Chapter 40

EnterFlorizelandPerdita.Flo.These your unusual weeds to each part of youDogive a life: no shepherdess, but FloraPeering in April's front. This your sheep-shearingIs asa meetingof the petty gods,And you the queen on't.5Per.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 obscuredWith a swain's wearing, and me, poor lowly maid,10Most goddess-like prank'd up: but that our feastsIn every mess have folly and the feedersDigest itwith acustom, I should blushTo see you so attired,sworn, I think,To show myself aglass.Flo.I bless the time15When my good falcon made her flight acrossThy father's ground.Per.Now Jove afford you cause!To me the difference forges dread; your greatnessHath not been used to fear. Even now I trembleTo think your father, by some accident,20Should pass this way as you did: O, the Fates!How would he look, to see his work, so noble,Vilelybound up? What would he say? Or howShould I, in these my borrow'd flaunts, beholdThe sternness of his presence?Flo.Apprehend25Nothing but jollity. The gods themselves,Humbling their deities to love, have takenThe shapes of beasts upon them: JupiterBecame a bull, and bellow'd;the greenNeptuneA ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed god,30Golden Apollo, a poor humble swain,As I seemnow. TheirtransformationsWere never for a piece of beauty rarer,Norin a wayso chaste, since my desiresRun not before mine honour, nor my lustsBurn hotter than myfaith.35Per.O, but,sir,Your resolution cannot hold, when 'tisOpposed, as it must be, by the power of the king:One of these twomust be necessities,Which then will speak, that you must change this purpose,Or I my life.40Flo.ThoudearestPerdita,With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken notThe mirth o' the feast. Or I'll be thine, my fair,Or not my father's. For I cannot beMine own, nor any thing to any, if45I be not thine. To this I am most constant,Though destiny say no. Be merry,gentle;Strangle such thoughts as these with any thingThat you behold the while. Your guests are coming:Lift upyourcountenance, asit werethe day50Of celebration of that nuptial whichWe two have sworn shall come.Per.O lady Fortune,Stand you auspicious!Flo.See, your guests approach:Address yourself to entertain them sprightly,And let's be red with mirth.EnterShepherd, Clown,Mopsa,Dorcas,and others,withPolixenesandCamillodisguised.55Shep.Fie, daughter! when my old wife lived, uponThis 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;60On his shoulder,andhis; her face o' fireWith labour and thethingshe took to quench it,She would to each one sip. You are retired,As if you were a feasted one and notThe hostess of the meeting: pray you, bid65These unknown friends to's welcome; for it isA way to make us better friends, more known.Come, quench your blushes and present yourselfThat which you are, mistress o' the feast:come on,And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing,As your good flock shall prosper.70Per.[To Pol.]Sir, welcome:It is my father's will I should take on meThe hostess-ship o' the day.[To Cam.]You're welcome,sir.Give me those flowers there, Dorcas. Reverend sirs,For you there's rosemary and rue; these keep75Seeming and savour all the winter long:Grace and remembrance beto youboth,And welcome to our shearing!Pol.Shepherdess,A fair one are you,wellyou fit our agesWith flowers of winter.Per.Sir, the year growing ancient,80Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birthOf trembling winter, thefairestflowers o' the seasonAre our carnations and streak'dgillyvors,Which somecallnature's bastards: of that kindOur rusticgarden'sbarren; and I care notTo get slips of them.85Pol.Wherefore, gentle maiden,Do you neglect them?Per.For I have heard it saidThere is an art which in their piedness sharesWith great creating nature.Pol.Say there be;Yet nature is made better by no mean,90But nature makes that mean: so,overthat artWhich you say adds to nature, is an artThat nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marryA gentlerscionto thewildeststock,And make conceive a bark of baser kind95By bud of nobler race: this is an artWhich does mend nature, change it rather, butThe art itself is nature.Per.So it is.Pol.Then makeyourgarden rich ingillyvors,And do not call them bastards.Per.I'll not put100The dibble in earth to set one slip of them;No more than were I painted I would wishThis youth should say 'twere well, and only thereforeDesire to breed by me. Here's