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