quickly you do ill to teach the child such words: he teaches him to hick and to hack, which they'll do fast enough of themselves, and to call 'horum:' fie upon you! sir hugh evans 'oman, art thou lunatics? hast thou no understandings for thy cases and the numbers of the genders? thou art as foolish christian creatures as i would desires. mistress page prithee, hold thy peace. sir hugh evans show me now, william, some declensions of your pronouns. william page forsooth, i have forgot. sir hugh evans it is qui, quae, quod: if you forget your 'quies,' your 'quaes,' and your 'quods,' you must be preeches. go your ways, and play; go. mistress page he is a better scholar than i thought he was. sir hugh evans he is a good sprag memory. farewell, mistress page. mistress page adieu, good sir hugh. [exit sir hugh evans] get you home, boy. come, we stay too long. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene ii a room in ford's house. [enter falstaff and mistress ford] falstaff mistress ford, your sorrow hath eaten up my sufferance. i see you are obsequious in your love, and i profess requital to a hair's breadth; not only, mistress ford, in the simple office of love, but in all the accoutrement, complement and ceremony of it. but are you sure of your husband now? mistress ford he's a-birding, sweet sir john. mistress page [within] what, ho, gossip ford! what, ho! mistress ford step into the chamber, sir john. [exit falstaff] [enter mistress page] mistress page how now, sweetheart! who's at home besides yourself? mistress ford why, none but mine own people. mistress page indeed! mistress ford no, certainly. [aside to her] speak louder. mistress page truly, i am so glad you have nobody here. mistress ford why? mistress page why, woman, your husband is in his old lunes again: he so takes on yonder with my husband; so rails against all married mankind; so curses all eve's daughters, of what complexion soever; and so buffets himself on the forehead, crying, 'peer out, peer out!' that any madness i ever yet beheld seemed but tameness, civility and patience, to this his distemper he is in now: i am glad the fat knight is not here. mistress ford why, does he talk of him? mistress page of none but him; and swears he was carried out, the last time he searched for him, in a basket; protests to my husband he is now here, and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport, to make another experiment of his suspicion: but i am glad the knight is not here; now he shall see his own foolery. mistress ford how near is he, mistress page? mistress page hard by; at street end; he will be here anon. mistress ford i am undone! the knight is here. mistress page why then you are utterly shamed, and he's but a dead man. what a woman are you!--away with him, away with him! better shame than murder. ford which way should be go? how should i bestow him? shall i put him into the basket again? [re-enter falstaff] falstaff no, i'll come no more i' the basket. may i not go out ere he come? mistress page alas, three of master ford's brothers watch the door with pistols, that none shall issue out; otherwise you might slip away ere he came. but what make you here? falstaff what shall i do? i'll creep up into the chimney. mistress ford there they always use to discharge their birding-pieces. creep into the kiln-hole. falstaff where is it? mistress ford he will seek there, on my word. neither press, coffer, chest, trunk, well, vault, but he hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places, and goes to them by his note: there is no hiding you in the house. falstaff i'll go out then. mistress page if you go out in your own semblance, you die, sir john. unless you go out disguised- mistress ford how might we disguise him? mistress page alas the day, i know not! there is no woman's gown big enough for him otherwise he might put on a hat, a muffler and a kerchief, and so escape. falstaff good hearts, devise something: any extremity rather than a mischief. mistress ford my maid's aunt, the fat woman of brentford, has a gown above. mistress page on my word, it will serve him; she's as big as he is: and there's her thrummed hat and her muffler too. run up, sir john. mistress ford go, go, sweet sir john: mistress page and i will look some linen for your head. mistress page quick, quick! we'll come dress you straight: put on the gown the while. [exit falstaff] mistress ford i would my husband would meet him in this shape: he cannot abide the old woman of brentford; he swears she's a witch; forbade her my house and hath threatened to beat her. mistress page heaven guide him to thy husband's cudgel, and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards! mistress ford but is my husband coming? mistress page ah, in good sadness, is he; and talks of the basket too, howsoever he hath had intelligence. mistress ford we'll try that; for i'll appoint my men to carry the basket again, to meet him at the door with it, as they did last time. mistress page nay, but he'll be here presently: let's go dress him like the witch of brentford. mistress ford i'll first direct my men what they shall do with the basket. go up; i'll bring linen for him straight. [exit] mistress page hang him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse him enough. we'll leave a proof, by that which we will do, wives may be merry, and yet honest too: we do not act that often jest and laugh; 'tis old, but true, still swine eat all the draff. [exit] [re-enter mistress ford with two servants] mistress ford go, sirs, take the basket again on your shoulders: your master is hard at door; if he bid you set it down, obey him: quickly, dispatch. [exit] first servant come, come, take it up. second servant pray heaven it be not full of knight again. first servant i hope not; i had as lief bear so much lead. [enter ford, page, shallow, doctor caius, and sir hugh evans] ford ay, but if it prove true, master page, have you any way then to unfool me again? set down the basket, villain! somebody call my wife. youth in a basket! o you panderly rascals! there's a knot, a ging, a pack, a conspiracy against me: now shall the devil be shamed. what, wife, i say! come, come forth! behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching! page why, this passes, master ford; you are not to go loose any longer; you must be pinioned. sir hugh evans why, this is lunatics! this is mad as a mad dog! shallow indeed, master ford, this is not well, indeed. ford so say i too, sir. [re-enter mistress ford] come hither, mistress ford; mistress ford the honest woman, the modest wife, the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband! i suspect without cause, mistress, do i? mistress ford heaven be my witness you do, if you suspect me in any dishonesty. ford well said, brazen-face! hold it out. come forth, sirrah! [pulling clothes out of the basket] page this passes! mistress ford are you not ashamed? let the clothes alone. ford i shall find you anon. sir hugh evans 'tis unreasonable! will you take up your wife's clothes? come away. ford empty the basket, i say! mistress ford why, man, why? ford master page, as i am a man, there was one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket: why may not he be there again? in my house i am sure he is: my intelligence is true; my jealousy is reasonable. pluck me out all the linen. mistress ford if you find a man there, he shall die a flea's death. page here's no man. shallow by my fidelity, this is not well, master ford; this wrongs you. sir hugh evans master ford, you must pray, and not follow the imaginations of your own heart: this is jealousies. ford well, he's not here i seek for. page no, nor nowhere else but in your brain. ford help to search my house this one time. if i find not what i seek, show no colour for my extremity; let me for ever be your table-sport; let them say of me, 'as jealous as ford, chat searched a hollow walnut for his wife's leman.' satisfy me once more; once more search with me. mistress ford what, ho, mistress page! come you and the old woman down; my husband will come into the chamber. ford old woman! what old woman's that? mistress ford nay, it is my maid's aunt of brentford. ford a witch, a quean, an old cozening quean! have i not forbid her my house? she comes of errands, does she? we are simple men; we do not know what's brought to pass under the profession of fortune-telling. she works by charms, by spells, by the figure, and such daubery as this is, beyond our element we know nothing. come down, you witch, you hag, you; come down, i say! mistress ford nay, good, sweet husband! good gentlemen, let him not strike the old woman. [re-enter falstaff in woman's clothes, and mistress page] mistress page come, mother prat; come, give me your hand. ford i'll prat her. [beating him] out of my door, you witch, you hag, you baggage, you polecat, you runyon! out, out! i'll conjure you, i'll fortune-tell you. [exit falstaff] mistress page are you not ashamed? i think you have killed the poor woman. mistress ford nay, he will do it. 'tis a goodly credit for you. ford hang her, witch! sir hugh evans by the yea and no, i think the 'oman is a witch indeed: i like not when a 'oman has a great peard; i spy a great peard under his muffler. ford will you follow, gentlemen? i beseech you, follow; see but the issue of my jealousy: if i cry out thus upon no trail, never trust me when i open again. page let's obey his humour a little further: come, gentlemen. [exeunt ford, page, shallow, doctor caius, and sir hugh evans] mistress page trust me, he beat him most pitifully. mistress ford nay, by the mass, that he did not; he beat him most unpitifully, methought. mistress page i'll have the cudgel hallowed and hung o'er the altar; it hath done meritorious service. mistress ford what think you? may we, with the warrant of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge? mistress page the spirit of wantonness is, sure, scared out of him: if the devil have him not in fee-simple, with fine and recovery, he will never, i think, in the way of waste, attempt us again. mistress ford shall we tell our husbands how we have served him? mistress page yes, by all means; if it be but to scrape the figures out of your husband's brains. if they can find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted, we two will still be the ministers. mistress ford i'll warrant they'll have him publicly shamed: and methinks there would be no period to the jest, should he not be publicly shamed. mistress page come, to the forge with it then; shape it: i would not have things cool. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene iii a room in the garter inn. [enter host and bardolph] bardolph sir, the germans desire to have three of your horses: the duke himself will be to-morrow at court, and they are going to meet him. host what duke should that be comes so secretly? i hear not of him in the court. let me speak with the gentlemen: they speak english? bardolph ay, sir; i'll call them to you. host they shall have my horses; but i'll make them pay; i'll sauce them: they have had my house a week at command; i have turned away my other guests: they must come off; i'll sauce them. come. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene iv a room in ford's house. [enter page, ford, mistress page, mistress ford, and sir hugh evans] sir hugh evans 'tis one of the best discretions of a 'oman as ever i did look upon. page and did he send you both these letters at an instant? mistress page within a quarter of an hour. ford pardon me, wife. henceforth do what thou wilt; i rather will suspect the sun with cold than thee with wantonness: now doth thy honour stand in him that was of late an heretic, as firm as faith. page 'tis well, 'tis well; no more: be not as extreme in submission as in offence. but let our plot go forward: let our wives yet once again, to make us public sport, appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow, where we may take him and disgrace him for it. ford there is no better way than that they spoke of. page how? to send him word they'll meet him in the park at midnight? fie, fie! he'll never come. sir hugh evans you say he has been thrown in the rivers and has been grievously peaten as an old 'oman: methinks there should be terrors in him that he should not come; methinks his flesh is punished, he shall have no desires. page so think i too. mistress ford devise but how you'll use him when he comes, and let us two devise to bring him thither. mistress page there is an old tale goes that herne the hunter, sometime a keeper here in windsor forest, doth all the winter-time, at still midnight, walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd horns; and there he blasts the tree and takes the cattle and makes milch-kine yield blood and shakes a chain in a most hideous and dreadful manner: you have heard of such a spirit, and well you know the superstitious idle-headed eld received and did deliver to our age this tale of herne the hunter for a truth. page why, yet there want not many that do fear in deep of night to walk by this herne's oak: but what of this? mistress ford marry, this is our device; that falstaff at that oak shall meet with us. page well, let it not be doubted but he'll come: and in this shape when you have brought him thither, what shall be done with him? what is your plot? mistress page that likewise have we thought upon, and thus: nan page my daughter and my little son and three or four more of their growth we'll dress like urchins, ouphes and fairies, green and white, with rounds of waxen tapers on their heads, and rattles in their hands: upon a sudden, as falstaff, she and i, are newly met, let them from forth a sawpit rush at once with some diffused song: upon their sight, we two in great amazedness will fly: then let them all encircle him about and, fairy-like, to-pinch the unclean knight, and ask him why, that hour of fairy revel, in their so sacred paths he dares to tread in shape profane. mistress ford and till he tell the truth, let the supposed fairies pinch him sound and burn him with their tapers. mistress page the truth being known, we'll all present ourselves, dis-horn the spirit, and mock him home to windsor. ford the children must be practised well to this, or they'll ne'er do't. sir hugh evans i will teach the children their behaviors; and i will be like a jack-an-apes also, to burn the knight with my taber. ford that will be excellent. i'll go and buy them vizards. mistress page my nan shall be the queen of all the fairies, finely attired in a robe of white. page that silk will i go buy. [aside] and in that time shall master slender steal my nan away and marry her at eton. go send to falstaff straight. ford nay i'll to him again in name of brook he'll tell me all his purpose: sure, he'll come. mistress page fear not you that. go get us properties and tricking for our fairies. sir hugh evans let us about it: it is admirable pleasures and fery honest knaveries. [exeunt page, ford, and sir hugh evans] mistress page go, mistress ford, send quickly to sir john, to know his mind. [exit mistress ford] i'll to the doctor: he hath my good will, and none but he, to marry with nan page. that slender, though well landed, is an idiot; and he my husband best of all affects. the doctor is well money'd, and his friends potent at court: he, none but he, shall have her, though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her. [exit] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene v a room in the garter inn. [enter host and simple] host what wouldst thou have, boor? what: thick-skin? speak, breathe, discuss; brief, short, quick, snap. simple marry, sir, i come to speak with sir john falstaff from master slender. host there's his chamber, his house, his castle, his standing-bed and truckle-bed; 'tis painted about with the story of the prodigal, fresh and new. go knock and call; hell speak like an anthropophaginian unto thee: knock, i say. simple there's an old woman, a fat woman, gone up into his chamber: i'll be so bold as stay, sir, till she come down; i come to speak with her, indeed. host ha! a fat woman! the knight may be robbed: i'll call. bully knight! bully sir john! speak from thy lungs military: art thou there? it is thine host, thine ephesian, calls. falstaff [above] how now, mine host! host here's a bohemian-tartar tarries the coming down of thy fat woman. let her descend, bully, let her descend; my chambers are honourable: fie! privacy? fie! [enter falstaff] falstaff there was, mine host, an old fat woman even now with me; but she's gone. simple pray you, sir, was't not the wise woman of brentford? falstaff ay, marry, was it, mussel-shell: what would you with her? simple my master, sir, master slender, sent to her, seeing her go through the streets, to know, sir, whether one nym, sir, that beguiled him of a chain, had the chain or no. falstaff i spake with the old woman about it. simple and what says she, i pray, sir? falstaff marry, she says that the very same man that beguiled master slender of his chain cozened him of it. simple i would i could have spoken with the woman herself; i had other things to have spoken with her too from him. falstaff what are they? let us know. host ay, come; quick. simple i may not conceal them, sir. host conceal them, or thou diest. simple why, sir, they were nothing but about mistress anne page; to know if it were my master's fortune to have her or no. falstaff 'tis, 'tis his fortune. simple what, sir? falstaff to have her, or no. go; say the woman told me so. simple may i be bold to say so, sir? falstaff ay, sir; like who more bold. simple i thank your worship: i shall make my master glad with these tidings. [exit] host thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, sir john. was there a wise woman with thee? falstaff ay, that there was, mine host; one that hath taught me more wit than ever i learned before in my life; and i paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my learning. [enter bardolph] bardolph out, alas, sir! cozenage, mere cozenage! host where be my horses? speak well of them, varletto. bardolph run away with the cozeners; for so soon as i came beyond eton, they threw me off from behind one of them, in a slough of mire; and set spurs and away, like three german devils, three doctor faustuses. host they are gone but to meet the duke, villain: do not say they be fled; germans are honest men. [enter sir hugh evans] sir hugh evans where is mine host? host what is the matter, sir? sir hugh evans have a care of your entertainments: there is a friend of mine come to town tells me there is three cozen-germans that has cozened all the hosts of readins, of maidenhead, of colebrook, of horses and money. i tell you for good will, look you: you are wise and full of gibes and vlouting-stocks, and 'tis not convenient you should be cozened. fare you well. [exit] [enter doctor caius] doctor caius vere is mine host de jarteer? host here, master doctor, in perplexity and doubtful dilemma. doctor caius i cannot tell vat is dat: but it is tell-a me dat you make grand preparation for a duke de jamany: by my trot, dere is no duke dat the court is know to come. i tell you for good vill: adieu. [exit] host hue and cry, villain, go! assist me, knight. i am undone! fly, run, hue and cry, villain! i am undone! [exeunt host and bardolph] falstaff i would all the world might be cozened; for i have been cozened and beaten too. if it should come to the ear of the court, how i have been transformed and how my transformation hath been washed and cudgelled, they would melt me out of my fat drop by drop and liquor fishermen's boots with me; i warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till i were as crest-fallen as a dried pear. i never prospered since i forswore myself at primero. well, if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, i would repent. [enter mistress quickly] now, whence come you? mistress quickly from the two parties, forsooth. falstaff the devil take one party and his dam the other! and so they shall be both bestowed. i have suffered more for their sakes, more than the villanous inconstancy of man's disposition is able to bear. mistress quickly and have not they suffered? yes, i warrant; speciously one of them; mistress ford, good heart, is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a white spot about her. falstaff what tellest thou me of black and blue? i was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow; and i was like to be apprehended for the witch of brentford: but that my admirable dexterity of wit, my counterfeiting the action of an old woman, delivered me, the knave constable had set me i' the stocks, i' the common stocks, for a witch. mistress quickly sir, let me speak with you in your chamber: you shall hear how things go; and, i warrant, to your content. here is a letter will say somewhat. good hearts, what ado here is to bring you together! sure, one of you does not serve heaven well, that you are so crossed. falstaff come up into my chamber. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act iv scene vi another room in the garter inn. [enter fenton and host] host master fenton, talk not to me; my mind is heavy: i will give over all. fenton yet hear me speak. assist me in my purpose, and, as i am a gentleman, i'll give thee a hundred pound in gold more than your loss. host i will hear you, master fenton; and i will at the least keep your counsel. fenton from time to time i have acquainted you with the dear love i bear to fair anne page; who mutually hath answer'd my affection, so far forth as herself might be her chooser, even to my wish: i have a letter from her of such contents as you will wonder at; the mirth whereof so larded with my matter, that neither singly can be manifested, without the show of both; fat falstaff hath a great scene: the image of the jest i'll show you here at large. hark, good mine host. to-night at herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one, must my sweet nan present the fairy queen; the purpose why, is here: in which disguise, while other jests are something rank on foot, her father hath commanded her to slip away with slender and with him at eton immediately to marry: she hath consented: now, sir, her mother, ever strong against that match and firm for doctor caius, hath appointed that he shall likewise shuffle her away, while other sports are tasking of their minds, and at the deanery, where a priest attends, straight marry her: to this her mother's plot she seemingly obedient likewise hath made promise to the doctor. now, thus it rests: her father means she shall be all in white, and in that habit, when slender sees his time to take her by the hand and bid her go, she shall go with him: her mother hath intended, the better to denote her to the doctor, for they must all be mask'd and vizarded, that quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed, with ribands pendent, flaring 'bout her head; and when the doctor spies his vantage ripe, to pinch her by the hand, and, on that token, the maid hath given consent to go with him. host which means she to deceive, father or mother? fenton both, my good host, to go along with me: and here it rests, that you'll procure the vicar to stay for me at church 'twixt twelve and one, and, in the lawful name of marrying, to give our hearts united ceremony. host well, husband your device; i'll to the vicar: bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest. fenton so shall i evermore be bound to thee; besides, i'll make a present recompense. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act v scene i a room in the garter inn. [enter falstaff and mistress quickly] falstaff prithee, no more prattling; go. i'll hold. this is the third time; i hope good luck lies in odd numbers. away i go. they say there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death. away! mistress quickly i'll provide you a chain; and i'll do what i can to get you a pair of horns. falstaff away, i say; time wears: hold up your head, and mince. [exit mistress quickly] [enter ford] how now, master brook! master brook, the matter will be known to-night, or never. be you in the park about midnight, at herne's oak, and you shall see wonders. ford went you not to her yesterday, sir, as you told me you had appointed? falstaff i went to her, master brook, as you see, like a poor old man: but i came from her, master brook, like a poor old woman. that same knave ford, her husband, hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him, master brook, that ever governed frenzy. i will tell you: he beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman; for in the shape of man, master brook, i fear not goliath with a weaver's beam; because i know also life is a shuttle. i am in haste; go along with me: i'll tell you all, master brook. since i plucked geese, played truant and whipped top, i knew not what 'twas to be beaten till lately. follow me: i'll tell you strange things of this knave ford, on whom to-night i will be revenged, and i will deliver his wife into your hand. follow. strange things in hand, master brook! follow. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act v scene ii windsor park. [enter page, shallow, and slender] page come, come; we'll couch i' the castle-ditch till we see the light of our fairies. remember, son slender, my daughter. slender ay, forsooth; i have spoke with her and we have a nay-word how to know one another: i come to her in white, and cry 'mum;' she cries 'budget;' and by that we know one another. shallow that's good too: but what needs either your 'mum' or her 'budget?' the white will decipher her well enough. it hath struck ten o'clock. page the night is dark; light and spirits will become it well. heaven prosper our sport! no man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns. let's away; follow me. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act v scene iii a street leading to the park. [enter mistress page, mistress ford, and doctor caius] mistress page master doctor, my daughter is in green: when you see your time, take her by the band, away with her to the deanery, and dispatch it quickly. go before into the park: we two must go together. doctor caius i know vat i have to do. adieu. mistress page fare you well, sir. [exit doctor caius] my husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of falstaff as he will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter: but 'tis no matter; better a little chiding than a great deal of heart-break. mistress ford where is nan now and her troop of fairies, and the welsh devil hugh? mistress page they are all couched in a pit hard by herne's oak, with obscured lights; which, at the very instant of falstaff's and our meeting, they will at once display to the night. mistress ford that cannot choose but amaze him. mistress page if he be not amazed, he will be mocked; if he be amazed, he will every way be mocked. mistress ford we'll betray him finely. mistress page against such lewdsters and their lechery those that betray them do no treachery. mistress ford the hour draws on. to the oak, to the oak! [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act v scene iv windsor park. [enter sir hugh evans, disguised, with others as fairies] sir hugh evans trib, trib, fairies; come; and remember your parts: be pold, i pray you; follow me into the pit; and when i give the watch-'ords, do as i pid you: come, come; trib, trib. [exeunt] the merry wives of windsor act v scene v another part of the park. [enter falstaff disguised as herne] falstaff the windsor bell hath struck twelve; the minute draws on. now, the hot-blooded gods assist me! remember, jove, thou wast a bull for thy europa; love set on thy horns. o powerful love! that, in some respects, makes a beast a man, in some other, a man a beast. you were also, jupiter, a swan for the love of leda. o omnipotent love! how near the god drew to the complexion of a goose! a fault done first in the form of a beast. o jove, a beastly fault! and then another fault in the semblance of a fowl; think on 't, jove; a foul fault! when gods have hot backs, what shall poor men do? for me, i am here a windsor stag; and the fattest, i think, i' the forest. send me a cool rut-time, jove, or who can blame me to piss my tallow? who comes here? my doe? [enter mistress ford and mistress page] mistress ford sir john! art thou there, my deer? my male deer? falstaff my doe with the black scut! let the sky rain potatoes; let it thunder to the tune of green sleeves, hail kissing-comfits and snow eringoes; let there come a tempest of provocation, i will shelter me here. mistress ford mistress page is come with me, sweetheart. falstaff divide me like a bribe buck, each a haunch: i will keep my sides to myself, my shoulders for the fellow of this walk, and my horns i bequeath your husbands. am i a woodman, ha? speak i like herne the hunter? why, now is cupid a child of conscience; he makes restitution. as i am a true spirit, welcome! [noise within] mistress page alas, what noise? mistress ford heaven forgive our sins falstaff what should this be? mistress ford | | away, away! mistress page | [they run off] falstaff i think the devil will not have me damned, lest the oil that's in me should set hell on fire; he would never else cross me thus. [enter sir hugh evans, disguised as before; pistol, as hobgoblin; mistress quickly, anne page, and others, as fairies, with tapers] mistress quickly fairies, black, grey, green, and white, you moonshine revellers and shades of night, you orphan heirs of fixed destiny, attend your office and your quality. crier hobgoblin, make the fairy oyes. pistol elves, list your names; silence, you airy toys. cricket, to windsor chimneys shalt thou leap: where fires thou find'st unraked and hearths unswept, there pinch the maids as blue as bilberry: our radiant queen hates sluts and sluttery. falstaff they are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die: i'll wink and couch: no man their works must eye. [lies down upon his face] sir hugh evans where's bede? go you, and where you find a maid that, ere she sleep, has thrice her prayers said, raise up the organs of her fantasy; sleep she as sound as careless infancy: but those as sleep and think not on their sins, pinch them, arms, legs, backs, shoulders, sides and shins. mistress quickly about, about; search windsor castle, elves, within and out: strew good luck, ouphes, on every sacred room: that it may stand till the perpetual doom, in state as wholesome as in state 'tis fit, worthy the owner, and the owner it. the several chairs of order look you scour with juice of balm and every precious flower: each fair instalment, coat, and several crest, with loyal blazon, evermore be blest! and nightly, meadow-fairies, look you sing, like to the garter's compass, in a ring: the expressure that it bears, green let it be, more fertile-fresh than all the field to see; and 'honi soit qui mal y pense' write in emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue and white; let sapphire, pearl and rich embroidery, buckled below fair knighthood's bending knee: fairies use flowers for their charactery. away; disperse: but till 'tis one o'clock, our dance of custom round about the oak of herne the hunter, let us not forget. sir hugh evans pray you, lock hand in hand; yourselves in order set and twenty glow-worms shall our lanterns be, to guide our measure round about the tree. but, stay; i smell a man of middle-earth. falstaff heavens defend me from that welsh fairy, lest he transform me to a piece of cheese! pistol vile worm, thou wast o'erlook'd even in thy birth. mistress quickly with trial-fire touch me his finger-end: if he be chaste, the flame will back descend and turn him to no pain; but if he start, it is the flesh of a corrupted heart. pistol a trial, come. sir hugh evans come, will this wood take fire? [they burn him with their tapers] falstaff oh, oh, oh! mistress quickly corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire! about him, fairies; sing a scornful rhyme; and, as you trip, still pinch him to your time. song. fie on sinful fantasy! fie on lust and luxury! lust is but a bloody fire, kindled with unchaste desire, fed in heart, whose flames aspire as thoughts do blow them, higher and higher. pinch him, fairies, mutually; pinch him for his villany; pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about, till candles and starlight and moonshine be out. [during this song they pinch falstaff. doctor caius comes one way, and steals away a boy in green; slender another way, and takes off a boy in white; and fenton comes and steals away ann page. a noise of hunting is heard within. all the fairies run away. falstaff pulls off his buck's head, and rises] [enter page, ford, mistress page, and mistress ford] page nay, do not fly; i think we have watch'd you now will none but herne the hunter serve your turn? mistress page i pray you, come, hold up the jest no higher now, good sir john, how like you windsor wives? see you these, husband? do not these fair yokes become the forest better than the town? ford now, sir, who's a cuckold now? master brook, falstaff's a knave, a cuckoldly knave; here are his horns, master brook: and, master brook, he hath enjoyed nothing of ford's but his buck-basket, his cudgel, and twenty pounds of money, which must be paid to master brook; his horses are arrested for it, master brook. mistress ford sir john, we have had ill luck; we could never meet. i will never take you for my love again; but i will always count you my deer. falstaff i do begin to perceive that i am made an ass. ford ay, and an ox too: both the proofs are extant. falstaff and these are not fairies? i was three or four times in the thought they were not fairies: and yet the guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief, in despite of the teeth of all rhyme and reason, that they were fairies. see now how wit may be made a jack-a-lent, when 'tis upon ill employment! sir hugh evans sir john falstaff, serve got, and leave your desires, and fairies will not pinse you. ford well said, fairy hugh. sir hugh evans and leave your jealousies too, i pray you. ford i will never mistrust my wife again till thou art able to woo her in good english. falstaff have i laid my brain in the sun and dried it, that it wants matter to prevent so gross o'erreaching as this? am i ridden with a welsh goat too? shall i have a coxcomb of frize? 'tis time i were choked with a piece of toasted cheese. sir hugh evans seese is not good to give putter; your belly is all putter. falstaff 'seese' and 'putter'! have i lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of english? this is enough to be the decay of lust and late-walking through the realm. mistress page why sir john, do you think, though we would have the virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders and have given ourselves without scruple to hell, that ever the devil could have made you our delight? ford what, a hodge-pudding? a bag of flax? mistress page a puffed man? page old, cold, withered and of intolerable entrails? ford and one that is as slanderous as satan? page and as poor as job? ford and as wicked as his wife? sir hugh evans and given to fornications, and to taverns and sack and wine and metheglins, and to drinkings and swearings and starings, pribbles and prabbles? falstaff well, i am your theme: you have the start of me; i am dejected; i am not able to answer the welsh flannel; ignorance itself is a plummet o'er me: use me as you will. ford marry, sir, we'll bring you to windsor, to one master brook, that you have cozened of money, to whom you should have been a pander: over and above that you have suffered, i think to repay that money will be a biting affliction. page yet be cheerful, knight: thou shalt eat a posset to-night at my house; where i will desire thee to laugh at my wife, that now laughs at thee: tell her master slender hath married her daughter. mistress page [aside] doctors doubt that: if anne page be my daughter, she is, by this, doctor caius' wife. [enter slender] slender whoa ho! ho, father page! page son, how now! how now, son! have you dispatched? slender dispatched! i'll make the best in gloucestershire know on't; would i were hanged, la, else. page of what, son? slender i came yonder at eton to marry mistress anne page, and she's a great lubberly boy. if it had not been i' the church, i would have swinged him, or he should have swinged me. if i did not think it had been anne page, would i might never stir!--and 'tis a postmaster's boy. page upon my life, then, you took the wrong. slender what need you tell me that? i think so, when i took a boy for a girl. if i had been married to him, for all he was in woman's apparel, i would not have had him. page why, this is your own folly. did not i tell you how you should know my daughter by her garments? slender i went to her in white, and cried 'mum,' and she cried 'budget,' as anne and i had appointed; and yet it was not anne, but a postmaster's boy. mistress page good george, be not angry: i knew of your purpose; turned my daughter into green; and, indeed, she is now with the doctor at the deanery, and there married. [enter doctor caius] doctor caius vere is mistress page? by gar, i am cozened: i ha' married un garcon, a boy; un paysan, by gar, a boy; it is not anne page: by gar, i am cozened. mistress page why, did you take her in green? doctor caius ay, by gar, and 'tis a boy: by gar, i'll raise all windsor. [exit] ford this is strange. who hath got the right anne? page my heart misgives me: here comes master fenton. [enter fenton and anne page] how now, master fenton! anne page pardon, good father! good my mother, pardon! page now, mistress, how chance you went not with master slender? mistress page why went you not with master doctor, maid? fenton you do amaze her: hear the truth of it. you would have married her most shamefully, where there was no proportion held in love. the truth is, she and i, long since contracted, are now so sure that nothing can dissolve us. the offence is holy that she hath committed; and this deceit loses the name of craft, of disobedience, or unduteous title, since therein she doth evitate and shun a thousand irreligious cursed hours, which forced marriage would have brought upon her. ford stand not amazed; here is no remedy: in love the heavens themselves do guide the state; money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate. falstaff i am glad, though you have ta'en a special stand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced. page well, what remedy? fenton, heaven give thee joy! what cannot be eschew'd must be embraced. falstaff when night-dogs run, all sorts of deer are chased. mistress page well, i will muse no further. master fenton, heaven give you many, many merry days! good husband, let us every one go home, and laugh this sport o'er by a country fire; sir john and all. ford let it be so. sir john, to master brook you yet shall hold your word for he tonight shall lie with mistress ford. [exeunt] as you like it dramatis personae duke senior living in banishment. duke frederick his brother, an usurper of his dominions. amiens | | lords attending on the banished duke. jaques | le beau a courtier attending upon frederick. charles wrestler to frederick. oliver | | jaques (jaques de boys:) | sons of sir rowland de boys. | orlando | adam | | servants to oliver. dennis | touchstone a clown. sir oliver martext a vicar. corin | | shepherds. silvius | william a country fellow in love with audrey. a person representing hymen. (hymen:) rosalind daughter to the banished duke. celia daughter to frederick. phebe a shepherdess. audrey a country wench. lords, pages, and attendants, &c. (forester:) (a lord:) (first lord:) (second lord:) (first page:) (second page:) scene oliver's house; duke frederick's court; and the forest of arden. as you like it act i scene i orchard of oliver's house. [enter orlando and adam] orlando as i remember, adam, it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest, charged my brother, on his blessing, to breed me well: and there begins my sadness. my brother jaques he keeps at school, and report speaks goldenly of his profit: for my part, he keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept; for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth, that differs not from the stalling of an ox? his horses are bred better; for, besides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their manage, and to that end riders dearly hired: but i, his brother, gain nothing under him but growth; for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as i. besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me, the something that nature gave me his countenance seems to take from me: he lets me feed with his hinds, bars me the place of a brother, and, as much as in him lies, mines my gentility with my education. this is it, adam, that grieves me; and the spirit of my father, which i think is within me, begins to mutiny against this servitude: i will no longer endure it, though yet i know no wise remedy how to avoid it. adam yonder comes my master, your brother. orlando go apart, adam, and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up. [enter oliver] oliver now, sir! what make you here? orlando nothing: i am not taught to make any thing. oliver what mar you then, sir? orlando marry, sir, i am helping you to mar that which god made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness. oliver marry, sir, be better employed, and be naught awhile. orlando shall i keep your hogs and eat husks with them? what prodigal portion have i spent, that i should come to such penury? oliver know you where your are, sir? orlando o, sir, very well; here in your orchard. oliver know you before whom, sir? orlando ay, better than him i am before knows me. i know you are my eldest brother; and, in the gentle condition of blood, you should so know me. the courtesy of nations allows you my better, in that you are the first-born; but the same tradition takes not away my blood, were there twenty brothers betwixt us: i have as much of my father in me as you; albeit, i confess, your coming before me is nearer to his reverence. oliver what, boy! orlando come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this. oliver wilt thou lay hands on me, villain? orlando i am no villain; i am the youngest son of sir rowland de boys; he was my father, and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains. wert thou not my brother, i would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so: thou hast railed on thyself. adam sweet masters, be patient: for your father's remembrance, be at accord. oliver let me go, i say. orlando i will not, till i please: you shall hear me. my father charged you in his will to give me good education: you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities. the spirit of my father grows strong in me, and i will no longer endure it: therefore allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allottery my father left me by testament; with that i will go buy my fortunes. oliver and what wilt thou do? beg, when that is spent? well, sir, get you in: i will not long be troubled with you; you shall have some part of your will: i pray you, leave me. orlando i will no further offend you than becomes me for my good. oliver get you with him, you old dog. adam is 'old dog' my reward? most true, i have lost my teeth in your service. god be with my old master! he would not have spoke such a word. [exeunt orlando and adam] oliver is it even so? begin you to grow upon me? i will physic your rankness, and yet give no thousand crowns neither. holla, dennis! [enter dennis] dennis calls your worship? oliver was not charles, the duke's wrestler, here to speak with me? dennis so please you, he is here at the door and importunes access to you. oliver call him in. [exit dennis] 'twill be a good way; and to-morrow the wrestling is. [enter charles] charles good morrow to your worship. oliver good monsieur charles, what's the new news at the new court? charles there's no news at the court, sir, but the old news: that is, the old duke is banished by his younger brother the new duke; and three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich the new duke; therefore he gives them good leave to wander. oliver can you tell if rosalind, the duke's daughter, be banished with her father? charles o, no; for the duke's daughter, her cousin, so loves her, being ever from their cradles bred together, that she would have followed her exile, or have died to stay behind her. she is at the court, and no less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter; and never two ladies loved as they do. oliver where will the old duke live? charles they say he is already in the forest of arden, and a many merry men with him; and there they live like the old robin hood of england: they say many young gentlemen flock to him every day, and fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world. oliver what, you wrestle to-morrow before the new duke? charles marry, do i, sir; and i came to acquaint you with a matter. i am given, sir, secretly to understand that your younger brother orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall. to-morrow, sir, i wrestle for my credit; and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. your brother is but young and tender; and, for your love, i would be loath to foil him, as i must, for my own honour, if he come in: therefore, out of my love to you, i came hither to acquaint you withal, that either you might stay him from his intendment or brook such disgrace well as he shall run into, in that it is a thing of his own search and altogether against my will. oliver charles, i thank thee for thy love to me, which thou shalt find i will most kindly requite. i had myself notice of my brother's purpose herein and have by underhand means laboured to dissuade him from it, but he is resolute. i'll tell thee, charles: it is the stubbornest young fellow of france, full of ambition, an envious emulator of every man's good parts, a secret and villanous contriver against me his natural brother: therefore use thy discretion; i had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger. and thou wert best look to't; for if thou dost him any slight disgrace or if he do not mightily grace himself on thee, he will practise against thee by poison, entrap thee by some treacherous device and never leave thee till he hath ta'en thy life by some indirect means or other; for, i assure thee, and almost with tears i speak it, there is not one so young and so villanous this day living. i speak but brotherly of him; but should i anatomize him to thee as he is, i must blush and weep and thou must look pale and wonder. charles i am heartily glad i came hither to you. if he come to-morrow, i'll give him his payment: if ever he go alone again, i'll never wrestle for prize more: and so god keep your worship! oliver farewell, good charles. [exit charles] now will i stir this gamester: i hope i shall see an end of him; for my soul, yet i know not why, hates nothing more than he. yet he's gentle, never schooled and yet learned, full of noble device, of all sorts enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in the heart of the world, and especially of my own people, who best know him, that i am altogether misprised: but it shall not be so long; this wrestler shall clear all: nothing remains but that i kindle the boy thither; which now i'll go about. [exit] as you like it act i scene ii lawn before the duke's palace. [enter celia and rosalind] celia i pray thee, rosalind, sweet my coz, be merry. rosalind dear celia, i show more mirth than i am mistress of; and would you yet i were merrier? unless you could teach me to forget a banished father, you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure. celia herein i see thou lovest me not with the full weight that i love thee. if my uncle, thy banished father, had banished thy uncle, the duke my father, so thou hadst been still with me, i could have taught my love to take thy father for mine: so wouldst thou, if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered as mine is to thee. rosalind well, i will forget the condition of my estate, to rejoice in yours. celia you know my father hath no child but i, nor none is like to have: and, truly, when he dies, thou shalt be his heir, for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce, i will render thee again in affection; by mine honour, i will; and when i break that oath, let me turn monster: therefore, my sweet rose, my dear rose, be merry. rosalind from henceforth i will, coz, and devise sports. let me see; what think you of falling in love? celia marry, i prithee, do, to make sport withal: but love no man in good earnest; nor no further in sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again. rosalind what shall be our sport, then? celia let us sit and mock the good housewife fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally. rosalind i would we could do so, for her benefits are mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women. celia 'tis true; for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest, and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly. rosalind nay, now thou goest from fortune's office to nature's: fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of nature. [enter touchstone] celia no? when nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by fortune fall into the fire? though nature hath given us wit to flout at fortune, hath not fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument? rosalind indeed, there is fortune too hard for nature, when fortune makes nature's natural the cutter-off of nature's wit. celia peradventure this is not fortune's work neither, but nature's; who perceiveth our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses and hath sent this natural for our whetstone; for always the dulness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits. how now, wit! whither wander you? touchstone mistress, you must come away to your father. celia were you made the messenger? touchstone no, by mine honour, but i was bid to come for you. rosalind where learned you that oath, fool? touchstone of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes and swore by his honour the mustard was naught: now i'll stand to it, the pancakes were naught and the mustard was good, and yet was not the knight forsworn. celia how prove you that, in the great heap of your knowledge? rosalind ay, marry, now unmuzzle your wisdom. touchstone stand you both forth now: stroke your chins, and swear by your beards that i am a knave. celia by our beards, if we had them, thou art. touchstone by my knavery, if i had it, then i were; but if you swear by that that is not, you are not forsworn: no more was this knight swearing by his honour, for he never had any; or if he had, he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard. celia prithee, who is't that thou meanest? touchstone one that old frederick, your father, loves. celia my father's love is enough to honour him: enough! speak no more of him; you'll be whipped for taxation one of these days. touchstone the more pity, that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly. celia by my troth, thou sayest true; for since the little wit that fools have was silenced, the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show. here comes monsieur le beau. rosalind with his mouth full of news. celia which he will put on us, as pigeons feed their young. rosalind then shall we be news-crammed. celia all the better; we shall be the more marketable. [enter le beau] bon jour, monsieur le beau: what's the news? le beau fair princess, you have lost much good sport. celia sport! of what colour? le beau what colour, madam! how shall i answer you? rosalind as wit and fortune will. touchstone or as the destinies decree. celia well said: that was laid on with a trowel. touchstone nay, if i keep not my rank,- rosalind thou losest thy old smell. le beau you amaze me, ladies: i would have told you of good wrestling, which you have lost the sight of. rosalind you tell us the manner of the wrestling. le beau i will tell you the beginning; and, if it please your ladyships, you may see the end; for the best is yet to do; and here, where you are, they are coming to perform it. celia well, the beginning, that is dead and buried. le beau there comes an old man and his three sons,- celia i could match this beginning with an old tale. le beau three proper young men, of excellent growth and presence. rosalind with bills on their necks, 'be it known unto all men by these presents.' le beau the eldest of the three wrestled with charles, the duke's wrestler; which charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs, that there is little hope of life in him: so he served the second, and so the third. yonder they lie; the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping. rosalind alas! touchstone but what is the sport, monsieur, that the ladies have lost? le beau why, this that i speak of. touchstone thus men may grow wiser every day: it is the first time that ever i heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies. celia or i, i promise thee. rosalind but is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? shall we see this wrestling, cousin? le beau you must, if you stay here; for here is the place appointed for the wrestling, and they are ready to perform it. celia yonder, sure, they are coming: let us now stay and see it. [flourish. enter duke frederick, lords, orlando, charles, and attendants] duke frederick come on: since the youth will not be entreated, his own peril on his forwardness. rosalind is yonder the man? le beau even he, madam. celia alas, he is too young! yet he looks successfully. duke frederick how now, daughter and cousin! are you crept hither to see the wrestling? rosalind ay, my liege, so please you give us leave. duke frederick you will take little delight in it, i can tell you; there is such odds in the man. in pity of the challenger's youth i would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated. speak to him, ladies; see if you can move him. celia call him hither, good monsieur le beau. duke frederick do so: i'll not be by. le beau monsieur the challenger, the princesses call for you. orlando i attend them with all respect and duty. rosalind young man, have you challenged charles the wrestler? orlando no, fair princess; he is the general challenger: i come but in, as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth. celia young gentleman, your spirits are too bold for your years. you have seen cruel proof of this man's strength: if you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgment, the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. we pray you, for your own sake, to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt. rosalind