flowers for you;Hot lavender,mints, savory, marjoram;105The marigold, that goes to bedwi' thesunAnd with him rises weeping: these are flowersOf middle summer, and I think they are givenTo men of middle age.You'revery welcome.Cam.I should leave grazing, were I of your flock,And only live by gazing.110Per.Out, alas!You'ld be so lean, that blasts of JanuaryWould blow you through and through. Now,my fair'st friend,I would I had some flowers o' the spring that mightBecome your time of day; and yours, and yours,115That wear upon your virgin branches yetYour maidenheads growing: O Proserpina,For the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fallFromDis'swaggon!daffodils,That come before the swallow dares, and take120The winds of March with beauty; violets dimBut sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyesOr Cytherea's breath; pale primroses,That die unmarried, ere they can beholdBright Phœbus in his strength, a malady125Most incident to maids;boldoxlips andThe crown imperial; lilies of all kinds,Theflower-de-lucebeing one! O, these I lack,To make you garlands of; and my sweet friend,To strew him o'er and o'er!Flo.What, like a corse?130Per.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 doInWhitsunpastorals: sure this robe of mineDoes change my disposition.135Flo.What you doStill betters what is done. When you speak, sweet,I'ldhave 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,140To sing them too: when you do dance, I wish youA wave o' the sea, that you might ever doNothing but that;movestill,still so,And own noother function: each your doing,So singular in each particular,145Crowns whatyou aredoing in the presentdeeds,That all your acts arequeens.Per.O Doricles,Your praises are too large: but that your youth,And the true blood whichpeepsfairly through 't,Do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd,150With wisdom I might fear, my Doricles,You woo'd me the false way.Flo.I think you haveAs little skillto fearas I have purposeTo put you to't. But come; our dance, I pray:Your hand, my Perdita: so turtles pair,That never mean to part.155Per.I'll swearfor'em.Pol.This is the prettiest low-born lass that everRan on thegreen-sward: nothing she does orseemsBut smacks of something greater than herself,Too noble for this place.Cam.He tells her something160Thatmakesher bloodlook out:good sooth, she isThe queen of curds and cream.Clo.Come on, strike up!Dor.Mopsamust be your mistress:marry, garlic,To mend her kissing with!Mop.Now, in good time!Clo.Not a word, a word; we stand upon our manners.165Come,strike up![Music.Here a dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses.Pol.Pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is thisWhichdances with your daughter?Shep.They call him Doricles;and boastshimselfTo have a worthyfeeding:but I have it170Upon 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 moonUpon the water, as he'll stand and readAs 'twere my daughter's eyes: and, to be plain,175I think there is not half a kiss to chooseWho loves anotherbest.Pol.She dances featly.Shep.So shedoes any thing; though I report it,That should be silent: if young DoriclesDo light upon her, she shall bring him that180Which he not dreams of.EnterServant.Serv.O master, if you did but hear the pedlar at thedoor, you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe;no, the bagpipe could not move you: he sings several tunesfaster than you'll tell money; he utters them as he had185eaten ballads and all men's earsgrewto his tunes.Clo.He could never come better; he shall come in. Ilove a ballad but even too well, if it be doleful mattermerrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sunglamentably.190Serv.He hath songs for man or woman, of all sizes;no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves: he has theprettiest love-songs for maids; so without bawdry, which isstrange; with such delicate burthens of dildos andfadings,'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed195rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break a foulgapinto 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.'Pol.This is a brave fellow.200Clo.Believe me, thou talkest of anadmirable conceitedfellow. Has he anyunbraided wares?Serv.He hath ribbons of all the colours i' the rainbow;points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedlyhandle, though they come to him by the gross: inkles, caddisses,205cambrics, lawns: why, he sings 'em over as theywere godsorgoddesses; you would think a smock were ashe-angel, he so chants to thesleeve-handand the workabout the square on't.Clo.Prithee bring him in; and let him approach singing.210Per.Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in'stunes.[ExitServant.Clo.You have of these pedlars, that have more inthemthan you'ld think, sister.Per.Ay, good brother, or go about to think.EnterAutolycus,singing.215Lawn as white as driven snow;Cypressblack as e'er was crow;Gloves as sweet as damask roses;Masks for faces and for noses;Bugle bracelet, necklace amber,220Perfume 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:225Come buy of me,come;come buy, come buy;Buy, lads, or else your lasses cry:Come buy.Clo.If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou shouldst takeno money of me; but being enthralled as I am, it will also230be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves.Mop.I was promised them against the feast; butthey come not too late now.Dor.He hath promised you more than that, or therebe liars.235Mop.He hath paid you all he promised you: may be, hehas paid you more, which will shame you to give him again.Clo.Is there no manners left among maids? will theywear their plackets where they shouldbeartheir faces? Isthere not milking-time, when you are going to bed, orkiln-hole,240towhistle offthese secrets, but you must be tittle-tattlingbefore all our guests? 'tis well they are whispering:clamouryour tongues, and not a word more.Mop.I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-laceand a pair of sweet gloves.245Clo.Have I not told thee how I was cozened by theway and lost all my money?Ant.And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; thereforeit behoves men to be wary.Clo.Fear not thou, man, thou shall lose nothing here.250Ant.I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcelsof charge.Clo.What hast here? ballads?Mop.Pray now, buy some: I love aballadin print o'life,for then we are sure they are true.255Ant.Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer'swife was brought to bedoftwenty money-bags at aburthenand how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed.Mop.Is it true, think you?260Ant.Very true, and but a month old.Dor.Bless me from marrying a usurer!Ant.Here's themidwife'sname to't, one MistressTale-porter, and five or six honestwivesthat were present.Why should I carry lies abroad?265Mop.Pray you now, buy it.Clo.Come on, lay it by: and let's first seemoeballads;we'll buy the other things anon.Ant.Here's anotherballad ofa fish, that appeared upon,the coast onWednesdaythe fourscore of April, forty thousand270fathomabove water, and sung this ballad against thehard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a woman, andwas turned into acoldfish for she would not exchange fleshwith one that loved her: the ballad is very pitiful and as true.Dor.Is it true too, think you?275Ant.Five justices' hands at it, and witnesses morethan my pack will hold.Clo.Lay it by too: another.Ant.This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.Mop.Let's have some merry ones.280Ant.Why, this is a passing merry one and goes to thetune of 'Two maids wooing a man:' there's scarce a maidwestward but she sings it; 'tis in request, I can tell you.Mop.We can both sing it: if thou'lt bear a part, thoushalt hear; 'tis in three parts.285Dor.We had the tune on't a month ago.Ant.I can bear my part; you must know 'tis myoccupation: have at it with you.Song.A.Get you hence, for I must go290Where itfits not you to know.D.. Whither?M.O, whither?D.Whither?M.It becomes thy oath full well,Thou to me thy secrets tell:D.Me too, let me gothither.M.Or thou goest to the grange or mill:295D.If to either, thou dost ill.A.Neither.D.What, neither?A.Neither.D.Thou hast sworn my love to be;M.Thou hast sworn it more to me:Then whither goest? say, whither?300Clo.We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: myfather and thegentlemenare in sad talk, and we'll nottrouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after me.Wenches, I'll buy for you both. Pedlar, let's have thefirst choice. Follow me, girls.[Exitwith Dorcas and Mopsa.305Ant.And you shall pay well for 'em.[Follows singing.Will youbuyany tape,Or lace for yourcape,My dainty duck, my dear-a?Anysilk, any thread,310Any toys for your head,Of the new'st, and finest, finestwear-a?Come to the pedlar;Money's a medler,That doth utter all men's ware-a.[Exit.

