Than Aquitain, a dowry for a queen. When she did starve the general world beside, Prin. Good lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted florish of your praise : Tell him, the daughter of the king of France, 1 Confident. Boy. Proud of employment, willingly I go. [Exit. Prin. All pride is willing pride, and yours is so.— Who are the votaries, my loving lords, That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke? 1 Lord. Longaville is one. Prin. Know you the man? Mar. I know him, madam: at a marriage feast, Between lord Perigort and the beauteous heir Of Jaques Falconbridge solemnised, In Normandy saw I this Longaville. A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd ; power. Prin. Some merry mocking lord, belike; is 't so? Mar. They say so most, that most his humors know. Prin. Such short-lived wits do wither as they grow. Who are the rest? Kath. The young Dumain, a well-accomplish'd youth, Of all that virtue love for virtue loved: Most power to do most harm, least knowing ill; And much too little of that good I saw, Ros. Another of these students at that time Prin. God bless my ladies! are they all in love; That every one her own hath garnished With such bedecking ornaments of praise? Mar. Here comes Boyet. Prin. Re-enter BOYET. Now, what admittance, lord › Boy. Navarre had notice of your fair approach; And he, and his competitors 1 in oath, 1 Were all address'd 2 to meet you, gentle lady, Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learn'd; 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, [the ladies mask. Enter KING, LONGAVILLE, DUMAIN, BIRON, and Attendants. King. Fair princess, welcome to the court of Navarre. Prin. 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 wild fields too base to be mine. King. You shall be welcome, madam, to my court. Prin. I will be welcome then: conduct me thither. King. Hear me, dear lady! I have sworn an oath. Prin. Our lady help my lord! he 'll be forsworn. King. Not for the world, fair madam, by my will. Prin. Why, will shall break it; will, and nothing else. King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is. Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise, Where 1 now his knowlege must prove ignorance. I hear, your grace hath sworn-out housekeeping : 'Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord, And sin to break it : But pardon me, I am too sudden-boid ; To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me. 1 Whereas. Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming, Prin. You will the sooner, that I were away; Ros. 'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions. Bir. Your wit's too hot : it speeds too fast; 'twill tire. Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire. Bir. What time o' day? Ros. The hour that fools should ask. Bir. Now fair befal your mask! Ros. Fair fall the face it covers! Bir. And send you many lovers! Bir. Nay, then will I be gone. King. Madam, your father here doth intimate The payment of a hundred thousand crowns; Being but the one half of an intire 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, |