do, young sir; your reputation shall not therefore be misprised: we will make it our suit to the duke that the wrestling might not go forward. orlando i beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts; wherein i confess me much guilty, to deny so fair and excellent ladies any thing. but let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial: wherein if i be foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious; if killed, but one dead that was willing to be so: i shall do my friends no wrong, for i have none to lament me, the world no injury, for in it i have nothing; only in the world i fill up a place, which may be better supplied when i have made it empty. rosalind the little strength that i have, i would it were with you. celia and mine, to eke out hers. rosalind fare you well: pray heaven i be deceived in you! celia your heart's desires be with you! charles come, where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth? orlando ready, sir; but his will hath in it a more modest working. duke frederick you shall try but one fall. charles no, i warrant your grace, you shall not entreat him to a second, that have so mightily persuaded him from a first. orlando an you mean to mock me after, you should not have mocked me before: but come your ways. rosalind now hercules be thy speed, young man! celia i would i were invisible, to catch the strong fellow by the leg. [they wrestle] rosalind o excellent young man! celia if i had a thunderbolt in mine eye, i can tell who should down. [shout. charles is thrown] duke frederick no more, no more. orlando yes, i beseech your grace: i am not yet well breathed. duke frederick how dost thou, charles? le beau he cannot speak, my lord. duke frederick bear him away. what is thy name, young man? orlando orlando, my liege; the youngest son of sir rowland de boys. duke frederick i would thou hadst been son to some man else: the world esteem'd thy father honourable, but i did find him still mine enemy: thou shouldst have better pleased me with this deed, hadst thou descended from another house. but fare thee well; thou art a gallant youth: i would thou hadst told me of another father. [exeunt duke frederick, train, and le beau] celia were i my father, coz, would i do this? orlando i am more proud to be sir rowland's son, his youngest son; and would not change that calling, to be adopted heir to frederick. rosalind my father loved sir rowland as his soul, and all the world was of my father's mind: had i before known this young man his son, i should have given him tears unto entreaties, ere he should thus have ventured. celia gentle cousin, let us go thank him and encourage him: my father's rough and envious disposition sticks me at heart. sir, you have well deserved: if you do keep your promises in love but justly, as you have exceeded all promise, your mistress shall be happy. rosalind gentleman, [giving him a chain from her neck] wear this for me, one out of suits with fortune, that could give more, but that her hand lacks means. shall we go, coz? celia ay. fare you well, fair gentleman. orlando can i not say, i thank you? my better parts are all thrown down, and that which here stands up is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block. rosalind he calls us back: my pride fell with my fortunes; i'll ask him what he would. did you call, sir? sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown more than your enemies. celia will you go, coz? rosalind have with you. fare you well. [exeunt rosalind and celia] orlando what passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? i cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference. o poor orlando, thou art overthrown! or charles or something weaker masters thee. [re-enter le beau] le beau good sir, i do in friendship counsel you to leave this place. albeit you have deserved high commendation, true applause and love, yet such is now the duke's condition that he misconstrues all that you have done. the duke is humorous; what he is indeed, more suits you to conceive than i to speak of. orlando i thank you, sir: and, pray you, tell me this: which of the two was daughter of the duke that here was at the wrestling? le beau neither his daughter, if we judge by manners; but yet indeed the lesser is his daughter the other is daughter to the banish'd duke, and here detain'd by her usurping uncle, to keep his daughter company; whose loves are dearer than the natural bond of sisters. but i can tell you that of late this duke hath ta'en displeasure 'gainst his gentle niece, grounded upon no other argument but that the people praise her for her virtues and pity her for her good father's sake; and, on my life, his malice 'gainst the lady will suddenly break forth. sir, fare you well: hereafter, in a better world than this, i shall desire more love and knowledge of you. orlando i rest much bounden to you: fare you well. [exit le beau] thus must i from the smoke into the smother; from tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother: but heavenly rosalind! [exit] as you like it act i scene iii a room in the palace. [enter celia and rosalind] celia why, cousin! why, rosalind! cupid have mercy! not a word? rosalind not one to throw at a dog. celia no, thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs; throw some of them at me; come, lame me with reasons. rosalind then there were two cousins laid up; when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other mad without any. celia but is all this for your father? rosalind no, some of it is for my child's father. o, how full of briers is this working-day world! celia they are but burs, cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday foolery: if we walk not in the trodden paths our very petticoats will catch them. rosalind i could shake them off my coat: these burs are in my heart. celia hem them away. rosalind i would try, if i could cry 'hem' and have him. celia come, come, wrestle with thy affections. rosalind o, they take the part of a better wrestler than myself! celia o, a good wish upon you! you will try in time, in despite of a fall. but, turning these jests out of service, let us talk in good earnest: is it possible, on such a sudden, you should fall into so strong a liking with old sir rowland's youngest son? rosalind the duke my father loved his father dearly. celia doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly? by this kind of chase, i should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly; yet i hate not orlando. rosalind no, faith, hate him not, for my sake. celia why should i not? doth he not deserve well? rosalind let me love him for that, and do you love him because i do. look, here comes the duke. celia with his eyes full of anger. [enter duke frederick, with lords] duke frederick mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste and get you from our court. rosalind me, uncle? duke frederick you, cousin within these ten days if that thou be'st found so near our public court as twenty miles, thou diest for it. rosalind i do beseech your grace, let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me: if with myself i hold intelligence or have acquaintance with mine own desires, if that i do not dream or be not frantic,- as i do trust i am not--then, dear uncle, never so much as in a thought unborn did i offend your highness. duke frederick thus do all traitors: if their purgation did consist in words, they are as innocent as grace itself: let it suffice thee that i trust thee not. rosalind yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor: tell me whereon the likelihood depends. duke frederick thou art thy father's daughter; there's enough. rosalind so was i when your highness took his dukedom; so was i when your highness banish'd him: treason is not inherited, my lord; or, if we did derive it from our friends, what's that to me? my father was no traitor: then, good my liege, mistake me not so much to think my poverty is treacherous. celia dear sovereign, hear me speak. duke frederick ay, celia; we stay'd her for your sake, else had she with her father ranged along. celia i did not then entreat to have her stay; it was your pleasure and your own remorse: i was too young that time to value her; but now i know her: if she be a traitor, why so am i; we still have slept together, rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together, and wheresoever we went, like juno's swans, still we went coupled and inseparable. duke frederick she is too subtle for thee; and her smoothness, her very silence and her patience speak to the people, and they pity her. thou art a fool: she robs thee of thy name; and thou wilt show more bright and seem more virtuous when she is gone. then open not thy lips: firm and irrevocable is my doom which i have pass'd upon her; she is banish'd. celia pronounce that sentence then on me, my liege: i cannot live out of her company. duke frederick you are a fool. you, niece, provide yourself: if you outstay the time, upon mine honour, and in the greatness of my word, you die. [exeunt duke frederick and lords] celia o my poor rosalind, whither wilt thou go? wilt thou change fathers? i will give thee mine. i charge thee, be not thou more grieved than i am. rosalind i have more cause. celia thou hast not, cousin; prithee be cheerful: know'st thou not, the duke hath banish'd me, his daughter? rosalind that he hath not. celia no, hath not? rosalind lacks then the love which teacheth thee that thou and i am one: shall we be sunder'd? shall we part, sweet girl? no: let my father seek another heir. therefore devise with me how we may fly, whither to go and what to bear with us; and do not seek to take your change upon you, to bear your griefs yourself and leave me out; for, by this heaven, now at our sorrows pale, say what thou canst, i'll go along with thee. rosalind why, whither shall we go? celia to seek my uncle in the forest of arden. rosalind alas, what danger will it be to us, maids as we are, to travel forth so far! beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold. celia i'll put myself in poor and mean attire and with a kind of umber smirch my face; the like do you: so shall we pass along and never stir assailants. rosalind were it not better, because that i am more than common tall, that i did suit me all points like a man? a gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, a boar-spear in my hand; and--in my heart lie there what hidden woman's fear there will- we'll have a swashing and a martial outside, as many other mannish cowards have that do outface it with their semblances. celia what shall i call thee when thou art a man? rosalind i'll have no worse a name than jove's own page; and therefore look you call me ganymede. but what will you be call'd? celia something that hath a reference to my state no longer celia, but aliena. rosalind but, cousin, what if we assay'd to steal the clownish fool out of your father's court? would he not be a comfort to our travel? celia he'll go along o'er the wide world with me; leave me alone to woo him. let's away, and get our jewels and our wealth together, devise the fittest time and safest way to hide us from pursuit that will be made after my flight. now go we in content to liberty and not to banishment. [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene i the forest of arden. [enter duke senior, amiens, and two or three lords, like foresters] duke senior now, my co-mates and brothers in exile, hath not old custom made this life more sweet than that of painted pomp? are not these woods more free from peril than the envious court? here feel we but the penalty of adam, the seasons' difference, as the icy fang and churlish chiding of the winter's wind, which, when it bites and blows upon my body, even till i shrink with cold, i smile and say 'this is no flattery: these are counsellors that feelingly persuade me what i am.' sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life exempt from public haunt finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in every thing. i would not change it. amiens happy is your grace, that can translate the stubbornness of fortune into so quiet and so sweet a style. duke senior come, shall we go and kill us venison? and yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, being native burghers of this desert city, should in their own confines with forked heads have their round haunches gored. first lord indeed, my lord, the melancholy jaques grieves at that, and, in that kind, swears you do more usurp than doth your brother that hath banish'd you. to-day my lord of amiens and myself did steal behind him as he lay along under an oak whose antique root peeps out upon the brook that brawls along this wood: to the which place a poor sequester'd stag, that from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt, did come to languish, and indeed, my lord, the wretched animal heaved forth such groans that their discharge did stretch his leathern coat almost to bursting, and the big round tears coursed one another down his innocent nose in piteous chase; and thus the hairy fool much marked of the melancholy jaques, stood on the extremest verge of the swift brook, augmenting it with tears. duke senior but what said jaques? did he not moralize this spectacle? first lord o, yes, into a thousand similes. first, for his weeping into the needless stream; 'poor deer,' quoth he, 'thou makest a testament as worldlings do, giving thy sum of more to that which had too much:' then, being there alone, left and abandon'd of his velvet friends, ''tis right:' quoth he; 'thus misery doth part the flux of company:' anon a careless herd, full of the pasture, jumps along by him and never stays to greet him; 'ay' quoth jaques, 'sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens; 'tis just the fashion: wherefore do you look upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?' thus most invectively he pierceth through the body of the country, city, court, yea, and of this our life, swearing that we are mere usurpers, tyrants and what's worse, to fright the animals and to kill them up in their assign'd and native dwelling-place. duke senior and did you leave him in this contemplation? second lord we did, my lord, weeping and commenting upon the sobbing deer. duke senior show me the place: i love to cope him in these sullen fits, for then he's full of matter. first lord i'll bring you to him straight. [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene ii a room in the palace. [enter duke frederick, with lords] duke frederick can it be possible that no man saw them? it cannot be: some villains of my court are of consent and sufferance in this. first lord i cannot hear of any that did see her. the ladies, her attendants of her chamber, saw her abed, and in the morning early they found the bed untreasured of their mistress. second lord my lord, the roynish clown, at whom so oft your grace was wont to laugh, is also missing. hisperia, the princess' gentlewoman, confesses that she secretly o'erheard your daughter and her cousin much commend the parts and graces of the wrestler that did but lately foil the sinewy charles; and she believes, wherever they are gone, that youth is surely in their company. duke frederick send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither; if he be absent, bring his brother to me; i'll make him find him: do this suddenly, and let not search and inquisition quail to bring again these foolish runaways. [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene iii before oliver's house. [enter orlando and adam, meeting] orlando who's there? adam what, my young master? o, my gentle master! o my sweet master! o you memory of old sir rowland! why, what make you here? why are you virtuous? why do people love you? and wherefore are you gentle, strong and valiant? why would you be so fond to overcome the bonny priser of the humorous duke? your praise is come too swiftly home before you. know you not, master, to some kind of men their graces serve them but as enemies? no more do yours: your virtues, gentle master, are sanctified and holy traitors to you. o, what a world is this, when what is comely envenoms him that bears it! orlando why, what's the matter? adam o unhappy youth! come not within these doors; within this roof the enemy of all your graces lives: your brother--no, no brother; yet the son- yet not the son, i will not call him son of him i was about to call his father- hath heard your praises, and this night he means to burn the lodging where you use to lie and you within it: if he fail of that, he will have other means to cut you off. i overheard him and his practises. this is no place; this house is but a butchery: abhor it, fear it, do not enter it. orlando why, whither, adam, wouldst thou have me go? adam no matter whither, so you come not here. orlando what, wouldst thou have me go and beg my food? or with a base and boisterous sword enforce a thievish living on the common road? this i must do, or know not what to do: yet this i will not do, do how i can; i rather will subject me to the malice of a diverted blood and bloody brother. adam but do not so. i have five hundred crowns, the thrifty hire i saved under your father, which i did store to be my foster-nurse when service should in my old limbs lie lame and unregarded age in corners thrown: take that, and he that doth the ravens feed, yea, providently caters for the sparrow, be comfort to my age! here is the gold; and all this i give you. let me be your servant: though i look old, yet i am strong and lusty; for in my youth i never did apply hot and rebellious liquors in my blood, nor did not with unbashful forehead woo the means of weakness and debility; therefore my age is as a lusty winter, frosty, but kindly: let me go with you; i'll do the service of a younger man in all your business and necessities. orlando o good old man, how well in thee appears the constant service of the antique world, when service sweat for duty, not for meed! thou art not for the fashion of these times, where none will sweat but for promotion, and having that, do choke their service up even with the having: it is not so with thee. but, poor old man, thou prunest a rotten tree, that cannot so much as a blossom yield in lieu of all thy pains and husbandry but come thy ways; well go along together, and ere we have thy youthful wages spent, we'll light upon some settled low content. adam master, go on, and i will follow thee, to the last gasp, with truth and loyalty. from seventeen years till now almost fourscore here lived i, but now live here no more. at seventeen years many their fortunes seek; but at fourscore it is too late a week: yet fortune cannot recompense me better than to die well and not my master's debtor. [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene iv the forest of arden. [enter rosalind for ganymede, celia for aliena, and touchstone] rosalind o jupiter, how weary are my spirits! touchstone i care not for my spirits, if my legs were not weary. rosalind i could find in my heart to disgrace my man's apparel and to cry like a woman; but i must comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat: therefore courage, good aliena! celia i pray you, bear with me; i cannot go no further. touchstone for my part, i had rather bear with you than bear you; yet i should bear no cross if i did bear you, for i think you have no money in your purse. rosalind well, this is the forest of arden. touchstone ay, now am i in arden; the more fool i; when i was at home, i was in a better place: but travellers must be content. rosalind ay, be so, good touchstone. [enter corin and silvius] look you, who comes here; a young man and an old in solemn talk. corin that is the way to make her scorn you still. silvius o corin, that thou knew'st how i do love her! corin i partly guess; for i have loved ere now. silvius no, corin, being old, thou canst not guess, though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover as ever sigh'd upon a midnight pillow: but if thy love were ever like to mine- as sure i think did never man love so- how many actions most ridiculous hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy? corin into a thousand that i have forgotten. silvius o, thou didst then ne'er love so heartily! if thou remember'st not the slightest folly that ever love did make thee run into, thou hast not loved: or if thou hast not sat as i do now, wearying thy hearer in thy mistress' praise, thou hast not loved: or if thou hast not broke from company abruptly, as my passion now makes me, thou hast not loved. o phebe, phebe, phebe! [exit] rosalind alas, poor shepherd! searching of thy wound, i have by hard adventure found mine own. touchstone and i mine. i remember, when i was in love i broke my sword upon a stone and bid him take that for coming a-night to jane smile; and i remember the kissing of her batlet and the cow's dugs that her pretty chopt hands had milked; and i remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her, from whom i took two cods and, giving her them again, said with weeping tears 'wear these for my sake.' we that are true lovers run into strange capers; but as all is mortal in nature, so is all nature in love mortal in folly. rosalind thou speakest wiser than thou art ware of. touchstone nay, i shall ne'er be ware of mine own wit till i break my shins against it. rosalind jove, jove! this shepherd's passion is much upon my fashion. touchstone and mine; but it grows something stale with me. celia i pray you, one of you question yond man if he for gold will give us any food: i faint almost to death. touchstone holla, you clown! rosalind peace, fool: he's not thy kinsman. corin who calls? touchstone your betters, sir. corin else are they very wretched. rosalind peace, i say. good even to you, friend. corin and to you, gentle sir, and to you all. rosalind i prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold can in this desert place buy entertainment, bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed: here's a young maid with travel much oppress'd and faints for succor. corin fair sir, i pity her and wish, for her sake more than for mine own, my fortunes were more able to relieve her; but i am shepherd to another man and do not shear the fleeces that i graze: my master is of churlish disposition and little recks to find the way to heaven by doing deeds of hospitality: besides, his cote, his flocks and bounds of feed are now on sale, and at our sheepcote now, by reason of his absence, there is nothing that you will feed on; but what is, come see. and in my voice most welcome shall you be. rosalind what is he that shall buy his flock and pasture? corin that young swain that you saw here but erewhile, that little cares for buying any thing. rosalind i pray thee, if it stand with honesty, buy thou the cottage, pasture and the flock, and thou shalt have to pay for it of us. celia and we will mend thy wages. i like this place. and willingly could waste my time in it. corin assuredly the thing is to be sold: go with me: if you like upon report the soil, the profit and this kind of life, i will your very faithful feeder be and buy it with your gold right suddenly. [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene v the forest. [enter amiens, jaques, and others] song. amiens under the greenwood tree who loves to lie with me, and turn his merry note unto the sweet bird's throat, come hither, come hither, come hither: here shall he see no enemy but winter and rough weather. jaques more, more, i prithee, more. amiens it will make you melancholy, monsieur jaques. jaques i thank it. more, i prithee, more. i can suck melancholy out of a song, as a weasel sucks eggs. more, i prithee, more. amiens my voice is ragged: i know i cannot please you. jaques i do not desire you to please me; i do desire you to sing. come, more; another stanzo: call you 'em stanzos? amiens what you will, monsieur jaques. jaques nay, i care not for their names; they owe me nothing. will you sing? amiens more at your request than to please myself. jaques well then, if ever i thank any man, i'll thank you; but that they call compliment is like the encounter of two dog-apes, and when a man thanks me heartily, methinks i have given him a penny and he renders me the beggarly thanks. come, sing; and you that will not, hold your tongues. amiens well, i'll end the song. sirs, cover the while; the duke will drink under this tree. he hath been all this day to look you. jaques and i have been all this day to avoid him. he is too disputable for my company: i think of as many matters as he, but i give heaven thanks and make no boast of them. come, warble, come. song. who doth ambition shun [all together here] and loves to live i' the sun, seeking the food he eats and pleased with what he gets, come hither, come hither, come hither: here shall he see no enemy but winter and rough weather. jaques i'll give you a verse to this note that i made yesterday in despite of my invention. amiens and i'll sing it. jaques thus it goes:- if it do come to pass that any man turn ass, leaving his wealth and ease, a stubborn will to please, ducdame, ducdame, ducdame: here shall he see gross fools as he, an if he will come to me. amiens what's that 'ducdame'? jaques 'tis a greek invocation, to call fools into a circle. i'll go sleep, if i can; if i cannot, i'll rail against all the first-born of egypt. amiens and i'll go seek the duke: his banquet is prepared. [exeunt severally] as you like it act ii scene vi the forest. [enter orlando and adam] adam dear master, i can go no further. o, i die for food! here lie i down, and measure out my grave. farewell, kind master. orlando why, how now, adam! no greater heart in thee? live a little; comfort a little; cheer thyself a little. if this uncouth forest yield any thing savage, i will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee. thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. for my sake be comfortable; hold death awhile at the arm's end: i will here be with thee presently; and if i bring thee not something to eat, i will give thee leave to die: but if thou diest before i come, thou art a mocker of my labour. well said! thou lookest cheerly, and i'll be with thee quickly. yet thou liest in the bleak air: come, i will bear thee to some shelter; and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner, if there live any thing in this desert. cheerly, good adam! [exeunt] as you like it act ii scene vii the forest. [a table set out. enter duke senior, amiens, and lords like outlaws] duke senior i think he be transform'd into a beast; for i can no where find him like a man. first lord my lord, he is but even now gone hence: here was he merry, hearing of a song. duke senior if he, compact of jars, grow musical, we shall have shortly discord in the spheres. go, seek him: tell him i would speak with him. [enter jaques] first lord he saves my labour by his own approach. duke senior why, how now, monsieur! what a life is this, that your poor friends must woo your company? what, you look merrily! jaques a fool, a fool! i met a fool i' the forest, a motley fool; a miserable world! as i do live by food, i met a fool who laid him down and bask'd him in the sun, and rail'd on lady fortune in good terms, in good set terms and yet a motley fool. 'good morrow, fool,' quoth i. 'no, sir,' quoth he, 'call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune:' and then he drew a dial from his poke, and, looking on it with lack-lustre eye, says very wisely, 'it is ten o'clock: thus we may see,' quoth he, 'how the world wags: 'tis but an hour ago since it was nine, and after one hour more 'twill be eleven; and so, from hour to hour, we ripe and ripe, and then, from hour to hour, we rot and rot; and thereby hangs a tale.' when i did hear the motley fool thus moral on the time, my lungs began to crow like chanticleer, that fools should be so deep-contemplative, and i did laugh sans intermission an hour by his dial. o noble fool! a worthy fool! motley's the only wear. duke senior what fool is this? jaques o worthy fool! one that hath been a courtier, and says, if ladies be but young and fair, they have the gift to know it: and in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms. o that i were a fool! i am ambitious for a motley coat. duke senior thou shalt have one. jaques it is my only suit; provided that you weed your better judgments of all opinion that grows rank in them that i am wise. i must have liberty withal, as large a charter as the wind, to blow on whom i please; for so fools have; and they that are most galled with my folly, they most must laugh. and why, sir, must they so? the 'why' is plain as way to parish church: he that a fool doth very wisely hit doth very foolishly, although he smart, not to seem senseless of the bob: if not, the wise man's folly is anatomized even by the squandering glances of the fool. invest me in my motley; give me leave to speak my mind, and i will through and through cleanse the foul body of the infected world, if they will patiently receive my medicine. duke senior fie on thee! i can tell what thou wouldst do. jaques what, for a counter, would i do but good? duke senior most mischievous foul sin, in chiding sin: for thou thyself hast been a libertine, as sensual as the brutish sting itself; and all the embossed sores and headed evils, that thou with licence of free foot hast caught, wouldst thou disgorge into the general world. jaques why, who cries out on pride, that can therein tax any private party? doth it not flow as hugely as the sea, till that the weary very means do ebb? what woman in the city do i name, when that i say the city-woman bears the cost of princes on unworthy shoulders? who can come in and say that i mean her, when such a one as she such is her neighbour? or what is he of basest function that says his bravery is not of my cost, thinking that i mean him, but therein suits his folly to the mettle of my speech? there then; how then? what then? let me see wherein my tongue hath wrong'd him: if it do him right, then he hath wrong'd himself; if he be free, why then my taxing like a wild-goose flies, unclaim'd of any man. but who comes here? [enter orlando, with his sword drawn] orlando forbear, and eat no more. jaques why, i have eat none yet. orlando nor shalt not, till necessity be served. jaques of what kind should this cock come of? duke senior art thou thus bolden'd, man, by thy distress, or else a rude despiser of good manners, that in civility thou seem'st so empty? orlando you touch'd my vein at first: the thorny point of bare distress hath ta'en from me the show of smooth civility: yet am i inland bred and know some nurture. but forbear, i say: he dies that touches any of this fruit till i and my affairs are answered. jaques an you will not be answered with reason, i must die. duke senior what would you have? your gentleness shall force more than your force move us to gentleness. orlando i almost die for food; and let me have it. duke senior sit down and feed, and welcome to our table. orlando speak you so gently? pardon me, i pray you: i thought that all things had been savage here; and therefore put i on the countenance of stern commandment. but whate'er you are that in this desert inaccessible, under the shade of melancholy boughs, lose and neglect the creeping hours of time if ever you have look'd on better days, if ever been where bells have knoll'd to church, if ever sat at any good man's feast, if ever from your eyelids wiped a tear and know what 'tis to pity and be pitied, let gentleness my strong enforcement be: in the which hope i blush, and hide my sword. duke senior true is it that we have seen better days, and have with holy bell been knoll'd to church and sat at good men's feasts and wiped our eyes of drops that sacred pity hath engender'd: and therefore sit you down in gentleness and take upon command what help we have that to your wanting may be minister'd. orlando then but forbear your food a little while, whiles, like a doe, i go to find my fawn and give it food. there is an old poor man, who after me hath many a weary step limp'd in pure love: till he be first sufficed, oppress'd with two weak evils, age and hunger, i will not touch a bit. duke senior go find him out, and we will nothing waste till you return. orlando i thank ye; and be blest for your good comfort! [exit] duke senior thou seest we are not all alone unhappy: this wide and universal theatre presents more woeful pageants than the scene wherein we play in. jaques all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. at first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. and then the whining school-boy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school. and then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress' eyebrow. then a soldier, full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth. and then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lined, with eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances; and so he plays his part. the sixth age shifts into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, with spectacles on nose and pouch on side, his youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide for his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, turning again toward childish treble, pipes and whistles in his sound. last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. [re-enter orlando, with adam] duke senior welcome. set down your venerable burthen, and let him feed. orlando i thank you most for him. adam so had you need: i scarce can speak to thank you for myself. duke senior welcome; fall to: i will not trouble you as yet, to question you about your fortunes. give us some music; and, good cousin, sing. song. amiens blow, blow, thou winter wind. thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude; thy tooth is not so keen, because thou art not seen, although thy breath be rude. heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly: most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly: then, heigh-ho, the holly! this life is most jolly. freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, that dost not bite so nigh as benefits forgot: though thou the waters warp, thy sting is not so sharp as friend remember'd not. heigh-ho! sing, &c. duke senior if that you were the good sir rowland's son, as you have whisper'd faithfully you were, and as mine eye doth his effigies witness most truly limn'd and living in your face, be truly welcome hither: i am the duke that loved your father: the residue of your fortune, go to my cave and tell me. good old man, thou art right welcome as thy master is. support him by the arm. give me your hand, and let me all your fortunes understand. [exeunt] as you like it act iii scene i a room in the palace. [enter duke frederick, lords, and oliver] duke frederick not see him since? sir, sir, that cannot be: but were i not the better part made mercy, i should not seek an absent argument of my revenge, thou present. but look to it: find out thy brother, wheresoe'er he is; seek him with candle; bring him dead or living within this twelvemonth, or turn thou no more to seek a living in our territory. thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine worth seizure do we seize into our hands, till thou canst quit thee by thy brothers mouth of what we think against thee. oliver o that your highness knew my heart in this! i never loved my brother in my life. duke frederick more villain thou. well, push him out of doors; and let my officers of such a nature make an extent upon his house and lands: do this expediently and turn him going. [exeunt] as you like it act iii scene ii the forest. [enter orlando, with a paper] orlando hang there, my verse, in witness of my love: and thou, thrice-crowned queen of night, survey with thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above, thy huntress' name that my full life doth sway. o rosalind! these trees shall be my books and in their barks my thoughts i'll character; that every eye which in this forest looks shall see thy virtue witness'd every where. run, run, orlando; carve on every tree the fair, the chaste and unexpressive she. [exit] [enter corin and touchstone] corin and how like you this shepherd's life, master touchstone? touchstone truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a good life, but in respect that it is a shepherd's life, it is naught. in respect that it is solitary, i like it very well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile life. now, in respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth me well; but in respect it is not in the court, it is tedious. as is it a spare life, look you, it fits my humour well; but as there is no more plenty in it, it goes much against my stomach. hast any philosophy in thee, shepherd? corin no more but that i know the more one sickens the worse at ease he is; and that he that wants money, means and content is without three good friends; that the property of rain is to wet and fire to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep, and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun; that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred. touchstone such a one is a natural philosopher. wast ever in court, shepherd? corin no, truly. touchstone then thou art damned. corin nay, i hope. touchstone truly, thou art damned like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side. corin for not being at court? your reason. touchstone why, if thou never wast at court, thou never sawest good manners; if thou never sawest good manners, then thy manners must be wicked; and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. thou art in a parlous state, shepherd. corin not a whit, touchstone: those that are good manners at the court are as ridiculous in the country as the behavior of the country is most mockable at the court. you told me you salute not at the court, but you kiss your hands: that courtesy would be uncleanly, if courtiers were shepherds. touchstone instance, briefly; come, instance. corin why, we are still handling our ewes, and their fells, you know, are greasy. touchstone why, do not your courtier's hands sweat? and is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man? shallow, shallow. a better instance, i say; come. corin besides, our hands are hard. touchstone your lips will feel them the sooner. shallow again. a more sounder instance, come. corin and they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep: and would you have us kiss tar? the courtier's hands are perfumed with civet. touchstone most shallow man! thou worms-meat, in respect of a good piece of flesh indeed! learn of the wise, and perpend: civet is of a baser birth than tar, the very uncleanly flux of a cat. mend the instance, shepherd. corin you have too courtly a wit for me: i'll rest. touchstone wilt thou rest damned? god help thee, shallow man! god make incision in thee! thou art raw. corin sir, i am a true labourer: i earn that i eat, get that i wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness, glad of other men's good, content with my harm, and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck. touchstone that is another simple sin in you, to bring the ewes and the rams together and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle; to be bawd to a bell-wether, and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to a crooked-pated, old, cuckoldly ram, out of all reasonable match. if thou beest not damned for this, the devil himself will have no shepherds; i cannot see else how thou shouldst 'scape. corin here comes young master ganymede, my new mistress's brother. [enter rosalind, with a paper, reading] rosalind from the east to western ind, no jewel is like rosalind. her worth, being mounted on the wind, through all the world bears rosalind. all the pictures fairest lined are but black to rosalind. let no fair be kept in mind but the fair of rosalind. touchstone i'll rhyme you so eight years together, dinners and suppers and sleeping-hours excepted: it is the right butter-women's rank to market. rosalind out, fool! touchstone for a taste: if a hart do lack a hind, let him seek out rosalind. if the cat will after kind, so be sure will rosalind. winter garments must be lined, so must slender rosalind. they that reap must sheaf and bind; then to cart with rosalind. sweetest nut hath sourest rind, such a nut is rosalind. he that sweetest rose will find must find love's prick and rosalind. this is the very false gallop of verses: why do you infect yourself with them? rosalind peace, you dull fool! i found them on a tree. touchstone truly, the tree yields bad fruit. rosalind i'll graff it with you, and then i shall graff it with a medlar: then it will be the earliest fruit i' the country; for you'll be rotten ere you be half ripe, and that's the right virtue of the medlar. touchstone you have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge. [enter celia, with a writing] rosalind peace! here comes my sister, reading: stand aside. celia [reads] why should this a desert be? for it is unpeopled? no: tongues i'll hang on every tree, that shall civil sayings show: some, how brief the life of man runs his erring pilgrimage, that the stretching of a span buckles in his sum of age; some, of violated vows 'twixt the souls of friend and friend: but upon the fairest boughs, or at every sentence end, will i rosalinda write, teaching all that read to know the quintessence of every sprite heaven would in little show. therefore heaven nature charged that one body should be fill'd with all graces wide-enlarged: nature presently distill'd helen's cheek, but not her heart, cleopatra's majesty, atalanta's better part, sad lucretia's modesty. thus rosalind of many parts by heavenly synod was devised, of many faces, eyes and hearts, to have the touches dearest prized. heaven would that she these gifts should have, and i to live and die her slave. rosalind o most gentle pulpiter! what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal, and never cried 'have patience, good people!' celia how now! back, friends! shepherd, go off a little. go with him, sirrah. touchstone come, shepherd, let us make an honourable retreat; though not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage. [exeunt corin and touchstone] celia didst thou hear these verses? rosalind o, yes, i heard them all, and more too; for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear. celia that's no matter: the feet might bear the verses. rosalind ay, but the feet were lame and could not bear themselves without the verse and therefore stood lamely in the verse. celia but didst thou hear without wondering how thy name should be hanged and carved upon these trees? rosalind i was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for look here what i found on a palm-tree. i was never so be-rhymed since pythagoras' time, that i was an irish rat, which i can hardly remember. celia trow you who hath done this? rosalind is it a man? celia and a chain, that you once wore, about his neck. change you colour? rosalind i prithee, who? celia o lord, lord! it is a hard matter for friends to meet; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter. rosalind nay, but who is it? celia is it possible? rosalind nay, i prithee now with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who it is. celia o wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all hooping! rosalind good my complexion! dost thou think, though i am caparisoned like a man, i have a doublet and hose in my disposition? one inch of delay more is a south-sea of discovery; i prithee, tell me who is it quickly, and speak apace. i would thou couldst stammer, that thou mightst pour this concealed man out of thy mouth, as wine comes out of a narrow mouthed bottle, either too much at once, or none at all. i prithee, take the cork out of thy mouth that may drink thy tidings. celia so you may put a man in your belly. rosalind is he of god's making? what manner of man? is his head worth a hat, or his chin worth a beard? celia nay, he hath but a little beard. rosalind why, god will send more, if the man will be thankful: let me stay the growth of his beard, if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin. celia it is young orlando, that tripped up the wrestler's heels and your heart both in an instant. rosalind nay, but the devil take mocking: speak, sad brow and true maid. celia i' faith, coz, 'tis he. rosalind orlando? celia orlando. rosalind alas the day! what shall i do with my doublet and hose? what did he when thou sawest him? what said he? how looked he? wherein went he? what makes him here? did he ask for me? where remains he? how parted he with thee? and when shalt thou see him again? answer me in one word. celia you must borrow me gargantua's mouth first: 'tis a word too great for any mouth of this age's size. to say ay and no to these particulars is more than to answer in a catechism. rosalind but doth he know that i am in this forest and in man's apparel? looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled? celia it is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the propositions of a lover; but take a taste of my finding him, and relish it with good observance. i found him under a tree, like a dropped acorn. rosalind it may well be called jove's tree, when it drops forth such fruit. celia give me audience, good madam. rosalind proceed. celia there lay he, stretched along, like a wounded knight. rosalind though it be pity to see such a sight, it well becomes the ground. celia cry 'holla' to thy tongue, i prithee; it curvets unseasonably. he was furnished like a hunter. rosalind o, ominous! he comes to kill my heart. celia i would sing my song without a burden: thou bringest me out of tune. rosalind do you not know i am a woman? when i think, i must speak. sweet, say on. celia you bring me out. soft! comes he not here? [enter orlando and jaques] rosalind 'tis he: slink by, and note him. jaques i thank you for your company; but, good faith, i had as lief have been myself alone. orlando and so had i; but yet, for fashion sake, i thank you too for your society. jaques god be wi' you: let's meet as little as we can. orlando i do desire we may be better strangers. jaques i pray you, mar no more trees with writing love-songs in their barks. orlando i pray you, mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly. jaques rosalind is your love's name? orlando yes, just. jaques i do not like her name. orlando there was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened. jaques what stature is she of? orlando just as high as my heart. jaques you are full of pretty answers. have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths' wives, and conned them out of rings? orlando not so; but i answer you right painted cloth, from whence you have studied your questions. jaques you have a nimble wit: i think 'twas made of atalanta's heels. will you sit down with me? and we two will rail against our mistress the world and all our misery. orlando i will chide no breather in the world but myself, against whom i know most faults. jaques the worst fault you have is to be in love. orlando 'tis a fault i will not change for your best virtue. i am weary of you. jaques by my troth, i was seeking for a fool when i found you. orlando he is drowned in the brook: look but in, and you shall see him. jaques there i shall see mine own figure. orlando which i take to be either a fool or a cipher. jaques i'll tarry no longer with you: farewell, good signior love. orlando i am glad of your departure: adieu, good monsieur melancholy. [exit jaques] rosalind [aside to celia] i will speak to him, like a saucy lackey and under that habit play the knave with him. do you hear, forester? orlando very well: what would you? rosalind i pray you, what is't o'clock? orlando you should ask me what time o' day: there's no clock in the forest. rosalind then there is no true lover in the forest; else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of time as well as a clock. orlando and why not the swift foot of time? had not that been as proper? rosalind by no means, sir: time travels in divers paces with divers persons. i'll tell you who time ambles withal, who time trots withal, who time gallops withal and who he stands still withal. orlando i prithee, who doth he trot withal? rosalind marry, he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized: if the interim be but a se'nnight, time's pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year. orlando who ambles time withal? rosalind with a priest that lacks latin and a rich man that hath not the gout, for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study, and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain, the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning, the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury; these time ambles withal. orlando who doth he gallop withal? rosalind with a thief to the gallows, for though he go as softly as foot can fall, he thinks himself too soon there. orlando who stays it still withal? rosalind with lawyers in the vacation, for they sleep between term and term and then they perceive not how time moves. orlando where dwell you, pretty youth? rosalind with this shepherdess, my sister; here in the skirts of the forest, like fringe upon a petticoat. orlando are you native of this place? rosalind as the cony that you see dwell where she is kindled. orlando your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling. rosalind i have been told so of many: but indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak, who was in his youth an inland man; one that knew courtship too well, for there he fell in love. i have heard him read many lectures against it, and i thank god i am not a woman, to be touched with so many giddy offences as he hath generally taxed their whole sex withal. orlando can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women? rosalind there were none principal; they were all like one another as half-pence are, every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it. orlando i prithee, recount some of them. rosalind no, i will not cast away my physic but on those that are sick. there is a man haunts the forest, that abuses our young plants with carving 'rosalind' on their barks; hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles, all, forsooth, deifying the name of rosalind: if i could meet that fancy-monger i would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him. orlando i am he that is so love-shaked: i pray you tell me your remedy. rosalind there is none of my uncle's marks upon you: he taught me how to know a man in love; in which cage of rushes i am sure you are not prisoner. orlando what were his marks? rosalind a lean cheek, which you have not, a blue eye and sunken, which you have not, an unquestionable spirit, which you have not, a beard neglected, which you have not; but i pardon you for that, for simply your having in beard is a younger brother's revenue: then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied and every thing about you demonstrating a careless desolation; but you are no such man; you are rather point-device in your accoutrements as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other. orlando fair youth, i would i could make thee believe i love. rosalind me believe it! you may as soon make her that you love believe it; which, i warrant, she is apter to do than to confess she does: that is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences. but, in good sooth, are you he that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein rosalind is so admired? orlando i swear to thee, youth, by the white hand of rosalind, i am that he, that unfortunate he. rosalind but are you so much in love as your rhymes speak? orlando neither rhyme nor reason can express how much. rosalind love is merely a madness, and, i tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do: and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is, that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. yet i profess curing it by counsel. orlando did you ever cure any so? rosalind yes, one, and in this manner. he was to imagine me his love, his mistress; and i set him every day to woo me: at which time would i, being but a moonish youth, grieve, be effeminate, changeable, longing and liking, proud, fantastical, apish, shallow, inconstant, full of tears, full of smiles, for every passion something and for no passion truly any thing, as boys and women are for the most part cattle of this colour; would now like him, now loathe him; then entertain him, then forswear him; now weep for him, then spit at him; that i drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness; which was, to forswear the full stream of the world, and to live in a nook merely monastic. and thus i cured him; and this way will i take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep's heart, that there shall not be one spot of love in't. orlando i would not be cured, youth. rosalind i would cure you, if you would but call me rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me. orlando now, by the faith of my love, i will: tell me where it is. rosalind go with me to it and i'll show it you and by the way you shall tell me where in the forest you live. will you go? orlando with all my heart, good youth. rosalind nay you must call me rosalind. come, sister, will you go? [exeunt] as you like it act iii scene iii the forest. [enter touchstone and audrey; jaques behind] touchstone come apace, good audrey: i will fetch up your goats, audrey. and how, audrey? am i the man yet? doth my simple feature content you? audrey your features! lord warrant us! what features! touchstone i am here with thee and thy goats, as the most capricious poet, honest ovid, was among the goths. jaques [aside] o knowledge ill-inhabited, worse than jove in a thatched house! touchstone when a man's verses cannot be understood, nor a man's good wit seconded with the forward child understanding, it strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room. truly, i would the gods had made thee poetical. audrey i do not know what 'poetical' is: is it honest in deed and word? is it a true thing? touchstone no, truly; for the truest poetry is the most feigning; and lovers are given to poetry, and what they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do feign. audrey do you wish then that the gods had made me poetical? touchstone i do, truly; for thou swearest to me thou art honest: now, if thou wert a poet, i might have some hope thou didst feign. audrey would you not have me honest? touchstone no, truly, unless thou wert hard-favoured; for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar. jaques [aside] a material fool! audrey well, i am not fair; and therefore i pray the gods make me honest. touchstone truly, and to cast away honesty upon a foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean dish. audrey i am not a slut, though i thank the gods i am foul. touchstone well, praised be the gods for thy foulness! sluttishness may come hereafter. but be it as it may be, i will marry thee, and to that end i have been with sir oliver martext, the vicar of the next village, who hath promised to meet me in this place of the forest and to couple us. jaques [aside] i would fain see this meeting. audrey well, the gods give us joy! touchstone amen. a man may, if he were of a fearful heart, stagger in this attempt; for here we have no temple but the wood, no assembly but horn-beasts. but what though? courage! as horns are odious, they are necessary. it is said, 'many a man knows no end of his goods:' right; many a man has good horns, and knows no end of them. well, that is the dowry of his wife; 'tis none of his own getting. horns? even so. poor men alone? no, no; the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal. is the single man therefore blessed? no: as a walled town is more worthier than a village, so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor; and by how much defence is better than no skill, by so much is a horn more precious than to want. here comes sir oliver. [enter sir oliver martext] sir oliver martext, you are well met: will you dispatch us here under this tree, or shall we go with you to your chapel? sir oliver martext is there none here to give the woman? touchstone i will not take her on gift of any man. sir oliver martext truly, she must be given, or the marriage is not lawful. jaques [advancing] proceed, proceed i'll give her. touchstone good even, good master what-ye-call't: how do you, sir? you are very well met: god 'ild you for your last company: i am very glad to see you: even a toy in hand here, sir: nay, pray be covered. jaques will you be married, motley? touchstone as the ox hath his bow, sir, the horse his curb and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires; and as pigeons bill, so wedlock would be nibbling. jaques and will you, being a man of your breeding, be married under a bush like a beggar? get you to church, and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is: this fellow will but join you together as they join wainscot; then one of you will prove a shrunk panel and, like green timber, warp, warp. touchstone [aside] i am not in the mind but i were better to be married of him than of another: for he is not like to marry me well; and not being well married, it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife. jaques go thou with me, and let me counsel thee. touchstone 'come, sweet audrey: we must be married, or we must live in bawdry. farewell, good master oliver: not,- o sweet oliver, o brave oliver, leave me not behind thee: but,- wind away, begone, i say, i will not to wedding with thee. [exeunt jaques, touchstone and audrey] sir oliver martext 'tis no matter: ne'er a fantastical knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling. [exit] as you like it act iii scene iv the forest. [enter rosalind and celia] rosalind never talk to me; i will weep. celia do, i prithee; but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man. rosalind but have i not cause to weep? celia as good cause as one would desire; therefore weep. rosalind his very hair is of the dissembling colour. celia something browner than judas's marry, his kisses are judas's own children. rosalind i' faith, his hair is of a good colour. celia an excellent colour: your chestnut was ever the only colour. rosalind and his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread. celia he hath bought a pair of cast lips of diana: a nun of winter's sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them. rosalind but why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not? celia nay, certainly, there is no truth in him. rosalind do you think so? celia yes; i think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer, but for his verity in love, i do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut. rosalind not true in love? celia yes, when he is in; but i think he is not in. rosalind you have heard him swear downright he was. celia 'was' is not 'is:' besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster; they are both the confirmer of false reckonings. he attends here in the forest on the duke your father. rosalind i met the duke yesterday and had much question with him: he asked me of what parentage i was; i told him, of as good as he; so he laughed and let me go. but what talk we of fathers, when there is such a man as orlando? celia o, that's a brave man! he writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave oaths and breaks them bravely, quite traverse, athwart the heart of his lover; as a puisny tilter, that spurs his horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose: but all's brave that youth mounts and folly guides. who comes here? [enter corin] corin mistress and master, you have oft inquired after the shepherd that complain'd of love, who you saw sitting by me on the turf, praising the proud disdainful shepherdess that was his mistress. celia well, and what of him? corin if you will see a pageant truly play'd, between the pale complexion of true love and the red glow of scorn and proud disdain, go hence a little and i shall conduct you, if you will mark it. rosalind o, come, let us remove: the sight of lovers feedeth those in love. bring us to this sight, and you shall say i'll prove a busy actor in their play. [exeunt] as you like it act iii scene v another part of the forest. [enter silvius and phebe] silvius sweet phebe, do not scorn me; do not, phebe; say that you love me not, but say not so in bitterness. the common executioner, whose heart the accustom'd sight of death makes hard, falls not the axe upon the humbled neck but first begs pardon: will you sterner be than he that dies and lives by bloody drops? [enter rosalind, celia, and corin, behind] phebe i would not be thy executioner: i fly thee, for i would not injure thee. thou tell'st me there is murder in mine eye: 'tis pretty, sure, and very probable, that eyes, that are the frail'st and softest things, who shut their coward gates on atomies, should be call'd tyrants, butchers, murderers! now i do frown on thee with all my heart; and if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee: now counterfeit to swoon; why now fall down; or if thou canst not, o, for shame, for shame, lie not, to say mine eyes are murderers! now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee: scratch thee but with a pin, and there remains some scar of it; lean but upon a rush, the cicatrice and capable impressure thy palm some moment keeps; but now mine eyes, which i have darted at thee, hurt thee not, nor, i am sure, there is no force in eyes that can do hurt. silvius o dear phebe, if ever,--as that ever may be near,- you meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy, then shall you know the wounds invisible that love's keen arrows make. phebe but till that time come not thou near me: and when that time comes, afflict me with thy mocks, pity me not; as till that time i shall not pity thee. rosalind and why, i pray you? who might be your mother, that you insult, exult, and all at once, over the wretched? what though you have no beauty,- as, by my faith, i see no more in you than without candle may go dark to bed- must you be therefore proud and pitiless? why, what means this? why do you look on me? i see no more in you than in the ordinary of nature's sale-work. 