EnterFlorizelandPerdita.

Flo.These your unusual weeds to each part of youDogive a life: no shepherdess, but FloraPeering in April's front. This your sheep-shearingIs asa meetingof the petty gods,And you the queen on't.

Flo.These your unusual weeds to each part of you

Dogive a life: no shepherdess, but Flora

Peering in April's front. This your sheep-shearing

Is asa meetingof the petty gods,

And you the queen on't.

5Per.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 obscuredWith a swain's wearing, and me, poor lowly maid,10Most goddess-like prank'd up: but that our feastsIn every mess have folly and the feedersDigest itwith acustom, I should blushTo see you so attired,sworn, I think,To show myself aglass.

Per.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 itwith acustom, I should blush

To see you so attired,sworn, I think,

To show myself aglass.

Flo.I bless the time15When my good falcon made her flight acrossThy father's ground.

Flo.I bless the time

When my good falcon made her flight across

Thy father's ground.

Per.Now Jove afford you cause!To me the difference forges dread; your greatnessHath not been used to fear. Even now I trembleTo think your father, by some accident,20Should pass this way as you did: O, the Fates!How would he look, to see his work, so noble,Vilelybound up? What would he say? Or howShould I, in these my borrow'd flaunts, beholdThe sternness of his presence?

Per.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,

Vilelybound up? What would he say? Or how

Should I, in these my borrow'd flaunts, behold

The sternness of his presence?

Flo.Apprehend25Nothing but jollity. The gods themselves,Humbling their deities to love, have takenThe shapes of beasts upon them: JupiterBecame a bull, and bellow'd;the greenNeptuneA ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed god,30Golden Apollo, a poor humble swain,As I seemnow. TheirtransformationsWere never for a piece of beauty rarer,Norin a wayso chaste, since my desiresRun not before mine honour, nor my lustsBurn hotter than myfaith.

Flo.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 greenNeptune

A ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed god,

Golden Apollo, a poor humble swain,

As I seemnow. Theirtransformations

Were never for a piece of beauty rarer,

Norin a wayso chaste, since my desires

Run not before mine honour, nor my lusts

Burn hotter than myfaith.

35Per.O, but,sir,Your resolution cannot hold, when 'tisOpposed, as it must be, by the power of the king:One of these twomust be necessities,Which then will speak, that you must change this purpose,Or I my life.

Per.O, but,sir,

Your resolution cannot hold, when 'tis

Opposed, as it must be, by the power of the king:

One of these twomust be necessities,

Which then will speak, that you must change this purpose,

Or I my life.

40Flo.ThoudearestPerdita,With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken notThe mirth o' the feast. Or I'll be thine, my fair,Or not my father's. For I cannot beMine own, nor any thing to any, if45I be not thine. To this I am most constant,Though destiny say no. Be merry,gentle;Strangle such thoughts as these with any thingThat you behold the while. Your guests are coming:Lift upyourcountenance, asit werethe day50Of celebration of that nuptial whichWe two have sworn shall come.

Flo.ThoudearestPerdita,

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 upyourcountenance, asit werethe day

Of celebration of that nuptial which

We two have sworn shall come.

Per.O lady Fortune,Stand you auspicious!

Per.O lady Fortune,

Stand you auspicious!

Flo.See, your guests approach:Address yourself to entertain them sprightly,And let's be red with mirth.

Flo.See, your guests approach:

Address yourself to entertain them sprightly,

And let's be red with mirth.

EnterShepherd, Clown,Mopsa,Dorcas,and others,withPolixenesandCamillodisguised.

55Shep.Fie, daughter! when my old wife lived, uponThis 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;60On his shoulder,andhis; her face o' fireWith labour and thethingshe took to quench it,She would to each one sip. You are retired,As if you were a feasted one and notThe hostess of the meeting: pray you, bid65These unknown friends to's welcome; for it isA way to make us better friends, more known.Come, quench your blushes and present yourselfThat which you are, mistress o' the feast:come on,And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing,As your good flock shall prosper.

