Page:Love's Labour's Lost (1925) Yale.djvu/32

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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-visag'd suitors, his high will.

Boyet. Proud of employment, willingly I go.

Exit Boyet.

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?

[A] Lord. Longaville is one.

Prin. Know you the man?

1. Lad. [Maria]. I know him, madam: at a marriage feast,

Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir

Of Jacques Falconbridge solemnized,

In Normandy saw I this Longaville.

A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd;

Well fitted in the 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 match'd with too blunt a will;

 25 to's: to us

28 Bold: confident

29 best-moving fair: persuasive and just

33 attend: await

38 duke: i.e. king (cf. I. i. 180, I. ii. 134)

41 Lord Perigort; cf. n.

46 would: i.e. would do

49 blunt: harsh