'od's my little life, i think she means to tangle my eyes too! no, faith, proud mistress, hope not after it: 'tis not your inky brows, your black silk hair, your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream, that can entame my spirits to your worship. you foolish shepherd, wherefore do you follow her, like foggy south puffing with wind and rain? you are a thousand times a properer man than she a woman: 'tis such fools as you that makes the world full of ill-favour'd children: 'tis not her glass, but you, that flatters her; and out of you she sees herself more proper than any of her lineaments can show her. but, mistress, know yourself: down on your knees, and thank heaven, fasting, for a good man's love: for i must tell you friendly in your ear, sell when you can: you are not for all markets: cry the man mercy; love him; take his offer: foul is most foul, being foul to be a scoffer. so take her to thee, shepherd: fare you well. phebe sweet youth, i pray you, chide a year together: i had rather hear you chide than this man woo. rosalind he's fallen in love with your foulness and she'll fall in love with my anger. if it be so, as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks, i'll sauce her with bitter words. why look you so upon me? phebe for no ill will i bear you. rosalind i pray you, do not fall in love with me, for i am falser than vows made in wine: besides, i like you not. if you will know my house, 'tis at the tuft of olives here hard by. will you go, sister? shepherd, ply her hard. come, sister. shepherdess, look on him better, and be not proud: though all the world could see, none could be so abused in sight as he. come, to our flock. [exeunt rosalind, celia and corin] phebe dead shepherd, now i find thy saw of might, 'who ever loved that loved not at first sight?' silvius sweet phebe,- phebe ha, what say'st thou, silvius? silvius sweet phebe, pity me. phebe why, i am sorry for thee, gentle silvius. silvius wherever sorrow is, relief would be: if you do sorrow at my grief in love, by giving love your sorrow and my grief were both extermined. phebe thou hast my love: is not that neighbourly? silvius i would have you. phebe why, that were covetousness. silvius, the time was that i hated thee, and yet it is not that i bear thee love; but since that thou canst talk of love so well, thy company, which erst was irksome to me, i will endure, and i'll employ thee too: but do not look for further recompense than thine own gladness that thou art employ'd. silvius so holy and so perfect is my love, and i in such a poverty of grace, that i shall think it a most plenteous crop to glean the broken ears after the man that the main harvest reaps: loose now and then a scatter'd smile, and that i'll live upon. phebe know'st now the youth that spoke to me erewhile? silvius not very well, but i have met him oft; and he hath bought the cottage and the bounds that the old carlot once was master of. phebe think not i love him, though i ask for him: 'tis but a peevish boy; yet he talks well; but what care i for words? yet words do well when he that speaks them pleases those that hear. it is a pretty youth: not very pretty: but, sure, he's proud, and yet his pride becomes him: he'll make a proper man: the best thing in him is his complexion; and faster than his tongue did make offence his eye did heal it up. he is not very tall; yet for his years he's tall: his leg is but so so; and yet 'tis well: there was a pretty redness in his lip, a little riper and more lusty red than that mix'd in his cheek; 'twas just the difference between the constant red and mingled damask. there be some women, silvius, had they mark'd him in parcels as i did, would have gone near to fall in love with him; but, for my part, i love him not nor hate him not; and yet i have more cause to hate him than to love him: for what had he to do to chide at me? he said mine eyes were black and my hair black: and, now i am remember'd, scorn'd at me: i marvel why i answer'd not again: but that's all one; omittance is no quittance. i'll write to him a very taunting letter, and thou shalt bear it: wilt thou, silvius? silvius phebe, with all my heart. phebe i'll write it straight; the matter's in my head and in my heart: i will be bitter with him and passing short. go with me, silvius. [exeunt] as you like it act iv scene i the forest. [enter rosalind, celia, and jaques] jaques i prithee, pretty youth, let me be better acquainted with thee. rosalind they say you are a melancholy fellow. jaques i am so; i do love it better than laughing. rosalind those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows and betray themselves to every modern censure worse than drunkards. jaques why, 'tis good to be sad and say nothing. rosalind why then, 'tis good to be a post. jaques i have neither the scholar's melancholy, which is emulation, nor the musician's, which is fantastical, nor the courtier's, which is proud, nor the soldier's, which is ambitious, nor the lawyer's, which is politic, nor the lady's, which is nice, nor the lover's, which is all these: but it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and indeed the sundry's contemplation of my travels, in which my often rumination wraps me m a most humorous sadness. rosalind a traveller! by my faith, you have great reason to be sad: i fear you have sold your own lands to see other men's; then, to have seen much and to have nothing, is to have rich eyes and poor hands. jaques yes, i have gained my experience. rosalind and your experience makes you sad: i had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad; and to travel for it too! [enter orlando] orlando good day and happiness, dear rosalind! jaques nay, then, god be wi' you, an you talk in blank verse. [exit] rosalind farewell, monsieur traveller: look you lisp and wear strange suits, disable all the benefits of your own country, be out of love with your nativity and almost chide god for making you that countenance you are, or i will scarce think you have swam in a gondola. why, how now, orlando! where have you been all this while? you a lover! an you serve me such another trick, never come in my sight more. orlando my fair rosalind, i come within an hour of my promise. rosalind break an hour's promise in love! he that will divide a minute into a thousand parts and break but a part of the thousandth part of a minute in the affairs of love, it may be said of him that cupid hath clapped him o' the shoulder, but i'll warrant him heart-whole. orlando pardon me, dear rosalind. rosalind nay, an you be so tardy, come no more in my sight: i had as lief be wooed of a snail. orlando of a snail? rosalind ay, of a snail; for though he comes slowly, he carries his house on his head; a better jointure, i think, than you make a woman: besides he brings his destiny with him. orlando what's that? rosalind why, horns, which such as you are fain to be beholding to your wives for: but he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the slander of his wife. orlando virtue is no horn-maker; and my rosalind is virtuous. rosalind and i am your rosalind. celia it pleases him to call you so; but he hath a rosalind of a better leer than you. rosalind come, woo me, woo me, for now i am in a holiday humour and like enough to consent. what would you say to me now, an i were your very very rosalind? orlando i would kiss before i spoke. rosalind nay, you were better speak first, and when you were gravelled for lack of matter, you might take occasion to kiss. very good orators, when they are out, they will spit; and for lovers lacking--god warn us!--matter, the cleanliest shift is to kiss. orlando how if the kiss be denied? rosalind then she puts you to entreaty, and there begins new matter. orlando who could be out, being before his beloved mistress? rosalind marry, that should you, if i were your mistress, or i should think my honesty ranker than my wit. orlando what, of my suit? rosalind not out of your apparel, and yet out of your suit. am not i your rosalind? orlando i take some joy to say you are, because i would be talking of her. rosalind well in her person i say i will not have you. orlando then in mine own person i die. rosalind no, faith, die by attorney. the poor world is almost six thousand years old, and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person, videlicit, in a love-cause. troilus had his brains dashed out with a grecian club; yet he did what he could to die before, and he is one of the patterns of love. leander, he would have lived many a fair year, though hero had turned nun, if it had not been for a hot midsummer night; for, good youth, he went but forth to wash him in the hellespont and being taken with the cramp was drowned and the foolish coroners of that age found it was 'hero of sestos.' but these are all lies: men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love. orlando i would not have my right rosalind of this mind, for, i protest, her frown might kill me. rosalind by this hand, it will not kill a fly. but come, now i will be your rosalind in a more coming-on disposition, and ask me what you will. i will grant it. orlando then love me, rosalind. rosalind yes, faith, will i, fridays and saturdays and all. orlando and wilt thou have me? rosalind ay, and twenty such. orlando what sayest thou? rosalind are you not good? orlando i hope so. rosalind why then, can one desire too much of a good thing? come, sister, you shall be the priest and marry us. give me your hand, orlando. what do you say, sister? orlando pray thee, marry us. celia i cannot say the words. rosalind you must begin, 'will you, orlando--' celia go to. will you, orlando, have to wife this rosalind? orlando i will. rosalind ay, but when? orlando why now; as fast as she can marry us. rosalind then you must say 'i take thee, rosalind, for wife.' orlando i take thee, rosalind, for wife. rosalind i might ask you for your commission; but i do take thee, orlando, for my husband: there's a girl goes before the priest; and certainly a woman's thought runs before her actions. orlando so do all thoughts; they are winged. rosalind now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her. orlando for ever and a day. rosalind say 'a day,' without the 'ever.' no, no, orlando; men are april when they woo, december when they wed: maids are may when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives. i will be more jealous of thee than a barbary cock-pigeon over his hen, more clamorous than a parrot against rain, more new-fangled than an ape, more giddy in my desires than a monkey: i will weep for nothing, like diana in the fountain, and i will do that when you are disposed to be merry; i will laugh like a hyen, and that when thou art inclined to sleep. orlando but will my rosalind do so? rosalind by my life, she will do as i do. orlando o, but she is wise. rosalind or else she could not have the wit to do this: the wiser, the waywarder: make the doors upon a woman's wit and it will out at the casement; shut that and 'twill out at the key-hole; stop that, 'twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney. orlando a man that had a wife with such a wit, he might say 'wit, whither wilt?' rosalind nay, you might keep that cheque for it till you met your wife's wit going to your neighbour's bed. orlando and what wit could wit have to excuse that? rosalind marry, to say she came to seek you there. you shall never take her without her answer, unless you take her without her tongue. o, that woman that cannot make her fault her husband's occasion, let her never nurse her child herself, for she will breed it like a fool! orlando for these two hours, rosalind, i will leave thee. rosalind alas! dear love, i cannot lack thee two hours. orlando i must attend the duke at dinner: by two o'clock i will be with thee again. rosalind ay, go your ways, go your ways; i knew what you would prove: my friends told me as much, and i thought no less: that flattering tongue of yours won me: 'tis but one cast away, and so, come, death! two o'clock is your hour? orlando ay, sweet rosalind. rosalind by my troth, and in good earnest, and so god mend me, and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous, if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour, i will think you the most pathetical break-promise and the most hollow lover and the most unworthy of her you call rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful: therefore beware my censure and keep your promise. orlando with no less religion than if thou wert indeed my rosalind: so adieu. rosalind well, time is the old justice that examines all such offenders, and let time try: adieu. [exit orlando] celia you have simply misused our sex in your love-prate: we must have your doublet and hose plucked over your head, and show the world what the bird hath done to her own nest. rosalind o coz, coz, coz, my pretty little coz, that thou didst know how many fathom deep i am in love! but it cannot be sounded: my affection hath an unknown bottom, like the bay of portugal. celia or rather, bottomless, that as fast as you pour affection in, it runs out. rosalind no, that same wicked bastard of venus that was begot of thought, conceived of spleen and born of madness, that blind rascally boy that abuses every one's eyes because his own are out, let him be judge how deep i am in love. i'll tell thee, aliena, i cannot be out of the sight of orlando: i'll go find a shadow and sigh till he come. celia and i'll sleep. [exeunt] as you like it act iv scene ii the forest. [enter jaques, lords, and foresters] jaques which is he that killed the deer? a lord sir, it was i. jaques let's present him to the duke, like a roman conqueror; and it would do well to set the deer's horns upon his head, for a branch of victory. have you no song, forester, for this purpose? forester yes, sir. jaques sing it: 'tis no matter how it be in tune, so it make noise enough. song. forester what shall he have that kill'd the deer? his leather skin and horns to wear. then sing him home; [the rest shall bear this burden] take thou no scorn to wear the horn; it was a crest ere thou wast born: thy father's father wore it, and thy father bore it: the horn, the horn, the lusty horn is not a thing to laugh to scorn. [exeunt] as you like it act iv scene iii the forest. [enter rosalind and celia] rosalind how say you now? is it not past two o'clock? and here much orlando! celia i warrant you, with pure love and troubled brain, he hath ta'en his bow and arrows and is gone forth to sleep. look, who comes here. [enter silvius] silvius my errand is to you, fair youth; my gentle phebe bid me give you this: i know not the contents; but, as i guess by the stern brow and waspish action which she did use as she was writing of it, it bears an angry tenor: pardon me: i am but as a guiltless messenger. rosalind patience herself would startle at this letter and play the swaggerer; bear this, bear all: she says i am not fair, that i lack manners; she calls me proud, and that she could not love me, were man as rare as phoenix. 'od's my will! her love is not the hare that i do hunt: why writes she so to me? well, shepherd, well, this is a letter of your own device. silvius no, i protest, i know not the contents: phebe did write it. rosalind come, come, you are a fool and turn'd into the extremity of love. i saw her hand: she has a leathern hand. a freestone-colour'd hand; i verily did think that her old gloves were on, but 'twas her hands: she has a huswife's hand; but that's no matter: i say she never did invent this letter; this is a man's invention and his hand. silvius sure, it is hers. rosalind why, 'tis a boisterous and a cruel style. a style for-challengers; why, she defies me, like turk to christian: women's gentle brain could not drop forth such giant-rude invention such ethiope words, blacker in their effect than in their countenance. will you hear the letter? silvius so please you, for i never heard it yet; yet heard too much of phebe's cruelty. rosalind she phebes me: mark how the tyrant writes. [reads] art thou god to shepherd turn'd, that a maiden's heart hath burn'd? can a woman rail thus? silvius call you this railing? rosalind [reads] why, thy godhead laid apart, warr'st thou with a woman's heart? did you ever hear such railing? whiles the eye of man did woo me, that could do no vengeance to me. meaning me a beast. if the scorn of your bright eyne have power to raise such love in mine, alack, in me what strange effect would they work in mild aspect! whiles you chid me, i did love; how then might your prayers move! he that brings this love to thee little knows this love in me: and by him seal up thy mind; whether that thy youth and kind will the faithful offer take of me and all that i can make; or else by him my love deny, and then i'll study how to die. silvius call you this chiding? celia alas, poor shepherd! rosalind do you pity him? no, he deserves no pity. wilt thou love such a woman? what, to make thee an instrument and play false strains upon thee! not to be endured! well, go your way to her, for i see love hath made thee a tame snake, and say this to her: that if she love me, i charge her to love thee; if she will not, i will never have her unless thou entreat for her. if you be a true lover, hence, and not a word; for here comes more company. [exit silvius] [enter oliver] oliver good morrow, fair ones: pray you, if you know, where in the purlieus of this forest stands a sheep-cote fenced about with olive trees? celia west of this place, down in the neighbour bottom: the rank of osiers by the murmuring stream left on your right hand brings you to the place. but at this hour the house doth keep itself; there's none within. oliver if that an eye may profit by a tongue, then should i know you by description; such garments and such years: 'the boy is fair, of female favour, and bestows himself like a ripe sister: the woman low and browner than her brother.' are not you the owner of the house i did inquire for? celia it is no boast, being ask'd, to say we are. oliver orlando doth commend him to you both, and to that youth he calls his rosalind he sends this bloody napkin. are you he? rosalind i am: what must we understand by this? oliver some of my shame; if you will know of me what man i am, and how, and why, and where this handkercher was stain'd. celia i pray you, tell it. oliver when last the young orlando parted from you he left a promise to return again within an hour, and pacing through the forest, chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy, lo, what befell! he threw his eye aside, and mark what object did present itself: under an oak, whose boughs were moss'd with age and high top bald with dry antiquity, a wretched ragged man, o'ergrown with hair, lay sleeping on his back: about his neck a green and gilded snake had wreathed itself, who with her head nimble in threats approach'd the opening of his mouth; but suddenly, seeing orlando, it unlink'd itself, and with indented glides did slip away into a bush: under which bush's shade a lioness, with udders all drawn dry, lay couching, head on ground, with catlike watch, when that the sleeping man should stir; for 'tis the royal disposition of that beast to prey on nothing that doth seem as dead: this seen, orlando did approach the man and found it was his brother, his elder brother. celia o, i have heard him speak of that same brother; and he did render him the most unnatural that lived amongst men. oliver and well he might so do, for well i know he was unnatural. rosalind but, to orlando: did he leave him there, food to the suck'd and hungry lioness? oliver twice did he turn his back and purposed so; but kindness, nobler ever than revenge, and nature, stronger than his just occasion, made him give battle to the lioness, who quickly fell before him: in which hurtling from miserable slumber i awaked. celia are you his brother? rosalind wast you he rescued? celia was't you that did so oft contrive to kill him? oliver 'twas i; but 'tis not i i do not shame to tell you what i was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing i am. rosalind but, for the bloody napkin? oliver by and by. when from the first to last betwixt us two tears our recountments had most kindly bathed, as how i came into that desert place:- in brief, he led me to the gentle duke, who gave me fresh array and entertainment, committing me unto my brother's love; who led me instantly unto his cave, there stripp'd himself, and here upon his arm the lioness had torn some flesh away, which all this while had bled; and now he fainted and cried, in fainting, upon rosalind. brief, i recover'd him, bound up his wound; and, after some small space, being strong at heart, he sent me hither, stranger as i am, to tell this story, that you might excuse his broken promise, and to give this napkin dyed in his blood unto the shepherd youth that he in sport doth call his rosalind. [rosalind swoons] celia why, how now, ganymede! sweet ganymede! oliver many will swoon when they do look on blood. celia there is more in it. cousin ganymede! oliver look, he recovers. rosalind i would i were at home. celia we'll lead you thither. i pray you, will you take him by the arm? oliver be of good cheer, youth: you a man! you lack a man's heart. rosalind i do so, i confess it. ah, sirrah, a body would think this was well counterfeited! i pray you, tell your brother how well i counterfeited. heigh-ho! oliver this was not counterfeit: there is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of earnest. rosalind counterfeit, i assure you. oliver well then, take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man. rosalind so i do: but, i' faith, i should have been a woman by right. celia come, you look paler and paler: pray you, draw homewards. good sir, go with us. oliver that will i, for i must bear answer back how you excuse my brother, rosalind. rosalind i shall devise something: but, i pray you, commend my counterfeiting to him. will you go? [exeunt] as you like it act v scene i the forest. [enter touchstone and audrey] touchstone we shall find a time, audrey; patience, gentle audrey. audrey faith, the priest was good enough, for all the old gentleman's saying. touchstone a most wicked sir oliver, audrey, a most vile martext. but, audrey, there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you. audrey ay, i know who 'tis; he hath no interest in me in the world: here comes the man you mean. touchstone it is meat and drink to me to see a clown: by my troth, we that have good wits have much to answer for; we shall be flouting; we cannot hold. [enter william] william good even, audrey. audrey god ye good even, william. william and good even to you, sir. touchstone good even, gentle friend. cover thy head, cover thy head; nay, prithee, be covered. how old are you, friend? william five and twenty, sir. touchstone a ripe age. is thy name william? william william, sir. touchstone a fair name. wast born i' the forest here? william ay, sir, i thank god. touchstone 'thank god;' a good answer. art rich? william faith, sir, so so. touchstone 'so so' is good, very good, very excellent good; and yet it is not; it is but so so. art thou wise? william ay, sir, i have a pretty wit. touchstone why, thou sayest well. i do now remember a saying, 'the fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.' the heathen philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape, would open his lips when he put it into his mouth; meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open. you do love this maid? william i do, sir. touchstone give me your hand. art thou learned? william no, sir. touchstone then learn this of me: to have, is to have; for it is a figure in rhetoric that drink, being poured out of a cup into a glass, by filling the one doth empty the other; for all your writers do consent that ipse is he: now, you are not ipse, for i am he. william which he, sir? touchstone he, sir, that must marry this woman. therefore, you clown, abandon,--which is in the vulgar leave,--the society,--which in the boorish is company,--of this female,--which in the common is woman; which together is, abandon the society of this female, or, clown, thou perishest; or, to thy better understanding, diest; or, to wit i kill thee, make thee away, translate thy life into death, thy liberty into bondage: i will deal in poison with thee, or in bastinado, or in steel; i will bandy with thee in faction; i will o'errun thee with policy; i will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways: therefore tremble and depart. audrey do, good william. william god rest you merry, sir. [exit] [enter corin] corin our master and mistress seeks you; come, away, away! touchstone trip, audrey! trip, audrey! i attend, i attend. [exeunt] as you like it act v scene ii the forest. [enter orlando and oliver] orlando is't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? that but seeing you should love her? and loving woo? and, wooing, she should grant? and will you persever to enjoy her? oliver neither call the giddiness of it in question, the poverty of her, the small acquaintance, my sudden wooing, nor her sudden consenting; but say with me, i love aliena; say with her that she loves me; consent with both that we may enjoy each other: it shall be to your good; for my father's house and all the revenue that was old sir rowland's will i estate upon you, and here live and die a shepherd. orlando you have my consent. let your wedding be to-morrow: thither will i invite the duke and all's contented followers. go you and prepare aliena; for look you, here comes my rosalind. [enter rosalind] rosalind god save you, brother. oliver and you, fair sister. [exit] rosalind o, my dear orlando, how it grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf! orlando it is my arm. rosalind i thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion. orlando wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady. rosalind did your brother tell you how i counterfeited to swoon when he showed me your handkerchief? orlando ay, and greater wonders than that. rosalind o, i know where you are: nay, 'tis true: there was never any thing so sudden but the fight of two rams and caesar's thrasonical brag of 'i came, saw, and overcame:' for your brother and my sister no sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy; and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage which they will climb incontinent, or else be incontinent before marriage: they are in the very wrath of love and they will together; clubs cannot part them. orlando they shall be married to-morrow, and i will bid the duke to the nuptial. but, o, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes! by so much the more shall i to-morrow be at the height of heart-heaviness, by how much i shall think my brother happy in having what he wishes for. rosalind why then, to-morrow i cannot serve your turn for rosalind? orlando i can live no longer by thinking. rosalind i will weary you then no longer with idle talking. know of me then, for now i speak to some purpose, that i know you are a gentleman of good conceit: i speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge, insomuch i say i know you are; neither do i labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you, to do yourself good and not to grace me. believe then, if you please, that i can do strange things: i have, since i was three year old, conversed with a magician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable. if you do love rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries aliena, shall you marry her: i know into what straits of fortune she is driven; and it is not impossible to me, if it appear not inconvenient to you, to set her before your eyes tomorrow human as she is and without any danger. orlando speakest thou in sober meanings? rosalind by my life, i do; which i tender dearly, though i say i am a magician. therefore, put you in your best array: bid your friends; for if you will be married to-morrow, you shall, and to rosalind, if you will. [enter silvius and phebe] look, here comes a lover of mine and a lover of hers. phebe youth, you have done me much ungentleness, to show the letter that i writ to you. rosalind i care not if i have: it is my study to seem despiteful and ungentle to you: you are there followed by a faithful shepherd; look upon him, love him; he worships you. phebe good shepherd, tell this youth what 'tis to love. silvius it is to be all made of sighs and tears; and so am i for phebe. phebe and i for ganymede. orlando and i for rosalind. rosalind and i for no woman. silvius it is to be all made of faith and service; and so am i for phebe. phebe and i for ganymede. orlando and i for rosalind. rosalind and i for no woman. silvius it is to be all made of fantasy, all made of passion and all made of wishes, all adoration, duty, and observance, all humbleness, all patience and impatience, all purity, all trial, all observance; and so am i for phebe. phebe and so am i for ganymede. orlando and so am i for rosalind. rosalind and so am i for no woman. phebe if this be so, why blame you me to love you? silvius if this be so, why blame you me to love you? orlando if this be so, why blame you me to love you? rosalind who do you speak to, 'why blame you me to love you?' orlando to her that is not here, nor doth not hear. rosalind pray you, no more of this; 'tis like the howling of irish wolves against the moon. [to silvius] i will help you, if i can: [to phebe] i would love you, if i could. to-morrow meet me all together. [to phebe] i will marry you, if ever i marry woman, and i'll be married to-morrow: [to orlando] i will satisfy you, if ever i satisfied man, and you shall be married to-morrow: [to silvius] i will content you, if what pleases you contents you, and you shall be married to-morrow. [to orlando] as you love rosalind, meet: [to silvius] as you love phebe, meet: and as i love no woman, i'll meet. so fare you well: i have left you commands. silvius i'll not fail, if i live. phebe nor i. orlando nor i. [exeunt] as you like it act v scene iii the forest. [enter touchstone and audrey] touchstone to-morrow is the joyful day, audrey; to-morrow will we be married. audrey i do desire it with all my heart; and i hope it is no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the world. here comes two of the banished duke's pages. [enter two pages] first page well met, honest gentleman. touchstone by my troth, well met. come, sit, sit, and a song. second page we are for you: sit i' the middle. first page shall we clap into't roundly, without hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse, which are the only prologues to a bad voice? second page i'faith, i'faith; and both in a tune, like two gipsies on a horse. song. it was a lover and his lass, with a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, that o'er the green corn-field did pass in the spring time, the only pretty ring time, when birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding: sweet lovers love the spring. between the acres of the rye, with a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino these pretty country folks would lie, in spring time, &c. this carol they began that hour, with a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, how that a life was but a flower in spring time, &c. and therefore take the present time, with a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino; for love is crowned with the prime in spring time, &c. touchstone truly, young gentlemen, though there was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note was very untuneable. first page you are deceived, sir: we kept time, we lost not our time. touchstone by my troth, yes; i count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song. god be wi' you; and god mend your voices! come, audrey. [exeunt] as you like it act v scene iv the forest. [enter duke senior, amiens, jaques, orlando, oliver, and celia] duke senior dost thou believe, orlando, that the boy can do all this that he hath promised? orlando i sometimes do believe, and sometimes do not; as those that fear they hope, and know they fear. [enter rosalind, silvius, and phebe] rosalind patience once more, whiles our compact is urged: you say, if i bring in your rosalind, you will bestow her on orlando here? duke senior that would i, had i kingdoms to give with her. rosalind and you say, you will have her, when i bring her? orlando that would i, were i of all kingdoms king. rosalind you say, you'll marry me, if i be willing? phebe that will i, should i die the hour after. rosalind but if you do refuse to marry me, you'll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd? phebe so is the bargain. rosalind you say, that you'll have phebe, if she will? silvius though to have her and death were both one thing. rosalind i have promised to make all this matter even. keep you your word, o duke, to give your daughter; you yours, orlando, to receive his daughter: keep your word, phebe, that you'll marry me, or else refusing me, to wed this shepherd: keep your word, silvius, that you'll marry her. if she refuse me: and from hence i go, to make these doubts all even. [exeunt rosalind and celia] duke senior i do remember in this shepherd boy some lively touches of my daughter's favour. orlando my lord, the first time that i ever saw him methought he was a brother to your daughter: but, my good lord, this boy is forest-born, and hath been tutor'd in the rudiments of many desperate studies by his uncle, whom he reports to be a great magician, obscured in the circle of this forest. [enter touchstone and audrey] jaques there is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark. here comes a pair of very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools. touchstone salutation and greeting to you all! jaques good my lord, bid him welcome: this is the motley-minded gentleman that i have so often met in the forest: he hath been a courtier, he swears. touchstone if any man doubt that, let him put me to my purgation. i have trod a measure; i have flattered a lady; i have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy; i have undone three tailors; i have had four quarrels, and like to have fought one. jaques and how was that ta'en up? touchstone faith, we met, and found the quarrel was upon the seventh cause. jaques how seventh cause? good my lord, like this fellow. duke senior i like him very well. touchstone god 'ild you, sir; i desire you of the like. i press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country copulatives, to swear and to forswear: according as marriage binds and blood breaks: a poor virgin, sir, an ill-favoured thing, sir, but mine own; a poor humour of mine, sir, to take that that no man else will: rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a poor house; as your pearl in your foul oyster. duke senior by my faith, he is very swift and sententious. touchstone according to the fool's bolt, sir, and such dulcet diseases. jaques but, for the seventh cause; how did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause? touchstone upon a lie seven times removed:--bear your body more seeming, audrey:--as thus, sir. i did dislike the cut of a certain courtier's beard: he sent me word, if i said his beard was not cut well, he was in the mind it was: this is called the retort courteous. if i sent him word again 'it was not well cut,' he would send me word, he cut it to please himself: this is called the quip modest. if again 'it was not well cut,' he disabled my judgment: this is called the reply churlish. if again 'it was not well cut,' he would answer, i spake not true: this is called the reproof valiant. if again 'it was not well cut,' he would say i lied: this is called the counter-cheque quarrelsome: and so to the lie circumstantial and the lie direct. jaques and how oft did you say his beard was not well cut? touchstone i durst go no further than the lie circumstantial, nor he durst not give me the lie direct; and so we measured swords and parted. jaques can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie? touchstone o sir, we quarrel in print, by the book; as you have books for good manners: i will name you the degrees. the first, the retort courteous; the second, the quip modest; the third, the reply churlish; the fourth, the reproof valiant; the fifth, the countercheque quarrelsome; the sixth, the lie with circumstance; the seventh, the lie direct. all these you may avoid but the lie direct; and you may avoid that too, with an if. i knew when seven justices could not take up a quarrel, but when the parties were met themselves, one of them thought but of an if, as, 'if you said so, then i said so;' and they shook hands and swore brothers. your if is the only peacemaker; much virtue in if. jaques is not this a rare fellow, my lord? he's as good at any thing and yet a fool. duke senior he uses his folly like a stalking-horse and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit. [enter hymen, rosalind, and celia] [still music] hymen then is there mirth in heaven, when earthly things made even atone together. good duke, receive thy daughter hymen from heaven brought her, yea, brought her hither, that thou mightst join her hand with his whose heart within his bosom is. rosalind [to duke senior] to you i give myself, for i am yours. [to orlando] to you i give myself, for i am yours. duke senior if there be truth in sight, you are my daughter. orlando if there be truth in sight, you are my rosalind. phebe if sight and shape be true, why then, my love adieu! rosalind i'll have no father, if you be not he: i'll have no husband, if you be not he: nor ne'er wed woman, if you be not she. hymen peace, ho! i bar confusion: 'tis i must make conclusion of these most strange events: here's eight that must take hands to join in hymen's bands, if truth holds true contents. you and you no cross shall part: you and you are heart in heart you to his love must accord, or have a woman to your lord: you and you are sure together, as the winter to foul weather. whiles a wedlock-hymn we sing, feed yourselves with questioning; that reason wonder may diminish, how thus we met, and these things finish. song. wedding is great juno's crown: o blessed bond of board and bed! 'tis hymen peoples every town; high wedlock then be honoured: honour, high honour and renown, to hymen, god of every town! duke senior o my dear niece, welcome thou art to me! even daughter, welcome, in no less degree. phebe i will not eat my word, now thou art mine; thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine. [enter jaques de boys] jaques de boys let me have audience for a word or two: i am the second son of old sir rowland, that bring these tidings to this fair assembly. duke frederick, hearing how that every day men of great worth resorted to this forest, address'd a mighty power; which were on foot, in his own conduct, purposely to take his brother here and put him to the sword: and to the skirts of this wild wood he came; where meeting with an old religious man, after some question with him, was converted both from his enterprise and from the world, his crown bequeathing to his banish'd brother, and all their lands restored to them again that were with him exiled. this to be true, i do engage my life. duke senior welcome, young man; thou offer'st fairly to thy brothers' wedding: to one his lands withheld, and to the other a land itself at large, a potent dukedom. first, in this forest, let us do those ends that here were well begun and well begot: and after, every of this happy number that have endured shrewd days and nights with us shall share the good of our returned fortune, according to the measure of their states. meantime, forget this new-fall'n dignity and fall into our rustic revelry. play, music! and you, brides and bridegrooms all, with measure heap'd in joy, to the measures fall. jaques sir, by your patience. if i heard you rightly, the duke hath put on a religious life and thrown into neglect the pompous court? jaques de boys he hath. jaques to him will i : out of these convertites there is much matter to be heard and learn'd. [to duke senior] you to your former honour i bequeath; your patience and your virtue well deserves it: [to orlando] you to a love that your true faith doth merit: [to oliver] you to your land and love and great allies: [to silvius] you to a long and well-deserved bed: [to touchstone] and you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage is but for two months victuall'd. so, to your pleasures: i am for other than for dancing measures. duke senior stay, jaques, stay. jaques to see no pastime i what you would have i'll stay to know at your abandon'd cave. [exit] duke senior proceed, proceed: we will begin these rites, as we do trust they'll end, in true delights. [a dance] as you like it epilogue rosalind it is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue. if it be true that good wine needs no bush, 'tis true that a good play needs no epilogue; yet to good wine they do use good bushes, and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues. what a case am i in then, that am neither a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play! i am not furnished like a beggar, therefore to beg will not become me: my way is to conjure you; and i'll begin with the women. i charge you, o women, for the love you bear to men, to like as much of this play as please you: and i charge you, o men, for the love you bear to women--as i perceive by your simpering, none of you hates them--that between you and the women the play may please. if i were a woman i would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me and breaths that i defied not: and, i am sure, as many as have good beards or good faces or sweet breaths will, for my kind offer, when i make curtsy, bid me farewell. [exeunt] king richard ii dramatis personae king richard the second. (king richard ii:) john of gaunt duke of lancaster | | uncles to the king. edmund of langley duke of york (duke of york:) | henry, surnamed bolingbroke (henry bolingbroke:) duke of hereford, son to john of gaunt; afterwards king henry iv. duke of aumerle son to the duke of york. thomas mowbray duke of norfolk. duke of surrey: earl of salisbury: lord berkeley: bushy | | bagot | servants to king richard. | green | earl of northumberland (northumberland:) henry percy, surnamed hotspur his son. (henry percy:) lord ross: lord willoughby: lord fitzwater: bishop of carlisle: abbot of westminster (abbot:) lord marshal (lord marshal:) sir stephen scroop: sir pierce of exton (exton:) captain of a band of welshmen. (captain:) queen to king richard (queen:) duchess of york (duchess of york:) duchess of gloucester (duchess:) lady attending on the queen. (lady:) lords, heralds, officers, soldiers, two gardeners, keeper, messenger, groom, and other attendants. (lord:) (first herald:) (second herald:) (gardener:) (keeper:) (groom:) (servant:) scene england and wales. king richard ii act i scene i london. king richard ii's palace. [enter king richard ii, john of gaunt, with other nobles and attendants] king richard ii old john of gaunt, time-honour'd lancaster, hast thou, according to thy oath and band, brought hither henry hereford thy bold son, here to make good the boisterous late appeal, which then our leisure would not let us hear, against the duke of norfolk, thomas mowbray? john of gaunt i have, my liege. king richard ii tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, if he appeal the duke on ancient malice; or worthily, as a good subject should, on some known ground of treachery in him? john of gaunt as near as i could sift him on that argument, on some apparent danger seen in him aim'd at your highness, no inveterate malice. king richard ii then call them to our presence; face to face, and frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear the accuser and the accused freely speak: high-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, in rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. [enter henry bolingbroke and thomas mowbray] henry bolingbroke many years of happy days befal my gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! thomas mowbray each day still better other's happiness; until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, add an immortal title to your crown! king richard ii we thank you both: yet one but flatters us, as well appeareth by the cause you come; namely to appeal each other of high treason. cousin of hereford, what dost thou object against the duke of norfolk, thomas mowbray? henry bolingbroke first, heaven be the record to my speech! in the devotion of a subject's love, tendering the precious safety of my prince, and free from other misbegotten hate, come i appellant to this princely presence. now, thomas mowbray, do i turn to thee, and mark my greeting well; for what i speak my body shall make good upon this earth, or my divine soul answer it in heaven. thou art a traitor and a miscreant, too good to be so and too bad to live, since the more fair and crystal is the sky, the uglier seem the clouds that in it fly. once more, the more to aggravate the note, with a foul traitor's name stuff i thy throat; and wish, so please my sovereign, ere i move, what my tongue speaks my right drawn sword may prove. thomas mowbray let not my cold words here accuse my zeal: 'tis not the trial of a woman's war, the bitter clamour of two eager tongues, can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain; the blood is hot that must be cool'd for this: yet can i not of such tame patience boast as to be hush'd and nought at all to say: first, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me from giving reins and spurs to my free speech; which else would post until it had return'd these terms of treason doubled down his throat. setting aside his high blood's royalty, and let him be no kinsman to my liege, i do defy him, and i spit at him; call him a slanderous coward and a villain: which to maintain i would allow him odds, and meet him, were i tied to run afoot even to the frozen ridges of the alps, or any other ground inhabitable, where ever englishman durst set his foot. mean time let this defend my loyalty, by all my hopes, most falsely doth he lie. henry bolingbroke pale trembling coward, there i throw my gage, disclaiming here the kindred of the king, and lay aside my high blood's royalty, which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except. if guilty dread have left thee so much strength as to take up mine honour's pawn, then stoop: by that and all the rites of knighthood else, will i make good against thee, arm to arm, what i have spoke, or thou canst worse devise. thomas mowbray i take it up; and by that sword i swear which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder, i'll answer thee in any fair degree, or chivalrous design of knightly trial: and when i mount, alive may i not light, if i be traitor or unjustly fight! king richard ii what doth our cousin lay to mowbray's charge? it must be great that can inherit us so much as of a thought of ill in him. henry bolingbroke look, what i speak, my life shall prove it true; that mowbray hath received eight thousand nobles in name of lendings for your highness' soldiers, the which he hath detain'd for lewd employments, like a false traitor and injurious villain. besides i say and will in battle prove, or here or elsewhere to the furthest verge that ever was survey'd by english eye, that all the treasons for these eighteen years complotted and contrived in this land fetch from false mowbray their first head and spring. further i say and further will maintain upon his bad life to make all this good, that he did plot the duke of gloucester's death, suggest his soon-believing adversaries, and consequently, like a traitor coward, sluiced out his innocent soul through streams of blood: which blood, like sacrificing abel's, cries, even from the tongueless caverns of the earth, to me for justice and rough chastisement; and, by the glorious worth of my descent, this arm shall do it, or this life be spent. king richard ii how high a pitch his resolution soars! thomas of norfolk, what say'st thou to this? thomas mowbray o, let my sovereign turn away his face and bid his ears a little while be deaf, till i have told this slander of his blood, how god and good men hate so foul a liar. king richard ii mowbray, impartial are our eyes and ears: were he my brother, nay, my kingdom's heir, as he is but my father's brother's son, now, by my sceptre's awe, i make a vow, such neighbour nearness to our sacred blood should nothing privilege him, nor partialize the unstooping firmness of my upright soul: he is our subject, mowbray; so art thou: free speech and fearless i to thee allow. thomas mowbray then, bolingbroke, as low as to thy heart, through the false passage of thy throat, thou liest. three parts of that receipt i had for calais disbursed i duly to his highness' soldiers; the other part reserved i by consent, for that my sovereign liege was in my debt upon remainder of a dear account, since last i went to france to fetch his queen: now swallow down that lie. for gloucester's death, i slew him not; but to my own disgrace neglected my sworn duty in that case. for you, my noble lord of lancaster, the honourable father to my foe once did i lay an ambush for your life, a trespass that doth vex my grieved soul but ere i last received the sacrament i did confess it, and exactly begg'd your grace's pardon, and i hope i had it. this is my fault: as for the rest appeall'd, it issues from the rancour of a villain, a recreant and most degenerate traitor which in myself i boldly will defend; and interchangeably hurl down my gage upon this overweening traitor's foot, to prove myself a loyal gentleman even in the best blood chamber'd in his bosom. in haste whereof, most heartily i pray your highness to assign our trial day. king richard ii wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me; let's purge this choler without letting blood: this we prescribe, though no physician; deep malice makes too deep incision; forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed; our doctors say this is no month to bleed. good uncle, let this end where it begun; we'll calm the duke of norfolk, you your son. john of gaunt to be a make-peace shall become my age: throw down, my son, the duke of norfolk's gage. king richard ii and, norfolk, throw down his. john of gaunt when, harry, when? obedience bids i should not bid again. king richard ii norfolk, throw down, we bid; there is no boot. thomas mowbray myself i throw, dread sovereign, at thy foot. my life thou shalt command, but not my shame: the one my duty owes; but my fair name, despite of death that lives upon my grave, to dark dishonour's use thou shalt not have. i am disgraced, impeach'd and baffled here, pierced to the soul with slander's venom'd spear, the which no balm can cure but his heart-blood which breathed this poison. king richard ii rage must be withstood: give me his gage: lions make leopards tame. thomas mowbray yea, but not change his spots: take but my shame. and i resign my gage. my dear dear lord, the purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation: that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay. a jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest is a bold spirit in a loyal breast. mine honour is my life; both grow in one: take honour from me, and my life is done: then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try; in that i live and for that will i die. king richard ii cousin, throw up your gage; do you begin. henry bolingbroke o, god defend my soul from such deep sin! shall i seem crest-fall'n in my father's sight? or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height before this out-dared dastard? ere my tongue shall wound my honour with such feeble wrong, or sound so base a parle, my teeth shall tear the slavish motive of recanting fear, and spit it bleeding in his high disgrace, where shame doth harbour, even in mowbray's face. [exit john of gaunt] king richard ii we were not born to sue, but to command; which since we cannot do to make you friends, be ready, as your lives shall answer it, at coventry, upon saint lambert's day: there shall your swords and lances arbitrate the swelling difference of your settled hate: since we can not atone you, we shall see justice design the victor's chivalry. lord marshal, command our officers at arms be ready to direct these home alarms. [exeunt] king richard ii act i scene ii the duke of lancaster's palace. [enter john of gaunt with duchess] john of gaunt alas, the part i had in woodstock's blood doth more solicit me than your exclaims, to stir against the butchers of his life! but since correction lieth in those hands which made the fault that we cannot correct, put we our quarrel to the will of heaven; who, when they see the hours ripe on earth, will rain hot vengeance on offenders' heads. duchess finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur? hath love in thy old blood no living fire? edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one, were as seven vials of his sacred blood, or seven fair branches springing from one root: some of those seven are dried by nature's course, some of those branches by the destinies cut; but thomas, my dear lord, my life, my gloucester, one vial full of edward's sacred blood, one flourishing branch of his most royal root, is crack'd, and all the precious liquor spilt, is hack'd down, and his summer leaves all faded, by envy's hand and murder's bloody axe. ah, gaunt, his blood was thine! that bed, that womb, that metal, that self-mould, that fashion'd thee made him a man; and though thou livest and breathest, yet art thou slain in him: thou dost consent in some large measure to thy father's death, in that thou seest thy wretched brother die, who was the model of thy father's life. call it not patience, gaunt; it is despair: in suffering thus thy brother to be slaughter'd, thou showest the naked pathway to thy life, teaching stern murder how to butcher thee: that which in mean men we intitle patience is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts. what shall i say? to safeguard thine own life, the best way is to venge my gloucester's death. john of gaunt god's is the quarrel; for god's substitute, his deputy anointed in his sight, hath caused his death: the which if wrongfully, let heaven revenge; for i may never lift an angry arm against his minister. duchess where then, alas, may i complain myself? john of gaunt to god, the widow's champion and defence. duchess why, then, i will. farewell, old gaunt. thou goest to coventry, there to behold our cousin hereford and fell mowbray fight: o, sit my husband's wrongs on hereford's spear, that it may enter butcher mowbray's breast! or, if misfortune miss the first career, be mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom, they may break his foaming courser's back, and throw the rider headlong in the lists, a caitiff recreant to my cousin hereford! farewell, old gaunt: thy sometimes brother's wife with her companion grief must end her life. john of gaunt sister, farewell; i must to coventry: as much good stay with thee as go with me! duchess yet one word more: grief boundeth where it falls, not with the empty hollowness, but weight: i take my leave before i have begun, for sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. commend me to thy brother, edmund york. lo, this is all:--nay, yet depart not so; though this be all, do not so quickly go; i shall remember more. bid him--ah, what?