Shep.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,andhis; her face o' fire

With labour and thethingshe 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.

70Per.[To Pol.]Sir, welcome:It is my father's will I should take on meThe hostess-ship o' the day.[To Cam.]You're welcome,sir.Give me those flowers there, Dorcas. Reverend sirs,For you there's rosemary and rue; these keep75Seeming and savour all the winter long:Grace and remembrance beto youboth,And welcome to our shearing!

Per.[To Pol.]Sir, welcome:

It is my father's will I should take on me

The hostess-ship o' the day.[To Cam.]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 beto youboth,

And welcome to our shearing!

Pol.Shepherdess,A fair one are you,wellyou fit our agesWith flowers of winter.

Pol.Shepherdess,

A fair one are you,wellyou fit our ages

With flowers of winter.

Per.Sir, the year growing ancient,80Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birthOf trembling winter, thefairestflowers o' the seasonAre our carnations and streak'dgillyvors,Which somecallnature's bastards: of that kindOur rusticgarden'sbarren; and I care notTo get slips of them.

Per.Sir, the year growing ancient,

Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birth

Of trembling winter, thefairestflowers o' the season

Are our carnations and streak'dgillyvors,

Which somecallnature's bastards: of that kind

Our rusticgarden'sbarren; and I care not

To get slips of them.

85Pol.Wherefore, gentle maiden,Do you neglect them?

Pol.Wherefore, gentle maiden,

Do you neglect them?

Per.For I have heard it saidThere is an art which in their piedness sharesWith great creating nature.

Per.For I have heard it said

There is an art which in their piedness shares

With great creating nature.

Pol.Say there be;Yet nature is made better by no mean,90But nature makes that mean: so,overthat artWhich you say adds to nature, is an artThat nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marryA gentlerscionto thewildeststock,And make conceive a bark of baser kind95By bud of nobler race: this is an artWhich does mend nature, change it rather, butThe art itself is nature.

Pol.Say there be;

Yet nature is made better by no mean,

But nature makes that mean: so,overthat art

Which you say adds to nature, is an art

That nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marry

A gentlerscionto thewildeststock,

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.

Per.So it is.

Pol.Then makeyourgarden rich ingillyvors,And do not call them bastards.

Pol.Then makeyourgarden rich ingillyvors,

And do not call them bastards.

Per.I'll not put100The dibble in earth to set one slip of them;No more than were I painted I would wishThis youth should say 'twere well, and only thereforeDesire to breed by me. Here's flowers for you;Hot lavender,mints, savory, marjoram;105The marigold, that goes to bedwi' thesunAnd with him rises weeping: these are flowersOf middle summer, and I think they are givenTo men of middle age.You'revery welcome.

Per.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, savory, marjoram;

The marigold, that goes to bedwi' thesun

And with him rises weeping: these are flowers

Of middle summer, and I think they are given

To men of middle age.You'revery welcome.

Cam.I should leave grazing, were I of your flock,And only live by gazing.

Cam.I should leave grazing, were I of your flock,

And only live by gazing.

110Per.Out, alas!You'ld be so lean, that blasts of JanuaryWould blow you through and through. Now,my fair'st friend,I would I had some flowers o' the spring that mightBecome your time of day; and yours, and yours,115That wear upon your virgin branches yetYour maidenheads growing: O Proserpina,For the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fallFromDis'swaggon!daffodils,That come before the swallow dares, and take120The winds of March with beauty; violets dimBut sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyesOr Cytherea's breath; pale primroses,That die unmarried, ere they can beholdBright Phœbus in his strength, a malady125Most incident to maids;boldoxlips andThe crown imperial; lilies of all kinds,Theflower-de-lucebeing one! O, these I lack,To make you garlands of; and my sweet friend,To strew him o'er and o'er!

Per.Out, alas!

