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Cost. Sir, the contempts thereof are as touch-

ing me.

King. A letter from the magnificent Armado.

Ber. How low soever the matter, I hope in

God for high words.

Long. A high hope for a low heaven: God

grant us patience!

Ber. To hear, or forbear laughing?

Long. To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh

moderately, or to forbear both.

Ber. Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us

cause to climb in the merriness.

Cost. The matter is to me, sir, as concerning

Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken

with the manner.

Ber. In what manner?

Cost. 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.

Ber. For the following, sir?

Cost. As it shall follow in my correction; and

God defend the right!

King. Will you hear this letter with attention?

Ber. As we would hear an oracle.

Cost. Such is the simplicity of man to hearken

after the flesh.

 189 contempts: i.e. contents

191 magnificent: showy, vainglorious

194 low heaven: i.e. moderate pleasure

203 with the manner (mainour): in the act

207 form: bench

213 correction: punishment