- with all good speed at plashy visit me. alack, and what shall good old york there see but empty lodgings and unfurnish'd walls, unpeopled offices, untrodden stones? and what hear there for welcome but my groans? therefore commend me; let him not come there, to seek out sorrow that dwells every where. desolate, desolate, will i hence and die: the last leave of thee takes my weeping eye. [exeunt] king richard ii act i scene iii the lists at coventry. [enter the lord marshal and the duke of aumerle] lord marshal my lord aumerle, is harry hereford arm'd? duke of aumerle yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. lord marshal the duke of norfolk, sprightfully and bold, stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. duke of aumerle why, then, the champions are prepared, and stay for nothing but his majesty's approach. [the trumpets sound, and king richard enters with his nobles, john of gaunt, bushy, bagot, green, and others. when they are set, enter thomas mowbray in arms, defendant, with a herald] king richard ii marshal, demand of yonder champion the cause of his arrival here in arms: ask him his name and orderly proceed to swear him in the justice of his cause. lord marshal in god's name and the king's, say who thou art and why thou comest thus knightly clad in arms, against what man thou comest, and what thy quarrel: speak truly, on thy knighthood and thy oath; as so defend thee heaven and thy valour! thomas mowbray my name is thomas mowbray, duke of norfolk; who hither come engaged by my oath- which god defend a knight should violate!- both to defend my loyalty and truth to god, my king and my succeeding issue, against the duke of hereford that appeals me and, by the grace of god and this mine arm, to prove him, in defending of myself, a traitor to my god, my king, and me: and as i truly fight, defend me heaven! [the trumpets sound. enter henry bolingbroke, appellant, in armour, with a herald] king richard ii marshal, ask yonder knight in arms, both who he is and why he cometh hither thus plated in habiliments of war, and formally, according to our law, depose him in the justice of his cause. lord marshal what is thy name? and wherefore comest thou hither, before king richard in his royal lists? against whom comest thou? and what's thy quarrel? speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven! henry bolingbroke harry of hereford, lancaster and derby am i; who ready here do stand in arms, to prove, by god's grace and my body's valour, in lists, on thomas mowbray, duke of norfolk, that he is a traitor, foul and dangerous, to god of heaven, king richard and to me; and as i truly fight, defend me heaven! lord marshal on pain of death, no person be so bold or daring-hardy as to touch the lists, except the marshal and such officers appointed to direct these fair designs. henry bolingbroke lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, and bow my knee before his majesty: for mowbray and myself are like two men that vow a long and weary pilgrimage; then let us take a ceremonious leave and loving farewell of our several friends. lord marshal the appellant in all duty greets your highness, and craves to kiss your hand and take his leave. king richard ii we will descend and fold him in our arms. cousin of hereford, as thy cause is right, so be thy fortune in this royal fight! farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, lament we may, but not revenge thee dead. henry bolingbroke o let no noble eye profane a tear for me, if i be gored with mowbray's spear: as confident as is the falcon's flight against a bird, do i with mowbray fight. my loving lord, i take my leave of you; of you, my noble cousin, lord aumerle; not sick, although i have to do with death, but lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath. lo, as at english feasts, so i regreet the daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: o thou, the earthly author of my blood, whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, doth with a twofold vigour lift me up to reach at victory above my head, add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; and with thy blessings steel my lance's point, that it may enter mowbray's waxen coat, and furbish new the name of john a gaunt, even in the lusty havior of his son. john of gaunt god in thy good cause make thee prosperous! be swift like lightning in the execution; and let thy blows, doubly redoubled, fall like amazing thunder on the casque of thy adverse pernicious enemy: rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. henry bolingbroke mine innocency and saint george to thrive! thomas mowbray however god or fortune cast my lot, there lives or dies, true to king richard's throne, a loyal, just and upright gentleman: never did captive with a freer heart cast off his chains of bondage and embrace his golden uncontroll'd enfranchisement, more than my dancing soul doth celebrate this feast of battle with mine adversary. most mighty liege, and my companion peers, take from my mouth the wish of happy years: as gentle and as jocund as to jest go i to fight: truth hath a quiet breast. king richard ii farewell, my lord: securely i espy virtue with valour couched in thine eye. order the trial, marshal, and begin. lord marshal harry of hereford, lancaster and derby, receive thy lance; and god defend the right! henry bolingbroke strong as a tower in hope, i cry amen. lord marshal go bear this lance to thomas, duke of norfolk. first herald harry of hereford, lancaster and derby, stands here for god, his sovereign and himself, on pain to be found false and recreant, to prove the duke of norfolk, thomas mowbray, a traitor to his god, his king and him; and dares him to set forward to the fight. second herald here standeth thomas mowbray, duke of norfolk, on pain to be found false and recreant, both to defend himself and to approve henry of hereford, lancaster, and derby, to god, his sovereign and to him disloyal; courageously and with a free desire attending but the signal to begin. lord marshal sound, trumpets; and set forward, combatants. [a charge sounded] stay, the king hath thrown his warder down. king richard ii let them lay by their helmets and their spears, and both return back to their chairs again: withdraw with us: and let the trumpets sound while we return these dukes what we decree. [a long flourish] draw near, and list what with our council we have done. for that our kingdom's earth should not be soil'd with that dear blood which it hath fostered; and for our eyes do hate the dire aspect of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' sword; and for we think the eagle-winged pride of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts, with rival-hating envy, set on you to wake our peace, which in our country's cradle draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep; which so roused up with boisterous untuned drums, with harsh resounding trumpets' dreadful bray, and grating shock of wrathful iron arms, might from our quiet confines fright fair peace and make us wade even in our kindred's blood, therefore, we banish you our territories: you, cousin hereford, upon pain of life, till twice five summers have enrich'd our fields shall not regreet our fair dominions, but tread the stranger paths of banishment. henry bolingbroke your will be done: this must my comfort be, sun that warms you here shall shine on me; and those his golden beams to you here lent shall point on me and gild my banishment. king richard ii norfolk, for thee remains a heavier doom, which i with some unwillingness pronounce: the sly slow hours shall not determinate the dateless limit of thy dear exile; the hopeless word of 'never to return' breathe i against thee, upon pain of life. thomas mowbray a heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege, and all unlook'd for from your highness' mouth: a dearer merit, not so deep a maim as to be cast forth in the common air, have i deserved at your highness' hands. the language i have learn'd these forty years, my native english, now i must forego: and now my tongue's use is to me no more than an unstringed viol or a harp, or like a cunning instrument cased up, or, being open, put into his hands that knows no touch to tune the harmony: within my mouth you have engaol'd my tongue, doubly portcullis'd with my teeth and lips; and dull unfeeling barren ignorance is made my gaoler to attend on me. i am too old to fawn upon a nurse, too far in years to be a pupil now: what is thy sentence then but speechless death, which robs my tongue from breathing native breath? king richard ii it boots thee not to be compassionate: after our sentence plaining comes too late. thomas mowbray then thus i turn me from my country's light, to dwell in solemn shades of endless night. king richard ii return again, and take an oath with thee. lay on our royal sword your banish'd hands; swear by the duty that you owe to god- our part therein we banish with yourselves- to keep the oath that we administer: you never shall, so help you truth and god! embrace each other's love in banishment; nor never look upon each other's face; nor never write, regreet, nor reconcile this louring tempest of your home-bred hate; nor never by advised purpose meet to plot, contrive, or complot any ill 'gainst us, our state, our subjects, or our land. henry bolingbroke i swear. thomas mowbray and i, to keep all this. henry bolingbroke norfolk, so far as to mine enemy:- by this time, had the king permitted us, one of our souls had wander'd in the air. banish'd this frail sepulchre of our flesh, as now our flesh is banish'd from this land: confess thy treasons ere thou fly the realm; since thou hast far to go, bear not along the clogging burthen of a guilty soul. thomas mowbray no, bolingbroke: if ever i were traitor, my name be blotted from the book of life, and i from heaven banish'd as from hence! but what thou art, god, thou, and i do know; and all too soon, i fear, the king shall rue. farewell, my liege. now no way can i stray; save back to england, all the world's my way. [exit] king richard ii uncle, even in the glasses of thine eyes i see thy grieved heart: thy sad aspect hath from the number of his banish'd years pluck'd four away. [to henry bolingbroke] six frozen winter spent, return with welcome home from banishment. henry bolingbroke how long a time lies in one little word! four lagging winters and four wanton springs end in a word: such is the breath of kings. john of gaunt i thank my liege, that in regard of me he shortens four years of my son's exile: but little vantage shall i reap thereby; for, ere the six years that he hath to spend can change their moons and bring their times about my oil-dried lamp and time-bewasted light shall be extinct with age and endless night; my inch of taper will be burnt and done, and blindfold death not let me see my son. king richard ii why uncle, thou hast many years to live. john of gaunt but not a minute, king, that thou canst give: shorten my days thou canst with sullen sorrow, and pluck nights from me, but not lend a morrow; thou canst help time to furrow me with age, but stop no wrinkle in his pilgrimage; thy word is current with him for my death, but dead, thy kingdom cannot buy my breath. king richard ii thy son is banish'd upon good advice, whereto thy tongue a party-verdict gave: why at our justice seem'st thou then to lour? john of gaunt things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour. you urged me as a judge; but i had rather you would have bid me argue like a father. o, had it been a stranger, not my child, to smooth his fault i should have been more mild: a partial slander sought i to avoid, and in the sentence my own life destroy'd. alas, i look'd when some of you should say, i was too strict to make mine own away; but you gave leave to my unwilling tongue against my will to do myself this wrong. king richard ii cousin, farewell; and, uncle, bid him so: six years we banish him, and he shall go. [flourish. exeunt king richard ii and train] duke of aumerle cousin, farewell: what presence must not know, from where you do remain let paper show. lord marshal my lord, no leave take i; for i will ride, as far as land will let me, by your side. john of gaunt o, to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words, that thou return'st no greeting to thy friends? henry bolingbroke i have too few to take my leave of you, when the tongue's office should be prodigal to breathe the abundant dolour of the heart. john of gaunt thy grief is but thy absence for a time. henry bolingbroke joy absent, grief is present for that time. john of gaunt what is six winters? they are quickly gone. henry bolingbroke to men in joy; but grief makes one hour ten. john of gaunt call it a travel that thou takest for pleasure. henry bolingbroke my heart will sigh when i miscall it so, which finds it an inforced pilgrimage. john of gaunt the sullen passage of thy weary steps esteem as foil wherein thou art to set the precious jewel of thy home return. henry bolingbroke nay, rather, every tedious stride i make will but remember me what a deal of world i wander from the jewels that i love. must i not serve a long apprenticehood to foreign passages, and in the end, having my freedom, boast of nothing else but that i was a journeyman to grief? john of gaunt all places that the eye of heaven visits are to a wise man ports and happy havens. teach thy necessity to reason thus; there is no virtue like necessity. think not the king did banish thee, but thou the king. woe doth the heavier sit, where it perceives it is but faintly borne. go, say i sent thee forth to purchase honour and not the king exiled thee; or suppose devouring pestilence hangs in our air and thou art flying to a fresher clime: look, what thy soul holds dear, imagine it to lie that way thou go'st, not whence thou comest: suppose the singing birds musicians, the grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd, the flowers fair ladies, and thy steps no more than a delightful measure or a dance; for gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite the man that mocks at it and sets it light. henry bolingbroke o, who can hold a fire in his hand by thinking on the frosty caucasus? or cloy the hungry edge of appetite by bare imagination of a feast? or wallow naked in december snow by thinking on fantastic summer's heat? o, no! the apprehension of the good gives but the greater feeling to the worse: fell sorrow's tooth doth never rankle more than when he bites, but lanceth not the sore. john of gaunt come, come, my son, i'll bring thee on thy way: had i thy youth and cause, i would not stay. henry bolingbroke then, england's ground, farewell; sweet soil, adieu; my mother, and my nurse, that bears me yet! where'er i wander, boast of this i can, though banish'd, yet a trueborn englishman. [exeunt] king richard ii act i scene iv the court. [enter king richard ii, with bagot and green at one door; and the duke of aumerle at another] king richard ii we did observe. cousin aumerle, how far brought you high hereford on his way? duke of aumerle i brought high hereford, if you call him so, but to the next highway, and there i left him. king richard ii and say, what store of parting tears were shed? duke of aumerle faith, none for me; except the north-east wind, which then blew bitterly against our faces, awaked the sleeping rheum, and so by chance did grace our hollow parting with a tear. king richard ii what said our cousin when you parted with him? duke of aumerle 'farewell:' and, for my heart disdained that my tongue should so profane the word, that taught me craft to counterfeit oppression of such grief that words seem'd buried in my sorrow's grave. marry, would the word 'farewell' have lengthen'd hours and added years to his short banishment, he should have had a volume of farewells; but since it would not, he had none of me. king richard ii he is our cousin, cousin; but 'tis doubt, when time shall call him home from banishment, whether our kinsman come to see his friends. ourself and bushy, bagot here and green observed his courtship to the common people; how he did seem to dive into their hearts with humble and familiar courtesy, what reverence he did throw away on slaves, wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles and patient underbearing of his fortune, as 'twere to banish their affects with him. off goes his bonnet to an oyster-wench; a brace of draymen bid god speed him well and had the tribute of his supple knee, with 'thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends;' as were our england in reversion his, and he our subjects' next degree in hope. green well, he is gone; and with him go these thoughts. now for the rebels which stand out in ireland, expedient manage must be made, my liege, ere further leisure yield them further means for their advantage and your highness' loss. king richard ii we will ourself in person to this war: and, for our coffers, with too great a court and liberal largess, are grown somewhat light, we are inforced to farm our royal realm; the revenue whereof shall furnish us for our affairs in hand: if that come short, our substitutes at home shall have blank charters; whereto, when they shall know what men are rich, they shall subscribe them for large sums of gold and send them after to supply our wants; for we will make for ireland presently. [enter bushy] bushy, what news? bushy old john of gaunt is grievous sick, my lord, suddenly taken; and hath sent post haste to entreat your majesty to visit him. king richard ii where lies he? bushy at ely house. king richard ii now put it, god, in the physician's mind to help him to his grave immediately! the lining of his coffers shall make coats to deck our soldiers for these irish wars. come, gentlemen, let's all go visit him: pray god we may make haste, and come too late! all amen. [exeunt] king richard ii act ii scene i ely house. [enter john of gaunt sick, with the duke of york, &c] john of gaunt will the king come, that i may breathe my last in wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth? duke of york vex not yourself, nor strive not with your breath; for all in vain comes counsel to his ear. john of gaunt o, but they say the tongues of dying men enforce attention like deep harmony: where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain, for they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain. he that no more must say is listen'd more than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose; more are men's ends mark'd than their lives before: the setting sun, and music at the close, as the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, writ in remembrance more than things long past: though richard my life's counsel would not hear, my death's sad tale may yet undeaf his ear. duke of york no; it is stopp'd with other flattering sounds, as praises, of whose taste the wise are fond, lascivious metres, to whose venom sound the open ear of youth doth always listen; report of fashions in proud italy, whose manners still our tardy apish nation limps after in base imitation. where doth the world thrust forth a vanity- so it be new, there's no respect how vile- that is not quickly buzzed into his ears? then all too late comes counsel to be heard, where will doth mutiny with wit's regard. direct not him whose way himself will choose: 'tis breath thou lack'st, and that breath wilt thou lose. john of gaunt methinks i am a prophet new inspired and thus expiring do foretell of him: his rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last, for violent fires soon burn out themselves; small showers last long, but sudden storms are short; he tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes; with eager feeding food doth choke the feeder: light vanity, insatiate cormorant, consuming means, soon preys upon itself. this royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of mars, this other eden, demi-paradise, this fortress built by nature for herself against infection and the hand of war, this happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea, which serves it in the office of a wall, or as a moat defensive to a house, against the envy of less happier lands, this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this england, this nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings, fear'd by their breed and famous by their birth, renowned for their deeds as far from home, for christian service and true chivalry, as is the sepulchre in stubborn jewry, of the world's ransom, blessed mary's son, this land of such dear souls, this dear dear land, dear for her reputation through the world, is now leased out, i die pronouncing it, like to a tenement or pelting farm: england, bound in with the triumphant sea whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege of watery neptune, is now bound in with shame, with inky blots and rotten parchment bonds: that england, that was wont to conquer others, hath made a shameful conquest of itself. ah, would the scandal vanish with my life, how happy then were my ensuing death! [enter king richard ii and queen, duke of aumerle, bushy, green, bagot, lord ross, and lord willoughby] duke of york the king is come: deal mildly with his youth; for young hot colts being raged do rage the more. queen how fares our noble uncle, lancaster? king richard ii what comfort, man? how is't with aged gaunt? john of gaunt o how that name befits my composition! old gaunt indeed, and gaunt in being old: within me grief hath kept a tedious fast; and who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? for sleeping england long time have i watch'd; watching breeds leanness, leanness is all gaunt: the pleasure that some fathers feed upon, is my strict fast; i mean, my children's looks; and therein fasting, hast thou made me gaunt: gaunt am i for the grave, gaunt as a grave, whose hollow womb inherits nought but bones. king richard ii can sick men play so nicely with their names? john of gaunt no, misery makes sport to mock itself: since thou dost seek to kill my name in me, i mock my name, great king, to flatter thee. king richard ii should dying men flatter with those that live? john of gaunt no, no, men living flatter those that die. king richard ii thou, now a-dying, say'st thou flatterest me. john of gaunt o, no! thou diest, though i the sicker be. king richard ii i am in health, i breathe, and see thee ill. john of gaunt now he that made me knows i see thee ill; ill in myself to see, and in thee seeing ill. thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land wherein thou liest in reputation sick; and thou, too careless patient as thou art, commit'st thy anointed body to the cure of those physicians that first wounded thee: a thousand flatterers sit within thy crown, whose compass is no bigger than thy head; and yet, incaged in so small a verge, the waste is no whit lesser than thy land. o, had thy grandsire with a prophet's eye seen how his son's son should destroy his sons, from forth thy reach he would have laid thy shame, deposing thee before thou wert possess'd, which art possess'd now to depose thyself. why, cousin, wert thou regent of the world, it were a shame to let this land by lease; but for thy world enjoying but this land, is it not more than shame to shame it so? landlord of england art thou now, not king: thy state of law is bondslave to the law; and thou- king richard ii a lunatic lean-witted fool, presuming on an ague's privilege, darest with thy frozen admonition make pale our cheek, chasing the royal blood with fury from his native residence. now, by my seat's right royal majesty, wert thou not brother to great edward's son, this tongue that runs so roundly in thy head should run thy head from thy unreverent shoulders. john of gaunt o, spare me not, my brother edward's son, for that i was his father edward's son; that blood already, like the pelican, hast thou tapp'd out and drunkenly caroused: my brother gloucester, plain well-meaning soul, whom fair befal in heaven 'mongst happy souls! may be a precedent and witness good that thou respect'st not spilling edward's blood: join with the present sickness that i have; and thy unkindness be like crooked age, to crop at once a too long wither'd flower. live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee! these words hereafter thy tormentors be! convey me to my bed, then to my grave: love they to live that love and honour have. [exit, borne off by his attendants] king richard ii and let them die that age and sullens have; for both hast thou, and both become the grave. duke of york i do beseech your majesty, impute his words to wayward sickliness and age in him: he loves you, on my life, and holds you dear as harry duke of hereford, were he here. king richard ii right, you say true: as hereford's love, so his; as theirs, so mine; and all be as it is. [enter northumberland] northumberland my liege, old gaunt commends him to your majesty. king richard ii what says he? northumberland nay, nothing; all is said his tongue is now a stringless instrument; words, life and all, old lancaster hath spent. duke of york be york the next that must be bankrupt so! though death be poor, it ends a mortal woe. king richard ii the ripest fruit first falls, and so doth he; his time is spent, our pilgrimage must be. so much for that. now for our irish wars: we must supplant those rough rug-headed kerns, which live like venom where no venom else but only they have privilege to live. and for these great affairs do ask some charge, towards our assistance we do seize to us the plate, corn, revenues and moveables, whereof our uncle gaunt did stand possess'd. duke of york how long shall i be patient? ah, how long shall tender duty make me suffer wrong? not gloucester's death, nor hereford's banishment not gaunt's rebukes, nor england's private wrongs, nor the prevention of poor bolingbroke about his marriage, nor my own disgrace, have ever made me sour my patient cheek, or bend one wrinkle on my sovereign's face. i am the last of noble edward's sons, of whom thy father, prince of wales, was first: in war was never lion raged more fierce, in peace was never gentle lamb more mild, than was that young and princely gentleman. his face thou hast, for even so look'd he, accomplish'd with the number of thy hours; but when he frown'd, it was against the french and not against his friends; his noble hand did will what he did spend and spent not that which his triumphant father's hand had won; his hands were guilty of no kindred blood, but bloody with the enemies of his kin. o richard! york is too far gone with grief, or else he never would compare between. king richard ii why, uncle, what's the matter? duke of york o my liege, pardon me, if you please; if not, i, pleased not to be pardon'd, am content withal. seek you to seize and gripe into your hands the royalties and rights of banish'd hereford? is not gaunt dead, and doth not hereford live? was not gaunt just, and is not harry true? did not the one deserve to have an heir? is not his heir a well-deserving son? take hereford's rights away, and take from time his charters and his customary rights; let not to-morrow then ensue to-day; be not thyself; for how art thou a king but by fair sequence and succession? now, afore god--god forbid i say true!- if you do wrongfully seize hereford's rights, call in the letters patent that he hath by his attorneys-general to sue his livery, and deny his offer'd homage, you pluck a thousand dangers on your head, you lose a thousand well-disposed hearts and prick my tender patience, to those thoughts which honour and allegiance cannot think. king richard ii think what you will, we seize into our hands his plate, his goods, his money and his lands. duke of york i'll not be by the while: my liege, farewell: what will ensue hereof, there's none can tell; but by bad courses may be understood that their events can never fall out good. [exit] king richard ii go, bushy, to the earl of wiltshire straight: bid him repair to us to ely house to see this business. to-morrow next we will for ireland; and 'tis time, i trow: and we create, in absence of ourself, our uncle york lord governor of england; for he is just and always loved us well. come on, our queen: to-morrow must we part; be merry, for our time of stay is short [flourish. exeunt king richard ii, queen, duke of aumerle, bushy, green, and bagot] northumberland well, lords, the duke of lancaster is dead. lord ross and living too; for now his son is duke. lord willoughby barely in title, not in revenue. northumberland richly in both, if justice had her right. lord ross my heart is great; but it must break with silence, ere't be disburden'd with a liberal tongue. northumberland nay, speak thy mind; and let him ne'er speak more that speaks thy words again to do thee harm! lord willoughby tends that thou wouldst speak to the duke of hereford? if it be so, out with it boldly, man; quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him. lord ross no good at all that i can do for him; unless you call it good to pity him, bereft and gelded of his patrimony. northumberland now, afore god, 'tis shame such wrongs are borne in him, a royal prince, and many moe of noble blood in this declining land. the king is not himself, but basely led by flatterers; and what they will inform, merely in hate, 'gainst any of us all, that will the king severely prosecute 'gainst us, our lives, our children, and our heirs. lord ross the commons hath he pill'd with grievous taxes, and quite lost their hearts: the nobles hath he fined for ancient quarrels, and quite lost their hearts. lord willoughby and daily new exactions are devised, as blanks, benevolences, and i wot not what: but what, o' god's name, doth become of this? northumberland wars have not wasted it, for warr'd he hath not, but basely yielded upon compromise that which his noble ancestors achieved with blows: more hath he spent in peace than they in wars. lord ross the earl of wiltshire hath the realm in farm. lord willoughby the king's grown bankrupt, like a broken man. northumberland reproach and dissolution hangeth over him. lord ross he hath not money for these irish wars, his burthenous taxations notwithstanding, but by the robbing of the banish'd duke. northumberland his noble kinsman: most degenerate king! but, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing, yet see no shelter to avoid the storm; we see the wind sit sore upon our sails, and yet we strike not, but securely perish. lord ross we see the very wreck that we must suffer; and unavoided is the danger now, for suffering so the causes of our wreck. northumberland not so; even through the hollow eyes of death i spy life peering; but i dare not say how near the tidings of our comfort is. lord willoughby nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours. lord ross be confident to speak, northumberland: we three are but thyself; and, speaking so, thy words are but as thoughts; therefore, be bold. northumberland then thus: i have from port le blanc, a bay in brittany, received intelligence that harry duke of hereford, rainold lord cobham, [ ] that late broke from the duke of exeter, his brother, archbishop late of canterbury, sir thomas erpingham, sir john ramston, sir john norbery, sir robert waterton and francis quoint, all these well furnish'd by the duke of bretagne with eight tall ships, three thousand men of war, are making hither with all due expedience and shortly mean to touch our northern shore: perhaps they had ere this, but that they stay the first departing of the king for ireland. if then we shall shake off our slavish yoke, imp out our drooping country's broken wing, redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown, wipe off the dust that hides our sceptre's gilt and make high majesty look like itself, away with me in post to ravenspurgh; but if you faint, as fearing to do so, stay and be secret, and myself will go. lord ross to horse, to horse! urge doubts to them that fear. lord willoughby hold out my horse, and i will first be there. [exeunt] king richard ii act ii scene ii the palace. [enter queen, bushy, and bagot] bushy madam, your majesty is too much sad: you promised, when you parted with the king, to lay aside life-harming heaviness and entertain a cheerful disposition. queen to please the king i did; to please myself i cannot do it; yet i know no cause why i should welcome such a guest as grief, save bidding farewell to so sweet a guest as my sweet richard: yet again, methinks, some unborn sorrow, ripe in fortune's womb, is coming towards me, and my inward soul with nothing trembles: at some thing it grieves, more than with parting from my lord the king. bushy each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows, which shows like grief itself, but is not so; for sorrow's eye, glazed with blinding tears, divides one thing entire to many objects; like perspectives, which rightly gazed upon show nothing but confusion, eyed awry distinguish form: so your sweet majesty, looking awry upon your lord's departure, find shapes of grief, more than himself, to wail; which, look'd on as it is, is nought but shadows of what it is not. then, thrice-gracious queen, more than your lord's departure weep not: more's not seen; or if it be, 'tis with false sorrow's eye, which for things true weeps things imaginary. queen it may be so; but yet my inward soul persuades me it is otherwise: howe'er it be, i cannot but be sad; so heavy sad as, though on thinking on no thought i think, makes me with heavy nothing faint and shrink. bushy 'tis nothing but conceit, my gracious lady. queen 'tis nothing less: conceit is still derived from some forefather grief; mine is not so, for nothing had begot my something grief; or something hath the nothing that i grieve: 'tis in reversion that i do possess; but what it is, that is not yet known; what i cannot name; 'tis nameless woe, i wot. [enter green] green god save your majesty! and well met, gentlemen: i hope the king is not yet shipp'd for ireland. queen why hopest thou so? 'tis better hope he is; for his designs crave haste, his haste good hope: then wherefore dost thou hope he is not shipp'd? green that he, our hope, might have retired his power, and driven into despair an enemy's hope, who strongly hath set footing in this land: the banish'd bolingbroke repeals himself, and with uplifted arms is safe arrived at ravenspurgh. queen now god in heaven forbid! green ah, madam, 'tis too true: and that is worse, the lord northumberland, his son young henry percy, the lords of ross, beaumond, and willoughby, with all their powerful friends, are fled to him. bushy why have you not proclaim'd northumberland and all the rest revolted faction traitors? green we have: whereupon the earl of worcester hath broke his staff, resign'd his stewardship, and all the household servants fled with him to bolingbroke. queen so, green, thou art the midwife to my woe, and bolingbroke my sorrow's dismal heir: now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy, and i, a gasping new-deliver'd mother, have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow join'd. bushy despair not, madam. queen who shall hinder me? i will despair, and be at enmity with cozening hope: he is a flatterer, a parasite, a keeper back of death, who gently would dissolve the bands of life, which false hope lingers in extremity. [enter duke of york] green here comes the duke of york. queen with signs of war about his aged neck: o, full of careful business are his looks! uncle, for god's sake, speak comfortable words. duke of york should i do so, i should belie my thoughts: comfort's in heaven; and we are on the earth, where nothing lives but crosses, cares and grief. your husband, he is gone to save far off, whilst others come to make him lose at home: here am i left to underprop his land, who, weak with age, cannot support myself: now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made; now shall he try his friends that flatter'd him. [enter a servant] servant my lord, your son was gone before i came. duke of york he was? why, so! go all which way it will! the nobles they are fled, the commons they are cold, and will, i fear, revolt on hereford's side. sirrah, get thee to plashy, to my sister gloucester; bid her send me presently a thousand pound: hold, take my ring. servant my lord, i had forgot to tell your lordship, to-day, as i came by, i called there; but i shall grieve you to report the rest. duke of york what is't, knave? servant an hour before i came, the duchess died. duke of york god for his mercy! what a tide of woes comes rushing on this woeful land at once! i know not what to do: i would to god, so my untruth had not provoked him to it, the king had cut off my head with my brother's. what, are there no posts dispatch'd for ireland? how shall we do for money for these wars? come, sister,--cousin, i would say--pray, pardon me. go, fellow, get thee home, provide some carts and bring away the armour that is there. [exit servant] gentlemen, will you go muster men? if i know how or which way to order these affairs thus thrust disorderly into my hands, never believe me. both are my kinsmen: the one is my sovereign, whom both my oath and duty bids defend; the other again is my kinsman, whom the king hath wrong'd, whom conscience and my kindred bids to right. well, somewhat we must do. come, cousin, i'll dispose of you. gentlemen, go, muster up your men, and meet me presently at berkeley. i should to plashy too; but time will not permit: all is uneven, and every thing is left at six and seven. [exeunt duke of york and queen] bushy the wind sits fair for news to go to ireland, but none returns. for us to levy power proportionable to the enemy is all unpossible. green besides, our nearness to the king in love is near the hate of those love not the king. bagot and that's the wavering commons: for their love lies in their purses, and whoso empties them by so much fills their hearts with deadly hate. bushy wherein the king stands generally condemn'd. bagot if judgement lie in them, then so do we, because we ever have been near the king. green well, i will for refuge straight to bristol castle: the earl of wiltshire is already there. bushy thither will i with you; for little office the hateful commons will perform for us, except like curs to tear us all to pieces. will you go along with us? bagot no; i will to ireland to his majesty. farewell: if heart's presages be not vain, we three here art that ne'er shall meet again. bushy that's as york thrives to beat back bolingbroke. green alas, poor duke! the task he undertakes is numbering sands and drinking oceans dry: where one on his side fights, thousands will fly. farewell at once, for once, for all, and ever. bushy well, we may meet again. bagot i fear me, never. [exeunt] king richard ii act ii scene iii wilds in gloucestershire. [enter henry bolingbroke and northumberland, with forces] henry bolingbroke how far is it, my lord, to berkeley now? northumberland believe me, noble lord, i am a stranger here in gloucestershire: these high wild hills and rough uneven ways draws out our miles, and makes them wearisome, and yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar, making the hard way sweet and delectable. but i bethink me what a weary way from ravenspurgh to cotswold will be found in ross and willoughby, wanting your company, which, i protest, hath very much beguiled the tediousness and process of my travel: but theirs is sweetened with the hope to have the present benefit which i possess; and hope to joy is little less in joy than hope enjoy'd: by this the weary lords shall make their way seem short, as mine hath done by sight of what i have, your noble company. henry bolingbroke of much less value is my company than your good words. but who comes here? [enter henry percy] northumberland it is my son, young harry percy, sent from my brother worcester, whencesoever. harry, how fares your uncle? henry percy i had thought, my lord, to have learn'd his health of you. northumberland why, is he not with the queen? henry percy no, my good lord; he hath forsook the court, broken his staff of office and dispersed the household of the king. northumberland what was his reason? he was not so resolved when last we spake together. henry percy because your lordship was proclaimed traitor. but he, my lord, is gone to ravenspurgh, to offer service to the duke of hereford, and sent me over by berkeley, to discover what power the duke of york had levied there; then with directions to repair to ravenspurgh. northumberland have you forgot the duke of hereford, boy? henry percy no, my good lord, for that is not forgot which ne'er i did remember: to my knowledge, i never in my life did look on him. northumberland then learn to know him now; this is the duke. henry percy my gracious lord, i tender you my service, such as it is, being tender, raw and young: which elder days shall ripen and confirm to more approved service and desert. henry bolingbroke i thank thee, gentle percy; and be sure i count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my good friends; and, as my fortune ripens with thy love, it shall be still thy true love's recompense: my heart this covenant makes, my hand thus seals it. northumberland how far is it to berkeley? and what stir keeps good old york there with his men of war? henry percy there stands the castle, by yon tuft of trees, mann'd with three hundred men, as i have heard; and in it are the lords of york, berkeley, and seymour; none else of name and noble estimate. [enter lord ross and lord willoughby] northumberland here come the lords of ross and willoughby, bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. henry bolingbroke welcome, my lords. i wot your love pursues a banish'd traitor: all my treasury is yet but unfelt thanks, which more enrich'd shall be your love and labour's recompense. lord ross your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. lord willoughby and far surmounts our labour to attain it. henry bolingbroke evermore thanks, the exchequer of the poor; which, till my infant fortune comes to years, stands for my bounty. but who comes here? [enter lord berkeley] northumberland it is my lord of berkeley, as i guess. lord berkeley my lord of hereford, my message is to you. henry bolingbroke my lord, my answer is--to lancaster; and i am come to seek that name in england; and i must find that title in your tongue, before i make reply to aught you say. lord berkeley mistake me not, my lord; 'tis not my meaning to raze one title of your honour out: to you, my lord, i come, what lord you will, from the most gracious regent of this land, the duke of york, to know what pricks you on to take advantage of the absent time and fright our native peace with self-born arms. [enter duke of york attended] henry bolingbroke i shall not need transport my words by you; here comes his grace in person. my noble uncle! [kneels] duke of york show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, whose duty is deceiveable and false. henry bolingbroke my gracious uncle- duke of york tut, tut! grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle: i am no traitor's uncle; and that word 'grace.' in an ungracious mouth is but profane. why have those banish'd and forbidden legs dared once to touch a dust of england's ground? but then more 'why?' why have they dared to march so many miles upon her peaceful bosom, frighting her pale-faced villages with war and ostentation of despised arms? comest thou because the anointed king is hence? why, foolish boy, the king is left behind, and in my loyal bosom lies his power. were i but now the lord of such hot youth as when brave gaunt, thy father, and myself rescued the black prince, that young mars of men, from forth the ranks of many thousand french, o, then how quickly should this arm of mine. now prisoner to the palsy, chastise thee and minister correction to thy fault! henry bolingbroke my gracious uncle, let me know my fault: on what condition stands it and wherein? duke of york even in condition of the worst degree, in gross rebellion and detested treason: thou art a banish'd man, and here art come before the expiration of thy time, in braving arms against thy sovereign. henry bolingbroke as i was banish'd, i was banish'd hereford; but as i come, i come for lancaster. and, noble uncle, i beseech your grace look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye: you are my father, for methinks in you i see old gaunt alive; o, then, my father, will you permit that i shall stand condemn'd a wandering vagabond; my rights and royalties pluck'd from my arms perforce and given away to upstart unthrifts? wherefore was i born? if that my cousin king be king of england, it must be granted i am duke of lancaster. you have a son, aumerle, my noble cousin; had you first died, and he been thus trod down, he should have found his uncle gaunt a father, to rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay. i am denied to sue my livery here, and yet my letters-patents give me leave: my father's goods are all distrain'd and sold, and these and all are all amiss employ'd. what would you have me do? i am a subject, and i challenge law: attorneys are denied me; and therefore, personally i lay my claim to my inheritance of free descent. northumberland the noble duke hath been too much abused. lord ross it stands your grace upon to do him right. lord willoughby base men by his endowments are made great. duke of york my lords of england, let me tell you this: i have had feeling of my cousin's wrongs and laboured all i could to do him right; but in this kind to come, in braving arms, be his own carver and cut out his way, to find out right with wrong, it may not be; and you that do abet him in this kind cherish rebellion and are rebels all. northumberland the noble duke hath sworn his coming is but for his own; and for the right of that we all have strongly sworn to give him aid; and let him ne'er see joy that breaks that oath! duke of york well, well, i see the issue of these arms: i cannot mend it, i must needs confess, because my power is weak and all ill left: but if i could, by him that gave me life, i would attach you all and make you stoop unto the sovereign mercy of the king; but since i cannot, be it known to you i do remain as neuter. so, fare you well; unless you please to enter in the castle and there repose you for this night. henry bolingbroke an offer, uncle, that we will accept: but we must win your grace to go with us to bristol castle, which they say is held by bushy, bagot and their complices, the caterpillars of the commonwealth, which i have sworn to weed and pluck away. duke of york it may be i will go with you: but yet i'll