You'ld 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

FromDis'swaggon!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

Bright Phœbus in his strength, a malady

Most incident to maids;boldoxlips and

The crown imperial; lilies of all kinds,

Theflower-de-lucebeing one! O, these I lack,

To make you garlands of; and my sweet friend,

To strew him o'er and o'er!

Flo.What, like a corse?

130Per.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 doInWhitsunpastorals: sure this robe of mineDoes change my disposition.

Per.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

InWhitsunpastorals: sure this robe of mine

Does change my disposition.

135Flo.What you doStill betters what is done. When you speak, sweet,I'ldhave 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,140To sing them too: when you do dance, I wish youA wave o' the sea, that you might ever doNothing but that;movestill,still so,And own noother function: each your doing,So singular in each particular,145Crowns whatyou aredoing in the presentdeeds,That all your acts arequeens.

Flo.What you do

Still betters what is done. When you speak, sweet,

I'ldhave 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;movestill,still so,

And own noother function: each your doing,

So singular in each particular,

Crowns whatyou aredoing in the presentdeeds,

That all your acts arequeens.

Per.O Doricles,Your praises are too large: but that your youth,And the true blood whichpeepsfairly through 't,Do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd,150With wisdom I might fear, my Doricles,You woo'd me the false way.

Per.O Doricles,

Your praises are too large: but that your youth,

And the true blood whichpeepsfairly 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.

Flo.I think you haveAs little skillto fearas I have purposeTo put you to't. But come; our dance, I pray:Your hand, my Perdita: so turtles pair,That never mean to part.

Flo.I think you have

As little skillto fearas 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.

155Per.I'll swearfor'em.

Per.I'll swearfor'em.

Pol.This is the prettiest low-born lass that everRan on thegreen-sward: nothing she does orseemsBut smacks of something greater than herself,Too noble for this place.

Pol.This is the prettiest low-born lass that ever

Ran on thegreen-sward: nothing she does orseems

But smacks of something greater than herself,

Too noble for this place.

Cam.He tells her something160Thatmakesher bloodlook out:good sooth, she isThe queen of curds and cream.

Cam.He tells her something

Thatmakesher bloodlook out:good sooth, she is

The queen of curds and cream.

Clo.Come on, strike up!

Dor.Mopsamust be your mistress:marry, garlic,To mend her kissing with!

Dor.Mopsamust be your mistress:marry, garlic,

To mend her kissing with!

Mop.Now, in good time!

Clo.Not a word, a word; we stand upon our manners.165Come,strike up![Music.Here a dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses.

Clo.Not a word, a word; we stand upon our manners.

Come,strike up!

[Music.Here a dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses.

Pol.Pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is thisWhichdances with your daughter?

Pol.Pray, good shepherd, what fair swain is this

Whichdances with your daughter?

Shep.They call him Doricles;and boastshimselfTo have a worthyfeeding:but I have it170Upon 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 moonUpon the water, as he'll stand and readAs 'twere my daughter's eyes: and, to be plain,175I think there is not half a kiss to chooseWho loves anotherbest.

Shep.They call him Doricles;and boastshimself

To have a worthyfeeding: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 anotherbest.

Pol.She dances featly.

Shep.So shedoes any thing; though I report it,That should be silent: if young DoriclesDo light upon her, she shall bring him that180Which he not dreams of.

Shep.So shedoes 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.

EnterServant.

Serv.O master, if you did but hear the pedlar at thedoor, you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe;no, the bagpipe could not move you: he sings several tunesfaster than you'll tell money; he utters them as he had185eaten ballads and all men's earsgrewto his tunes.

Serv.O master, if you did but hear the pedlar at the

door, you would never dance again after a tabor 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 earsgrewto his tunes.

Clo.He could never come better; he shall come in. Ilove a ballad but even too well, if it be doleful mattermerrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed and sunglamentably.

Clo.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.

190Serv.He hath songs for man or woman, of all sizes;no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves: he has theprettiest love-songs for maids; so without bawdry, which isstrange; with such delicate burthens of dildos andfadings,'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed195rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break a foulgapinto 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.'