pause; for i am loath to break our country's laws. nor friends nor foes, to me welcome you are: things past redress are now with me past care. [exeunt] king richard ii act ii scene iv a camp in wales. [enter earl of salisbury and a welsh captain] captain my lord of salisbury, we have stay'd ten days, and hardly kept our countrymen together, and yet we hear no tidings from the king; therefore we will disperse ourselves: farewell. earl of salisbury stay yet another day, thou trusty welshman: the king reposeth all his confidence in thee. captain 'tis thought the king is dead; we will not stay. the bay-trees in our country are all wither'd and meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven; the pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth and lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change; rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap, the one in fear to lose what they enjoy, the other to enjoy by rage and war: these signs forerun the death or fall of kings. farewell: our countrymen are gone and fled, as well assured richard their king is dead. [exit] earl of salisbury ah, richard, with the eyes of heavy mind i see thy glory like a shooting star fall to the base earth from the firmament. thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west, witnessing storms to come, woe and unrest: thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes, and crossly to thy good all fortune goes. [exit] king richard ii act iii scene i bristol. before the castle. [enter henry bolingbroke, duke of york, northumberland, lord ross, henry percy, lord willoughby, with bushy and green, prisoners] henry bolingbroke bring forth these men. bushy and green, i will not vex your souls- since presently your souls must part your bodies- with too much urging your pernicious lives, for 'twere no charity; yet, to wash your blood from off my hands, here in the view of men i will unfold some causes of your deaths. you have misled a prince, a royal king, a happy gentleman in blood and lineaments, by you unhappied and disfigured clean: you have in manner with your sinful hours made a divorce betwixt his queen and him, broke the possession of a royal bed and stain'd the beauty of a fair queen's cheeks with tears drawn from her eyes by your foul wrongs. myself, a prince by fortune of my birth, near to the king in blood, and near in love till you did make him misinterpret me, have stoop'd my neck under your injuries, and sigh'd my english breath in foreign clouds, eating the bitter bread of banishment; whilst you have fed upon my signories, dispark'd my parks and fell'd my forest woods, from my own windows torn my household coat, razed out my imprese, leaving me no sign, save men's opinions and my living blood, to show the world i am a gentleman. this and much more, much more than twice all this, condemns you to the death. see them deliver'd over to execution and the hand of death. bushy more welcome is the stroke of death to me than bolingbroke to england. lords, farewell. green my comfort is that heaven will take our souls and plague injustice with the pains of hell. henry bolingbroke my lord northumberland, see them dispatch'd. [exeunt northumberland and others, with the prisoners] uncle, you say the queen is at your house; for god's sake, fairly let her be entreated: tell her i send to her my kind commends; take special care my greetings be deliver'd. duke of york a gentleman of mine i have dispatch'd with letters of your love to her at large. henry bolingbroke thank, gentle uncle. come, lords, away. to fight with glendower and his complices: awhile to work, and after holiday. [exeunt] king richard ii act iii scene ii the coast of wales. a castle in view. [drums; flourish and colours. enter king richard ii, the bishop of carlisle, duke of aumerle, and soldiers] king richard ii barkloughly castle call they this at hand? duke of aumerle yea, my lord. how brooks your grace the air, after your late tossing on the breaking seas? king richard ii needs must i like it well: i weep for joy to stand upon my kingdom once again. dear earth, i do salute thee with my hand, though rebels wound thee with their horses' hoofs: as a long-parted mother with her child plays fondly with her tears and smiles in meeting, so, weeping, smiling, greet i thee, my earth, and do thee favours with my royal hands. feed not thy sovereign's foe, my gentle earth, nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense; but let thy spiders, that suck up thy venom, and heavy-gaited toads lie in their way, doing annoyance to the treacherous feet which with usurping steps do trample thee: yield stinging nettles to mine enemies; and when they from thy bosom pluck a flower, guard it, i pray thee, with a lurking adder whose double tongue may with a mortal touch throw death upon thy sovereign's enemies. mock not my senseless conjuration, lords: this earth shall have a feeling and these stones prove armed soldiers, ere her native king shall falter under foul rebellion's arms. bishop of carlisle fear not, my lord: that power that made you king hath power to keep you king in spite of all. the means that heaven yields must be embraced, and not neglected; else, if heaven would, and we will not, heaven's offer we refuse, the proffer'd means of succor and redress. duke of aumerle he means, my lord, that we are too remiss; whilst bolingbroke, through our security, grows strong and great in substance and in power. king richard ii discomfortable cousin! know'st thou not that when the searching eye of heaven is hid, behind the globe, that lights the lower world, then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen in murders and in outrage, boldly here; but when from under this terrestrial ball he fires the proud tops of the eastern pines and darts his light through every guilty hole, then murders, treasons and detested sins, the cloak of night being pluck'd from off their backs, stand bare and naked, trembling at themselves? so when this thief, this traitor, bolingbroke, who all this while hath revell'd in the night whilst we were wandering with the antipodes, shall see us rising in our throne, the east, his treasons will sit blushing in his face, not able to endure the sight of day, but self-affrighted tremble at his sin. not all the water in the rough rude sea can wash the balm off from an anointed king; the breath of worldly men cannot depose the deputy elected by the lord: for every man that bolingbroke hath press'd to lift shrewd steel against our golden crown, god for his richard hath in heavenly pay a glorious angel: then, if angels fight, weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right. [enter earl of salisbury] welcome, my lord how far off lies your power? earl of salisbury nor near nor farther off, my gracious lord, than this weak arm: discomfort guides my tongue and bids me speak of nothing but despair. one day too late, i fear me, noble lord, hath clouded all thy happy days on earth: o, call back yesterday, bid time return, and thou shalt have twelve thousand fighting men! to-day, to-day, unhappy day, too late, o'erthrows thy joys, friends, fortune and thy state: for all the welshmen, hearing thou wert dead. are gone to bolingbroke, dispersed and fled. duke of aumerle comfort, my liege; why looks your grace so pale? king richard ii but now the blood of twenty thousand men did triumph in my face, and they are fled; and, till so much blood thither come again, have i not reason to look pale and dead? all souls that will be safe fly from my side, for time hath set a blot upon my pride. duke of aumerle comfort, my liege; remember who you are. king richard ii i had forgot myself; am i not king? awake, thou coward majesty! thou sleepest. is not the king's name twenty thousand names? arm, arm, my name! a puny subject strikes at thy great glory. look not to the ground, ye favourites of a king: are we not high? high be our thoughts: i know my uncle york hath power enough to serve our turn. but who comes here? [enter sir stephen scroop] sir stephen scroop more health and happiness betide my liege than can my care-tuned tongue deliver him! king richard ii mine ear is open and my heart prepared; the worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold. say, is my kingdom lost? why, 'twas my care and what loss is it to be rid of care? strives bolingbroke to be as great as we? greater he shall not be; if he serve god, we'll serve him too and be his fellow so: revolt our subjects? that we cannot mend; they break their faith to god as well as us: cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay: the worst is death, and death will have his day. sir stephen scroop glad am i that your highness is so arm'd to bear the tidings of calamity. like an unseasonable stormy day, which makes the silver rivers drown their shores, as if the world were all dissolved to tears, so high above his limits swells the rage of bolingbroke, covering your fearful land with hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel. white-beards have arm'd their thin and hairless scalps against thy majesty; boys, with women's voices, strive to speak big and clap their female joints in stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown: the very beadsmen learn to bend their bows of double-fatal yew against thy state; yea, distaff-women manage rusty bills against thy seat: both young and old rebel, and all goes worse than i have power to tell. king richard ii too well, too well thou tell'st a tale so ill. where is the earl of wiltshire? where is bagot? what is become of bushy? where is green? that they have let the dangerous enemy measure our confines with such peaceful steps? if we prevail, their heads shall pay for it: i warrant they have made peace with bolingbroke. sir stephen scroop peace have they made with him indeed, my lord. king richard ii o villains, vipers, damn'd without redemption! dogs, easily won to fawn on any man! snakes, in my heart-blood warm'd, that sting my heart! three judases, each one thrice worse than judas! would they make peace? terrible hell make war upon their spotted souls for this offence! sir stephen scroop sweet love, i see, changing his property, turns to the sourest and most deadly hate: again uncurse their souls; their peace is made with heads, and not with hands; those whom you curse have felt the worst of death's destroying wound and lie full low, graved in the hollow ground. duke of aumerle is bushy, green, and the earl of wiltshire dead? sir stephen scroop ay, all of them at bristol lost their heads. duke of aumerle where is the duke my father with his power? king richard ii no matter where; of comfort no man speak: let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; make dust our paper and with rainy eyes write sorrow on the bosom of the earth, let's choose executors and talk of wills: and yet not so, for what can we bequeath save our deposed bodies to the ground? our lands, our lives and all are bolingbroke's, and nothing can we call our own but death and that small model of the barren earth which serves as paste and cover to our bones. for god's sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings; how some have been deposed; some slain in war, some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed; some poison'd by their wives: some sleeping kill'd; all murder'd: for within the hollow crown that rounds the mortal temples of a king keeps death his court and there the antic sits, scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp, allowing him a breath, a little scene, to monarchize, be fear'd and kill with looks, infusing him with self and vain conceit, as if this flesh which walls about our life, were brass impregnable, and humour'd thus comes at the last and with a little pin bores through his castle wall, and farewell king! cover your heads and mock not flesh and blood with solemn reverence: throw away respect, tradition, form and ceremonious duty, for you have but mistook me all this while: i live with bread like you, feel want, taste grief, need friends: subjected thus, how can you say to me, i am a king? bishop of carlisle my lord, wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes, but presently prevent the ways to wail. to fear the foe, since fear oppresseth strength, gives in your weakness strength unto your foe, and so your follies fight against yourself. fear and be slain; no worse can come to fight: and fight and die is death destroying death; where fearing dying pays death servile breath. duke of aumerle my father hath a power; inquire of him and learn to make a body of a limb. king richard ii thou chidest me well: proud bolingbroke, i come to change blows with thee for our day of doom. this ague fit of fear is over-blown; an easy task it is to win our own. say, scroop, where lies our uncle with his power? speak sweetly, man, although thy looks be sour. sir stephen scroop men judge by the complexion of the sky the state and inclination of the day: so may you by my dull and heavy eye, my tongue hath but a heavier tale to say. i play the torturer, by small and small to lengthen out the worst that must be spoken: your uncle york is join'd with bolingbroke, and all your northern castles yielded up, and all your southern gentlemen in arms upon his party. king richard ii thou hast said enough. beshrew thee, cousin, which didst lead me forth [to duke of aumerle] of that sweet way i was in to despair! what say you now? what comfort have we now? by heaven, i'll hate him everlastingly that bids me be of comfort any more. go to flint castle: there i'll pine away; a king, woe's slave, shall kingly woe obey. that power i have, discharge; and let them go to ear the land that hath some hope to grow, for i have none: let no man speak again to alter this, for counsel is but vain. duke of aumerle my liege, one word. king richard ii he does me double wrong that wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue. discharge my followers: let them hence away, from richard's night to bolingbroke's fair day. [exeunt] king richard ii act iii scene iii wales. before flint castle. [enter, with drum and colours, henry bolingbroke, duke of york, northumberland, attendants, and forces] henry bolingbroke so that by this intelligence we learn the welshmen are dispersed, and salisbury is gone to meet the king, who lately landed with some few private friends upon this coast. northumberland the news is very fair and good, my lord: richard not far from hence hath hid his head. duke of york it would beseem the lord northumberland to say 'king richard:' alack the heavy day when such a sacred king should hide his head. northumberland your grace mistakes; only to be brief left i his title out. duke of york the time hath been, would you have been so brief with him, he would have been so brief with you, to shorten you, for taking so the head, your whole head's length. henry bolingbroke mistake not, uncle, further than you should. duke of york take not, good cousin, further than you should. lest you mistake the heavens are o'er our heads. henry bolingbroke i know it, uncle, and oppose not myself against their will. but who comes here? [enter henry percy] welcome, harry: what, will not this castle yield? henry percy the castle royally is mann'd, my lord, against thy entrance. henry bolingbroke royally! why, it contains no king? henry percy yes, my good lord, it doth contain a king; king richard lies within the limits of yon lime and stone: and with him are the lord aumerle, lord salisbury, sir stephen scroop, besides a clergyman of holy reverence; who, i cannot learn. northumberland o, belike it is the bishop of carlisle. henry bolingbroke noble lords, go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle; through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley into his ruin'd ears, and thus deliver: henry bolingbroke on both his knees doth kiss king richard's hand and sends allegiance and true faith of heart to his most royal person, hither come even at his feet to lay my arms and power, provided that my banishment repeal'd and lands restored again be freely granted: if not, i'll use the advantage of my power and lay the summer's dust with showers of blood rain'd from the wounds of slaughter'd englishmen: the which, how far off from the mind of bolingbroke it is, such crimson tempest should bedrench the fresh green lap of fair king richard's land, my stooping duty tenderly shall show. go, signify as much, while here we march upon the grassy carpet of this plain. let's march without the noise of threatening drum, that from this castle's tatter'd battlements our fair appointments may be well perused. methinks king richard and myself should meet with no less terror than the elements of fire and water, when their thundering shock at meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven. be he the fire, i'll be the yielding water: the rage be his, whilst on the earth i rain my waters; on the earth, and not on him. march on, and mark king richard how he looks. [parle without, and answer within. then a flourish. enter on the walls, king richard ii, the bishop of carlisle, duke of aumerle, sir stephen scroop, and earl of salisbury] see, see, king richard doth himself appear, as doth the blushing discontented sun from out the fiery portal of the east, when he perceives the envious clouds are bent to dim his glory and to stain the track of his bright passage to the occident. duke of york yet looks he like a king: behold, his eye, as bright as is the eagle's, lightens forth controlling majesty: alack, alack, for woe, that any harm should stain so fair a show! king richard ii we are amazed; and thus long have we stood to watch the fearful bending of thy knee, [to northumberland] because we thought ourself thy lawful king: and if we be, how dare thy joints forget to pay their awful duty to our presence? if we be not, show us the hand of god that hath dismissed us from our stewardship; for well we know, no hand of blood and bone can gripe the sacred handle of our sceptre, unless he do profane, steal, or usurp. and though you think that all, as you have done, have torn their souls by turning them from us, and we are barren and bereft of friends; yet know, my master, god omnipotent, is mustering in his clouds on our behalf armies of pestilence; and they shall strike your children yet unborn and unbegot, that lift your vassal hands against my head and threat the glory of my precious crown. tell bolingbroke--for yond methinks he stands- that every stride he makes upon my land is dangerous treason: he is come to open the purple testament of bleeding war; but ere the crown he looks for live in peace, ten thousand bloody crowns of mothers' sons shall ill become the flower of england's face, change the complexion of her maid-pale peace to scarlet indignation and bedew her pastures' grass with faithful english blood. northumberland the king of heaven forbid our lord the king should so with civil and uncivil arms be rush'd upon! thy thrice noble cousin harry bolingbroke doth humbly kiss thy hand; and by the honourable tomb he swears, that stands upon your royal grandsire's bones, and by the royalties of both your bloods, currents that spring from one most gracious head, and by the buried hand of warlike gaunt, and by the worth and honour of himself, comprising all that may be sworn or said, his coming hither hath no further scope than for his lineal royalties and to beg enfranchisement immediate on his knees: which on thy royal party granted once, his glittering arms he will commend to rust, his barbed steeds to stables, and his heart to faithful service of your majesty. this swears he, as he is a prince, is just; and, as i am a gentleman, i credit him. king richard ii northumberland, say thus the king returns: his noble cousin is right welcome hither; and all the number of his fair demands shall be accomplish'd without contradiction: with all the gracious utterance thou hast speak to his gentle hearing kind commends. we do debase ourselves, cousin, do we not, [to duke of aumerle] to look so poorly and to speak so fair? shall we call back northumberland, and send defiance to the traitor, and so die? duke of aumerle no, good my lord; let's fight with gentle words till time lend friends and friends their helpful swords. king richard ii o god, o god! that e'er this tongue of mine, that laid the sentence of dread banishment on yon proud man, should take it off again with words of sooth! o that i were as great as is my grief, or lesser than my name! or that i could forget what i have been, or not remember what i must be now! swell'st thou, proud heart? i'll give thee scope to beat, since foes have scope to beat both thee and me. duke of aumerle northumberland comes back from bolingbroke. king richard ii what must the king do now? must he submit? the king shall do it: must he be deposed? the king shall be contented: must he lose the name of king? o' god's name, let it go: i'll give my jewels for a set of beads, my gorgeous palace for a hermitage, my gay apparel for an almsman's gown, my figured goblets for a dish of wood, my sceptre for a palmer's walking staff, my subjects for a pair of carved saints and my large kingdom for a little grave, a little little grave, an obscure grave; or i'll be buried in the king's highway, some way of common trade, where subjects' feet may hourly trample on their sovereign's head; for on my heart they tread now whilst i live; and buried once, why not upon my head? aumerle, thou weep'st, my tender-hearted cousin! we'll make foul weather with despised tears; our sighs and they shall lodge the summer corn, and make a dearth in this revolting land. or shall we play the wantons with our woes, and make some pretty match with shedding tears? as thus, to drop them still upon one place, till they have fretted us a pair of graves within the earth; and, therein laid,--there lies two kinsmen digg'd their graves with weeping eyes. would not this ill do well? well, well, i see i talk but idly, and you laugh at me. most mighty prince, my lord northumberland, what says king bolingbroke? will his majesty give richard leave to live till richard die? you make a leg, and bolingbroke says ay. northumberland my lord, in the base court he doth attend to speak with you; may it please you to come down. king richard ii down, down i come; like glistering phaethon, wanting the manage of unruly jades. in the base court? base court, where kings grow base, to come at traitors' calls and do them grace. in the base court? come down? down, court! down, king! for night-owls shriek where mounting larks should sing. [exeunt from above] henry bolingbroke what says his majesty? northumberland sorrow and grief of heart makes him speak fondly, like a frantic man yet he is come. [enter king richard and his attendants below] henry bolingbroke stand all apart, and show fair duty to his majesty. [he kneels down] my gracious lord,- king richard ii fair cousin, you debase your princely knee to make the base earth proud with kissing it: me rather had my heart might feel your love than my unpleased eye see your courtesy. up, cousin, up; your heart is up, i know, thus high at least, although your knee be low. henry bolingbroke my gracious lord, i come but for mine own. king richard ii your own is yours, and i am yours, and all. henry bolingbroke so far be mine, my most redoubted lord, as my true service shall deserve your love. king richard ii well you deserve: they well deserve to have, that know the strong'st and surest way to get. uncle, give me your hands: nay, dry your eyes; tears show their love, but want their remedies. cousin, i am too young to be your father, though you are old enough to be my heir. what you will have, i'll give, and willing too; for do we must what force will have us do. set on towards london, cousin, is it so? henry bolingbroke yea, my good lord. king richard ii then i must not say no. [flourish. exeunt] king richard ii act iii scene iv langley. the duke of york's garden. [enter the queen and two ladies] queen what sport shall we devise here in this garden, to drive away the heavy thought of care? lady madam, we'll play at bowls. queen 'twill make me think the world is full of rubs, and that my fortune rubs against the bias. lady madam, we'll dance. queen my legs can keep no measure in delight, when my poor heart no measure keeps in grief: therefore, no dancing, girl; some other sport. lady madam, we'll tell tales. queen of sorrow or of joy? lady of either, madam. queen of neither, girl: for of joy, being altogether wanting, it doth remember me the more of sorrow; or if of grief, being altogether had, it adds more sorrow to my want of joy: for what i have i need not to repeat; and what i want it boots not to complain. lady madam, i'll sing. queen 'tis well that thou hast cause but thou shouldst please me better, wouldst thou weep. lady i could weep, madam, would it do you good. queen and i could sing, would weeping do me good, and never borrow any tear of thee. [enter a gardener, and two servants] but stay, here come the gardeners: let's step into the shadow of these trees. my wretchedness unto a row of pins, they'll talk of state; for every one doth so against a change; woe is forerun with woe. [queen and ladies retire] gardener go, bind thou up yon dangling apricocks, which, like unruly children, make their sire stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight: give some supportance to the bending twigs. go thou, and like an executioner, cut off the heads of too fast growing sprays, that look too lofty in our commonwealth: all must be even in our government. you thus employ'd, i will go root away the noisome weeds, which without profit suck the soil's fertility from wholesome flowers. servant why should we in the compass of a pale keep law and form and due proportion, showing, as in a model, our firm estate, when our sea-walled garden, the whole land, is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up, her fruit-trees all upturned, her hedges ruin'd, her knots disorder'd and her wholesome herbs swarming with caterpillars? gardener hold thy peace: he that hath suffer'd this disorder'd spring hath now himself met with the fall of leaf: the weeds which his broad-spreading leaves did shelter, that seem'd in eating him to hold him up, are pluck'd up root and all by bolingbroke, i mean the earl of wiltshire, bushy, green. servant what, are they dead? gardener they are; and bolingbroke hath seized the wasteful king. o, what pity is it that he had not so trimm'd and dress'd his land as we this garden! we at time of year do wound the bark, the skin of our fruit-trees, lest, being over-proud in sap and blood, with too much riches it confound itself: had he done so to great and growing men, they might have lived to bear and he to taste their fruits of duty: superfluous branches we lop away, that bearing boughs may live: had he done so, himself had borne the crown, which waste of idle hours hath quite thrown down. servant what, think you then the king shall be deposed? gardener depress'd he is already, and deposed 'tis doubt he will be: letters came last night to a dear friend of the good duke of york's, that tell black tidings. queen o, i am press'd to death through want of speaking! [coming forward] thou, old adam's likeness, set to dress this garden, how dares thy harsh rude tongue sound this unpleasing news? what eve, what serpent, hath suggested thee to make a second fall of cursed man? why dost thou say king richard is deposed? darest thou, thou little better thing than earth, divine his downfall? say, where, when, and how, camest thou by this ill tidings? speak, thou wretch. gardener pardon me, madam: little joy have i to breathe this news; yet what i say is true. king richard, he is in the mighty hold of bolingbroke: their fortunes both are weigh'd: in your lord's scale is nothing but himself, and some few vanities that make him light; but in the balance of great bolingbroke, besides himself, are all the english peers, and with that odds he weighs king richard down. post you to london, and you will find it so; i speak no more than every one doth know. queen nimble mischance, that art so light of foot, doth not thy embassage belong to me, and am i last that knows it? o, thou think'st to serve me last, that i may longest keep thy sorrow in my breast. come, ladies, go, to meet at london london's king in woe. what, was i born to this, that my sad look should grace the triumph of great bolingbroke? gardener, for telling me these news of woe, pray god the plants thou graft'st may never grow. [exeunt queen and ladies] gardener poor queen! so that thy state might be no worse, i would my skill were subject to thy curse. here did she fall a tear; here in this place i'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace: rue, even for ruth, here shortly shall be seen, in the remembrance of a weeping queen. [exeunt] king richard ii act iv scene i westminster hall. [enter, as to the parliament, henry bolingbroke, duke of aumerle, northumberland, henry percy, lord fitzwater, duke of surrey, the bishop of carlisle, the abbot of westminster, and another lord, herald, officers, and bagot] henry bolingbroke call forth bagot. now, bagot, freely speak thy mind; what thou dost know of noble gloucester's death, who wrought it with the king, and who perform'd the bloody office of his timeless end. bagot then set before my face the lord aumerle. henry bolingbroke cousin, stand forth, and look upon that man. bagot my lord aumerle, i know your daring tongue scorns to unsay what once it hath deliver'd. in that dead time when gloucester's death was plotted, i heard you say, 'is not my arm of length, that reacheth from the restful english court as far as calais, to mine uncle's head?' amongst much other talk, that very time, i heard you say that you had rather refuse the offer of an hundred thousand crowns than bolingbroke's return to england; adding withal how blest this land would be in this your cousin's death. duke of aumerle princes and noble lords, what answer shall i make to this base man? shall i so much dishonour my fair stars, on equal terms to give him chastisement? either i must, or have mine honour soil'd with the attainder of his slanderous lips. there is my gage, the manual seal of death, that marks thee out for hell: i say, thou liest, and will maintain what thou hast said is false in thy heart-blood, though being all too base to stain the temper of my knightly sword. henry bolingbroke bagot, forbear; thou shalt not take it up. duke of aumerle excepting one, i would he were the best in all this presence that hath moved me so. lord fitzwater if that thy valour stand on sympathy, there is my gage, aumerle, in gage to thine: by that fair sun which shows me where thou stand'st, i heard thee say, and vauntingly thou spakest it that thou wert cause of noble gloucester's death. if thou deny'st it twenty times, thou liest; and i will turn thy falsehood to thy heart, where it was forged, with my rapier's point. duke of aumerle thou darest not, coward, live to see that day. lord fitzwater now by my soul, i would it were this hour. duke of aumerle fitzwater, thou art damn'd to hell for this. henry percy aumerle, thou liest; his honour is as true in this appeal as thou art all unjust; and that thou art so, there i throw my gage, to prove it on thee to the extremest point of mortal breathing: seize it, if thou darest. duke of aumerle an if i do not, may my hands rot off and never brandish more revengeful steel over the glittering helmet of my foe! lord i task the earth to the like, forsworn aumerle; and spur thee on with full as many lies as may be holloa'd in thy treacherous ear from sun to sun: there is my honour's pawn; engage it to the trial, if thou darest. duke of aumerle who sets me else? by heaven, i'll throw at all: i have a thousand spirits in one breast, to answer twenty thousand such as you. duke of surrey my lord fitzwater, i do remember well the very time aumerle and you did talk. lord fitzwater 'tis very true: you were in presence then; and you can witness with me this is true. duke of surrey as false, by heaven, as heaven itself is true. lord fitzwater surrey, thou liest. duke of surrey dishonourable boy! that lie shall lie so heavy on my sword, that it shall render vengeance and revenge till thou the lie-giver and that lie do lie in earth as quiet as thy father's skull: in proof whereof, there is my honour's pawn; engage it to the trial, if thou darest. lord fitzwater how fondly dost thou spur a forward horse! if i dare eat, or drink, or breathe, or live, i dare meet surrey in a wilderness, and spit upon him, whilst i say he lies, and lies, and lies: there is my bond of faith, to tie thee to my strong correction. as i intend to thrive in this new world, aumerle is guilty of my true appeal: besides, i heard the banish'd norfolk say that thou, aumerle, didst send two of thy men to execute the noble duke at calais. duke of aumerle some honest christian trust me with a gage that norfolk lies: here do i throw down this, if he may be repeal'd, to try his honour. henry bolingbroke these differences shall all rest under gage till norfolk be repeal'd: repeal'd he shall be, and, though mine enemy, restored again to all his lands and signories: when he's return'd, against aumerle we will enforce his trial. bishop of carlisle that honourable day shall ne'er be seen. many a time hath banish'd norfolk fought for jesu christ in glorious christian field, streaming the ensign of the christian cross against black pagans, turks, and saracens: and toil'd with works of war, retired himself to italy; and there at venice gave his body to that pleasant country's earth, and his pure soul unto his captain christ, under whose colours he had fought so long. henry bolingbroke why, bishop, is norfolk dead? bishop of carlisle as surely as i live, my lord. henry bolingbroke sweet peace conduct his sweet soul to the bosom of good old abraham! lords appellants, your differences shall all rest under gage till we assign you to your days of trial. [enter duke of york, attended] duke of york great duke of lancaster, i come to thee from plume-pluck'd richard; who with willing soul adopts thee heir, and his high sceptre yields to the possession of thy royal hand: ascend his throne, descending now from him; and long live henry, fourth of that name! henry bolingbroke in god's name, i'll ascend the regal throne. bishop of carlisle marry. god forbid! worst in this royal presence may i speak, yet best beseeming me to speak the truth. would god that any in this noble presence were enough noble to be upright judge of noble richard! then true noblesse would learn him forbearance from so foul a wrong. what subject can give sentence on his king? and who sits here that is not richard's subject? thieves are not judged but they are by to hear, although apparent guilt be seen in them; and shall the figure of god's majesty, his captain, steward, deputy-elect, anointed, crowned, planted many years, be judged by subject and inferior breath, and he himself not present? o, forfend it, god, that in a christian climate souls refined should show so heinous, black, obscene a deed! i speak to subjects, and a subject speaks, stirr'd up by god, thus boldly for his king: my lord of hereford here, whom you call king, is a foul traitor to proud hereford's king: and if you crown him, let me prophesy: the blood of english shall manure the ground, and future ages groan for this foul act; peace shall go sleep with turks and infidels, and in this seat of peace tumultuous wars shall kin with kin and kind with kind confound; disorder, horror, fear and mutiny shall here inhabit, and this land be call'd the field of golgotha and dead men's skulls. o, if you raise this house against this house, it will the woefullest division prove that ever fell upon this cursed earth. prevent it, resist it, let it not be so, lest child, child's children, cry against you woe! northumberland well have you argued, sir; and, for your pains, of capital treason we arrest you here. my lord of westminster, be it your charge to keep him safely till his day of trial. may it please you, lords, to grant the commons' suit. henry bolingbroke fetch hither richard, that in common view he may surrender; so we shall proceed without suspicion. duke of york i will be his conduct. [exit] henry bolingbroke lords, you that here are under our arrest, procure your sureties for your days of answer. little are we beholding to your love, and little look'd for at your helping hands. [re-enter duke of york, with king richard ii, and officers bearing the regalia] king richard ii alack, why am i sent for to a king, before i have shook off the regal thoughts wherewith i reign'd? i hardly yet have learn'd to insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs: give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me to this submission. yet i well remember the favours of these men: were they not mine? did they not sometime cry, 'all hail!' to me? so judas did to christ: but he, in twelve, found truth in all but one: i, in twelve thousand, none. god save the king! will no man say amen? am i both priest and clerk? well then, amen. god save the king! although i be not he; and yet, amen, if heaven do think him me. to do what service am i sent for hither? duke of york to do that office of thine own good will which tired majesty did make thee offer, the resignation of thy state and crown to henry bolingbroke. king richard ii give me the crown. here, cousin, seize the crown; here cousin: on this side my hand, and on that side yours. now is this golden crown like a deep well that owes two buckets, filling one another, the emptier ever dancing in the air, the other down, unseen and full of water: that bucket down and full of tears am i, drinking my griefs, whilst you mount up on high. henry bolingbroke i thought you had been willing to resign. king richard ii my crown i am; but still my griefs are mine: you may my glories and my state depose, but not my griefs; still am i king of those. henry bolingbroke part of your cares you give me with your crown. king richard ii your cares set up do not pluck my cares down. my care is loss of care, by old care done; your care is gain of care, by new care won: the cares i give i have, though given away; they tend the crown, yet still with me they stay. henry bolingbroke are you contented to resign the crown? king richard ii ay, no; no, ay; for i must nothing be; therefore no no, for i resign to thee. now mark me, how i will undo myself; i give this heavy weight from off my head and this unwieldy sceptre from my hand, the pride of kingly sway from out my heart; with mine own tears i wash away my balm, with mine own hands i give away my crown, with mine own tongue deny my sacred state, with mine own breath release all duty's rites: all pomp and majesty i do forswear; my manors, rents, revenues i forego; my acts, decrees, and statutes i deny: god pardon all oaths that are broke to me! god keep all vows unbroke that swear to thee! make me, that nothing have, with nothing grieved, and thou with all pleased, that hast all achieved! long mayst thou live in richard's seat to sit, and soon lie richard in an earthly pit! god save king harry, unking'd richard says, and send him many years of sunshine days! what more remains? northumberland no more, but that you read these accusations and these grievous crimes committed by your person and your followers against the state and profit of this land; that, by confessing them, the souls of men may deem that you are worthily deposed. king richard ii must i do so? and must i ravel out my weaved-up folly? gentle northumberland, if thy offences were upon record, would it not shame thee in so fair a troop to read a lecture of them? if thou wouldst, there shouldst thou find one heinous article, containing the deposing of a king and cracking the strong warrant of an oath, mark'd with a blot, damn'd in the book of heaven: nay, all of you that stand and look upon, whilst that my wretchedness doth bait myself, though some of you with pilate wash your hands showing an outward pity; yet you pilates have here deliver'd me to my sour cross, and water cannot wash away your sin. northumberland my lord, dispatch; read o'er these articles. king richard ii mine eyes are full of tears, i cannot see: and yet salt water blinds them not so much but they can see a sort of traitors here. nay, if i turn mine eyes upon myself, i find myself a traitor with the rest; for i have given here my soul's consent to undeck the pompous body of a king; made glory base and sovereignty a slave, proud majesty a subject, state a peasant. northumberland my lord,- king richard ii no lord of thine, thou haught insulting man, nor no man's lord; i have no name, no title, no, not that name was given me at the font, but 'tis usurp'd: alack the heavy day, that i have worn so many winters out, and know not now what name to call myself! o that i were a mockery king of snow, standing before the sun of bolingbroke, to melt myself away in water-drops! good king, great king, and yet not greatly good, an if my word be sterling yet in england, let it command a mirror hither straight, that it may show me what a face i have, since it is bankrupt of his majesty. henry bolingbroke go some of you and fetch a looking-glass. [exit an attendant] northumberland read o'er this paper while the glass doth come. king richard ii fiend, thou torment'st me ere i come to hell! henry bolingbroke urge it no more, my lord northumberland. northumberland the commons will not then be satisfied. king richard ii they shall be satisfied: i'll read enough, when i do see the very book indeed where all my sins are writ, and that's myself. [re-enter attendant, with a glass] give me the glass, and therein will i read. no deeper wrinkles yet? hath sorrow struck so many blows upon this face of mine, and made no deeper wounds? o flattering glass, like to my followers in prosperity, thou dost beguile me! was this face the face that every day under his household roof did keep ten thousand men? was this the face that, like the sun, did make beholders wink? was this the face that faced so many follies, and was at last out-faced by bolingbroke? a brittle glory shineth in this face: as brittle as the glory is the face; [dashes the glass against the ground] for there it is, crack'd in a hundred shivers. mark, silent king, the moral of this sport, how soon my sorrow hath destroy'd my face. henry bolingbroke the shadow of your sorrow hath destroy'd the shadow or your face. king richard ii say that again. the shadow of my sorrow! ha! let's see: 'tis very true, my grief lies all within; and these external manners of laments are merely shadows to the unseen grief that swells with silence in the tortured soul; there lies the substance: and i thank thee, king, for thy great bounty, that not only givest me cause to wail but teachest me the way how to lament the cause. i'll beg one boon, and then be gone and trouble you no more. shall i obtain it? henry bolingbroke name it, fair cousin. king richard ii 'fair cousin'? i am greater than a king: for when i was a king, my flatterers were then but subjects; being now a subject, i have a king here to my flatterer. being so great, i have no need to beg. henry bolingbroke yet ask. king richard ii and shall i have? henry bolingbroke you shall. king richard ii then give me leave to go. henry bolingbroke whither? king richard ii whither you will, so i were from your sights. henry bolingbroke go, some of you convey him to the tower. king richard ii o, good! convey? conveyers are you all, that rise thus nimbly by a true king's fall. [exeunt king richard ii, some lords, and a guard] henry bolingbroke on wednesday next we solemnly set down our coronation: lords, prepare yourselves. [exeunt all except the bishop of carlisle, the abbot of westminster, and duke of aumerle] abbot a woeful pageant have we here beheld. bishop of carlisle the woe's to come; the children yet unborn. shall feel this day as sharp to them as thorn. duke of aumerle you holy clergymen, is there no plot to rid the realm of this pernicious blot? abbot my lord, before i freely speak my mind herein, you shall not only take the sacrament to bury mine intents, but also to effect whatever i shall happen to devise. i see your brows are full of discontent, your hearts of sorrow and your eyes of tears: come home with me to supper; and i'll lay a plot shall show us all a merry day. [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene i london. a street leading to the tower. [enter queen and ladies] queen this way the king will come; this is the way to julius caesar's ill-erected tower, to whose flint bosom my condemned lord is doom'd a prisoner by proud bolingbroke: here let us rest, if this rebellious earth have any resting for her true king's queen. [enter king richard ii and guard] but soft, but see, or rather do not see, my fair rose wither: yet look up, behold, that you in pity may dissolve to dew, and wash him fresh again with true-love tears. ah, thou, the model where old troy did stand, thou map of honour, thou king richard's tomb, and not king richard; thou most beauteous inn, why should hard-favour'd grief be lodged in thee, when triumph is become an alehouse guest? king richard ii join not with grief, fair woman, do not so, to make my end too sudden: learn, good soul, to think our former state a happy dream; from which awaked, the truth of what we are shows us but this: i am sworn brother, sweet, to grim necessity, and he and i will keep a league till death. hie thee to france and cloister thee in some religious house: our holy lives must win a new world's crown, which our profane hours here have stricken down. queen what, is my richard both in shape and mind transform'd and weaken'd? hath bolingbroke deposed thine intellect? hath he been in thy heart? the lion dying thrusteth forth his paw, and wounds the earth, if nothing else, with rage to be o'erpower'd; and wilt thou, pupil-like, take thy correction mildly, kiss the rod, and fawn on rage with base humility, which art a lion and a king of beasts? king richard ii a king of beasts, indeed; if aught but beasts, i had been still a happy king of men. good sometime queen, prepare thee hence for france: think i am dead and that even here thou takest, as from my death-bed, thy last living leave. in winter's tedious nights sit by the fire with good old folks and let them tell thee tales of woeful ages long ago betid; and ere thou bid good night, to quit their griefs, tell thou the lamentable tale of me and send the hearers weeping to their beds: for why, the senseless brands will sympathize the heavy accent of thy moving tongue and in compassion weep the fire out; and some will mourn in ashes, some coal-black, for the deposing of a rightful king. [enter northumberland and others] northumberland my lord, the mind of bolingbroke is changed: you must to pomfret, not unto the tower. and, madam, there is order ta'en for you; with all swift speed you must away to france. king richard ii northumberland, thou ladder wherewithal the mounting bolingbroke ascends my throne, the time shall not be many hours of age more than it is ere foul sin gathering head shalt break into corruption: thou shalt think, though he divide the realm and give thee half, it is too little, helping him to all; and he shall think that thou, which know'st the way to plant unrightful kings, wilt know again, being ne'er so little urged, another way to pluck him headlong from the usurped throne. the love of wicked men converts to fear; that fear to hate, and hate turns one or both to worthy danger and deserved death. northumberland my guilt be on my head, and there an end. take leave and part; for you must part forthwith. king richard ii doubly divorced! bad men, you violate a twofold marriage, 'twixt my crown and me, and then betwixt me and my married wife. let me unkiss the oath 'twixt thee and me; and yet not so, for with a kiss 'twas made. part us, northumberland; i toward the north, where shivering cold and sickness pines the clime; my wife to france: from whence, set forth in pomp, she came adorned hither like sweet may, sent back like hallowmas or short'st of day. queen and must we be divided? must we part? king richard ii ay, hand from hand, my love, and heart from heart. queen banish us both and send the king with me. northumberland that were some love but little policy. queen then whither he goes, thither let me go. king richard ii so two, together weeping, make one woe. weep thou for me in france, i for thee here; better far off than near, be ne'er the near. go, count thy way with sighs; i mine with groans. queen so longest way shall have the longest moans. king richard ii twice for one step i'll groan, the way being short, and piece the way out with a heavy heart. come, come, in wooing sorrow let's be brief, since, wedding it, there is such length in grief; one kiss shall stop our mouths, and dumbly part; thus give i mine, and thus take i thy heart. queen give me mine own again; 'twere no good part to take on me to keep and kill thy heart. so, now i have mine own again, be gone, that i might strive to kill it with a groan. king richard ii we make woe wanton with this fond delay: once more, adieu; the rest let sorrow say. [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene ii the duke of york's palace. [enter duke of york and duchess of york] duchess of york my lord, you told me you would tell the rest, when weeping made you break the story off, of our two cousins coming into london. duke of york where did i leave? duchess of york at that sad stop, my lord, where rude misgovern'd hands from windows' tops threw dust and rubbish on king richard's head. duke of york then, as i said, the duke, great bolingbroke, mounted upon a hot and fiery steed which his aspiring rider seem'd to know, with slow but stately pace kept on his course, whilst all tongues cried 'god save thee, bolingbroke!' you would have thought the very windows spake, so many greedy looks of young and old through casements darted their desiring eyes upon his visage, and that all the walls with painted imagery had said at once 'jesu preserve thee! welcome, bolingbroke!' whilst he, from the one side to the other turning, bareheaded, lower than his proud steed's neck, bespake them thus: 'i thank you, countrymen:' and thus still doing, thus he pass'd along. duchess of york alack, poor richard! where rode he the whilst? duke of york as in a theatre, the eyes of men, after a well-graced actor leaves the stage, are idly bent on him that enters next, thinking his prattle to be tedious; even so, or with much more contempt, men's eyes did scowl on gentle richard; no man cried 'god save him!' no joyful tongue gave him his welcome home: but dust was thrown upon his sacred head: which with such gentle sorrow he shook off, his face still combating with tears and smiles, the badges of his grief and patience, that had not god, for some strong purpose, steel'd the hearts of men, they must perforce have melted and barbarism itself have pitied him. but heaven hath a hand in these events, to whose high will we bound our calm contents. to bolingbroke are we sworn subjects now, whose state and honour i for aye allow. duchess of york here comes my son aumerle. duke of york aumerle that was; but that is lost for being richard's friend, and, madam, you must call him rutland now: i am in parliament pledge for his truth and lasting fealty to the new-made king. [enter duke of aumerle] duchess of york welcome, my son: who are the violets now that strew the green lap of the new come spring? duke of aumerle madam, i know not, nor i greatly care not: god knows i had as lief be none as one. duke of york well, bear you well in this new spring of time, lest you be cropp'd before you come to prime. what news from oxford? hold those justs and triumphs? duke of aumerle for aught i know, my lord, they do. duke of york you will be there, i know. duke of aumerle if god prevent not, i purpose so. duke of york what seal is that, that hangs without thy bosom? yea, look'st thou pale? let me see the writing. duke of aumerle my lord, 'tis nothing. duke of york no matter, then, who see it; i will be satisfied; let me see the writing. duke of aumerle i do beseech your grace to pardon me: it is a matter of small consequence, which for some reasons i would not have seen. duke of york which for some reasons, sir, i mean to see. i fear, i fear,- duchess of york what should you fear? 'tis nothing but some bond, that he is enter'd into for gay apparel 'gainst the triumph day. duke of york bound to himself! what doth he with a bond that he is bound to? wife, thou art a fool. boy, let me see the writing. duke of aumerle i do beseech you, pardon me; i may not show it. duke of york i will be satisfied; let me see it, i say. [he plucks it out of his bosom and reads it] treason! foul treason! villain! traitor! slave! duchess of york what is the matter, my lord? duke of york ho! who is within there? [enter a servant] saddle my horse. god for his mercy, what treachery is here! duchess of york why, what is it, my lord? duke of york give me my boots, i say; saddle my horse. now, by mine honour, by my life, by my troth, i will appeach the villain. duchess of york what is the matter? duke of york peace, foolish woman. duchess of york i will not peace. what is the matter, aumerle. duke of aumerle good mother, be content; it is no more than my poor life must answer. duchess of york thy life answer! duke of york bring me my boots: i will unto the king. [re-enter servant with boots] duchess of york strike him, aumerle. poor boy, thou art amazed. hence, villain! never more come in my sight. duke of york give me my boots, i say. duchess of york why, york, what wilt thou do? wilt thou not hide the trespass of thine own? have we more sons? or are we like to have? is not my teeming date drunk up with time? and wilt thou pluck my fair son from mine age, and rob me of a happy mother's name? is he not like thee? is he not thine own? duke of york thou fond mad woman, wilt thou conceal this dark conspiracy? a dozen of them here have ta'en the sacrament, and interchangeably set down their hands, to kill the king at oxford. duchess of york he shall be none; we'll keep him here: then what is that to him? duke of york away, fond woman! were he twenty times my son, i would appeach him. duchess of york hadst thou groan'd for him as i have done, thou wouldst be more pitiful. but now i know thy mind; thou dost suspect that i have been disloyal to thy bed, and that he is a bastard, not thy son: sweet york, sweet husband, be not of that mind: he is as like thee as a man may be, not like to me, or any of my kin, and yet i love him. duke of york make way, unruly woman! [exit] duchess of york after, aumerle! mount thee upon his horse; spur post, and get before him to the king, and beg thy pardon ere he do accuse thee. i'll not be long behind; though i be old, i doubt not but to ride as fast as york: and never will i rise up from the ground till bolingbroke have pardon'd thee. away, be gone! [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene iii a royal palace. [enter henry bolingbroke, henry percy, and other lords] henry bolingbroke can no man tell me of my unthrifty son? 'tis full three months since i did see him last; if any plague hang over us, 'tis he. i would to god, my lords, he might be found: inquire at london, 'mongst the taverns there, for there, they say, he daily doth frequent, with unrestrained loose companions, even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes, and beat our watch, and rob our passengers; which he, young wanton and effeminate boy, takes on the point of honour to support so dissolute a crew. henry percy my lord, some two days since i saw the prince, and told him of those triumphs held at oxford. henry bolingbroke and what said the gallant? henry percy his answer was, he would unto the stews, and from the common'st creature pluck a glove, and wear it as a favour; and with that he would unhorse the lustiest challenger. henry bolingbroke as dissolute as desperate; yet through both i see some sparks of better hope, which elder years may happily bring forth. but who comes here? [enter duke of aumerle] duke of aumerle where is the king? henry bolingbroke what means our cousin, that he stares and looks so wildly? duke of aumerle god save your grace! i do beseech your majesty, to have some conference with your grace alone. henry bolingbroke withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone. [exeunt henry percy and lords] what is the matter with our cousin now? duke of aumerle for ever may my knees grow to the earth, my tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth unless a pardon ere i rise or speak. henry bolingbroke intended or committed was this fault? if on the first, how heinous e'er it be, to win thy after-love i pardon thee. duke of aumerle then give me leave that i may turn the key, that no man enter till my tale be done. henry bolingbroke have thy desire. duke of york [within] my liege, beware; look to thyself; thou hast a traitor in thy presence there. henry bolingbroke villain, i'll make thee safe. [drawing] duke of aumerle stay thy revengeful hand; thou hast no cause to fear. duke of york [within] open the door, secure, foolhardy king: shall i for love speak treason to thy face? open the door, or i will break it open. [enter duke of york] henry bolingbroke what is the matter, uncle? speak; recover breath; tell us how near is danger, that we may arm us to encounter it. duke of york peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know the treason that my haste forbids me show. duke of aumerle remember, as thou read'st, thy promise pass'd: i do repent me; read not my name there my heart is not confederate with my hand. duke of york it was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. i tore it from the traitor's bosom, king; fear, and not love, begets his penitence: forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove a serpent that will sting thee to the heart. henry bolingbroke o heinous, strong and bold conspiracy! o loyal father of a treacherous son! thou sheer, immaculate and silver fountain, from when this stream through muddy passages hath held his current and defiled himself! thy overflow of good converts to bad, and thy abundant goodness shall excuse this deadly blot in thy digressing son. duke of york so shall my virtue be his vice's bawd; and he shall spend mine honour with his shame, as thriftless sons their scraping fathers' gold. mine honour lives when his dishonour dies, or my shamed life in his dishonour lies: thou kill'st me in his life; giving him breath, the traitor lives, the true man's put to death. duchess of york [within] what ho, my liege! for god's sake, let me in. henry bolingbroke what shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry? duchess of york a woman, and thy aunt, great king; 'tis i. speak with me, pity me, open the door. a beggar begs that never begg'd before. henry bolingbroke our scene is alter'd from a serious thing, and now changed to 'the beggar and the king.' my dangerous cousin, let your mother in: i know she is come to pray for your foul sin. duke of york if thou do pardon, whosoever pray, more sins for this forgiveness prosper may. this fester'd joint cut off, the rest rest sound; this let alone will all the rest confound. [enter duchess of york] duchess of york o king, believe not this hard-hearted man! love loving not itself none other can. duke of york thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here? shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear? duchess of york sweet york, be patient. hear me, gentle liege. [kneels] henry bolingbroke rise up, good aunt. duchess of york not yet, i thee beseech: for ever will i walk upon my knees, and never see day that the happy sees, till thou give joy; until thou bid me joy, by pardoning rutland, my transgressing boy. duke of aumerle unto my mother's prayers i bend my knee. duke of york against them both my true joints bended be. ill mayst thou thrive, if thou grant any grace! duchess of york pleads he in earnest? look upon his face; his eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest; his words come from his mouth, ours from our breast: he prays but faintly and would be denied; we pray with heart and soul and all beside: his weary joints would gladly rise, i know; our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow: his prayers are full of false hypocrisy; ours of true zeal and deep integrity. our prayers do out-pray his; then let them have that mercy which true prayer ought to have. henry bolingbroke good aunt, stand up. duchess of york nay, do not say, 'stand up;' say, 'pardon' first, and afterwards 'stand up.' and if i were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach, 'pardon' should be the first word of thy speech. i never long'd to hear a word till now; say 'pardon,' king; let pity teach thee how: the word is short, but not so short as sweet; no word like 'pardon' for kings' mouths so meet. duke of york speak it in french, king; say, 'pardonne moi.' duchess of york dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy? ah, my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord, that set'st the word itself against the word! speak 'pardon' as 'tis current in our land; the chopping french we do not understand. thine eye begins to speak; set thy tongue there; or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear; that hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce, pity may move thee 'pardon' to rehearse. henry bolingbroke good aunt, stand up. duchess of york i do not sue to stand; pardon is all the suit i have in hand. henry bolingbroke i pardon him, as god shall pardon me. duchess of york o happy vantage of a kneeling knee! yet am i sick for fear: speak it again; twice saying 'pardon' doth not pardon twain, but makes one pardon strong. henry bolingbroke with all my heart i pardon him. duchess of york a god on earth thou art. henry bolingbroke but for our trusty brother-in-law and the abbot, with all the rest of that consorted crew, destruction straight shall dog them at the heels. good uncle, help to order several powers to oxford, or where'er these traitors are: they shall not live within this world, i swear, but i will have them, if i once know where. uncle, farewell: and, cousin too, adieu: your mother well hath pray'd, and prove you true. duchess of york come, my old son: i pray god make thee new. [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene iv the same. [enter exton and servant] exton didst thou not mark the king, what words he spake, 'have i no friend will rid me of this living fear?' was it not so? servant these were his very words. exton 'have i no friend?' quoth he: he spake it twice, and urged it twice together, did he not? servant he did. exton and speaking it, he wistly look'd on me, and who should say, 'i would thou wert the man' that would divorce this terror from my heart;' meaning the king at pomfret. come, let's go: i am the king's friend, and will rid his foe. [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene v pomfret castle. [enter king richard] king richard ii i have been studying how i may compare this prison where i live unto the world: and for because the world is populous and here is not a creature but myself, i cannot do it; yet i'll hammer it out. my brain i'll prove the female to my soul, my soul the father; and these two beget a generation of still-breeding thoughts, and these same thoughts people this little world, in humours like the people of this world, for no thought is contented. the better sort, as thoughts of things divine, are intermix'd with scruples and do set the word itself against the word: as thus, 'come, little ones,' and then again, 'it is as hard to come as for a camel to thread the postern of a small needle's eye.' thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot unlikely wonders; how these vain weak nails may tear a passage through the flinty ribs of this hard world, my ragged prison walls, and, for they cannot, die in their own pride. thoughts tending to content flatter themselves that they are not the first of fortune's slaves, nor shall not be the last; like silly beggars who sitting in the stocks refuge their shame, that many have and others must sit there; and in this thought they find a kind of ease, bearing their own misfortunes on the back of such as have before endured the like. thus play i in one person many people, and none contented: sometimes am i king; then treasons make me wish myself a beggar, and so i am: then crushing penury persuades me i was better when a king; then am i king'd again: and by and by think that i am unking'd by bolingbroke, and straight am nothing: but whate'er i be, nor i nor any man that but man is with nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased with being nothing. music do i hear? [music] ha, ha! keep time: how sour sweet music is, when time is broke and no proportion kept! so is it in the music of men's lives. and here have i the daintiness of ear to cheque time broke in a disorder'd string; but for the concord of my state and time had not an ear to hear my true time broke. i wasted time, and now doth time waste me; for now hath time made me his numbering clock: my thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch, whereto my finger, like a dial's point, is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears. now sir, the sound that tells what hour it is are clamorous groans, which strike upon my heart, which is the bell: so sighs and tears and groans show minutes, times, and hours: but my time runs posting on in bolingbroke's proud joy, while i stand fooling here, his jack o' the clock. this music mads me; let it sound no more; for though it have holp madmen to their wits, in me it seems it will make wise men mad. yet blessing on his heart that gives it me! for 'tis a sign of love; and love to richard is a strange brooch in this all-hating world. [enter a groom of the stable] groom hail, royal prince! king richard ii thanks, noble peer; the cheapest of us is ten groats too dear. what art thou? and how comest thou hither, where no man never comes but that sad dog that brings me food to make misfortune live? groom i was a poor groom of thy stable, king, when thou wert king; who, travelling towards york, with much ado at length have gotten leave to look upon my sometimes royal master's face. o, how it yearn'd my heart when i beheld in london streets, that coronation-day, when bolingbroke rode on roan barbary, that horse that thou so often hast bestrid, that horse that i so carefully have dress'd! king richard ii rode he on barbary? tell me, gentle friend, how went he under him? groom so proudly as if he disdain'd the ground. king richard ii so proud that bolingbroke was on his back! that jade hath eat bread from my royal hand; this hand hath made him proud with clapping him. would he not stumble? would he not fall down, since pride must have a fall, and break the neck of that proud man that did usurp his back? forgiveness, horse! why do i rail on thee, since thou, created to be awed by man, wast born to bear? i was not made a horse; and yet i bear a burthen like an ass, spurr'd, gall'd and tired by jouncing bolingbroke. [enter keeper, with a dish] keeper fellow, give place; here is no longer stay. king richard ii if thou love me, 'tis time thou wert away. groom what my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say. [exit] keeper my lord, will't please you to fall to? king richard ii taste of it first, as thou art wont to do. keeper my lord, i dare not: sir pierce of exton, who lately came from the king, commands the contrary. king richard ii the devil take henry of lancaster and thee! patience is stale, and i am weary of it. [beats the keeper] keeper help, help, help! [enter exton and servants, armed] king richard ii how now! what means death in this rude assault? villain, thy own hand yields thy death's instrument. [snatching an axe from a servant and killing him] go thou, and fill another room in hell. [he kills another. then exton strikes him down] that hand shall burn in never-quenching fire that staggers thus my person. exton, thy fierce hand hath with the king's blood stain'd the king's own land. mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high; whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die. [dies] exton as full of valour as of royal blood: both have i spill'd; o would the deed were good! for now the devil, that told me i did well, says that this deed is chronicled in hell. this dead king to the living king i'll bear take hence the rest, and give them burial here. [exeunt] king richard ii act v scene vi windsor castle. [flourish. enter henry bolingbroke, duke of york, with other lords, and attendants] henry bolingbroke kind uncle york, the latest news we hear is that the rebels have consumed with fire our town of cicester in gloucestershire; but whether they be ta'en or slain we hear not. [enter northumberland] welcome, my lord what is the news? northumberland first, to thy sacred state wish i all happiness. the next news is, i have to london sent the heads of oxford, salisbury, blunt, and kent: the manner of their taking may appear at large discoursed in this paper here. henry bolingbroke we thank thee, gentle percy, for thy pains; and to thy worth will add right worthy gains. [enter lord fitzwater] lord fitzwater my lord, i have from oxford sent to london the heads of brocas and sir bennet seely, two of the dangerous consorted traitors that sought at oxford thy dire overthrow. henry bolingbroke thy pains, fitzwater, shall not be forgot; right noble is thy merit, well i wot. [enter henry percy, and the bishop of carlisle] henry percy the grand conspirator, abbot of westminster, with clog of conscience and sour melancholy hath yielded up his body to the grave; but here is carlisle living, to abide thy kingly doom and sentence of his pride. henry bolingbroke carlisle, this is your doom: choose out some secret place, some reverend room, more than thou hast, and with it joy thy life; so as thou livest in peace, die free from strife: for though mine enemy thou hast ever been, high sparks of honour in thee have i seen. [enter exton, with persons bearing a coffin] exton great king, within this coffin i present thy buried fear: herein all breathless lies the mightiest of thy greatest enemies, richard of bordeaux, by me hither brought. henry bolingbroke exton, i thank thee not; for thou hast wrought a deed of slander with thy fatal hand upon my head and all this famous land. exton from your own mouth, my lord, did i this deed. henry bolingbroke they love not poison that do poison need, nor do i thee: though i did wish him dead, i hate the murderer, love him murdered. the guilt of conscience take thou for thy labour, but neither my good word nor princely favour: with cain go wander through shades of night, and never show thy head by day nor light. lords, i protest, my soul is full of woe, that blood should sprinkle me to make me grow: come, mourn with me for that i do lament, and put on sullen black incontinent: i'll make a voyage to the holy land, to wash this blood off from my guilty hand: march sadly after; grace my mournings here; in weeping after this untimely bier. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi dramatis personae king henry the sixth. edward, prince of wales his son. (prince edward:) king lewis xi king of france. (king lewis xi:) duke of somerset (somerset:) duke of exeter (exeter:) earl of oxford (oxford:) earl of northumberland (northumberland:) earl of westmoreland (westmoreland:) lord clifford (clifford:) richard plantagenet duke of york. (york:) edward (edward:) earl of march, | afterwards king edward iv. | (king edward iv:) | | edmund earl of rutland, (rutland:) | | his sons. george (george:) afterwards duke of | clarence (clarence:) | | richard (richard:) afterwards duke of | gloucester, (gloucester:) | duke of norfolk (norfolk:) marquess of montague (montague:) earl of warwick (warwick:) earl of pembroke (pembroke:) lord hastings (hastings:) lord stafford (stafford:) sir john mortimer (john mortimer:) | | uncles to the duke of york. sir hugh mortimer (hugh mortimer:) | henry earl of richmond, a youth (henry of richmond:). lord rivers brother to lady grey. (rivers:) sir william stanley (stanley:) sir john montgomery (montgomery:) sir john somerville (somerville:) tutor to rutland. (tutor:) mayor of york. (mayor:) lieutenant of the tower. (lieutenant:) a nobleman. (nobleman:) two keepers. (first keeper:) (second keeper:) a huntsman. (huntsman:) a son that has killed his father. (son:) a father that has killed his son. (father:) queen margaret: lady grey afterwards queen to edward iv. (queen elizabeth:) bona sister to the french queen. soldiers, attendants, messengers, watchmen, &c. (soldier:) (post:) (messenger:) (first messenger:) (second messenger:) (first watchman:) (second watchman:) (third watchman:) scene england and france. act i scene i london. the parliament-house. [alarum. enter york, edward, richard, norfolk, montague, warwick, and soldiers] warwick i wonder how the king escaped our hands. york while we pursued the horsemen of the north, he slily stole away and left his men: whereat the great lord of northumberland, whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, cheer'd up the drooping army; and himself, lord clifford and lord stafford, all abreast, charged our main battle's front, and breaking in were by the swords of common soldiers slain. edward lord stafford's father, duke of buckingham, is either slain or wounded dangerously; i cleft his beaver with a downright blow: that this is true, father, behold his blood. montague and, brother, here's the earl of wiltshire's blood, whom i encounter'd as the battles join'd. richard speak thou for me and tell them what i did. [throwing down somerset's head] york richard hath best deserved of all my sons. but is your grace dead, my lord of somerset? norfolk such hope have all the line of john of gaunt! richard thus do i hope to shake king henry's head. warwick and so do i. victorious prince of york, before i see thee seated in that throne which now the house of lancaster usurps, i vow by heaven these eyes shall never close. this is the palace of the fearful king, and this the regal seat: possess it, york; for this is thine and not king henry's heirs' york assist me, then, sweet warwick, and i will; for hither we have broken in by force. norfolk we'll all assist you; he that flies shall die. york thanks, gentle norfolk: stay by me, my lords; and, soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night. [they go up] warwick and when the king comes, offer no violence, unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. york the queen this day here holds her parliament, but little thinks we shall be of her council: by words or blows here let us win our right. richard arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house. warwick the bloody parliament shall this be call'd, unless plantagenet, duke of york, be king, and bashful henry deposed, whose cowardice hath made us by-words to our enemies. york then leave me not, my lords; be resolute; i mean to take possession of my right. warwick neither the king, nor he that loves him best, the proudest he that holds up lancaster, dares stir a wing, if warwick shake his bells. i'll plant plantagenet, root him up who dares: resolve thee, richard; claim the english crown. [flourish. enter king henry vi, clifford, northumberland, westmoreland, exeter, and the rest] king henry vi my lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, even in the chair of state: belike he means, back'd by the power of warwick, that false peer, to aspire unto the crown and reign as king. earl of northumberland, he slew thy father. and thine, lord clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge on him, his sons, his favourites and his friends. northumberland if i be not, heavens be revenged on me! clifford the hope thereof makes clifford mourn in steel. westmoreland what, shall we suffer this? let's pluck him down: my heart for anger burns; i cannot brook it. king henry vi be patient, gentle earl of westmoreland. clifford patience is for poltroons, such as he: he durst not sit there, had your father lived. my gracious lord, here in the parliament let us assail the family of york. northumberland well hast thou spoken, cousin: be it so. king henry vi ah, know you not the city favours them, and they have troops of soldiers at their beck? exeter but when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. king henry vi far be the thought of this from henry's heart, to make a shambles of the parliament-house! cousin of exeter, frowns, words and threats shall be the war that henry means to use. thou factious duke of york, descend my throne, and kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; i am thy sovereign. york i am thine. exeter for shame, come down: he made thee duke of york. york 'twas my inheritance, as the earldom was. exeter thy father was a traitor to the crown. warwick exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown in following this usurping henry. clifford whom should he follow but his natural king? warwick true, clifford; and that's richard duke of york. king henry vi and shall i stand, and thou sit in my throne? york it must and shall be so: content thyself. warwick be duke of lancaster; let him be king. westmoreland he is both king and duke of lancaster; and that the lord of westmoreland shall maintain. warwick and warwick shall disprove it. you forget that we are those which chased you from the field and slew your fathers, and with colours spread march'd through the city to the palace gates. northumberland yes, warwick, i remember it to my grief; and, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it. westmoreland plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons, thy kinsman and thy friends, i'll have more lives than drops of blood were in my father's veins. clifford urge it no more; lest that, instead of words, i send thee, warwick, such a messenger as shall revenge his death before i stir. warwick poor clifford! how i scorn his worthless threats! york will you we show our title to the crown? if not, our swords shall plead it in the field. king henry vi what title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? thy father was, as thou art, duke of york; thy grandfather, roger mortimer, earl of march: i am the son of henry the fifth, who made the dauphin and the french to stoop and seized upon their towns and provinces. warwick talk not of france, sith thou hast lost it all. king henry vi the lord protector lost it, and not i: when i was crown'd i was but nine months old. richard you are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose. father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. edward sweet father, do so; set it on your head. montague good brother, as thou lovest and honourest arms, let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus. richard sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly. york sons, peace! king henry vi peace, thou! and give king henry leave to speak. warwick plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords; and be you silent and attentive too, for he that interrupts him shall not live. king henry vi think'st thou that i will leave my kingly throne, wherein my grandsire and my father sat? no: first shall war unpeople this my realm; ay, and their colours, often borne in france, and now in england to our heart's great sorrow, shall be my winding-sheet. why faint you, lords? my title's good, and better far than his. warwick prove it, henry, and thou shalt be king. king henry vi henry the fourth by conquest got the crown. york 'twas by rebellion against his king. king henry vi [aside] i know not what to say; my title's weak.- tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? york what then? king henry vi an if he may, then am i lawful king; for richard, in the view of many lords, resign'd the crown to henry the fourth, whose heir my father was, and i am his. york he rose against him, being his sovereign, and made him to resign his crown perforce. warwick suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd, think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown? exeter no; for he could not so resign his crown but that the next heir should succeed and reign. king henry vi art thou against us, duke of exeter? exeter his is the right, and therefore pardon me. york why whisper you, my lords, and answer not? exeter my conscience tells me he is lawful king. king henry vi [aside] all will revolt from me, and turn to him. northumberland plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st, think not that henry shall be so deposed. warwick deposed he shall be, in despite of all. northumberland thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power, of essex, norfolk, suffolk, nor of kent, which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, can set the duke up in despite of me. clifford king henry, be thy title right or wrong, lord clifford vows to fight in thy defence: may that ground gape and swallow me alive, where i shall kneel to him that slew my father! king henry vi o clifford, how thy words revive my heart! york henry of lancaster, resign thy crown. what mutter you, or what conspire you, lords? warwick do right unto this princely duke of york, or i will fill the house with armed men, and over the chair of state, where now he sits, write up his title with usurping blood. [he stamps with his foot and the soldiers show themselves] king henry vi my lord of warwick, hear me but one word: let me for this my life-time reign as king. york confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, and thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest. king henry vi i am content: richard plantagenet, enjoy the kingdom after my decease. clifford what wrong is this unto the prince your son! warwick what good is this to england and himself! westmoreland base, fearful and despairing henry! clifford how hast thou injured both thyself and us! westmoreland i cannot stay to hear these articles. northumberland nor i. clifford come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news. westmoreland farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, in whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. northumberland be thou a prey unto the house of york, and die in bands for this unmanly deed! clifford in dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, or live in peace abandon'd and despised! [exeunt northumberland, clifford, and westmoreland] warwick turn this way, henry, and regard them not. exeter they seek revenge and therefore will not yield. king henry vi ah, exeter! warwick why should you sigh, my lord? king henry vi not for myself, lord warwick, but my son, whom i unnaturally shall disinherit. but be it as it may: i here entail the crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever; conditionally, that here thou take an oath to cease this civil war, and, whilst i live, to honour me as thy king and sovereign, and neither by treason nor hostility to seek to put me down and reign thyself. york this oath i willingly take and will perform. warwick long live king henry! plantagenet embrace him. king henry vi and long live thou and these thy forward sons! york now york and lancaster are reconciled. exeter accursed be he that seeks to make them foes! [sennet. here they come down] york farewell, my gracious lord; i'll to my castle. warwick and i'll keep london with my soldiers. norfolk and i to norfolk with my followers. montague and i unto the sea from whence i came. [exeunt york, edward, edmund, george, richard, warwick, norfolk, montague, their soldiers, and attendants] king henry vi and i, with grief and sorrow, to the court. [enter queen margaret and prince edward] exeter here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger: i'll steal away. king henry vi exeter, so will i. queen margaret nay, go not from me; i will follow thee. king henry vi be patient, gentle queen, and i will stay. queen margaret who can be patient in such extremes? ah, wretched man! would i had died a maid and never seen thee, never borne thee son, seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus? hadst thou but loved him half so well as i, or felt that pain which i did for him once, or nourish'd him as i did with my blood, thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, rather than have that savage duke thine heir and disinherited thine only son. prince edward father, you cannot disinherit me: if you be king, why should not i succeed? king henry vi pardon me, margaret; pardon me, sweet son: the earl of warwick and the duke enforced me. queen margaret enforced thee! art thou king, and wilt be forced? i shame to hear thee speak. ah, timorous wretch! thou hast undone thyself, thy son and me; and given unto the house of york such head as thou shalt reign but by their sufferance. to entail him and his heirs unto the crown, what is it, but to make thy sepulchre and creep into it far before thy time? warwick is chancellor and the lord of calais; stern falconbridge commands the narrow seas; the duke is made protector of the realm; and yet shalt thou be safe? such safety finds the trembling lamb environed with wolves. had i been there, which am a silly woman, the soldiers should have toss'd me on their pikes before i would have granted to that act. but thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour: and seeing thou dost, i here divorce myself both from thy table, henry, and thy bed, until that act of parliament be repeal'd whereby my son is disinherited. the northern lords that have forsworn thy colours will follow mine, if once they see them spread; and spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace and utter ruin of the house of york. thus do i leave thee. come, son, let's away; our army is ready; come, we'll after them. king henry vi stay, gentle margaret, and hear me speak. queen margaret thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone. king henry vi gentle son edward, thou wilt stay with me? queen margaret ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. prince edward when i return with victory from the field i'll see your grace: till then i'll follow her. queen margaret come, son, away; we may not linger thus. [exeunt queen margaret and prince edward] king henry vi poor queen! how love to me and to her son hath made her break out into terms of rage! revenged may she be on that hateful duke, whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, will cost my crown, and like an empty eagle tire on the flesh of me and of my son! the loss of those three lords torments my heart: i'll write unto them and entreat them fair. come, cousin you shall be the messenger. exeter and i, i hope, shall reconcile them all. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act i scene ii sandal castle. [enter richard, edward, and montague] richard brother, though i be youngest, give me leave. edward no, i can better play the orator. montague but i have reasons strong and forcible. [enter york] york why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife? what is your quarrel? how began it first? edward no quarrel, but a slight contention. york about what? richard about that which concerns your grace and us; the crown of england, father, which is yours. york mine boy? not till king henry be dead. richard your right depends not on his life or death. edward now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now: by giving the house of lancaster leave to breathe, it will outrun you, father, in the end. york i took an oath that he should quietly reign. edward but for a kingdom any oath may be broken: i would break a thousand oaths to reign one year. richard no; god forbid your grace should be forsworn. york i shall be, if i claim by open war. richard i'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. york thou canst not, son; it is impossible. richard an oath is of no moment, being not took before a true and lawful magistrate, that hath authority over him that swears: henry had none, but did usurp the place; then, seeing 'twas he that made you to depose, your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous. therefore, to arms! and, father, do but think how sweet a thing it is to wear a crown; within whose circuit is elysium and all that poets feign of bliss and joy. why do we finger thus? i cannot rest until the white rose that i wear be dyed even in the lukewarm blood of henry's heart. york richard, enough; i will be king, or die. brother, thou shalt to london presently, and whet on warwick to this enterprise. thou, richard, shalt to the duke of norfolk, and tell him privily of our intent. you edward, shall unto my lord cobham, with whom the kentishmen will willingly rise: in them i trust; for they are soldiers, witty, courteous, liberal, full of spirit. while you are thus employ'd, what resteth more, but that i seek occasion how to rise, and yet the king not privy to my drift, nor any of the house of lancaster? [enter a messenger] but, stay: what news? why comest thou in such post? messenger the queen with all the northern earls and lords intend here to besiege you in your castle: she is hard by with twenty thousand men; and therefore fortify your hold, my lord. york ay, with my sword. what! think'st thou that we fear them? edward and richard, you shall stay with me; my brother montague shall post to london: let noble warwick, cobham, and the rest, whom we have left protectors of the king, with powerful policy strengthen themselves, and trust not simple henry nor his oaths. montague brother, i go; i'll win them, fear it not: and thus most humbly i do take my leave. [exit] [enter john mortimer and hugh mortimer] sir john and sir hugh mortimer, mine uncles, you are come to sandal in a happy hour; the army of the queen mean to besiege us. john mortimer she shall not need; we'll meet her in the field. york what, with five thousand men? richard ay, with five hundred, father, for a need: a woman's general; what should we fear? [a march afar off] edward i hear their drums: let's set our men in order, and issue forth and bid them battle straight. york five men to twenty! though the odds be great, i doubt not, uncle, of our victory. many a battle have i won in france, when as the enemy hath been ten to one: why should i not now have the like success? [alarum. exeunt] 3 king henry vi act i scene iii field of battle betwixt sandal castle and wakefield. [alarums. enter rutland and his tutor] rutland ah, whither shall i fly to 'scape their hands? ah, tutor, look where bloody clifford comes! [enter clifford and soldiers] clifford chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life. as for the brat of this accursed duke, whose father slew my father, he shall die. tutor and i, my lord, will bear him company. clifford soldiers, away with him! tutor ah, clifford, murder not this innocent child, lest thou be hated both of god and man! [exit, dragged off by soldiers] clifford how now! is he dead already? or is it fear that makes him close his eyes? i'll open them. rutland so looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch that trembles under his devouring paws; and so he walks, insulting o'er his prey, and so he comes, to rend his limbs asunder. ah, gentle clifford, kill me with thy sword, and not with such a cruel threatening look. sweet clifford, hear me speak before i die. i am too mean a subject for thy wrath: be thou revenged on men, and let me live. clifford in vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. rutland then let my father's blood open it again: he is a man, and, clifford, cope with him. clifford had thy brethren here, their lives and thine were not revenge sufficient for me; no, if i digg'd up thy forefathers' graves and hung their rotten coffins up in chains, it could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart. the sight of any of the house of york is as a fury to torment my soul; and till i root out their accursed line and leave not one alive, i live in hell. therefore- [lifting his hand] rutland o, let me pray before i take my death! to thee i pray; sweet clifford, pity me! clifford such pity as my rapier's point affords. rutland i never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me? clifford thy father hath. rutland but 'twas ere i was born. thou hast one son; for his sake pity me, lest in revenge thereof, sith god is just, he be as miserably slain as i. ah, let me live in prison all my days; and when i give occasion of offence, then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. clifford no cause! thy father slew my father; therefore, die. [stabs him] rutland di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae! [dies] clifford plantagenet! i come, plantagenet! and this thy son's blood cleaving to my blade shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood, congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both. [exit] 3 king henry vi act i scene iv another part of the field. [alarum. enter york] york the army of the queen hath got the field: my uncles both are slain in rescuing me; and all my followers to the eager foe turn back and fly, like ships before the wind or lambs pursued by hunger-starved wolves. my sons, god knows what hath bechanced them: but this i know, they have demean'd themselves like men born to renown by life or death. three times did richard make a lane to me. and thrice cried 'courage, father! fight it out!' and full as oft came edward to my side, with purple falchion, painted to the hilt in blood of those that had encounter'd him: and when the hardiest warriors did retire, richard cried 'charge! and give no foot of ground!' and cried 'a crown, or else a glorious tomb! a sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!' with this, we charged again: but, out, alas! we bodged again; as i have seen a swan with bootless labour swim against the tide and spend her strength with over-matching waves. [a short alarum within] ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue; and i am faint and cannot fly their fury: and were i strong, i would not shun their fury: the sands are number'd that make up my life; here must i stay, and here my life must end. [enter queen margaret, clifford, northumberland, prince edward, and soldiers] come, bloody clifford, rough northumberland, i dare your quenchless fury to more rage: i am your butt, and i abide your shot. northumberland yield to our mercy, proud plantagenet. clifford ay, to such mercy as his ruthless arm, with downright payment, show'd unto my father. now phaethon hath tumbled from his car, and made an evening at the noontide prick. york my ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth a bird that will revenge upon you all: and in that hope i throw mine eyes to heaven, scorning whate'er you can afflict me with. why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear? clifford so cowards fight when they can fly no further; so doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons; so desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives, breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers. york o clifford, but bethink thee once again, and in thy thought o'er-run my former time; and, if though canst for blushing, view this face, and bite thy tongue, that slanders him with cowardice whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this! clifford i will not bandy with thee word for word, but buckle with thee blows, twice two for one. queen margaret hold, valiant clifford! for a thousand causes i would prolong awhile the traitor's life. wrath makes him deaf: speak thou, northumberland. northumberland hold, clifford! do not honour him so much to prick thy finger, though to wound his heart: what valour were it, when a cur doth grin, for one to thrust his hand between his teeth, when he might spurn him with his foot away? it is war's prize to take all vantages; and ten to one is no impeach of valour. [they lay hands on york, who struggles] clifford ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin. northumberland so doth the cony struggle in the net. york so triumph thieves upon their conquer'd booty; so true men yield, with robbers so o'ermatch'd. northumberland what would your grace have done unto him now? queen margaret brave warriors, clifford and northumberland, come, make him stand upon this molehill here, that raught at mountains with outstretched arms, yet parted but the shadow with his hand. what! was it you that would be england's king? was't you that revell'd in our parliament, and made a preachment of your high descent? where are your mess of sons to back you now? the wanton edward, and the lusty george? and where's that valiant crook-back prodigy, dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies? or, with the rest, where is your darling rutland? look, york: i stain'd this napkin with the blood that valiant clifford, with his rapier's point, made issue from the bosom of the boy; and if thine eyes can water for his death, i give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal. alas poor york! but that i hate thee deadly, i should lament thy miserable state. i prithee, grieve, to make me merry, york. what, hath thy fiery heart so parch'd thine entrails that not a tear can fall for rutland's death? why art thou patient, man? thou shouldst be mad; and i, to make thee mad, do mock thee thus. stamp, rave, and fret, that i may sing and dance. thou wouldst be fee'd, i see, to make me sport: york cannot speak, unless he wear a crown. a crown for york! and, lords, bow low to him: hold you his hands, whilst i do set it on. [putting a paper crown on his head] ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king! ay, this is he that took king henry's chair, and this is he was his adopted heir. but how is it that great plantagenet is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? as i bethink me, you should not be king till our king henry had shook hands with death. and will you pale your head in henry's glory, and rob his temples of the diadem, now in his life, against your holy oath? o, 'tis a fault too too unpardonable! off with the crown, and with the crown his head; and, whilst we breathe, take time to do him dead. clifford that is my office, for my father's sake. queen margaret nay, stay; lets hear the orisons he makes. york she-wolf of france, but worse than wolves of france, whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth! how ill-beseeming is it in thy sex to triumph, like an amazonian trull, upon their woes whom fortune captivates! but that thy face is, vizard-like, unchanging, made impudent with use of evil deeds, i would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush. to tell thee whence thou camest, of whom derived, were shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless. thy father bears the type of king of naples, of both the sicils and jerusalem, yet not so wealthy as an english yeoman. hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult? it needs not, nor it boots thee not, proud queen, unless the adage must be verified, that beggars mounted run their horse to death. 'tis beauty that doth oft make women proud; but, god he knows, thy share thereof is small: 'tis virtue that doth make them most admired; the contrary doth make thee wonder'd at: 'tis government that makes them seem divine; the want thereof makes thee abominable: thou art as opposite to every good as the antipodes are unto us, or as the south to the septentrion. o tiger's heart wrapt in a woman's hide! how couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child, to bid the father wipe his eyes withal, and yet be seen to bear a woman's face? women are soft, mild, pitiful and flexible; thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless. bids't thou me rage? why, now thou hast thy wish: wouldst have me weep? why, now thou hast thy will: for raging wind blows up incessant showers, and when the rage allays, the rain begins. these tears are my sweet rutland's obsequies: and every drop cries vengeance for his death, 'gainst thee, fell clifford, and thee, false frenchwoman. northumberland beshrew me, but his passion moves me so that hardly can i cheque my eyes from tears. york that face of his the hungry cannibals would not have touch'd, would not have stain'd with blood: but you are more inhuman, more inexorable, o, ten times more, than tigers of hyrcania. see, ruthless queen, a hapless father's tears: this cloth thou dip'dst in blood of my sweet boy, and i with tears do wash the blood away. keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this: and if thou tell'st the heavy story right, upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears; yea even my foes will shed fast-falling tears, and say 'alas, it was a piteous deed!' there, take the crown, and, with the crown, my curse; and in thy need such comfort come to thee as now i reap at thy too cruel hand! hard-hearted clifford, take me from the world: my soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads! northumberland had he been slaughter-man to all my kin, i should not for my life but weep with him. to see how inly sorrow gripes his soul. queen margaret what, weeping-ripe, my lord northumberland? think but upon the wrong he did us all, and that will quickly dry thy melting tears. clifford here's for my oath, here's for my father's death. [stabbing him] queen margaret and here's to right our gentle-hearted king. [stabbing him] york open thy gate of mercy, gracious god! my soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee. [dies] queen margaret off with his head, and set it on york gates; so york may overlook the town of york. [flourish. exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene i a plain near mortimer's cross in herefordshire. [a march. enter edward, richard, and their power] edward i wonder how our princely father 'scaped, or whether he be 'scaped away or no from clifford's and northumberland's pursuit: had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news; had he been slain, we should have heard the news; or had he 'scaped, methinks we should have heard the happy tidings of his good escape. how fares my brother? why is he so sad? richard i cannot joy, until i be resolved where our right valiant father is become. i saw him in the battle range about; and watch'd him how he singled clifford forth. methought he bore him in the thickest troop as doth a lion in a herd of neat; or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs, who having pinch'd a few and made them cry, the rest stand all aloof, and bark at him. so fared our father with his enemies; so fled his enemies my warlike father: methinks, 'tis prize enough to be his son. see how the morning opes her golden gates, and takes her farewell of the glorious sun! how well resembles it the prime of youth, trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love! edward dazzle mine eyes, or do i see three suns? richard three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun; not separated with the racking clouds, but sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky. see, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss, as if they vow'd some league inviolable: now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun. in this the heaven figures some event. edward 'tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of. i think it cites us, brother, to the field, that we, the sons of brave plantagenet, each one already blazing by our meeds, should notwithstanding join our lights together and over-shine the earth as this the world. whate'er it bodes, henceforward will i bear upon my target three fair-shining suns. richard nay, bear three daughters: by your leave i speak it, you love the breeder better than the male. [enter a messenger] but what art thou, whose heavy looks foretell some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue? messenger ah, one that was a woful looker-on when as the noble duke of york was slain, your princely father and my loving lord! edward o, speak no more, for i have heard too much. richard say how he died, for i will hear it all. messenger environed he was with many foes, and stood against them, as the hope of troy against the greeks that would have enter'd troy. but hercules himself must yield to odds; and many strokes, though with a little axe, hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak. by many hands your father was subdued; but only slaughter'd by the ireful arm of unrelenting clifford and the queen, who crown'd the gracious duke in high despite, laugh'd in his face; and when with grief he wept, the ruthless queen gave him to dry his cheeks a napkin steeped in the harmless blood of sweet young rutland, by rough clifford slain: and after many scorns, many foul taunts, they took his head, and on the gates of york they set the same; and there it doth remain, the saddest spectacle that e'er i view'd. edward sweet duke of york, our prop to lean upon, now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay. o clifford, boisterous clifford! thou hast slain the flower of europe for his chivalry; and treacherously hast thou vanquish'd him, for hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee. now my soul's palace is become a prison: ah, would she break from hence, that this my body might in the ground be closed up in rest! for never henceforth shall i joy again, never, o never shall i see more joy! richard i cannot weep; for all my body's moisture scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart: nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burthen; for selfsame wind that i should speak withal is kindling coals that fires all my breast, and burns me up with flames that tears would quench. to weep is to make less the depth of grief: tears then for babes; blows and revenge for me richard, i bear thy name; i'll venge thy death, or die renowned by attempting it. edward his name that valiant duke hath left with thee; his dukedom and his chair with me is left. richard nay, if thou be that princely eagle's bird, show thy descent by gazing 'gainst the sun: for chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say; either that is thine, or else thou wert not his. [march. enter warwick, montague, and their army] warwick how now, fair lords! what fare? what news abroad? richard great lord of warwick, if we should recount our baleful news, and at each word's deliverance stab poniards in our flesh till all were told, the words would add more anguish than the wounds. o valiant lord, the duke of york is slain! edward o warwick, warwick! that plantagenet, which held three dearly as his soul's redemption, is by the stern lord clifford done to death. warwick ten days ago i drown'd these news in tears; and now, to add more measure to your woes, i come to tell you things sith then befall'n. after the bloody fray at wakefield fought, where your brave father breathed his latest gasp, tidings, as swiftly as the posts could run, were brought me of your loss and his depart. i, then in london keeper of the king, muster'd my soldiers, gather'd flocks of friends, and very well appointed, as i thought, march'd toward saint alban's to intercept the queen, bearing the king in my behalf along; for by my scouts i was advertised that she was coming with a full intent to dash our late decree in parliament touching king henry's oath and your succession. short tale to make, we at saint alban's met our battles join'd, and both sides fiercely fought: but whether 'twas the coldness of the king, who look'd full gently on his warlike queen, that robb'd my soldiers of their heated spleen; or whether 'twas report of her success; or more than common fear of clifford's rigour, who thunders to his captives blood and death, i cannot judge: but to conclude with truth, their weapons like to lightning came and went; our soldiers', like the night-owl's lazy flight, or like an idle thresher with a flail, fell gently down, as if they struck their friends. i cheer'd them up with justice of our cause, with promise of high pay and great rewards: but all in vain; they had no heart to fight, and we in them no hope to win the day; so that we fled; the king unto the queen; lord george your brother, norfolk and myself, in haste, post-haste, are come to join with you: for in the marches here we heard you were, making another head to fight again. edward where is the duke of norfolk, gentle warwick? and when came george from burgundy to england? warwick some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers; and for your brother, he was lately sent from your kind aunt, duchess of burgundy, with aid of soldiers to this needful war. richard 'twas odds, belike, when valiant warwick fled: oft have i heard his praises in pursuit, but ne'er till now his scandal of retire. warwick nor now my scandal, richard, dost thou hear; for thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine can pluck the diadem from faint henry's head, and wring the awful sceptre from his fist, were he as famous and as bold in war as he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. richard i know it well, lord warwick; blame me not: 'tis love i bear thy glories makes me speak. but in this troublous time what's to be done? shall we go throw away our coats of steel, and wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns, numbering our ave-maries with our beads? or shall we on the helmets of our foes tell our devotion with revengeful arms? if for the last, say ay, and to it, lords. warwick why, therefore warwick came to seek you out; and therefore comes my brother montague. attend me, lords. the proud insulting queen, with clifford and the haught northumberland, and of their feather many more proud birds, have wrought the easy-melting king like wax. he swore consent to your succession, his oath enrolled in the parliament; and now to london all the crew are gone, to frustrate both his oath and what beside may make against the house of lancaster. their power, i think, is thirty thousand strong: now, if the help of norfolk and myself, with all the friends that thou, brave earl of march, amongst the loving welshmen canst procure, will but amount to five and twenty thousand, why, via! to london will we march amain, and once again bestride our foaming steeds, and once again cry 'charge upon our foes!' but never once again turn back and fly. richard ay, now methinks i hear great warwick speak: ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day, that cries 'retire,' if warwick bid him stay. edward lord warwick, on thy shoulder will i lean; and when thou fail'st--as god forbid the hour!