Serv.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 andfadings,

'jump her and thump her;' and where some stretch-mouthed

rascal would, as it were, mean mischief and break a foul

gapinto 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.'

Pol.This is a brave fellow.

200Clo.Believe me, thou talkest of anadmirable conceitedfellow. Has he anyunbraided wares?

Clo.Believe me, thou talkest of anadmirable conceited

fellow. Has he anyunbraided wares?

Serv.He hath ribbons of all the colours i' the rainbow;points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedlyhandle, though they come to him by the gross: inkles, caddisses,205cambrics, lawns: why, he sings 'em over as theywere godsorgoddesses; you would think a smock were ashe-angel, he so chants to thesleeve-handand the workabout the square on't.

Serv.He hath ribbons of all 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 godsorgoddesses; you would think a smock were a

she-angel, he so chants to thesleeve-handand the work

about the square on't.

Clo.Prithee bring him in; and let him approach singing.

210Per.Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in'stunes.[ExitServant.

Per.Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in's

tunes.[ExitServant.

Clo.You have of these pedlars, that have more inthemthan you'ld think, sister.

Clo.You have of these pedlars, that have more inthem

than you'ld think, sister.

Per.Ay, good brother, or go about to think.

EnterAutolycus,singing.

215Lawn as white as driven snow;Cypressblack as e'er was crow;Gloves as sweet as damask roses;Masks for faces and for noses;Bugle bracelet, necklace amber,220Perfume 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:225Come buy of me,come;come buy, come buy;Buy, lads, or else your lasses cry:Come buy.

Lawn as white as driven snow;

Cypressblack 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.

Clo.If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou shouldst takeno money of me; but being enthralled as I am, it will also230be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves.

Clo.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.

Mop.I was promised them against the feast; butthey come not too late now.

Mop.I was promised them against the feast; but

they come not too late now.

Dor.He hath promised you more than that, or therebe liars.

Dor.He hath promised you more than that, or there

be liars.

235Mop.He hath paid you all he promised you: may be, hehas paid you more, which will shame you to give him again.

Mop.He hath paid you all he promised you: may be, he

has paid you more, which will shame you to give him again.

Clo.Is there no manners left among maids? will theywear their plackets where they shouldbeartheir faces? Isthere not milking-time, when you are going to bed, orkiln-hole,240towhistle offthese secrets, but you must be tittle-tattlingbefore all our guests? 'tis well they are whispering:clamouryour tongues, and not a word more.

Clo.Is there no manners left among maids? will they

wear their plackets where they shouldbeartheir faces? Is

there not milking-time, when you are going to bed, orkiln-hole,

towhistle offthese secrets, but you must be tittle-tattling

before all our guests? 'tis well they are whispering:

clamouryour tongues, and not a word more.

Mop.I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-laceand a pair of sweet gloves.

Mop.I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-lace

and a pair of sweet gloves.

245Clo.Have I not told thee how I was cozened by theway and lost all my money?

Clo.Have I not told thee how I was cozened by the

way and lost all my money?

Ant.And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; thereforeit behoves men to be wary.

Ant.And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; therefore

it behoves men to be wary.

Clo.Fear not thou, man, thou shall lose nothing here.

250Ant.I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcelsof charge.

Ant.I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcels

of charge.

Clo.What hast here? ballads?

Mop.Pray now, buy some: I love aballadin print o'life,for then we are sure they are true.

Mop.Pray now, buy some: I love aballadin print o'

life,for then we are sure they are true.

255Ant.Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer'swife was brought to bedoftwenty money-bags at aburthenand how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed.

Ant.Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer's

wife was brought to bedoftwenty money-bags at aburthen

and how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed.

Mop.Is it true, think you?

260Ant.Very true, and but a month old.

Ant.Very true, and but a month old.

Dor.Bless me from marrying a usurer!