- must edward fall, which peril heaven forfend! warwick no longer earl of march, but duke of york: the next degree is england's royal throne; for king of england shalt thou be proclaim'd in every borough as we pass along; and he that throws not up his cap for joy shall for the fault make forfeit of his head. king edward, valiant richard, montague, stay we no longer, dreaming of renown, but sound the trumpets, and about our task. richard then, clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel, as thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds, i come to pierce it, or to give thee mine. edward then strike up drums: god and saint george for us! [enter a messenger] warwick how now! what news? messenger the duke of norfolk sends you word by me, the queen is coming with a puissant host; and craves your company for speedy counsel. warwick why then it sorts, brave warriors, let's away. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene ii before york. [flourish. enter king henry vi, queen margaret, prince edward, clifford, and northumberland, with drum and trumpets] queen margaret welcome, my lord, to this brave town of york. yonder's the head of that arch-enemy that sought to be encompass'd with your crown: doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord? king henry vi ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear their wreck: to see this sight, it irks my very soul. withhold revenge, dear god! 'tis not my fault, nor wittingly have i infringed my vow. clifford my gracious liege, this too much lenity and harmful pity must be laid aside. to whom do lions cast their gentle looks? not to the beast that would usurp their den. whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick? not his that spoils her young before her face. who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting? not he that sets his foot upon her back. the smallest worm will turn being trodden on, and doves will peck in safeguard of their brood. ambitious york doth level at thy crown, thou smiling while he knit his angry brows: he, but a duke, would have his son a king, and raise his issue, like a loving sire; thou, being a king, blest with a goodly son, didst yield consent to disinherit him, which argued thee a most unloving father. unreasonable creatures feed their young; and though man's face be fearful to their eyes, yet, in protection of their tender ones, who hath not seen them, even with those wings which sometime they have used with fearful flight, make war with him that climb'd unto their nest, offer their own lives in their young's defence? for shame, my liege, make them your precedent! were it not pity that this goodly boy should lose his birthright by his father's fault, and long hereafter say unto his child, 'what my great-grandfather and his grandsire got my careless father fondly gave away'? ah, what a shame were this! look on the boy; and let his manly face, which promiseth successful fortune, steel thy melting heart to hold thine own and leave thine own with him. king henry vi full well hath clifford play'd the orator, inferring arguments of mighty force. but, clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear that things ill-got had ever bad success? and happy always was it for that son whose father for his hoarding went to hell? i'll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind; and would my father had left me no more! for all the rest is held at such a rate as brings a thousand-fold more care to keep than in possession and jot of pleasure. ah, cousin york! would thy best friends did know how it doth grieve me that thy head is here! queen margaret my lord, cheer up your spirits: our foes are nigh, and this soft courage makes your followers faint. you promised knighthood to our forward son: unsheathe your sword, and dub him presently. edward, kneel down. king henry vi edward plantagenet, arise a knight; and learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right. prince my gracious father, by your kingly leave, i'll draw it as apparent to the crown, and in that quarrel use it to the death. clifford why, that is spoken like a toward prince. [enter a messenger] messenger royal commanders, be in readiness: for with a band of thirty thousand men comes warwick, backing of the duke of york; and in the towns, as they do march along, proclaims him king, and many fly to him: darraign your battle, for they are at hand. clifford i would your highness would depart the field: the queen hath best success when you are absent. queen margaret ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune. king henry vi why, that's my fortune too; therefore i'll stay. northumberland be it with resolution then to fight. prince edward my royal father, cheer these noble lords and hearten those that fight in your defence: unsheathe your sword, good father; cry 'saint george!' [march. enter edward, george, richard, warwick, norfolk, montague, and soldiers] edward now, perjured henry! wilt thou kneel for grace, and set thy diadem upon my head; or bide the mortal fortune of the field? queen margaret go, rate thy minions, proud insulting boy! becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms before thy sovereign and thy lawful king? edward i am his king, and he should bow his knee; i was adopted heir by his consent: since when, his oath is broke; for, as i hear, you, that are king, though he do wear the crown, have caused him, by new act of parliament, to blot out me, and put his own son in. clifford and reason too: who should succeed the father but the son? richard are you there, butcher? o, i cannot speak! clifford ay, crook-back, here i stand to answer thee, or any he the proudest of thy sort. richard 'twas you that kill'd young rutland, was it not? clifford ay, and old york, and yet not satisfied. richard for god's sake, lords, give signal to the fight. warwick what say'st thou, henry, wilt thou yield the crown? queen margaret why, how now, long-tongued warwick! dare you speak? when you and i met at saint alban's last, your legs did better service than your hands. warwick then 'twas my turn to fly, and now 'tis thine. clifford you said so much before, and yet you fled. warwick 'twas not your valour, clifford, drove me thence. northumberland no, nor your manhood that durst make you stay. richard northumberland, i hold thee reverently. break off the parley; for scarce i can refrain the execution of my big-swoln heart upon that clifford, that cruel child-killer. clifford i slew thy father, call'st thou him a child? richard ay, like a dastard and a treacherous coward, as thou didst kill our tender brother rutland; but ere sunset i'll make thee curse the deed. king henry vi have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak. queen margaret defy them then, or else hold close thy lips. king henry vi i prithee, give no limits to my tongue: i am a king, and privileged to speak. clifford my liege, the wound that bred this meeting here cannot be cured by words; therefore be still. richard then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword: by him that made us all, i am resolved that clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue. edward say, henry, shall i have my right, or no? a thousand men have broke their fasts to-day, that ne'er shall dine unless thou yield the crown. warwick if thou deny, their blood upon thy head; for york in justice puts his armour on. prince edward if that be right which warwick says is right, there is no wrong, but every thing is right. richard whoever got thee, there thy mother stands; for, well i wot, thou hast thy mother's tongue. queen margaret but thou art neither like thy sire nor dam; but like a foul mis-shapen stigmatic, mark'd by the destinies to be avoided, as venom toads, or lizards' dreadful stings. richard iron of naples hid with english gilt, whose father bears the title of a king,- as if a channel should be call'd the sea,- shamest thou not, knowing whence thou art extraught, to let thy tongue detect thy base-born heart? edward a wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns, to make this shameless callet know herself. helen of greece was fairer far than thou, although thy husband may be menelaus; and ne'er was agamemnon's brother wrong'd by that false woman, as this king by thee. his father revell'd in the heart of france, and tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop; and had he match'd according to his state, he might have kept that glory to this day; but when he took a beggar to his bed, and graced thy poor sire with his bridal-day, even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him, that wash'd his father's fortunes forth of france, and heap'd sedition on his crown at home. for what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride? hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept; and we, in pity of the gentle king, had slipp'd our claim until another age. george but when we saw our sunshine made thy spring, and that thy summer bred us no increase, we set the axe to thy usurping root; and though the edge hath something hit ourselves, yet, know thou, since we have begun to strike, we'll never leave till we have hewn thee down, or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods. edward and, in this resolution, i defy thee; not willing any longer conference, since thou deniest the gentle king to speak. sound trumpets! let our bloody colours wave! and either victory, or else a grave. queen margaret stay, edward. edward no, wrangling woman, we'll no longer stay: these words will cost ten thousand lives this day. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene iii a field of battle between towton and saxton, in yorkshire. [alarum. excursions. enter warwick] warwick forspent with toil, as runners with a race, i lay me down a little while to breathe; for strokes received, and many blows repaid, have robb'd my strong-knit sinews of their strength, and spite of spite needs must i rest awhile. [enter edward, running] edward smile, gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle death! for this world frowns, and edward's sun is clouded. warwick how now, my lord! what hap? what hope of good? [enter george] george our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair; our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us: what counsel give you? whither shall we fly? edward bootless is flight, they follow us with wings; and weak we are and cannot shun pursuit. [enter richard] richard ah, warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself? thy brother's blood the thirsty earth hath drunk, broach'd with the steely point of clifford's lance; and in the very pangs of death he cried, like to a dismal clangour heard from far, 'warwick, revenge! brother, revenge my death!' so, underneath the belly of their steeds, that stain'd their fetlocks in his smoking blood, the noble gentleman gave up the ghost. warwick then let the earth be drunken with our blood: i'll kill my horse, because i will not fly. why stand we like soft-hearted women here, wailing our losses, whiles the foe doth rage; and look upon, as if the tragedy were play'd in jest by counterfeiting actors? here on my knee i vow to god above, i'll never pause again, never stand still, till either death hath closed these eyes of mine or fortune given me measure of revenge. edward o warwick, i do bend my knee with thine; and in this vow do chain my soul to thine! and, ere my knee rise from the earth's cold face, i throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee, thou setter up and plucker down of kings, beseeching thee, if with they will it stands that to my foes this body must be prey, yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope, and give sweet passage to my sinful soul! now, lords, take leave until we meet again, where'er it be, in heaven or in earth. richard brother, give me thy hand; and, gentle warwick, let me embrace thee in my weary arms: i, that did never weep, now melt with woe that winter should cut off our spring-time so. warwick away, away! once more, sweet lords farewell. george yet let us all together to our troops, and give them leave to fly that will not stay; and call them pillars that will stand to us; and, if we thrive, promise them such rewards as victors wear at the olympian games: this may plant courage in their quailing breasts; for yet is hope of life and victory. forslow no longer, make we hence amain. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene iv another part of the field. [excursions. enter richard and clifford] richard now, clifford, i have singled thee alone: suppose this arm is for the duke of york, and this for rutland; both bound to revenge, wert thou environ'd with a brazen wall. clifford now, richard, i am with thee here alone: this is the hand that stabb'd thy father york; and this the hand that slew thy brother rutland; and here's the heart that triumphs in their death and cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother to execute the like upon thyself; and so, have at thee! [they fight. warwick comes; clifford flies] richard nay warwick, single out some other chase; for i myself will hunt this wolf to death. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene v another part of the field. [alarum. enter king henry vi alone] king henry vi this battle fares like to the morning's war, when dying clouds contend with growing light, what time the shepherd, blowing of his nails, can neither call it perfect day nor night. now sways it this way, like a mighty sea forced by the tide to combat with the wind; now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea forced to retire by fury of the wind: sometime the flood prevails, and then the wind; now one the better, then another best; both tugging to be victors, breast to breast, yet neither conqueror nor conquered: so is the equal of this fell war. here on this molehill will i sit me down. to whom god will, there be the victory! for margaret my queen, and clifford too, have chid me from the battle; swearing both they prosper best of all when i am thence. would i were dead! if god's good will were so; for what is in this world but grief and woe? o god! methinks it were a happy life, to be no better than a homely swain; to sit upon a hill, as i do now, to carve out dials quaintly, point by point, thereby to see the minutes how they run, how many make the hour full complete; how many hours bring about the day; how many days will finish up the year; how many years a mortal man may live. when this is known, then to divide the times: so many hours must i tend my flock; so many hours must i take my rest; so many hours must i contemplate; so many hours must i sport myself; so many days my ewes have been with young; so many weeks ere the poor fools will ean: so many years ere i shall shear the fleece: so minutes, hours, days, months, and years, pass'd over to the end they were created, would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave. ah, what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely! gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade to shepherds looking on their silly sheep, than doth a rich embroider'd canopy to kings that fear their subjects' treachery? o, yes, it doth; a thousand-fold it doth. and to conclude, the shepherd's homely curds, his cold thin drink out of his leather bottle. his wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade, all which secure and sweetly he enjoys, is far beyond a prince's delicates, his viands sparkling in a golden cup, his body couched in a curious bed, when care, mistrust, and treason waits on him. [alarum. enter a son that has killed his father, dragging in the dead body] son ill blows the wind that profits nobody. this man, whom hand to hand i slew in fight, may be possessed with some store of crowns; and i, that haply take them from him now, may yet ere night yield both my life and them to some man else, as this dead man doth me. who's this? o god! it is my father's face, whom in this conflict i unwares have kill'd. o heavy times, begetting such events! from london by the king was i press'd forth; my father, being the earl of warwick's man, came on the part of york, press'd by his master; and i, who at his hands received my life, him have by my hands of life bereaved him. pardon me, god, i knew not what i did! and pardon, father, for i knew not thee! my tears shall wipe away these bloody marks; and no more words till they have flow'd their fill. king henry vi o piteous spectacle! o bloody times! whiles lions war and battle for their dens, poor harmless lambs abide their enmity. weep, wretched man, i'll aid thee tear for tear; and let our hearts and eyes, like civil war, be blind with tears, and break o'ercharged with grief. [enter a father that has killed his son, bringing in the body] father thou that so stoutly hast resisted me, give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold: for i have bought it with an hundred blows. but let me see: is this our foeman's face? ah, no, no, no, it is mine only son! ah, boy, if any life be left in thee, throw up thine eye! see, see what showers arise, blown with the windy tempest of my heart, upon thy words, that kill mine eye and heart! o, pity, god, this miserable age! what stratagems, how fell, how butcherly, erroneous, mutinous and unnatural, this deadly quarrel daily doth beget! o boy, thy father gave thee life too soon, and hath bereft thee of thy life too late! king henry vi woe above woe! grief more than common grief! o that my death would stay these ruthful deeds! o pity, pity, gentle heaven, pity! the red rose and the white are on his face, the fatal colours of our striving houses: the one his purple blood right well resembles; the other his pale cheeks, methinks, presenteth: wither one rose, and let the other flourish; if you contend, a thousand lives must wither. son how will my mother for a father's death take on with me and ne'er be satisfied! father how will my wife for slaughter of my son shed seas of tears and ne'er be satisfied! king henry vi how will the country for these woful chances misthink the king and not be satisfied! son was ever son so rued a father's death? father was ever father so bemoan'd his son? king henry vi was ever king so grieved for subjects' woe? much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much. son i'll bear thee hence, where i may weep my fill. [exit with the body] father these arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet; my heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre, for from my heart thine image ne'er shall go; my sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell; and so obsequious will thy father be, even for the loss of thee, having no more, as priam was for all his valiant sons. i'll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will, for i have murdered where i should not kill. [exit with the body] king henry vi sad-hearted men, much overgone with care, here sits a king more woful than you are. [alarums: excursions. enter queen margaret, prince edward, and exeter] prince edward fly, father, fly! for all your friends are fled, and warwick rages like a chafed bull: away! for death doth hold us in pursuit. queen margaret mount you, my lord; towards berwick post amain: edward and richard, like a brace of greyhounds having the fearful flying hare in sight, with fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath, and bloody steel grasp'd in their ireful hands, are at our backs; and therefore hence amain. exeter away! for vengeance comes along with them: nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed; or else come after: i'll away before. king henry vi nay, take me with thee, good sweet exeter: not that i fear to stay, but love to go whither the queen intends. forward; away! [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act ii scene vi another part of the field. [a loud alarum. enter clifford, wounded] clifford here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies, which, whiles it lasted, gave king henry light. o lancaster, i fear thy overthrow more than my body's parting with my soul! my love and fear glued many friends to thee; and, now i fall, thy tough commixture melts. impairing henry, strengthening misproud york, the common people swarm like summer flies; and whither fly the gnats but to the sun? and who shines now but henry's enemies? o phoebus, hadst thou never given consent that phaethon should cheque thy fiery steeds, thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth! and, henry, hadst thou sway'd as kings should do, or as thy father and his father did, giving no ground unto the house of york, they never then had sprung like summer flies; i and ten thousand in this luckless realm had left no mourning widows for our death; and thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace. for what doth cherish weeds but gentle air? and what makes robbers bold but too much lenity? bootless are plaints, and cureless are my wounds; no way to fly, nor strength to hold out flight: the foe is merciless, and will not pity; for at their hands i have deserved no pity. the air hath got into my deadly wounds, and much effuse of blood doth make me faint. come, york and richard, warwick and the rest; i stabb'd your fathers' bosoms, split my breast. [he faints] [alarum and retreat. enter edward, george, richard, montague, warwick, and soldiers] edward now breathe we, lords: good fortune bids us pause, and smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks. some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen, that led calm henry, though he were a king, as doth a sail, fill'd with a fretting gust, command an argosy to stem the waves. but think you, lords, that clifford fled with them? warwick no, 'tis impossible he should escape, for, though before his face i speak the words your brother richard mark'd him for the grave: and wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead. [clifford groans, and dies] edward whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? richard a deadly groan, like life and death's departing. edward see who it is: and, now the battle's ended, if friend or foe, let him be gently used. richard revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis clifford; who not contented that he lopp'd the branch in hewing rutland when his leaves put forth, but set his murdering knife unto the root from whence that tender spray did sweetly spring, i mean our princely father, duke of york. warwick from off the gates of york fetch down the head, your father's head, which clifford placed there; instead whereof let this supply the room: measure for measure must be answered. edward bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house, that nothing sung but death to us and ours: now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound, and his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak. warwick i think his understanding is bereft. speak, clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee? dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life, and he nor sees nor hears us what we say. richard o, would he did! and so perhaps he doth: 'tis but his policy to counterfeit, because he would avoid such bitter taunts which in the time of death he gave our father. george if so thou think'st, vex him with eager words. richard clifford, ask mercy and obtain no grace. edward clifford, repent in bootless penitence. warwick clifford, devise excuses for thy faults. george while we devise fell tortures for thy faults. richard thou didst love york, and i am son to york. edward thou pitied'st rutland; i will pity thee. george where's captain margaret, to fence you now? warwick they mock thee, clifford: swear as thou wast wont. richard what, not an oath? nay, then the world goes hard when clifford cannot spare his friends an oath. i know by that he's dead; and, by my soul, if this right hand would buy two hour's life, that i in all despite might rail at him, this hand should chop it off, and with the issuing blood stifle the villain whose unstanched thirst york and young rutland could not satisfy. warwick ay, but he's dead: off with the traitor's head, and rear it in the place your father's stands. and now to london with triumphant march, there to be crowned england's royal king: from whence shall warwick cut the sea to france, and ask the lady bona for thy queen: so shalt thou sinew both these lands together; and, having france thy friend, thou shalt not dread the scatter'd foe that hopes to rise again; for though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears. first will i see the coronation; and then to brittany i'll cross the sea, to effect this marriage, so it please my lord. edward even as thou wilt, sweet warwick, let it be; for in thy shoulder do i build my seat, and never will i undertake the thing wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting. richard, i will create thee duke of gloucester, and george, of clarence: warwick, as ourself, shall do and undo as him pleaseth best. richard let me be duke of clarence, george of gloucester; for gloucester's dukedom is too ominous. warwick tut, that's a foolish observation: richard, be duke of gloucester. now to london, to see these honours in possession. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iii scene i a forest in the north of england. [enter two keepers, with cross-bows in their hands] first keeper under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves; for through this laund anon the deer will come; and in this covert will we make our stand, culling the principal of all the deer. second keeper i'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. first keeper that cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost. here stand we both, and aim we at the best: and, for the time shall not seem tedious, i'll tell thee what befell me on a day in this self-place where now we mean to stand. second keeper here comes a man; let's stay till he be past. [enter king henry vi, disguised, with a prayerbook] king henry vi from scotland am i stol'n, even of pure love, to greet mine own land with my wishful sight. no, harry, harry, 'tis no land of thine; thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, thy balm wash'd off wherewith thou wast anointed: no bending knee will call thee caesar now, no humble suitors press to speak for right, no, not a man comes for redress of thee; for how can i help them, and not myself? first keeper ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee: this is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. king henry vi let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course. second keeper why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. first keeper forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more. king henry vi my queen and son are gone to france for aid; and, as i hear, the great commanding warwick is thither gone, to crave the french king's sister to wife for edward: if this news be true, poor queen and son, your labour is but lost; for warwick is a subtle orator, and lewis a prince soon won with moving words. by this account then margaret may win him; for she's a woman to be pitied much: her sighs will make a battery in his breast; her tears will pierce into a marble heart; the tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn; and nero will be tainted with remorse, to hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears. ay, but she's come to beg, warwick to give; she, on his left side, craving aid for henry, he, on his right, asking a wife for edward. she weeps, and says her henry is deposed; he smiles, and says his edward is install'd; that she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more; whiles warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong, inferreth arguments of mighty strength, and in conclusion wins the king from her, with promise of his sister, and what else, to strengthen and support king edward's place. o margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul, art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn! second keeper say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens? king henry vi more than i seem, and less than i was born to: a man at least, for less i should not be; and men may talk of kings, and why not i? second keeper ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. king henry vi why, so i am, in mind; and that's enough. second keeper but, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? king henry vi my crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is called content: a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy. second keeper well, if you be a king crown'd with content, your crown content and you must be contented to go along with us; for as we think, you are the king king edward hath deposed; and we his subjects sworn in all allegiance will apprehend you as his enemy. king henry vi but did you never swear, and break an oath? second keeper no, never such an oath; nor will not now. king henry vi where did you dwell when i was king of england? second keeper here in this country, where we now remain. king henry vi i was anointed king at nine months old; my father and my grandfather were kings, and you were sworn true subjects unto me: and tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths? first keeper no; for we were subjects but while you were king. king henry vi why, am i dead? do i not breathe a man? ah, simple men, you know not what you swear! look, as i blow this feather from my face, and as the air blows it to me again, obeying with my wind when i do blow, and yielding to another when it blows, commanded always by the greater gust; such is the lightness of you common men. but do not break your oaths; for of that sin my mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. go where you will, the king shall be commanded; and be you kings, command, and i'll obey. first keeper we are true subjects to the king, king edward. king henry vi so would you be again to henry, if he were seated as king edward is. first keeper we charge you, in god's name, and the king's, to go with us unto the officers. king henry vi in god's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd: and what god will, that let your king perform; and what he will, i humbly yield unto. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iii scene ii london. the palace. [enter king edward iv, gloucester, clarence, and lady grey] king edward iv brother of gloucester, at saint alban's field this lady's husband, sir richard grey, was slain, his lands then seized on by the conqueror: her suit is now to repossess those lands; which we in justice cannot well deny, because in quarrel of the house of york the worthy gentleman did lose his life. gloucester your highness shall do well to grant her suit; it were dishonour to deny it her. king edward iv it were no less; but yet i'll make a pause. gloucester [aside to clarence] yea, is it so? i see the lady hath a thing to grant, before the king will grant her humble suit. clarence [aside to gloucester] he knows the game: how true he keeps the wind! gloucester [aside to clarence] silence! king edward iv widow, we will consider of your suit; and come some other time to know our mind. lady grey right gracious lord, i cannot brook delay: may it please your highness to resolve me now; and what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me. gloucester [aside to clarence] ay, widow? then i'll warrant you all your lands, an if what pleases him shall pleasure you. fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow. clarence [aside to gloucester] i fear her not, unless she chance to fall. gloucester [aside to clarence] god forbid that! for he'll take vantages. king edward iv how many children hast thou, widow? tell me. clarence [aside to gloucester] i think he means to beg a child of her. gloucester [aside to clarence] nay, whip me then: he'll rather give her two. lady grey three, my most gracious lord. gloucester [aside to clarence] you shall have four, if you'll be ruled by him. king edward iv 'twere pity they should lose their father's lands. lady grey be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. king edward iv lords, give us leave: i'll try this widow's wit. gloucester [aside to clarence] ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch. [gloucester and clarence retire] king edward iv now tell me, madam, do you love your children? lady grey ay, full as dearly as i love myself. king edward iv and would you not do much to do them good? lady grey to do them good, i would sustain some harm. king edward iv then get your husband's lands, to do them good. lady grey therefore i came unto your majesty. king edward iv i'll tell you how these lands are to be got. lady grey so shall you bind me to your highness' service. king edward iv what service wilt thou do me, if i give them? lady grey what you command, that rests in me to do. king edward iv but you will take exceptions to my boon. lady grey no, gracious lord, except i cannot do it. king edward iv ay, but thou canst do what i mean to ask. lady grey why, then i will do what your grace commands. gloucester [aside to clarence] he plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. clarence [aside to gloucester] as red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt. lady grey why stops my lord, shall i not hear my task? king edward iv an easy task; 'tis but to love a king. lady grey that's soon perform'd, because i am a subject. king edward iv why, then, thy husband's lands i freely give thee. lady grey i take my leave with many thousand thanks. gloucester [aside to clarence] the match is made; she seals it with a curtsy. king edward iv but stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love i mean. lady grey the fruits of love i mean, my loving liege. king edward iv ay, but, i fear me, in another sense. what love, think'st thou, i sue so much to get? lady grey my love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers; that love which virtue begs and virtue grants. king edward iv no, by my troth, i did not mean such love. lady grey why, then you mean not as i thought you did. king edward iv but now you partly may perceive my mind. lady grey my mind will never grant what i perceive your highness aims at, if i aim aright. king edward iv to tell thee plain, i aim to lie with thee. lady grey to tell you plain, i had rather lie in prison. king edward iv why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands. lady grey why, then mine honesty shall be my dower; for by that loss i will not purchase them. king edward iv therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily. lady grey herein your highness wrongs both them and me. but, mighty lord, this merry inclination accords not with the sadness of my suit: please you dismiss me either with 'ay' or 'no.' king edward iv ay, if thou wilt say 'ay' to my request; no if thou dost say 'no' to my demand. lady grey then, no, my lord. my suit is at an end. gloucester [aside to clarence] the widow likes him not, she knits her brows. clarence [aside to gloucester] he is the bluntest wooer in christendom. king edward iv [aside] her looks do argue her replete with modesty; her words do show her wit incomparable; all her perfections challenge sovereignty: one way or other, she is for a king; and she shall be my love, or else my queen.- say that king edward take thee for his queen? lady grey 'tis better said than done, my gracious lord: i am a subject fit to jest withal, but far unfit to be a sovereign. king edward iv sweet widow, by my state i swear to thee i speak no more than what my soul intends; and that is, to enjoy thee for my love. lady grey and that is more than i will yield unto: i know i am too mean to be your queen, and yet too good to be your concubine. king edward iv you cavil, widow: i did mean, my queen. lady grey 'twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father. king edward iv no more than when my daughters call thee mother. thou art a widow, and thou hast some children; and, by god's mother, i, being but a bachelor, have other some: why, 'tis a happy thing to be the father unto many sons. answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen. gloucester [aside to clarence] the ghostly father now hath done his shrift. clarence [aside to gloucester] when he was made a shriver, 'twas for shift. king edward iv brothers, you muse what chat we two have had. gloucester the widow likes it not, for she looks very sad. king edward iv you'll think it strange if i should marry her. clarence to whom, my lord? king edward iv why, clarence, to myself. gloucester that would be ten days' wonder at the least. clarence that's a day longer than a wonder lasts. gloucester by so much is the wonder in extremes. king edward iv well, jest on, brothers: i can tell you both her suit is granted for her husband's lands. [enter a nobleman] nobleman my gracious lord, henry your foe is taken, and brought your prisoner to your palace gate. king edward iv see that he be convey'd unto the tower: and go we, brothers, to the man that took him, to question of his apprehension. widow, go you along. lords, use her honourably. [exeunt all but gloucester] gloucester ay, edward will use women honourably. would he were wasted, marrow, bones and all, that from his loins no hopeful branch may spring, to cross me from the golden time i look for! and yet, between my soul's desire and me- the lustful edward's title buried- is clarence, henry, and his son young edward, and all the unlook'd for issue of their bodies, to take their rooms, ere i can place myself: a cold premeditation for my purpose! why, then, i do but dream on sovereignty; like one that stands upon a promontory, and spies a far-off shore where he would tread, wishing his foot were equal with his eye, and chides the sea that sunders him from thence, saying, he'll lade it dry to have his way: so do i wish the crown, being so far off; and so i chide the means that keeps me from it; and so i say, i'll cut the causes off, flattering me with impossibilities. my eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens too much, unless my hand and strength could equal them. well, say there is no kingdom then for richard; what other pleasure can the world afford? i'll make my heaven in a lady's lap, and deck my body in gay ornaments, and witch sweet ladies with my words and looks. o miserable thought! and more unlikely than to accomplish twenty golden crowns! why, love forswore me in my mother's womb: and, for i should not deal in her soft laws, she did corrupt frail nature with some bribe, to shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub; to make an envious mountain on my back, where sits deformity to mock my body; to shape my legs of an unequal size; to disproportion me in every part, like to a chaos, or an unlick'd bear-whelp that carries no impression like the dam. and am i then a man to be beloved? o monstrous fault, to harbour such a thought! then, since this earth affords no joy to me, but to command, to cheque, to o'erbear such as are of better person than myself, i'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown, and, whiles i live, to account this world but hell, until my mis-shaped trunk that bears this head be round impaled with a glorious crown. and yet i know not how to get the crown, for many lives stand between me and home: and i,--like one lost in a thorny wood, that rends the thorns and is rent with the thorns, seeking a way and straying from the way; not knowing how to find the open air, but toiling desperately to find it out,- torment myself to catch the english crown: and from that torment i will free myself, or hew my way out with a bloody axe. why, i can smile, and murder whiles i smile, and cry 'content' to that which grieves my heart, and wet my cheeks with artificial tears, and frame my face to all occasions. i'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall; i'll slay more gazers than the basilisk; i'll play the orator as well as nestor, deceive more slily than ulysses could, and, like a sinon, take another troy. i can add colours to the chameleon, change shapes with proteus for advantages, and set the murderous machiavel to school. can i do this, and cannot get a crown? tut, were it farther off, i'll pluck it down. [exit] 3 king henry vi act iii scene iii france. king lewis xi's palace. [flourish. enter king lewis xi, his sister bona, his admiral, called bourbon, prince edward, queen margaret, and oxford. king lewis xi sits, and riseth up again] king lewis xi fair queen of england, worthy margaret, sit down with us: it ill befits thy state and birth, that thou shouldst stand while lewis doth sit. queen margaret no, mighty king of france: now margaret must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve where kings command. i was, i must confess, great albion's queen in former golden days: but now mischance hath trod my title down, and with dishonour laid me on the ground; where i must take like seat unto my fortune, and to my humble seat conform myself. king lewis xi why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair? queen margaret from such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears and stops my tongue, while heart is drown'd in cares. king lewis xi whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself, and sit thee by our side: [seats her by him] yield not thy neck to fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind still ride in triumph over all mischance. be plain, queen margaret, and tell thy grief; it shall be eased, if france can yield relief. queen margaret those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts and give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak. now, therefore, be it known to noble lewis, that henry, sole possessor of my love, is of a king become a banish'd man, and forced to live in scotland a forlorn; while proud ambitious edward duke of york usurps the regal title and the seat of england's true-anointed lawful king. this is the cause that i, poor margaret, with this my son, prince edward, henry's heir, am come to crave thy just and lawful aid; and if thou fail us, all our hope is done: scotland hath will to help, but cannot help; our people and our peers are both misled, our treasures seized, our soldiers put to flight, and, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight. king lewis xi renowned queen, with patience calm the storm, while we bethink a means to break it off. queen margaret the more we stay, the stronger grows our foe. king lewis xi the more i stay, the more i'll succor thee. queen margaret o, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow. and see where comes the breeder of my sorrow! [enter warwick] king lewis xi what's he approacheth boldly to our presence? queen margaret our earl of warwick, edward's greatest friend. king lewis xi welcome, brave warwick! what brings thee to france? [he descends. she ariseth] queen margaret ay, now begins a second storm to rise; for this is he that moves both wind and tide. warwick from worthy edward, king of albion, my lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend, i come, in kindness and unfeigned love, first, to do greetings to thy royal person; and then to crave a league of amity; and lastly, to confirm that amity with a nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant that virtuous lady bona, thy fair sister, to england's king in lawful marriage. queen margaret [aside] if that go forward, henry's hope is done. warwick [to bona] and, gracious madam, in our king's behalf, i am commanded, with your leave and favour, humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue to tell the passion of my sovereign's heart; where fame, late entering at his heedful ears, hath placed thy beauty's image and thy virtue. queen margaret king lewis and lady bona, hear me speak, before you answer warwick. his demand springs not from edward's well-meant honest love, but from deceit bred by necessity; for how can tyrants safely govern home, unless abroad they purchase great alliance? to prove him tyrant this reason may suffice, that henry liveth still: but were he dead, yet here prince edward stands, king henry's son. look, therefore, lewis, that by this league and marriage thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour; for though usurpers sway the rule awhile, yet heavens are just, and time suppresseth wrongs. warwick injurious margaret! prince edward and why not queen? warwick because thy father henry did usurp; and thou no more are prince than she is queen. oxford then warwick disannuls great john of gaunt, which did subdue the greatest part of spain; and, after john of gaunt, henry the fourth, whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest; and, after that wise prince, henry the fifth, who by his prowess conquered all france: from these our henry lineally descends. warwick oxford, how haps it, in this smooth discourse, you told not how henry the sixth hath lost all that which henry fifth had gotten? methinks these peers of france should smile at that. but for the rest, you tell a pedigree of threescore and two years; a silly time to make prescription for a kingdom's worth. oxford why, warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege, whom thou obeyed'st thirty and six years, and not bewray thy treason with a blush? warwick can oxford, that did ever fence the right, now buckler falsehood with a pedigree? for shame! leave henry, and call edward king. oxford call him my king by whose injurious doom my elder brother, the lord aubrey vere, was done to death? and more than so, my father, even in the downfall of his mellow'd years, when nature brought him to the door of death? no, warwick, no; while life upholds this arm, this arm upholds the house of lancaster. warwick and i the house of york. king lewis xi queen margaret, prince edward, and oxford, vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside, while i use further conference with warwick. [they stand aloof] queen margaret heavens grant that warwick's words bewitch him not! king lewis xi now warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience, is edward your true king? for i were loath to link with him that were not lawful chosen. warwick thereon i pawn my credit and mine honour. king lewis xi but is he gracious in the people's eye? warwick the more that henry was unfortunate. king lewis xi then further, all dissembling set aside, tell me for truth the measure of his love unto our sister bona. warwick such it seems as may beseem a monarch like himself. myself have often heard him say and swear that this his love was an eternal plant, whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground, the leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun, exempt from envy, but not from disdain, unless the lady bona quit his pain. king lewis xi now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. bona your grant, or your denial, shall be mine: [to warwick] yet i confess that often ere this day, when i have heard your king's desert recounted, mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire. king lewis xi then, warwick, thus: our sister shall be edward's; and now forthwith shall articles be drawn touching the jointure that your king must make, which with her dowry shall be counterpoised. draw near, queen margaret, and be a witness that bona shall be wife to the english king. prince edward to edward, but not to the english king. queen margaret deceitful warwick! it was thy device by this alliance to make void my suit: before thy coming lewis was henry's friend. king lewis xi and still is friend to him and margaret: but if your title to the crown be weak, as may appear by edward's good success, then 'tis but reason that i be released from giving aid which late i promised. yet shall you have all kindness at my hand that your estate requires and mine can yield. warwick henry now lives in scotland at his ease, where having nothing, nothing can he lose. and as for you yourself, our quondam queen, you have a father able to maintain you; and better 'twere you troubled him than france. queen margaret peace, impudent and shameless warwick, peace, proud setter up and puller down of kings! i will not hence, till, with my talk and tears, both full of truth, i make king lewis behold thy sly conveyance and thy lord's false love; for both of you are birds of selfsame feather. [post blows a horn within] king lewis xi warwick, this is some post to us or thee. [enter a post] post [to warwick] my lord ambassador, these letters are for you, sent from your brother, marquess montague: [to king lewis xi] these from our king unto your majesty: [to queen margaret] and, madam, these for you; from whom i know not. [they all read their letters] oxford i like it well that our fair queen and mistress smiles at her news, while warwick frowns at his. prince edward nay, mark how lewis stamps, as he were nettled: i hope all's for the best. king lewis xi warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen? queen margaret mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys. warwick mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. king lewis xi what! has your king married the lady grey! and now, to soothe your forgery and his, sends me a paper to persuade me patience? is this the alliance that he seeks with france? dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? queen margaret i told your majesty as much before: this proveth edward's love and warwick's honesty. warwick king lewis, i here protest, in sight of heaven, and by the hope i have of heavenly bliss, that i am clear from this misdeed of edward's, no more my king, for he dishonours me, but most himself, if he could see his shame. did i forget that by the house of york my father came untimely to his death? did i let pass the abuse done to my niece? did i impale him with the regal crown? did i put henry from his native right? and am i guerdon'd at the last with shame? shame on himself! for my desert is honour: and to repair my honour lost for him, i here renounce him and return to henry. my noble queen, let former grudges pass, and henceforth i am thy true servitor: i will revenge his wrong to lady bona, and replant henry in his former state. queen margaret warwick, these words have turn'd my hate to love; and i forgive and quite forget old faults, and joy that thou becomest king henry's friend. warwick so much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend, that, if king lewis vouchsafe to furnish us with some few bands of chosen soldiers, i'll undertake to land them on our coast and force the tyrant from his seat by war. 'tis not his new-made bride shall succor him: and as for clarence, as my letters tell me, he's very likely now to fall from him, for matching more for wanton lust than honour, or than for strength and safety of our country. bona dear brother, how shall bona be revenged but by thy help to this distressed queen? queen margaret renowned prince, how shall poor henry live, unless thou rescue him from foul despair? bona my quarrel and this english queen's are one. warwick and mine, fair lady bona, joins with yours. king lewis xi and mine with hers, and thine, and margaret's. therefore at last i firmly am resolved you shall have aid. queen margaret let me give humble thanks for all at once. king lewis xi then, england's messenger, return in post, and tell false edward, thy supposed king, that lewis of france is sending over masquers to revel it with him and his new bride: thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal. bona tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, i'll wear the willow garland for his sake. queen margaret tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside, and i am ready to put armour on. warwick tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, and therefore i'll uncrown him ere't be long. there's thy reward: be gone. [exit post] king lewis xi but, warwick, thou and oxford, with five thousand men, shall cross the seas, and bid false edward battle; and, as occasion serves, this noble queen and prince shall follow with a fresh supply. yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt, what pledge have we of thy firm loyalty? warwick this shall assure my constant loyalty, that if our queen and this young prince agree, i'll join mine eldest daughter and my joy to him forthwith in holy wedlock bands. queen margaret yes, i agree, and thank you for your motion. son edward, she is fair and virtuous, therefore delay not, give thy hand to warwick; and, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable, that only warwick's daughter shall be thine. prince edward yes, i accept her, for she well deserves it; and here, to pledge my vow, i give my hand. [he gives his hand to warwick] king lewis xi why stay we now? these soldiers shall be levied, and thou, lord bourbon, our high admiral, shalt waft them over with our royal fleet. i long till edward fall by war's mischance, for mocking marriage with a dame of france. [exeunt all but warwick] warwick i came from edward as ambassador, but i return his sworn and mortal foe: matter of marriage was the charge he gave me, but dreadful war shall answer his demand. had he none else to make a stale but me? then none but i shall turn his jest to sorrow. i was the chief that raised him to the crown, and i'll be chief to bring him down again: not that i pity henry's misery, but seek revenge on edward's mockery. [exit] 3 king henry vi act iv scene i london. the palace. [enter gloucester, clarence, somerset, and montague] gloucester now tell me, brother clarence, what think you of this new marriage with the lady grey? hath not our brother made a worthy choice? clarence alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to france; how could he stay till warwick made return? somerset my lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king. gloucester and his well-chosen bride. clarence i mind to tell him plainly what i think. [flourish. enter king edward iv, attended; queen elizabeth, pembroke, stafford, hastings, and others] king edward iv now, brother of clarence, how like you our choice, that you stand pensive, as half malcontent? clarence as well as lewis of france, or the earl of warwick, which are so weak of courage and in judgment that they'll take no offence at our abuse. king edward iv suppose they take offence without a cause, they are but lewis and warwick: i am edward, your king and warwick's, and must have my will. gloucester and shall have your will, because our king: yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. king edward iv yea, brother richard, are you offended too? gloucester not i: no, god forbid that i should wish them sever'd whom god hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity to sunder them that yoke so well together. king edward iv setting your scorns and your mislike aside, tell me some reason why the lady grey should not become my wife and england's queen. and you too, somerset and montague, speak freely what you think. clarence then this is mine opinion: that king lewis becomes your enemy, for mocking him about the marriage of the lady bona. gloucester and warwick, doing what you gave in charge, is now dishonoured by this new marriage. king edward iv what if both lewis and warwick be appeased by such invention as i can devise? montague yet, to have join'd with france in such alliance would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth 'gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage. hastings why, knows not montague that of itself england is safe, if true within itself? montague but the safer when 'tis back'd with france. hastings 'tis better using france than trusting france: let us be back'd with god and with the seas which he hath given for fence impregnable, and with their helps only defend ourselves; in them and in ourselves our safety lies. clarence for this one speech lord hastings well deserves to have the heir of the lord hungerford. king edward iv ay, what of that? it was my will and grant; and for this once my will shall stand for law. gloucester and yet methinks your grace hath not done well, to give the heir and daughter of lord scales unto the brother of your loving bride; she better would have fitted me or clarence: but in your bride you bury brotherhood. clarence or else you would not have bestow'd the heir of the lord bonville on your new wife's son, and leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere. king edward iv alas, poor clarence! is it for a wife that thou art malcontent? i will provide thee. clarence in choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment, which being shallow, you give me leave to play the broker in mine own behalf; and to that end i shortly mind to leave you. king edward iv leave me, or tarry, edward will be king, and not be tied unto his brother's will. queen elizabeth my lords, before it pleased his majesty to raise my state to title of a queen, do me but right, and you must all confess that i was not ignoble of descent; and meaner than myself have had like fortune. but as this title honours me and mine, so your dislike, to whom i would be pleasing, doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow. king edward iv my love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: what danger or what sorrow can befall thee, so long as edward is thy constant friend, and their true sovereign, whom they must obey? nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too, unless they seek for hatred at my hands; which if they do, yet will i keep thee safe, and they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath. gloucester [aside] i hear, yet say not much, but think the more. [enter a post] king edward iv now, messenger, what letters or what news from france? post my sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, but such as i, without your special pardon, dare not relate. king edward iv go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. what answer makes king lewis unto our letters? post at my depart, these were his very words: 'go tell false edward, thy supposed king, that lewis of france is sending over masquers to revel it with him and his new bride.' king edward iv is lewis so brave? belike he thinks me henry. but what said lady bona to my marriage? post these were her words, utter'd with mad disdain: 'tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, i'll wear the willow garland for his sake.' king edward iv i blame not her, she could say little less; she had the wrong. but what said henry's queen? for i have heard that she was there in place. post 'tell him,' quoth she, 'my mourning weeds are done, and i am ready to put armour on.' king edward iv belike she minds to play the amazon. but what said warwick to these injuries? post he, more incensed against your majesty than all the rest, discharged me with these words: 'tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, and therefore i'll uncrown him ere't be long.' king edward iv ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? well i will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: they shall have wars and pay for their presumption. but say, is warwick friends with margaret? post ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in friendship that young prince edward marries warwick's daughter. clarence belike the elder; clarence will have the younger. now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast, for i will hence to warwick's other daughter; that, though i want a kingdom, yet in marriage i may not prove inferior to yourself. you that love me and warwick, follow me. [exit clarence, and somerset follows] gloucester [aside] not i: my thoughts aim at a further matter; i stay not for the love of edward, but the crown. king edward iv clarence and somerset both gone to warwick! yet am i arm'd against the worst can happen; and haste is needful in this desperate case. pembroke and stafford, you in our behalf go levy men, and make prepare for war; they are already, or quickly will be landed: myself in person will straight follow you. [exeunt pembroke and stafford] but, ere i go, hastings and montague, resolve my doubt. you twain, of all the rest, are near to warwick by blood and by alliance: tell me if you love warwick more than me? if it be so, then both depart to him; i rather wish you foes than hollow friends: but if you mind to hold your true obedience, give me assurance with some friendly vow, that i may never have you in suspect. montague so god help montague as he proves true! hastings and hastings as he favours edward's cause! king edward iv now, brother richard, will you stand by us? gloucester ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. king edward iv why, so! then am i sure of victory. now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, till we meet warwick with his foreign power. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene ii a plain in warwickshire. [enter warwick and oxford, with french soldiers] warwick trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; the common people by numbers swarm to us. [enter clarence and somerset] but see where somerset and clarence come! speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends? clarence fear not that, my lord. warwick then, gentle clarence, welcome unto warwick; and welcome, somerset: i hold it cowardice to rest mistrustful where a noble heart hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; else might i think that clarence, edward's brother, were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: but welcome, sweet clarence; my daughter shall be thine. and now what rests but, in night's coverture, thy brother being carelessly encamp'd, his soldiers lurking in the towns about, and but attended by a simple guard, we may surprise and take him at our pleasure? our scouts have found the adventure very easy: that as ulysses and stout diomede with sleight and manhood stole to rhesus' tents, and brought from thence the thracian fatal steeds, so we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle, at unawares may beat down edward's guard and seize himself; i say not, slaughter him, for i intend but only to surprise him. you that will follow me to this attempt, applaud the name of henry with your leader. [they all cry, 'henry!'] why, then, let's on our way in silent sort: for warwick and his friends, god and saint george! [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene iii edward's camp, near warwick. [enter three watchmen, to guard king edward iv's tent] first watchman come on, my masters, each man take his stand: the king by this is set him down to sleep. second watchman what, will he not to bed? first watchman why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow never to lie and take his natural rest till warwick or himself be quite suppress'd. second watchman to-morrow then belike shall be the day, if warwick be so near as men report. third watchman but say, i pray, what nobleman is that that with the king here resteth in his tent? first watchman 'tis the lord hastings, the king's chiefest friend. third watchman o, is it so? but why commands the king that his chief followers lodge in towns about him, while he himself keeps in the cold field? second watchman 'tis the more honour, because more dangerous. third watchman ay, but give me worship and quietness; i like it better than a dangerous honour. if warwick knew in what estate he stands, 'tis to be doubted he would waken him. first watchman unless our halberds did shut up his passage. second watchman ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, but to defend his person from night-foes? [enter warwick, clarence, oxford, somerset, and french soldiers, silent all] warwick this is his tent; and see where stand his guard. courage, my masters! honour now or never! but follow me, and edward shall be ours. first watchman who goes there? second watchman stay, or thou diest! [warwick and the rest cry all, 'warwick! warwick!' and set upon the guard, who fly, crying, 'arm! arm!' warwick and the rest following them] [the drum playing and trumpet sounding, reenter warwick, somerset, and the rest, bringing king edward iv out in his gown, sitting in a chair. richard and hastings fly over the stage] somerset what are they that fly there? warwick richard and hastings: let them go; here is the duke. king edward iv the duke! why, warwick, when we parted, thou call'dst me king. warwick ay, but the case is alter'd: when you disgraced me in my embassade, then i degraded you from being king, and come now to create you duke of york. alas! how should you govern any kingdom, that know not how to use ambassadors, nor how to be contented with one wife, nor how to use your brothers brotherly, nor how to study for the people's welfare, nor how to shroud yourself from enemies? king edward iv yea, brother of clarence, are thou here too? nay, then i see that edward needs must down. yet, warwick, in despite of all mischance, of thee thyself and all thy complices, edward will always bear himself as king: though fortune's malice overthrow my state, my mind exceeds the compass of her wheel. warwick then, for his mind, be edward england's king: [takes off his crown] but henry now shall wear the english crown, and be true king indeed, thou but the shadow. my lord of somerset, at my request, see that forthwith duke edward be convey'd unto my brother, archbishop of york. when i have fought with pembroke and his fellows, i'll follow you, and tell what answer lewis and the lady bona send to him. now, for a while farewell, good duke of york. [they lead him out forcibly] king edward iv what fates impose, that men must needs abide; it boots not to resist both wind and tide. [exit, guarded] oxford what now remains, my lords, for us to do but march to london with our soldiers? warwick ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; to free king henry from imprisonment and see him seated in the regal throne. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene iv london. the palace. [enter queen elizabeth and rivers] rivers madam, what makes you in this sudden change? queen elizabeth why brother rivers, are you yet to learn what late misfortune is befall'n king edward? rivers what! loss of some pitch'd battle against warwick? queen elizabeth no, but the loss of his own royal person. rivers then is my sovereign slain? queen elizabeth ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner, either betray'd by falsehood of his guard or by his foe surprised at unawares: and, as i further have to understand, is new committed to the bishop of york, fell warwick's brother and by that our foe. rivers these news i must confess are full of grief; yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may: warwick may lose, that now hath won the day. queen elizabeth till then fair hope must hinder life's decay. and i the rather wean me from despair for love of edward's offspring in my womb: this is it that makes me bridle passion and bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; ay, ay, for this i draw in many a tear and stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, lest with my sighs or tears i blast or drown king edward's fruit, true heir to the english crown. rivers but, madam, where is warwick then become? queen elizabeth i am inform'd that he comes towards london, to set the crown once more on henry's head: guess thou the rest; king edward's friends must down, but, to prevent the tyrant's violence,- for trust not him that hath once broken faith,- i'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary, to save at least the heir of edward's right: there shall i rest secure from force and fraud. come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly: if warwick take us we are sure to die. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene v a park near middleham castle in yorkshire. [enter gloucester, hastings, and stanley] gloucester now, my lord hastings and sir william stanley, leave off to wonder why i drew you hither, into this chiefest thicket of the park. thus stands the case: you know our king, my brother, is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands he hath good usage and great liberty, and, often but attended with weak guard, comes hunting this way to disport himself. i have advertised him by secret means that if about this hour he make his way under the colour of his usual game, he shall here find his friends with horse and men to set him free from his captivity. [enter king edward iv and a huntsman with him] huntsman this way, my lord; for this way lies the game. king edward iv nay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand. now, brother of gloucester, lord hastings, and the rest, stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? gloucester brother, the time and case requireth haste: your horse stands ready at the park-corner. king edward iv but whither shall we then? hastings to lynn, my lord, and ship from thence to flanders. gloucester well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. king edward iv stanley, i will requite thy forwardness. gloucester but wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. king edward iv huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along? huntsman better do so than tarry and be hang'd. gloucester come then, away; let's ha' no more ado. king edward iv bishop, farewell: shield thee from warwick's frown; and pray that i may repossess the crown. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene vi london. the tower. [flourish. enter king henry vi, clarence, warwick, somerset, henry of richmond, oxford, montague, and lieutenant of the tower] king henry vi master lieutenant, now that god and friends have shaken edward from the regal seat, and turn'd my captive state to liberty, my fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys, at our enlargement what are thy due fees? lieutenant subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns; but if an humble prayer may prevail, i then crave pardon of your majesty. king henry vi for what, lieutenant? for well using me? nay, be thou sure i'll well requite thy kindness, for that it made my imprisonment a pleasure; ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds conceive when after many moody thoughts at last by notes of household harmony they quite forget their loss of liberty. but, warwick, after god, thou set'st me free, and chiefly therefore i thank god and thee; he was the author, thou the instrument. therefore, that i may conquer fortune's spite by living low, where fortune cannot hurt me, and that the people of this blessed land may not be punish'd with my thwarting stars, warwick, although my head still wear the crown, i here resign my government to thee, for thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. warwick your grace hath still been famed for virtuous; and now may seem as wise as virtuous, by spying and avoiding fortune's malice, for few men rightly temper with the stars: yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, for choosing me when clarence is in place. clarence no, warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, to whom the heavens in thy nativity adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown, as likely to be blest in peace and war; and therefore i yield thee my free consent. warwick and i choose clarence only for protector. king henry vi warwick and clarence give me both your hands: now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts, that no dissension hinder government: i make you both protectors of this land, while i myself will lead a private life and in devotion spend my latter days, to sin's rebuke and my creator's praise. warwick what answers clarence to his sovereign's will? clarence that he consents, if warwick yield consent; for on thy fortune i repose myself. warwick why, then, though loath, yet must i be content: we'll yoke together, like a double shadow to henry's body, and supply his place; i mean, in bearing weight of government, while he enjoys the honour and his ease. and, clarence, now then it is more than needful forthwith that edward be pronounced a traitor, and all his lands and goods be confiscate. clarence what else? and that succession be determined. warwick ay, therein clarence shall not want his part. king henry vi but, with the first of all your chief affairs, let me entreat, for i command no more, that margaret your queen and my son edward be sent for, to return from france with speed; for, till i see them here, by doubtful fear my joy of liberty is half eclipsed. clarence it shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. king henry vi my lord of somerset, what youth is that, of whom you seem to have so tender care? somerset my liege, it is young henry, earl of richmond. king henry vi come hither, england's hope. [lays his hand on his head] if secret powers suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, this pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. his looks are full of peaceful majesty, his head by nature framed to wear a crown, his hand to wield a sceptre, and himself likely in time to bless a regal throne. make much of him, my lords, for this is he must help you more than you are hurt by me. [enter a post] warwick what news, my friend? post that edward is escaped from your brother, and fled, as he hears since, to burgundy. warwick unsavoury news! but how made he escape? post he was convey'd by richard duke of gloucester and the lord hastings, who attended him in secret ambush on the forest side and from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him; for hunting was his daily exercise. warwick my brother was too careless of his charge. but let us hence, my sovereign, to provide a salve for any sore that may betide. [exeunt all but somerset, henry of richmond, and oxford] somerset my lord, i like not of this flight of edward's; for doubtless burgundy will yield him help, and we shall have more wars before 't be long. as henry's late presaging prophecy did glad my heart with hope of this young richmond, so doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts what may befall him, to his harm and ours: therefore, lord oxford, to prevent the worst, forthwith we'll send him hence to brittany, till storms be past of civil enmity. oxford ay, for if edward repossess the crown, 'tis like that richmond with the rest shall down. somerset it shall be so; he shall to brittany. come, therefore, let's about it speedily. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene vii before york. [flourish. enter king edward iv, gloucester, hastings, and soldiers] king edward iv now, brother richard, lord hastings, and the rest, yet thus far fortune maketh us amends, and says that once more i shall interchange my waned state for henry's regal crown. well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas and brought desired help from burgundy: what then remains, we being thus arrived from ravenspurgh haven before the gates of york, but that we enter, as into our dukedom? gloucester the gates made fast! brother, i like not this; for many men that stumble at the threshold are well foretold that danger lurks within. king edward iv tush, man, abodements must not now affright us: by fair or foul means we must enter in, for hither will our friends repair to us. hastings my liege, i'll knock once more to summon them. [enter, on the walls, the mayor of york, and his brethren] mayor my lords, we were forewarned of your coming, and shut the gates for safety of ourselves; for now we owe allegiance unto henry. king edward iv but, master mayor, if henry be your king, yet edward at the least is duke of york. mayor true, my good lord; i know you for no less. king edward iv why, and i challenge nothing but my dukedom, as being well content with that alone. gloucester [aside] but when the fox hath once got in his nose, he'll soon find means to make the body follow. hastings why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? open the gates; we are king henry's friends. mayor ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. [they descend] gloucester a wise stout captain, and soon persuaded! hastings the good old man would fain that all were well, so 'twere not 'long of him; but being enter'd, i doubt not, i, but we shall soon persuade both him and all his brothers unto reason. [enter the mayor and two aldermen, below] king edward iv so, master mayor: these gates must not be shut but in the night or in the time of war. what! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys; [takes his keys] for edward will defend the town and thee, and all those friends that deign to follow me. [march. enter montgomery, with drum and soldiers] gloucester brother, this is sir john montgomery, our trusty friend, unless i be deceived. king edward iv welcome, sir john! but why come you in arms? montague to help king edward in his time of storm, as every loyal subject ought to do. king edward iv thanks, good montgomery; but we now forget our title to the crown and only claim our dukedom till god please to send the rest. montague then fare you well, for i will hence again: i came to serve a king and not a duke. drummer, strike up, and let us march away. [the drum begins to march] king edward iv nay, stay, sir john, awhile, and we'll debate by what safe means the crown may be recover'd. montague what talk you of debating? in few words, if you'll not here proclaim yourself our king, i'll leave you to your fortune and be gone to keep them back that come to succor you: why shall we fight, if you pretend no title? gloucester why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points? king edward iv when we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim: till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. hastings away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. gloucester and fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. brother, we will proclaim you out of hand: the bruit thereof will bring you many friends. king edward iv then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, and henry but usurps the diadem. montague ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself; and now will i be edward's champion. hastings sound trumpet; edward shall be here proclaim'd: come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. [flourish] soldier edward the fourth, by the grace of god, king of england and france, and lord of ireland, &c. montague and whosoe'er gainsays king edward's right, by this i challenge him to single fight. [throws down his gauntlet] all long live edward the fourth! king edward iv thanks, brave montgomery; and thanks unto you all: if fortune serve me, i'll requite this kindness. now, for this night, let's harbour here in york; and when the morning sun shall raise his car above the border of this horizon, we'll forward towards warwick and his mates; for well i wot that henry is no soldier. ah, froward clarence! how evil it beseems thee to flatter henry and forsake thy brother! yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and warwick. come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day, and, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act iv scene viii london. the palace. [flourish. enter king henry vi, warwick, montague, clarence, exeter, and oxford] warwick what counsel, lords? edward from belgia, with hasty germans and blunt hollanders, hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, and with his troops doth march amain to london; and many giddy people flock to him. king henry vi let's levy men, and beat him back again. clarence a little fire is quickly trodden out; which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench. warwick in warwickshire i have true-hearted friends, not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; those will i muster up: and thou, son clarence, shalt stir up in suffolk, norfolk, and in kent, the knights and gentlemen to come with thee: thou, brother montague, in buckingham, northampton and in leicestershire, shalt find men well inclined to hear what thou command'st: and thou, brave oxford, wondrous well beloved, in oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends. my sovereign, with the loving citizens, like to his island girt in with the ocean, or modest dian circled with her nymphs, shall rest in london till we come to him. fair lords, take leave and stand not to reply. farewell, my sovereign. king henry vi farewell, my hector, and my troy's true hope. clarence in sign of truth, i kiss your highness' hand. king henry vi well-minded clarence, be thou fortunate! montague comfort, my lord; and so i take my leave. oxford and thus i seal my truth, and bid adieu. king henry vi sweet oxford, and my loving montague, and all at once, once more a happy farewell. warwick farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at coventry. [exeunt all but king henry vi and exeter] king henry vi here at the palace i will rest awhile. cousin of exeter, what thinks your lordship? methinks the power that edward hath in field should not be able to encounter mine. exeter the doubt is that he will seduce the rest. king henry vi that's not my fear; my meed hath got me fame: i have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, nor posted off their suits with slow delays; my pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, my mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, my mercy dried their water-flowing tears; i have not been desirous of their wealth, nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies. nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd: then why should they love edward more than me? no, exeter, these graces challenge grace: and when the lion fawns upon the lamb, the lamb will never cease to follow him. [shout within. 'a lancaster! a lancaster!'] exeter hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these? [enter king edward iv, gloucester, and soldiers] king edward iv seize on the shame-faced henry, bear him hence; and once again proclaim us king of england. you are the fount that makes small brooks to flow: now stops thy spring; my sea sha$l suck them dry, and swell so much the higher by their ebb. hence with him to the tower; let him not speak. [exeunt some with king henry vi] and, lords, towards coventry bend we our course where peremptory warwick now remains: the sun shines hot; and, if we use delay, cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay. gloucester away betimes, before his forces join, and take the great-grown traitor unawares: brave warriors, march amain towards coventry. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act v scene i coventry. [enter warwick, the mayor of coventry, two messengers, and others upon the walls] warwick where is the post that came from valiant oxford? how far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? first messenger by this at dunsmore, marching hitherward. warwick how far off is our brother montague? where is the post that came from montague? second messenger by this at daintry, with a puissant troop. [enter sir john somerville] warwick say, somerville, what says my loving son? and, by thy guess, how nigh is clarence now? somerset at southam i did leave him with his forces, and do expect him here some two hours hence. [drum heard] warwick then clarence is at hand, i hear his drum. somerset it is not his, my lord; here southam lies: the drum your honour hears marcheth from warwick. warwick who should that be? belike, unlook'd-for friends. somerset they are at hand, and you shall quickly know. [march: flourish. enter king edward iv, gloucester, and soldiers] king edward iv go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle. gloucester see how the surly warwick mans the wall! warwick o unbid spite! is sportful edward come? where slept our scouts, or how are they seduced, that we could hear no news of his repair? king edward iv now, warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates, speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee, call edward king and at his hands beg mercy? and he shall pardon thee these outrages. warwick nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee own, call warwick patron and be penitent? and thou shalt still remain the duke of york. gloucester i thought, at least, he would have said the king; or did he make the jest against his will? warwick is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift? gloucester ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give: i'll do thee service for so good a gift. warwick 'twas i that gave the kingdom to thy brother. king edward iv why then 'tis mine, if but by warwick's gift. warwick thou art no atlas for so great a weight: and weakling, warwick takes his gift again; and henry is my king, warwick his subject. king edward iv but warwick's king is edward's prisoner: and, gallant warwick, do but answer this: what is the body when the head is off? gloucester alas, that warwick had no more forecast, but, whiles he thought to steal the single ten, the king was slily finger'd from the deck! you left poor henry at the bishop's palace, and, ten to one, you'll meet him in the tower. edward 'tis even so; yet you are warwick still. gloucester come, warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel down: nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. warwick i had rather chop this hand off at a blow, and with the other fling it at thy face, than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee. king edward iv sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend, this hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off, write in the dust this sentence with thy blood, 'wind-changing warwick now can change no more.' [enter oxford, with drum and colours] warwick o cheerful colours! see where oxford comes! oxford oxford, oxford, for lancaster! [he and his forces enter the city] gloucester the gates are open, let us enter too. king edward iv so other foes may set upon our backs. stand we in good array; for they no doubt will issue out again and bid us battle: if not, the city being but of small defence, we'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. warwick o, welcome, oxford! for we want thy help. [enter montague with drum and colours] montague montague, montague, for lancaster! [he and his forces enter the city] gloucester thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason even with the dearest blood your bodies bear. king edward iv the harder match'd, the greater victory: my mind presageth happy gain and conquest. [enter somerset, with drum and colours] somerset somerset, somerset, for lancaster! [he and his forces enter the city] gloucester two of thy name, both dukes of somerset, have sold their lives unto the house of york; and thou shalt be the third if this sword hold. [enter clarence, with drum and colours] warwick and lo, where george of clarence sweeps along, of force enough to bid his brother battle; with whom an upright zeal to right prevails more than the nature of a brother's love! come, clarence, come; thou wilt, if warwick call. clarence father of warwick, know you what this means? [taking his red rose out of his hat] look here, i throw my infamy at thee i will not ruinate my father's house, who gave his blood to lime the stones together, and set up lancaster. why, trow'st thou, warwick, that clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural, to bend the fatal instruments of war against his brother and his lawful king? perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath: to keep that oath were more impiety than jephthah's, when he sacrificed his daughter. i am so sorry for my trespass made that, to deserve well at my brother's hands, i here proclaim myself thy mortal foe, with resolution, wheresoe'er i meet thee- as i will meet thee, if thou stir abroad- to plague thee for thy foul misleading me. and so, proud-hearted warwick, i defy thee, and to my brother turn my blushing cheeks. pardon me, edward, i will make amends: and, richard, do not frown upon my faults, for i will henceforth be no more unconstant. king edward iv now welcome more, and ten times more beloved, than if thou never hadst deserved our hate. gloucester welcome, good clarence; this is brotherlike. warwick o passing traitor, perjured and unjust! king edward iv what, warwick, wilt thou leave the town and fight? or shall we beat the stones about thine ears? warwick alas, i am not coop'd here for defence! i will away towards barnet presently, and bid thee battle, edward, if thou darest. king edward iv yes, warwick, edward dares, and leads the way. lords, to the field; saint george and victory! [exeunt king edward and his company. march. warwick and his company follow] 3 king henry vi act v scene ii a field of battle near barnet. [alarum and excursions. enter king edward iv, bringing forth warwick wounded] king edward iv so, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear; for warwick was a bug that fear'd us all. now, montague, sit fast; i seek for thee, that warwick's bones may keep thine company. [exit] warwick ah, who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe, and tell me who is victor, york or warwick? why ask i that? my mangled body shows, my blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows. that i must yield my body to the earth and, by my fall, the conquest to my foe. thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge, whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle, under whose shade the ramping lion slept, whose top-branch overpeer'd jove's spreading tree and kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind. these eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's black veil, have been as piercing as the mid-day sun, to search the secret treasons of the world: the wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood, were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres; for who lived king, but i could dig his grave? and who durst mine when warwick bent his brow? lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood! my parks, my walks, my manors that i had. even now forsake me, and of all my lands is nothing left me but my body's length. why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust? and, live we how we can, yet die we must. [enter oxford and somerset] somerset ah, warwick, warwick! wert thou as we are. we might recover all our loss again; the queen from france hath brought a puissant power: even now we heard the news: ah, could'st thou fly! warwick why, then i would not fly. ah, montague, if thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand. and with thy lips keep in my soul awhile! thou lovest me not; for, brother, if thou didst, thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood that glues my lips and will not let me speak. come quickly, montague, or i am dead. somerset ah, warwick! montague hath breathed his last; and to the latest gasp cried out for warwick, and said 'commend me to my valiant brother.' and more he would have said, and more he spoke, which sounded like a clamour in a vault, that mought not be distinguished; but at last i well might hear, delivered with a groan, 'o, farewell, warwick!' warwick sweet rest his soul! fly, lords, and save yourselves; for warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven. [dies] oxford away, away, to meet the queen's great power! [here they bear away his body. exeunt] 3 king henry vi act v scene iii another part of the field. [flourish. enter king edward iv in triumph; with gloucester, clarence, and the rest] king edward iv thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, and we are graced with wreaths of victory. but, in the midst of this bright-shining day, i spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud, that will encounter with our glorious sun, ere he attain his easeful western bed: i mean, my lords, those powers that the queen hath raised in gallia have arrived our coast and, as we hear, march on to fight with us. clarence a little gale will soon disperse that cloud and blow it to the source from whence it came: the very beams will dry those vapours up, for every cloud engenders not a storm. gloucester the queen is valued thirty thousand strong, and somerset, with oxford fled to her: if she have time to breathe be well assured her faction will be full as strong as ours. king edward iv we are advertised by our loving friends that they do hold their course toward tewksbury: we, having now the best at barnet field, will thither straight, for willingness rids way; and, as we march, our strength will be augmented in every county as we go along. strike up the drum; cry 'courage!' and away. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act v scene iv plains near tewksbury. [march. enter queen margaret, prince edward, somerset, oxford, and soldiers] queen margaret great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, but cheerly seek how to redress their harms. what though the mast be now blown overboard, the cable broke, the holding-anchor lost, and half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? yet lives our pilot still. is't meet that he should leave the helm and like a fearful lad with tearful eyes add water to the sea and give more strength to that which hath too much, whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock, which industry and courage might have saved? ah, what a shame! ah, what a fault were this! say warwick was our anchor; what of that? and montague our topmost; what of him? our slaughter'd friends the tackles; what of these? why, is not oxford here another anchor? and somerset another goodly mast? the friends of france our shrouds and tacklings? and, though unskilful, why not ned and i for once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge? we will not from the helm to sit and weep, but keep our course, though the rough wind say no, from shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck. as good to chide the waves as speak them fair. and what is edward but ruthless sea? what clarence but a quicksand of deceit? and richard but a ragged fatal rock? all these the enemies to our poor bark. say you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while! tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink: bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off, or else you famish; that's a threefold death. this speak i, lords, to let you understand, if case some one of you would fly from us, that there's no hoped-for mercy with the brothers more than with ruthless waves, with sands and rocks. why, courage then! what cannot be avoided 'twere childish weakness to lament or fear. prince edward methinks a woman of this valiant spirit should, if a coward heard her speak these words, infuse his breast with magnanimity and make him, naked, foil a man at arms. i speak not this as doubting any here for did i but suspect a fearful man he should have leave to go away betimes, lest in our need he might infect another and make him of like spirit to himself. if any such be here--as god forbid!- let him depart before we need his help. oxford women and children of so high a courage, and warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame. o brave young prince! thy famous grandfather doth live again in thee: long mayst thou live to bear his image and renew his glories! somerset and he that will not fight for such a hope. go home to bed, and like the owl by day, if he arise, be mock'd and wonder'd at. queen margaret thanks, gentle somerset; sweet oxford, thanks. prince edward and take his thanks that yet hath nothing else. [enter a messenger] messenger prepare you, lords, for edward is at hand. ready to fight; therefore be resolute. oxford i thought no less: it is his policy to haste thus fast, to find us unprovided. somerset but he's deceived; we are in readiness. queen margaret this cheers my heart, to see your forwardness. oxford here pitch our battle; hence we will not budge. [flourish and march. enter king edward iv, gloucester, clarence, and soldiers] king edward iv brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood, which, by the heavens' assistance and your strength, must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. i need not add more fuel to your fire, for well i wot ye blaze to burn them out give signal to the fight, and to it, lords! queen margaret lords, knights, and gentlemen, what i should say my tears gainsay; for every word i speak, ye see, i drink the water of mine eyes. therefore, no more but this: henry, your sovereign, is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, his realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain, his statutes cancell'd and his treasure spent; and yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil. you fight in justice: then, in god's name, lords, be valiant and give signal to the fight. [alarum. retreat. excursions. exeunt] 3 king henry vi act v scene v another part of the field. [flourish. enter king edward iv, gloucester, clarence, and soldiers; with queen margaret, oxford, and somerset, prisoners] king edward iv now here a period of tumultuous broils. away with oxford to hames castle straight: for somerset, off with his guilty head. go, bear them hence; i will not hear them speak. oxford for my part, i'll not trouble thee with words. somerset nor i, but stoop with patience to my fortune. [exeunt oxford and somerset, guarded] queen margaret so part we sadly in this troublous world, to meet with joy in sweet jerusalem. king edward iv is proclamation made, that who finds edward shall have a high reward, and he his life? gloucester it is: and lo, where youthful edward comes! [enter soldiers, with prince edward] king edward iv bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak. what! can so young a thorn begin to prick? edward, what satisfaction canst thou make for bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects, and all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to? prince edward speak like a subject, proud ambitious york! suppose that i am now my father's mouth; resign thy chair, and where i stand kneel thou, whilst i propose the selfsame words to thee, which traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. queen margaret ah, that thy father had been so resolved! gloucester that you might still have worn the petticoat, and ne'er have stol'n the breech from lancaster. prince edward let aesop fable in a winter's night; his currish riddles sort not with this place. gloucester by heaven, brat, i'll plague ye for that word. queen margaret ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. gloucester for god's sake, take away this captive scold. prince edward nay, take away this scolding crookback rather. king edward iv peace, wilful boy, or i will charm your tongue. clarence untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. prince edward i know my duty; you are all undutiful: lascivious edward, and thou perjured george, and thou mis-shapen dick, i tell ye all i am your better, traitors as ye are: and thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. king edward iv take that, thou likeness of this railer here. [stabs him] gloucester sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agony. [stabs him] clarence and there's for twitting me with perjury. [stabs him] queen margaret o, kill me too! gloucester marry, and shall. [offers to kill her] king edward iv hold, richard, hold; for we have done too much. gloucester why should she live, to fill the world with words? king edward iv what, doth she swoon? use means for her recovery. gloucester clarence, excuse me to the king my brother; i'll hence to london on a serious matter: ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news. clarence what? what? gloucester the tower, the tower. [exit] queen margaret o ned, sweet ned! speak to thy mother, boy! canst thou not speak? o traitors! murderers! they that stabb'd caesar shed no blood at all, did not offend, nor were not worthy blame, if this foul deed were by to equal it: he was a man; this, in respect, a child: and men ne'er spend their fury on a child. what's worse than murderer, that i may name it? no, no, my heart will burst, and if i speak: and i will speak, that so my heart may burst. butchers and villains! bloody cannibals! how sweet a plant have you untimely cropp'd! you have no children, butchers! if you had, the thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse: but if you ever chance to have a child, look in his youth to have him so cut off as, deathmen, you have rid this sweet young prince! king edward iv away with her; go, bear her hence perforce. queen margaret nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here, here sheathe thy sword, i'll pardon thee my death: what, wilt thou not? then, clarence, do it thou. clarence by heaven, i will not do thee so much ease. queen margaret good clarence, do; sweet clarence, do thou do it. clarence didst thou not hear me swear i would not do it? queen margaret ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself: 'twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. what, wilt thou not? where is that devil's butcher, hard-favour'd richard? richard, where art thou? thou art not here: murder is thy alms-deed; petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. king edward iv away, i say; i charge ye, bear her hence. queen margaret so come to you and yours, as to this prince! [exit, led out forcibly] king edward iv where's richard gone? clarence to london, all in post; and, as i guess, to make a bloody supper in the tower. king edward iv he's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. now march we hence: discharge the common sort with pay and thanks, and let's away to london and see our gentle queen how well she fares: by this, i hope, she hath a son for me. [exeunt] 3 king henry vi act v scene vi london. the tower. [enter king henry vi and gloucester, with the lieutenant, on the walls] gloucester good day, my lord. what, at your book so hard? king henry vi ay, my good lord:--my lord, i should say rather; 'tis sin to flatter; 'good' was little better: 'good gloucester' and 'good devil' were alike, and both preposterous; therefore, not 'good lord.' gloucester sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer. [exit lieutenant] king henry vi so flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf; so first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece and next his throat unto the butcher's knife. what scene of death hath roscius now to act? gloucester suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; the thief doth fear each bush an officer. king henry vi the bird that hath been limed in a bush, with trembling wings misdoubteth every bush; and i, the hapless male to one sweet bird, have now the fatal object in my eye where my poor young was limed, was caught and kill'd. gloucester why, what a peevish fool was that of crete, that taught his son the office of a fowl! an yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd. king henry vi i, daedalus; my poor boy, icarus; thy father, minos, that denied our course; the sun that sear'd the wings of my sweet boy thy brother edward, and thyself the sea whose envious gulf did swallow up his life. ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words! my breast can better brook thy dagger's point than can my ears that tragic history. but wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life? gloucester think'st thou i am an executioner? king henry vi a persecutor, i am sure, thou art: if murdering innocents be executing, why, then thou art an executioner. gloucester thy son i kill'd for his presumption. king henry vi hadst thou been kill'd when first thou didst presume, thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine. and thus i prophesy, that many a thousand, which now mistrust no parcel of my fear, and many an old man's sigh and many a widow's, and many an orphan's water-standing eye- men for their sons, wives for their husbands, and orphans for their parents timeless death- shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born. the owl shriek'd at thy birth,--an evil sign; the night-crow cried, aboding luckless time; dogs howl'd, and hideous tempest shook down trees; the raven rook'd her on the chimney's top, and chattering pies in dismal discords sung. thy mother felt more than a mother's pain, and, yet brought forth less than a mother's hope, to wit, an indigested and deformed lump, not like the fruit of such a goodly tree. teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born, to signify thou camest to bite the world: and, if the rest be true which i have heard, thou camest- gloucester i'll hear no more: die, prophet in thy speech: [stabs him] for this amongst the rest, was i ordain'd. king henry vi ay, and for much more slaughter after this. god forgive my sins, and pardon thee! [dies] gloucester what, will the aspiring blood of lancaster sink in the ground? i thought it would have mounted. see how my sword weeps for the poor king's death! o, may such purple tears be alway shed from those that wish the downfall of our house! if any spark of life be yet remaining, down, down to hell; and say i sent thee thither: [stabs him again] i, that have neither pity, love, nor fear. indeed, 'tis true that henry told me of; for i have often heard my mother say i came into the world with my legs forward: had i not reason, think ye, to make haste, and seek their ruin that usurp'd our right? the midwife wonder'd and the women cried 'o, jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!' and so i was; which plainly signified that i should snarl and bite and play the dog. then, since the heavens have shaped my body so, let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it. i have no brother, i am like no brother; and this word 'love,' which graybeards call divine, be resident in men like one another and not in me: i am myself alone. clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light: but i will sort a pitchy day for thee; for i will buz abroad such prophecies that edward shall be fearful of his life, and then, to purge his fear, i'll be thy death. king henry and the prince his son are gone: clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest, counting myself but bad till i be best. i'll throw thy body in another room and triumph, henry, in thy day of doom. [exit, with the body] 3 king henry vi act v scene vii london. the palace. [flourish. enter king edward iv, queen elizabeth, clarence, gloucester, hastings, a nurse with the young prince, and attendants] king edward iv once more we sit in england's royal throne, re-purchased with the blood of enemies. what valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn, have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride! three dukes of somerset, threefold renown'd for hardy and undoubted champions; two cliffords, as the father and the son, and two northumberlands; two braver men ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound; with them, the two brave bears, warwick and montague, that in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion and made the forest tremble when they roar'd. thus have we swept suspicion from our seat and made our footstool of security. come hither, bess, and let me kiss my boy. young ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself have in our armours watch'd the winter's night, went all afoot in summer's scalding heat, that thou mightst repossess the crown in peace; and of our labours thou shalt reap the gain. gloucester [aside] i'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; for yet i am not look'd on in the world. this shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave; and heave it shall some weight, or break my back: work thou the way,--and thou shalt execute. king edward iv clarence and gloucester, love my lovely queen; and kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. clarence the duty that i owe unto your majesty i seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. queen elizabeth thanks, noble clarence; worthy brother, thanks. gloucester and, that i love the tree from whence thou sprang'st, witness the loving kiss i give the fruit. [aside] to say the truth, so judas kiss'd his master, and cried 'all hail!' when as he meant all harm. king edward iv now am i seated as my soul delights, having my country's peace and brothers' loves. clarence what will your grace have done with margaret? reignier, her father, to the king of france hath pawn'd the sicils and jerusalem, and hither have they sent it for her ransom. king edward iv away with her, and waft her hence to france. and now what rests but that we spend the time with stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows, such as befits the pleasure of the court? sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy! for here, i hope, begins our lasting joy. [exeunt] 