Ant.Here's themidwife'sname to't, one MistressTale-porter, and five or six honestwivesthat were present.Why should I carry lies abroad?

Ant.Here's themidwife'sname to't, one Mistress

Tale-porter, and five or six honestwivesthat were present.

Why should I carry lies abroad?

265Mop.Pray you now, buy it.

Mop.Pray you now, buy it.

Clo.Come on, lay it by: and let's first seemoeballads;we'll buy the other things anon.

Clo.Come on, lay it by: and let's first seemoeballads;

we'll buy the other things anon.

Ant.Here's anotherballad ofa fish, that appeared upon,the coast onWednesdaythe fourscore of April, forty thousand270fathomabove water, and sung this ballad against thehard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a woman, andwas turned into acoldfish for she would not exchange fleshwith one that loved her: the ballad is very pitiful and as true.

Ant.Here's anotherballad ofa fish, that appeared upon,

the coast onWednesdaythe fourscore of April, forty thousand

fathomabove water, and sung this ballad against the

hard hearts of maids: it was thought she was a woman, and

was turned into acoldfish for she would not exchange flesh

with one that loved her: the ballad is very pitiful and as true.

Dor.Is it true too, think you?

275Ant.Five justices' hands at it, and witnesses morethan my pack will hold.

Ant.Five justices' hands at it, and witnesses more

than my pack will hold.

Clo.Lay it by too: another.

Ant.This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one.

Mop.Let's have some merry ones.

280Ant.Why, this is a passing merry one and goes to thetune of 'Two maids wooing a man:' there's scarce a maidwestward but she sings it; 'tis in request, I can tell you.

Ant.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.

Mop.We can both sing it: if thou'lt bear a part, thoushalt hear; 'tis in three parts.

Mop.We can both sing it: if thou'lt bear a part, thou

shalt hear; 'tis in three parts.

285Dor.We had the tune on't a month ago.

Dor.We had the tune on't a month ago.

Ant.I can bear my part; you must know 'tis myoccupation: have at it with you.

Ant.I can bear my part; you must know 'tis my

occupation: have at it with you.

Song.

A.Get you hence, for I must go290Where itfits not you to know.D.. Whither?M.O, whither?D.Whither?M.It becomes thy oath full well,Thou to me thy secrets tell:D.Me too, let me gothither.

A.Get you hence, for I must go

Where itfits not you to know.

D.. Whither?M.O, whither?D.Whither?

M.It becomes thy oath full well,

Thou to me thy secrets tell:

D.Me too, let me gothither.

M.Or thou goest to the grange or mill:295D.If to either, thou dost ill.A.Neither.D.What, neither?A.Neither.D.Thou hast sworn my love to be;M.Thou hast sworn it more to me:Then whither goest? say, whither?

M.Or thou goest to the grange or mill:

D.If to either, thou dost ill.

A.Neither.D.What, neither?A.Neither.

D.Thou hast sworn my love to be;

M.Thou hast sworn it more to me:

Then whither goest? say, whither?

300Clo.We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: myfather and thegentlemenare in sad talk, and we'll nottrouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after me.Wenches, I'll buy for you both. Pedlar, let's have thefirst choice. Follow me, girls.[Exitwith Dorcas and Mopsa.

Clo.We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: my

father and thegentlemenare 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.[Exitwith Dorcas and Mopsa.

305Ant.And you shall pay well for 'em.[Follows singing.

Ant.And you shall pay well for 'em.[Follows singing.

Will youbuyany tape,Or lace for yourcape,My dainty duck, my dear-a?Anysilk, any thread,310Any toys for your head,Of the new'st, and finest, finestwear-a?Come to the pedlar;Money's a medler,That doth utter all men's ware-a.[Exit.

Will youbuyany tape,

Or lace for yourcape,

My dainty duck, my dear-a?

Anysilk, any thread,

Any toys for your head,

Of the new'st, and finest, finestwear-a?

Come to the pedlar;

Money's a medler,

That doth utter all men's ware-a.[Exit.

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